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Marriott to open South Asia’s first Tribute Portfolio hotel at Cochin International Airport

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Twenty14 Holdings has announced plans to launch Port Muziris – South Asia’s first Tribute Portfolio hotel, part of Marriott International, near Cochin International Airport.

The 55-room property is all set to be opened to the public in April. “We are thrilled to debut the first Tribute Portfolio in South Asia. At Twenty14 Holdings, we share the vision of offering a unique experience for guests,” said Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, Twenty14 Holdings. “Kerala has long been one of the most sought-after destinations worldwide, and we are excited to be part of the state’s flourishing tourism sector. We look forward to extending our legacy of providing outstanding hospitality to guests across Kerala and India through our bespoke properties,” he said.

Tribute Portfolio, launched by Marriott, is a collection of independent hotels around the globe with a focus on expressive design moments, vibrant public spaces, and a flexible food and beverage model. “We are delighted to announce the first Tribute Portfolio hotel in India with the opening of Port Muziris hotel in Kochi. This will also mark the debut of our 16th brand to join the Marriott International portfolio in India,” said Neeraj Govil, Area Vice President — South Asia, Marriott International. He added, “We are honoured to partner with Twenty14 Holdings for their first hotel in India. With its unique design and vibrant social spaces, we are sure this hotel will become a preference for leisure travelers.”

Port Muziris is Twenty14 Holdings’ first property in India. Currently, the hospitality investment firm has over $750 million portfolio of properties around the world, including the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – the Caledonian in Scotland, Sheraton Oman in Muscat and Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay in UAE.

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Marriott Hotels brings TED Fellows Salon to Cape Town

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Marriott Hotels in partnership with TED, hosted its first TED Fellows Salon in Cape Town, South Africa, sparking conversations around Africa’s beauty, rich heritage and innovative spirit. Held at the Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers, renowned TED Fellows, Kenyan musician Bill Sellanga and South African conservation biologist Steve Boyes, led the innovative and thought-provoking discussion providing guests the opportunity to engage and be inspired.

“At Marriott Hotels, everything we do is guided by our belief that travel expands the mind and triggers new and creative ways of thinking,” said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President Premium & Select Brands, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “Our partnership with TED brings together creative energy and distinct aesthetic. In recent years, Cape Town has shifted its focus to making the city more sustainable, encouraging citizens to innovate while maintaining its rich heritage. Hosting our first TED Fellows Salon at Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers is an opportunity for us to spark intellectual conversations and inspire new perspectives for our guests.”

The speakers at this Marriott Hotels TED Salon represent some of the brightest thinkers of their generation who are working towards making positive, meaningful and lasting change in their communities. Steve Boyes explores, protects and restores some of the most remote wildernesses in Africa, including the threatened Okavango Delta, one of our last remaining fresh watersheds. Working with the Angolan government, Boyes recently established two of the largest protected areas in Sub-Saharan Africa amounting to twice the size of England. A trained ornithologist, he is the Executive Director of the Wild Bird Trust and a Fellow at the National Geographic Society.

Sharing the spotlight with Boyes was TED fellow Bill “Blinky” Sellanga. A prolific Kenyan producer and musician, Sellanga is the frontman of musical collective Just A Band, which mixes genres like hip-hop, electronica and funk to make music for popular radio and to give voice to the Kenyan youth. He recently released his first solo album, Everyone’s Just Winging It and Other Fly Tales, weaving African rhythms together with electronic cuts, hip-hop and funk for a unique-brand of “African cool.”

Held at the Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers, the event was attended by thought leaders, innovators, members of the recently launched travel platform, Marriott Bonvoy and media. Overlooking the Grand Canal in Century City, Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers formed the perfect backdrop for the Cape Town edition of the TED Fellows Salon. Whether you admire the view of Table Mountain from the exquisite outdoor swimming pool or settle down after a busy day in a guest room with sleek furnishings and ultra-soft, plush bedding, a stay at the Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers promises to be a journey that inspires brilliance.

The ongoing global partnership between Marriott Hotels and TED is now in its third year, following its launch in 2016, and has been expanded to include more exciting and innovative programming at Marriott Hotels in key destinations worldwide. Marriott Hotels is a brand that’s geared towards a new generation of travelers, who continuously seek fresh inspirations and creative ideas during their own life-changing journeys around the world.

The Cape Town edition is the third TED Fellows Salon to be held within Middle East and Africa with two previous ones being held at Cairo and Abu Dhabi. TED Salons have been hosted in several Marriott Hotels globally, including Bengaluru, Bangkok, London, and Athens. Marriott Hotels also has an Instagram story series which offers viewers original, inspiring content and an inside look at their favorite idea engine.

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OLS Hotels & Resorts names John Dailey Hawaii Director of Sales

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OLS Hotels & Resorts, a hotel management company of 23 hotels and resorts throughout the U.S., announced the newest addition to its Hawaii team, Director of Sales John Dailey.

In his new role, Dailey will be responsible for developing and implementing OLS Hotels & Resorts’ Hawaii sales strategy. Additionally, his diverse cultural background and bilingual speaking skills in English and Japanese will allow OLS to increase its footprint in the Asia market.

“We are very pleased to welcome John as part of our expanding Hawaii based team,” said Ben Rafter, chief executive officer of OLS Hotels & Resorts. “John’s sales experience and knowledge of the Hawaii hospitality market will be a valuable asset as we continue to grow OLS into Hawaii’s premier and only true local hotel management company.”

Dailey brings more than 20 years of local Hawaii hospitality experience to OLS Hotels & Resorts. Previously, he served as senior director of sales at Aqua-Aston Hospitality where he implemented successful sales plans for a portfolio of more than 40 properties. Dailey also held sales director positions with Pacific Beach Hotel, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts and Hilo Hattie.

OLS Hotels & Resorts currently operates five Hawaii properties: Hotel Renew and Royal Grove in Waikiki; Plantation Hale Suites in Kapaa and Banyan Harbor Resort in Lihue on Kauai; and Ainamalu at Waikoloa Beach Resort on Hawaii Island. In June 2019, OLS will debut the redesign of Hotel Renew, which will be rebranded simply as “Renew” with a focus on holistic Hawaiian wellness. The management company has plans to add several more Hawaiian properties to its portfolio over the next few years with a focus on filling the consumer demand for unique, independent properties that are reflective of each individual hotel’s location and culture.

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Clarion Hotel The Hub: Choice Hotels announces opening of its largest hotel

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Choice Hotels International, Inc. announced the opening of the largest hotel in its portfolio – the Clarion Hotel The Hub in Oslo, Norway. The hotel offers 810 rooms, unique design, two bars, and a premium rooftop restaurant with stunning views in the heart of Norway’s capital city.

“Clarion Hotel The Hub is a destination for those seeking creativity, inspiration, and enriching experiences in the center of Oslo. This is the largest hotel in the city, but it still curates a warm atmosphere, with people who are passionate about diversity, sustainability and going the extra mile for guests,” said the hotel’s General Manager Andre Schreiner.

The Clarion Hotel The Hub is one of 20 Clarion hotels open in Scandinavia, all of which are owned by Nordic Choice, Choice’s Master Partner in the Scandinavian region who develops, markets and supports Choice’s brands in their territories. They currently own, manage or franchise more than 180 properties representing more than 30,000 rooms. Their portfolio consists of Comfort, Quality, Clarion and Ascend Hotel Collection-branded hotels, and the company has plans to open several other hotels under the Choice Hotels umbrella throughout the region in the next year.

“Our focus has always been forging long-term relationships with high-quality developers and operators to grow our international footprint through proven brands,” said Mark Pearce, senior vice president, international division, Choice Hotels. “We’ve been fortunate to work closely with Nordic Choice for many years to bring several outstanding hotels to fruition, and we know the Clarion Hotel The Hub – a true jewel in our family of Choice Hotels – is yet another outstanding addition to the Scandinavian market.”

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St. Kitts & Nevis records double-digit growth for first two months of 2019

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Demand for St. Kitts & Nevis as a premier destination for travelers continues to rise, with air arrivals for the first two months of this year posting a year-to-date increase of 15.3% system-wide as compared to the same period in 2018. Results are even better from North America, the destination’s largest source market, registering a year-to-date increase in air arrivals of 19.3% for January and February 2019 as compared to the same months in 2018. This continues the growth of airlift from major gateways in 2018, which increased over 2017 by 9.3% system-wide and reached a total of 153,364 air passenger arrivals for the full year, the highest number ever recorded in the destination’s history.

“I am extremely pleased to see such strong increases in air passenger arrivals to our Federation for 2018 continuing into peak season 2019,” said the Hon. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism for St. Kitts & Nevis. “These numbers are a clear indication that we are gaining momentum towards reaching our goal of 150,000 stayover visitors in the next few years.”

“We redoubled our marketing efforts in the fourth quarter of last year specifically to support our additional peak season air service and these numbers demonstrate that we have achieved very successful results,” added Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “With the milestone airlift arrivals recorded for 2018 and performance last year in the months of March and June nearing 30% growth over the same months in 2017, the significant growth measured so far in 2019 signals a rising demand for St. Kitts as a highly desirable travel destination, particularly from North America and for key events such as St. Kitts Music Festival. We will continue to employ this successful marketing formula as we strive to reach our goal of 150,000 stayover guests by 2021 from our primary source markets of the US, Canada, UK and the Caribbean.”

St. Kitts’ marketing strategy maintains a particular focus on reaching individuals who are a match with the geo-demographic lifestyle data of its target visitors in key gateway markets to support airlift year-round as well as marquee island events including St. Kitts Music Festival. In the fourth quarter of 2018, additional digital, print and spot TV advertising combined with public relations to communicate special offers and raise brand awareness in and around select North American cities comprised a coordinated campaign to grow arrivals for peak season 2018-2019. The Ministry of Tourism and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority also work closely with airlines to systematically build out air bridges to/from identified target gateways to grow service in a sustainable manner while making the island increasingly easy to reach via air.

St. Kitts & Nevis welcomed non-stop Saturday flights from Minneapolis that started December 22, 2018 and operate through April 20, 2019. In addition, from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, the destination receives Wednesday non-stop flights that started January 9, 2019 and operate through March 6, 2019 to complement existing non-stop Saturday flights. Looking ahead to the summer, new non-stop Saturday flights from Dallas starting May 25, 2019 and operating through August 17, 2019 open up a new gateway with easy connections from Houston and the western states of the US.

About St. Kitts:

Intoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters, and sandy beaches combine to make St. Kitts one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean. Located in the northern Leeward Islands, it offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, and touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the more traditional vacation pastimes available are water sports including catamaran cruises, golf, shopping, tennis, dining, gaming at St. Kitts’ exclusive casino or simply relaxing on the beach.

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Melbourne to welcome news hotels from Ormond Group in 2022

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In 2022, Southeast Asian hospitality brand Ormond Group will introduce two new hotel concepts to Melbourne’s Central Business District in Victoria, Australia. Each taking residence in their own distinct tower within the buzzing CBD development, the Ormond Melbourne and MoMo’s Melbourne on Flinders Lane, will rise from a 40,000 sqft events and F&B podium. The brand-new development and social gathering space, designed for visitors and locals alike, will boast a purpose-built pedestrian laneway, multi-use spaces, sky bar & restaurant and provide the cultural capital with 537 new guest rooms between the two properties.

“We are delighted to have been given the green light for Ormond Group to push forward with this exciting and ambitious project. Through our new brands, we hope to be able to elevate the hotel scene in Melbourne through our inclusive approach to programming and design. We’ll be looking to work with exciting F&B operators as well as developing inspiring partnerships to bring these properties to life. Our spaces are designed to welcome guests and locals alike. Ormond and MoMo’s will offer culturally relevant experiences for guests and locals at great value for money price points in one central location. We are thrilled to be introducing our hotels to this area of the city’s CBD – we embrace its past, present and future and look forward to meaningfully contributing to the district’s landscape. We feel confident that Melbourne’s already discerning lifestyle audience will enjoy what we bring to Australia’s cultural capital.” says Gareth Lim, CEO of Ormond Group.

Through its approach to delivering authentic travel experiences, the Ormond Group is re-shaping Melbourne’s lifestyle scene with each new hotel. Ormond Hotels is a collection of thoughtfully designed hotels, inspired by local stories and cultural context. Ormond Melbourne will embody the spirit of Luxury Simplified through the brand’s values of comfort, purpose and balance by prioritizing great service, high quality guest essentials, beautiful and thoughtful design and dynamic social programming.

Meanwhile, MoMo’s Melbourne will provide guests with minimalist hotel rooms alongside playful spaces that engage with creative communities and urban nomads. MoMo’s is designed to inspire memorable moments – through interactive events that engage both locals and visitors alike at a value for money price point.

Together they will provide a dual-brand experience – an upscale boutique hotel that celebrates luxury simplified and an accessible, playful hotel concept that celebrates creative collaboration – bringing a new dynamism to Australia’s hospitality scene.

Designed by Melbourne-based architectural firm, Elenberg Fraser, in collaboration with Craig Tan Architects, the project will be managed by Point Polaris. Ormond Group is currently in the process of making interior design appointments. Both properties will be developed and operated by Ormond Group, who has announced the appointment of Caroline King as Chief Operating Officer.

This year, Ormond Group will open the first properties for its two new lifestyle hotel brands, with the Q3 launches of The Chow Kit – an Ormond Hotel and MoMo’s in Kuala Lumpur.

In Early 2021 the group will open the flagship hotel under the Ormond Hotels brand in Dublin following the extensive, multimillion-dollar refurbishment of The Ormond Hotel, which will be followed by the brand’s Melbourne opening in 2022. The group will be looking to expand into other Australian cities.

Ormond Group is a new player in global hospitality offering design-led travel experiences for all audiences via its brands – Ormond, MoMo’s and Tune Hotels. Ormond Group embodies the spirit of modern-day exploration whilst focusing on the careful curation of great service, design and programming.

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Point Lookout Resort and Conference Center in Northport under new management

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Olympia Hotel Management announced today that they will assume management of Point Lookout Resort and Conference Center in Northport, Maine. The dramatic 387 acre conference center and resort property is set on mountainside terrain overlooking Penobscot Bay, in Maine’s scenic Mid-Coast region.

The new owner of Point Lookout is Deep Creek Grazing Association. David and Tami Hirschfeld, of Camden are the principals of Deep Creek Grazing Association. They are proud to take the helm of such a majestic property, one that offers guests, wedding couples and corporate clients an authentic Maine experience.

“The Hirschfelds look forward to welcoming new and returning guests to Point Lookout,” says Matthew Arrants, Executive Vice President of Pinnacle Advisory Group, on behalf of Deep Creek Grazing Association. “They are devoted to the region and deeply committed to the resort’s employees. As Maine residents, they intend to be good stewards of this remarkable property. It’s why they reached out to a Maine-based company like Olympia Hotel Management for their hospitality and operational expertise.”

For Portland-based Olympia Hotel Management, which currently manages such Maine hotels as the award-winning Inn by the Sea, Point Lookout is a welcome opportunity to partner with another iconic property in their home state.

“We’re thrilled to take over the management of Point Lookout,” says Sara Masterson, Senior Vice President of Olympia Hotel Management. “We have a deep and lasting commitment to the state of Maine and this remarkable coastal property aligns perfectly with our expertise in managing outstanding properties that play an integral role in the local community.”

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Rosewood Hong Kong opens its harborfront doors

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Rosewood Hong Kong opens as a new ultra-luxury property in the heart of the Victoria Dockside district on the shores of Victoria Harbour. Situated on one of Hong Kong’s most significant waterfront locations in Tsim Sha Tsui – Kowloon’s dynamic, culturally compelling heart – the property is set to become a grand icon for the city, celebrating the area’s role as Hong Kong’s new creative and cultural epicenter.

The opening of Rosewood Hong Kong is a defining milestone for the group, solidifying its stature as one of the world’s most dynamic hotel brands and a leader in global style. This showpiece of the brand’s highest aspirations epitomizes Rosewood’s essence and represents the complete manifestation of a differentiated and modern expression of ultra-luxury hospitality.

From the brand’s inception 40 years ago as a fine private home that opened its doors to guests, each Rosewood hotel continues to be guided by A Sense of Place® philosophy and the concept of the hotel as a living canvas celebrating artistry in all its forms. This spirit reaches its zenith at Rosewood Hong Kong. Guests can experience the first urban outpost of the brand’s pioneering wellness concept; gastronomic innovation showcasing locally grown and artisanal ingredients; masterworks by the world’s most highly acclaimed artists; and supremely stylish, residentially natured gathering and living spaces – all within a masterfully designed and meticulously curated journey in architecturally bold environs commanding the harbor.

Rosewood’s opening in Hong Kong marks the evolution of another meaningful historic legacy. The site is the former Holt’s Wharf, dating back to 1910, which subsequently became New World Centre, a lifestyle magnet for the city in the 1980s, which holds a unique place in the hearts and minds of local residents as a place of discovery and wonderment. New World Centre – a proud expression of Hong Kong’s evolution – was the creation of Dr. Cheng Yu-tung and Dr. Henry Cheng, the grandfather and father (respectively) of Rosewood Hotel Group Chief Executive Officer, Sonia Cheng.

“With Hong Kong evolving from a business and financial center to become a true global cultural capital, I wanted to create an iconic property that not only showcases the city’s rich history but also reflects its bright future,” says Sonia Cheng. “New World Centre was conceived as my grandfather’s ultimate gift to Hong Kong, a celebration of its progress, vibrancy and spirit. I hope that Rosewood Hong Kong enhances this legacy and helps fulfill his and my father’s vision for the city that they loved. Rosewood Hong Kong sets bold new benchmarks for design, guest experience, cuisine, and culture. Our ambition is to create a new world standard for ultra-luxury hospitality and a focal point of the vibrant Hong Kong lifestyle, reflecting its incredible dynamism, style and diversity.”

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Accor welcomes 21c Museum Hotels into MGallery Hotel Collection

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Accor today announced that the Group has officially welcomed 21c Museum Hotels into the MGallery Hotel Collection, a global network of more than 100 storied boutique hotels located in 26 countries. The announcement marks the arrival of the MGallery brand into North America.

Bearing both the MGallery and 21c brands, 21c Museum Hotels – MGallery represents a shared commitment to inspiring guests to delight in and fully discover the very best the world has to offer. 21c Museum Hotels – MGallery will maintain 21c’s distinctive spirit and pioneering vision of combined contemporary art museum, boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants, and preserve the singular personality, style and story of each individual property. 21c will be fully integrated into the MGallery collection, bringing to life the passion for rich experiences and local discovery for which MGallery is known.

“MGallery was first created in 2008 to share a new vision of high-end, boutique accommodation featuring highly emotive experiences designed to be inspiring, engaging, and richly imbued with character. This ambition gave rise to a collection of unique storied boutique hotels that are captivating, memorable and individually-styled. As sought out addresses for those who relish memorable experiences, bespoke design and off-the-beaten-track moments, each MGallery hotel is remarkable for its singular personality and is deeply rooted in the destination’s history,” said Yohan Amiot, vice president brand management, MGallery.

Yohan Amiot comments further, “Today we are honored to welcome 21c Museum Hotels into the MGallery family. 21c envisions a new kind of hospitality, which promotes accessible, unexpected and innovative arts, cultural and culinary experiences for guests and locals alike, globally connected to contemporary culture, yet firmly rooted within each local community. The 21c brand is the perfect complement to MGallery’s concept of bespoke, creative hospitality for lovers of travel, the arts and immersive experiences.”

21c Museum Hotels – MGallery currently includes eight properties in Bentonville, Cincinnati, Durham, Kansas City, Lexington, Louisville, Nashville and Oklahoma City. Additional projects are in development in Chicago, slated for debut in late 2019, and Des Moines.

The brand also just announced that 21c Museum Hotels has been selected as the brand and management company for a combination boutique hotel, contemporary art museum and independently branded, chef-driven restaurant anticipated to open in the restored YMCA building in downtown St. Louis in late 2020.

“We are embarking upon an exciting period of growth for 21c Museum Hotels and the MGallery Hotel Collection,” said Chris Cahill, deputy chief executive officer, Accor. “Marrying 21c’s exceptional and distinctive brand with the influence of the MGallery collection and strength of Accor’s global platform deepens the full range of unparalleled experiences available to our guests. The official North American introduction of the MGallery brand marks the continued expansion of our lifestyle ‘boutique’ footprint.”

21c Museum Hotels – MGallery are now bookable through Accor reservations systems. 21c will also officially join Le Club AccorHotels as of April 1, 2019, affording 21c guests full access to Le Club AccorHotels member benefits, status points, and the earning and burning of rewards points.

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Iberostar Hotels & Resorts launches voice bookings with ‘Google Assistant’

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Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has launched an innovative option enabling guests to book rooms through voice commands thanks to an integration with Google Assistant. This is a major step forward for customers, who, from now on, will be able to explore this option from their assistant-enabled devices using voice search. When a customer says, “Hey Google, I want to book a room at,” followed by the name of an Iberostar hotel, its location and the desired dates, Google will provide the details of that hotel’s availability and rates and finalize the booking using Google Pay credentials. In turn, the hotel will be notified of the booking via the channel selected by the user.

Voice bookings through Google Assistant is the latest addition to Iberostar’s innovation plan to provide its guests a great experience, even before their stay. The feature is already available in English for users in the US on Android and Apple smartphones, as well as household devices. During the initial stage, customers will be able to book the following Iberostar city hotels immediately with no advance reservation restrictions in various locations around the world: Iberostar Las Letras Gran Vía (Madrid), Iberostar Lisboa (Lisbon), Iberostar 70 Park Avenue (New York), Iberostar Paseo de Gracia (Barcelona), Iberostar Grand Budapest (Budapest), Iberostar Grand Mencey (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) and the Iberostar Berkeley (Miami).

“We strive to provide our guests not only with a platform to create great memories during their stay at any of the destinations where we operate, but also with services that cater to their needs,” said Javier Delgado Muerza, Iberostar Group’s Chief Digital Officer. “We are working on connecting with them and facilitating their experience with us. This is a step forward in the company’s current digitalization plan, which is centered on users and innovation, while remaining committed to providing an outstanding hotel experience”.

Iberostar has entered into a strategic alliance with Mirai for the development of this project, aimed at boosting sales thanks to multi-channel connectivity, which includes this cutting-edge voice recognition-based solution that positions the brand amongst the world’s leading international chains.

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