Wynn Resorts sues Resorts World Las Vegas over “similar design”

Hotel News - Wynn Resorts has filed a five-count trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit against Resorts World Las Vegas LLC. The cause of the suit is the Resorts World property that is currently under construction on the Las Vegas Strip. The $4 billion, 3,000-room resort is expected to open in late 2020. Local news reports say that the suit alleges that this property’s design looks a little too similar to the nearby Wynn Las Vegas and Encore buildings. The 17-page lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Nevada last month claims the designs have already confused some people and that they have the potential to mislead customers into thinking that the two properties are affiliated with each other. The complaint also has Wynn Resorts claiming that Resorts World’s design scheme uses Wynn’s registered architectural design, which consists of a three-dimensional building that features a concave facade, curved bronze glass, and horizontal banding above and between the lines of its glass panes. In addition, the design of the new Resorts World Las Vegas is said to be confusingly similar to the plaintiff’s architectural trade dress and copyrighted architectural work. “The architectural design embodied in defendant’s Resorts World Las Vegas hotel and casino is substantially similar to plaintiff’s registered copyrighted architectural work, and therefore defendant is violating plaintiff’s copyrights in addition to plaintiff’s registered and common law trade dress,” the lawsuit says. The new property is directly across the street, and as such is likely to confuse or even deceive the public, according to the lawsuit. In summation, the five counts of the suit list federal trade dress infringement, unfair competition, federal trademark dilution, state trademark dilution, and copyright infringement. The Wynn Las Vegas first opened back in 2005, followed by Encore in 2008. The Resorts World property is slated to open some time in 2020.

Tiger enters the lobby in a hotel in India

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

Half of the robots in a robotic hotel in Japan are dismissed after complaints received from guests

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."

Passengers and hotel staff locked up in Austria under the snow

IHG® Hotel Booking & Deals

Hotel News - IHG group united more than 5,000 hotels in over 100 countries. Those include outstanding IHG brands like InterContinental, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites Kimpton Hotels etc. So there is nothing strange in the fact that IHG Hotel Booking & Deals app got more than 1 million downloads on Google Play. With its help, travelers can easily take control of booking and managing their hotel stays. How it works: IHG app helps users find a needed hotel just in few taps. It also saves previous stays so next time one doesn’t have to search for the admired hotel. With this app, travelers can manage their complete trip including not only hotel preferences but also transportation (Uber or car rental), dining and visiting local attractions. IHG app gives access to special IHG offers and discounts. With its help, guests can earn special Rewards and later spend them om free nights or Digital Rewards. Cool features: Check reviews. Guests live real reviews about different hotels in the app. It can be really helpful while making a choice. Current charges. During a stay, clients can see their current hotel expenses. User Tip: Turn your phone horizontally to see your IHG Rewards Club or Ambassador card. Also, you can download IHG here

The Festival of Awaken Winter

Melia opens it's fourth hotel in Cuba

Hotel News—the fourth Paradisus hotel in the Meliá Hotels International chain in Cuba and the first in Cayo Santa María—opened its doors on 8 December. This eco resort is set in a unique natural environment. Cayo Santa María is surrounded by the Buenavista Biosphere Reserve, which boasts the second most important coral reef on the planet. Elegant, sophisticated and modern, Paradisus Los Cayos defines the essence of an all-inclusive natural luxury experience. Overlooking a fine-sand beach stretching for nearly half a mile and bathed by turquoise waters in one of the most unspoilt spots in the key, the establishment blends harmoniously with the nature surrounding it. Paradisus Los Cayos offers 802 Suites and Junior Suites. A large hotel where the architecture and interior design ensure guests can relax in an exclusive private setting. One aspect that sets this eco resort apart from the rest is its 34 swimming pools. Guests can go for a refreshing dip directly from their Garden Swim-Up rooms. The hotel provides two exclusive areas: The Reserve and Royal Service. Designed for guests seeking personalised attention, The Reserve is suitable for lone travellers or families as it offers the Family Concierge service. The Reserve guests can also enjoy areas and amenities especially designed for the most exacting tastes. If you prefer a luxury adult-only experience, Paradisus Los Cayos has a Royal Service area. Besides exclusive access to hotel bars, the lobby and swimming pools, other highlights include an exceptional butler service. The variety and quality of the food is another differentiating factor. With 12 restaurants and 14 bars to choose from, guests can enjoy a huge variety of tastes and textures. They range from Mediterranean dishes to Latin fusion and include the exotic flavours of Asia, signature cuisine and traditional Cuban fare. Guests can also enjoy diverse bar locations and interiors designed to cater for all tastes. Sipping a drink on the beach or gazing at the sunset while savouring a cocktail specially prepared by Cuban cocktail experts are two of the options available for travellers staying at Paradisus Los Cayos. The facilities for the MICE segment will turn this hotel and Cayo Santa María into a new hub for major events. The establishment provides 959 m² for meetings, with a large ballroom (910 m²) that can hold 910 people in a theatre format and 500 in banquet style. There are also alternative locations: beaches, swimming pools, gardens or terraces. Paradisus Los Cayos is destined to become the company’s flagship in Cayos del Norte de Villa Clara. The hotel’s special features and surrounding natural environment make it a unique place for discovering enchanting landscapes and experiencing memorable moments in this Cuban paradise.

Introducing the Maestro - PMS

The avalanche fall on the roof of a hotel in Switzerland

Describing Details of Iran Heritage Hotel Design

Hotel News – "The projects are about the buildings with a historical and cultural background." Said the deputy of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran regarding the plan for the establishment of heritage hotels in Iran.  “These buildings, some of which are registered and some are not, are different from the Eco-Tourism resorts.” Vali Teimuri said. Worldwide, the countries such as Spain and Portugal are leading in restoration of such buildings, and we will follow the design of Iran’s heritage hotels with Portuguese experts. "Our main goal is to work with Portuguese experts, receiving their experience, in order to ultimately cooperate  with the domestic investor," he said.