Voco Melbourne: IHG has officially signed its third Voco in Australia since the brand’s global launch in June, opening the Voco Melbourne Central in July 2020.The 252-room property is a part of the under-construction ‘380 Melbourne’ skyscraper with a high end residential offering that is being developed and built by Melbourne-based Brady Group. The brand is expected to strengthen IHG’s offer in the US$40 billion upscale segment, which is expected to grow by a further US$20 billion by 2025.
AMResorts and Grupo Hotelero partnership: AMResorts, an Apple Leisure Group brand, and Mexico-based Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe have launched Reflect Krystal Grand Cancun, the product of a co-branding alliance recently announced by both companies. Under the co-branded partnership model, AMResorts is responsible, through its new Reflect Resorts & Spas brand, for brand management, sales and marketing of three Grupo Santa Fe resorts in Cancun, Los Cabos and Nuevo Vallarta. The three properties were managed under the Krystal Grand brand until June 30. Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe maintains ownership and operational control of the resorts.
IC picks up Nobu: IC Hotel Group, owners and operators of luxury resort properties in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean, is adding Nobu Hotel Chicago to its portfolio. On track for its launch in 2019, the 115-room property will open in the city’s trendy West Loop neighborhood.
Hotel Jal: Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., a subsidiary of Hotel Okura Co., will open the Hotel Jal City Tokyo Toyosu in 2019. The company has contracted with Daiwa House Industry Co. for asset and project management services for the new property, which will be located in Tokyo’s futuristic Toyosu district. The hotel will occupy the upper level of “D Tower Toyosu,” a unique hybrid facility incorporating an athlete training center.
More from the Associated Press
Fibra in Playa del Carmen: Mexican REIT Fibra Inn purchased a land property in Playa del Carmen, via a landbank modality co-investment with a New York-based fund. The total investment for the purchase of this land was US$17 million and it’s the only beachfront property available at this time in the Playa del Carmen urban area. The company expects to initiate the construction within the next 12 months and for an expected project size in the range of 250 to 270 rooms, with an average daily rate that could surpass US$300.
Hawaii strike continues: Workers at five Hawaii hotels were back on the picket line Wednesday, demanding better pay. With no new talks planned between the worker’s union “Unite Here, Local 5” and the hotels owned by Kyo-ya and run by Marriott, the union headed into day four of the strike Thursday. About 2,700 hotel workers have been on strike since Monday, asking for new negotiations for their contracts. The strike affects Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian, Westin Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, and Sheraton Maui.
Pandox acquires the Radisson Blu Glasgow: Swedish traded hotel fund Pandox has acquired the 247-room Radisson Blu Glasgow from London based Azure Hotels for £39 million (US$51 million). The deal reportedly reflects a yield of 7%, and post-acquisition Pandox will continue to operate the hotel.