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Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Hotel Opens in Durban

Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Hotel Opens in Durban

Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge officially opened this month, making it the first Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotel in KwaZulu-Natal and the fourth in South Africa. A highly anticipated addition to the brand’s fast-growing portfolio, it joins Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotels in Melrose Arch (Johannesburg), Cape Town and Menlyn (Pretoria). A short drive from King Shaka International Airport, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge is nestled along the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal coastline in the sought-after seaside town of uMhlanga, just north of Durban. In close proximity to the breathtakingly beautiful uMhlanga Rocks Beach, the Gateway Theatre Mall and the Moses Mabhida Stadium, it provides easy access to the region’s resplendent natural beauty, rich cultural heritage as well as its burgeoning energy and vibe. Featuring the hallmarks of the Fire & Ice! by Marriott brand such as comedy and DJ nights, bold décor, and associates who go the extra mile, it is set to transform the hotel scene in uMhlanga and emerge as the new coolest hotspot. A Durban-inspired menu, a retro VW combi, DJ booth, and design elements linked to a beach and surf theme, lend the hotel its own unique flavour and twist. “Durban is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city with a need for a hotel brand that matches its spirit. We are thrilled to introduce Fire & Ice! by Marriott brand with its trend-setting aesthetic fused with local influence to the thriving town of uMhlanga. Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge will provide the quirky, modern vibe that guests and locals in this area are looking for. The property reflects our agility and adaptability to identify and transform a property to suit an evolving destination,” said Volker Heiden, Area Vice-President for Marriott International. Previously a Protea Hotel by Marriott, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge has been rebranded after a complete transformation “This entailed heavy-duty renovations, an aesthetic metamorphosis, and a complete change in operations. Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotels dare to be different − they are progressive and fun, and while each hotel is individual in its personality, it is this edge that unites them under the brand.We had to balance that in creating this beautifully sassy hotel,” said the designer of Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge, Peter de Klerk. Guests are welcomed into a refreshed lobby that brings to life the vibe of the Fire & Ice! by Marriott brand, with mixed seating, a DJ booth and a TV wall. The new reception area features three pods and a dedicated guest relations desk. The outdoor deck features a retractable awning, three exterior pods for relaxing and dining, and a swimming pool. The VW combi completes the Fire & Ice! by Marriott atmosphere. 205 completely renovated chic and stylish guest rooms offer both comfort and thoughtful amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the Breakfast Room on the first floor and choose indoor seating, one of the two private dining rooms or the outdoor deck. Whether you’re swinging by for a crafted cocktail or looking for an indulgent delicious meal, the stylish restaurant, which features sophisticated neutral décor and delicious global cuisine prepared in an open kitchen offers the ideal venue with both indoor and a scenic outdoor patio seating option. The new menu reflects a strong African focus rooted in KwaZulu-Natal’s culinary specialties. Guests can expect a fresh take on the likes of bunny chow and curry, with a Fire & Ice! twist and elegance as well the brand’s signature (egg-ceptional) Fire & Ice! By Marriott breakfast options. No Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotel would be complete without a strong link to music. Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge will host Friday DJ nights, featuring top local and national DJs. The hotel will also share the brand’s renowned sense of humour, with regular co medy nights playing host to South Africa’s top comedians.

Create: Jul 27, 2019     Edit: Aug 2, 2019     International News
Yotel to debut in Australia

Yotel to debut in Australia

Yotel has announced plans for its first property in Australia, located within walking distance of Melbourne’s central business district. The 244-room Yotel Melbourne is scheduled to open in 2022, on City Road in the city’s Southbank district. Facilities will include the group’s signature Komyuniti public space for co-working, informal meetings and relaxing, as well as an outdoor terrace, gym, and viewing deck with restaurant and bar. Commenting on the news Hubert Viriot, CEO of Yotel said: “Over the past two years, we have been actively searching for the right locations and partners to roll out our brands in Australia, a key market for our global expansion and a key feeder market for our hotels in the US, Singapore and the UK. “With solid market fundamentals and global appeal, Melbourne is the perfect gateway to launch our first property in the country. Moreover, we are delighted to enter the market with (owner and developer) Cornerstone Partners Group, an international leader in hospitality and real estate investments.” “Australia is a very sophisticated hotel market with strong stakeholders; however, we believe the affordable luxury segment has been underserved and that’s what Yotel intends to solve. “Yotel Melbourne will serve as a launching pad for our brand across the country, following a similar strategy as what we did in the USA, where we first opened a property in New York in 2011 and now have ten hotels under management with extensive operational synergies and strong distribution channels. “We are already exploring development opportunities in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and we are confident we will soon have a robust hotel pipeline in place, targeting both our international customer base as well as the domestic market.” The Yotel brand launched in 2007 at Gatwick airport, and there are currently 30 properties either operating or under development, with plans to increase this to 60 by 2023. The group’s first Yotelpad is set to open in Switzerland next year, and Yotelair properties recently opened at Istanbul and Singapore Changi’s airports.

Create: Jul 21, 2019     Edit: Aug 2, 2019     International News
Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay First Hyatt Place Hotel To Open In Japan

Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay First Hyatt Place Hotel To Open In Japan

Hyatt announced today the opening of Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay, marking the debut of the Hyatt Place brand in Japan. Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay features the Hyatt Place brand's intuitive design, cozy atmosphere and practical amenities such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. "We are especially excited about this hotel opening as it marks the debut of the Hyatt Place brand in Japan, as well as the twenty-fourth Hyatt-branded hotel in Asia," said Sam Sakamura, vice president - Japan and Micronesia. "The first Hyatt-branded property opened in Japan in 1980 and Hyatt has since grown its brand presence to thirteen hotels across seven Hyatt brands in Japan, now including Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay. The Hyatt Place brand is founded on extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek stylish, comfortable and seamless experiences that accommodate their lifestyles and routines. Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay offers the brand's distinctive casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary environment. Located in Urayasu City in Chiba Prefecture, Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay is just 30 minutes by train or car from central Tokyo, offering a resort-like atmosphere with breathtaking views of Tokyo Bay. The hotel is also conveniently located between both of Tokyo's airports, 21 miles (34 kilometers) from Haneda Airport and 34 miles (55 kilometers) from Narita Airport. The property is also less than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from Tokyo Disney Resort®, one of Tokyo's premier destinations.

Create: Jul 20, 2019     Edit: Jul 20, 2019     International News
Airbnb recently had a victory in Europe, after the court of justice there ruled the company be considered a digital service provider.

Airbnb recently had a victory in Europe, after the court of justice there ruled the company be considered a digital service provider.

Made by Maciej Szpunar, one of the European Court of Justice’s advocates general, the ruling essentially gives the digital travel company the ability to operate freely across the European Union. Szpunar found that Airbnb was what Brussels would consider an information society service. This ruling came with a rejection for those who felt otherwise. A French tourism association had argued that Airbnb should face the same accounting, insurance and other financial obligations of traditional providers of real estate. Airbnb, which is registered in the EU nation of Ireland, argued that its commercial activities involve matching property owners with people who are looking for a place to stay, a role which falls outside of traditional real estate brokerage. Part of the legal decision involved the way Airbnb’s assertion was challenged. Szpunar said the French government had not properly notified the European Commission as well as authorities in Ireland that it intended to apply French law to Airbnb. Furthermore, he determined that Airbnb was an online service which connected potential guests with hosts for short-term stays, which was essentially what the company argued. It was unclear whether a proper notification would have changed this judgement. THIS DECISION’S AFTERMATH A natural next question is what happens now? It’s important to note that this decision is non-binding, although the court takes the advice of its advocates general in 80% of cases. Airbnb, unsurprisingly, said it welcomed the opinion as a “clear overview of what rules apply.” This decision could be a telling one. France is not the only market in which Airbnb has faced forces advocating for a crackdown on the way it operates. Other cities in which Airbnb has caused civic issues include Amsterdam and Barcelona, both of which are also in the EU. Challengers criticize the company for changing the face of the neighbourhoods in which it operates, basically removing their personalities and turning them primarily into locales for short-term guests and hordes of out-of-town tourists. This ruling is already significant given that France is the company’s single largest market outside of the United States. Paris, meanwhile, is its biggest single city market, with 65,000 homes there listed on the site. A spokesman for the company said: “We welcome the opinion of the advocate general, which provides a clear overview of what rules apply to collaborative economy platforms like Airbnb and how these rules help create opportunities for consumers.” “We also want to be good partners and already we have worked with more than 500 governments around the world on measures to help hosts share their homes, follow the rules and pay their fair share of tax,” the spokeswoman went on to say. “As we move forward, we want to continue working with everyone to put locals at the heart of sustainable 21st-century travel.

Create: Jul 6, 2019     Edit: Jul 8, 2019     International News
Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection, opens doors in Spain

Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection, opens doors in Spain

Hilton has unveiled its latest Spanish property, Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection. From the city that gave the world Picasso, the new hotel boasts 177 guest rooms, Malaga’s only sustainable Michelin-starred restaurant and jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean Sea. Nestled behind the breath-taking Montes de Malaga, the hotel is conveniently located near Malaga’s vibrant city centre. Famously known as the heart of the Costa del Sol, the city offers something for guests of all ages, with its unique art districts, pristine sandy beaches and lively nightlife. “Malaga is one of Europe’s most popular destinations, with 12.5 million tourists flocking to its sunny shores last year,” said Simon Vincent, president, EMEA, Hilton. “With €1 in every €7 generated from travel and tourism in Spain, we are excited to expand our portfolio by 50 per cent in the next three to five years.” Each of the hotel’s elegant guest rooms feature unique Spanish touches, such as original lithography made with local materials. The hotel is set to add an additional 113 premium suites in 2020, bringing the total number of rooms available up to 290. With six different restaurants and bars, guests can savour fantastic farm-to-table produce and local dining. The Michelin-starred Sollo by Diego Gallegos serves innovative dishes based on river fish and caviar, all cultivated onsite at the hotel’s own hydroponic farm. “Higueron Hotel Malaga is the latest hotspot in the beautiful Costa del Sol, offering a truly unique experience to wind down and explore everything this remarkable location has to offer,” said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Create: Jul 2, 2019     Edit: Jul 3, 2019     International News


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