Marriott Zanzibar: Marriott International signed of an agreement with Pennyroyal Gibraltar Limited to debut its Ritz-Carlton brand in Zanzibar Archipelago. Set to open in 2021, the 90-room all-suite and villa resort will be a part of the Amber Resort complex, which is expected to be the largest mixed-use development in Africa.
Bushkill acquired: Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. acquired Bushkill Group, a vacation property ownership company located in Pennsylvania. The transaction includes Bushkill’s popular Pocono Mountains resort location, The Villas at Tree Tops & Fairway. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Marsa Al Arab: Global investment company Dubai Holding unveiled this week plans for Marsa Al Arab, a four million-square-feet pair of man-made islands on either side of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai’s sail-shaped hotel. Estimated to cost US$1.72 billion, the project will add 1.4 miles of beach to Dubai’s coastline and is expected to be completed in late 2020.
Nine Group: Nine Group of Hotels bought the UK-based Best Western Plus Reading Moat House for an undisclosed sum off a guide price in excess of £12.5 million (US$16.2 million). The 129-room property occupies 9.5 acres and is a 19th Century former mill house which was converted to a hotel in the 1980s.