Budget Tour Packages: Hotel

Showing posts with label Hotel. Show all posts

Sunday, May 1, 2011

New Look @ The Kowloon Hotel in Hong Kong

The 734-room Kowloon Hotel in Hong Kong will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2011 with a brand new look.

In preparation for its anniversary year, the hotel has just completed the first phase of refurbishments with a stylish new lobby, Club Lounge, new-look guest rooms on the Harbour Club Floors as well as Deluxe and Superior rooms.

In the second phase, which is due to start in December 2010, improvements will be focused on the remaining three floors of Standard and Superior rooms.

Under the theme of ?sophisticated luxury?, the lobby unveils a brand new arrival appearance with chic cream and black marble stone tiles, shaded mirror panels, and decorative golden copper feature walls.

The facelift also relocates the business centre beside the lobby, for greater accessibility, with a new Coffee Corner serving freshly brewed coffee and home-made cr?pes.

Combining leisure and business, the Club Lounge on the 17th Floor has been upgraded, and now offers complimentary high-speed wireless broadband Internet access, and complimentary all-day coffee and tea, continental breakfast, evening cocktails and more.

?With the enhanced facilities and our dedicated team of associates, we will catapult our guests' experience to new heights," said General Manager Victor Chan. ?For business or leisure, The Kowloon Hotel is always here to provide the highest degree of flexibility and convenience.?

Located on Nathan Road atop Seibu Department Store in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, The Kowloon Hotel?s comprehensive facilities include restaurants renowned for exquisite dim sum, Chinese specialities, northern Italian cuisine and lavish international buffets.

The Kowloon Hotel is a member of WORLDHOTELS.

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Choice Opens Clarion Hotel in Sydney

Clarion, a division of the Choice Hotels Group, has launched its third Sydney property, and its 16th in Australia, with the opening of Clarion Hotel on the Park at Parramatta.

Formerly the Courtyard by Marriott Parramatta, the rebranded property will be totally refurbished over the next 12 months, with work due to commence in the first quarter of 2011.

Clarion and the Clarion Collection are the prestige brands of the Choice Group, with properties in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania and North Queensland.

Located at 18-40 Anderson Street, Parramatta, the six-storey Clarion Hotel on the Park has 181 rooms ? 150 standard rooms and 30 suites. It also has 11 meeting rooms, covering a total of 371 square metres.

Louise Byrom, newly appointed as General Manager of the Clarion Hotel on the Park Parramatta, said the property would focus on business clientele during the week and leisure visitors from regional NSW or the local community during weekends and holiday periods.

Ms Byrom was previously General Manager at the property when it was part of the Courtyard by Marriott network before transferring to her most recent position as General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott North Ryde.

?Parramatta is a major commercial hub in western Sydney, and we will redevelop this property to offer a fresh option for business travellers to this region,? Ms Byrom said. ?We also will offer a high quality option for leisure visitors and groups from regional NSW and local communities, particularly those seeking ease of access to the entertainment, sports and exhibition centres of Homebush Bay and the Sydney Olympic sites.?

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New Hotel Managers @ Unique Hotels in Thailand

The Unique Collection of Hotels & Resorts has appointed the following new Hotel Managers:

Mr. Peter Dietze has been appointed as Resort Manager of Absolute Sanctuary (Koh Samui). Peter starts his new challenge at Absolute Sanctuary (Koh Samui) today - 20 October, 2010.

Peter has over 17 years experience in the hospitality industry and his previous posts include General Manager & Island Chief of Mirihi Island Resort (Maldives), Regional General Manager of Precise Hotel Collection (Berlin), Resident EAM/Director of F & B of Centara Grand (Krabi) and General Manager of LH2 (Austria). With a strong passion for wellness Peter has also been opening GM for Wellness Resorts under the Falkensteiner Hotels & Resorts group.

Originally from Germany, Peter?s career has brought him from Munich to Salzburg to Krabi, the Maldives and now to Koh Samui.

Mr. Stefan Schmidt has been appointed as Hotel Manager of Ban Sabai Sunset Beach Samui. Stefan started his new challenge at Ban Sabai Sunset Beach Samui on 18 October 2010.

Stefan has extensive experiences in hotel hospitality both International and Thailand. Prior to joining Ban Sabai, Stefan?s previous posts included being International Sales Manager at Emerald, Bangkok, Managing Director of JST Hotel Management Corp, Bangkok, Resident Manager at Atlantis Resort & Spa, Koh Samui and Executive Assistant Manager of Novotel Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow, Russia.

Originally from Sweden, Stefan is fluent in German, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian and has a basic knowledge in French and Spanish.

Mr. Christoph Behrend has been appointed as Hotel Manager of Samui Palm Beach Resort. Christoph started his new challenge at Samui Palm Beach Resort on 1 October 2010.

He has over 13 years experience in hotel hospitality. Prior to joining, Christoph?s previous posts included being a General Manager at The Dewa Koh Chang, Koh Chang, a Resident Manager at Thavorn Palm Beach Resort, Phuket, a General Manager of Panviman Resort, Koh Chang and a Resident Manager/Room Division Manager of Park Hotel Boppard, Germany.

Christoph is originally from Germany, and is fluent in English and Thai.

Khun Montri Bhamornbutr has been appointed as Hotel Manager of Ranyatavi Resort Phang Nga. Khun Montri started his new challenge at Ranyatavi Resort Phang Nga on 15 October 2010.

Khun Montri has over 25 years experience in hotel hospitality. Prior to joining the Ranyatavi Resort, Khun Montri?s previous posts included being a Resident Manager at 5Veronica Residence, Food & Beverage Manager at Bangkok Palace Hotel, Manager at Sea Pearl Residence and General Manager at Royal Park Hotel Ltd., Nigeria. He is fluent in Thai and English.

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Mandarin Oriental Signs Hotel in Shanghai

Mandarin Oriental has signed an agreement to manage a new, luxury hotel currently under construction in Pudong, Shanghai. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2013.

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai will be located in the heart of the Lujiazui Central Financial District. The property will form part of ?Harbour City? a 25 hectare mixed use development, comprising office towers, a residential complex, significant retail and extensive landscaped gardens that will transform the neighbourhood.

The development is within walking distance of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the regional headquarters of major domestic and international financial institutions, and has direct access to the promenade on the banks of the Huangpu River.

The hotel will feature 362 guestrooms and 210 serviced apartments offering views of the city skyline and the Huangpu River.

Guests will be able to enjoy an array of dining opportunities, with a choice of three restaurants, a lobby lounge and bar, and a Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop.

For the local community, an extensive range of stylish banqueting venues, including a grand ballroom, will provide a perfect backdrop for celebrations, while a wide variety of well-equipped meeting rooms will appeal to the business community.

The hotel is ideally placed for leisure guests with direct access to extensive gardens. An all-encompassing Spa at Mandarin Oriental, will provide holistic rejuvenation and relaxation in a serene, meditative setting and there will also be 25-metre indoor swimming pool and a fully comprehensive fitness centre.

The hotel is being designed by world-renowned architect, Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica.

The project owner is Shanghai Rui Ming Real Estate Company; a joint venture between the Hong Kong listed CITIC Pacific Limited and the PRC state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai is approximately 40 minutes from Hongqiao International airport and 50 minutes from Pudong International airport.

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Regal Kangbo Hotel Opens in Dezhou, Shandong

The Regal Kangbo Hotel has opened in the city of Dezhou, China. The hotel is easily accessible from the Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, only 70 minutes drive away and 10 minutes from the railway station of Dezhou.

The hotel is one of the highest buildings in the city at 100 metres high and comprises a 22-storey diamond-type tower and 3-storey podium.

The hotel includes a total of 215 guestrooms, Regal Club Floors and 25 suites. The guest rooms are equipped with the latest technology including broadband internet access, 42-inch LCD television with extensive choice of national and international satellite TV channels. In addition, a selection of rooms is furnished with kitchenette facilities to cater for long-stay guests.

Three restaurants and bars offer Chinese, Western and International cuisine.

Regal Kangbo Hotel has 7 function rooms and a 650 square metres grand ballroom, with a maximum capacity of 800 persons.

Other facilities include a Business Centre, Health Club, beauty salon, yoga room, chess room and spa room.

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New General Manager @ Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

Mr. Christophe Geoffroy has been appointed as the new General Manager of the 612-room Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

Christophe Geoffroy started his hotel career in 1989 as Chef de Rang at Hotel Tahiti Beachcomber in Polynesia. His career eventually brought him to Accor with the Ibis Hotels in France as Executive Assistant Manager in charge of Food & Beverages. In 1995, Christophe embarked for Asia as the Resident Manager opening Novotel Toraja as well as Novotel Benoa Bali in Indonesia.

At the age of 31, Christophe became General Manager of the Novotel Vientiane in Lao P.D.R. and then shifted to work in Accor?s Shanghai Head Office on re-branding projects. As a Resident Manager and General Manager, Sofitel Hyland Shanghai, Novotel Century Harbourview in Hong Kong, and Sofitel Dongguan Royal Lagoon, in China, were his last three hotels before moving to Thailand for the first time.

Mr. Christophe Geoffroy graduated with a Brevet de Technician Hotelier from the Hotel & Tourism School in Marseille, France, specializing in Hotel Management, in 1987.

?Passion and love are two things I have both for the hotel industry and my job, which is now entering its 21st year. I?m glad to be in Thailand and I trust that my expertise, leadership and commitment to excellent guest service will fit in well at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi. I aim to grow and improve customer services as well as set a complementary overall strategy for the owner and Accor,? said Mr. Geoffroy.

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Absolute Hotel Services signs U Hotel in Doha, Qatar

Thailand-based Absolute Hotel Services is expanding its U Hotels & Resorts brand with the signing of its first hotel in Doha, Qatar.

The 120-room U Le Mirage Doha, which is scheduled to open in August 2011, will feature 78 superior rooms, 36 deluxe rooms and 6 suites with room sizes ranging from 33 square meters for superior rooms to 66 square meters for suites.

Each room will offer guests luxury bedding with deluxe amenities including a LCD flat screen television, a comfortable lounge area, wired and Wi-Fi internet access along with a work desk fitted with an iPod and iDocking station.

U Le Mirage Doha will also feature a 24-hour multi ethnic restaurant, a caf? with a deli and an exquisite roof top lounge.

Guests have the option of keeping fit in a state of the art fitness centre with views of the Doha skyline or simply unwinding in the pool which has an outdoor Jacuzzi. Guests can also relax and rejuvenate at the traditional spa facility equipped with two single en-suite treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, sauna, an indoor plunge pool, Jacuzzi and a Vichy shower treatment room.

The hotel caters for meetings and social events with 280 square meters of floor area allocated specially for three meeting rooms and a boardroom. A fully equipped business centre with a library will be located adjacent to the meeting rooms providing guests the convenience of PC stations and internet access.

?We are delighted to announce the expansion of the U Hotels & Resorts brand into the Middle East. Doha is an alluring blend of culture and contemporary lifestyle which aligns perfectly with our brand essence. We are confident U Le Mirage Doha will be an iconic flagship marking the commencement of our aggressive expansion into the region. In the near future, we will be announcing four new hotels under the U Brand umbrella for the region? said Mr. Jonathan Wigley, CEO of Absolute Hotel Services Co. Ltd. ?U le Mirage Doha will be very popular with those who seek character, convenience, efficiency and uncomplicated services in a hotel; yet want to be inspired and cared for by genuine hospitality. Our unique brand attributes and services namely the 24 hours use of the room, breakfast whenever wherever, free Wi-Fi and more will be some of the many key demand and differentiating drivers for this beautifully designed hotel. Undoubtedly, U Le Mirage, Doha will prove itself to be the quintessential business and social destination for the city of Doha.?

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STR Reports Global Hotel Statistics for September 2010

According to data compiled by STR Global, hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced increases in all three key performance metrics for September 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars. In year-over-year measurements, the Asia Pacific region's ORs rose 7.4% to 66.9%, ADR increased 11% to US$135.54, and RevPAR jumped 19.2% to US$90.71.

"The September numbers were eagerly anticipated results as they should give us a good indication how strong the RevPAR recovery across the region really is," said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. "September 2009 was the first month last year in which hoteliers reported only single-digit declines compared to the prior year. Therefore it was interesting to see if the double-digit growth we have seen so far this year would continue this month."

"September 2010 is now the 10th month with around 20% RevPAR growth for Asia Pacific", Randall continued. "One particularly strong market is Shanghai, China. The World Expo in Shanghai, which broke previous Expo attendance records and which ends in October, boosted Shanghai's year-to-date RevPAR performance 64% compared to the same timeframe last year."

Highlights from key market performers for September 2010: (year-on-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars)

- Shanghai achieved the largest increases in all three key performance metrics. The market's occupancy rose 29.5% to 73.3%, ADR increased 34.2% to US$142.64, and RevPAR jumped 73.8% to US$104.50.
- Jakarta, Indonesia, ended the month with a 22.5% occupancy increase to 58.2%.
- Two markets posted occupancy decreases: Bangkok, Thailand (-1.5% to 53.7%), and Seoul, South Korea (-0.6% to 83.7%).
- Two markets, excluding Shanghai, reported ADR increases of more than 20%: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (+21.7% to US$113.24), and New Delhi, India (+20.2% to US$186.77).
- Along with Shanghai, Jakarta (+45.5% to US$46.96) and Kuala Lumpur (+39.4% to US$71.38) reported largest RevPAR increases for the month.

The Americas

The Americas region recorded positive results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollars for September 2010.

The region's OR rose 6.6% to 60.1%, ADR went up 2.3% to US$101.07, and RevPAR increased 9.1% to US$60.78.

Among the key markets in the region, Santiago, Chile, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 17.1% to 66.6%, followed by Miami, Florida, with a 12.1% increase to 59.3%.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, was the only market to experience decreases in any of the three key metrics. The market's occupancy fell 5.5% to 59.8%, ADR ended the month virtually flat with a 0.2% decrease to US$135.67, and RevPAR was down 5.7% to US$81.08.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, posted the largest ADR increase, rising 24.7% to US$190.18, followed by Sao Paulo, Brazil (+16.5% to US$115.50), and Santiago (+15% to US$142.61).

Five markets reported RevPAR increases of more than 20%: Rio de Janeiro (+37.1% to US$138.79); Santiago (+34.7% to US$94.91); Sao Paulo (+29.2% to US$81.15); Mexico City, Mexico (+27.0% to US$71.97); and Montreal, Canada (+22.5% to US$100.75).

Europe

The European hotel industry posted positive results in year-on-year metrics when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for September 2010, according to data compiled by STR Global.

"September saw the highest monthly occupancy and average room rate so far for this year," said Elizabeth Randall. "With 74.8% occupancy and EUR106.68 ADR, Europe also achieved its highest RevPAR of EUR79.78. One has to go back to September 2008 to get a similar RevPAR (EUR82.86). As the continued RevPAR recovery gains strength, the outlook looks brighter for the European markets despite the continued risks to the wider economies and the hotel markets."

Highlights from key market performers for September include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in euros):

- Prague, Czech Republic, reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 20% to 80.4%, followed by Istanbul, Turkey, with a 19.8% increase to 81.4%.
- Athens, Greece, posted an occupancy decrease of -5.4% to 72.9%.
- Stockholm, Sweden, experienced the largest ADR increase, rising 34.8% to EUR152.18, followed by Cologne, Germany (+30% to EUR119.21), and Geneva, Switzerland (+29.1% to EUR241.08).
- Two markets posted double-digit ADR decreases: Vienna, Austria (-22.3% to EUR95.83), and Aberdeen, Scotland (-15.5% to EUR83.58).
- Four markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 35%: Stockholm (+49.1% to EUR127.44); Geneva (+45.3% to EUR183.69); Cologne (+42.5% to EUR95.48); and Munich, Germany (+37.5% to EUR134.44).
- Vienna (-15.2% to EUR81.66) and Aberdeen (-13.8% to EUR64.23) reported the largest RevPAR decreases for the month.

Middle East / Africa

According to STR Global, the Middle East / Africa region reported increases in all three key performance measurements for September 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars.

The region's occupancy ended the month with a 5.6% increase to 58.2%, ADR rose 8.2% to US$147.39, and RevPAR went up 14.2% to US$85.80.

"The Middle East/Africa region's performance was boosted in September with strong performances across Northern Africa. However, the subregion's 15.9% ADR increase to US$87.73 is still only half of the average rates achieved across the Middle East subregion (US$189.18)," said Ms. Randall. "We mentioned last month that we were looking forward to seeing September results, as the Middle East subregion had reported the first ADR increase in August. Unfortunately, we have to wait for this trend to stabilise. The impact of the changing Ramadan periods from 2009 to 2010 is making a reading of the current month's performance harder, and it will be interesting to see how October ends."

Highlights among the region's key markets for September include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in U.S. dollars):

- Amman, Jordan, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 39.2% to 57.7%, followed by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a 22.3% increase to 41.9%.
- Three markets posted occupancy decreases: Johannesburg, South Africa (-10% to 56.7%); Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (-8.6% to 63.1%); and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (-7.8% to 57.5%).
- Johannesburg reported the largest ADR increase, rising 32.5% to US$124.34.
- Abu Dhabi fell 27.8% in ADR to US$142.65, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.
- Three markets experienced RevPAR increases of more than 30%: Amman (+48.5% to US$82.84); Beirut, Lebanon (+31.3% to US$193.94); and Cairo, Egypt (+30.1% to US$81.73).
- Two markets reported RevPAR decreases for the month: Abu Dhabi (-33.4% to US$81.96) and Jeddah (-9.1% to US$132.55).

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