Hipmunk challenges Google: Just a week after it debuted, the Google Hotel Finder already has a competitor from Hipmunk, who launched a hotel finding feature on its website that already features an interactive flight finder.
See the new hotel finder at Hipmunk
Onyx scores deal in Pattaya: Onyx Hospitality Group announced that it signed a deal to manage The Legend mixed-use tower in Pattaya, Thailand. The hotel will be renamed Amari Residences Pattaya.
Read more at Focus on Travel News
Construction starts on stacked Marriotts in NYC: Construction of a 68-story hotel in New York that will house a 378-room Courtyard by Marriott and a 261-room Residence Inn by Marriot is set to begin.
Read more at The New York Times
Hilton to debut in Chad: Hilton Worldwide announced on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement to manage a 195-room hotel in N’Djamena, the capital city of Chad. The hotel is expected to open in 2013.
Read more at the Hilton Global Media Center
Isrotel Group head dies: David Lewis, an Israeli hospitality entrepreneur and head of the Isrotel Group, died in London on Monday evening. Lewis was credited with helping develop the tourism market of the Israeli city of Eilat.
The Hotel Group buys South Bend hotel: The Hotel Group announced that it had purchased a 298-room hotel in South Bend, Indiana, the company’s first owned and managed hotel in the state. The hotel was rebranded on Aug. 5.