Best Holiday Lettings

Category: News

  • News: IHIF 2013: Hotel Partners Africa set for launch

    Four pre-eminent consultants to the hotel industry in Africa have joined forces to launch Hotel Partners Africa, a brand new consultancy offering a comprehensive range of services to hotel owners, operators and investors, from initial feasibility to sale and exit.

    The consultants are: W Hospitality Group, an award-winning hospitality consultancy based in West Africa, which has advised on over 3,000 projects, Leisure Property Services, a pace-setter in hospitality valuations and transactions, whose founder have been instumental in over €30 billion of hotel transactions and has written an acclaimed book on hotel valuation, Hotel Spec, a South Africa-based hospitality development manager and procurement agent with over 20 years’ experience bringing new developments to completion and Vernon Page, a world expert with a fifteen year track record in asset management and the procurement of finance for hospitality projects.

    Hotel Partners Africa offers unparalleled advice and a continuing service through the lifecycle of a hotel venture in Africa, covering feasibility & market studies, sourcing funding & finance, development management, procurement, asset management and sales.

    The combined client list includes a number of the biggest names inside the hospitality industry in Africa: Auspex Properties, Barclays, Beneficial Life, Crowne Plaza, DEG, Kingdom Hotel Investments, Hilton, HSBC, IDC, IFC, InterContinental, Marriott, NAMA, Park Plaza, Premier Inn, Opulent, Radisson, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sonarwa IG, Starwood and traditional Life amongst others

    This collaboration was a natural evolution of the founding partners, Trevor Ward, Mark Martinovic, David Harper and Vernon Page, who’ve often worked together on different aspects of a client’s business and feature observed an increasing appetite for a whole turn-key solution.

    HPA, Director, Vernon Page said: “Africa has conspicuously lacked an integrated complete-solutions provider with the credentials to offer a unbroken and professional advisory service inside the lifecycle of a hotel project. 

    “By creating this ‘one-stop shop’, Hotel Partners Africa is filling that gap available in the market. 

    “Our aim is to construct long-standing relationships with major players, particularly the hotel chains, developers, fund managers, contractors and homeowners and to produce them with a comprehensive and highly proactive service.”

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  • Fairmont Heritage Place opens in Mayakoba

    Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the most recent addition to its private residence club offering with the launch of Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba.

    Located within the most exclusive resort complex of the Mexican Caribbean, inside the vibrant heart of the Mayan Riviera, Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba is a dream conceived by OHLD and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. 

    Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba features 30 exclusive residences sold in 1/12 fractions available in three-bedroom units with spacious terraces and 4-bedroom units with private terrace, plunge pools and roof top garden access.

    All feature large en-suite bathrooms, full kitchens and open concept dining and living areas.

    Buyers gain interest in a worldwide-class residence without the hassles of home ownership and prefer different kinds of real estate, ownership interests might be sold, willed, deeded or placed in a trust.

    Located inside the award-winning Mayakoba resort development – renowned for its singular ecosystem of dunes, jungle, mangrove forests and freshwater lagoons – the residences are set far from the beach to give protection to the integrity of the coastal mangroves, home to myriad indigenous species of fish, birds and mammals.

    Owners gain access to world-class golf on Mayakoba’s 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed El Camaleón championship course, host to the one PGA TOUR event in Latin America and the Jim McLean Golf School.

    Dining and spa privileges also are included in any respect of Mayakoba’s three hotels – Fairmont, Rosewood, and Banyan Tree Mayakoba, easily accessed via the Mayakoba Connection ferry service connecting the 3 properties.

    Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba offers owner’s luxury amenities including access to airport transfers, valet parking, concierge services, daily housekeeping, 24-hour room service, preferred rates at Fairmont’s Willow Stream Spa and an exclusive, well-appointed Club House complete with owner’s lounge, bar, fitness and yoga facilities, a personal pool and teenage and youngsters play areas.

    As an added incentive, owners can utilize their allotted time at other Fairmont Heritage Place locations world wide or enjoy exchange privileges at Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel’s worldwide number of distinctive hotels and resorts and during the extensive portfolio of The Registry Collection program.

    “The addition of Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba continues our residential growth process of creating communities of the very best quality; that supply owners access to the world’s most spectacular locations,” said Jennifer Fox, president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

    “We are pleased to supply our new Riviera Maya homeowners an awesome range of luxury services and leisure amenities affiliated with the Mayakoba community, in addition to unique club-to-hotel exchange privileges both here and throughout our Fairmont Heritage Place portfolio.”

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  • News: Virgin set to launch Little Red in UK

    Virgin has confirmed that its new domestic airline, set to launch on the end of the month, may be called Little Red.

    The carrier will launch on March 31st in Manchester, on April 5th in Edinburgh and April 9th in Aberdeen.

    Initially the airline will offer four daily round-trips between London Heathrow and Manchester, six daily round-trips to Edinburgh and 3 daily round-trips to Aberdeen.

    Virgin hopes Little Red will grow to rival British Airways, providing short-haul connections for long-haul Virgin Atlantic routes.

    Richard Branson, president, Virgin Atlantic, said: “Virgin Atlantic have been on a tremendous journey since we started with a single plane 29 years ago.

    ”Little Red represents the next move on that journey as we go face to face with British Airways to supply domestic flights that deliver Virgin Atlantic’s rock and roll spirit in addition to real value for money.

    ”The European Commission recognised that a British Airways monopoly will be undeniably bad for consumers and Virgin Atlantic Little Red will stop British Airways dominating routes and driving higher prices.”

    Customers could be allowed 23kg luggage check-in, pre-assigned seats, complimentary snacks and drinks and hot breakfasts on early morning flights.

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  • News: Ebookers launches new ‘Bucket List’ Facebook app

    Thirty-four percent of Brits have an active ‘bucket list’ of factors to do before they die, in step with a survey by leading online travel agent ebookers.com.

    In response to this, ebookers.com has launched the primary bucket list application on Facebook and invites you to share the places that make your list of final activities and places to look.

    The new app means that you can build your own dream ‘bucket list’ with the entire must-do experiences around the globe that you’ve got completed or want to.  Users can invite Facebook friends to construct their very own lists and share amongst groups.  They could also access this app on-the-go using a smartphone – what better technique to ‘tick’ off an experience than to upload a picture because it happens

    To help inspire you, the interactive app also provides travel experiences and activities to aid travellers compile their lists from trekking within the Himalayas to a miles flung beach holiday within the Caribbean.

    Tamara Askew, Social Media Manager for ebookers, comments:  “We’re encouraging customers to take a look at somewhere new in 2013. To make it easier for every person to get out and do those experiences they’ve always dreamed of, we’re providing users of our new Facebook app the prospect to win one in every of their bucket list trips.  All you’ll want to do is add one pre-existing or yet-to be-completed experience for your list and you’ll automatically be entered within the competition.”

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  • News: Westin opens in Chennai, India

    Westin Hotels and Resorts, portion of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, today announced the outlet of The Westin Chennai Velachery. Strategically located within the fast growing business district of Chennai within the Southern a part of India, The Westin Chennai Velachery is the sixth Westin hotel in India and the primary out of 7 new Westin hotels expected to open in 2013 across Asia Pacific.

    “The Westin Chennai Velachery is an important addition to our strong Westin portfolio in India,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “We are delighted with the success of the logo and the rave reviews it has received from our guests. The prime location of The Westin Chennai Velachery and the draw of the signature Westin experience, designed to give our guests slightly well-being within the center of the colourful city of Chennai, make us confident that this new landmark hotel will soon become a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers.”

    A Modern-Day Oasis in the middle of Chennai

    Located within 20-minute drive from Chennai Domestic and International Airport, the hotel provides convenient accessibility to Guindy business district, OMR-IT corridor, city center and Chennai Trade Centre.

    Nestled amidst lush greenery of Chennai, the hotel’s sensory rich environment offers a refreshing respite from the bustling metropolitan city and lines a wide ranging view of the cityscape and the encompassing green environment. Upon entering the hotel’s lobby, guests are transported from the typical and are greeted with 35-feet cascading water body located within the central courtyard of the hotel. Visible from the most important lobby, Seasonal Tastes™ restaurant is a spectacular visual delight offering international cuisine with live cooking stations.

    A New Haven for Travelers

    The hotel offers 215 spacious and lavishly appointed guestrooms and suites with refreshing pool or city skyline views. Each guestroom is outfitted with the realm-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed – an oasis of lush sheets, down and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and features to the body for truly restorative sleep. Guests can revive inside the Heavenly® Bath enhanced with the brand’s Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and White Tea Aloe bath amenities, in-room and high-speed Internet access.

    Westin brand’s innovative programs and instinctive service transform every aspect of a guest’s stay into revitalizing comfort making the hotel ideal for rejuvenation both for the business in addition to the leisure traveler. The Westin Executive Club located at the top floor, is indeed a very exclusive and pampering experience. It offers panoramic views of the town with complimentary breakfast, Wireless Internet Access, and evening cocktail service with an eclectic collection of hors d’oeuvres.

    The Westin Chennai Velachery offers the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio. For many who opt to combine their workout routine with fresh air and native scenery, the hotel also offers a set run with the special RunWESTIN™ program. Guests can enjoy a refreshing dip within the outdoor swimming pool, or pick from the rejuvenating bouquet of massages and therapies on the Heavenly Spa by Westin™.

    Replenish and nourish the body with one of the most many distinctive culinary experiences on the hotel’s three restaurants: Seasonal Tastes, the contemporary all day dining restaurant, features an eclectic display of local and International cuisine in addition Westin brand’s signature SuperfoodsRx™ menu that gives nutrient rich and delicious options to tempt every palate; experience the flavors of authentic Pan Asia delicacies at EEST™; or, make amends for favourite sport with a heady choice of beverages on the cricket themed lounge bar- Willows. The open-air Poolside Grill & Barbeque venue serves a repertoire of Latin American, Middle Eastern and Indian grills with the option in barbeque offerings.

    State-of-the-art meeting space

    With over 12,600 square feet of refined meeting and serve as space, including 2 large pillar-less ballrooms and 12 break-out rooms and a Business Center, the hotel is a perfect host for everything from intimate business affairs to massive-scale corporate meetings. Equipped with high-speed internet access, sophisticated audio visual technology, and primary of its kind ergonomically designed performance chair, the hotel offers inspiring and smart solutions for a distinguishing meeting and social experience.

    “Making a mark with its sophisticated style, instinctive service and native & international cuisine, The Westin Chennai Velachery is a highly anticipated addition to the portfolio of 5 star hotels within the city of Chennai. We believe that business travelers, meeting planners and individual travelers may be delighted with the Westin emphasis on well-being and the innovative signature services which have earned Westin worldwide recognition,” says Shrikant Wakharkar, General Manager.

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