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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.”

Create: Dec 6, 2018 Edit: Dec 8, 2018 International News

Centara Hotels signs for three new properties in Laos

Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed management agreements for three new properties with Asia Investment, Development & Construction Sole. The latter is a well-established enterprise in Laos. In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, Centara plans to open an upper upscale Centara Grand Luang Prabang and a midscale Centra by Centara property, both near the town centre. The third property will be under Centara’s new lifestyle brand, Cosi, catering to the growing segment of connected, freedom-loving travellers. It will represent a unique offering in Vientiane, the Laotian capital. The management agreement comes as Laos launches ambitious new plans to promote tourism. In recent years, the government of the Lao PDR has come to regard tourism as a priority sector for driving socio-economic development. It hopes to attract five million visitors in 2018 and increasing numbers in the years ahead with a Visit Laos campaign under the slogan Simply Beautiful. The country’s picturesque mountains, atmospheric towns, and humble friendliness are being discovered by Thai, Chinese and Western visitors. And it has one factor particularly in its favour: superb value. According to a new report from the Swiss-based World Economic Forum, Laos ranks 14th among 136 countries in price competitiveness. “This partnership with AIDC is a great opportunity to expand our footprint into a distinctive country,” said Centara chief executive Thirayuth Chirathivat. “Laos is on the list of more and more travellers to this region, and we want to serve them with the distinct and varied accommodation options to match the travel experience they are seeking.” Luang Prabang is the well-preserved, old spiritual city at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers. Although well-served by direct flights to its airport and modern amenities, it lives up to its World Heritage status with beautiful temples and traditional riverside life. Bicycles outnumber cars. Delicious baguettes, croissants, cafés and French restaurants hint at the French colonial history in both Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Pheutsapha Phoummasak, president of AIDC Laos said: “We are excited to partner with Centara to bring their trusted brands to these great cities and further promote the tourism potential of Laos. “Luang Prabang and Vientiane are very popular destinations for both Thai and international travellers thanks to their perfect blend of history, beautiful scenery and charming character.”

Create: Dec 3, 2018 Edit: Dec 3, 2018 International News

Meliá Hotels Signs New Three Hotels in Vietnam and Thailand

Mr. Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, the group’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. André Gerondeau, and the Regional Vice President Asia Pacific, Mr. Bernardo Cabot, recently ended their Asia Pacific tour, during which they visited China, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. During Mr. Escarrer’s trip, the company signed three new hotels: Meliá Hoi An and Meliá Phu Quoc in Vietnam, and Meliá Phuket Karon in Thailand. These new properties take Meliá Hotels International’s portfolio in Asia Pacific to 51 hotels, all scheduled to be fully operational by 2022. The company has seen spectacular growth over the last 6 years, growing from 6 operating hotels to 51 hotels in operation and pipeline. Since opening Meliá Bali in 1985, its first international hotel, Meliá has had a very strong focus on Asia, where it now has an extensive portfolio in 7 countries. In the medium term, the company expects that the growth of its Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Sol by Meliá and INNSIDE by Meliá brands in the region may contribute to financial results and importance similar to that of their well-established and renowned Caribbean hotels. Furthermore, the company would like to bring other brands like ME by Meliá and Paradisus by Meliá from its portfolio to key destinations in APAC region. Over the last decade, the company has also focused heavily on China, a huge market in which it continues to make firm and consistent progress in increasing its hotel portfolio.

Create: Nov 13, 2018 Edit: Nov 18, 2018 International News

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.

Create: Nov 10, 2018 Edit: Nov 10, 2018 International News

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

Create: Nov 1, 2018 Edit: Dec 29, 2022 International Magazines

Emlyn Brown Appointed Vice President, Wellbeing for AccorHotels’ Luxury Brands

AccorHotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Emlyn Brown as Vice President, Wellbeing for AccorHotels’ Luxury & Upper Upscale brands . Emlyn joins AccorHotels from Resense Spas S.A, where he most recently held the position of Global Design Director and was responsible for managing corporate strategies, wellbeing concepts and related design services. “We are delighted to have Emlyn join our team; his experience, skill set and leadership traits position him well for future success within the Group,” said Rick Harvey Lam, Senior Vice-President, AccorHotels Luxury Brands, Global Brand Marketing. “Emlyn will direct our global strategy in the pivotal area of wellbeing, enhancing our global luxury wellness offering through transformative guest experiences integrated with our leading spa and wellness standards.” Emlyn brings over 20 years of international experience to this role, beginning his wellness career in 1996. Since then, Emlyn has held several progressive management positions throughout Europe, The Middle East and Asia. Over his career, Emlyn has led group operations of several leading luxury spa and fitness operators. During his time at Resense Spas S.A he also held the position of Managing Director of Asia, accountable for the management and growth of the portfolio in China and South East Asia. Prior to that, Emlyn was the Director at GOGO Hospitality, and also held senior positions at Six Senses Resorts & Spas where he was the Regional Director for Europe and later the Operations Director for Asia. Prior to working within luxury hospitality, Emlyn held senior operating roles with Holmes Place Lifestyle clubs in Switzerland and Germany. “It is an honor and a privilege to join AccorHotels, to work with its prestigious luxury brands and among the highly respected professionals of its global wellness and marketing teams,” said Brown. “Our discerning and affluent clientele are well-travelled individuals and they are increasingly motivated by the opportunity to maintain and even improve their approach to health and wellbeing along their journeys. From designs and concepts to facilities and programs, my goal is to continue to surpass the expectations of our guests and infuse their entire hotel experience with opportunities for transformative, innovative and extraordinary moments of wellness and wellbeing.” Source: hotel-online

Create: Oct 20, 2018 Edit: Oct 20, 2018 Appointments

Rosewood recognized by Condé Nast Traveler 2018

Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing sixteen of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ properties with top honors in each of their respective categories. This year, the awarded properties include Rosewood Phnom Penh (Phnom Penh, Cambodia), Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel (Paris, France), The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (New York, NY), Rosewood CordeValle (San Martin, CA), Rosewood Sand Hill (Menlo Park, CA), Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi (Santa Fe, NM), Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek (Dallas, TX), Rosewood London (London, UK), Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Vancouver, BC), Rosewood San Miguel de Allende (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico), Rosewood Beijing (Beijing, China), Rosewood Mayakoba (Riviera Maya, Mexico), Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort (Los Cabos, Mexico), Rosewood Bermuda (Bermuda), Rosewood Phuket (Phuket, Thailand), and Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany, Italy). Rosewood properties had an outstanding performance this year with Rosewood CordeValle ranking first in the “Top Resorts in Northern California” category for the second year in a row, and an additional nine properties ranking fifth in their respective categories. Rosewood San Miguel de Allende placed third in the “Top Hotels in Mexico” list, while both Rosewood Mayakoba and Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi ranked fourth in the “Top Resorts in Eastern Mexico” and “Top Hotels in the Southwest U.S.” categories, respectively. Six properties received a fifth-place ranking in their categories, including Rosewood Hotel Georgia in the “Top Hotels in Canada” category, Rosewood Beijing in the “Top Hotels in China” category, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in the “Top Hotels in Paris” category, Rosewood Sand Hill in the “Top Hotels in Northern California” category, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in the “Top Resorts in Europe” category, and Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort in the “Top Reports in Western Mexico” category. Source : Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Create: Oct 15, 2018 Edit: Oct 15, 2018 International News