Reservations with Alexa: Alexa, Amazon Echo’s virtual assistant, now has the capability of booking a hotel room through Kayak through voice commands.
Kimpton in Toronto: The Holiday Inn Toronto Bloor Yorkville will be converted into IHG’s Kimpton brand. Owned and developed by Canada-based InnVest Hotels LP, the 13-story hotel is expected to open with 189 rooms in mid-2018.
Dusit’s first in Bahrain: Thailand’s Dusit International signed a management agreement with Al Manzil Hospitality Group to operate the DusitD2 Seef Bahrain, in Manama. The 198-room hotel slated to open in 2018 and will be the first of the brand in the country and its fifth in the region.
Dual-brand in Maryland acquired: Noble Investment Group of Atlanta, Georgia, acquired a dual-brand property near Arundel Mills, a retail center in Maryland. The Aloft Arundel Mills and Element Arundel Mills are owned through a joint venture between Noble and Simon Property Group. A purchase price was not disclosed.
London investors calling… Savills says investment in U.K. hotels hit £2 billion (US$2.57 billion) in the first half of 2017, and the real estate adviser predicts it will reach £5.1 billion (US$6.56 billion) for the full year, up 28% year over year. It was driven by international investors and individual sales in London.
…and London RevPAR climbing: According to STR data for June 2017, London is showing strong rate growth year over year: Supply is up 3.6%, demand is up 3.2%, occupancy fell 0.4% to 84.1%, and ADR rose 5.5% to £162.51 (US$209.16). RevPAR is up 5.1% to £136.72 (US$179.99).
Indigo on Leicester Square: IHG added its fourth Hotel Indigo in London. Hotel Indigo London One Leicester Square will open later this year. The 95-room hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Criterion Capital.
Rezidor names COO: Chema Basterrechea was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Rezidor Hotel Group. Previously, Basterrechea was COO at NH Hotel Group.