Ref: P43 - Cottage in Cape Breton Island Canada

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European Hotel Transactions 2004 – Country Analysis: Germany, Austria, Central & Eastern Europe
Mar 31, 05 1:58 am
By Philippa Bock, HVS International HVS International's London office has published a review of the European hotel transactions during 2004. This article provides an overview of transactional activity during 2004 for Germany, Austria, Central & Eastern Europe.GERMANYTrading conditions in Germany during 2004 continued to remain a challenge. The health of the domestic economy is a critical factor within the country's hotel industry, with a significant proportion of overnight stays made up of domestic demand. German hotels, particularly those in city-centre locations, have faced numerous challenges, including a decline in arrivals from international markets, a weak economy impacting on inter-regional travel, significant pressure leveraged by the corporate market to lower hotel prices and increased hotel supply.Despite the subdued trading performance within Germany as a whole, investor sentiment remains strong towards Hamburg and Munich and to a lesser extent Berlin and Frankfurt, where there have been significant increases in hotel supply. Single asset activity in Germany in 2004 has been strong, with HVS recording a total of 14 transactions over €7.5 million. These transactions included the 277-room Marriott Hotel in Hamburg, acquired by the German open-ended fund DIFA for a confidential sum from Strategic Hotel Capital; the 139-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Düsseldorf, acquired by a real estate company Dock 13 MBH for approximately €16.5 million; and the 177-room Tryp Hotel in Frankfurt, purchased by the German open-ended fund LB Immoinvest for approximately €21 million (€119,000 per room).In addition, a number of transactions have taken place involving hotels under construction. These projects include:• A hotel complex currently under development near the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin was sold by a German real estate firm to DB Real Estate for approximately €50 million. The complex will comprise a total of three Accor hotels: a 217-room Etap, a 146-room Ibis and a 229-room Suite hotel;• The 328-room Maritim Hotel Project currently under construction in Dresden was acquired by AXA Immobilien for approximately €60 million (€183,000 per room);• The 226-room Mövenpick Hotel Project in Hamburg was acquired by DB Real Estate for an undisclosed sum. In recent years Germany has experienced considerable portfolio investment activity and 2004 proved to be no exception, with the acquisition of Queens Moat Houses (QMH) by Westmont Hospitality and Goldman Sachs. The entire portfolio, which comprised 78 hotels, transacted at approximately €813 million (€73,000 per room). Although no official transaction price is known for the German portfolio, by using the simple approach of applying the average price per room of the total QMH portfolio to the 24 German hotels, some 4,290 rooms, its value is estimated at approximately €313 million.The transactions that have taken place in Germany during 2004 are testament to the fact that sentiment to invest in hotels by institutional investors remains strong. However, with a reduction of leased hotel product of institutional grade available for purchase, German open-ended funds (which typically seek long-term security in proven and well established properties) have been seen to invest more often in hotel development projects. The long lead time of development projects are also attractive at this time, considering the current economic conditions. While we envisage that the interest shown for hotels by German institutional investors is set to continue in Germany and increasingly abroad, it is reported that only €5 billion of capital is expected to flow into German open-ended funds during 2004, a decline of approximately 64% compared to the previous year . Disappointing net returns, a valuation scandal and improvements in the broader equity markets are cited as possible reasons for the decrease. AUSTRIAHistorically, Austria's hotel investment market has remained relatively illiquid, with some investment in the capital Vienna. Following a year of no single asset transactions during 2003, investment activity in 2004 witnessed two hotels transacting. A consortium of investors including Vienna International Hotel Management (VIHM), an Austrian hotel operator, has acquired the 300-room InterContinental Loipersdorf for approximately €20 million (€67,000 per room). One further transaction took place in 2004, involving the 225-room Arcotel Wimberger in Vienna. The hotel was purchased by the private hotel company Arcotel Hotels & Resorts for an undisclosed sum. Austria enjoyed only a modest improvement in operating performance during 2004, impacted somewhat by the depressed German economy. Nevertheless, due to its close proximity to Eastern Europe, the Viennese hotel market is likely to benefit from the expansion of the EU, which will impact positively on the investment market. Furthermore, as the German economy recovers, cross-border activity is likely to increase as German investors take advantage of tax benefits and the opportunity to acquire quality hotels in prime locations.CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEHistorical hotel investment activity in Central and Eastern Europe has centred on Prague, Warsaw and Budapest; however, in 2003 and more significantly in 2004 there has been a definite shift towards ownership in a broader number of Central and Eastern European markets. Accession to the EU of eight former communist states has boosted investor confidence, and while overbuilding and oversupply in Warsaw has resulted in a double-figure decline in RevPAR for the second year in succession and deterred investors, the region as a whole offers excellent investment prospects. In addition to the Czech Republic, single asset investment activity took place in Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.Throughout the region, investor sentiment is strongest in Prague, which enjoys strong year-round demand, with robust visitation from both the business and leisure markets. In 2004, the Czech Republic's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by approximately 4% and Prague has enjoyed RevPAR growth of approximately 20% on the previous year. During 2004, one significant transaction took place involving one foreign investor and two assets: the sale of the 788-room Hilton Prague and the 226-room Ibis Karlin were acquired by Ireland's Quinn Group for approximately €145 million. In Hungary the 362-room Marriott Hotel in Budapest was acquired by Erste Bank for approximately €49 million (€135,000 per room).Bratislava witnessed one significant transaction with the sale of the four-star, 168-room Radisson SAS Carlton Hotel, including 12,000 m² of office and retail space. The complex was purchased for approximately €60 million by a consortium of investors including Patron Capital Partners, Trutheim Invest and Nautical1.Meanwhile, in Croatia investment activity was strong as the Croatian Privatisation Fund remained committed to its task of privatising the former communist hotels. In total four hotels transacted, including a 70% stake in the 145-room Hotel Split for approximately €11.7 million (€119,000 per room adjusted to reflect a 100% stake); a 90% stake in the 162-room Grand Hotel Park in Dubrovnik for €7.4 million (€52,000 per room adjusted to reflect a 100% stake); and a 90% stake in the 443-room Hotel Mlini in Dubrovnik for approximately €9.6 million.Despite single asset hotel investment being strong in 2004, portfolio investment activity was much more tempered, with no known publicly quoted deals. With a strong uplift in operating performance recorded in both Prague and Budapest during 2004, these two markets remain the most attractive to investors. It is predicted that, with accession to the EU, an increase in both cities' property values is likely and in time yields are expected to trade close to the levels of similarly attractive markets in Western Europe such as Rome and Amsterdam. Cross-border investors are shown to be active in both markets and this trend is set to continue in the short to medium term.In 2004, improved trading conditions have been experienced in Russia, with Moscow achieving over 20% RevPAR growth compared with the previous year. Historically, investors have been deterred by factors such as non-EU accession, no common currency, a high country risk factor, non-transparent legal situation and the restriction of debt provision. However, the perception of Russia as an investment market is now changing and it is being seen as the next emerging market. With the Russian market becoming more transparent and Western banks slowly becoming more willing to provide debt, coupled with attractive yields on offer, we envisage greater transactional activity in 2005 and beyond. Testament to this view is the completion of the sale of the majority stake in the 301-room Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg to Orient-Express Hotels for an undisclosed sum.

Self service

Hotels try self-service
Aug 22, 06 1:59 am
We're used to it at airports. We're resigned to it at grocery stores.
Now self-service check-in kiosks in hotel lobbies are multiplying faster than bunnies in springtime.
Major chains such as Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton and Fairmont are installing kiosks that allow busy customers to check themselves in and get a key -- without ever talking to a human being.
Most Embassy Suite hotels in metro Detroit have the kiosks. By year's end, an estimated 10% of all American hotel rooms will have them.
Is it progress or just more proof of the detachment of travelers from their travels?
I'm not sure.
But it's coming anyway.
Get to your room faster
A person who checks in at a kiosk can speed the process by 48%, according to kiosk maker NCR Corp. and Hospitality Technology research.
No wasted time chit-chatting with the all-too-human desk clerk. No waiting in line behind the couple from Cleveland with six kids and an upgrade demand.
Embassy Suites in Troy has a kiosk. It's used mostly by travelers used to technology. In 18 months, it hasn't reduced front desk staffing.
"Most people, if they see the kiosk and see a body at the front counter will still go to the body," says general manager Ben Joos.
That's backed up by a Forrester Research study of San Francisco published in Fast Company magazine in July. The study found seven of 10 guests would rather interact with a person at check-in
But that's what people said about airlines and grocery stores. Nearly 80% of people use electronic check-in at airports; 47% do in groceries.
Can hotels be far behind?
"I don't think self-service means taking away the human touch; it repurposes the human touch to help the staff provide higher value service and solve other problems," says Michael Webster of Atlanta, NCR's vice president for self-service.
"This is a self-service-everything world."

The land of Oz

Strength Of Demand Boosts Q2 Hotel Earnings
Aug 22, 06 2:00 am
By David Eisen. BTNonline Hotel companies reported relatively strong second-quarter earnings, as increases in average daily rates and continued traveler demand against stagnant supply growth underpinned revenues, which may signal tougher negotiations for travel buyers once the bargaining season gets fully underway later this fall. One hotel company accounted for lower-than-expected earnings with higher operating expenses and recent renovation costs, which pared otherwise healthy revenues.On the same day Wyndham Worldwide announced its spin-off from Cendant Corp. as a pure-play hospitality company, Hilton announced second-quarter profits slipped $58 million, compared with the same period last year, to $144 million. Hilton attributed the decrease to rising insurance and energy costs and renovations in three of its majority-owned properties, including Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria and the Hilton Hawaiian Village. "Costs are inflating," said Deutsche Bank analyst Bill Lerner.Although Hilton's second-quarter total revenue of $2.2 billion easily eclipsed the $1.2 billion it accrued during the same period last year, expenses leapt $1.9 billion. Yet, Hilton CEO Steven Bollenbach remained unfazed by the missed projection and said the company would proceed with the imminent development of its limited-service brands in markets outside the United States, an initiative promised after acquiring Hilton International back in February. Hilton also announced that, hand-in-hand with populating its select-service brands worldwide, it would divest itself of several of the properties it obtained in the Hilton International deal.Hilton's second-quarter revenue per available room in owned hotels worldwide did grow by 9.3 percent, and the company expects full-year RevPAR growth to be between 9 percent and 10 percent. "Continued strong demand trends and pricing power resulted in high single-digit or double-digit average daily rate increases at many of the company's gateway hotels around the world," the company said. "Business transient and group segments each showed significant ADR improvement." Added Bollenbach: "We are in markets where supply is simply not a concern. Even with the various upsets in the market, I just don't see a big impact on us going forward."In agreement with Bollenbach was Steve Rushmore, president and founder of HVS International, a global hospitality consulting organization. While operating costs may be escalating, increased room rates are absorbing much of the hotels heightening costs; and while operating costs are going up, they are unlikely a cause for hoteliers to raise rates. "Hoteliers do not raise rates to cover rising operating costs," Rushmore said. "They raise rates when they think the market will enable them to do that—it is the capitalistic way. With supply increasing slower than demand and high occupancies raising room rates, it's fairly easy. Operating expenses are rising, but room rates are increasing even faster. I don't know of any hotelier that is upset with the state of the U.S. lodging industry."Meanwhile, Starwood Hotels & Resorts last week said that its profits quadrupled in the second quarter, buoyed by higher room rates, increased franchise revenue and the sale of real estate to Host Hotels & Resorts. Starwood's disposal of 33 properties this year helped realize a net second-quarter profit of $680 million, compared with $145 million at the same time last year. A one-time tax benefit from the sale of the hotels bolstered the company's earnings, and Starwood CEO Steven Heyer intimated that the company was looking to sell even more property, with 15 hotels now on the market. Starwood also said worldwide RevPAR grew 11 percent and domestic room rates were up 10.3 percent year over year to $182.51. Starwood's room rate hikes were in line with Marriott International's rate bump, which came in a shade under 9 percent and helped propel the company to a 35 percent rise in second-quarter profits. Net income for the Bethesda, Md.-based hotel operator rose $48 million from the same time last year to $186 million for the quarter. "They are pretty solid across the board," said Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Robert LaFleur. "Certainly no sign of a slowdown in their business." Marriott's systemwide North America revenue per available room grew 10.7 percent in the quarter, largely credited to the shift in average daily rates. "Higher effective room rates resulted from both price increases and improving customer mix," said Marriott CEO J.W. Marriott Jr., noting a noticeable increase, like Starwood, in business transient and group demand. Marriott's second-quarter numbers coincide with the company's recent announcement that all of its United States and Canadian inventory would turn smoke-free beginning next month. "Marriott's choice to go smoke-free will save them a lot of money due to the high costs of cleaning designated smoke rooms," said Kevin Maguire, director of global travel services at Applied Materials.A purveyor of predominately midprice brands, Choice Hotels International chimed in with propitious second-quarter numbers, in large part thanks to occupancy that grew 110 basis points compared to the same time last year. Choice also realized a 5.7 percent average daily rate growth, which supported a 7.7 percent rise in domestic systemwide RevPAR. All the increases led to a net income of $24.1 million for the quarter, a 12 percent jump from the same quarter last year. "We continue to focus on brand enhancements and are seeing strong growth in occupancy, average daily rate and RevPAR," said Charles Ledsinger Jr., president and CEO of Choice Hotels International.Choice's pipeline is up 45 percent from the year before, year-to-date contracts for new construction hotel franchises are up 14 percent and it continues to sign contracts to roll out its new select-service, lifestyle brand, Cambria Suites. "We believe that the inherent strength of our business model, the ongoing improvements to our core brands and the expansion of our newest brands will enable us to drive top-line and bottom-line growth in a variety of economic cycles," Ledsinger added. Atlanta-based PKF Hospitality Research warned that escalating costs, specifically maintenance, could pose problems for hoteliers down the road. "The trend line for this expense is definitely going up," said Robert Mandelbaum, director of research information services. "Maintenance expenditures may not receive a lot of attention from hotel managers, but they are slowly becoming one of the fastest growing costs of operation." According to a recent PKF study, from 2001 to 2005, hotel maintenance costs grew by 18.3 percent, which was 33 percent higher than all other hotel operating expenses during that period. Moreover, the upswing doesn't even take into account the expansive property renovations hotel companies like Hilton are undertaking, which were put on hold during the industry downturn but resuscitated when the hotel industry spun back to profitability. "The rise in maintenance expenditures cannot be assigned to the recent surge in owners fixing up their assets," said Mandelbaum. "It is simply costing hotels more to repair furniture and equipment, cut the lawn and replace holes in the carpet."

http://www.holidayhomesaus.com/rentals/Tasmania-Holidays/

Out in the Sticks

Langham Hotels International introduces the "Langham Signature Scent" at its luxury properties around the world
Jun 23, 06 1:57 am
Essence of ginger flower provides refreshing, revitalizing and memorable presence throughout Hong Kong-based hotel group's international portfolio.
There's something in the air at Langham Hotels. It's the new Langham Signature Scent, a refreshing, serene and subtle essence of ginger flower that wafts through the Hong Kong-based international hotel group's six luxury properties leaving guests revitalized and reminiscent of their stays. The scent is also available for sale at Langham Hotel boutiques.
The androgynous, hypo-allergenic Signature Scent, which is dispersed in "just-a-hint" quantities through the air-conditioning systems at each Langham hotel, is a breath of fresh circulation for guests throughout the luxury portfolio of Langham Hotels International. With a world of aromas to choose from, Langham selected the delicate and appealing essence of ginger flower for its soothing and uplifting affects - something travelers flagged by jet lag or recuperating from the rigors of the road will certainly appreciate.
The Langham Signature Scent is a constant presence which guests will recognize as they step through the front doors each Langham Hotel, which are located in Boston, London, Auckland, Melbourne, and two in Hong Kong. Langham hotels are renowned for contemporary elegance, prominent city locations, extraordinary on-site dining and thoughtful guest amenities.
"The Langham Hotel experience is not just about impressing our guests with luxury, but captivating them with a thoroughly agreeable atmosphere of refinement: from the indulgent services to elegant designs to thoughtful amenities such as our new Signature Scent," said Brett Butcher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Langham Hotels International. "The refreshing essence of ginger flower is a subtle yet distinctive element shared by each individual Langham property. It will be among the first of many thoughtful details our guests experience upon entering our hotels, and a fond recollection long after they've departed."
For information and reservations at Langham Hotel properties around the world, please visit

http://www.holidayhomesaus.com/rentals/Queensland-Holidays/


Langham Hotels International
Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when the Langham Hotel in London originally opened as Europe's first Grand Hotel. For 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality. Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience.
Langham Hotels International (LHI) features six properties with over 2,700 rooms in five gateway cities across the four continents, namely, London, Boston, Hong Kong (2), Melbourne and Auckland. In each city Langham Hotels is associated with the prestigious "The Leading Hotels of the World" group which represents some of the world's finest luxury hotels.
LHI is wholly owned by Great Eagle Holdings Limited, a publicly listed company (HKSE: 41) which was founded in 1963 and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.

Holidays locations

A deal is near for De Vere
Jun 15, 06 1:58 am
New owners could soon be checking in at hotels and leisure clubs group De Vere, as long-running negotiations to take the company private edge towards a close.
Investment bank UBS has been formally appointed to field offers from a number of suitors, including private equity firm Permira.
City sources said a conclusion to the talks could be just a few weeks away.
De Vere's rich property assets have attracted the interest of private equity firms and rival hotel companies for two years.
In 2004, Guinness Peat Group tabled an offer of 415p a share, but then the talks fell apart. The current suitors are thought to include Permira, NH Hoteles, of Spain, private equity firm Delancey and US hotel operators Starwood Capital and Strategic Hotels. Private equity group Blackstone is thought to have dropped out.
De Vere, up 81/2p at 8081/2p, is believed to be looking for offers in the region of 850p a share.
The company declined to comment on the bidding process.

Our sunny lounge room

Hotels versus web
Jun 15, 06 1:59 am
Australia's leading hotel owners are pushing for greater online quality control standards to protect the increasing number of people booking their holidays on the internet.While websites such as wotif.com, which took the stock market by storm when it listed this month, are well-known and trusted, they are being joined by an increasing number of online operators promoting and selling holiday products.
Australian Hotels Association national affairs director Bill Healey says his organisation is not promoting a national accreditation scheme, but more needs to be done to ensure truth in online advertising.
Mr Healey says problems such as residential properties being marketed as tourist accommodation have arisen in southern markets, and similar stories are starting to emerge in Brisbane.
"What you'll find is that when in Sydney, for example, the rental market tightens owners will let (the properties) out as short-term holiday lets," he says.
Mr Healey says AHA is working with AAA Tourism, the national tourism body of the country's auto clubs that provides star ratings to properties, to develop processes that clearly identify the types and quality of accommodation sold online.
AHA is also working to develop and promote the use of the international web address .travel to verify accommodation providers.
State and Federal Government tourism bodies have already moved to provide consistent, reliable online data through the formation of the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse. ATDW, based in Brisbane, collates and cleans information provided by tourism operators and sends that information to websites which market tourism products.
General manager Liz Ward says her company has a robust data management system that means they have heard few complaints about consumers' expectations not being met by service providers.
"The state and territory agencies control the data that comes to us and have a one-to-one relationship with the suppliers," she says.
Ms Ward says with the number of consumers booking their travel online increasing, ATDW has recently signed an agreement to provide data to major online tourism portal About-Australia.com.
She says this is a boost for regional and smaller operators and has already resulted in a substantial increase in inquiries and bookings.
ATDW says findings by Hitwise, a company that measures online visits to websites, show the number of travel websites visited has doubled from 665 to 1244 from April 2005 to April 2006.
In further evidence of a maturing online travel market, a recent survey by internet travel retailer Zuji showed that consumers were increasingly using the web for advance bookings, not just last-minute travel.
In 2006, less than 25 per cent of its customers booked in the same week of travel, compared with 35 per cent two years ago.
The Zuji survey also found the number of paper tickets issued has halved in the past two years.
Mr Healey agrees there has been a shift towards consumers buying their travel products online, and that major brands are moving to shore up their share of the market.
"It was pretty much a Greenfield site for Graeme Wood (Wotif.com CEO) when he started," Mr Healey says. "Now, the major groups are taking greater control of managing their web strategy.
"They don't want to drive business away from their own sites, and so their policies are that their own portals have the best price."

Holidays.........

Hotel News In Brief
Jun 16, 06 1:46 am
The Quality Suites Drummondville has been honoured with the Choice Hotels® Canada (CHC) 2006 Hotel of the Year Award. The award marks a couple of CHC ‘firsts’ – it’s the first time a Quebec property has won the award and the first time a woman was presented with the honour. Geneviève Milot is the owner and general manager of the property. Quality Suites Drummondville was selected from 260 Choice Hotels anada properties located from coast to coast. The award was presented to Milot at the recent Choice Hotels International 52nd Annual Convention, held in Nashville, Tennessee. 41 Choice Hotels Canada properties were selected as Gold Hospitality Award Winners for 2006. That honour goes to hotels that consistently exceed Choice’s rigid quality assurance standards. Properties are nominated and evaluated by peer hoteliers who examine a number of factors, including guest service, hotel cleanliness and décor. Of those winners, four properties were selected as Hotel Of The Year Award finalists and the Quality Suites Drummondville property emerged victorious. The hotel opened in June 2004 and has been winning praise and repeat visits ever since. Its location between Montreal and Quebec City makes it a convenient rest stop for Ontarians and others heading east and Maritimers heading west. “I’m very proud to accept this award on behalf of all the staff at Quality Suites Drummondville,” said Milot. “There are many elements to running a good hotel, but the most important is that guests feel welcome and all their needs are met. We’re lucky to have a staff here that treats our customers as if they were guests in their own home.”
Luxury Award-Winning Resort in the Caribbean to Become The Westin Aruba Resort & Spa; First Westin-Branded Resort and Starwood Vacation Ownership Planned for Aruba Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Belfonti Capital Partners announce an agreement to re-flag Belfonti's newly-acquired 478-room Aruba Resort Spa & Casino as The Westin Aruba Resort & Spa. The property will raise the Westin flag in late 2006 upon completion of a renovation to further enhance the property's AAA Four Diamond rating. The hotel also features the 12,000 square-foot Casablanca Casino, one of the Caribbean's premier gaming destinations. Belfonti, which owns the entire property, will manage the casino while Westin will manage the hotel under a long-term agreement.In addition, Starwood Vacation Ownership, a division of Starwood, plans to launch the first Westin-branded vacation ownership resort on Aruba. This vacation ownership resort will be located on land adjacent to the hotel and plans call for 154 two-bedroom villas. Sales are scheduled to commence by early 2007. "This property is a perfect fit for Westin's strategic Caribbean expansion," said Sue Brush, senior vice president, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "We are proud to bring Westin's signature personal renewal experience to this prime location on Aruba."
Meritus Hotels & Resorts welcomes Mr Marc-Henri Dumur to head up the new Meritus Chiang Mai Riverside Spa Resort in Thailand, scheduled to open in October 2006. Born and raised in Switzerland, Mr Dumur brings his extensive international experience in the hospitality industry to Meritus. A master of six languages, with an additional ten years of service in Thailand, where he has acquired a great wealth of knowledge in what personalised service and boutique is all about, both of which Meritus Chiang Mai Riverside Spa Resort intend to be known for. Frank Foster, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales for the Meritus group, says, “We’re thrilled that Marc-Henri is taking the helm at our new Meritus Chiang Mai Riverside Spa Resort. He truly understands what personalised service is all about and his wealth of experience will ensure the success of our latest venture.” He also added, “It’s a great blend of personality and skills that is sure to echo through the resort, not only that, the Swiss efficiency bonding with Thai empathy, is a great combination of eastern service with an understanding of western expectations, and as our targeted cliental is a mix of both, we have huge confidence in the project.” The soon to be opened resort is nestled inside beautifully landscaped gardens within the heart of one of Thailand’s most culturally vibrant cities, and is a Lanna-inspired boutique resort located along the banks of the ancient Mae Ping. Guests can travel to and from the resort in a traditional flat-bed boat from the private pier and meander through key attractions like the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Night Safari, all a short distance away. The resort epitomises relaxation, not just due to the location, but also thanks to housing amenities and services, such as the award-winning spa – The Aspara. Guests are surrounded in lush tranquility when they stay in any of 74 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites at the resort.
With abstract interiors, make-believe gatekeepers and the most high tech features of any hotel in the region, The Luxe Manor will open on Kimberley Road in autumn 2006 as Kowloon’s first designer boutique hotel. The new luxury hotel features a “surreal” concept and design: a modern reinterpretation of a European mansion featuring mythical characters within its architecture and design elements which recall the works of the twentieth century surrealists. Designed to appeal to a uniquely stylish segment of luxury leisure and business travellers, the 14 floor, 159 room property -- in the buzzing dining and entertainment district of Knutsford Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui -- is to be ‘where the surreal slumber.’ The Luxe Manor is designed by Aedas Interiors’ renowned Hong Kong designer, David Buffery, whose other projects include FINDS Scandinavian restaurant in Lan Kwai Fong and the newly opened LOTUS on Pottinger Street.Decorated with European antiques and modern pieces, The Luxe Manor will offer colourful , splendid European architecture with an oriental touch.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. recently announced the opening of its first upscale international property in Xiamen : Sheraton Xiamen Hotel. Owned by Xiamen Fuchun Orient Co. Ltd.（ a subsidiary Hotel Industry Group of Hangzhou Steel Group） and designed by the professional hotel designer, Hirsch, Bedner and Associates (HBA), Sheraton Xiamen Hotel reflects a contemporary décor, exquisite furnishings and the essence of luxury and attentive service. “The local market, as well as the Xiamen Municipal government, has an immense anticipation and excitement for the opening of this newest upscale international hotel in Xiamen. The opening of Sheraton Xiamen Hotel will undoubtedly led the way to attract more visitors both domestically and from overseas. It has set a new benchmark for upcoming hotel properties,” said Mr. Lance J. Ourednik, General Manager of Sheraton Xiamen Hotel.Sheraton Xiamen Hotel is centrally located in the new commercial and business district of Xiamen with large multi-national companies nearby. The hotel offers guests with a magnificent view of the Jiangtou area and park. It is just a ten to 15 minutes’ drive from Xiamen International Airport, and a 15 to 20 minutes’ drive to downtown Xiamen, the International Exhibition Centre and the Ferry Terminal of Gulangyu.
The Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst welcomed its first guests on 1st June. The First-Class Hotel occupies a wonderful location directly on the beach promenade in the heart of the Baltic seaside health resort of Zingst and boasts a large Wellness Pavilion covering 1400 square meters. The well-known designer Anne Maria Jagdfeld was responsible for the interior of the hotel. The Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst is the Frankfurt-based hotel group’s second hotel on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula and offers the perfect surroundings for holidays and incentive travel. Salty sea air and long beaches, cliffs and lakes, seagulls and cranes: all these can be enjoyed by guests at the new Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst. The First-Class hotel is located on the beach promenade in Zingst and has 121 rooms, including two suites and two apartments. Many of the rooms have a loggia, balcony or terrace. The unusual interior architecture of the new Steigenberger hotel is the work of Anne Maria Jagdfeld and her Berlin design team amj. Jagdfeld is known for her timeless and luxurious style; a combination of classical lines and modern concepts. The unique talents of Anne Maria Jagdfeld can be seen in such projects as the Hotel Adlon in Berlin or the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm. A highlight of the Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst is the Wellness Pavilion, located in the hotel gardens. Covering an area of 1400 square meters, it has an indoor pool and whirlpool, a sauna area, a solarium and various fitness, beauty and massage facilities. From June to October there is also an inviting outdoor pool where guests can swim or simply relax. Conference delegates can make use of two conference rooms in the Steigenberger Aparthotel Zingst opposite as well as a further conference facility for up to 70 people in the neighbouring Spa building.
L.A. Convention Center to Get Major Hotel Tower; The complex would give downtown the magnet for business conferences it has lacked for years. Annette Haddad and Kimi Yoshino, Times Staff Writers The remaking of downtown Los Angeles will gain a crucial missing piece today when developers unveil plans for a 1,000-room hotel complex -- including a five-star Ritz-Carlton and a four-star Marriott Marquis -- for the Convention Center. Rising 54 stories, the $750-million project would be one of the largest buildings in Los Angeles at 2 million square feet. The proposed 124-room Ritz-Carlton would be the first five-star hotel downtown and, with the largest ballroom in the city, the planned 876-room Marriott Marquis would fill a void as a business meeting hub at the Convention Center. The hotels are to be topped by 216 luxury condominiums. The project, scheduled to open in 2010, would anchor L.A. Live, the 27-acre sports-entertainment complex considered the linchpin of downtown's redevelopment. It has taken two decades to land a major convention hotel, but the agreement by Marriott International Inc. with local developers to operate two luxury inns in the same glitzy Las Vegas-style high-rise raises hopes for reestablishing the city center as a top tourist and convention magnet. "All of this is really a wonderful story about the emergence -- and reemergence -- of downtown Los Angeles as a strong economic center and a strong weight to the region's economy," said Stuart Gabriel, a USC professor and director of its Lusk Center for Real Estate. The complex -- with its upper stories to be sheathed in glass -- is being jointly developed by KB Home, which is building the condos, and AEG, which is owned by billionaire Philip Anschutz, the developer of Staples Center.It is being designed by San Francisco-based architecture firm Gensler."This is what we've been hoping and waiting for," said Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. "This will make Los Angeles a very attractive travel and business-show destination. To the average Joe on the street, it means people will be coming in and spending money here."With the recent construction of -- and future plans for -- thousands of condominium and apartment units, downtown Los Angeles has been evolving into an increasingly desirable housing market. The new homes have spurred the opening of dozens of restaurants and retail shops to serve the new residents.But concerns about its homeless population and uneven redevelopment plan have caused many to cast a wary eye on downtown's revitalization. Christian Gann of Dallas has made about half a dozen business trips to the region, but the 34-year-old account manager sees an only half-completed makeover. In his forays around downtown, he finds some areas are nice and tidy, while others are rough around the edges: "The area could be cleaned up."
Yotel appoints Sales & Marketing Director YOTEL, the world’s most radical hotel, has appointed its first sales and marketing director, Jo Berrington, effective 26 June 2006. Jo Berrington has most recently been Head of Marketing for British Airways London Eye since its opening in 2000. Prior to that, Jo held a number of roles in British Airways, predominantly in business sales from support roles to account manager. Jo was also responsible for the marketing of BA’s 37 regional routes out of Manchester and Birmingham airports, before going across to the London Eye to head up its marketing team. In her new role at YOTEL, Jo’s responsibility will include managing the brand, sales, product development, internal and external communications, sponsorships and marketing above and below the line. “I am thrilled to be a part of the creative and operational team that is going to see the YOTEL dream transform into reality. Similar to the British Airways London Eye, YOTEL is an innovative design concept that is breaking new ground. I am looking forward to the challenge that this presents as we lead up to the opening of the cabins at the end of this year at Gatwick and Heathrow airports.” YOTEL Chief Executive Gerard Greene said the core YOTEL team was now complete. “We are very excited that after four years of development the management team is in place and the project is close to fruition. Jo’s experience within the airline industry and with London’s leading tourist attraction will ensure YOTEL, the world’s most radical hotel, will become a leading world-wide brand in the hospitality industry over the next five years. We look forward to introducing the world to YOTEL at the end of this year!”

Holiday Cabins Australia

Enhancing Paradise: A Fresh Look for One&Only Kanuhura, Maldives
Jul 25, 05 1:48 am
The secluded and tranquil island resort of One&Only Kanuhura, in the northeastern part of Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives, will reopen with a fresh look in mid-October 2005 following a four-month refurbishment.
The 100-villa resort, famed for its laid-back luxury, will retain its authentic, natural Maldivian charm. Enhancements include the rejuvenation of the 18 Water Villas and two Grand Water Villas, and the freshening up of the Beach Villas, bars and restaurants, public areas and the award-winning One&Only Spa (formerly Veyoge Spa).
Mauro Governato, General Manager of One&Only Kanuhura, feels strongly that the inherent key attractions of the island will remain the same. He commented: “The philosophy of the resort remains untouched. Private dinners on the sandy beach, magical evenings under the stars, incredible sunsets, unique marine life, and genuine and impeccable service combine with the feeling of being somewhere so remote and naturally beautiful. These are the primary ingredients of our resort.”
A romantic stage will be set in the refurbished villas with back-lighted gauzy cream and copper coloured linen draped behind the headboard and suspended over driftwood poles above the bed. The cream coloured bed cover becomes a backdrop for brightly hued cushions embellished with organza flowers fashioned after those found on the island. The pattern of the cotton and linen bed throw is inspired from Maldivian woven grass rugs. Furniture pieces are hand crafted with chiselled wood and bamboo textures. The wardrobe and dressing areas have natural light filtering through the laminated glass and raffia double doors leading into the open-air bathroom. Sandstone stepping stones lead guests to the open-air shower, or they can enjoy an aromatherapy bath in the kidney shaped freestanding tub.
“One&Only Kanuhura has a special aura that embraces guests as soon as they step on to the arrival jetty from the seaplane. The casual elegance of the island is preserved with the choice of natural materials and a colour palette pulled from the sea. The newly renovated villas have floor-to-ceiling glass and wood doors that slide back to reveal either the beach or a private deck before you fall off into the amazing turquoise sea,” comments Jan Clausen of Atlanta-based CCID, who designed the resort’s interior.
What’s happening at One&Only Kanuhura?
· Full rejuvenation of the 18 Water Villas and two Grand Water Villas includes:
- Extended over-water verandas with steps down to the crystal clear waters. The private area of the deck will be expanded to 40 square metres for the Water Villas and 45 square metres for the Grand Water Villas
- All new villa entrance jetties and main water villas walkway jetties
- New teak wood floors and deck throughout
- All new furniture, fabrics, and dressings
- Floor-to-ceiling glass doors with teak plantation shutters overlooking the lagoon, reef and Indian Ocean beyond – increasing privacy for sunbathing and in-villa dining
- Hand-crafted king-size beds with Egyptian cotton bed linen – new throws, covers and cushions
- The dressing room areas will be refurbished and overhauled, to include wardrobes with longer hanging space, multiple deep drawers, luggage rack area and honed Indian slate slab tops
- Renovation of bathrooms and semi open-air bathrooms – retaining the much-loved open-air showers, with their carved terracotta fish showerheads, steps leading down to the lagoon, polished stone bathtubs, double vanity areas with new pebble-shaped sand-washed effect basins and honed Indian slate slab vanity area tops. More natural elements such as bamboo blinds, stone, slate and wood will be added to enhance the sense of relaxation in the bathrooms

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· Beach Villas
- Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors with teak plantation shutters
- New solid wood bed base with luxurious Sealy posturepedic mattresses and new furnishings
- New dressing room area with new wardrobes, extra hanging space, luggage rack area and multiple deep drawers
· Bars and restaurants
- All four of the resort’s restaurants - Thin Rah, Olive Tree, Veli Café and Coves - will also benefit from new furniture, fabrics and lighting, a new permanent barbeque station and freestanding wine cellar in Thin Rah. A fresh menu concept has also been introduced based on the existing one
- Handhuvaru Bar will become a charming gathering point surrounded by shady coconut palm trees and fine, coral sand – a great place to take in the jaw-dropping Maldivian sunsets

Holiday Cabins Australia

International Tourism Receipts Grew by 36 Billion Euros in 2004
Jul 25, 05 1:51 am
International tourism receipts in 2004 reached a new record value of US$ 622 billion as expressed in absolute figures.
According to the latest edition of the WTO World Tourism Barometer, worldwide tourism earnings grew by an extraordinary 10.3%, a rate practically equal to that of international tourist arrivals which increased last year by 10.7%.

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In US dollar terms the increase amounted to 97 billion, however, this is flattered by the rather generalized depreciation of the US dollar in 2004, causing receipts earned in currencies such as the euro, the Canadian dollar, the Japanese yen or the Australian dollar exchange into larger amounts of US dollars. Expressed in euro, receipts increased by 36 billion to a total of euro 500 billion. Growth expressed in local currencies at constant prices, thus neutralising the effect of exchange rate changes and inflation, reached 10.3%.


Europe earned a bit over half of worldwide tourism receipts (52%), the Americas 21%, Asia and the Pacific 20% and Africa and the Middle East 3% each. All regions posted positive results in 2004, ranging from 2% for Europe to 24% for Asia and the Pacific. Both the Americas and Europe report positive results after three negative years. International tourism receipts grew by 11% in the Americas due in particular to the recovery of North American destinations (+13%). Results were positive in North America for the first time since 2001 as all destinations bounced from the setbacks of the previous years, in particular the USA, the region's as well as the world's major tourism earner, where receipts grew by a remarkable 16% to a total volume of US$ 75 billion or 12% of the world's tourism receipts.
Europe recorded a 2% increase as all subregions rebounded from 2003 negative results, although still comparatively feeble in the case of Western Europe (+1.2%) and Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+2.2%; values in local currencies at constant prices, in US dollars receipts increased much more as a result of the considerable appreciation of the euro).
International tourism receipts grew by an exceptional 24% in Asia and the Pacific, following the 9% loss of the 2003 SARS year. The fastest growing subregion was North-East Asia (+30%). Growth was also particular buoyant in the Middle East (+22%). Africa posted a more modest growth (+6%), constrained by the results of Sub-Saharan Africa (+4%) after having been the star performer of the past three years.
Although demand recovered very well during 2004, receipts grew at a marginally slower pace than volume. In particular in Europe and in Asia and the Pacific receipts growth lagged somewhat behind the increase in arrivals.
This reflects the rather general trend towards a higher frequency of trips, but shorter stays. It is a long-term process, driven by pressure on time and enabled by the development of a well-ramified and varied transport infrastructure with several good-price transport options. In the past few years the boom of low-cost airlines has been instrumental in this process, opening up new routes and offering not only lower prices, but also lesser restrictions with respect to length of stay or weekend stay over. Average receipts per trip may also have been furthermore pressed down by the fact that intraregional tourism, with generally lower spending levels recovered quicker than long-haul traffic, together with some price cutting strategies to stimulate recovery.


In terms of the main tourism earners, no major changes are to be mentioned in the first seven positions as compared to 2003. The USA (US$ 74.5 billion) continues to lead the table of the world's top tourism earners and saw a strong comeback in 2004 on the losses of the three previous years as tourism earnings grew by nearly 16%. Spain (US$ 45.2 billion) and France (US$ 40.8 billion) occupy the following two positions at a considerable distance. The first three destinations in arrivals are thus also the first in receipts, although in reverse order. Italy maintains firm the fourth position in receipts, (US$ 35.7 billion), followed by Germany (US$ 27.7 billion), the United Kingdom (US$ 27.3 billion) and China (US$ 25.7 billion). Turkey (US$ 15.9 billion) climbs one position to 8th, changing places with Austria (US$ 15.4 billion). Australia (US$ 13 billion) closes the list, entering among the first 10 tourism earners in 2004