February 2016 - Page 2 of 4

18th February 2016

Vienna Hotel Changes Ownership

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that it has closed on the sale of Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna to Al Habtoor Investment – the investment arm of UAE conglomerate Al Habtoor Group for $78.8 million USD. As part of the transaction, all rooms and suites of the iconic hotel will be renovated over the next four years. Hotel Imperial will continue to operate as part of The Luxury Collection brand under a new long-term management agreement.

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founder and Chairman, Al Habtoor Group, said: “Hotel Imperial is one of Europe’s most extraordinary luxury hotels and a premium addition to our growing global portfolio. We look forward to making further improvements to this legendary property and continuing to provide exceptional luxury hospitality to the next generation of luxury travellers.”

Hotel Imperial is the fifth Starwood property in the Group’s portfolio of 14 world-class hotels, joining the newly opened The St Regis Dubai, as well as the upcoming W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City and The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.

Built in 1863 as Prince Philipp of Württemberg’s Viennese residence, Hotel Imperial was transformed into a hotel to accommodate visitors of the 1873 World’s Fair. Situated on the iconic Ringstrasse (Ring Boulevard) in the city’s centre, Hotel Imperial occupies a prime location at Kärntner Ring 16. The luxury hotel is next to the legendary Musikverein concert hall and a short walk from attractions such as the Vienna State Opera, Kunsthistorisches Museum and Secession Building.

17th February 2016

Marco Pierre White Steak House Opens In Doubletree By Hilton Islington

Marco Pierre White Steak House, Bar & Grill opened this week on 16th February at the DoubleTree by Hilton London Islington, which is just a short walk from Angel tube station.

Marco’s restaurant concept is all about offering good, quality food at affordable prices in a glamorous setting. As you would expect, the Steakhouse will offer a great range of steaks in addition to some of Marco’s signature dishes.

17th February 2016

Re-Branding Of Ardencote Manor

As of February 15th, Ardencote Manor Hotel, Country Club and Spa will re-brand and become simply “Ardencote”.

After receiving significant investment throughout 2105 the refurbishment includes;

Conference Café Stations
New Executive Boardroom Furniture
New state of the art Wireless Audio Visual equipment
18 Hole Golf Course
Car park extension offering 450 FREE space
Light refurbishment in ALL bedrooms
New life fitness cardiovascular gym equipment
Extensive offering of lake activities.

In 2016 the hotel aim to update their systems so that they can continue to offer a timely and professional services for enquiries and client proposals and look to develop other areas of the business by offering Exclusive Use packages in areas of the Hotel, more Private Dining and Executive Conference Space and much much more.

16th February 2016

Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile’S Refurbishment

Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile is currently undergoing a €70,000,000 refurbishment which is due to be completed summer 2018. The extensive refurb of the whole hotel will include all guest rooms, taking the total up to 950, public areas and event spaces. The largest meeting room,can accommodate up to 700 delegates and can offer a further 25 break out rooms. The hotel is directly connected to Palias de Congrés, therefore works well for bedrooms if an event is being held there.

15th February 2016

The New Pullman Liverpool Hotel Has Opened

The 4 star Pullman Liverpool Hotel opened its doors on 5th February 2016, it is the first ever new build for Pullman in the UK, the launch marks a major milestone in the development of the brand within the UK market.

Situated at King’s Dock on Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront and adjoining ACC Liverpool, Pullman Liverpool has opened as one of the city’s most stylish hotels and the latest addition to the ACC Liverpool Campus, which is home to BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena and Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

Guests to the hotel can expect to discover the same high spec design and cosmopolitan vibe that is synonymous with the brand and our other flagship hotel, Pullman London St Pancras. From the striking glass-fronted façade through to the rooms and public areas, the hotel design reflects the rich marine influence of the city and its docks. The hotel has a total of 216 rooms, which include Superior, Deluxe, Executive and two Suites, all offer a range of up scale amenities.

The hotel boasts three meeting rooms, a Connectivity Lounge, Fit Lounge with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, dedicated Executive floor with access to the exhibition centre and a sleek Executive Lounge.

12th February 2016

PalÁCio Do Governador A New Boutique Hotel

A new boutique hotel has opened in Belem – the area to the west of the city famous for its UNESCO listed monuments. The former palatial home of the governor of the Tower of Belem has now been lovingly converted into a 60-bedroom property.

Built on the site of the former house of the governor of the Tower of Belém, exquisitely restored, on top of roman ruins probably from the 1st to the 5th century, the Palácio do Governador is a palatial building with a reception that once was a chapel, a restaurant with original domes as ceilings and contemporary SPA that’s linked to the ancient thermal traditions of Mediterranean cultures. Close to the Tagus and national historic monuments, the Palácio do Governador is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to be in Lisbon, within easy reach of everything, from culture to leisure yet away from the frenzy of the city centre.

12th February 2016

5 Key Marriott Hotel Group Facts

The London Marriott Hotel Kensington recently won the Best Conference Venue – less than 500 delegates from Conference Awards for their “Next Gen” Meeting space.

The Renaissance Manchester Hotel – Business Unusual, we speak to the modern discoverer in all of us who lives to unearth Manchester’s hidden gems. Indigenous, Independent, Intriguing. Meetings and events for up to 400 delegates, where we can we will try to tailor evenings in with specific conference dates so there is ongoing R Life entertainment and bar rituals taking place for attendees.

Worsley Park, Marriott Hotel & Country Club (Manchester) – Founded in 1894 on part of the Earl of Ellesmere Estate at Broadoak Park. Perfect setting in 200 acres of woodland and greenery with scenic walk trails and a PGA 18 hole golf course.

Manchester Airport Marriott Hotel – Situated in a great location minutes from the airport train station and bus station, and situated off the M56 at Jct 6. Perfect for day conference delegates . Extensive leisure facilities included in the rates for residents.

The London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale – As a result of surveys conducted throughout the year, Marriott customers rated Maida Vale within the top 10 Marriott hotels in the UK for their events service and quality in 2015.

11th February 2016

Launch Of The Arbor City Hotel

The Arbor Group have announced the launch of the Arbour City Hotel, the small luxury hotel, conveniently located next to Aldgate East underground station in the City of London, has had a complete refurbishment.The hotel offers modern, affordable and flexible meeting space all equipped with latest AV equipment and able to host up to 150 delegates, the function area also includes a small exclusive cinema room perfect for the more intimate numbers.

The hotels 115 air conditioned bedrooms have also been completely refurbished and the Arbor City is one of the only central London hotels to offer private parking on site.

10th February 2016

Fairview Hotel Refurbishments

Recently in the office we had a visit from Fairview Hotels, who are a small collection of Accor-branded hotels (and one independent), centred on Hertfordshire. The group have launched a refurbishment programme across most of their properties, with Novotel Stevenage being one of the first under the scalpel, and is due to become move from a 3* to a 4* property. The hotel is based just off the A1, within easy reach of the M25. Novotel Nottingham East Midlands has also started a refurbishment, and is also due to move from a 3* to a 4* category. The Mercure Letchworth, a 15-20 minute drive from the Novotel Stevenage, has also begun a full refurbishment of its meeting space, which is due to be completed by the end of March 2016.

10th February 2016

Holiday Inn Manchester City Centre Due To Open April 2016

The Holiday Inn Manchester, due to open towards the end of April 2016, is the newest addition to Manchester’s city centre, the stylish hotel is located just a short walk from Piccadilly Station. The hotel has 296 air conditioned guest rooms and 10 spacious meeting rooms that boast floor to ceiling windows and leading edge audio visual and communication equipment.

The hotel also offers the fastest high speed WI-FI in the city, a Starbucks coffee station and a fully equipped gym.