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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.

Create: Jan 20, 2019 Edit: Jan 20, 2019 International News

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

Create: Jan 20, 2019 Edit: Jan 20, 2019 International News

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

Create: Jan 15, 2019 Edit: Jan 20, 2019 Hotel Applications

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.

Create: Jan 13, 2019 Edit: Jan 19, 2019 International News

Features of the Hyatt International Hotel Group

Hotel News - Here are the newest elements to the Hyatt Place hotel model. Design The revamped Hyatt Place brand includes updates in guest connection and customization. Starting with the guestrooms, the space will come with purposeful furniture for keeping guests organized and productive, separating the room into distinct zones to sleep, work and relax. Elements such as new mattresses, black-out shades and warm-colored lighting will be added to enhance sleep quality. The newly redesigned Hyatt Place bathroom will have larger vanity counter space with multidirectional lighting and greater distance between the mirror and vanity. The remodel will also have a walk-in shower with a footrest and a larger amenity tray. The updated lobby will aim to drive guests to leave their rooms and socialize. Dining The new dining offerings will include a new free breakfast menu, a redesigned coffee bar and coffee program and an evening lounge with a cocktail and dinner menu. Technology The Hyatt Place brand will incorporate new technology offerings, including early check-in and mobile entry. Hyatt Place also is testing a number of collaborations with well-being and fitness apps as part of the brand’s well-being push. These new collaborations, including one with a bike-sharing platform, are set to roll out between 2018 and 2019. One of the announced collaborations is with Exhale. The partners will offer Exhale-branded fitness and mindfulness video content through Hyatt’s mobile app along with enhanced fitness facilities for guests. Exhale will also extend privileges and rates to Hyatt Place guests in Exhale markets.

Create: Jan 12, 2019 Edit: Jan 20, 2019 International News

lowcostholidays

And on the other end of the spectrum is the rather more modest, but ultimately far more wallet-friendly, lowcostholidays app. The offspring of the wildly-successful travel website, this app is a user-friendly and highly-accessible service that enables you to search across a wealth of hotels, hostels and villas in a range of locations – all within your specific budget and specifications, of course – to help you secure the perfect holiday deal. Perfect for booking a last-minute getaway to the sun, or for booking that hastily-arranged Stag Weekend that you’ve yet to organize. Website lowcostholidays

Create: Jan 2, 2019 Edit: Jan 15, 2019 Hotel Applications

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.

Create: Jan 1, 2019 Edit: Jan 2, 2019 International News

Brown will replace Amy McPherson, who announced last week that she will be retiring from the company in early 2019.

Hotel News _ Brown takes over the leadership of Marriott in Europe Marriott International has announced that Liam Brown will take on the role of president and managing director of Europe, a division within Marriott International that encompasses the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe. He is currently president, select brands and owner and franchise services, North America, for Marriott. “Liam is the perfect choice to lead Marriott’s next chapter of growth in Europe,” said Arne Sorenson, president, Marriott International. “Liam has an extraordinary ability to connect with people – associates, guests, owners and franchisees. “His relationship-focused approach to doing business drives tremendous results, earning him fans across our company and within our community of owners. “He’s a world-class executive, who has that terrific combination of property, operations and corporate experience that will serve him well as he takes on this important role.” Over the past decade, Marriott has moved from the number ten position in total rooms distribution in Europe to number two today with over 570 hotels across 41 countries, and another 206 properties in its European pipeline. The company has 23 of its brands represented in Europe. A Dublin-native who has called the US home for nearly 30 years, Brown has served in his current role since 2013, overseeing all of Marriott’s franchising in North America, across all brands, as well as leading Managed by Marriott, which operates more than 425 select service hotels.

Create: Dec 29, 2018 Edit: Jan 2, 2019 International News

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.

Create: Dec 29, 2018 Edit: Jan 2, 2019 International News

Radisson to takeover Abu Dhabi and Al Ain hotels after 45-year Hilton partnership

Hotel News - The handover will go into effect January 2019 Properties will help meet the increased demand in the emirate Hilton will no longer manage the Hilton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Al Ain properties, effective January 1, 2019. Hilton has managed these properties on behalf of the owning company for 45 years. The hotels will be taken over by Radisson Hotel Group in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) and the handover will go into effect January 2019. Both Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche and the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Al Ain are expected to open in 2019 and will play a role the group’s growth plan within the Middle East. The two properties will undergo extensive upgrades as “part of a full conversion plan”. Hilton said in a statement to Hotelier Middle East: “Hilton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Al Ain will cease to operate under the Hilton brand from January 1, 2019 as the management contract will come to an end and is not being renewed.” “We believe we have created wonderful memories for our millions of guests, as well as our loyal team members throughout those years. While we will no longer be managing these hotels, we are glad to welcome guests to our other hotels open in the UAE currently,” the Hilton statement said. Commenting on the signings, Radisson Hotel Group executive vice president and chief development officer Elie Younes said: “We’re delighted to grow our presence in the UAE with two marquee hotel signings in the capital. We also welcome this strategic relationship with Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH). The UAE remains one of our key focus markets in the Middle East, and these hotels give us the chance to cement our position in the country with Radisson Blu, which remains the largest upper upscale brand in Europe and a leading brand in its segment in MEA.”

Create: Dec 22, 2018 Edit: Dec 22, 2018 International News

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.

Create: Dec 22, 2018 Edit: Dec 22, 2018 International News