Accor’s innovative new mobile offering in the French Alps

Hotel News - AccorHotels has launched a new concept for accommodation in the Alps. Avoriaz 1800 is a collection of containers decked out in timber that are designed to have as little impact on the landscape as possible and to provide flexible and mobile lodgings for the ski resort. We find out more. FLYING NEST LANDS IN THE ALPS French hotel group Accor has been testing a new concept hotel over the past year at events such as LeMans and the Bordeaux Architecture Biennale, which now, for the first time, will be open for the public to experience. The experiment involves the erection of mobile lodgings, which can be shipped in for conferences, events and now for ski seasons, as required. The concept is called Flying Nest, and features a number of shipping containers that have been given a custom overhaul by renowned designer Ora-ïto, who is based in Marseilles. Flying Nest was conceived of as a form of nomadic architecture which can be transported and installed in various destinations as necessary. But, far from compromising on comfort, the thoughtful design of the containers brings a cosy and comfortable offering to wherever it lands. The latest location of Flying Nest is in the Alpine ski resort of Avoriaz. DESIGN AND VISION Damien Perrot, AccorHotels’ Global SVP Design Multibrand, says Flying Nest is a visionary concept which will gives wings to the future of the industry. “We worked on creating an immersive experience more than just a room.” The idea behind the concept, as well as being mobile, is that the arrangement of containers will have as little impact on their surroundings as possible, enabling them to be installed in areas that are of significant natural beauty and that need to be protected. This also allows guest to have a great connection with the destination, and in the case of Avoriaz, skiers can just step out of the container directly onto the mountain and its slopes. The containers come equipped with individual decks, and are connected to each other by walkways and platforms, allowing guests to mingle with each other as they act as social spaces. The containers have one entire side that is made of glass, giving guests incredible views out towards their environment. Approximately 20 units were installed in the French ski resort, which are propped up on piles that sit into the ground with minimal disruption.

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."

Passengers and hotel staff locked up in Austria under the snow

Choice Hotels launches Book on Google

Hotel News - In a few clicks, Choice Hotels’ customers can now complete a reservation online on Google using their saved Google credentials. Choice Hotels International, Inc. CHH, +0.59% is making booking a hotel room directly at its hotel brand properties easier than ever. By enabling Book on Google, Choice Hotels has made it possible for travelers to seamlessly search, select, and reserve hotel rooms at Choice properties. Unlike booking a hotel room through other third-party sites, the Book on Google reservation is handled by Choice Hotels. This includes receiving a confirmation from Choice Hotels that allows guests to manage reservations directly with the hotel. Guests can also enjoy many of the benefits of the award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program by adding their Choice Privileges membership number once they receive their confirmation. "We launched Book on Google to help ease friction in the travel booking process. This feature makes it easier for users to book seamlessly online and helps to minimize drop off. We're excited to have Choice Hotels join us and help to create a seamless booking process for users," said Andrew Silverman, Product Management Director, Google.

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.

Plunge into world's deepest swimming pool

An Italian spa complex has just opened a swimming pool certified by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's deepest. Named the Y-40 Deep Joy, the pool is now the star attraction at the Hotel Millepini, located in the Montegrotto Terme resort area, near Venice, Italy.  This isn't the kind of facility aimed at jaded business travelers hoping to cram in a few laps before they head upstairs to order room service.  Deep Joy features a shaft that plunges down ... and down ... and down until it hits a depth of 42 meters (138 feet), a space that could easily accommodate a 13-story building. Designed by architect Emanuele Boaretto and a year in the making, Deep Joy is expected to attract scuba enthusiasts and freedivers -- aquatic athletes whose incredible lung control allows them to spend minutes at depth on a single breath. The pool is filled with 4.3 million liters (1.1 million gallons) of thermal water from local springs, allowing divers to plunge without the skin suits they'd need in open seas or lakes. It also contains underwater caves aimed at training scuba divers to negotiate sub-aquatic landscapes. There's also a suspended transparent viewing tunnel that allows spectators to watch the divers in action. Deep Joy was inaugurated earlier this year at a ceremony in which Italian world freediving champions Umberto Pelizzari and Ilaria Molinari (who dressed like a mermaid for the occasion) plumbed its depths. The pool's creators hope it will transform Montegrotto Terme into an international diving center and raise the profile of what is said to be Europe's largest area of thermal springs.  It'll also be open to beginners who want to experience its depths under supervision. Just don't drop your locker key.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts globally revamps mid-scale brand

Hotel News _ Beyond the visual identity and logo, new prototype designs for public areas and guestrooms are also being introduced BRAND UPDATE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has unveiled  a new direction for the Ramada Encore by Wyndham  brand globally.  At the heart of this new identity is a brand promise to be ‘Refreshingly Different’, underpinned by the brand’s core attributes of being fresh, approachable and vibrant. This new identity includes a redesigned logo, created by London-based marketing agency, Octopus Group, aimed at appealing to a new  generation of travelers. and prototype designs for guest rooms and common spaces designed by hospitality architecture firm Harrison. Ramada Encore by Wyndham has a portfolio of 54 hotels in 20 countries. Created in the late 1990s as a limited service, mid-scale hotel brand designed for business and leisure travelers looking for great value, the brand introduced concepts such as guest rooms with all-wood flooring and an open plan, multipurpose common area serving as a reception, lobby, casual dining and networking space.  “Whether it’s a business trip or a weekend break, we know that for travelers  every minute counts.  That’s why we wanted the brand identity for Ramada Encore to reflect its position as a hotel for guests on the go,” said Lisa Checchio, chief marketing officer for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Sweden’s incredible Icehotel opens for the winter season

Hotel News - Sweden’s iconic Icehotel is opening for it’s 29th annual winter season. Featuring 15 uniquely designed suites, the hotel is the perfect festive getaway destination for you to live out your Ice Queen fantasies. This year’s structure has been made from 30,000 cubic meters of ice and snow. If you don’t mind getting a little chilly, it could be the ideal winter break to get you in the festive spirit. Each suite features stunning ice sculptures – including one that boasts the front of a VW camper van, and another that resembles a giant oak tree. Each room has been designed by renowned artists. After 150 design submissions, a team of 34 designers were chosen to construct the final project. The chosen artists included father-daughter duo Jonathan Paul and Marnie Green, who designed the ‘Living Ocean Suite’ room which aims to highlight the negative effects of climate change and overfishing. The ‘Haven’ room, created by Jonan Johansson, Jordi Claramunt and Lukas Petko from Sweden, Spain and Slovenia, depicts a magical portal of ice guarded by a fox and a phoenix. The incredible ‘Flock’ room features intricate carvings of a flock of tiny birds behind the bed – it doesn’t get much more soothing than that. If you get tired of staring in awe at the stunning art work, there are plenty of other things to keep you entertained at the Icehotel. Guests can enjoy Arctic yoga, winter running, Nordic skiing, Aufguss saunas and workshops on exercising in an Arctic climate. Or you can spend your time swanning about in fur, wearing blue lipstick and clutching a frosty cocktail – because that probably wouldn’t get old.

Yotel announces second hotel in New York

YOTEL announced it will open in late 2020 its second city hotel in Long Island City, New York. Inspired by the sleek design and comfort of First-Class airline travel, YOTEL first launched its city hotel concept in Midtown Manhattan, just minutes away from Times Square. YOTEL Long Island City marks the group’s eighth hotel under development or operation in the US with city hotels in Boston, San Francisco and Miami alongside three YOTELPAD properties in Miami, Park City and Mammoth. Renowned as a multi-modal transport hub, Long Island City caters to leisure and business travelers alike due to its incredibly convenient location. From the new property, guests will be able to easily access Manhattan in under 20 minutes and New York’s main airports, LaGuardia and JFK, within 45 minutes. The 178-cabin hotel will be a new build property where guests can seamlessly switch from work to play – guests have access to co-working and meeting spaces, multi-functional public areas and an ‘always-open’ fully equipped gym. The indoor and outdoor rooftop terrace and bar will be the perfect space for guests to socialise and unwind, taking in the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Each cabin will be equipped with YOTEL’s signature features, including the space saving adjustable SmartBed™, luxury amenities from Urban Skincare, multiple power and USB points, free super-fast WiFi and SMART TVs for guests to stream their own content when away from home. Long Island City has seen significant transformation over the past few years and boasts a wealth of cultural, educational and business offerings. It’s particularly appealing to young professionals and is quickly becoming a technology hub, which will only increase following Amazon’s announcement to open headquarters in Long Island City. Institutions including the MoMA PS1, several film studios, and educational establishments such as the Cornell Tech Campus and prominent businesses such as Citibank, Uber and Met Life are all within walking distance of the new hotel.

Wyndham to open three hotels in Deira, Dubai

Hotel News - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is set to increase its footprint in Dubai with three new managed hotels as part of the Deira Waterfront Development by Ithra Dubai, a wholly owned subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Dubai. The hotels will operate under the Wyndham, Days Inn by Wyndham, and Super 8 by Wyndham brands. Also known as the Deira Enrichment Project, Ithra Dubai’s development is a mixed-use area situated along the Dubai creek in the southern part of Deira. Communal facilities, public amenities and open spaces will create a dynamic urban community along the shores of the Dubai Creek and will deliver key commercial growth opportunities for the city. The addition of three new hotels to the first phase of the development will also draw domestic and international business and leisure visitors looking for accommodation suited to a range of budgets. “We are very excited to welcome Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as a partner of our flagship development in Deira,” said Issam Galadari, director of Ithra Dubai. “Ithra Dubai’s development in Deira will enhance this busy and bustling part of Dubai, and will add to its rich tapestry woven by communities past and present. “The collaboration with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will bring a new dimension to the area’s hospitality services, and will elevate and facilitate new pathways for trade and business in the heart of Dubai’s commercial district.” The 282 rooms and suites at Wyndham Deira Waterfront will appeal to upscale travellers looking for tailored services and amenities to match, with its extensive meeting, fitness and leisure facilities, including a rooftop pool with views over the Gulf. Days Hotel Deira Waterfront will give midscale travellers a fresh burst of energy with its 131 quality rooms and suites, as well as an all-day dining restaurant and meeting facilities. Lastly, travellers on a budget will find 90 reasonably priced rooms at Super 8 Deira Waterfront, alongside a restaurant and café. “The addition of three of our most iconic global brands to this important area demonstrates Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to Dubai and the Middle East region as a whole,” said Ignace Bauwens, regional vice president for Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Together with Ithra Dubai, we know we can preserve the heritage of the area whilst still meeting the needs of the modern traveller and contributing to growing the district’s commercial opportunity. “Offering three very distinct hotel brands ranging from upscale to economy will also ensure the area holds great appeal for visitors to Dubai from many different source markets.”

Aman Resorts International

Meticulously designed to frame their natural settings, Aman destinations are renowned for space and privacy. Each welcomes guests as if to the home of a close friend, instilling a sense of peace and belonging amid some of the most diverse natural and historical landscapes. It is an approach that has changed little since 1988 when the first retreat was built on Phuket’s west coast. It was named Amanpuri, meaning ‘place of peace’, and Aman was born. Today, embracing 33 resorts, hotels, and private residences in 21 countries, Aman continues to seek out transformative experiences and awe-inspiring locations around the world. Ranked number 1 in the Top Luxury Hotel Brands 2018.