Best Holiday Lettings

Author: Alicia

  • News: DoubleTree by Hilton launches in Australia

    Hilton Worldwide has announced that it’ll introduce its fastest growing full-service brand, DoubleTree by Hilton, to Australia when it rebrands four Northern Territory hotels on 1 May 2013. The country’s first three DoubleTree by Hilton hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs will open alongside Hilton Darwin within the Territory.

    “We are delighted a good way to introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Australian market and so as to add another Hilton Hotel & Resort within the region’s most important areas of growth,” said Ashley Spencer, vp, operations, Australasia, Hilton Worldwide. “We has been seeking to enter into the Northern Territory for a while and are committed to creating these properties the leading full-service hotels available in the market.”

    The Northern Territory hotels are each located at the doorstep of a few of the main incredible tourism experiences Australia has to supply, in addition to being in prime locations for business travellers within the mining and resources sectors.

    Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to legendary outback destinations together with the Kakadu National Park and the Katharine Gorge. With a multicultural population of just 129,000, Darwin is famed for its laid-back lifestyle, markets and festivals, Asian cuisine and enormous natural harbour, that’s bigger than Sydney’s.

    Alice Springs is found inside the ‘red centre’ of the vast Australian continent and is the departure town for visiting Australia’s famous red rock Uluru, a five-hour drive from the town centre.

    “The launch of DoubleTree by Hilton in Australia – our 30th country and sixth continent – marks the start of a really exciting expansion for our brand,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We are thrilled to open not one, but three hotels in Australia’s extraordinary Northern Territory and look ahead to introducing Australian travellers to the very best level of caring service synonymous with DoubleTree by Hilton – epitomised by our warm chocolate chip cookie welcome for each guest at check-in.”

    DoubleTree by Hilton knows that little things can mean everything in relation to a rewarding travel experience, and strives to bring each guest the special comforts and acts of kindness which are unique to the emblem – starting with the nice and cozy chocolate chip cookie welcome and spreading through every stage of the hotel stay. The amenities that guests will enjoy include the invigorating array of CITRON body care products by Crabtree & Evelyn, 24-hour business and fitness centres, outdoor pools, a number of foods and drinks offerings to fulfill every guest’s need, complimentary high-speed internet access in public areas, and an industry-recognised service culture that’s built round the idea of CARE (Create a Rewarding Experience for guests, team members and the community).

    As participants inside the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme, all four hotels will offer guests the power to earn and redeem Hilton HHonors points. Gold and Diamond HHonors members may also receive complimentary breakfast.

    The 235-room Hilton Darwin, overlooking Darwin Harbour is solely a number of minutes’ walk from downtown inside the vibrant Darwin Harbour area, and steps from fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment. Guests can decide to relax on the outdoor swimming pool and 24-hour fitness centre, sample a number of the finest cuisines in central Darwin or sip a cocktail on the lounge. Six meeting rooms, including a Grand Ballroom with a 14-metre ceiling height are designed to house a number conferences and events.

    Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Matt Conlan, said, “We’re delighted to have Hilton Worldwide, an industry leader, establish its brand within the Territory. The Hilton Darwin and 3 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, will enhance the variety of accommodation choices available to visitors in locations which are ideal for holiday and business travellers alike.”

    Hilton Worlwide’s area general manager for the Northern Territory, Martin Kendall could have overall responsibility for all four hotels, supported by Carey Osborne, hotel manager for both DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in Darwin, and Clinton Farley, general manager for DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs. Selected renovations are planned to start in late 2013.

    With the outlet of the Northern Territory hotels, DoubleTree by Hilton are available in additional than 340 locations in 30 countries on six continents. The 1st DoubleTree by Hilton opened in Arizona in 1969 and because 2008 the logo was expanding rapidly worldwide.  Greater than 50 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels will open globally in 2013 alone.

  • Ascend Hotel Collection adds 100th property – Hotel Elan, Calgary

    Ascend Hotel Collection® from Choice Hotels International, Inc, some of the world’s largest hotel companies, today announced the hole of its 100th hotel, a milestone for the portfolio of independent hotels launched in late 2008. 

    The announcement was made on the company’s annual convention in La at the heels of a string of additives that marked the Collection’s expansion into such top destinations as Las Vegas, Napa Valley, Sedona and Baltimore. Because the beginning of the year, Ascend Hotel Collection has opened 30 hotels, catapulting the portfolio to its landmark 100th hotel in lower than five years.

    Since its debut in 2008, Ascend Hotel Collection has quintupled in size, adding hotels on three continents and five countries and establishing its position as a pacesetter within the growing trend toward affiliation for independent hotels.

    “Ascend Hotel Collection plays a key role in our corporate technique to expand within the upscale segment,” said Steve Joyce , president and CEO, Choice Hotels. “In some ways, the addition of our many Ascend properties is reshaping who we’re at Choice.

    “Our hotels have always been great stops along the way in which,” Joyce continued. “Ascend is forging new ground for us with exciting properties which can be , themselves, the destination. Travelers have always looked to Choice for exceptional value. Ascend extends this practice, delivering great value and amenities at high-end hotels and resorts in a few of the world’s most sought-after vacation spots.”

    The continuing momentum of the Ascend Hotel Collection is paving the style for robust growth in key markets throughout the next two years. Newly signed agreements demand additional expansion in such markets as Ny city, the Caribbean and international destinations.

    “Ascend’s success indicates we’re giving our members exactly what they need – the facility to function independently but with the backing of 1 of the world’s largest hospitality franchisors,” said Michael Murphy , senior vp of upscale brands at Choice Hotels International. “It’s a strong affiliation that’s generating demand from leading developers and owners of independent hotels worldwide. Growth have been particularly strong in North America, and there’s enormous potential for added expansion in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.”

    Among the Collection’s significant benefits, Murphy points to its proven track record for driving reservations. Additionally, member hotels maintain their unique identity, while gaining the firepower of the option Hotels global distribution, sales, marketing and technology platforms in addition to a rewards program with greater than 17 million members worldwide. “That’s incredible visibility for an independent hotel,” Murphy talked about.

    Hundredth Hotel
    Ascend Hotel Collection’s 100th property, Hotel Elan, is the portfolio’s first in Calgary. It joins seven other Canadian locations coast-to-coast, including Quebec City, Ottawa and Halifax. The hotel will celebrate its status because the landmark 100th hotel by rewarding 100 guests with Elite Gold Status inside the Choice Privileges® rewards program.

    Like its 99 sister properties, Hotel Elan makes it easy for guests to immerse themselves within the local culture. The contemporary boutique hotel occupies a first-rate spot within the bustling Beltline District, steps from “Uptown 17th Avenue”, Calgary’s shopping, dining and nightlife hub. Guests are within easy walking distance to scores of pubs and ethnic restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. Nearby landmarks include the Scotiabank Saddledome, home to world-class concerts and Calgary Flames hockey; Calgary Tower for spectacular views; University of Calgary and the Calgary Zoo. Hotel Elan can also be minutes faraway from Calgary’s downtown business district, making for a simple commute from hotel to office.

    The property has 62 units including guest rooms, one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom suites.  All units are richly appointed with sleek Italian furnishings, a mini-bar stocked with healthy snacks, 42- and 47-inch flat-screen televisions and double-thick walls with special soundproofing for a relaxed night’s sleep. Beds are plush with pillow-top mattresses and headboards with multiple USB ports and internet jacks.  Among the many tech comforts, guests can play content from their smartphones and computers on television monitors. All suites include conference tables for in-room meetings and balconies with striking city views.  In two-bedroom suites, guests luxuriate in deep chromatherapy soaker tubs. The sprawling 974 sq. ft. Executive Two-Bedroom Suites also feature a non-public exercise room with stationary bike, yoga mat and tv.

    Additionally, Hotel Elan houses a gymnasium, business kiosk within the lobby and two meeting rooms for gatherings of as much as 15 individuals with state-of-the-art audio and video conferencing equipment. Just off the lobby, the Orchid Room transforms from a breakfast spot to gathering area, where guests can work, socialize and relax. Hotel Elan’s special touches and free amenities add significant value.  Each room has a fifteen-megabyte private/dedicated wired and wireless internet connection. Complimentary items include an everyday fresh, healthy breakfast, heated walkways to the hotel, an underground heated parking garage and telephone calls throughout North America and 73 countries worldwide. 

    New Resorts
    Among Ascend Hotel Collection’s other notable recent additions, 21 Bluegreen Vacation resorts came online this spring in one of the most country’s premier vacation destinations like Miami, Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas and Orlando. These properties feature luxurious vacation villas with multiple bedrooms and completely equipped kitchens in addition the whole gamut of resort amenities, including private beaches, spas, restaurants, children’s programs, shops and more.

    High Guest Satisfaction
    The Collection’s hotels garner consistently high guest satisfaction scores in addition to high rankings on TripAdvisor lists of their respective markets.  Several hotels also boast TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence. Prior to now two years, the group’s hotels have captured spots on such high-profile lists as Top 10 Hotels by the ocean in Coastal Living magazine and Top 10 Ny city Hotels by ReviewPro, a corporate that calculates rankings using data from the internet.

    “Travelers searching for unique hotels and authentic local experience,” Murphy said, “and that’s exactly Ascend Hotel Collection offers. The group’s remarkable growth, high guest satisfactions scores and robust performance mean we’re speaking the language of franchisees and their guests. The portfolio is an all-around win, with strong attract travelers, developers and independent hoteliers.”

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  • Horry takes Abu Dhabi tour to celebrate SportFest

    Legendary National Basketball Association player Robert Horry – a seven-time NBA Champion – has experienced a ‘magnificent seven’ of a further variety during a up to date trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

    The star draw of basketball week at SportFest, a sequence of weekly indoor sports clinics held at Yas Island’s du Forum during SummerFest Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s season destination extravaganza, Horry mixed business with pleasure and stopped in at several of Abu Dhabi’s major cultural and leisure tourism attractions.

    Horry’s whistle-stop trip included guided tours of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, probably the most important architectural treasures of modern UAE society, and the opulent Emirates Palace; a culture-rich voyage into the ancient pearl diving industry at the Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey; and a luxurious iftar (the evening meal where Muslims end daily fasts through the Holy Month of Ramadan) on the five-star Fairmont Bab Al Bahr inside the capital’s historic Khor Al Maqta area.

    Also at the agenda were a high-octane splash at Yas Waterworld, a mega aqua park on Abu Dhabi’s leisure entertainment district of Yas Island; a ‘dune bashing’ desert safari in a 4×4 before visiting a Bedouin camel farm; and a sumptuous spa treatment at ESPA on the five-star Yas Viceroy – the world’s only hotel straddling a Formula 1 track.

    After sampling multiple high-energy activities on his Abu Dhabi itinerary, the towering Horry didn’t hesitate when quizzed about which aspect of the trip would live longest within the memory.

    “The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tour, absolute confidence.

    “The mosque is among the most amazing pieces of architecture I’ve ever set my eyes on; it’s a remarkable homage to the country’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed.

    “I found the complete experience very educational and very humbling,” said Horry, who was shown across the mosque by the mosque’s Emirati tour guide, Faisal Al Ebri.

    Only six men inside the history of pro basketball have won more NBA Championship rings than Horry – and them all played for the all-conquering Boston Celtics team who won 11 of 13 titles between 1957 and 1969.

    Horry’s seven Championship rings were notched up at three different teams (Houston Rockets – 1994 and 1995; La Lakers – 2000, 2001 and 2002; and San Antonio Spurs – 2005 and 2007), while numerous memorable Playoff ‘clutch’ shots – dramatic baskets sunk at pivotal moments inside the final quarter of make-or-break games – earned him the nickname ‘Big Shot Rob.’

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  • News: The Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel opens

    The Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel had opened its doors just outside Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).

    Owned by an affiliate of Platinum Equity, the hotel completed a comprehensive multi-million dollar renovation before re-opening a good way to meet Sheraton brand standards. The outlet is a part of the Sheraton brand’s strategic $8 billion expansion effort.

    “Sheraton is delighted to be adding depth to our Pittsburgh portfolio with the addition of this ideally located property as we continue to expand the logo in dynamic markets, worldwide,” said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

    “Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel provides travelers with a trendy, comfortable and social atmosphere where they could enjoy the complete brand’s recently enhanced signature services and amenities.”

    As portion of its renovations, Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel implemented the Sheraton brand’s signature Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft – a social hub within the lobby where connections, whether face-to-face or webcam-to-webcam come about, and a Link@Sheraton Café.

    All 200 guest rooms were fully renovated and equipped with the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed, designed to fulfill AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria, in addition to an outsized work desk, ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet, and LCD flat panel television.

    Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel provides approximately 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with the whole latest in meetings technology. Additional amenities include an entire-service restaurant and lounge, outdoor pool, Sheraton Club Lounge, and completely renovated fitness facility featuring the brand’s revolutionary new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by Core Performance™, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

  • News: Accorhotels.com accelerates its development

    Accorhotels.com, the net multi-brand and multi-destination reservation website for Accor hotels, continues its development as a key actor of e-tourism. The web site traffic increased by 25% from 2010 to 2012. Greater than 100 million persons visited the web site last year. 10 online booking are registered every minute.

    Its success relies on its adaptations to the local specificities and to customers’ expectations. The web site comes in 14 languages and thru 31 geo-localized versions. The crowd will launch 2 new languages in 2013: a Turkish and an Arabic version.

    Remy Merckx, Accor Online Sales Director explains the website’s benefits from a customer perspective: “It is the right place to book probably the most Group’s brands. We guarantee the most effective price and the last room availability. Clients may book additional services (champagne, express breakfast, late check-out, …) and other activities on site due to the pre-stay email.”