California Dreamin’...................MCR Acquires the Staybridge Suites Cathedral City Palm Springs

Going once, going twice, sold! MCR — the country’s 4th-largest hotel owner-operator — won the foreclosure auction for the 197-room Staybridge Suites Cathedral City Palm Springs, an IHG Hotel, on the Corona City Hall steps on April 7, 2021, at 9:30 AM. The acquisition marks MCR’s expansion into the California market as the Staybridge Suites joins MCR’s portfolio of 110 hotels across 33 states.

In the heart of the Coachella Valley, the all-suite hotel is just 10 minutes from Palm Springs Airport, 15 minutes from downtown Palm Springs and a two-hour drive to star-studded Los Angeles. If you’re searching for desert feels this summer, look no further! Next year, festival vibes will be in the air as Coachella and Stagecoach get rolling again.

Newly redesigned, the Palm Springs downtown plaza is renowned for its locally-owned restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. A popular home to movie stars and Presidents (Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan both settled in the city) since the 1930s, the area is full of old Hollywood glamour. Stroll along Palm Canyon Drive and Museum Way to glimpse the Walk of the Stars, which honours more than 440 famous residents, including Elvis Presley, Lena Horne and Marilyn Monroe.

Take advantage of sunshiny SoCal’s annual 300-plus days of rays: Hike nearby Tahquitz Canyon or drive through the valley to Joshua Tree National Park, which is visited by more than 3 million travellers each year.

Hyatt Announces Return of Hyatt Loves Local

Building on the success of Hyatt’s global initiative in 2020, Hyatt hotels are teaming up with even more minority and female-owned businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen the communities in which they operate in.

The Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced Hyatt hotels across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia regions have launched more than 160 Hyatt Loves Local collaborations in a continued effort to help revitalize and advance care to communities and small businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Following the success of the 2020 community-driven initiative, which provides complimentary resources and exposure to select local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic, Hyatt Loves Local has evolved to further meet the current needs of Hyatt communities and guests, including collaborating with more minority-owned and female-owned businesses and delivering reimagined experiences inspired by the new travel landscape. In turn, Hyatt Loves Local connects those in need directly with Hyatt guests and locals through distinctly local offerings, including wellbeing, arts and entertainment, “voluntourism,” travelling with pets and culinary experiences.

Aligned with Hyatt’s Change Starts Here commitment to accelerate Hyatt’s longstanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, nearly half of the 100 participating hotels are teaming up with more than 65 minority-owned and female-owned businesses, two groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Participating hotels are also working with new businesses that were born out of the pandemic. For example, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego is collaborating with Seaside Cinema to offer personalized, mobile outdoor movie experiences on the shores of Mission Bay. Seaside Cinema founders, Brian and Krystil Hofmann, were inspired to start the company as an alternative to movie theatres and indoor gatherings after Krystil lost her corporate job due to COVID-19.

Blue Flag Acquires 6 Historic Properties in Nantucket, Expands Relationship With Life House for Management

Local real estate firm Blue Flag Partners announced the acquisition of six additional properties in Nantucket, MA. With three existing hotel properties on Nantucket and the purchase of the historic Kelley House Hotel on Martha’s Vineyard in October 2020, these acquisitions further expand Blue Flag’s partnership with the Life House hotel group.

The portfolio, which comprises 6 properties spread across 3 transactions, includes the Summer House at 27 Fair Street, Summer House at 29 Fair Street, Pineapple Inn on Hussey Street, India Street Inn on India Street, Hawthorn House on Chestnut Street, and a property on Federal Street that previously operated as a seasonal vacation rental.

Hilton has released its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report

Hilton has released its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which highlights the company’s continued commitment to redefining sustainable travel and driving a positive impact on people and the planet. Through Hilton’s Travel with Purpose program, the company continues to take important steps to integrate positive social impact and environmental stewardship throughout its operations, communities and supply chain.

“As we weathered this unpredictable year, Hilton has remained focused on our Team Members and the communities we serve around the world,” said Kristin Campbell, general counsel and chief ESG officer, Hilton. “We took a nimble approach during this difficult period to deliver meaningful support, while remaining focused on our bold Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals. Now more than ever, we are committed to our leadership in environmental, social and governance so travellers can enjoy our planet for years to come.”

Hilton’s 2020 ESG Report highlights the company’s environmental and social performance during a tumultuous year. Despite the challenges of 2020, Hilton was proud to receive several significant ESG honours in 2020, including:

Named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, the most prestigious ranking for corporate responsibility and sustainability performance, for the second consecutive year;

Recognized just last week as one of the Best Companies to Work For in the U.S. by Great Place to Work and Fortune for the sixth consecutive year, including earning the #1 spot in 2020 and #3 in 2021 – as well as being ranked the #3 World’s Best Workplace and achieving a #1 ranking in seven countries around the world in 2020;

Ranked #2 on DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity list; and

Named to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2020 list, the only global hotel brand recognized.

An Unprecedented Year for Social Impact

Coming soon, a new Hyatt Ziva all inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico.................438-room Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun

Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Playa Hotels & Resorts have announced plans for a new Hyatt Ziva all-inclusive resort in Mexico’s Riviera Cancun region. Slated to open later this year, the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun will be the latest resort to join the award-winning Hyatt Ziva portfolio, which is designed for travellers seeking an effortless, all-inclusive experience.

Situated between Playa del Carmen and the world-famous Cancun Hotel Zone approximately 30 minutes from Cancun International Airport, the 438-room Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun plans to provide travellers with the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy time away from their busy lives, and experience the most unique aspects of Riviera Cancun.

Hyatt Hotels set to open a Caption by Hyatt in Memphis next year.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has said it has started a joint venture deal with Carlisle LLC for a Caption by Hyatt hotel in Memphis, which is expected to open in 2022.

The Caption by Hyatt brand is grounded in a commitment to caring for people and place and creating connections between them. Located at One Beale Street and adjacent Hyatt Centric Memphis Beale Street, which is set to open on April 15, Caption by Hyatt Memphis is expected to debut in 2022 and will be integrated into the historic main building of Wm. C Ellis & Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop, one of the earliest and longest-running businesses in Memphis. The historic building will house the hotel’s ground and second floors, and a new 136-guestroom tower will rise above offering guests spectacular views of the Mississippi River and city skyline.

The Caption by Hyatt brand’s signature marquee will adorn the hotel’s dual entrances, leading avid travellers and locals into the all-day, multi-functional lounge space, Talk Shop. The double-height lounge will be enveloped by the historic building’s original heavy timber framing, decorative brick walls, archways, and clerestory windows. At Caption by Hyatt Memphis, Talk Shop will include an expansive patio and double-height beer garden that will be incorporated into the building’s historic, decorative façade on Front Street – with locally driven tap beer offerings that will showcase the best beverages of the region, open fire-pits, exposed brick, and existing metalwork, Caption by Hyatt Memphis will have an unmistakable neighbourhood feel. Caption by Hyatt Memphis will work with Memphis-area purveyors and suppliers, making every effort to support local and minority-owned businesses whenever possible.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced this week the opening of Andaz Bali

Hyatt Hotels Corporation 

announced this week the opening of Andaz Bali, marking the entry of the vibrant Andaz brand into Indonesia. Offering a contemporary take on the traditional Balinese village and its way of life, Andaz Bali is located in the heart of Sanur, a quaint seaside village known for its old-world charm, picturesque beaches and spectacular sunrises.

“As we continue to offer our guests new and immersive ways to rediscover Bali, we are honoured to introduce the Andaz brand to Sanur, where Indonesia’s first Hyatt-branded hotel opened more than 40 years ago,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt. “Andaz Bali is our first Andaz resort in Asia, adding to the brand’s growing urban portfolio in the region which includes Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Tokyo and Xiamen.”

A short 22-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, Sanur is located along Bali’s south-eastern coastline. Andaz Bali pays homage to Balinese art and craftsmanship, weaving together the island’s rich heritage and the contemporary influence from artists who have been visiting Sanur over the decades.

Wyndham Adds New Private Island Beach Resort in the Caribbean With Second Conversion to its Trademark Collection in Belize

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, today announces the opening of Turtle Island Beach Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Belize. The hotel operated by Wyndham Hotels & Resort’s management division is set on a private island on the west side of pristine Ambergris Caye, just five minutes by boat from San Pedro Town. Owned by Castle Capital Investment LTD, the resort marks the third Wyndham-branded hotel in Belize and the second hotel on the island to convert to the Trademark Collection by Wyndham.

Launched in 2017, Trademark Collection by Wyndham is designed for travellers seeking distinctive, attainable accommodations in sought-after destinations, with each Trademark hotel maintaining its own unique attributes. The addition in Belize is the latest in the brand’s fast growth trajectory around the world over the past four years, with approximately 115 hotels in the U.S., Canada, Belize, Mexico, Sint Maarten, Curacao, Australia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium.

InterContinental to Hotel Continental: IHG Hotels & Resorts announces major Mornington Peninsula signing

IHG Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce that its luxury InterContinental brand will come to Sorrento in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula as part of the redevelopment of the Hotel Continental. It follows the signing of a management agreement with the Consortium behind the iconic Hotel Continental redevelopment on the state’s famed coastal strip.

Hotel Continental, or the ‘Conti’ as it is endearingly called by locals, will have a new, luxurious lease on life when the InterContinental Sorrento opens in November 2021, as the property poises itself to once again become a beacon of glamour and sophistication on the Mornington Peninsula.   

Following a sensitive, state-of-the-art restoration by the Trenerry Consortium, which is owned by Victor Smorgon Group, the Kanat Group and Trenerry Property, InterContinental Sorrento will occupy the accommodation component of the 145-year-old heritage-listed limestone building and will feature 106 beautifully appointed, spacious guestrooms, many of them with water views.   

A high-profile chef partnership will soon be announced for the hotel’s signature restaurant, with the property also home to five other dining and bar outlets. In addition, the hotel will feature a sprawling wellness centre incorporating a luxury bathhouse, an outdoor pool, gym and three function and event spaces, including the Conti’s original iconic grand ballroom and will be lovingly restored catering for corporate and social events. 

A Decade of Innovation in Just One Year: Seven Surprising Ways the Pandemic Has Changed Hotels Forever

For more than a century, Hilton has pioneered many of the elements that define the hospitality industry today. In the last year, the pandemic has accelerated our innovation engine – we’ve thought of it as a decade of change in just 12 months. And though the experience in our hotels will be different as people begin to travel more freely, our Team Members around the world are eager to welcome our guests, sharing the light and warmth of our hospitality once again.“ – Chris Nassetta, president & CEO, Hilton

After more than a year of canceling family vacations, postponing bucket-list trips or attending virtual conferences, travelers are looking forward to packing their suitcases and making new memories with family and friends. In fact, Hilton’s recent To New Memories campaign revealed that 94% of Americans surveyed plan on doing just that once travel restrictions lift, and that 91% of those who travel say that their hotel experiences are a memorable part of their trip. 

But how has the pandemic changed that hotel experience? And what can travelers expect as they hit the road now and in years to come?

Marriott International Teams With Shinhan Card and Visa For Korea’s First-Ever Co-Branded Hotel Credit Card

‘Marriott Bonvoy The BEST Shinhan Card’ combines the competitive advantages of a major card company with the reach and choice of the highly awarded travel program

Marriott International today announced the launch of Marriott Bonvoy® The BEST Shinhan Card, offered exclusively by Visa, enabling cardholders to accelerate the number of Marriott Bonvoy points they earn, which can be redeemed for free nights at more than 7,600 hotels across 30 extraordinary brands around the world. This launch is set to be the first hotel industry credit card in South Korea where Cardholders can earn Marriott Bonvoy points and enjoy member benefits that come with elite status.

Super 8 Teams Up with Actor Oliver Hudson to Inspire Travellers to #JourneySafe

Award-winning, PSA-style campaign gets reimagined to promote safe travel as increasing numbers of travellers prepare for a return to the open road ......<

Super 8® by Wyndham, one of the world’s largest economy hotel brands, today unveiled the latest instalment of its award-winning #JourneySafe campaign. Featuring the voice of actor, family man and avid road-tripper Oliver Hudson, the reimagined, multi-channel campaign—best known for its use of iconic dashboard bobbleheads—takes a light-hearted, PSA-style approach to promote the continued importance of safe and responsible travel.

#JourneySafe returns as millions of travellers—many showing increasing levels of consumer confidence—look to balance a new willingness to travel with the continued desire to do so safely.

According to a recent third-party travel study shared by the United States Travel Association with its members, close to 9 out of 10 American travellers now have travel plans in the next six months1.