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Briefs: Airbnb makes Amazon Prime hire | Portland’s Porter sells

Airbnb hires former head of Amazon Prime: After 18 years at Amazon, Greg Greeley is joining Airbnb as its president of homes, heading up one of the company’s four business units. He helped create Amazon’s Prime business and previously helped build out Amazon’s European business. On Wednesday, Chip Conley, former Airbnb global head of hospitality and strategy tweeted, “This is one of Airbnb’s biggest leadership announcements ever. Brian C [Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky] couldn’t have hired a more perfect fit for Homes. Look forward to advising.”

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Portland’s Porter sells: Union Investment acquired boutique and lifestyle hotel The Porter in Portland, Oregon, which opened at the beginning of the year. With 294 rooms, the property is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton brand. The developer, vendor and operator of the property is Widewaters Hotel. The purchase price is around €120 million (US$149 million), with the acquisition being made on behalf of open-ended real estate fund Unilmmo: Global and thus further strengthening its hotel portfolio.

 


Dutch hotel investment: Investment into Dutch hotels reached a record €1.8 billion in 2017, a year-over-year increase of 200%, according to international real estate advisor Savills, who published its latest report on the hotel market. Savills attributes this record investment volume to a number of important factors, including the rapidly increasing number of tourists visiting the Netherlands. Although new developments have led to a considerable increase of hotel rooms, the number of tourists continues to outstrip supply. This is causing room rates and revenues to rise, making hotel investments more appealing. Savills has recorded that one third of all investments in 2017 came from Germany, while about a quarter of investment volumes were from Asian investors, and the share of domestic buyers was relatively low.

 


RLH sells 3: RLH Corporation has sold Red Lion Hotels in Boise, Idaho and Pasco and Richland, Washington for US$29.9 million. The three hotels are in addition to the sale of two hotels in California announced last week for US$17.4 million. All buyers signed franchise license agreements to retain the Red Lion Hotels brand. RLH Corporation’s total gain on the sales is expected to be approximately US$8 million, and US$22.8 million of the proceeds of the sales were used for debt repayment at the closing.

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Movenpick in Thailand: Movenpick Hotels and Resorts is mapping a portfolio expansion in the Thai market with an objective to operate three hotels over the next several years, according to Mark Willis, the company’s president of Asia since January, Thailand is a key market for the group. In Thailand, it is set to operate Movenpick Asara Resort and Spa Hua Hin, with 96 rooms (all suites and pool villas) starting in March. Movenpick Resort Khao Yai, with 62 rooms and 49 villas is scheduled to open in the next two months, while Movenpick Resort Mai Khao in Phuket is set to open next year. 

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Woodside managing Harvest Inn: St. Helena, California-based Harvest Inn will partner with Woodside Hotel Group. City-Core Hospitality and its principals, Rick Kaufman and Andrew Garay, will retain ownership of Harvest Inn with Woodside managing the day-to-day operations for the property. Harvest Inn will also enhance its guest experience. A new menu will feature more offerings sourced from local growers, including the property’s own collection of five culinary gardens, and an expanded wine list will bring a focus to Napa Valley wineries.

 


The Al Wathba Desert Resort: Following an official agreement with Abu Dhabi United Hospitality to develop Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah will now operate the property. Expected to welcome guests in September 2018, Al Wathba Desert Resort has 90 rooms and 13 villas, with complementary premium facilities including all day dining, pool and rooftop bars, Talise spa and an offsite desert camp as well as conference and meeting facilities.

 


Absolute managing in Thailand: Absolute Hotel Services Group signed a management agreement with APUS (North Pattaya) Company to open U North Pattaya in Thailand in 2020. The 270-room property will consist of 150 deluxe residential units and 120 hotel rooms.

 


Kimpton in Toronto: Kimpton Hotels will manage its first Toronto hotel, the Kimpton Saint George, expected to open in summer 2018. Owned and developed by Canada-based InnVest Hotels, the 14-story Kimpton Saint George will feature 188 guest rooms, including 20 suites, a Presidential Suite and approximately 1,500 square feet of ground level meeting space.

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