New leader at KSL Resorts: KSL Resorts has announced James Struthers, the company’s longtime chief financial officer, has been promoted to president. He said he will focus on people and resources, continuous improvement, innovation, and on driving the strategy of the company.
Sleep in a Treehouse: Starwood Capital Chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht has officially launched the Treehouse Hotels brand, which he describes as “the little brother of the 1.” The 95-room Treehouse London, to be managed by Starwood Capital subsidiary SH Hotels & Resorts, will be the first of the brand’s portfolio to open in late 2019, with additional locations in the U.S. and beyond. A statement said Treehouse Hotels are about freedom. “The wondrous feeling we each had as kids climbing into a treehouse and making our own ‘clubhouse’ rules. It’s about friendship, community and shared secrets. Inspiring, boho and nostalgic, you’ll find surprisingly intimate spaces, simple toys, books, nooks, games…and a bit of magic.”
New US ban to Cuba: The U.S. has announced new restrictions on travel to Cuba, blocking the most common way Americans visit the island – through organized tour groups – and banning U.S. cruise ships from stopping there. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the restrictions are a result of Cuba continuing “to play a destabilizing role in the Western Hemisphere, providing a communist foothold in the region and propping up U.S. adversaries in places like Venezuela and Nicaragua by fomenting instability, undermining the rule of law, and suppressing democratic processes.”
Coco Beach plans for Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico Govenor Ricardo Rosselló has announced that the former Gran Meliá Puerto Rico Hotel was acquired by Monarch Alternative Capital, in partnership with Royal Palm Cos. and Aimbridge Hospitality, the hotel will re-launch as the Hyatt Regency Coco Beach Resort. The governor also announced that the developers are considering a 10-year master plan that will locate six hotels on the Coco Beach peninsula. Three of these six hotels are expected to open by 2022.
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Westin’s new F&B approach: Westin Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a worldwide culinary program to elevate the brand’s existing wellness offerings and help travelers fuel their workouts, productivity and sleep through food. Westin will also implement responsibly sourced, and organic items wherever possible. The new menu will be available at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and through in-room dining.
Canopy to South Africa: Hilton has signed a management agreement with Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s largest REIT, to open a hotel under its lifestyle Canopy by Hilton brand. The 150-guestroom Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof is expected to begin welcoming guests in 2021 and will be the brand’s debut property in Africa.
La Quinta to Caribbean: La Quinta by Wyndham announced this week plans to introduce its upper-midscale flag to the Caribbean for the first time while welcome an additional nine new hotels to its growing U.S. portfolio. The development agreement with Caribbean developer Profusion Group marks the first executed deal outside of the U.S. for La Quinta by Wyndham since Wyndham acquired the brand and outlined its strategic international expansion plans. The newly signed deal calls for eight new construction La Quinta by Wyndham hotels in the Dominican Republic over the next five years, four of which are slated to open in 2021 and will be managed by Wyndham’s management arm. The agreement complements the brand’s existing portfolio of 14 hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean. In early 2018, the brand debuted in Santiago, Chile, and León, Mexico.
Bella Grace pivots to Davidson: Davidson Hotels & Resorts has taken over management of the 50-room Hotel Bella Grace in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, for development company Three P Partners. The hotel will operate under Davidson’s Pivot Hotels & Resorts lifestyle and luxury division.
Radisson Collection adds London: Radisson Hotel Group announce that The May Fair Hotel, London, has become the first in England to join the Radisson Collection. The announcement coincides with parties finalizing a 10-year extension to the partnership agreement between Radisson Hotel Group and Edwardian Hotels London, who own and operate The May Fair Hotel and 11 Radisson Blu Edwardian properties, now taking Edwardian Hotels London’s Master Franchise through to 2063.
Two hotels sell in Paris: Tikehau Capital, Paris, the alternative asset management and investment group, with Le Groupe de l’Hôtellerie, the hotel management, investment and development specialist, have acquired two hotels in central Paris through Tikehau Capital’s Real Estate value-added fund. The Hotel Corona Opéra and the Hotel Touraine Opéra are both 3-star hotels with a combined capacity of 97 rooms.
Thomas Cook refurbs in Spain: Thomas Cook has stated it is set to invest €40 million in its managed own-brand hotels in Spain through to Summer 2020, signaling a renewed commitment to its number one holiday destination. The investment program, unveiled at the official launch of Cook’s Club Palma Beach, one of Thomas Cook’s 20 own-brand hotels to open this year, is part of the company’s continued drive to grow its own-brand hotels and resorts business. The group has more than 50 hotels and 12,000 rooms across its eight brands in Spain. In total, 10 own-brand hotels will undergo significant refurbishment works to raise their standards.
American building corporate hotel: American Airlines is in the middle of building its high-tech headquarters, and at the heart of it will be a 370,000 square-foot hotel to support its workforce. The American Airlines Hospitality Complex will be a 600-room structure not open to the public, but will serve American Airlines employees only.
Urbanica grows in Miami: Urbanica The Hotels developers Diego Colmenero and Charlie Porchetto, creators of The Meridian Hotel in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, have announced plans for three additional properties in Miami, slated to open by 2020. The Kaskades Hotel opened this April, and is managed by Urbanica as an independent operation, yet similar in design to The Meridian Hotel. The 30-room Euclid Hotel is currently under construction and slated to open this September with 30 guestrooms. The Fifth is slated to open in 2020 with 50 guestrooms. In addition, the 210-room The Biscayne is scheduled to open in late 2020. They have plans to continue to bring the Urbanica lifestyle to other major cities soon, including Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.