THE RITZ-CARLTON, DALLAS COMPLETES RENOVATIONS: The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, has completed a multi-million dollar renovation. Spearheaded by Texas-headquartered design company Rottet Studio, renovations include enhanced comforts to all 218 rooms and suites, a refreshed lobby, public areas, corridors and The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge. Each room now includes a writing table and chair, new bathrooms and vanity areas. The transformation of the 12,000-square-foot luxury spa was led by Dallas-based design firm ForrestPerkins. Renovations include upgrades to the nail spa and hair salon, upgrading the relaxation lounges, redesigning of treatment rooms and launching two new rooms, along with a new spa dining lounge.
15TH-CENTURY CASTLE OPENS AS HOTEL: Middleton Castle, the 600-year-old fortress in Norfolk, the U.K., has opened as a hotel and joined property management company ALTIDO, part of the DoveVivo group. Built during the Wars of the Roses in 1461, the castle is being thrown open for tourists for the first time. A restored, Grade I-listed building, the property features 15 bedrooms, including two cottages. The property includes freestanding baths, a billiards room, a summer house and a croquet lawn. The 15th-century fortress joins ALTIDO’s other properties in its portfolio, which include Gilmerton House in Scotland and Galleria in Milan.
NEWCRESTIMAGE ACQUIRES THREE COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT HOTELS: NewcrestImage is acquiring three Courtyard by Marriott hotels from W.P. Carey, the New York-based real estate investment trust. Two hotels in Albuquerque International Sunport and Indianapolis International Airport have closed already, and the third property (located at Chicago O’Hare International Airport) is slated to close in early November. The acquisition represents a total of 481 rooms. The transaction was led by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group. NewcrestImage has completed over 100 deals in the last 12 months. The Dallas-based company currently has a portfolio of more than 70 hotels across the U.S., totaling nearly 8,000 rooms.
SAUDI PRINCE LAUNCHES COMPANY, FLAGSHIP PROJECT: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has launched a company, ARDARA, to develop AlWadi, the flagship destination in Aseer region, as its first destination. AlWadi aims to be an urban lifestyle destination for tourists. Spread over 2.5 million square meters, AlWadi will align with international sustainability standards and dedicate more than 30% of the area as green and open spaces, 16 kilometers of waterfront 17 kilometers of walking and cycling tracks and cultural and community activities. The destination will comprise five districts with 2,000 residence options, high-end hotels and office and commercial spaces. AlWadi supports PIF’s strategy to create diverse experiences across Saud Arabia, aligned with Vision 2030. AlWadi is expected to contribute over SAR19 billion ($5.06 billion) to the country’s non-oil GDP by 2030 and generate thousands of jobs.
HYATT CREATES WELLNESS COLLECTION: Hyatt Hotels Corp. has launched Wellbeing Collective, a collection of Hyatt properties that will offer customized wellbeing experiences. The collection currently consists of more than 30 hotels globally and plans to add more properties in 2024. Some of the hotels across the Americas region include Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas and Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. As part of the initiative, Hyatt has created a global sales role to develop wellbeing collaborations and offerings for meetings and event planners. This follows the appointment of TJ Abrams as vice president of global wellbeing in December 2022. Wellbeing Collective can be used by both individual leisure travelers as well as group customers to book tailored wellness experiences.