Hotel, Organisations & Operators,

MARAEY, Brazil’s principal sustainable tourist-residential enterprise, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Marriott International, Inc., to build three distinct hotels in Maricá, Rio de Janeiro.The projects are strategically located to create an international tourist destination focused on sustainability and innovation, as well as high-end service and experiences.
Situated just 45 km from Rio de Janeiro, the three-hotel complex is anticipated to mark the introduction of the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand to Brazil and South America. In addition, the planned JW Marriott is expected to be one of the brand’s first all-inclusive hotels in the world. The innovative Rock in Rio, Autograph Collection, is slated to be the first thematic hotel bearing the name of the popular festival that attracts thousands of fans.
Marriott International’s Chief Development Officer for the Caribbean and Latin America region, Laurent de Kousemaeker, noted, “We are excited to announce the agreement with Iniciativas e Desenvolvimento Imobiliario Brasil for three hotels within their vast Master Project in Maricá, which will undoubtably transform the eastern part of Rio in the coming years. In addition to the quality of the projects and ideal beachfront locations, we were impressed by the developer’s passion and commitment to raise awareness around environmental sustainability, sociocultural issues, and education, which aligns with our values.”
With MARAEY’s estimated investment of approximately US$360 million, the properties are expected to feature more than 1,100 rooms, generate more than 16,000 direct and indirect jobs during the building phase, and create over 3,500 positions once operational. An Economic Impact Study, developed by Abacus Group, indicated the hotels will catalyze economic and tourism expansion in Rio de Janeiro state and Brazil, with a projected 300,000 direct and 150,000 indirect visitors per year.
According to Emilio Izquierdo, Chief Executive Officer of MARAEY, “This agreement reinforces our commitment to create a tourist center of excellence just a short distance from Rio de Janeiro, in Maricá. Each hotel has complementary visions and the highest quality infrastructure, an exclusive leisure experience, comfort, and well-being by the sea and the lagoon, surrounded by the exuberant nature of the region. Also, in association with these Marriott hotels, we anticipate developing 244 exclusive branded residences (villas, duplexes, and apartments). Their unique architecture, quality construction, and services will undoubtedly become South America’s most exclusive first and second-home residential development.”A haven for guests to focus on their holistic well-being, the JW Marriott is anticipated to feature 120 guest rooms, some offering more than 2,500 square feet with large patios and swim-up pools, as well as 164 branded residences measuring up to 6,000 square feet. Showcasing all-inclusive, thoughtful programming, the hotel will be situated at the edge of Marica´s lagoon and hills and is expected to showcase a variety of entertainment spaces including restaurants, gyms, shops, pool areas, a spa, and a sports club.ADVERTISEMENTRock in Rio, Autograph Collection – part of Autograph Collection Hotels, a collection of diverse and dynamic independent properties championing individuality, offering immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint for guests – will bring the experience of the one of the biggest music and entertainment festivals in the world to life. The complex is anticipated to have 912 rooms in a beachfront, nearly one-kilometer structure, and a variety of distinct entertainment that have been carefully crafted for remarkable memories. Among the anticipated attractions are open-air shows by renowned artists, indoor and outdoor recreational sporting activities, wellness areas, and a convention center.
Roberto Medina, President and Creator of Rock in Rio, is thrilled to provide a structure worthy of the City of Rock. “Rock in Rio goes beyond music, it is a true park of experiences, and having a brand themed hotel has always been a dream of mine. Through Rock in Rio, Autograph Collection, we will provide all the expertise and care that we have with the festival to this new venture. We will be even closer to our fans, creating unique connections any day of the year in a place that will be magical. I’m sure that everyone who visits the property will take away memories for a lifetime, just as the festival does.”
Leading the project to bring the three hotels and branded residences to life is the Abacus Group, an international architecture and urbanism consultancy firm. “It has been an exciting experience to develop this unique tourist and residential proposal for MARAEY, always focused on the highest parameters of sustainability, innovation, construction and quality, including an impressive range of experiences for future guests and residents,” said Daniel Miguel, CEO of Abacus Property Development.
Construction of the properties is expected to begin in the second half of 2023. For more information, please visit www.maraey.com

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Three years ago, Aspen Skiing Company, a leading operator of ski resorts in North America, introduced its hospitality division, The Little Nell Hotel Group. Today, the group has been rebranded as Aspen Hospitality to reflect the scale and breadth of this growing division. The Colorado-based company, is expanding The Little Nell and Limelight Hotel brands, which are currently located in mountain resort communities, into new urban and resort communities. Aspen Hospitality is bolstered by the Aspen Snowmass brand, which brings decades of unmatched experience operating in the ski and hospitality industries.
In tandem, Alinio Azevedo has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Hospitality, from his most recent leadership role as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Company. Azevedo specializes in the development, financing, operation and asset management of the hotels and clubs that make up Aspen Hospitality’s portfolio. Under Alinio’s leadership, Aspen Hospitality will continue to pursue opportunities for further expansion into new markets including coastal and urban destinations.
Aspen Hospitality’s current list of owned and operated hotels, residences and private clubs includes:
The Little Nell – Aspen, Colo (Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel)Residences at The Little Nell – Aspen, Colo.Limelight Hotel Aspen – Aspen, Colo.Limelight Hotel Snowmass – Snowmass, Colo.Limelight Hotel Ketchum – Near Sun Valley, IdahoThe ASPENX Mountain Club – Summit of Aspen Mountain, Aspen, Colo.The Snowmass Mountain Club – Base Village, Snowmass, Colo.Aspen Hospitality will open several new properties in the coming years with the following properties currently under development:
Limelight Hotel & Residences Mammoth – Mammoth, Calif. – estimated opening – late 2024Limelight Hotel Boulder – Boulder, Colo. – estimated opening – early 2025Additional properties in the pipeline will to be announced soon.ADVERTISEMENT“Over the years, our family has invested a great deal of thought and research into the expansion of the company’s hospitality division, exploring markets throughout the U.S.,” said Jim Crown, Owner and Managing Partner, Aspen Skiing Company. “Our first property, The Little Nell, has been one of the most celebrated luxury hotels in the country since opening in 1989 and we are actively pursuing opportunities to introduce additional Little Nell properties in the near future. Since the opening of Limelight Hotel Aspen more than a decade ago, Limelight Hotels have redefined the concept of elevated casual services and amenities in ski resorts and towns. We are now expanding the Limelight portfolio to also include urban destinations, creating basecamps in the places our guests want to explore. We look forward to continuing to grow the Limelight brand and expanding our offerings to new markets and guests.”
“I am truly honored to take on my new role of Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Hospitality as we usher in a new era,” says Alinio Azevedo. “Our focus has been on carefully growing our coveted brands into supply-constrained markets where we can make a difference with our experience in connecting our hotels and private clubs to the communities where they operate. The next few years will bring many new opportunities for our guests and team members and I could not be more thrilled to lead the team on this journey.”
For development and/or acquisition opportunities related to Aspen Hospitality, please contact Andy Reed, Vice President Investment, Aspen Hospitality – [email protected]

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For the fourth year in a row, Choice Hotels International, Inc. President and CEO Patrick Pacious has been named one of the highest-rated CEOs, according to Comparably’s 2022 Best CEO rankings.The accolade, which positions Pacious alongside chief executives of some of the world’s most well-known companies – from Microsoft and Adobe to Google and IBM – comes on the heels of his fifth year at the helm of Choice and reflects the company’s latest period of success.“Choice Hotels has transformed itself these past few years, and this latest recognition is a powerful testament to not just the strength of our strategic investments and growth, but also to the fortitude of all our associates who have gone the extra mile to take our business and brand promise to new heights,” said Pacious. “Together, we’re leading the way – supporting more than 13,000 franchise owners who put their trust in Choice brands each day while continuing to create rewarding experiences for the loyal guests who stay with us – and our future has never been brighter.”
Pacious has been Choice Hotels’ president and CEO since September 2017, and throughout his successful tenure has established a proven track record of building and strengthening brands. In addition to cementing Choice Hotels’ legacy in the midscale travel segment with the successful transformation of the company’s flagship Comfort brand, Pacious propelled Choice’s extended stay segment with new brands following the strategic acquisition of WoodSpring Suites in 2018 and the launch of Everhome Suites in 2020. In 2021, under Pacious’ stewardship, Choice also became the first hotel company to exceed its pre-pandemic performance. Most recently, Pacious guided the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas, the largest transaction in the company’s history, which added nine brands and further extends the company’s reach into the upscale segment.
In addition to helping empower small business owner success and creating memorable experiences for guests when traveling, Pacious has led an inclusive corporate culture. As a result, he was named the Lodging Magazine 2022 Person of the Year and Choice was also recently recognized as a best-in-class franchisor and leading employer by several groups, including:Top Franchise for Diversity 2022 by Entrepreneur MagazineWorld’s Best Employers 2022 by ForbesAmerica’s Best Employers for Veterans 2022 by ForbesWorld’s Top Female-Friendly Companies 2022 by ForbesComparably determined this year’s Best CEOs through ratings anonymously provided by employees. The final data set was compiled from nearly 15 million ratings across 70,000 U.S. companies on Comparably.com and segmented into two ranked lists: Top 100 CEOs from Large Companies (those with 500 or more employees) and Top CEOs from Small/Mid-Size companies. Choice Hotels is the only hotel company to be recognized on this annual list.
For information about Choice Hotels’ leadership, visit www.media.choicehotels.com/our-leadership.

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Amanda Joiner takes the helm as the Global Vice President and head of The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center®, a leading global consulting and advisory firm delivering award-winning services that have enabled clients worldwide to improve customer and employee engagement, innovate their culture, and drive competitive advantage.
Joiner transitions from her role most immediately as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis and brings over three decades of luxury hospitality experience in which she has driven continued innovation, improvement, and success through the culture of the iconic brand.
“At a time when disruption drives competition and innovation is essential for long-term success, the Gold Standards of The Ritz-Carlton continue to be a consistent benchmark across industries for the level of customer and employee experience clients are seeking to attain in today’s highly competitive, fast-changing world.” Joiner says. “I am excited for the opportunity to further amplify the brand’s legendary culture and strategy that are so deeply woven throughout my career, as well as to lead this pioneering team.”
In business for over two decades, The Leadership Center continues to experience and deliver against high demand from brands around the world and across diverse industries seeking to learn from The Ritz-Carlton for their high-profile business launches, innovations, and transformations. “The critical role of culture in driving business strategy can’t be overstated,” says Jessica Lee, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Development at Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. “For brands wanting to learn from the very best, Amanda’s track record of success in leading with culture first will be a tremendous asset to The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center clients.”
Joiner and The Leadership Center team leverage the systems and best practices of the award-winning Ritz-Carlton brand to deploy best-in-class organizational strategies at scale in order for clients to retain and attract top talent, outperform the competition, and gain market share.ADVERTISEMENT“A quintessential ambassador of the culture of The Ritz-Carlton, Amanda’s authentic and exceptional leadership success throughout her career will add tremendous value to The Leadership Center and its clients,” says Chris Gabaldon, Senior Vice President of Luxury Brands at Marriott International.
Joiner’s extensive brand experience will truly transform The Leadership Center’s journey to innovate service excellence and customer engagement, and to transform organizational culture.

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Hard Rock International, supporting the Hard Rock Heals Foundation®, the charitable arm of Hard Rock, announced that its 23rd annual PINKTOBER campaign raised over $1 million for breast cancer research. Throughout the month of October, Hard Rock® Cafes, Hotels, Casinos and Rock Shops® hosted fundraising efforts, including limited-edition menu items, specially designed merchandise, a song writing contest and more, with proceeds benefiting national and local breast cancer charities. This is the second year in a row Hard Rock surpassed its own record, making this the largest single amount Hard Rock has raised since PINKTOBER’s inception in 2000, and adding to the millions of dollars donated throughout the history of the campaign.“PINKTOBER is one of the most highly anticipated and celebrated times of year at Hard Rock. Each October, our company divisions and properties around the globe truly personify our mottos of “Love All – Serve All” and “Take Time To Be Kind” by joining together to support breast cancer awareness and research,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer of Hard Rock International. “This year, we were thrilled to amplify our team’s deep passion through partnerships with Chef Dominique Crenn and musician David Correy, who both share our PINKTOBER mission and have been personally impacted by breast cancer. We’re appreciative of their support to help raise awareness and donations for the American Cancer Society and related charities within our local communities.”
This PINKTOBER, Hard Rock Cafe teamed up with world-renowned French chef and breast cancer survivor, Dominique Crenn, to create a limited-time menu item of Baja Style Shrimp Tacos exclusively available at Hard Rock Cafe locations around the world. Chef Crenn also hosted a curated dinner series at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, and Hard Rock Hotel New York. Limited-edition PINKTOBER-themed Hard Rock merchandise was sold in Rock Shops and online including t-shirts, hats, water bottles, tote bags and pins.
Hard Rock Hotels held a Breast Cancer Awareness Song Contest in collaboration with David Correy, an internationally-recognized recording artist who lost his mother to cancer in 2020. Together with Hard Rock, Correy encouraged fans to compose for a cause by sharing their lyrics as a vessel to honor fighters, survivors, and loved ones that have stood by their side for PINKTOBER. The grand prize winner, a stage IV metastatic breast cancer survivor, not only had her lyrics featured in David Correy’s PINKTOBER Anthem, but also received a $5,000 grand prize, a $5,000 donation to the American Cancer Society in her name and a 4-night all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel voucher. The official “Pink October” fight song, is out now on Spotify. Hard Rock Hotels also offered guests to enjoy pink decorated rooms, specialized spa treatments, and pink co-branded Fender guitars as part of the Sound of Your Stay® program where guests could check out the guitars and make donations.
Hard Rock Digital supported PINKTOBER with in-app activations by Hard Rock Sportsbook and the free-to-play “Hard Rock Dice Party” mobile game. Additionally, throughout October, Seminole Gaming patrons donated change from redeemed gaming vouchers at any Everi full-service kiosk across the casino floor.
On a local level, several Hard Rock properties around the world supported community driven events:ADVERTISEMENTHard Rock Cafe Orlando guests received a pink paper ribbon with a QR code linked to the Women Who Rock website and were encouraged to write a message of hope or love.Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol dedicated one of its Blackjack tables on the casino floor to PINKTOBER by changing the table felt to pink and donating a percentage of proceeds from the table to the campaign. They also participated in the American Cancer Society Southeast Region’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign.Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City participated in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event and are two of the top two American Cancer Society fundraising teams in the nation.Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana sponsored a local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event with a $25,000 donation.Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain hosted a sold-out charity gala supporting Adventist Rideout Cancer Center in Marysville, as well as a charity golf tournament at Catta Verder.Seminole Classic Casino hosted the American Cancer Society’s Season Kick Off and Broward County’s Real Men Wear Pink Reveal Event in their Hollywood Hall.Hard Rock Hotel Maldives participated in the Pink Fun Run and held an exclusive Pink Tie Dye event at Roxity Kids Club™ & Teen Spirit® Club in support of Maldives Cancer Society.Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City held a back-of-house pink pumpkin contest and displayed pink neon, electrical wings.Multiple properties hosted musical events and other fundraising initiatives, in addition to generosity from our Hard Rock team members worldwide, many who voluntarily donated to the cause.

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Plans to convert Admiralty Arch, one of London’s most iconic historical landmarks, into a luxury hotel under the Waldorf Astoria brand are accelerating under new ownership with Reuben Brothers.Since taking ownership of the building over the summer, Reuben Brothers has been working closely with Hilton to upgrade existing development plans for the site, in a partnership that will see the transformation of one of London’s most notable landmarks, staying true to its heritage and refined aesthetic.
The building, originally commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria, stands proudly at the end of The Mall opposite Buckingham Palace, offering unparalleled views of the Palace in one direction and across Nelson’s Column and Trafalgar Square in the other.
Suite Spot: The Best View in LondonCentral to the updated plans is a newly developed two-bedroom suite boasting the most sensational view of Buckingham Palace. The suite will sit at the very centre of the building on the fourth-floor bridge and will be bookable for overnight stays and private events.
The hotel will provide exciting restaurants and bars with world-renowned chefs, ensuring it becomes a must-visit London destination for hotel guests and non-residents alike. To take advantage of the incredible architectural beauty of the building and the impressive surroundings, the property will feature two outdoor spaces: the 6th floor rooftop terrace and on the ground floor, where guests will be able to sit overlooking St James’ Park.
Transforming a LandmarkThroughout its history, Admiralty Arch has been home to leading figures of state and society, from Sir Winston Churchill – whose office was based within the arch when he was First Sea Lord of the Admiralty – to the author of the James Bond spy novels, Ian Fleming. To this day, Admiralty Arch plays an integral role in many a ceremonial occasion, serving as the gateway to The Mall and linking the processional route to Buckingham Palace for events such as royal weddings, funerals and next year, the coronation of King Charles III.ADVERTISEMENTThe hotel’s design and characteristics, now incorporating an increased room count and exclusive spa, will pay homage to the building’s historical significance, drawing inspiration from its storied past to create an exquisite experience for guests.
Jamie Reuben of Reuben Brothers said, “Transforming and restoring Admiralty Arch – a true London landmark – into a five-star luxury hotel with restaurants, bars, a ballroom, spa and residences is an incredible honour for us. We are excited to be working with our esteemed partner, Hilton, to bring the Waldorf Astoria brand to the heart of London, and revitalising the area for hotel guests, visitors and London locals to experience and enjoy.”
Christopher J. Nassetta, president & CEO, Hilton, said, “Admiralty Arch is undoubtedly one of the most iconic landmarks in London and we are delighted to be working with Reuben Brothers on this magnificent hotel. With a legacy of preserving and enhancing incredible historical buildings, Waldorf Astoria is a natural fit for this development, and Reuben Brothers’ proven track record in delivering projects of this magnitude makes them a wonderful partner. Together we will write the next chapter of this exceptional building’s rich story and we look forward to expanding our partnership over the coming years.”
The hotel will join an exclusive portfolio of more than 30 Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts across the world, with recent signings including the brand’s expansion to other iconic cities including Sydney, as well as the return of Waldorf Astoria New York, which is in the midst of an extensive refurbishment to preserve the building’s history.
Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch is scheduled to open in 2025.

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