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    TOP 10 MOST UNUSUAL ROOM SERVICE REQUESTS

    Today Hotels.com® reveals its inaugural Room Service Report which finds that demand for the popular amenity is on the rise according to 45% of U.S. hotels1The report surveyed hotel partners around the world to reveal what’s “in” when dining in from the trendiest to the most eccentric orders, as well as hotels with over-the-top room service options like a $1600 burger and a $300 ice cream sundae. Top findings from the study include:The weird side of room service
    Hotels revealed their most unusual guest requests, including “diet” water, melted ice cream, blowfish and a raw fish caught by a traveler who wanted it cooked to order.Top properties are pushing the boundaries of room service to go beyond food, offering in-room concerts and even a personal Lego® butler.Burgers in bed
    Burgers are the most popular room service order not just in the U.S. (49% of U.S. responses) but also globally, beating out pizza, club sandwiches, tacos and fries.While diners indulge in sushi rolls and lobster tails at restaurants, 43% of U.S. hotels surveyed say guests prefer more casual cuisine behind closed doors, ala burgers in bed.Reveling in room service
    Over a quarter (27%) of U.S. hotels said their guests will go all-out while ordering in, spending on average more than $100 for room service.Hotels said steak and champagne are the most expensive items on their room service menus.How to get free room service
    Starting June 12, Hotels.com is offering guests nationwide a chance to win $100 toward an indulgent room service experience this summer. Enter by July 12 at Hotels.com/getroomservice to take advantage of this tempting offer and for full terms.2ADVERTISEMENT“Room service holds a special place in the hearts of hotel guests,” said Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Hotels.com. “Whether it’s a treat-yourself moment or must-have after a long day of sightseeing, there’s a certain satisfaction in having someone else foot the bill. That’s why we’re covering up to $30,000 in room service bills this summer, so guests can go all-in on their favorite in-room experience. And a tip for Hotels.com gold and silver rewards members – you can find VIP properties where food and beverage credit is always on the menu in the app.”
    The 10 most unusual room service requests:
    Diet waterMelted ice creamBlowfishBoiled bottled waterA cooked fish that the guest brought with themCockle popcornNo-egg-white omeletteRice bowl for a dogBisonEggless eggs in hell (shakshuka)

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    MANDARIN ORIENTAL EXCLUSIVE HOMES ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PORTFOLIO GROWTH AND EXPANSION PLANS

    Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s branded collection of the world’s finest vacation homes, chalets and mansions, has seen exceptional growth since its launch in Spring 2022. Operated in collaboration with luxury home rental platform StayOne, each Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Home is hand-picked for its outstanding quality and sought-after location, while also providing personalised service and experiences in keeping with the legendary hospitality of the award-winning brand.
    The Group’s new venture has achieved stellar growth since its debut season in 2022, with the portfolio growing over 150% in just 12 months. The expanding collection of over twenty properties now spans luxury leisure destinations across the UK, Europe, and Asia. The Mandarin Oriental brand is historically known for its award-winning hotels but began venturing into the private home rental market via a strategic investment in StayOne back in 2020. Spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic, this adjacent hospitality market has seen rapid growth and is forecast to continue with a CAGR of 19.84% between 2022 and 2028. Since investing, Mandarin Oriental and StayOne have selected an exclusively limited subset of properties for inclusion as part of the fully-serviced Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes collection.

    Following the launch, Mandarin Oriental has seen increasing demand among its loyal fan base for private villa experiences from guests seeking to enjoy multi-generational stays, celebrate key milestones and enjoy longer stays with loved ones. The Group plans to discerningly expand the business to meet this demand, with an ambition to grow the portfolio to over 100 homes within the next 5 years.
    The current collection of homes span across popular holiday destinations and range from charming English countryside escapes, to idyllic beach-front villas in the South of France and the Balearics, a spectacular ski chalet in Lech, exquisitely restored masserie in Puglia and an exotic Balinese estate. Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes seeks to expand its footprint of luxury leisure destinations in Europe, for both winter and summer breaks, as well as broadening the portfolio in Asia. The Group has also identified the United States and the Caribbean as key regions for future expansion.ADVERTISEMENTComplementary to luxury private home rentals, the Group have seen increasing demand for tailored experiences with heavily personalized offerings. In collaboration with StayOne, Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes is able to offer curated experiences guests, for instance, pairing a villa stay with private helicopter transfers to the Monaco Grand Prix and exclusive tickets to watch the race from a nearby yacht.“We are thrilled with the success to date of our venture into luxury private home rentals, which has proven to be an innovative pillar for our strategic growth. With our loyal Fans at the center of everything we do, we are committed to redefining the luxury home rental market with our renowned service quality and growing our portfolio in highly desirable locations for our guests.” said Joanna Flint, Chief Commercial Officer of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

    “Our collaboration with Mandarin Oriental has created a unique offering in the luxury private home market and we are delighted with the success to date. Mandarin Oriental is a globally respected and trusted brand delivering legendary service and bespoke experiences and we are thrilled to be working with them to further grow our portfolio of exceptional homes, providing new and unique experiences for guests,” said Thomas Bennett, co-founder, StayOne.
    View the full collection of Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes here: www.mandarinoriental.com/exclusive-homes

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    Hyatt’s Transformative Growth Continues: More Markets, More Segments, More Opportunities

    Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the completed acquisition of London-based Mr & Mrs Smith, a global travel platform that provides direct booking access to a carefully curated collection of more than 1,500 boutique and luxury properties. With this addition to the portfolio, World of Hyatt members will soon have even more rewarding stays and experiences to choose from, including more than 20 new countries for Hyatt such as Fiji, Croatia, Iceland and Anguilla. Hyatt acquired 100 percent of the asset-light Mr & Mrs Smith platform for an enterprise value of £53.0 million in cash consideration. The purchase price represents an attractive acquisition multiple in the high-single digits on projected stabilized earnings.
    Hyatt further continues its transformative growth journey on the heels of doubling the number of luxury rooms, tripling the number of resort rooms, and quadrupling the number of lifestyle rooms over the past five years. Hyatt is poised to build upon that momentum with expansive opportunities globally across its brand portfolio and immediate developer interest in Hyatt Studios, Hyatt’s new extended-stay brand entry into the upper-midscale segment in the Americas.

    “Our competitive advantage is that we have vast areas of white space for development and a rapidly growing World of Hyatt loyalty member base,” said Jim Chu, executive vice president & global growth officer. “We average four hotels in markets where we have hotels whereas our competition averages 14, meaning fertile territory for developers who don’t have to worry about intra-brand competition.”
    Loyal Members Drive High-Quality Revenue for OwnersADVERTISEMENTHyatt’s growth is fueled by the World of Hyatt loyalty program’s member base, which has grown 260% over the past five years. Data shows that World of Hyatt members are looking for more opportunities to stay with Hyatt – in more segments and more markets. By listening to guests who previously stayed at Hyatt but opted to stay with a competing brand, it was primarily for two reasons: there was no Hyatt hotel within five miles, or they opted to stay a lower chain scale. Hyatt Studios hotels will present a solution to both for guests.
    Data also shows that World of Hyatt members enjoy almost 50 percent more stays in a year than non-members and spend over 70 percent more per year with Hyatt than guests who are non-members. Since the launch of the Inclusive Collection, loyalty penetration across legacy Apple Leisure Group resorts in the Americas grew to 21 percent in just one year.
    “World of Hyatt members represent high-quality revenue for owners and operators,” said Mark Vondrasek, chief commercial officer, Hyatt. “Our members spend more, stay more and seek out Hyatt for different stay occasions, as evidenced by the significant increase in Brand Explorer awards, which reward guests every time they stay at five different Hyatt brands.”
    As part of Hyatt’s previously announced exclusive franchise agreements with Lindner Hotels & Resorts, more than 30 Lindner Hotels and me and all hotels will soon join the JdV by Hyatt brand and the World of Hyatt loyalty program, enabling members to earn and redeem points in 15 new destinations across Europe.
    Organic Growth Continues Across All of Hyatt’s Brand Collections
    Boundless Collection hotels deliver best-in-class offerings and compelling experiences designed to excite and inspire. Hotels slated to open in 2023 and beyond include:
    Expansion of the Alila brand with Alila Dongao Island in China and Alila Shanghai.The international expansion of the Caption by Hyatt brand with Caption by Hyatt Zhongshan Park Shanghai in China, Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka and Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo in Japan, and Caption by Hyatt Sydney in Australia.Growth of the Thompson Hotels brand in new markets including Thompson Palm Springs, Thompson Rome and Thompson Shanghai.International growth of the Andaz brand with the anticipated debut of the first city-center Andaz hotel in Thailand with Andaz Bangkok and the debut of the Andaz brand in Qatar, with the opening of Andaz Doha slated for late 2023.Continued growth of the Hyatt Centric brand in the Asia Pacific region with Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur as well as Hyatt Centric Zhongshan Park Shanghai and Hyatt Centric Xiamen Ocean Front and in Canada with Hyatt Centric Jarvis Street Toronto.Timeless Collection hotels deliver impeccable service and thoughtful amenities. With robust revenue growth in the group segment during the first quarter, Hyatt continues to strengthen its Timeless Collection brand footprint globally:
    Expansion of the Hyatt Regency brand on the heels of a strong business transient and group travel recovery with Hyatt Regency Baytown-Houston and Hyatt Regency Conroe in Texas, Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes and Hyatt Regency San Luis Potosí in Mexico, Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro, Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort in Bulgaria, Hyatt Regency Changshu KunCheng Lake, Hyatt Regency Hangzhou International Airport and Hyatt Regency Xian Airport in China as well as Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars in the United Kingdom and Hyatt Regency Madinah in Saudi Arabia.The Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brands continued global growth with the anticipated opening of Hyatt Place Asheville (Airport) North Carolina, Hyatt Place Boise/Meridian in Idaho, Hyatt House Mall of America/MSP Airport in Minnesota, Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Mississauga – Airport Corporate Centre in Canada, and the debut of the Hyatt Place brand in Malaysia with Hyatt Place Johor Bahru, Vietnam with Hyatt Place Ha Long Bay, Bai Chay and Indonesia with Hyatt Place Makassar.
    Highly anticipated growth of the Park Hyatt brand with Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Park Hyatt Changsha in China.The introduction of Grand Hyatt in new markets with planned openings such as the Grand Cayman and Kunming, China with the anticipated openings of Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman and Grand Hyatt Kunming, in addition to the Murcia region of Spain with the opening of Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa, the brand’s debut in Spain.The debut of three Hyatt brands in Kenya by 2024, including Hyatt Regency Nairobi as well as the first dual-branded Hyatt project in Africa, Hyatt Place Nairobi Westlands and Hyatt House Nairobi Westlands.Inclusive Collection represents the largest collection of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the world and delivers immersive, elevated experiences where everything is seamlessly included. The Inclusive Collection is expected to debut six new resorts by the end of 2024, highlighted by:

    New and exciting brands that continue to elevate the all-inclusive experience, such as the recently announced Impression by Secrets brand with the opening of Impression by Secrets Isla Mujeres.Continued expansion of the Secrets brand across the Americas with Secrets Tides Punta Cana, Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa, and Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club.Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort in Mexico and Dream Madeira Resort Spa & Marina in Portugal.The anticipated debut of Zoëtry Halkidiki, marking the first Zoetry-branded property in Greece.Independent Collection hotels are all unique – from storied properties and vibrant neighborhood locales to immersive retreats. This collection offers travelers enriching experiences in distinct and exciting ways, spotlighted by planned openings that include:
    Continued expansion of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt with Hotel Toranomon Hills, the brand’s second property in Japan, and Kennedy 89, the brand’s first property in Frankfurt, Germany.The debut of the JdV by Hyatt brand in India with Ronil and the debut of the JdV by Hyatt brand in China with the FILA HOUSE in Shanghai and the Sonya Hello Kitty Hotel in Hainan.For more information about Hyatt hotels, please visit: www.hyatt.com.

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    Sheybarah Island resort will be one of the most luxurious hotels in the Middle East

    Sheybarah Island and its Sheybarah Resort will be one of the most luxurious destinations in the Middle East, according to its designer, Shaun Killa of Killa Designs.He said: “This is probably the most magnificent island in the Red Sea development. The brief for Sheybarah was to create an ultra-luxury eco-resort. We’re almost making the villas disappear, they will reflect the sky and the sea constantly.
    “Ultimately, this resort will be one of the highest luxury resorts in the region and has the credibility of being completely and utterly self-generating via the sun.”
    Sheybarah Island is an upcoming destination in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea gigaproject, set to redefine luxury and sustainability in the hospitality industry. The island’s centerpiece is the Sheybarah Resort, a futuristic hotel that is scheduled to open its doors in 2024. Designed by Killa Design, the architectural firm behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future, the resort aims to be a benchmark for regenerative developments and promote sustainable design in every aspect of its environment.
    One of the standout features of Sheybarah Resort is its metal orb villas, which give it a futuristic appearance.
    The sustainability efforts of Sheybarah Resort are commendable. The entire property is designed to be off-grid and operate on renewable energy sources. A centralised solar farm powers the resort, ensuring that it operates as a zero-energy establishment. Additionally, fresh water is supplied through a solar-powered desalination plant, minimising the resort’s ecological impact. Waste materials are recycled on the island, reducing the need for external transportation and minimising the resort’s carbon footprint.ADVERTISEMENT
    As one of the 50 hotels planned for the Red Sea gigaproject, Sheybarah Resort aims to be among the most luxurious options available. Notable hotel brands such as St. Regis, Six Senses, Jumeirah, Raffles, and SLS will also be part of this prestigious destination. However, Sheybarah Resort stands out as a property that could potentially become Red Sea Global’s own hotel brand. CEO John Pagano has expressed the need for creating separate one-off projects that align with the resort’s visionary design, rather than trying to fit it into existing brand standards. These special projects will comprise only a small portion, approximately 10 percent, of the overall destination.

    Sheybarah Resort is poised to revolutionise the concept of luxury and sustainability in the hospitality industry. With its futuristic metal orb villas, renewable energy usage, and commitment to regenerative development, the resort promises an extraordinary and environmentally conscious experience for its guests. As the Red Sea gigaproject continues to unfold, Sheybarah Resort stands as a testament to the innovative and ambitious vision driving this remarkable destination.

    Source: Hotelier Middle East

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    ST. REGIS HOTELS & RESORTS AND VILEBREQUIN REVEAL LIMITED-EDITION CAPSULE COLLECTION

    Just in time for the summer season, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and celebrated French swimwear brand Vilebrequin are excited to announce a capsule collection of three exclusive prints designed in Vilebrequin’s signature style and inspired by three of St. Regis’ highly anticipated resort openings – The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, The St. Regis Los Cabos Resort, and The St. Regis Red Sea Resort.
    This collaboration brings together two iconic brands known for creating glamorous leisure experiences. Widely regarded as the authority on luxury swimwear, Vilebrequin is the ultimate reference for those who wish to combine casual elegance with humor, originality, impeccable taste, and quality. At home in a colorful world reminiscent of fine sandy beaches, sunsets, and dreams, Vilebrequin has embraced a spirt of freedom and elegance since it was founded. A like-minded brand that recognizes the importance of heritage and quality, Vilebrequin is the perfect and stylish complement to St. Regis Hotels & Resorts part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands.
    From the mangrove forests of Riviera Maya to the white-sand beaches of Los Cabos to the tranquil waters of the Red Sea, the thoughtfully created patterns draw inspiration from these diverse and spectacular destinations as well as St. Regis’s most iconic symbols. Designed for St. Regis guests of all ages, the five-piece collection includes men’s swim trunks, women’s shorts, children’s swim trunks, a beach tote and travel pouch – all available in each of the three exclusive patterns.
    “We are thrilled to partner with Vilebrequin to bring our glamorous new resorts to life through this limited-edition collection,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “As we continue to grow our resort portfolio, we have loved working with the designers at Vilebrequin to tell the story of three of our highly anticipated openings through each of these designs. We look forward to spotting our luminaries in these Vilebrequin patterns around the world!”
    “Inspired by the legacy of the St. Regis, we wanted to create a series of prints that spoke to these incredible leisure destinations while remaining true to the world of Vilebrequin,” said Emmanuele Vinciguerra, Vilebrequin President, The Americas. “In each of our designs, you will find iconic elements of the St. Regis brand brought to life and reimagined through the whimsical world of Vilebrequin – a perfect combination.”ADVERTISEMENTSt. Regis Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to growing its resort portfolio solidifies the brand’s position as a leader in luxury leisure hospitality. Floating atop a natural mangrove reserve along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya recently opens its doors, combining striking architecture and stately grounds with a design story rooted in Mayan mysticism. Inspired by the resort’s location, design narrative and celestial inspiration, Vilebrequin created a beautiful blue pattern where the St. Regis crest dances alongside mangrove trees and lush tropical florals. Woven throughout the design are symbols of Ancient Mayan culture including celestial bodies of the sun and stars as well as butterflies, believed to be the spirits of Mayan ancestors return to comfort those they left behind.
    Located on its own private island, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is slated to debut in late 2023. Inspired by the Arabian Riviera, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort print features shells, turtles and palm trees in rich, bold hues of blue and green. Resting below the shady palms, the pattern incorporates the pear-shaped oud, a prominent string instrument featured in Arabic music.
    Expected to debut in 2024, The St. Regis Los Cabos Resort is located within Quivira Los Cabos, situated along a glorious 2.5-mile stretch of virgin beach on the Sea of Cortez. Designed to transport you to a seaside escape, the white and navy nautical St. Regis Los Cabos Resort pattern features marine emblems such as sailboats, whales, seahorses and turtles. Flutes of champagne serve as a nod to the St. Regis ritual of champagne sabrage while a pair of golf clubs and golf tees complete the pattern – the resort offers access to the Quivira Golf Club, which boasts an award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Design and breathtaking views.
    The Vilebrequin collection for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts will retail for $310 (men’s sizes), $215 (women’s sizes), $160 (children’s sizes), $75 (travel pouch) and $95 (beach tote). Within the United States, the collection is available for pre-order at the St. Regis Boutique here, and in the Caribbean and Latin America, available for purchase at The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya.

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    Shangri-La Launches Global “Find Your Shangri-La” Campaign

    Shangri-La launches its new “Find Your Shangri-La” global campaign, created to help guests find their personal moments of joy at the luxury hotel chain renowned for its delivery of Asian hospitality.The initial part of the campaign is centered around a whimsical brand film that celebrates Shangri-La’s commitment to providing guests with unforgettable experiences, showcased through unexpected moments of personalized and authentic service.
    “At Shangri-La, we understand that each guest has a unique version of what it means to ‘Find Your Shangri-La,’” says Shangri-La Chairman Hui Kuok. “We have a rich legacy of more than 50 years in delighting customers and wanted to take this opportunity to highlight something that has always been part of us — bringing joyful moments to the people we host.
    “The new brand film captures the unique way in which we delight our guests with special moments and treats through our warm, authentic hospitality. We are excited to debut our campaign with this film, alongside an array of immersive experiences that elevate our brand experience.”
    The film was developed in partnership with GRAMMY® award-winning director Dave Meyers. To illustrate how guests can find their own Shangri-La, Meyers brought to life fanciful characters that represent different guest personas and chronicled how they found their happiness in various Shangri-La properties, showcasing the delightful, personalized hospitality experiences offered at each hotel.
    “Shangri-La is more than a physical place,” said Meyers. “It is a state of mind – a magical world that you can get lost in. Making this film has been a wonderful and inspiring experience for me to explore what ‘Shangri-La’ means to modern travelers.”ADVERTISEMENT“Find Your Shangri-La” themed experiences at a variety of hotels:
    To encourage guests to find their Shangri-La, hotels across the group are offering an array of local experiences to unveil hidden cultural gems exclusive to their destinations.
    In Paris, an array of summery delights are available from the opening of La Bauhinia’s terrace where guests can dine with dramatic views of the Eiffel Tower, to private boat rides along the river Seine. Additionally, guests staying at Shangri-La Paris have the opportunity to immerse themselves in luxury with a newly launched experience at the iconic Guerlain fragrance boutique on the Champs-Élysées. The private tour will be complete with a bespoke Bee Bottle filled with a perfume of their choice, taking inspiration from Bonaparte’s bee emblem seen throughout the Parisian palace.
    For the culture vultures, Shangri-La The Shard, London invites guests to uncover the historic secrets of the Tower of London followed by a gin tasting and at a local London distillery with their Royal Jewels & Gin experience, honoring this special Coronation year.
    Guests in Istanbul are offered the chance to cruise down The Bosphorus in a luxury yacht and explore the city or try their hand at Ebru marble art in a painting studio in Kadıköy. Shangri-La The Bosphorus, Istanbul is home to Istanbul’s first Baklava Butler who expertly prepares traditional Baklava in a private setting.
    Traveling from taste to scent, Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat offers Oman’s debut Frankincense Butler where guests are taken on a journey into the ancient history of Omani culture. This includes a traditional welcome of Frankincense incense, local dates and coffee followed by a private tour of the resort’s Frankincense garden with their in residence Frankincense expert.
    For those seeking adventure, Shangri-La Vancouver offers a thrilling helicopter experience to the top of Whistler, where a gourmet lunch will be enjoyed upon untouched snow caps before guests descend into the ice caves below.
    For guests who find joy in art and nature, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong is collaborating with acclaimed Japanese contemporary artist Mika Ninagawa to transform the hotel’s lobby lounge into a fantastical garden adorned by larger-than-life botanical art pieces. Called “Butterflies’ Season”, the garden is her first signature mirror box floral installation at the hotel and an extension of the display she created for the Shangri-La Lounge at Art Basel Hong Kong in March 2023.
    For those with epicurean tastes, Shangri-La has curated exclusive “Find Your Shangri-La” menus, inspired by Chinese and regional Asian cuisines and interpreted through the hotels’ local culinary cultures. While each menu is unique to the hotel, all menus celebrate unexpected flavors and presentations that offer diners the chance to experience a moment of joy. The menus are available now until August 13, 2023 at select hotels across the group.
    Shangri-La has also created a collection of imaginative cocktails and mocktails inspired by the “Find Your Shangri-La” campaign theme. Available now through December 31, 2023, the three #FindYourShangriLa cocktails include the Daydreamer, Taste of Eden, and the Sky is the Limit. Guests can enjoy these cocktails while listening to the brand film’s theme song, “Over the Rainbow”. Members of Shangri-La Circle, the brand’s loyalty program, can also enjoy a complimentary #FindYourShangriLa cocktail on Members’ Day, celebrated on the sixth of each month. The “Find your Shangri-La” menus and special drinks are available at select Shangri-La hotels in France, China, Thailand, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
    These are just a few of the experiences to ensure guests find their Shangri-La and the group looks forward to offering more memorable experiences and heartfelt hospitality to ensure you #Findyourshangrila.

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    Mondrian Expands Global Presence with a Significant Pipeline of New Openings

    Ennismore – the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company – today announces the strategic global expansion of Mondrian, which this year is on track to debut hotels in Singapore, Ibiza, Hong Kong and Bordeaux.
    Additionally, the brand has further expansion in its sights for 2024 and beyond with a solid pipeline of new Mondrian openings, each of which comprises a hotel and branded residential component in Australia’s Gold Coast, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Tulum. These new properties complement the existing collection of eight Mondrian hotels located in: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, London, Doha, Seoul, Cannes and Mexico City.
    Mondrian’s expansion is innately linked to its brand DNA, which is rooted in art, design and culture. As the transmission of global culture continues to accelerate, Mondrian keeps pace, ensuring a position on the forefront of the world’s most exciting cultural scenes or fostering community and momentum in emerging hubs. Groundbreaking interiors, art installations and inventive culinary experiences are hallmarks of a Mondrian, as are dream-like spaces that reflect the city it inhabits. Visionary collaborators and progressive programming bring each location to life, generating an energy that is resonating deeply with travelers and residents who are motivated by cultural curiosity, and driving demand for Mondrian around the world. Alongside the expansion, the Mondrian brand will lean into its forward-thinking origins, celebrating the fusion of tech and culture, and partnering with innovators to continue inspiring new perspectives.
    Chadi Farhat, Brand COO for Mondrian at Ennismore, states “From the moment the doors at Mondrian Los Angeles opened in the late nineties, guests connected with an electric energy and experience that was entirely new to hospitality. And once again it’s an exciting time for the Mondrian brand as it expands into new regions – the Middle East and Asia Pacific in particular – offering residences alongside hotels in several of the new locations. Guests can expect the same core values synonymous with Mondrian at every destination, with a flair for the unexpected that Mondrian aficionados know and love.”
    Most recently, Mondrian Mexico City Condesa, opened in December ‘22 and was the first Mondrian hotel in Latin America. The new luxury, lifestyle hotel features 183 rooms including two Penthouse suites and 16 luxury suites, state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities, and four distinct culinary concepts including Cleo Mediterraneo, Skybar, The Flower Shop, and La Terraza. The hotel, an exciting new venture between Mondrian and Grupo Murano, is located in the heart of the vibrant Condesa neighborhood, just steps away from La Roma in the I421 Live District and is the masterwork of architect Jose Luis Benlliure. Similarly, Mondrian Cannes, the first Mondrian hotel in France, opened in March 2023, on the site of the town’s oldest luxury hotel, formerly Grand Hotel Cannes. Following an extensive renovation, the new luxury lifestyle hotel features 75 guest rooms including three suites, state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities, Hyde Beach Cannes, and Mr Nakamoto, a contemporary seafood restaurant combining a classic American Grill with Japanese flavors. Mondrian Cannes features a much coveted, prime oceanfront location including a private beach and is the only hotel on the legendary boulevard de La Croisette with its own gardens and direct access to the rue d’Antibes shopping district. ADVERTISEMENTAdditional Mondrian openings slated for 2023 include:
    Mondrian Singapore Duxton: Opening June 2023: Designed by award-winning Studio Carter, Mondrian Singapore Duxton’s 302 rooms and suites take inspiration from the traditional Singaporean architecture executed with a contemporary flair. Mondrian injects its signature blend of art, glamour and culinary flair into Singapore’s most vibrant neighborhood: Duxton Hill. With its bold design and electric energy, Mondrian will set the scene with a cinematic rooftop pool and eclectic collection of bars and restaurants. Rising above the historic and colorful Chinatown shophouses with sweeping views of the glittering city skyline, the hotel is a stone’s throw from the Central Business District. Backtrack 100 years and the notorious streets of Duxton Hill were filled with adventurers and thrill seekers searching for a taste of the forbidden. The aroma of spices and sounds of the illicit permeated the air. Today, Duxton Hill is Singapore’s most up-and-coming neighborhood featuring barista cafes, world-class eateries,  bars, art galleries and independent boutiques.
    Mondrian Ibiza: Opening Summer 2023, the luxury lifestyle hotel will offer 154 spacious guest rooms perfectly set on the east side of Ibiza overlooking the scenic bay of Cala Llonga and the turquoise waters of the Balearic Sea. Designed by Spanish firms Beades Architects and Cuarto Interior, the hotel will operate seasonally. The seaside hotel will feature two pools overlooking the ocean, with suites overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Design touches include moments of color throughout public and private spaces, as well as a highly developed art program. Public spaces include an expansive terrace with bay views and VIP fire pits as well as a transportive, deep blue reception area. A much-coveted ensemble of culinary offerings will include: NIKO, a classic, understated and serene Japanese restaurant specializing in premium sushi overlooking the bay; The Perq, a day to night bar serving responsibly-sourced, direct-trade coffee, tea, fresh fruit, smoothies and juices with irresistible baked goods during the day before purveying local beers and natural wines each evening; Sun & Moon will be a versatile all-day coffee and cocktail bar serving Australian influenced comfort food with a local mixology twist. The property will benefit from access to a further five distinct culinary concepts at neighboring resort Hyde Ibiza, offering speakeasy-inspired cocktails, poolside DJ sets and sea-to-table dining inspired by the bounty of the Pityuses at Cuyo, Bungalow and Hyde Beach.
    Mondrian Hong Kong: Opening Q3 2023: Located in the bustling Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong’s vibrant Kowloon, the property will be the first Mondrian hotel in Greater China. Upon opening, the luxury lifestyle hotel will feature 324 guest rooms including 12 two bay suites designed by veteran Mondrian designer Karin Krautgartner/byKK. Guest rooms will offer beautiful panoramic views of the Victoria harbor as well as the beautiful city itself and will put a playful spin on the Hong Kong hospitality scene. On the 39th-floor, guests can dine at Carna by Dario Cecchini, a contemporary steakhouse from the legendary butcher from Tuscany, Italy and designed by the award winning Hong Kong designer Joyce Wang.
    Mondrian Bordeaux: Opening early Fall: This beautiful Bordeaux hotel is being built around a 19th century building, with 97 elegant guest rooms spread over three floors. Guests will enjoy a full spa, elevated dining with a beautiful bar lounge, and an open-air terrace spanning over 200 square meters.
    Looking ahead into 2024, Mondrian Gold Coast will offer unsurpassed vistas, service levels and a hotel offering and will become the first branded residences in Australia. Mondrian Abu Dhabi, the brand’s first project in the United Arab Emirates, is also slated for a 2024 opening. Located in the city’s bustling downtown area alongside the Abu Dhabi canal, Mondrian Abu Dhabi will offer waterfront views overlooking both Reem Island and Maryah Island with direct views of the city skyline. Similarly, slated to open in 2025, Mondrian Tulum Hotel & Residences will be the second Mondrian in Mexico to open following the success of Mondrian Mexico City Condesa. Finally, Mondrian Riyadh is due to open in 2026, which will mark the brand’s debut in the city, as well as, the first in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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    Holiday Inn Club Vacations Acquires Four Resorts in Mexico from Royal Resorts

    Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, a leading vacation ownership company and partner of IHG® Hotels & Resorts (IHG), announced today that it has acquired four scenic beachfront resorts located in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, Mexico from Royal Resorts®, a pioneer in the Mexican Caribbean tourism industry. The acquisition also includes most of Royal Resorts’ related companies and its corporate operations. These resorts will be Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated’s first properties located outside the United States, further broadening Holiday Inn Club Vacations’ and IHG’s resort footprint and providing guests with increased choice in leisure destinations.
    The four award-winning, family-friendly resorts acquired by Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated – The Royal Sands®, The Royal Cancun®, The Royal Haciendas® and Grand Residences by Royal Resorts® – collectively will add more than 850 villas to the company’s growing portfolio of destination resorts. The company expects it will take approximately one year to fully integrate the resorts, and during this process, the resorts will continue to operate normally.
    Once complete, IHG Hotels & Resorts customers will be able to book these properties through IHG and enjoy benefits of IHG’s loyalty program – IHG One Rewards – including the ability to earn and redeem points for hotel stays. These properties will join IHG’s global network of 18 brands and more than 6,000 hotels globally, adding stunning family travel destinations to IHG’s growing brand portfolio.
    John Staten, President and Chief Executive Officer, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, stated: “We couldn’t be more excited about this news and what it means for Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and most importantly, the families that travel with us. This acquisition is aligned with our growth roadmap where growing guest love and our resorts are two interconnected foundational pillars supporting our all-encompassing mission to be the most loved brand in family travel. With four incredible resorts located throughout one of the fastest growing family travel destinations in the world – the scenic Mexican Caribbean – the acquisition brings an entirely new, all-inclusive experience to our owners, Club members and guests.”
    Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Guests around the world will now have even more exciting choices to add to their travel plans while also enjoying the rich benefits of our IHG One Rewards program for their current and future stays. The addition of these award-winning resorts also demonstrates the strength of the Holiday Inn brand family and, certainly, founder Kemmons Wilson’s unwavering vision to create a better way to vacation lives on today.”ADVERTISEMENTSpence Wilson, Board Chairman, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, commented: “Since my father started Holiday Inn Club Vacations more than 40 years ago, there have been many significant growth milestones along the way. Few can top today’s announcement—our first expansion outside the United States. I am incredibly proud of our team and look forward to a future that is brighter and even more exciting as we welcome the Royal Resorts team and their owners, members and guests into our family.”
    Dr. Kemil Rizk, Chief Executive Officer and President of Royal Resorts, added: “We believe that it is a perfect fit, and we could not ask for a better partner to continue our legacy since welcoming our first guests in 1978. Like us, Holiday Inn Club Vacations is a pioneer company with a family-oriented resort collection and a reputation for outstanding service and quality. Holiday Inn Club Vacations is dedicated to providing memorable vacation experiences for families – something that aligns perfectly with the Royal Resorts mission and values, our points based and fixed week vacation ownership memberships and our team’s everyday commitment to quality service.”
    The transaction was reviewed and received approval from the Anti-Trust Commission (Comisión Federal de Competencia Economica, COFECE) of the Mexican government. As part of a separate agreement, Tortuga Resorts UK Limited is acquiring the entities which own and operate the remaining Royal Resorts properties – The Royal Islander® and Royal Uno® All Inclusive Resort & Spa.

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