Hotel Montchalet: From infrared saunas and smart dining room to transfer guests in Maserati

Set in the idyllic mountain village of Ortisei, in Val Gardena, Hotel Montchalet is surrounded by the soaring natural wonders of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property combines four ranges of luxury suites (silver, gold, platinum and VIP) featuring pebble tones and crisp whites, silver tints and charcoal accents – alongside beautifully exposed wood. Some of the suites even include their own private infrared saunas as well as steam baths and outdoor Jacuzzis. Its spa and wellness area has been designed to ensure deep relaxation boasting unique facilities such as futuristic floating sunbeds by NU RELAX, an indoor pool, experience showers and a fitness area with Technogym machines. When it comes to gastronomy, the smartly-dressed dining room exudes a sense of high-altitude glitz serving wellness cuisine with reimagined traditional Tyrolean recipes. The property provides daily Maserati transfers to Europe’s finest slopes as well as sleigh rides and snowshoeing during the winter. Guests looking to enjoy active holidays need only ask the hotel’s knowledgeable concierge team. From organising golf or tennis lessons, mountain biking, paragliding to hiking routes in the Dolomites, they know the region like the back of their hands.

Increasing in number of tourists and travel is an opportunity for economic development

Hotel Nantipa in picturesque part of Costa Rica

I m mersed in the surf culture of Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, Hotel Nantipa is set to make waves in this picturesque part of Costa Rica with every design element inspired by the ocean and the sky – right down to its name, which means ‘blue’ in the native Nicoya tribal language. The cloud-nine boutique retreat offers beach-edge suites and bungalows with hammocks and garden, pool or ocean views ensuring guests have the sand between their toes and the soothing sound of the sea in their ears from dusk til dawn. Beautifully positioned right on the beach, Nantipa’s restaurant serves creative Costa Rican cuisine with a side of sunset views. The zingy ceviche assortments and the grilled seafood are staples on the authentic menu that also features favourites like tacos, gallos, casados among other local delicacies. With the wildlife-rich jungle behind and the ocean in front, there is plenty to do in the area from surf lessons and beach horseback riding to visiting the mighty Montezuma Waterfall or taking a boat to the talcum powder sands of Tortuga Island. SLH Insider Tip:  The beach in front of Nantipa has scenic rocks with small tide pools perfect for children to dip in before enjoying a swim in the 270 square meters pool at the center of the property.

Quinta da Comporta is the new sustainable signature project

Located in the heart of Comporta’s idyllic village, Quinta da Comporta is the new sustainable signature project envisioned and designed by renowned Portuguese architect, Miguel Câncio Martins. Nestled on a stunning 17-hectare estate, surrounded by undulating umbrella pines and cork trees, wild sand dunes, stunning rice fields and over 60km of pristine, white-sand beaches, the hotel features whitewashed walls and cool-toned touches, reflective of both traditional Portuguese style and contemporary design. Each room has a luxurious beach hut feel, with rustic-style furniture drawn from a natural colour palette and sun-bleached woods that merge seamlessly with the hotel’s beautiful surroundings. The restaurant serves organic and fresh produce that is locally sourced and harvested in the hotel’s Bio Garden. Rising out of the Rice Fields just over the heated Infinity Pool, Oryza Spa uses rice as the core element of inspiration, sourcing its health and holistic benefits through the development of innovative treatments and products that are exclusive to the spa. Guests should pay a visit to Comporta Café on Comporta beach, a rustic lounge bar featuring a row of white cabanas and DJs spinning house music at sunset. It is a great place to enjoy a cocktail or a plate of seafood.

Makkah set to get the world’s biggest Crowne Plaza Hotel

InterContinental Hotel Group and Bougary Holding sign 1,200-room Crowne Plaza, scheduled to open in Makkah, Saudi Arabia in 2019. InterContinental Hotel Group and Bougary Holding have signed the world’s largest Crowne Plaza, which totals 1,200 rooms, which an opening scheduled for 2019 in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Located in close proximity to the Holy Mosque, the hotel will join the existing InterContinental and Holiday Inn in the city, totalling three properties there. Crowne Plaza Makkah Beban will also offer two restaurants and a coffee shop, a business center, and three meeting rooms (3,323 sqm in total) that can be used as an event space. A WELCOME VENTURE Involved stakeholders were excited about the new agreement. IHG Managing Director India, Middle East & Africa  Pascal Gauvin said in a statement: “Saudi Arabia offers great opportunities both in terms of domestic and inbound tourism and is central to our expansion strategy in the Middle East.” He added: “This is a milestone signing for us in the Middle East and is testament to our commitment to the market.” Bougary Holding Co. CEO Loay Bougary said: “We are proud to partner with a strong global player such as IHG on this milestone development. IHG is a trusted brand with in-depth knowledge of the Kingdom and Crowne Plaza Makkah Beban will bring a full range of amenities to pilgrims and other travellers looking for a high-quality hospitality experience.” PRECEDENT FOR LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT This is not the first hotel in the area to have billed itself as the world’s largest. In fact, this new property follows other operators that also have “world’s largest” properties in Makkah – with Marriott opening the world’s largest Sheraton at 1,136 rooms and Radisson Hospitality signing the world’s largest Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson.

3H Group plans new hotel after $10.25 million site purchase

3H Group shells out $10.25 million for the Brickell development site, where a Residence Inn by Marriott was being planned 3H Group has paid $10.25 million for property located in Miami’s Brickell, which the company plans to use as a new hotel development site. 3H Group, a US-based organization with its headquarters in Tennessee, paid approximately $200 per square foot for the site, which is located in Brickell at 1741 Southwest Second Avenue in Miami. BIG PLANS The site totals four properties and covers roughly 30,000 square feet, marking a significant investment for the company. The seller of the site was the Doral-based Hotelex Properties, which initially planned to build a 206-room Residence Inn by Marriott, property records show. The company paid $6.05 million for the assemblage in 2014. The Brickell site is in front of the Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami and near the Habitat Residence Condo Hotel.

Red Planet Japan steps up Asian expansion with $59.5 million acquisition

Hotel News - Red Planet Japan announces the $59.5 million acquisition of the Thailand-based hotel arm of its parent company Red Planet Hotels Limited on the back of a series of expansion announcements in the Asia Pacific region. Red Planet Japan has announced that it is acquiring the Thailand-based hotel arm of its parent company Red Planet Hotels Limited. Industry experts say the acquisition is likely to be completed by the end of the first quarter of the financial year 2019. Red Planet Japan will acquire a half dozen hotel-owning companies in Thailand, all of them from its parent company. This will make for a total acquisition consideration of 6.5 billion Japanese yen or $59.5 million. The acquisition includes five operating hotels, located in Surawong (Bangkok), Patong (Phuket), Asoke (Bangkok), Pattaya, and Hat Yai. It also includes a sixth property that is currently under development in Sukhumvit Soi 8 (Bangkok). The operating hotels being acquired in Thailand have a recorded sales that totals 692 million Japanese yen ($6 million) in 2017 and 787 million Japanese yen ($7.1 million) in 2018. As a result of this acquisition, Red Planet Japan’s portfolio will increase to a total of 15 hotels in Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines, including five hotels under development. EXPANSION OF JAPANESE TOURISM Japan, like many markets with easy access to Southeast Asia, has undergone a tourism boom in recent years. Factors such as the expansion of low-cost carrier routes, the loosening of visa requirements, and a growing affinity for Japanese culture, has fueled a substantial increase in the number of tourists travelling from Southeast Asia to Japan in recent years, especially from Thailand.

The level of Tehran Tourism Exhibition from the perspective of the Secretary of Hoteliers Association

World Tourism Organization Consultant services to Tourism companies

Regional project in Honduras, Integrated Central American Quality and Sustainability System, offers audits and advice to tourism companies requiring quality management. Companies passing the audit get a Quality Certification, signifying value and esteem in tourism market. These quality criteria encompass a range of requirements related to sustainability in order to enable tourism to act as a tool for sustainable development. SICCS benefits tourism companies with a long-term vision of sustainability as a criterion for action, promotes the voluntary commitment to sustainable devleopment criteria aqnd helps to maintain these standards through rigorous audits. The implementation of the project has increased the awareness of entrepreneurs of economic, environmental and social sustainability practices. Furthermore, it has improved their competitiveness. .

Best Western completes acquisition of WorldHotels

Hotel News - Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced today it has acquired global hotel brand WorldHotels representing a collection of approximately 300 unique and special hotels and resorts in premier destinations around the world. “There is tremendous synergy between Best Western and WorldHotels. By joining forces in this new partnership, we will create competitive advantages for both companies,” said David Kong, President and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “I have the utmost respect for WorldHotels and believe in its vast potential.” The acquisition of WorldHotels was completed last week. The WorldHotels brand will play a critical role in enhancing Best Western’s portfolio of offerings to include the upper-upscale and luxury segments. WorldHotels will maintain its distinctive personality and individuality while benefiting from Best Western’s robust and scalable e-commerce platform, strong partnerships, sales and marketing support and powerful revenue engines. WorldHotels _Collection“Best Western is one of the largest, most respected and trusted hotel brands,” said Geoff Andrew, CEO, WorldHotels. “As we join forces, the combined power of our brands sets the stage for a bright future for both Best Western and WorldHotels. Through its established senior leadership team and regional presence in each market, Best Western brings a new level of expertise that will undoubtedly help grow both Best Western and WorldHotels in key markets.” Best Western has been on a journey of transformation over the past several years. In the last year alone, Best Western was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, expanded its portfolio to 13 dynamic brands reaching new guests in new segments, and won a record number of industry awards and accolades. The acquisition is a testament to Best Western’s commitment to growth, modernization and continued progression, bolstering the company’s position as a trusted leader in the global hospitality industry. “In the coming months, our focus will be to unlock WorldHotels’ potential by improving revenue delivery to its hotels while protecting its independent identity. We truly believe our platform will build the WorldHotels brand and attract many more independence–minded, quality hotels to join.  We are very pleased that Geoff Andrew will continue as CEO of WorldHotels for the foreseeable future.” concluded Kong.

All-inclusive support of hoteliers on the issue of Nowruz tourists settlement by Deputy of Tourism

Hotel News - The thirty-seventh meeting of the members of the Chief of Staff of the Travel Services Coordination was held on Feb. 19, 2019, with the presence of Tourism Deputy Chairman Vali Thaimori and other members of related Organizations. According to the Hotel News, the Deputy Director of Tourism of the Cultural Heritage Organization, referring to the ministry of education, said: "The form of accommodation for travelers in schools, is not worthy for tourists.” He criticized the resettlement of tourists in school classes and continues: "This action is not good because we are not in crisis situation that we need to accommodate tourists in school classes!” “The private sector is investing in construction of residential properties and hotels, and they need Nowruz holidays to see their properties fully booked. These occasions are considered "high season" for hoteliers which cannot be ignored." He added that “some government agencies with some kinds of residential properties and facilities are doing some kind of parallel activity in hospitality area, while surveys shows that the cost of staying in state residential centers and schools is the same as the cost of resorts or hotels in the same city.”

HYATT opens first branded hotel in Ethiopia

Hotel News - The Hyatt Regency brand is coming to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. This is Hyatt’s seventh property on the African continent, but the first in Ethiopia, and is located in the city’s centre on Meskel Square near many of the capital’s main attractions. Guest can choose from 188 rooms, including 12 luxury regency suites, two executive suites, one presidential suite and one royal presidential suite. Guests can also enjoy some of the private members clubs available in the hotel, as well as six incredible dining options, including a cafe, cocktail bar and some casual dining offerings. 1,700 sqm of meeting and conference facilities will cater to business travelers, and the regency ballroom can be used for functions or events. A state-of-the-art gym and spa will allow guests to relax and rejuvenate, and for those wishing to explore the city, some of the biggest attractions are located close to the hotel, including the National Palace, the Holy Trinity Church and Africa’s biggest open air market in the Mercato district.