Waldorf Astoria launches in Malaysia: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, a Hilton luxury brand, will debut in Malaysia in 2024 with the 279 all-suite Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur. The hotel will be owned and developed by Tradewinds Corp. Berhad, Ampang Jaya, Malaysia, and managed by Hilton. Renovation and construction will start from the third quarter of this year. The hotel will join Hilton’s current portfolio of 12 operating and nine pipeline properties in Malaysia, as well as 14 Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts open or under development across Asia Pacific.
Scandic adds in Denmark: Scandic Hotels, Stockholm, Sweden, has signed an agreement with Vejle, Demnark-based Munkebjerg Group to take over the 132-key Hotel Opus in Horsens, Denmark. The agreement is a long-term lease which will come into effect from October. It will be rebranded and operate as Scandic Opus Horsens. Scandic currently operates another hotel in Horsens, Scandic Bygholm Park, which the company will exit when the lease expires by the year end.
Rosewood grows in China: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Hong Kong, will expand into China with the launch of Rosewood Xi’an, an ultra-luxury, urban resort in Xi’an’s Qujiang District. The 180-key resort will open in 2026 and add to Rosewood’s Chinese portfolio, which will see the addition of Rosewood Shenzhen in 2025, Rosewood Chengdu in 2026, Rosewood Hangzhou in 2026 and Rosewood Shanghai in 2028. Globally, Rosewood manages 29 luxury properties across 17 countries.
Landmark Miami Beach hotel trades: Pebb Capital and LeaseFlorida have reportedly sold for US$43.9 million the 100-room Hampton Inn by Hilton at The Continental in Miami Beach to an undisclosed seller. The sellers spent US$25 million renovating the property after buying it in 2016.
Weak pound concerns British travelers: The growing vulnerability and weakness of the sterling pound against the euro and dollar has become a cause for concern among British travelers ahead of summer. The sterling fell below US$1.20 on Tuesday, the lowest since the pandemic, while hovering near a 13-month low against the euro. Amid fears of a weak economy, British holidaymakers have been facing prospects of travel disruption. Economic experts said travelers planning to visit the U.S. or the Eurozone will be forced to spend less, as the dollar continues to remain strong.