Hotels & Resorts
W Hotels to make Dutch debut
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. reports it will debut its W Hotels brand in the Netherlands with the new W Amsterdam, scheduled to open in Autumn 2015. Owned by STAG Europe (Grafenau) BV, the hotel will be located on the prestigious Dam Square in the heart of Amsterdam, behind the Royal Palace and just steps from the city’s iconic canal district with its vibrant restaurants, bars and nightlife scene. W Amsterdam will provide an integrated contemporary lifestyle experience with 169 stylish guestrooms, including 10 suites and one Extreme Wow Suite (the W brand’s...
Fiji resort unveils enhancements
The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji has announced that it will be entering a further phase of a series of upgrades and enhancements to the resort’s facilities, accommodations and public spaces. GM Mark Slimmer said, “We are excited to be proceeding with yet another phase of upgrades at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort that will build upon the captivating and authentic atmosphere that defines of our award-winning eco-resort.” In 2013, the resort began a multi-stage process involving several million dollars of improvements. The improvements included a completely new bar and lounge...
HAC National Conference set for Feb. 11-12
As the global economy stutters and starts with alarming unpredictability, the tourism industry will once again turn to the Hotel Association of Canada for advice on how to build and maintain sustainable businesses. The 100-year-old association, which represents more than 8,500 hotels, motels and resorts in the country’s $17-billion lodging industry, will focus on deep consumer insight as it hosts its annual conference in Toronto on Feb. 11-12. The following are four reasons not miss this conference: !!! FORD FOCUS: Sheryl Connelly is a sought after speaker, and for good reason....
Sandals Barbados to undergo US$65 million facelift
Hot on the heels of the launch of Sandals LaSource Grenada, Sandals Resorts International has announced Sandals Barbados will temporarily close its doors on April 1 to undergo a US$65 million enhancement program. The wide-ranging renovations will include the introduction of seven new gourmet restaurants bringing the total to 10, total refurbishment of the resort’s 280 existing rooms as well as numerous other additions and enhancements. Sandals Resorts’ chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart commented, “When we acquired this property in August 2013, we knew we were buying great...
Skyline helping clean the world
Skyline Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Orlando-based social enterprise Clean the World to collect and recycle hotel soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and gels with the aim of helping fight hygiene-related illnesses and decreasing the company’s environmental footprint. The soaps collected by Skyline Hotels & Resorts will be shipped to Clean the World for recycling and distribution to communities and countries in greatest need through the efforts of the charitable organization. Kevin Toth, president & COO of Skyline Hotels & Resorts, said that, “As...
Global Sports Events Great For Hotel Rates
Pegasus Solutions reports that hoteliers in host markets have seen booking increases of as much as 200% and rates doubling ahead of the US Super Bowl, Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The findings are from a Pegasus Solutions comparison of net reservations made in 2014 and 2013 for the same January 20 cut-off for same day-of-week arrivals in each region, reporting that affected hoteliers have smartly managed inventory ahead of the expected surges in demand. David Millili, CEO of Pegasus Solutions, said: "We reviewed bookings made through online sites for destinations that...
Starwood Anticipates Strong 2014
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc is expecting another year of robust growth in North America with approximately 30 new hotels slated to open by year's end, driven by the rapid proliferation of its Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft brands and a surge in conversions across several of its brands, including Le Meridien which is experiencing strong development momentum. In 2013, Starwood opened 33 new hotels and signed 52 new hotel deals in North America, up 27% over signings the previous year and the most signed since before the global economic crisis. Simon Turner,...
Can’t Make Sochi? How About St. Lucia?
If your client can't make it to Sochi this year, then Saint Lucia could well be the next best option. Just look at what's happening at The BodyHoliday. Here guests at the health and wellness resort will be able to personally train and get back in shape with three top former Olympian athletes for a full week. The resort's Well Fit Retreats, a mini-version of an Olympic training camp, return this spring and are set for March 31 to April 4 and April 7 to April 11. The special program was designed by twice Olympic gold medalist Daley Thomson, and in 2014 will be hosted by former Olympians...