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  • Starwood hotels to debut in Liverpool with the recent Aloft Liverpool

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., and its destination sensation brand, Aloft Hotels, today announces the signing of Aloft Liverpool. Created to shake up the staid and standard mid-market hotel sector, Aloft is redefining the class by delivering urban-influenced, modern and colourful design and a social guest experience at an inexpensive price point. Located at the famous North John Street within the city’s heritage centre, Aloft Liverpool will mark the doorway of Starwood into town when it opens in 2014.

    “Together with North John Street Op Co. and Ashall Property we’re delighted to debut our first Starwood hotel in Liverpool,” said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “We see great opportunities to grow our Aloft portfolio in markets reminiscent of the united kingdom where there’s a strong demand for reasonable yet stylish, cutting-edge hotel brands.”

    “Ashall Property is both excited and proud to give you the chance to regenerate and preserve the nice heritage of this Grade II* listed building and supply Liverpool with a colourful, design-led hotel complete with restaurant and meeting space,” said Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Property. “This signing is the culmination of 2 years of dedication and we remain indebted to Liverpool City Council for assisting with this project from the outset and to English Heritage for his or her continuing support.”

    Pioneering initiatives in music and design, modern comforts and a colourful guest experience have positioned Aloft as a must-have brand for the subsequent generation of travellers. A vision of W Hotels, the Aloft brand consistently garners high guest satisfaction scores since its launch in 2008, with select hotels ranking among Trip Advisor’s 2012 “Top 25 Trendiest Hotels within the US and across the world”, reflecting the success of the brand’s unique positioning.

    “The signing of Aloft Liverpool emphasises Starwood’s commitment to expanding our European portfolio of mid-market brands through franchising and management contracts in addition to adaptive re-use which represents an exhilarating new growth channel for the emblem in Europe,” said Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice chairman, Acquisitions & Development, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Following the signings of latest Aloft hotels in St. Petersburg, Munich, Stuttgart and now Liverpool, Aloft continues to turn out to be a well-liked choice for owners and developers in primary and secondary markets throughout Europe.”

    The 116-room Aloft Liverpool might be within the renovated Royal Insurance Building, a historic Grade II* listed landmark with outstanding architectural value, that is located within the city’s central business district. Guests of the hotel can have easy accessibility to nearby Liverpool ONE, certainly one of UK’s largest shopping centres and a number of offices, retail shops, bars and restaurants within the immediate vicinity.

    Guestrooms will feature the brand’s signature high ceilings, oversized windows and an ultra-comfortable platform bed in addition to large walk-in showers with complimentary Bliss Spa® products. The hotel may even boast the re:mixSM lounge and w xyzSM bar. These atmospheric public spaces provide guests with a spot to combine and mingle, read the paper, work on laptops, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends. The re:chargeSM fitness centre offers a possibility to re-energise and the original re:fuelSM by Aloft introduces a convenient deli option for guests at the go, with an array of foods and drinks available 24 hours an afternoon. For meetings and presentations, the hotel will offer five creative spaces equipped with the newest audio-visual hardware.
    Aloft Liverpool may be operated by BDL Management.

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently has ten hotels in Uk, including eight hotels in London under six of the company’s nine lifestyle brands: The Park Lane Hotel, Sheraton Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Sheraton Skyline, Sheraton Heathrow, The Lanesborough – a St. Regis Hotel, Le Méridien Piccadilly, W London – Leicester Square and Aloft London Excel. Starwood also operates the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh and Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland.

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  • ICTP supports uplifting new technology development

    In a letter from the book, “Green Growth and Travelism – Letters from Leaders,” Frank McCosker shows how the net technology revolutionises the best way people travel and the way the disruptive technology, “Super Wi-Fi,” can actually provide the much-needed cheap and seamless access to the web.

    This “Super Wi-Fi” technology leverages unused TV spectrum to supply Internet access at broadband styles of speed. Its main advantages are that it will possibly cover distances anywhere between three and ten times more than those covered by existing unlicensed wireless solutions and that its signal is way less impeded by obstructions similar to walls and buildings.

    The Super Wi-Fi won’t only reduce the digital divide between rural and concrete areas, in addition between developed and not more-developed countries, at a reasonable price, it might probably also achieve this sustainably. Indeed, base stations may be designed to run on wind or solar energy, therefore, making a green and sustainable broadband solution.

    As expanding connectivity goes hand in hand with expanding tourism, such disruptive innovation is primordial. McCosker predicts that universal access to broadband can be probably the most important drivers of business growth supporting the expansion of inbound and outbound tourism inside the coming decade.

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  • News: Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi introduces Wi-Fi limousines

    The Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi has introduces a brand new service for travellers, providing complimentary Wi-Fi within the limousines operated by the hotel.

    Guests of the renowned five-star hotel will now be capable to log on while enjoying the relief of the limousines.

    Whether heading to or from the airport, to a company event or business meeting, busy executives on a packed schedule or leisure purposes would be in a position to stay connected and be productive all throughout their travel.

    Beach Rotana opted for the LTE Mobile Wi-Fi, the widest 4G coverage and fastest network to make sure a quick and reliable internet service, enabled by a speed of 100MBPS, that will allow guests to access the net within seconds and with ten users able connect simultaneously.

    The luxurious experience continues with the introduction of name new cars from the newest models of Lexus’ luxury cars, partnering with Emirates Cars.

    The hotel cars will be booked 24 hours an afternoon from the hotel’s Concierge Desk.

    Guests can prefer to travel common in either a sublime BMW Series 7 or Mercedes Viano and Lexus AS 350.

    Each luxury car is driven by a pro driver, so guests are assured of a secure and cozy journey.

    Beach Rotana will now provide an office clear of the office with this new service and help its guests maximise their time and productivity every step of how.

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  • UK in discussions to raise UAE visas

    The British Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates has confirmed there are on-going discussions on facilitating visa procedures for Emiratis visiting the uk.

    The envoy, Dominique Jeremy, however, added that as yet no decision have been taken on offering visa on arrival facilities to Emiratis.

    He expected a last decision in the following few months, Al Ittihad reported.

    Jeremy said thon the visit of the UAE president His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this month to Britain at the invitation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is a major milestone inside the history of relations between the 2 countries.

    Britons visiting the UAE don’t presently require a visa.

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  • Focus: Breaking Travel News interview: Peter Henley, chief executive, ONYX Hospitality Group

    As the crowd continues its aggressive expansion across Asia and the broader world, Breaking Travel News here sits down with ONYX Hospitality chief executive Peter Henley to peer just what it’s that separates the group’s brands from their competitors.

    Breaking Travel News: Are you able to just bring us recent with the most recent headlines from ONYX Hospitality Group as we move into the second one quarter of 2013

    Peter Henley: Thailand based hotel management company, ONYX Hospitality Group, goes from strength-to-strength with quite a few exciting recent and ongoing developments across its brand portfolio, including global growth across India, Sri Lanka and the center East.

    ONYX currently operates 34 properties with a list of greater than 5,000 rooms, across four brands.

    In 2010, ONYX set a goal to become one in every of Asia’s leading hospitality providers by 2018 with a portfolio of 51 operating properties.

    By the top of 2013 we’ll have 38 operational properties with an extra 11 contracts signed for the longer term, ensuring the objective set in 2010 can be surpassed well prior to schedule.

    In 2013, we’re set to launch the primary two OZO properties in Hong Kong and Colombo in addition to Amari’s first property in India, Amari Ludhiana.

    Serviced apartments brand Shama may also add a Hangzhou property to its ever increasing portfolio.

    BTN: What markets are you specializing in currently and within the future

    PH: Thailand remains an essential marketplace for us, and last year saw two new openings, Amari Hua Hin in August and Oriental Residence Bangkok in January.

    Focus on Thailand will remain someday but we’re excited to be expanding into other markets.

    Earlier this year Amari Doha launched in Qatar, becoming our first Middle Eastern property, and later in 2013 we take our first steps in India with the hole of Amari Ludhiana. 

    Even though the Amari brand is now expanding beyond our native Thailand, we recognise the significance of remembering our roots.

    We have always believed that Asian hospitality is a stupendous asset to both guests and developers.

    For example, through our international expansion, for instance at Amari Doha, we share elements of Asia with our guests through food and beverage, our signature Breeze Spa and interior design, while also striving to attach visitors to the culture of the destination of Doha.


    Amari Hua Hin Hotel opened in late 2012

    BTN: Could you give our readers an outline of ONYX’s brands and specific developments

    PH: There are four brands under the ONYX corporate umbrella.

    Amari remains the centrepiece of the ONYX portfolio and is a longtime hotel brand in Thailand with 13 hotels around the country.

    In 2009 we revitalised the Amari brand and introduced a brand new feel and look, the results of market research into guest needs and expectations.

    The development of the Amari brand is central to ONYX’s expansion, as discussed, in 2012 we opened Amari Hua Hin in Thailand and this year we welcomed Amari Doha in Qatar to the Amari family.

    Late 2013 will see another first for the emblem, because the first Amari property in India is formally introduced with Amari Ludhiana, following a soft opening period.

    As well because the new openings, the logo can be making enhancements to its existing property portfolio. 

    OZO, an extra brand under the ONYX umbrella, seeks to revitalise smart travel through focussing on a very good sleep experience.

    The brand was born once we identified an opening available in the market for a hotel brand offering a fresh tackle select services for both business and leisure travellers, with a core specialise in the haven of peace in the guestroom, embodied inside the OZO promise – “SLEEP. DREAM”.

    The first OZO property will launch this year, with OZO Wesley Hong Kong, and this can be a thrilling development for us.

    This could be followed by the outlet of OZO Colombo in Sri Lanka in mid 2013.

    The brand can be set to open its first resort property, OZO Chaweng Samui, at the Thai island of Koh Samui in 2014.

    Shama has secured a management contract for a brand new development in China within the city of Hangzhou.

    Shama HEDA Hangzhou is scheduled to open late 2013 within the capital and biggest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China.

    This latest development for Shama will strengthen the brand’s positioning as a market leader of luxurious serviced apartments in Greater China whilst also propelling growth within the Asia region.

    On January 23rd 2012 we opened the doors to our first luxury venture, Oriental Residence Bangkok.

    Set in an iconic 32 storey building, the valuables boasts a celebrated location to enhance its stylish and sublime accommodation, facilities and dining options.

    The mixed use development also houses privately owned condominiums.

    Within six months of its soft opening date, the valuables was ranked number 1 in Bangkok on TripAdvisor out of over 700 hotels.

    Our wide-ranging portfolio is paying off, as we can define each brand’s signature offerings to present our customer exactly what they want, for instance Amari has more facilities and provides large meeting spaces for corporate business whereas the OZO brand attracts guests who wish to explore the realm but won’t have to use the hotel facilities.

    image[2] align=’right’ border=’0′ style=’padding-left:10px;’ alt=” border=0 >
    Amari Watergate Bangkok is a key portion of the ONYX portfolio

    BTN: Are you able to give us some details on what’s next for ONYX

    PH: As mentioned earlier, by the tip of 2013 the gang could have 38 operational properties with a different 11 contracts signed for the longer term.

    Outside of Thailand, more expansion into other markets is additionally within the planning stages for all brands as we continue our development.

    The next one year will see big steps being taken in our strategic vision to become considered one of Asia’s leading providers of hospitality by 2018.

    Key developments within the near future include the introduction of the Amari brand into the Indian market with Amari Ludhiana in 2013, and the primary operational properties under the OZO brand launching this year.

    More Information

    For further information visit the official website.