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  • News: IHG set to expand Crowne Plaza presence in Muscat

    InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the world’s largest hotel group by selection of rooms, today announced that it has signed an agreement with the Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC (Omran) to open Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Muscat.

    The 296-room hotel could be the second Crowne Plaza hotel within the Capital and the fourth Crowne Plaza hotel in Oman. The recent-build property will feature extensive meeting and event facilities with a separate function centre a good way to include a glamorous ballroom with terrace, a boardroom and 3 large meeting rooms.

    The hotel can even take advantage of five food and beverage outlets, including a rooftop restaurant where guests should be ready to absorb picturesque Muscat views. Extensive leisure and fitness facilities add to the hotel’s appeal: private outdoor relaxation zones with male and female Jacuzzi pools, 150 square metre fitness zone, two pools and a children’s playground.

    The new property is part of Omran’s Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) development that’s due for completion in 2016. Just 10 minutes from Muscat International Airport, the mixed-use, purpose-built precinct will feature a state-of-the-art exhibition centre with 22,000m² of exhibition space. The OCEC overlooks a Wadi (a natural waterway) and extensive parklands, and also will include a shopping centre and grade-A business park, making it a fantastic travel destination for both the business and leisure traveller.

    Speaking on the signing ceremony, H.E. Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, Chairman of Omran said, “Today marks a pivotal milestone within the development of the much anticipated OCEC as we sign with the 1st hotel operator to deal with one among a chain of planned hotels to enrich this mega project. By formalizing this agreement with our preferred and trusted partner IHG to function the 5-star facility, we’re taking another leap forward to set up the Sultanate as a favoured destination for the regional and global meetings and exhibitions industry.”

    He added, “Based on our existing relations with IHG, we’re confident that they’re going to continue to grasp our mission of delivering memorable hospitality assets that experience a favorable direct and indirect social and economic impact on local communities.”

    Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa for IHG, said: “Omran’s Convention and Exhibition Centre is ready to lay Muscat at the MICE industry map. The alignment of the Crowne Plaza brand to the project makes perfect business sense for us – and for our guests, who can be capable of utilise OCEC’s world class facilities at their doorstep. We’re delighted to remain part of the Capital’s exciting expansion plans.”

    Today’s signing marks IHG’s 8th property within the Sultanate of Oman, with four properties already operating within the cities of Muscat, Salalah and Sohar. There are four more properties in IHG’s pipeline for these cities, in addition Duqm.

  • Island Routes expands into Grenada

    Island Routes Caribbean Adventures is proud to announce a myriad of recent adventures in Grenada, the eighth Caribbean island to host Island Routes’ award-winning adventures. Grenada is called the ‘Spice Isle’, not only as a consequence of its mass exportation of nutmeg, but its rich cultural heritage, endearing locals and its eclectic village life make it one of the vital authentic places within the Caribbean.

  • News: Le Méridien plans $200m investment in MEA

    Le Méridien and its ownership groups are planning to speculate greater than $200m inside the renovations of 13 hotels and resorts within the MEA region over a better 3 years.

    The French-born brand has had a significant presence in emerging Middle Eastern and African markets for greater than 30 years, and as this region continues to conform as a global business and leisure travel hub, Le Méridien has developed a focused method to ensuring its global portfolio continues to satisfy high brand standards.

    “Since acquiring Le Méridien in 2005, Starwood and its hotel ownership groups have made a huge effort to augment and create a consistent portfolio worldwide,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and Westin.

    “Le Méridien now boasts the simplest performance measures in brand history, and our focused efforts at the Middle East and Africa hotels will only help ensure Le Méridien maintains its best portfolio ever.”

    Le Méridien recently announced 10 new hotel openings over the subsequent year, an unprecedented number for the emblem, and because the European-rooted brand continues to grow globally, the consistency of its portfolio remains a key priority.

    Additionally, Le Méridien will this year add a brand new hotel in Egypt, where the emblem currently operates four properties. Le Méridien Cairo Airport will open in September 2013. Located at Terminal 3, it’ll be the best hotel with direct access to Cairo International Airport terminals.

    Le Méridien Cairo Airport will feature 350 guestrooms, a 24-hour restaurant, specialty restaurant, coffee bar, lobby bar, lounge, gym, and swimming pool. The hotel may have approximately 750 square meters of meeting space, including a business center, ballroom, and 6 meeting rooms, for a number of business functions.

    Many of those renovated hotels such as Le Méridien Cairo Airport will integrate the Le Méridien Hub experience into existing public spaces, re-interpreting the ancient lobby right into a get together place for curious and inventive minded travelers to converse, debate, and exchange.

    Le Méridien Hub offers both guests and locals an inspiring atmosphere where contemporary, curated artwork sets our environment and a cosmopolitan café experience sets the scene.

    Le Méridien Hub further builds at the brand’s award-winning arrival experience inclusive of four elements: large-scale artwork in high impact areas to reset the mind and stimulate dialogue and curiosity; the sensory experience, illustrated through Le Méridien signature scent, sound and use of sunshine, making a unique and distinctive atmosphere; UNLOCK ART programme, featuring LM100 artist designed key card collections that not just offer access to the guestroom but in addition to Le Méridien affiliated contemporary cultural centers within the city; and a 24-hour soundtrack.

  • News: Ryanair inks handle National Express

    Ryanair has signed a brand new partnership with Europe’s largest scheduled coach operator, National Express, offering Ryanair passengers travelling to/from London and Manchester affordable and direct coach travel.

    Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said: “Ryanair will carry over 80m passengers this year on the lowest fares, connecting 180 airports through over 1,500 routes. Now our passengers can go even further owing to a brand new partnership with National Express, with coach tickets available to buy both at the Ryanair.com website and onboard Ryanair flights operating to and from London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted and Manchester Airport.”

    National Express UK Coach Manager Director, Tom Stables said: “We operate millions of passenger journeys to UK airports once a year and are pleased our new partnership with Ryanair makes it that bit easier for folk to get their trip off to a flying start. It’s now even simpler for holidaymakers and business travellers to learn from affordable airport travel.”

    Ryanair passengers travelling to/from London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted and Manchester could make the foremost of direct National Express connections to and from the airport door by booking online at the Ryanair.com website or purchasing tickets onboard Ryanair flights within the UK.

  • Destinations where hotels are the star attraction

    We all travel for our own reasons; whether it’s to get a break from everyday life, to attempt local cuisine, or to take a look at a favored attraction. But have you travelled simply to visit a particular hotel Well, if you’re searching for a break from the tried-and-true chains, or one more reason to take a holiday, the travel experts at Hotels.com® have you ever covered. For a special sleeping experience Hotels.com looked to its Hotel Price Index™ (HPI™) as inspiration for this list of eight hotels where an overnight stay could be as memorable because the trip itself.

    Hotel:Featherbed Railroad Company
    Location: Nice, California, U.S.
    What makes it stand out In case you grew up with Thomas the Tank Engine, this hotel will make your childhood dreams come true. The hotel features nine railway cabooses, all individually decorated in themes starting from Las Vegas bordello to Easy Rider, which actually comes with an “Easy Glider” chair with saddlebags, Harley Davidson touches and a headboard with handlebars. In keeping with the HPI, if you’re Canadian you might already be planning a visit to this popular state, which has two Californian cities at the Top 10 International Destinations list. So we expect a trip to “Nice” just is smart!

    Hotel: Capsule Hotel and Sauna Cosmo Plaza Akabane
    Location: Tokyo, Japan
    What makes it stand out Because the name suggests, it’s not a significant space. Actually it’s just sufficiently big for travellers to crawl in and get caught up on sleep. Not for the claustrophobic traveller, this contemporary sleeping area is worth testing for those in search of a futuristic experience – plus if you’re on a decent budget, this feature is amazingly wallet-friendly. This city may be increasingly popular among Canadians, cracking the pinnacle 50 International Destinations list in 2012 to sit down at number 31.

    Hotel: Hotel Im Wasserturm
    Location: Cologne, Germany
    What makes it stand out A stay during this cool hotel gets you an inside view, literally, of a few of Germany’s history. This landmark is the largest water tower of the 1800s and even though it was redesigned inside to deal with 88 rooms, it maintains its classic heritage.

    Hotel: Jumbo Stay
    Location: Arlanda, Sweden
    What makes it stand out The Ice Hotel has some serious competition, as this pick is produced from a grounded 747 (that’s a jumbo jet for non-plane enthusiasts). The décor and colors are an homage to the 1970s – is named the golden era of air travel. There are 25 guest rooms with one located within the cockpit, plus the rooms come equipped with LCD TVs where you may view the schedule of exits.

    Hotel: Sarah Cruise
    Location: Venice, Italy
    What makes it stand out There’s no better thanks to get into the Venetian mood than by sleeping at the water. This eco-friendly, 25-room boat is truly a bed and breakfast so that you can spend your mornings dining at the deck (weather permitting after all ). Ever popular Venice is a go-to for love. The town sailed up four spots in 2012 at the HPI Top 50 International Destinations list to number 26.

    Hotel: Madonna Inn Resort & Spa
    Location: San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
    What makes it stand out Contrary to its name, this property was not named after the famous entertainer – even though it is simply as unique. It includes 110 guest rooms with names like “Austrian Suite,” “Safari Room,” and “Jungle Rock” that feature various eclectic designs to cater to a variety of tastes. Fans of “The Bachelor” might recognize this property because it was featured in Season 14.
    Hotel: Burj Al Arab
    Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    What makes it stand out While this hotel isn’t for the budget-conscious (it’s upwards of $2,000 per night), this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feel like royalty. Shaped like a sail and found on a non-public island with a personal beach, this hotel takes luxury to new levels. While we predict this extravagant city would attract everyone, it has experienced increased interest from Canadian travellers and in 2012 entered the end 50 International Destinations list at number 44.

    Hotel: Dream Cave Pension
    Location: Goreme, Turkey
    What makes it stand out This hotel is found in a space of Turkey known for its unusual rock formations, so it only is sensible that they’d build one right into a hotel, right Although the encircling area is rather beautiful, the choice of staying in a fairy chimney makes it a very good enough selling point for us.

    It’s time to get inspired and simply because you sleep in a hotel, doesn’t mean it should be boring. For more travel inspiration, the HPI is a smart resource. Whether you’re searching for five-star hotels that won’t leave you broke, or the following up-and-coming destination, this report and website offers you the interior scoop. So get packing.

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