A quick roundup of global hospitality news.
BRAINTREE ACQUIRES THREE HOTELS: Braintree Group, based in Boise, Idaho, has acquired three properties and added 330 rooms to its portfolio. The acquired properties include the 97-room Courtyard by Marriott Lehi and the 94-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott Lehi at Thanksgiving Point, Utah, and the 139-key Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas/Henderson at Henderson, Nev. Resolute Road Hospitality, the third-party management company, will manage all the properties. Braintree will undertake a substantial renovation of the Courtyard by Marriott by the end of 2024 and will enhance the rooms and refresh the hotel’s public areas.
IHG’S VIGNETTE COLLECTION LAUNCHES IN MIDDLE EAST: IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed franchise agreements with subsidiaries of hotel owner Aqarat to launch the Vignette Collection in the Middle East this summer. IHG will open two Vignette Collection hotels managed by United Hospitality Management: The8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, Vignette Collection, and Vignette Collection in Kuwait City. Located in the U.A.E., The8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort comprises 162 rooms and suites, including apartments ranging from one- to four-bedroom units overlooking the sea, two infinity pools, a gym, a basketball court, a kids area, a beach club and dining venues. The hotel is now open. Slated to open later this year in Kuwait City, Vignette Collection in Kuwait City will offer 194 rooms. The hotel offers waterfront views and is located close to the Arabella complex. Launched in December 2021, the Vignette Collection currently has six open properties in Australia, Thailand, Portugal and Washington, D.C., with a pipeline of 15 properties. The brand aims to grow to more than 100 properties globally in the next 10 years.
ECONO LODGE SELLS IN FLORIDA: Tampa, Fla.-based DSH Hotel Advisors has arranged the sale of the 48-room Econo Lodge by Choice Hotels in North Fort Myers, Fla. The price was not disclosed. The hotel has been acquired by Shiva 13301, LLC and was sold by Laxmi Investments LLC. DSH generated more than 200 signed confidentiality agreements from buyers and received several offers from buyers across the U.S. during the exclusive listing with the seller. The hotel was recently renovated and is in good condition due to a continuing capital improvement plan.
TPG HOTELS TO MANAGE THE BLENNERHASSETT HOTEL: TPG Hotels & Resorts has been selected to manage The Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, W. Va. The 140-year-old hotel features 84 rooms, an upscale restaurant, a lounge, a spa and more than 8,000 square feet of event area in eight spaces. The hotel was acquired by R&W Hotels in 2019. R&W Hotels is owned and operated by Parkersburg-based entrepreneurs Wayne Waldeck and Lee Eric Rector. The hotel was built and constructed by Colonel William Nelson Chancellor and opened in 1889. The property has undergone three major renovations since it opened. The latest round of renovation, under its current owner, began in early 2020 and saw the enhancement of the library and the addition of faux tin ceilings to the library, main lobby and promenade areas.
ONYX UNVEILS MALDIVES RESORT: ONYX Hospitality Group has announced the opening of Amari Raaya Maldies. Located in Raa Atoll, the resort helps ONYX establish its presence in Southeast Asia. The resort features 187 villas offering guests options from private beachfront units to overwater pool villas. The resort has eight dining venues and a range of activities. ONYX will manage the property on behalf of Panchshil Group.