MARGARITAVILLE ISLAND RESORT IN HONDURAS: Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels & Resorts have unveiled plans to launch a new all-inclusive resort — Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras — under the Island Reserve Inclusive Collection. The property will expand Karisma and Margaritaville’s presence in Mexico, Belize and the Dominican Republic. Margaritaville and Karisma will collaborate with the development company Island Shipping, S. de R.L. for the resort. The resort will have 164 rooms, live outdoor music venues, a spa and multiple branded dining venues. The new-build property is expected to open in 2025. The Margaritaville Island Reserve Inclusive Collection by Karisma was launched as Margaritaville’s first collection of luxury all-inclusive properties. The resorts combine Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ service with Margaritaville’s signature F&B concepts and design elements.
W HOTELS OPENS IN EDINBURGH: W Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, has announced the opening of W Edinburgh, marking the brand’s first property in Scotland. The hotel has opened after nearly a decade since the project was announced. The hotel features a rooftop deck with exclusive 360-degree views and the W Hotels’ signature Sound Suite recording studio, the first in the U.K. and the second in Europe. The hotel is located in the St. James Quarter, a recently reimagined neighborhood in the city center, which also includes retail, dining and entertainment options. The hotel’s interiors have been designed by Jestico + Whiles. W Edinburgh consists of three buildings situated around St. James Square — the Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk and Quarter House — and offers 199 rooms and 45 suites, many with outdoor terraces. The 12-story Ribbon Building has a striking exterior façade, while James Craig Walk is a heritage-listed terrace dating from 1775. Quarter House is a newly-made building that interlinks with the Ribbon Building and has a predominantly stone façade inspired by classic Edinburgh architecture. The hotel has several dining outlets, including the country’s first Sushisamba restaurant, a spa, a fitness center and event spaces. Plans for the hotel had been announced in 2016 when Starwood Hotels was still managing the W Hotels brand before it merged with Marriott.Â
REFINANCING OF THE SOCIAL HUB’S EUROPEAN PORTFOLIO: Aareal Bank has successfully closed a €566 million ($619.47 million) refinancing facility with The Social Hub, along with two participating lenders (one of which was Rabobank). The Social Hub operates a hybrid hospitality concept encompassing co-working spaces, events, hotels, extended-stay units and student accommodation. Their cross-border portfolio spans 13 properties in Spain, the Netherlands, France, and the U.K. Aareal Bank played a crucial role as the arranger, agent and security agent for the senior loan. Notably, this loan was classified by Aareal Bank as a green loan under its Green Finance Framework. The Social Hub currently has around 7,000 rooms in Europe and 3,000 more in the pipeline. Lenders’ legal counsel, led by Van Doorne in the Netherlands, also included White & Case in Spain, Pinsent Masons in Scotland, and De Pardieu Brocas Maffei in France. The Social Hub was advised by Clifford Chance. The valuation was conducted by CBRE.
TIMBERS CO. ENTERS LUXE HOME RENTAL SEGMENT:Â Timbers Co. has expanded its presence in the hospitality sector through its new offering, Andiamo. Andiamo consists of a collection of fully serviced luxury villas, townhomes, residences and city suites across the world. The collection offers a bespoke standard across all of its vacation rentals. Guests booking through Andiamo can access personalized services, such as pre-arrival grocery, personalized itineraries and programming to help guests explore the local heritage and history of the destination. Andiamo offers vacation residences for family holidays, group trips and corporate retreats.
AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT IN HONOLULU: AC Hotel by Marriott will open AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu on December 12. This will be the first AC Hotel on the island of Oahu. The 112-room boutique hotel is located in Honolulu’s business district and near Oahu’s Chinatown. The new hotel has multiple dining options, a fitness center and 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.