Author: Katharine Jordan

Leading congress destination Vienna put in yet another strong showing in the 2015 statistics published by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), claiming fourth place worldwide. The international congress stats just released by ICCA for 2015 see fourth spot going to the Austrian capital. With a total of 178 events, the city ranked only behind Berlin (195), Paris (186) and Barcelona (180). Christian Mutschlechner, head of the Vienna Convention Bureau (VCB) at the Vienna Tourist Board explained: ” This latest success reflects the growth achieved by Vienna’s meetings industry in 2015. At EUR 1,068m, Vienna’s contribution to nationwide induced economic impact passed the one billion euro mark for the first time in 2015.

Meetings and congresses in Vienna also set a new all-time record for overnight stays, at 1.7 million bednights for the year. The survey is an important industry barometer and benchmark for the Vienna Convention Bureau as it confirms the city’s standing among its international peers.” Fifth place in the ICCA ranking was shared by London and Madrid (with 171 events each), followed by Singapore (156), Istanbul (148), Lisbon (145) and Copenhagen (138). Broken down by country, Austria ranked 14th overall, with 258 events. First place was claimed by the USA (925) followed by Germany (667) and Spain (572).

Canopy Reykjavik City Centre, Iceland will be opening in July 2016, and as the first hotel in the world to open under the Canopy brand, the hotel will be a lifestyle hotel in the heart of a vibrant neighbourhood. The hotel will have 101 guest rooms in total, set across six connected houses. Guests will be provided with a local treat at check-in and will be encouraged to take two wheels and explore the vibrant streets – the hotel will provide the bikes. The rooms and suites will be styled in shades of ocean and volcanic rock and guests will be able to enjoy a local artisanal breakfast and caffeine in Canopy Central, the hotel’s lobby area. The hotel will feature one meeting room for up to 30 people.

Doubletree by Hilton Wroclaw is due to open in May 2016, the hotel will be located in the heart of the city and in the futuristic OVO Wroclaw complex which houses exclusive shops, a health center, a spa, restaurants and a casino. 

The hotel will be the epitome of urban living, with unique architecture and stunning interior design. It will feature 189 guest rooms and 7 meeting rooms with the largest room being for up to 350 people.

The brand new Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques, due to open in May, is housed in the former residence of the Dukes of Granada de Ega y Villahermosa, art collectors and members of the Madrid intelligentsia of the mid-nineteenth century. The hotel truly encapsulates everything that of Madrid has to offer and is the newest addition to the Gran Meliá brand. It combines fine-art and rich history creating an avant-garde ambience, setting a new standard of elegance and luxury for a stay or event in the Spanish capital. 

In the artistic and cultural heart of Madrid, located just minutes from the Royal Palace, the Opera Theatre and the Cathedral the hotel offers 9 meeting rooms providing more than 800 square meters of space for up to 700 people equipped with all the latest technology.

The first ME hotel has opened in Miami. The hotel is located in the downtown area close to Adrienne Arsht Center, American Airlines Arena, Perez Art Museum and the new epicenter of the city, Miami Worldcenter.  Facilities include a 14th-floor terrace, two cabana-lined swimming pools, a spa, STK steakhouse and 129 bedrooms.  There is a ballroom which can be divided in to two sections, with views of the bay.  The Aura Lounge, pool deck and rooftop bar can all be used for breaks, receptions or meals.

11 Howard is a 221-room boutique property in New York City’s SoHo district and a member of Design Hotels.  Its concept is one of ‘conscious hospitality’, meaning that it works with a range of local business and not-for-profit companies. It’s located in what the hotel declares ‘the last old, cool domain in SoHo’, though its style is purely Scandinavian. Features include self check-in and ‘smart’ room service, a restaurant and local artwork.  There is also a co-working space, a growing trend in city hotels.