Best Western completes acquisition of WorldHotels

Hotel News - Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced today it has acquired global hotel brand WorldHotels representing a collection of approximately 300 unique and special hotels and resorts in premier destinations around the world. “There is tremendous synergy between Best Western and WorldHotels. By joining forces in this new partnership, we will create competitive advantages for both companies,” said David Kong, President and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “I have the utmost respect for WorldHotels and believe in its vast potential.” The acquisition of WorldHotels was completed last week. The WorldHotels brand will play a critical role in enhancing Best Western’s portfolio of offerings to include the upper-upscale and luxury segments. WorldHotels will maintain its distinctive personality and individuality while benefiting from Best Western’s robust and scalable e-commerce platform, strong partnerships, sales and marketing support and powerful revenue engines. WorldHotels _Collection“Best Western is one of the largest, most respected and trusted hotel brands,” said Geoff Andrew, CEO, WorldHotels. “As we join forces, the combined power of our brands sets the stage for a bright future for both Best Western and WorldHotels. Through its established senior leadership team and regional presence in each market, Best Western brings a new level of expertise that will undoubtedly help grow both Best Western and WorldHotels in key markets.” Best Western has been on a journey of transformation over the past several years. In the last year alone, Best Western was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, expanded its portfolio to 13 dynamic brands reaching new guests in new segments, and won a record number of industry awards and accolades. The acquisition is a testament to Best Western’s commitment to growth, modernization and continued progression, bolstering the company’s position as a trusted leader in the global hospitality industry. “In the coming months, our focus will be to unlock WorldHotels’ potential by improving revenue delivery to its hotels while protecting its independent identity. We truly believe our platform will build the WorldHotels brand and attract many more independence–minded, quality hotels to join.  We are very pleased that Geoff Andrew will continue as CEO of WorldHotels for the foreseeable future.” concluded Kong.

Best Western Hotels Resorts Signs New Seafront Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand

Hotel News - Best Western Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a new seafront property in the popular resort town of Hua Hin, on Thailand's gulf coast. Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Khao Tao will feature 410 guest rooms and an array of leisure amenities for all types of guest, including couples and families. Located close to the beach just south of Hua Hin town center and 2.5 hours' drive from Bangkok, this contemporary resort will provide the perfect destination for locals, expats and international travelers seeking a revitalizing break from the city. The centerpiece of this elegant resort will be a series of freeform lagoon pools, slides, waterfalls and a special children's water play zone, all surrounded by tropical palm trees, sun decks and cozy cabanas. Every room features modern amenities and a balcony overlooking these aquatic attractions, while a series of spacious ground floor rooms offer terraces with direct access to the pools. A sunken pool bar creates an ideal spot to enjoy a cooling daytime drink, while the Beach Bar allows guests to chill out with refreshing drinks and gaze out over the glistening Gulf of Thailand. The hotel also features a restaurant serving breakfast and all-day Thai and international cuisine, a daytime coffee shop and a modern fitness center, and onsite parking will be available. Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Khao Tao is owned by One Place Estate Co., Ltd. The signing ceremony was held on December 17, 2018, and attended by Mr Pongpipat Kanjanasupat (4th right), Mr Suvichai Janethanaarthakij (4th left), CEOs of One Place Estate, and Olivier Berrivin (3rd right), Managing Director of International Operations - Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts. "Hua Hin has transformed from a charming coastal town into a thriving international tourism destination that now attracts millions of visitors every year. Newly connected with international flights, it now possesses a wide range of attractions including world-class golf courses, wineries, restaurants and enchanting cultural sites. Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Khao Tao will allow guests to experience the best of this impressive destination in comfort and style, with spacious accommodation and fantastic facilities, most notably its exotic outdoor pools," commented Olivier Berrivin. "Whether guests are seeking a romantic beachfront retreat, a memorable family vacation or a fun-filled getaway for a group of friends, this new resort has something for everyone. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners at One Place Estate as we bring this exciting project to life," he added

Portugal's Lenha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort Sold

Hotel News - Lenha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort - Aerial view Portugal's Lenha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort Sold  CBRE has advised the Carlyle Group on the acquisition of Penha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort, in Sintra, Portugal. Penha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort, part of Quinta da Penha Longa, in Sintra, is one of the most iconic resorts in Portugal, with 194 rooms, a spa and a wellness centre, and more than 3,000 m2 conference and meeting facilities. The resort features a golf course, highlighted as one of the top 30 best golf courses in Europe, designed by the renowned course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. In addition to extensive meeting, sporting and leisure facilities, in 2018 Penha Longa became the first hotel in Portugal to have two restaurants awarded Michelin stars. The resort will continue to be managed by Ritz-Carlton, a Marriot Group company, who has run the resort since December 2003. Duarte Morais Santos, Senior Consultant at CBRE Hotels, commented: "Tourism continues to be one of the great drivers of the Portuguese economy, constantly setting new records when it comes to the occupation rate. This transaction shows the great work CBRE Hotels has been developing, and we are very proud to have been an active part in the transaction of this resort." Peter Stoll, Managing Director for Carlyle European Realty advisory team said: "Penha Longa is one of the best-known and most-established hotels in Portugal, and the hospitality sector in the country is experiencing a strong demand from both leisure and corporate travellers. We are excited to be partnering with Explorer Investments to develop the full potential of the resort."

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has revamped the Hyatt Place brand in response to guests’ and owners’ evolving needs

The hotel group used direct owner and guest input to inform the brand’s updates in design, dining, technology and new-found focus on well-being. Hyatt Place aims to boost guest experience through this upcoming remodel. “We are keeping the brand relevant and fresh by focusing on giving our guests more customization and control during their travels, developing deeper relationships with our World of Hyatt members and personalized well-being experiences for our guests," Jim Chu, global head of development and owner relations for Hyatt, said in a statement. "By evolving and elevating the brand’s offerings, we believe that we will create a best-in-class experience that will truly redefine the select service category, just as we did 12 years ago when we launched the Hyatt Place brand.” The Hyatt Place redesign aligns with Hyatt Hotels’ global expansion plans for the brand. The Hyatt Place brand has grown 75 percent during the past five years, with more than 305 hotels open in more than 200 cities around the world.

Introducing the World's Best Ski Resort in 2019 (Part 4)

Pure Resort Ehrwald PURE Resort Ehrwald is one of projects on our list with an opening date that’s fast approaching. This property is under construction now with a debut slated for the second quarter of 2019. in the centre of Ehrwald, in a quiet location at the Florentin Wehnerweg , the luxurious PURE Resort Ehrwald will be established. Until a few years ago the renowned hotel ,Maria Regina’ was located here. PURE Resort Ehrwald is a “full-service” tourist-oriented rental concept in which luxury apartments and chalets are realized along with numerous facilities such as a restaurant, lounge and sun terrace. A fitness room and a high-quality spa/wellness area with swimming pool and outdoor sauna let you relax after an active day in the mountains. The apartments are characterized by a traditional architecture and the use of many natural materials. For example, walls are cladded with natural stone and wood. Typical alpine elements in a contemporary design give the building a warm and exclusive look. Perfectly positioned, the apartments are in an excellent location and partially offer a wonderful view on the Zugspitze. The professional rental, management, and op eration of the apartments is provided by an owner family residing in the -resort. The hosts will make sure that guests feel at home and lack -nothing.

Introducing the Gili Lankanfushi Hotel, the fifth-best hotel in the world in 2018, selected by users of the Tripadvisor website

Introducing the World's Best Ski Resort in 2019 (Part 3)

W Aspen W Aspen, formerly the Sky Hotel, is a modern day mountain chalet, and will celebrate the spirit of Aspen. An oversized split level living room (which is the W brand’s alternative to the staid hotel lobby) reimagines the traditional hotel dining scene with a modern approach to dynamic cocktails and cuisine. To complete the experience of this incomparable location, the hotel will feature a 1,600 square foot outdoor patio and a 12,000 square foot rooftop bar and pool, overlooking Aspen Mountain and creating the ultimate experience for après-ski and warm-weather events.

Hotelchamp introduces AI Autopilot, aims to focus on personalized experience to take on Booking.com and Expedia

Hotelchamp, an Amsterdam-based startup has introduced a new technology called Autopilot. This new technology is set to revolutionize the way hotels think about their online guest experience. It is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) engine, which is trained to recognize and personalize the experience of visitors to a hotel’s website. Kristian Valk, the founder, and CEO of the Dutch startup Hotelchamp states that hotel websites provide a static experience for the visitors. This is bizarre given the different guests who visit these sites and their varied preferences. This is what the startup intends to change with the introduction of Autopilot. Without further ado, let’s see how Hotelchap aims to take over Booking.com and Expedia with its new AI feature. Hotelchamp intends to help hoteliers by providing a better experience to the guests. It is aimed at scaling up quickly and growing at a hyper-fast pace. Enhancing the experience of the guests comes with personalization. In fact, personalization is something that guests expect from hotels and it is a challenge to deliver that on a website in a meaningful way, claimed Valk. This is where AI comes to the picture. Artificial Intelligence can deliver a truly adaptive website experience, which is customized to every single visitor. It brings the right information or interaction to the right person at the right time, he added. The newly launched Autopilot is more than a chatbot. It customizes the static hotel websites by deploying a range of marketing techniques and tools. As it is seamlessly integrated, it offers a more lively, responsive and personalized experience. Furthermore, it guides guests throughout the direct booking process based on their requirements. Hotelchamp’s data science team has used their years of data and millions of A/B test impressions on developing Autopilot. They have used all these data to know what convinces guests to book directly. The new technology applies this knowledge against factors such as real-time data from the hotel’s website, best practices from thousands of hotels and GDPR-compliant visitor insights as well as behavior. Hoteliers just have to activate Autopilot with a single switch and the rest is assured.

Waldorf Astoria signs four-year partnership with Aston Martin

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has signed a four-year global partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda, bringing together two enduring icons of global luxury. From exclusive guest access to Aston Martin’s most recent cars, to bespoke drive and stay packages in some of the most sought-after destinations in the Waldorf Astoria portfolio, the collaboration combines the exceptional standards of sophistication and service that are at the heart of both brands. “Aston Martin Lagonda was a natural choice for a partnership of this magnitude,” said Dino Michael, global head, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton. “At Waldorf Astoria, experience and service are at the core of everything we do, and this partnership offers a rare opportunity for our guests to live unforgettable at our properties around the globe.” Beginning in 2019, Waldorf Astoria Driving Experience weekends will present hotel guests with a variety of Aston Martin’s latest models to sample along carefully tailored routes. These bookable sessions will be led by Aston Martin’s team of professional drivers, giving Waldorf Astoria guests an expertly curated opportunity to explore the unmatched performance, refined craftsmanship and exhilarating driving sensation delivery by Aston Martin. Simon Sproule, president, Aston Martin Partnerships, said: “This partnership opens both brands up to new and exciting opportunities. “Aston Martin Lagonda and Waldorf Astoria share a passion for creating beautiful experiences for our customers, rooted in the joy of travel and discovery. “Together, we can create memorable journeys that combine the best in global hospitality and driving pleasure.”

New US sanctions target Russian hotel in Crimea acknowledged as world’s best

The latest US sanctions against Russia have hit four Crimean hotels, including Mriya Resort & Spa that is ranked as the world’s best holiday hotel and resort by the prestigious World Travel Awards.  On Thursday, US Treasury department broadened the list of previously introduced Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia. The new list includes two Ukrainians, a Russian officer, and nine entities. The punitive measures were initially introduced in response to the reunification of the Crimean peninsula with Russia after a regional referendum in 2014. Washington had also accused Moscow of meddling with Ukrainian internal policy and fueling the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia’s Mriya Resort & Spa is located 25 kilometers from the Crimean city of Yalta. The complex was built with the financial support of Russia’s state-controlled lender Sberbank and is used to host the Yalta International Economic Forum. Russia’s Mriya Resort & Spa in #Crimea named the best holiday hotel  The hotel was named the best holiday hotel and resort by the World Travel Awards in 2017. The year before, jury of the travel industry's most prestigious awards programme recognized Mriya Resort & Spa as Europe’s leading leisure resort. In 2015, Mriya won the title of Europe’s leading new resort. Established in 1923, World Travel aims to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. The awards are decided by an open vote and have been described as 'the Oscars of the travel industry'. Earlier this month, the World Spa Awards ranked the Russian hotel third among the best spa resorts across the world. Mriya was topped only by the Dubai-based Armani SPA and the Iridium Spa located in the Maldives. Apart from Mriya Resort & Spa the US sanctions target the Ai-Petri health resort, the Dulber holiday resort, and the Resort Complex Miskhor – all located in Crimea and established by the companies working in the peninsula.

International Property & Travel magazine

 International Property & Travel magazine focuses on the finest homes, resorts, interiors, travel, fashion and cars in the world – in fact, everything that signifies a highly desirable lifestyle. Features are both informative and interesting, offering advice from leading property experts on current market conditions around the word as well as specific information on each destination. The editor also selects the very best examples of properties for sale in each particular area and these are showcased within the different articles. The ‘First Class’ lifestyle section within every issue includes interviews with leading interior designers and gives an insight into varying trends around the globe. Top fashion designers also discuss their latest collections and offer advice on styling and accessories. Superior homes demand a vehicle of similar standing in the driveway and so we indulge car lovers’ passion with pages dedicated to the drives of their dreams. International Property & Travel has a valued readership of high net worth individuals and can be found in-flight and in the business class lounges of British Airways, Emirates, American Airlines and many more leading flight operators. The magazine is also a media partner of the International Property Awards. While great care has been taken in the receipt and handling of material, production and accuracy of content in this magazine, the publishers will not accept any responsibility for any errors, loss or omissions which may occur. The publishers would like to thank all those companies and individuals who took part in the magazine and wish them every success. International Property & Travel  Code: iranhotelnews.com

Introducing the best and most popular hotel management software in the world - RMS Hotel

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