Destination News - Hotel, Resort & Spa

Jan 28, 2008

Upscale airport hotels begin to take off. Airport hotels are cleaning up their acts as investors pour more money into what is becoming highly sought-after real estate. Airport hotels were second behind luxury travel for capital expenditures in 2007, and more than 20 upscale hotels are being planned near airports in the U.S. Jan 24, 2008

Fares, hotel rates soar for Presidents Day weekend Some travelers are changing their plans to avoid high airfares and hotel rates during the Presidents Day weekend. The holiday, which falls on the third Monday in February, has become more popular for the travel industry, but lower prices still exist for travelers with flexible schedules. Jan 23, 2008

Value-minded skiers may face the same issues. A one-bedroom unit at Timberline Condominiums in Snowmass Village, Colo., over Presidents Day weekend yesterday was $490 per night, with a required five-night stay; the rate for the previous weekend, Feb. 9-12, was $355, with only three nights required. Jan 22, 2008

Affinia Hotel

Affinia Makes D.C. Debut. The Affinia hotel brand is going to Washington. The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel (located near the U.S. Capitol), is set to debut on April 1, after a $12-million renovation of the 343-room property. "The April 1 debut of this hotel is a milestone for DHG (Denihan Hospitality Group, which will manage the hotel) as we continue to grow the Affinia brand in key markets throughout the country," said Brooke Barrett, co-CEO of DHG. The hotel will include a rooftop bar and pool, as well as a 248-seat restaurant. Jan 23, 2008

Ascott

Ascott has signed deals to build and operate three other Citadines: a 65-unit property in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia (bordering Russia and Turkey), scheduled for late 2008; a 146-apartment development in Munich, Germany for 2009, and a 120-unit residence in Aktau, western Kazakhstan, also for 2009. Outside of Europe, contracts have been signed for eight residences, with one each in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Chennai and Singapore, three in Bangkok and one in Shanghai. The Ascott Group has more than 19,500 serviced accommodations in cities throughout Asia, Europe and the Gulf region. Jan 22, 2008

Ascott Group

Citadines London Barbican has reopened after a u2.25m ($4.4m) refurbishment and features 127 fully-equipped serviced apartments. Each features an LCD TV with in-built DVD player, fitted kitchens and bathrooms, low-energy lighting and free broadband internet access. The Citadines brand is owned by the Ascott Group, which is investing u7.23m ($14.25m) every year in its European portfolio, and has recently refurbished nine of them, including four in Paris. The company is also spending u24.7m ($48.7m) on its first Scottish property Citadines Edunburgh Quartermile with 107 studios and apartments, which should open in 2009. Jan 22, 2008

Clear

Denver hotel adds Clear enrollment station. Travelers flying out of Denver can now enroll in the Clear program in the hotel lobby of the Grand Hyatt. Travelers who have their iris and fingerprint scanned at the enrollment stations can then get their security card at www.FlyClear.com. Jan 22, 2008

Couples Ocho Rios in Jamaica

Couples Ocho Rios Closes For $15 Million Renovation. Couples Resorts announced plans Wednesday on a $15-million renovation of its all- inclusive, couples-only resort, Couples Ocho Rios in Jamaica, which will shut down the propty for nearly eight months. The resort will close on April 1 and a new and improved Couples Ocho Rios will be unveiled on December 15. Nearly every aspect of the resort from the lobby to the spa to restaurants and pool facilities will be renovated with a contemporary touch. "We've been working on these plans for two years now," Couples Chairman Lee Issa said in a statement. "This well-orchestrated renovation effort is an example of our continued investment in Couples Ocho Rios and dedication to quality and guest satisfaction." Originally built in 1949 as the Tower Isle Hotel and re-branded as Couples Ocho Rios in 1978, the resort will undergo extensive renovations that will include the addition of 20 accommodations-four suites and 16 rooms-all with ocean views, flat-screen TV's and enhancements to the main pool. Jan 24, 2008

Crescent Hotels

Crescent Hotels & Resorts has assumed management of the Baymont Inn & Suites International Drive/Orlando. The hotel has 132 rooms and is just off International Drive on Canada Avenue, near Pirate's Dinner Adventure. Standard rooms there go for $69 a night. Last year, the Fairfax, Va.-based company bought more than $500 million worth of hotel real estate directly and through joint ventures. Jan 21, 2008

Ehotel

Ehotel expands to UK. Berlin-based online broker ehotel has launched a UK-specific webpage for customers to make individual, group and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) bookings. The site automatically compares all available hotel prices, including last-minute deals, early-bird rates, weekend specials and seasonal deals, and displays the cheapest alongside smarter alternatives. Ehotel, shareholder of global TMC Radius, has a database of 210,000 hotels worldwide. A special version of the website is available for companies and co-partners where they can receive negotiated rates and discounts worth up to 20%. Business and leisure travellers can use the site free of charge and the booking system uses the latest travel industry technology, with the highest security standards. Jan 21, 2008