Hotel, Organisations & Operators,

This winter, British travellers can enjoy stays in castles, converted monasteries and ski resorts throughout Spain for less. Spain’s state-run historic and cultural hotel network, Paradores, is offering a 20% discount on half board stays of 2 consecutive nights or more, complete with breakfast and a curated lunch or dinner menu.Valid for bookings made between 9-19 January, for stays up until 22 March 2024, this offer includes 20 stunning Paradors to choose from, meaning there’s a holiday to suit every traveller.
Guests can enjoy coastal serenity at Parador de Nerja, delve into history at Parador de Santiago – Spain’s oldest hotel, embrace nature at Parador Cangas de Onís near the Picos de Europa, or hit the slopes near Parador de Vielha close to the Baqueira Beret Ski Resort, to name but a few hotels included in this promotion.
The 20 Paradors included are:
Aiguablava: Catalonia, near GironaAlcalá: Near MadridAlmagro: Castile-La Mancha, near Ciudad RealBaiona: Galicia, near VigoCádiz: Andalusia, in CádizCangas de Onís: Asturias, near OviedoCardona: Catalonia, near BarcelonaCarmona: Andalusia, near SevilleChinchón: Near MadridCuenca: Castile-La Mancha, near CuencaEl Saler: Near ValenciaJaén: Andalusia, in JaénJávea: AlicanteLa Granja: Castile and León, near SegoviaLeón: Castile and León, in LeónNerja: Andalusia, near MálagaPlasencia: Extremadura, near CáceresSantiago: Galicia, in Santiago de CompostelaToledo: Castile-La Mancha, in ToledoVielha: Catalonia, near LleidaTo find out more or book a discounted stay, visit www.paradores.es/en .  Full terms and conditions also available via the website.

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Corsican Places is thrilled to announce the addition of the 4-star hotel A Cheda to its holiday collection. Situated just 5 minutes from Bonifacio, A Cheda is a welcoming new option within southern Corsica. Catering to the discerning tastes of food and wine lovers, guests will enjoy a perfect blend of luxury, tranquillity, and culinary excellence, as well as a strategic location for exploring Corsica’s striking medieval town and surrounding area.Key Features of A Cheda:
Gastronomic Delights: Organic Culinary Experience:
The hotel’s Michelin recognised restaurant, L’A Cheda, has gained a reputation for its superb gastronomic Corsican cuisine and attentive service. Specialising in wild fish, organic meats and vegetables from the gardens, as well as a fine wine list, the sommelier will guide guests through its prestigious Corsican wines. Steeped in romanticism, the restaurant’s large glass walls fully open to welcome the outside in and add to the ambience, while in the evening local delicacies are complemented by the gentle sounds of piano music.
Luxurious Guest Rooms with Garden View Terrace:
Guest rooms each offer a relaxing space and garden view terrace, providing privacy to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the surroundings. Two suites offer an additional indulgence with their own private sauna.ADVERTISEMENTAmenities:
Facilities include a heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, while Thai, Swedish and Reiki massage services are available for extra pampering.
Ideal for Touring:
Enjoying a prime location within the region, A Cheda serves not just as a retreat but also as an outstanding hub for discovering Corsica’s L’Extreme Sud. Whether guests are drawn to the historical allure of Bonifacio’s ancient walled citadel, the lively waterfront of Porto Vecchio, or some of the island’s finest beaches, the hotel provides an exceptional base and starting point. Additionally, for those with an interest in exploring Corsica’s Italian neighbour, Sardinia, day trips from the conveniently located ferry port are just a 5-minute drive away.
Pricing:
Corsican Places is offering seven night bed and breakfast packages from £1599pp, including flights and car hire with a saving of £50pp on all package holidays booked by 15th December.
Book at Corsica.co.uk or call 01489 866931.

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Private island resort Amilla Maldives has been recognised for its continued commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity, with accolades from two leading institutions, EarthCheck and Blue Badge Access Awards. Amilla achieved its third consecutive EarthCheck Silver certification following an extensive audit of its sustainability practices; while the resort’s innovative and stylish approach to accessible design saw it named ‘Best International Venue’ in the Blue Badge Access Awards 2023.Amilla Maldives secures EarthCheck Silver certification for third consecutive year
As the leading scientific benchmarking certification group for sustainable travel and tourism, EarthCheck’s certification programmes are recognised by travellers, brands, and destinations across the world. Its rigorous science-backed, people-focused sustainability certification process enables consumers to make informed decisions on their tourism experiences.
For its efforts in initiating sustainability projects and continuously improving its environmental measures, Amilla Maldives was certified Silver for the third year in a row. One of the resort’s most recent projects was the installation of solar panels in February 2023, which has generated 600,000kwh in nine months – reducing diesel consumption by over 170k litres. Proactive in reducing waste, from plastic, glass and cardboard to food waste, green waste, e-waste and more, the resort regularly audits and investigates its waste output to ensure accurate reporting and identify areas for improvement – as well as organising regular reef cleaning to remove plastics, cans, old rope, and ghost nets from its house reef.
The resort’s heartfelt commitment to sustainability is further embodied by its Homegrown@Amilla and Homemade@Amilla initiatives. Homegrown@Amilla sees 40 different types of produce planted, cultivated, and grown across 58 acres of the island’s natural green spaces, supplying all the island’s kitchens with ingredients such as leafy greens, herbs, vegetables, and bananas. Homemade@Amilla encompasses a diverse range of organic products which are home-made on the island, from soaps, muscle relief oil, lip balm, bath salts, coconut oils and scrubs, and bathtub tea, to kombucha, nut milks, and bread.
ADVERTISEMENTAmilla Maldives named ‘Best International Venue’ for accessibility
Raising awareness of the importance of accessibility in the hospitality and leisure industry, the Blue Badge Awards recognise venues that achieve high standards in this area. Amilla Maldives was named ‘Best International Venue’ in this year’s awards, in recognition of its pioneering commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
The world’s first IncluCare-certified resort and a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, Amilla Maldives is devoted to ensuring everyone can enjoy the Maldives. The resort has designed its accessibility features to feel like an integral part of the property, blending seamlessly with its interior design and architecture. Adaptations range from subtly lowered mirrors, sinks and counters in its bathrooms to ramps all over the island – including a growing menagerie of local wildlife-inspired designs. Amilla continually adapts and evolves its offering in order to further improve the resort experience for guests of all abilities and needs, while staff undergo regular training on how they can best support guests with mobility or sensory challenges at all points of their journey.
For further information and reservations visit www.amilla.com.

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As long-standing partners immersing travelers under the colorful depths of the Caribbean Sea with a sustainable-first approach, today – together with PADI – Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate their newly obtained Green Fins membership. This coveted milestone marks the first resort company to adopt this conservation management approach across the entirety of its growing portfolio – which spans 20 resorts across eight Caribbean islands and counting. Implemented internationally by The Reef-World Foundation and the UN Environment Programme, the Green Fins program is designed to protect coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines while promoting sustainable scuba diving and snorkeling.
“Here in the Caribbean, the ocean is a part of our everyday lives, and the health of our underwater ecosystems plays a role in the livelihoods of our friends, families, and neighbors,” said Michael Clarke, Corporate Director of Watersports for Sandals Resorts International. “As new members of Green Fins across our entire resort portfolio, Sandals and Beaches are upholding their vows to protect and restore our natural resources so guests visiting from every corner of the earth can experience the crown of the Caribbean while generations to come continue to prosper from its resources.”
Through the creation and logging of action plans curated by Green Fins, all levels of staff at Sandals’ and Beaches’ on-resort, PADI-certified dive shops will engage in solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact. Participation in Green Fins will expand on the resorts’ existing conservation practices, which include rotating dive site visits to manage human interaction with wildlife, invasive species management, encouraging the use of reef-safe sunscreen, and providing snorkelers and scuba divers with briefings on eco-friendly behaviors before they jump into the diverse waters of the Caribbean. Combined, these efforts drive down operational footprints on the natural world, both above and below the surface. 
“As PADI Mission Hubs, Sandals and Beaches are incredibly important strategic partners for PADI. Their scale and shared commitment to a healthier future helps advance our mission to create more ocean ambassadors who can go out and not only explore but also protect the ocean,” said Katie Thompson, PADI Global Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. “We proudly continue forward on this important journey with Sandals and Beaches and celebrate them as the first PADI resort company that can boast 100% Green Fins status.”
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts are also actively engaged in PADI AWARE Foundation’s Adopt the Blue Program – through which dive centers adopt a dive site from PADI’s global inventory, taking responsibility for its cleanliness via ocean clean-ups, reporting changes in its ecosystem, and presenting a willingness to take conservation action as recommended by specialists.ADVERTISEMENTThe Caribbean’s Most Comprehensive Dive Program: Sharing the Skill and Forging Forward
A 2022 Reef-World survey of sustainability in the marine tourism industry found that over 80% of divers are seeking sustainable operators that prioritize marine life conservation when booking a trip, emphasizing not only the importance of but also the strong demand for sustainable and regenerative tourism. Dive-certified guests and snorkelers can explore the Caribbean’s colorful coral reefs as part of the all-inclusive experience across all Sandals’ and Beaches’ PADI-certified dive centers. For new divers, certifications can be administered on-resort, with over 140,000 PADI certifications fulfilled to date – the largest number of certifications completed by any PADI partner. These certifications have played an integral role in building the PADI Ocean Torchbearer army, a movement of united ocean conservationists, along with sustainable on-resort hands-on experiences in the form of courses and dives, including PADI coral restoration and PADI invasive lionfish management.
Paying it Forward with ‘The Gift of Blue’
Ever-creating opportunities for Caribbean travelers to be a part of the ocean conservation movement, this year, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts are dedicating its holiday sale to the oceans it calls home – turning Black Friday “blue” with the ‘Gift of Blue’ sale. In addition to an air credit valued at up to $750 and a resort credit of up to $250, Sandals and Beaches will donate $50 to the Sandals Foundation’s ocean conservation efforts – more specifically, the expansion of coral nurseries throughout the Caribbean, which houses 10% of the world’s underwater ecosystems – for every booking made between Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday.
To book your next vacation and donate to the Sandals Foundation’s ocean conservation efforts through the “Gift of Blue” sale, please visit: www.sandals.com/gift-of-blue-sale and www.beaches.com/gift-of-blue-sale.

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IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a franchise agreement for its second Vignette Collection hotel in Dubai in partnership with The Heart of Europe, the flagship project under Kleindienst Group. Scheduled for a grand opening in January 2026, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai, will mark a significant milestone for The Heart of Europe, solidifying IHG’s presence within The World Islands – an archipelago of manmade islands located in the Arabian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai.
The Vignette Collection brand allows owners of world-class independent hotels to retain their distinctive identity while benefitting from IHG’s global scale and luxury and lifestyle expertise.
The upcoming Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai, is located in ‘The Heart of Europe’, a self-sustaining holiday destination spanning across six islands, each blending European architectural charm with top-tier hospitality, embracing luxury and innovation on shores of tranquil beaches.
The Heart of Europe encompasses a variety of opulent properties, including beachfront villas, premium hotels, an innovative underwater living experience, and an array of top-tier amenities such as climate-controlled streets and the coral institute dedicated to preserving and revitalising the marine ecosystem.
Once completed, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai will feature 150 rooms overlooking the Arabian Gulf in a prime location along a pristine beach and crystal-clear sea. True to the Vignette Collection brand, the property will seamlessly merge exclusivity with community and locality and feature a unique Andalusian-inspired design with contemporary architecture.ADVERTISEMENTHaitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are excited to partner with The Heart of Europe to bring the second Vignette Collection resort to Dubai, a testament to IHG’s commitment to delivering exceptional stays and experiences for our guests. Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai will significantly reimagine luxury and set future regional hospitality benchmarks. We look forward to welcoming travellers worldwide upon the hotel’s opening in 2026.”
With the property currently under construction, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai is expected to become a key proof point in IHG’s ambition to create unparalleled guest experiences and set new standards for luxury in the region.
Josef Kleindienst, Founder and Chairman of Kleindienst Group and The Heart of Europe, said: “It is an honour to partner with one of the world’s leading hotel groups to bring the Vignette Collection brand to The World Islands Dubai. This collaboration aligns with our vision of creating a unique destination in one of the world’s most iconic cities, and true to our commitment to excellence, Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection The World Islands Dubai promises to offer guests a remarkable and distinctive stay, drawing inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of Dubai and presenting a perfect blend of luxury, innovation, and the beauty of the UAE.”
IHG currently operates 108 hotels across eight brands in the Middle East, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Hotel Indigo, voco and Six Senses.

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Adding another layer to its sustainability pledge, luxury hospitality brand Anantara Hotels and Resorts is rolling out its signature CSR programme ‘Dollar for Deeds’ at all of its properties worldwide.First introduced almost a decade ago at select hotels in Thailand, Anantara’s home base, the initiative has been integrated into the growth strategies of the brand globally.
Designed as an opt-in programme for guests, ‘Dollar for Deeds’ encourages travellers to give back to the community by donating to a range of worthy causes, each hand-picked to impact the environment, sustainability and the community in the most effective way. Under this programme, guests can donate one dollar per night of their stay, with Minor Hotels matching their contribution dollar for dollar and donated to CSR partners internationally. By agreeing at the time of check-in, Anantara guests not only enjoy a luxurious stay that is rich in discovery, but leave with wonderful memories of their experiences, knowing that they have made a positive difference to the local environment and community. 
In Thailand, funds raised are dispersed equally between three chosen and vetted causes: The Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Centre at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok to provide comprehensive care for mainly children with craniofacial abnormalities; The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation that looks after all turtles that nest in Phuket including the critically endangered giant leatherback; and The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation where rescued street elephants enjoy a peaceful life in Northern Thailand and wild elephants and their habitat are protected.
Other projects around the world include holistic coral reef protection in the Maldives; vulture nest monitoring, raptor protection and humpback whale monitoring in Oman; gibbon, peacock and otter releases in Cambodia; providing care & vocational training for disabled children in Vietnam and Indonesia; supporting local farmers and local fishing communities in Africa and reforestation projects in China and Malaysia.
According to John Roberts, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation for Minor Hotels, Anantara’s parent company, “Sustainability has long been a key pillar of our operating philosophy and, increasingly, it is not only a global need but also a requirement from both our investors and guests. By making ‘Dollar for Deeds’ accessible globally, we can support more worthy causes around the world while encouraging individual sustainability journeys and changing the definition of purposeful travel in our neighbouring communities and ecosystems.  For the expansion I am particularly proud of the way our properties outside Thailand have embraced the spirit of the programme and chosen amazing local causes to support”ADVERTISEMENTParticipating properties and associated projects are:Thailand, all properties
The Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Centre The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation
Sri Lanka, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
Turtle beach protection with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Sri Lanka, Anantara Kalutara Resort
Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe Cambodia, Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa
Gibbon, peacock, otter releases with the Wildlife Alliance “Rewild Angkor” The Maldives, all properties
Holistic coral reef protection projectsOman, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
Vulture nest monitoring and raptor protection with the Environmental Society of OmanCapture, treatment and release of stray dogs and catsOman, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Gulf humpback and Bryde’s whale monitoring with the Environmental Society of OmanMalaysia, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
Reforestation, wildlife monitoring and protection with the Rewild Desaru Project Vietnam, all properties
Kianh Foundation – providing care & vocational training for disabled children Mozambique, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort
Supporting fishing communities through infrastructure development and food donationsZambia, Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara
Supporting local farmers through developing products and markets while cutting out the middlemen.Indonesia (Bali), All Properties
Annika Linden Centre providing care for disabled kids.China, Xishuangbanna
Good to Nature scientific reforestation of Yunnan’s rainforest ecosystem.The rollout of the ‘Dollar for Deeds’ programme will continue in Anantara’s recently launched hotels throughout Europe in Q1, 2024.  For more information about Anantara’s sustainability initiatives, please visit here. https://www.anantara.com/en/sustainability?

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With a selection of exceptional arrival experiences to choose from across a global portfolio, arriving at one of Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts’ properties promises to make every stay memorable from the very beginning. From helicopter flights over the Arabian Gulf to luxurious boat transfers in the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean, these incredible arrival experiences ensure guests start their stay in style.
Make a splash in the Maldives…
Nestled in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island is a luxurious haven for travellers seeking a tranquil island escape. The resort’s brand-new Gulf Craft 48 VIP ensures that every stay gets off to a glamorous start, setting a new standard in first-class guest transfer experiences in the Maldives. No details have been spared, from the plush leather upholstery to the outdoor VIP lounge area where guests can relax and capture photos of the breathtaking scenery as they sail smoothly towards their dream island retreat.
Fly high in the Emirati sky…
The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is one of the world’s most exclusive and luxurious hotels, and guests can expect nothing less than the extraordinary, even from the beginning of their stay. Those arriving at the hotel can choose to take a short helicopter transfer from Al Maktoum International Airport, before landing on the iconic helipad that sits 212 metres above the shimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf. Guests will have a moment to take in the stunning views of the Dubai skyline, before heading to the helipad lounge to enjoy a delicious welcome drink. Additionally, guests of the hotel who prefer a chauffeur-driven airport transfer are welcomed in Dubai with a dedicated Rolls Royce Phantom, to ensure every leg of the journey is as smooth as possible.ADVERTISEMENTWind through Dubai’s peaceful waterways…
Guests of Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf can begin their stay on a picturesque journey through the scenic waterways of Madinat Jumeirah in the comfort of a traditional wooden Abra boat. A personal butler greets them on arrival, offering refreshing welcome drinks and cold towels to freshen up before heading to the sprawling Arabian summerhouse or one of the newly renovated, and beautifully appointed, Malakiya Villas. With the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah as a backdrop, a ride in an Abra promises to be a truly magical arrival experience.
When it comes to making an entrance in the most memorable way, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts will be sure to surprise and delight.
For more information, please visit: https://www.jumeirah.com/

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Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, today released the Mews Data Snap, a real-time measure of hospitality’s performance during the summer of 2023 (June, July, and August). The report also compares this year’s data to summer 2022 to pinpoint how the hospitality sector is changing.
Based on data from Mews partners worldwide, the Mews Data Snap unpacks hospitality’s performance across five key areas: occupancy, ADR and RevPar, online check-ins and upsells, and additional bookable spaces.
For the North American market in particular, key findings include:Travel continues to move in a positive trend: average occupancy for summer 2023 was 62%, up 5% YOY. June was the best-performing month, while August saw the highest percentage of rooms occupied.Increased rates didn’t deter consumers from traveling this summer: ADR and RevPAR saw clear, positive movement despite little change in occupancy. ADR rose 9% YOY ($25) to an average of $294, in part due to inflation among other factors. RevPAR saw a significant increase of 14% YOY ($22) to $178, including on average $30 higher in June YOY. Travelers continue to embrace the convenience and instant gratification of online check-in and upgrades: while the number of guests utilizing online check-in remained relatively the same YOY (nearly 20%), more guests upgraded their reservations via online check-in, as upselling increased 31% YOY to $51 per upgrade. Top upgrades include early check-in, pet fees, late check-out, breakfast, and drinks or food upon arrival. Non-room revenue is proving to be an excellent diversification strategy: nearly 20% of hotels in North America are selling additional bookable spaces to day guests and visitors (such as parking lots and meeting rooms), a 69% increase YOY, with average revenue generated per space increasing 22% YOY (an average of $362 extra per reservation). Monthly additional bookable service revenue more than doubled YOY.
“It’s easy to talk about hospitality trends based on what we feel is happening, but there’s no substitute for real data,” said Matt Welle, Mews CEO. “Not only can we see that people continue to return to travel, but the data shows that hoteliers are embracing the idea of hybrid hospitality and a more creative use of spaces and reaping the rewards.”
To get the full picture of this summer’s performance across Mews hotel partners worldwide, download the Mews Data Snap: Summer 2023. https://www.mews.com/en/resources/research/datasnapADVERTISEMENT

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