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Deutsche Hospitality and the Porsche Design Group Launch Unique Hotel Concept

Zeitgeist, Design and Service ExcellenceDeutsche Hospitality and the Porsche Design Group are joining forces to present the Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels brand, an innovative hotel concept in the Luxury Lifestyle Segment. Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels will bring together design, technology and lifestyle at the very highest level. The result will be a unique brand experience created from the design philosophy and values of the exclusive Porsche Design lifestyle brand. This will be combined with the excellence and experience of Steigenberger, which boasts a representative tradition stretching back for more than 90 years. Investor interest in Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels is considerable. The first planning stage involves the establishment of up to 15 hotels in global metropolises such as London, Singapore, Dubai and Shanghai. Design and quality are the top priority“Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels creates a brand which marries the design philosophy and values of the exclusive Porsche Design brand with the hospitality and service quality of a Steigenberger hotel,” said Marcus Bernhardt, CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG/Deutsche Hospitality. “Our joint goal is to establish a new hotel product for a global target group which seeks uniqueness and which has the highest aspirations regarding quality.” “Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels will boast an unusual and exceptional spatial and lighting concept,” stated Dr. Jan Becker, CEO of Porsche Design Group. “Innovative rooms and suites will feature a singular design and interior which captures the spirit of the environment. Travellers in search of extraordinary experiences will be able to find Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels at some of the world’s most breath-taking locations.” The hotels will offer at least 150 rooms, suites, and penthouses. They will also have a remarkable restaurant and bar concept, exclusive Meet&Greet Cubes, and a health and beauty facility and gym extending over a minimum area of 1,000 square metres. Deutsche Hospitality already maintains a presence in the Luxury, Upscale, Midscale and Economy Segments via the existing brands. “We have set ourselves the objective of achieving significant worldwide growth by 2027,” Mr. Bernhardt continued. “For us, Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels constitutes an important step towards appealing to an attractive target group in the long term and towards meeting growing requirements for individuality, exclusivity, design and an inimitable hotel experience.” The development of Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels is enabling Porsche Design to transfer its brand philosophy to exterior and interior architecture. This will allow design expertise to be made accessible to a broad section of the public via the vehicle of outstanding hotel projects. Jan Becker: “The brand perception factor is becoming increasingly important for customers. In hotels we convey the brand experience in a unique way, and this makes it possible to introduce additional differentiation to the market.”

Create: Oct 17, 2021 Edit: Oct 19, 2021 International News

el PRADO Hotel Opens in Downtown Palo Alto, California

In partnership with Ferrado, el PRADO Hotel announces the grand opening of its new Spanish-inspired luxury property in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. The reflagged independent hotel and vibrant destination, formerly known as the Garden Court Hotel, features 62 guestrooms, ample indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, and delicious seasonal food and beverage offerings in inviting new spaces. The renovation was overseen by award-winning hotel design firm, NICOLEHOLLIS, and structured with the discerning business and leisure traveler in mind. In partnership with Ferrado, el PRADO Hotel announces the grand opening of its new Spanish-inspired luxury property in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. The reflagged independent hotel and vibrant destination, formerly known as the Garden Court Hotel, features 62 guestrooms, ample indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, and delicious seasonal food and beverage offerings in inviting new spaces. The renovation was overseen by award-winning hotel design firm, NICOLEHOLLIS, and structured with the discerning business and leisure traveler in mind. Upon opening, the hotel debuts a two-floor glass solarium outfitted with cozy seating adjacent to the Breakfast Cafe, and perfect for enjoying a morning cup of coffee or settling into a workday; a second-floor bar serving Spanish-inspired bites and signature cocktails; The Library, featuring a boardroom table, separate lounge area with plush couches, and full technology capabilities for business conferencing; and a back courtyard area fit with a large fireplace and outdoor lounge furniture adjacent to lobby-level meeting rooms for breakout sessions. Appealing to the new-age business traveler, el PRADO offers a variety of amenities to make the workday away from home or the office a seamless and enjoyable experience. Its brand new C-Suite Retreat package includes full valet parking service to welcome guests upon arrival and ensure a smooth check-out process, a wholesome breakfast from the Breakfast Cafe, and a complimentary signature low ABV cocktail made with fresh, botanical ingredients. The package also includes high-speed Wi-Fi, an Executive Concierge for technology set-up and food and beverage orders, and late check-out to coincide with a workday or late afternoon meeting schedule. el PRADO is certified as a Clean & Safe Hotel within the California Hotel and Lodging Association — implementing precautionary measures provided by the association’s Clean & Safe Guidelines, including contactless check-in and robust cleaning measures ensuring the overall health and wellbeing for guests and staff.

Create: Oct 16, 2021 Edit: Oct 16, 2021 International News

Courtyard by Marriott, Washington DC Dupont Circle Set for November Opening

Courtyard by Marriott will return to the Dupont Circle neighborhood in Washington, D.C., boasting a meticulous redesign and ready to host guests beginning in November 2021. Centrally located at 1733 N Street NW in a vibrant and historic mixed residential and commercial neighborhood, the anticipated hotel is tucked away among picturesque row houses and parks, but just steps away from Embassy Row, the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, and the National Geographic Museum. Courtyard by Marriott, Washington DC Dupont Circle will be suitable for all types of travelers. Central among a myriad of attractions in the nation’s capital, the hotel provides a welcome respite for professionals conducting business in the area, a convenient jumping off point for tourists visiting historical monuments, or locals exploring the diverse and exciting restaurants and shops of Embassy Row. Nestled in the charming Dupont Circle neighborhood, guests will also find themselves surrounded by many nearby parks, including Rock Creek Park, Dupont Circle Park, Stead Park, Farragut Square, and others. And just a few blocks from the Metro (Red – Dupont Circle), location is truly everything – offering affordable and efficient access to Union Station, all three major international airports, and points across the entire region, including the waterfront Navy Yards district, Arlington Cemetery and the United States Capitol building. The Dupont Circle iteration of Courtyard elevates the guest experience with a mid-century modern, innovative redesign, featuring stylish tones of burnt orange, royal blue and silver, along with contemporary custom furniture and the latest technology to stay connected. With 10 stories and 143 spacious guest rooms available in both King and Double Queen configurations, patrons will enjoy large windows that provide an abundance of natural light and views of the picturesque and bustling neighborhood. Each room offers 100% black-out shades to ensure that guests will awaken refreshed and each room also offers a large working desk to foster creativity and productivity. Guests may also enjoy the hotel’s SMART TVs featuring Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms. The sleek lobby welcomes visitors with contemporary, flexible spaces for business and leisure travelers alike with check in pods and semi-private high-backed booths that feature built-in monitors conducive to meetings or relaxing while enjoying the hotel’s free WiFi. The hotel also offers a spacious fitness center with strength training and cardio equipment for guests to stay reinvigorated and energized. The hotel’s redesign also features two food & beverage options adjacent to the hotel lobby. The Bistro will offer a fast-casual dining environment with fresh, made-to-order options. This dining area is an ideal spot for guests to gather with colleagues or friends and enjoy the full-service food and bar offerings. The Crate, also located in the lobby, features a 24/7 ready-made concept for those who are on the go. The new prototype for Courtyard is making its regional debut in the Dupont Circle location, with packaged items offered in a grab-and-go, contactless setting. This Courtyard by Marriott in Dupont Circle will be the fifth in the nation’s capital and its new location’s modern redesign transforms the brand’s footprint in the Washington, D.C. region as it serves both business and leisure guests. Courtyard by Marriott’s return to the Dupont Circle area offers guests an opportunity to experience a quiet and localized neighborhood filled with tree-lined streets and historic homes while also enjoying the conveniences of a city center hotel.

Create: Oct 16, 2021 Edit: Oct 16, 2021 International News

World’s First Warner Bros. Hotel to Open Its Doors to Guests in November on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of magnetic experiences in collaboration with Warner Bros., home to one of the most well-known and successful collections of brands and characters in the world, announced today that The WB Abu Dhabi hotel on Yas Island, operated by Hilton under the Curio Collection brand, will open its doors to guests on 11 November 2021, inviting guests to see their favorite stories and characters brought to life through unique hospitality experiences that only the rich history and storied legacy of Warner Bros. could offer. Featuring one of the finest collections of Warner Bros. archives, guests at the world’s first Warner Bros. hotel will be treated to a journey of discovery through film and television, enjoying Warner Bros.’ rich history and library of timeless productions at every touchpoint from arrival to check-out. While dining in one of five of the restaurants on the property, you can listen as the piano from “Westworld” plays a familiar tune. Visitors can stroll through the lobby or admire 360-degree city and sea views alongside their favorite props and costumes from Warner Bros. films and TV shows. And kids and families can ring up one of their favorite Looney Tunes characters for a room service treat brought to them by the Wascally Wabbit, Bugs Bunny himself. Guests of The WB Abu Dhabi hotel begin their story as they pull up to the hotel and are greeted by digital screens that span the height of the building, playing original content created for the hotel. Before entering the hotel visitors won’t want to miss the iconic “Friends” fountain, guests will then enter the lobby and be drawn to the hotel’s uniquely designed lobby columns. As guests continue their journey, the storytelling experience is further enriched with guest room corridors displaying a curated gallery of artwork. Each of the hotel’s 257 rooms is furnished with touches that tie to the legacy of rich storytelling that makes Warner Bros. unique. The curated guestroom artwork will be inspired by three themes. The first theme, “From Script to Screen,” highlights standout moments from Warner Bros.’ movies and shows and documents the journey from the written page to the final shot. The second theme, “Artist Confidential,” celebrates a variety of talent in front of and behind the camera in some of Warner Bros.’ favorite productions. The third theme, “The Vault” features rarely seen images from Warner Bros.’ most memorable archives. Complementing the hotel’s unique design is an extensive and world class food and beverage program featuring five dining options catering to both adults and children. Craft Services, located in the lobby lounge, offers a relaxing coffee break after a busy day, while Sidekicks is the perfect place for socialising and interacting while enjoying a flavorful international menu. For those lounging by the pool in cabanas and sunbeds, The Matinee provides a casual dining option. Additionally, guests looking to indulge in an elegant dining experience, can visit The Director’s Club, or enjoy an experience at The Overlook, a fabulous lounge with a relaxing infinity pool and beautiful 360-degree city, theme park and sea views. The hotel is home to a host of leisure amenities for guests to enjoy, whether that’s lounging by the family pool area, working out in the fitness center, relaxing in the spa, exploring the artwork and props or shopping in the Warner Bros. store, the Prop Shop. For younger guests, the Kid’s Club will offer a vibrant and playful space designed to bring Warner Bros.’ characters to life. Some of WB’s world-renowned characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and others will participate in entertaining activities throughout the hotel providing guest memories that will last a lifetime. The hotel also caters for business meetings and events with a large ballroom and expansive meeting room facilities. The WB Abu Dhabi is located adjacent to the award-winning Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor theme park which features six truly immersive lands, including DC’s Metropolis and Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza, along with 29 state-of-the-art exhilarating rides, interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment. The hotel is also a walking distance from Yas Waterworld and a 5- minute drive to all other Yas Island unique attractions and experiences,

Create: Oct 16, 2021 Edit: Oct 16, 2021 International News

How Addressing ESG Can Also Save Hotels Money

Recent weather disasters, social unrest and a heightened awareness of racial bias have prompted hoteliers to double down on their commitments to become better corporate citizens and do more to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. These are moves toward a social good, sure, but also have ramifications on hotel company P&Ls. Marriott International, for one. It recently announced a commitment to reach net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. The pledge follows the previous setting of goals by the massive global company to reduce single-use plastics, cut down on food waste by 50% and significantly amp up the diversity of suppliers, among other measures. InterContinental Hotels Group is another. Earlier this year it announced plans “to make a positive difference for our people, communities and planet over the next decade.” The company’s new commitments include a 15% “absolute reduction” of energy use and carbon emissions; a reduction of waste that will include the elimination of single-use items and a “prevent, donate, divert” plan for food waste; increased water conservation efforts; new programs to “improve the lives of 30 million people in our communities around the world” and, for employees, to “champion a diverse culture where everyone can thrive.” All of these measures benefit the public good and also have impact on a hotel’s ability to control expenses, particularly in regard to energy management. “Saving energy can—and will—impact profitability,” said Denise Naguib, VP of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity at Marriott. “For many properties, the second largest cost after labor is energy, and in some markets it actually supersedes labor, so this is a real cost that impacts the bottom line.” Energy By The Numbers Energy costs are mainly variable and there are ways to control this expense, which is of the moment now as the expense creeps back up. In U.S. hotels, the cost of electricity jumped to $4.31 in August on a per-available-room basis, compared to $3.35 in July 2020, according to HotStats data. Year-to-date August, hotels were paying $3.32 for energy, compared to $2.94 over the same period a year prior. Europe saw a similar rise, with August electricity at €6.26 compared to €8.26 in the same month last year, and €8.67 in the first eight months of this year compared to €8.26 in the same period a year ago. Small Steps, Big Rewards Operational changes large and small can help drive energy efficiency. “One of our hotels that had a high energy bill brought on an energy manager,” Naguib said. “That person found energy efficiencies and reduced the property’s energy bill by $1 million.” On a broader level, she added, properties need to empower engineers and others to find energy efficiencies, such as shutting a foyer light that’s kept on all day, deploying technology to regulate temperatures and electric usage throughout the space. Smart uses of food, such as saving the ends of vegetables for stews or making more scrambled eggs at the start of breakfast to avoid whipping up too many at the end of service, can have an impact. Energy purchasing decisions and the education of employees also can make a difference. That hands-on approach also can be used when working to make hoteliers’ purchasing choices more inclusive, Naguib said. “If any of our associates are working on RFPs or RFIs, we help them seek out diverse suppliers, such as women or minority-owned businesses. It adds more voices to the table for bidding opportunities.” Such shifts generate customer loyalty, IHG noted when it announced the company’s enhanced ESG policies.

Create: Oct 13, 2021 Edit: Oct 13, 2021 Hotel Management

PM Hotel Group Selected to Manage the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel

PM Hotel Group, the industry’s leading independent hospitality management company, has been selected to manage the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel. This latest addition further expands PM Hotel Group’s Mid-Atlantic portfolio of Marriott-affiliated properties. Centrally located near Harrisburg’s key demand generators, the property is also 10 miles from Hershey, Pennsylvania’s famed Chocolate World and Hersheypark attractions. The expansive 347-room Sheraton Harrisburg features 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, as well as an on-site fitness center, restaurant and pub. Together with PM Hotel Group’s capex team, the award-winning hotel will immediately begin a multi-million-dollar renovation that will touch all areas of the building, restoring the property’s position as the market’s preeminent full-service hotel.

Create: Oct 13, 2021 Edit: Oct 13, 2021 International News

UNWTO and Netflix Partner to Rethink Screen Tourism

UNWTO and Netflix have partnered on the publication of a report which looks at the role of film and series as drivers for tourism and cultural affinity. The Global Report on Cultural Affinity and Screen Tourism explores the growing affection one has towards a particular country or culture displayed on the screen. The findings of the research were presented in Madrid against the backdrop of the Iberseries Platino Industria - the largest international event for professionals linked to the audiovisual industry in Spanish and Portuguese. The report’s ultimate goal is to support policymakers and key stakeholders within the tourism sector to implement policies that make their destinations attractive for audio-visual producers. At the same time, it aims to help in the building of focused strategies to promote tourism and consumption of local culture, investing in skills and training to develop the local film and creative sectors to ensure a high level of talent, infrastructure and production capacity and integrating tourism and showcasing culture at film festivals to deepen the global audiences’ knowledge. UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Both tourism and the audiovisual sectors celebrate and promote culture, support jobs and provide opportunities in diverse locations. The joint work of UNWTO and Netflix will help destinations realize the potential benefits of screen tourism. Dean Garfield, Vice-President, Public Policy, Netflix: “As highlighted in this research, we have been able to demonstrate conclusively what we instinctively already believed, which is that alongside the desire to travel and visit destinations, exposure to screen content also leads to greater interest in heritage, culture, language, and developing interpersonal relationships. This truly demonstrates that the creative industries, cultural exchange, storytelling, and tourism are all interlinked and can transform the way communities perceive and connect with each other.” Following the presentation of the Global Report, experts on tourism and the audio-visual industry shared their knowledge and insights into changing trends in screen tourism, its positive impacts on strengthening cultural affinity and the role of online streaming services in promoting tourism and cultural affinity between people, cultures and countries in line with the 2030 Agenda. The event also served to underline how public-private partnerships can support destinations to promote themselves as attractive locations for audio-visual producers.

Create: Oct 11, 2021 Edit: Oct 11, 2021 International News

5th-century church in northwestern Iran being reinforced

A project to restore and reinforce the ancient Saint John Church has begun in the village of Sohrol, near Shabestar city in East Azarbaijan province, the deputy provincial tourism chief has announced. The project involves the reinforcement of the church’s main structure and its foundation, as well as repairing the damaged parts, Alireza Quchi said on Saturday. Rehabilitation work has been ongoing on the historical structure for the past several years in order to make it stronger, the official added. Last year retaining walls for stabilizing soil around the monument were constructed to prevent it from being swept away by a landslide, he explained. Also known as Sohraqeh Church, the Armenian Catholic church was built in circa 5th century, but it was rebuilt on the older church foundation in 1840 by Samson Makintsev, a Russian general in the service of Iran during the Qajar era. The historical monument was inscribed on the National Heritage list in 1968. Iran is home to several ancient and historical churches. Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians are the most significant religious minorities in the country with Christians constituting the bulk. Iranian Azarbaijan was the center of several ancient civilizations. It formed part of Urartu and later of Media. In the 4th century BC, it was conquered by Alexander the Great and was named Atropatene after one of Alexander’s generals, Atropates, who established a small kingdom there. The area returned to Persian (Iranian) rule under the Sasanians in the 3rd century CE.

Create: Oct 10, 2021 Edit: Oct 10, 2021 Regional News

Wyndham Unveils All-Inclusive Resort Brand – Wyndham Alltra – Through New Strategic Alliance With Playa Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH), the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across nearly 95 countries, and Playa Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: PLYA), a leading owner, operator and developer of all-inclusive resorts in popular vacation destination in Mexico and the Caribbean, announced today the launch of a new all-inclusive resort brand, Wyndham Alltra. The announcement marks Wyndham’s 22nd brand and its first dedicated entirely to the fast-growing, all-inclusive segment. In conjunction with the brand launch, Wyndham begins a strategic alliance with Playa Hotels & Resorts, leveraging Wyndham’s unparalleled ability to drive sales, marketing and distribution in the economy, midscale and upscale segments via its 89 million enrolled Wyndham Rewards Members and distinct Everyday Travelers, combined with Playa’s ability to provide a best in class hospitality experience and exceptional value to guests. The new brand’s name “Alltra” is born from the brand promise of “All-Inclusive Travel for All,” keeping with Wyndham’s mission of delivering exceptional experiences to the everyday traveler. Wyndham Alltra creates an all-inclusive resort experience that is distinct to the upper-midscale segment, offering upscale food and beverage, services, amenities and activities with an expressive local flavor at an exceptional value. The brand will feature both family-friendly and adults-only resorts in the Caribbean and other resort destinations. The first two resorts to debut under the Wyndham Alltra brand are Playa’s 458 room Wyndham Alltra Cancun located in the heart of the Hotel zone with its 10 upscale restaurants, bars, lounges and pools, and the 287 room Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen in the heart of Playa Del Carmen featuring unlimited gourmet dining just steps from Fifth Avenue with its bars, restaurants and high-end shops. Currently undergoing renovations, both resorts remain open and are scheduled to complete renovations and become Wyndham Alltra resorts in time for the holidays in December 2021. The two resorts will mark the first of many properties to be developed under the strategic alliance between Wyndham and Playa in the upper-midscale, all-inclusive resort sector in the Caribbean and Mexico that Playa currently operates in. “Wyndham Alltra will introduce many of our over 150 million annual guests to our first all-inclusive brand,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, president and chief executive officer of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Partnering with a leading owner, operator and developer of all-inclusive resorts in prime beachfront locations, will create immediate access for our customers and our over 80 million Wyndham Rewards members to a fabulous, all-inclusive guest experience – members who will be able to redeem their Wyndham Rewards points for a new all-inclusive vacation experience at Wyndham Alltra resorts, and earn points for their stays.” “Today’s announcement combines Wyndham’s robust distribution capabilities and award-winning loyalty program with our highly acclaimed all-inclusive expertise. Together, we are launching a new experience in the upper-midscale resort segment to reach more first-time all-inclusive guests,” said Bruce Wardinski, chairman and chief executive officer, Playa Hotels & Resorts. Details about first two Playa properties to become Wyndham Alltra resorts: • Wyndham Alltra Cancun, All-Inclusive Resort – Guests can enjoy the ultimate all-inclusive vacation on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula with a stay at Wyndham Alltra Cancun. Situated in the heart of the lively Hotel Zone, our sprawling beachfront resort is the perfect escape for families, couples, and group gatherings. From the moment guests arrive, they’ll be transported to paradise with more than 10 incredible restaurants, bars and lounges, multiple pools, and a host of included activities ranging from yoga classes to tequila tastings. Kids of all ages will love our pirate-themed splash park, waterslides, and mini-golf course, while teens can spend afternoons and evenings in our #Hashtag hangout room. Throughout their stay, guests can keep up with their workout routine in a state-of-the-art fitness center or with one of our many group fitness classes—and be sure to make time for indulgent treatments and the complimentary hydrotherapy area at Aura Spa. Just 21 kilometers (13 miles) from Cancun International Airport (CUN), our picture-perfect resort is close to ancient Mayan ruins, lively nightlife in downtown Cancun, and so much more. Each of our contemporary suites is appointed with everything a guest needs to unwind—from fully-stocked minibars to terraces with incredible views of the Caribbean Sea. If celebrating a wedding or planning a business meeting, guests can host a memorable gathering with customizable all-inclusive packages in one of our outdoor or indoor venues. • Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen, Adults Only All Inclusive – Guests revel in an adults-only paradise along the idyllic Riviera Maya, steps from a breathtaking beach, fantastic shopping along 5th Avenue, and vibrant nightlife. Just 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Cancun International Airport (CUN), Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen, Adults Only All Inclusive offers the ultimate carefree vacation with unlimited gourmet dining and creative cocktails as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center, daily activities like beachfront yoga and aqua aerobics, and nightly entertainment. Guests can take a dip in the sparkling Olympic-size pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the warm white sand, or get pampered at the full-service spa and salon. After a day of sunning, shopping, or sightseeing, guests will love retreating to one of our 287 non-smoking rooms and suites, featuring a balcony or terrace for savoring the sunset and thoughtful conveniences like a fully stocked minibar, complimentary bath products, and free WiFi. If guests want to book an excursion to Cozumel or snag a table at the hottest club, our friendly, multilingual staff are always on standby to ensure they have the vacation they’ve been dreaming about. Wyndham Alltra is designed to make it easier for the everyday traveler to find truly outstanding all-inclusive hotel experiences outside of the current upscale and luxury options. This will provide an opportunity for hotel developers, owners, and investors to welcome new customers to all-inclusive hotels with unmatched support from Wyndham. The brand invites hoteliers to take advantage of Wyndham’s scale, distribution, services and loyalty program through this new all-inclusive brand.

Create: Oct 9, 2021 Edit: Oct 9, 2021 International News

Residence Inn by Marriott Bogotá Debuts in Colombia

Residence Inn by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announced today the opening of its newest property, Residence Inn by Marriott Bogotá. Marking Residence Inn’s debut in Colombia, the hotel is located at Calle 90 # 16-30, just a few steps from 93rd Street Park and in the middle of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan area in the Colombian capital. Operated by oxoHotel — a company specialized in the conceptualization, development and operation of multi-brand and multi-segment accommodations — the new Residence Inn by Marriott Bogotá welcomes business and leisure travelers with upscale design and architecture that enhances the guest experience with open spaces to relax and live without constraints. Residence Inn by Marriott Bogotá provides direct access to Chicó Market (Mercado del Chicó), an innovative gastronomic complex with more than 30 gastronomic offerings, located adjacent to the hotel, as well as to Bodytech Calle 90, one of the best medical sports clubs in Colombia. “We are very pleased to introduce the Residence Inn by Marriott brand for the first time in Colombia,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President & Global Brand Manager of Classic Select Brands, Marriott International. “We’ve seen increased demand for longer stay brands that offer modern amenities, open room layouts and sophisticated design to spread out, recharge and maintain a healthy balance while on the road, whether for business or for fun. Travelers can make the most of their stay by choosing the Residence Inn by Marriott Bogotá.” The hotel offers 131 all-suite, flexible guest rooms including studios and one- or two-bedroom suites. Guests will feel right at home with separate areas for living and sleeping with plush bedding and linens, providing an intimate atmosphere that invites connection and productivity. The hotel design makes use of organic materials and textures combined with warm colors, transition palettes, as well as textiles and ancestral Colombian goldwork that feature crisp and inspiring details, offering comfort the moment a guest enters the hotel lobby. LONGER STAY Designed for stays of five nights or more with maximum benefits in mind, Residence Inn stands out for its modern residential decor based on the idea of ‘travel the way you live.’ It is a concept where openness, freedom and love for life translate into personalized service and unrestricted experiences. Fully equipped kitchens in each suite – complete with a refrigerator, cook top, microwave, dishwasher, residential-size appliances, and dishes and cookware – set the stage for home-cooked meals, paired with Residence Inn’s complimentary grocery delivery. Guests will also appreciate large in-suite workspaces with a well-lit desk, ergonomic seat and high-speed wireless internet access. Residence Inn offers a wide variety of healthy and natural options on rotation for its daily complimentary breakfast, included in the room rate. We are delighted to open the first Residence Inn in Colombia in an area surrounded by impressive shops, restaurants and experiences that invite business and tourism. Each suite has been developed to create sensations of being close to home with personalized welcoming moments,” said Juan Carlos Galindo, CEO of oxoHotel. “With this opening, we are not only reaffirming our intention to offer enhanced experiences to our guests, but also to reignite tourism and new hotel projects in Colombia.”

Create: Aug 1, 2021 Edit: Aug 1, 2021 International News

Five Ways Tech Builds the Next Stage of Local Authenticity for Hotel

Coming out of the pandemic, guest demands have irreversibly changed. They don’t want cookie-cutter rooms; they want experiences. This harks back to the push over the previous decade to make our properties more ‘locally authentic’. Now, with lean teams and skeleton crews, the only way to effectively meet this demand is through technology.For the post-pandemic travel landscape, local authenticity means more than just a cursory immersion in the arts, culture and heritage of one’s locale. It also equals peace of mind because, in light of the residual anxiety over COVID-19, guests need to feel as though their specific requests are being handled.As a simple leisure scenario, picture yourself going on an international vacation with your loved one for the first time since the virus struck. You have all the new airport procedures to contend with. You’ve been wearing a mask for hours on end, which is inherently uncomfortable. And now you’re in a foreign city and country and don’t know what attractions and stores have reopened or what the local safety guidelines are, on top of a myriad of other questions that would require some digging online. Instead, wouldn’t it be great to know that your host hotel has your back the whole way?In the past, luxury brands have provided this kind of omniscience by deploying an army of staffers, but this model won’t jive in the post-pandemic, hyper-labor-efficient market conditions. Moreover, hotels must be proactive in the pre-arrival stage to ensure incoming guests have everything that they need and to make arrangements on their behalf. This sets the pace for a great onsite experience in lieu of the outdated ‘reactive’ process of waiting for guests to reach out to you with their inquiries. Done right, hotels can utilize integrated platforms and build a versatile CRM to connect the entire guest journey that also offers a clear counterargument to the largely self-serve nature of home-sharing accommodation providers such as Airbnb. Here are five ideas to help you incorporate this newfangled, full-service model. 1. Home-sharing platforms offer a direct, two-way messaging service with the accommodation host, and hotels must do the same. Brands should be using a chatbot to immediately respond to the simpler questions –which represent the majority of inquiries – then bouncing the more complex ones onto your front desk or concierge. Ditto for the voice channel where booking engines are available 24/7 and so too must your intake team be ready at all hours in order to win the business. 2. Speaking of booking engines, these should no longer be only for rooms, particularly if we want to continue to push guests towards our websites from the OTAs. Customers should be able to plan their entire trip itinerary from these portals, starting with dining reservations and spa appointments through to arrival amenities and perhaps a few ‘surprise and delight’ freebies such as their preferred, complimentary welcome refreshment or departure gift. With so much confusion about what’s open and what’s not, being an ambassador means guiding guests through this uncertainty as early in the customer journey as possible. 3. Physically getting to an accommodation booked through a home-sharing platform is mostly a laissez-faire ordeal. So, why can’t hotels offer bespoke, point-to-point guidance on transportation to and from the rail station or airport, as well as recommendations on how to get to the city or region? As a guest’s perception of your arrival experience can depend on the agony of how one arrives at the hotel, why leave this to chance? Besides better integrations to flight trackers so that you know exactly when your guests are expected to arrive, such innovations as autonomous vehicles are just around the corner, which could drastically bring down the costs of shuttle services. Grandiose for now, perhaps a present-day possibility would be a flight tracker integration so that you know when guests are expected to arrive and can be ready with a warm welcome. 4. The future of travel will be more purpose-driven. Namely, with so many anxiety-riddled barriers following COVID-19, guests will want to maximize their time while aboard. Planning a guest’s itinerary or making local recommendations has traditionally fallen under the purview of the concierge, but the time is right for building a ‘pick your own adventure’ program of bundled, turnkey half-day and full-day activities. This will require deeper integrations with third-party operators as well as a rethink of what onsite or offsite services are most meaningful for guests based upon their given travel purpose. For instance, a late-afternoon, post-meeting relaxation package with a whiskey tasting, revitalizing nosh and back massage will have vastly different appeal from a daylong sightseeing tour that includes timed entrances to exclusive local events. 5. The post-stay relationship is where home-sharing hosts are weakest. The platform does the brunt of this, focusing more on exploring new destinations rather than return visits. For hotels, traditionally the last interaction between guest and staff was often a checkout at the front desk where the final bill was confirmed, representing an emotionless, transactional touchpoint. Now with contactless checkout, hotels can transform this into a meaningful ‘thank you’ gesture followed by a series of one-to-one messages based upon what a guest utilized while onsite. With a fully integrated CRM, this messaging can be sentient insofar as knowing when to push for additional sales and when to simply keep past guests up to date on the latest happenings.

Create: Jul 28, 2021 Edit: Jul 28, 2021 Hotel Management

Hotel fire in southern Iraq kills child

A fire broke out at a hotel in Iraq’s southern city of Karbala on Sunday killing one child, civil defence officials said. Fire fighters and civil defence teams managed to rescue 78 people after the blaze inside the four-story Dai Al Hussain Hotel in the centre of the city. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed, although authorities said an investigation has been opened. “A girl died in hospital due to smoke inhalation which caused her to suffocate despite attempts to resuscitate her,” civil defence statement said. There have been numerous fires in Iraq this year, including in a Covid-19 facility in the southern city of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar governorate, which killed more than 60 people. Police have said the blaze at Al Hussein hospital earlier this month was due to faulty wiring that caused an oxygen tank to explode. Citizens blame corruption, negligence and mismanagement in various sectors of government for the disasters. Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi ordered the arrest of top health officials last week, following the deadly fire in Nasiriyah. President Barham Salih and Mr Al Kadhimi blamed the fire on negligence cause by corruption and political interference in the management of the hospital, and vowed to take action. Iraq's former health minister, Hassan Al Timimi, resigned in April following a fire in Baghdad's Ibn Al Khateeb hospital that killed at least 82 people. Most of them were Covid-19 patients who needed ventilators to help them breathe. The cause of the fire was also an oxygen tank explosion. The coronavirus pandemic has put a heavy strain on Iraq's health services. Before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic hospitals across the country were already struggling to provide patients with a good standard of care. The healthcare system has been affected by years of mismanagement, a lack of accountability, violence and factionalism since the US-led invasion in 2003, and before that by years of sanctions.

Create: Jul 19, 2021 Edit: Jul 19, 2021 Regional News