Hotels & Resorts
Azul Sensatori Jamaica now open
Karisma Hotels & Resorts reports that Azul Sensatori Jamaica has opened its doors and welcomed its first guests on Dec. 20, marking the entry of the hotel brand into Jamaica. Azul Sensatori Jamaica is Azul Hotels & Villas’ first property outside of Mexico and its sixth property overall, following the openings of Azul Villa Esmeralda in 2012 and Azul Fives Hotel in 2010. Located on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, the property debuted with 140 ocean-view rooms featuring chic contemporary design, six unique restaurant concepts, four bars and lounges, a Zen-inspired Vassa Spa and...
Atlific Hotels appointments
Atlific Hotels has announced a number of additions and promotions within its ever-growing team. Keeping pace with the growth of the brand, Atlific has promoted from within and hired new additions to its team of general managers in Western Canada. Nuwan Edwin Eparatchy joined the company in July 2013 to manage Vantage Inn & Suites in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Warren Berg took the role of GM for Days Inn & Suites Lloydminster, Alberta. Calvin Neal joined Atlific as the general manager of Econo Lodge in Fort St. John, BC. Dan McHale brings his extensive hotel experience to his new...
Centara goes with Discover the World Marketing
Centara Hotels & Resorts, a hotel operator in Thailand, has chosen Discover the World Marketing for sales and marketing representation in Canada and the US. "We needed an established organization that could deliver broad distribution throughout the market, especially among the leisure (wholesale and retail) and MICE market segments,” said Chris Bailey, Centara Hotels & Resorts’ senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “Centara also has a unique culture and business style, so finding a company that could embrace this was essential. Discover ticked all the boxes in our...
Hard Rock now in Ohio
Hard Rock International celebrated the official grand opening of Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park in Northeast Ohio on Dec. 18. The first of its kind, Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park saw the unveiling of the newest Hard Rock International property and its latest gaming brand, the “Rocksino.” Guests enjoyed “behind the velvet rope” access to the legendary guitar smash, which marks the opening of every hotel, casino and cafe worldwide, as well as a special performance by the award-winning Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. True to Cleveland’s roots as the birthplace of rock...
Sleep Inn opens third Canadian property
Emerald Park, SK, just east of Regina, is home to Canada’s newest Sleep Inn, the first one in western Canada. The brand, which entered Canada in 1996, has two other locations in Ontario. This is the Canadian first addition since 2000, and is owned by Souris Valley Lodging Inc. As a newly constructed Sleep Inn brand hotel, the 73-room property features the entirely new “Designed to Dream” experience, aimed at providing “guests with a restful and stylish environment that features warm colours, fresh graphics and just the right amenities, allowing guests to wake feeling well...
AMResorts affirms commitment to sustainable travel
AMResorts has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable tourism practices throughout 2013 with the development of environmentally friendly initiatives at its resorts. This year, AMResorts partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to support World Tourism Day 2013. The “Tourism & Water” themed event brought attention to some of the ways in which Rainforest Alliance Verified hotels are conserving water and protecting local waterways, including the installation of an electrostatic washing system that reduces wash cycle times by up to 70%, lowers water consumption by 3.9 million gallons...
Starwood, Caesars hit the jackpot
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Caesars Entertainment Corporation have raised the stakes for travellers by launching a partnership between their award-winning loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest and Caesars’ Total Rewards. This innovative hospitality alliance marks the first time the travel and entertainment leaders will join forces. By providing SPG and Total Rewards members the ability to both earn and redeem Starpoints and Reward Credits when staying at participating Starwood or Caesars Entertainment hotels, the partnership represents one of the most...
Best Western’s portfolio growing quickly in Latin America
Best Western International has announced plans for rapid expansion in Mexico, Central and South America with 29 hotels in the 2014 to 2015 pipeline. Though growth is strong throughout the region, South America is the hottest area for hotel development thanks to improving economies and Brazil hosting both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Best Western is doing its part to meet the growing hospitality demands in Brazil. The brand currently has 16 hotels operating in the country and is working with a development partner Incortel to add 30 new properties in the next five...