Destinations such as Singapore, Hanoi and the Philippines can provide an exciting and varied backdrop to most events, not to mention being great for incentives.
Another destination that never fails to impress is Bangkok, where we have recently opened our first hotel in the city. Situated in the city’s upscale business district, the five star Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok’s 297 bedrooms and 330 sq m of event space are designed around a central 2 storey waterfall and local Lelawadee tree. The hotel’s showpiece is the rooftop pool and terrace, which can be used for receptions and events.
Elsewhere in Thailand the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach in Phuket is capable of welcoming up to 800 guests in its Grand Ballroom, and its easy connections to Bangkok transform this exotic destination into a great MICE destination.
Sticking with the theme of sun, sand and seminars, we’ll soon be opening in exotic Bali as well as Kuala Lumpur and Colombo… so stay tuned!
London remains top hotel investment pick in Europe
For the second year in succession, London has been voted the most attractive hotel investment destination in Europe, according to a survey of senior hospitality industry figures by Deloitte, the business advisory firm.
Almost a third (31%) of respondents ranked the UK’s capital as the number one hotel investment destination in 2016, ahead of joint-second Barcelona and Madrid (both 27%), which were narrowly followed by Amsterdam (26%). Paris slipped to fifth place after being second last year. London’s ranking comes despite more than half of respondents (57%) regarding the city as being ‘overvalued’.
Nick van Marken, global head of hospitality at Deloitte, commented: “London is again the standout. Some 2,500 luxury hotel rooms alone have been announced as opening by 2021, with an investment value we calculate as in excess of £3bn. When you consider all the other hotel projects, the total investment pouring into the city is phenomenal.
Outside London, Scottish cities ranked in two out of the top three regional UK investment destinations. For the second year in succession, respondents named Edinburgh (47%) as the most attractive investment destination in the regions, followed by a Manchester (40%) and Glasgow (23%).
Two-thirds (64%) of industry leaders expect regional RevPAR to grow in the region of 3-5% in 2016.
The rise in labour costs is anticipated to be an issue for regional UK hoteliers in the next 12 months (53% of respondents). New hotel supply (42%) and the possibility of an interest rate rise (33%) were also cited as potential threats to the UK regional market.
Despite this, over a third (34%) of industry leaders expect to see price multiples of 12 times or more in the UK regions, further supporting the view that the health of the regional UK hotel industry is currently very strong.
A 120 bedroom Moxy Hotel is planned for the Hungate area of York, at the moment there is outline planning consent for the development.
Moxy Hotels is Marriott International’s new economy hotel brand created to shake up the hotel industry with fresh attitude and modern flair. Designed for travellers looking for something fun, stylish and a bit edgy, Moxy’s buzzy lobby, tech-savvy guest rooms and intuitive service offers a refreshing alternative to traditional and often uninspiring economy hotels.
Harbour Hotels has added three hotels to their group, with the purchase of properties in Brighton, Bristol and Salcombe. The group already has hotels in Christchurch and St Ives, has recently opened a hotel in Salcombe and a property in Ocean Village Southampton will open in June 2017.
The new Brighton hotel will be the current Umi Hotel on the seafront, with 78 bedrooms and is located close to the pier. When completed it will be called the Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa and have the city’s only rooftop pool.
In Bristol, Harbour Hotels will develop a 42 bedroom hotel from two former bank buildings in the city centre. The event space will be in what was previously the banking hall.
In Salcombe the group will have a second hotel, with ‘Tides Reach’ on South Sands beach joining the Group. A wing with 40 additional bedrooms will be added.
The Group’s Jetty restaurants will be included in all the new properties and the menus feature sustainable, local seafood.
Barcel Emperatriz, Madrid – new 5* hotel opening in January 2016
The new 5* hotel Barceló Emperatiz is due to open in January 2016, the former 19th century Palace is located in the Salamanca neighbourhood, the new completely remodelled hotel is inspired by the life of the last Spanish Empress, Eugenia de Montijo.
All 146 of he luxurious rooms and suites at the Barceló Emperatriz hotel are based on their B-Room concept of maximum Barceló standards and quality, completely fitted and decorated with avant-garde furniture that contrasts with classic details. Guests will be surprised to find, in a hotel that is respectful to tradition, cutting-edge technology such as a connectivity panel and Mini Media Hub.
The restaurant in the hotel is found in a small garden creating a relaxed atmosphere, whilst the B-Lounge Bar offers its relaxed lounge areas as meeting points in the hotel, the Sky Terrace is found at the top floor with stunning panoramic views of Madrid.
The Villa Levens – now a fully restored and converted luxury hotel
The Villa Levens is a 140 year old Victorian country house hotel converted from former Nun’s retreat Brettargh Holt and is set in 14 acres and located just south of Kendal, Cumbria.
It has now been fully restored and converted in to a 22 spacious bedroomed hotel, including 2 suites and several luxurious staterooms.
Furnished to 5 star standard with a hall for ceremonies for up to 250 guests and smaller functions and a spectacular wedding pavilion.
Known as the Overhoeks district, the lively quarter in Amsterdam’s north will soon be home to the city’s largest hotel and a newest addition to Maritim’s expanding portfolio.
Towering 34 storeys into Amsterdam’s skyline, the iconic building on the “IJ Waterfront” will boast a total area of 52,000m2 and 579 hotel rooms and suites.
The city’s old town centre, Overhoeks Park, the harbour and Schiphol Airport are all quickly reached thanks to the new building’s central location and excellent access to transport infrastructures.
Maritim Amsterdam Hotel highlights include;
579 elegant suites and rooms with spectacular views
Sky Bar with breathtaking views over Amsterdam’s old town centre
Six restaurants serving local specialities and international favourites
Luxurious wellness and fitness level with landscaped rooftop terrace
Spacious meeting and conference facilities for up to 4,750 delegates
Trinity is supporting the Hotel Booking Agents Association’s charity auction this year and we’d love your help to raise funds for two charities: Meeting Needs and the HBAA Foundation. Just click here to take a look!
The auction will run until the first week of December and new lots will be going on to the site every week, so please keep checking for what’s new and don’t miss out! There some wonderful treats for you, your family or friends, some of which have been specially designed for this auction.
There’s plenty of choice, including country breaks, city weekends, afternoon teas, dinners and days out.
•Fancy a trip abroad? How about going to the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort in Portugal, or two nights in the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel, or take in the history of Budapest with a room overlooking the Danube at the Hilton.
•Something closer to home? Stay at the Malmaison Liverpool with two tickets to the Beatles Story on the Albert Dock or Stanbrook Abbey is offering an overnight stay in the luxury of a Junior Suite, with dinner? Visit the beautiful city of Cambridge and stay at Robinson College, with a picnic and College ‘backs’ punting tour.
•Relax by enjoying a champagne river cruise at Cliveden or a day in their Pavilion Spa. How about a champagne afternoon tea for two at The Dorchester or the Landmark hotel in London?
•Enjoy a high-adrenaline RIB blast on the Solent followed three-course lunch for two at Chewton Glen in Hampshire or stay in a Manor House suite at The Belfry with a two Ball on the Brabazon Golf Course.
•There’s always plenty to do in London: The Barbican has donated two tickets to a show at their theatre with dinner at the Gin Joint and there are plenty of hotels offering accommodation, such as the Lancaster London, Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street and Doubletree at Imperial Wharf, Chelsea. How about adding cocktails at The
Don’t forget to keep checking the website as we will be constantly putting on new lots – get bidding now!
Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts, UK-Construction and Refurbishments
Park Plaza London, Park Royal, United Kingdom
In West London, we acquired, subsequently sold and signed a long term lease agreement for a two-acre site opposite Park royal underground station, a high-profile gateway location with prime frontage onto the A40, a major arterial route into the city. Construction of this 168-room hotel is underway and the hotel is expected to open in 2016.
Park Plaza London, Waterloo, United Kingdom
Construction has started on this new hotel project in London, near Waterloo Station. When completed, this hotel is expected to add 494 rooms to our portfolio. The hotel will also offer a swimming pool, spa, restaurant and bar. The hotel is expected to open in 2016.
Art’otel London Hoxton, London, United kingdom
The Art’otel London Hoxton will enjoy an ideal location in London’s trendy Hoxton, just a stone’s throw from the city’s Square Mile. Around 350 guest rooms will combine with a modern top-floor restaurant and bar, a relaxing spa and a publicly accessible arts centre, which will include an art gallery, space for video artists and photographic studios.
Art’otel london Battersea Power Station, London, United kingdom
Art’otel london battersea power station is planned to open in 2019, in a building designed by Foster + Partners and set around the historic Grade II* listed Battersea Power Station. The 160 plus -bedroom luxury lifestyle hotel will offer incredible guest amenities with a number of show-stopping skyline floors boasting panoramic views leading up to the stunning Roof Garden designed by the New York High Line team, James Corner Field Operations.
Park Plaza Riverbank London, United Kingdom
Construction has started on the extension and reconfiguration of Park Plaza Riverbank London. The room count is expected to increase by an additional 184 rooms, taking the total number of rooms to 645. The extension is expected to be completed in 2015. There will be a re-configuration of the Thames suite on the first floor, converting this into the new Chino Latino’s restaurant. Additional meeting space will be created on the ground floor.
Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes, London, United Kingdom
Plans are developing for a complete refurbishment and re-modelling of this hotel – as part of these the hotel may be re-launch appealing to new markets.
A new development is under construction in the Al Zorah nature reserve on the coast of Ajman. The area is natural mangroves, with sandy beaches, waterfront areas and home to 58 species of birds, including pink flamingos.
The Lux Al Zorah hotel is due to open in the summer of 2016 and is located 10 minutes from Sharjah Airport and about 40 minutes from Dubai International Airport. The number of bedrooms and meeting space is to be confirmed, as the hotel is still under construction.
The resort will have a championship 18-hole Golf Course and guests will also be able to go sailing, diving or canoeing. It will also have sports and fitness facilities with a Wellness Center, nature walks, jogging, cycling and yoga.
