Hilton to debut Curio in Africa: Hilton Worldwide signed an agreement with Quits Hospitality Ltd. to open its first property under the Curio – A Collection by Hilton brand in Africa. The Legend Hotel is expected to open in mid-2016 at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Nigeria.
Starwood expands in Dubai: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide signed an agreement with Rashid Al Abbar to open a 192-room Aloft on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Scheduled to open in 2017, Aloft Dubai, The Palm, will be the brand’s first resort in the Middle East.
Read more at Starwood’s website
Kempinski settles with Wittwer: Kempinski Hotels SA released a statement saying it reached an out-of-court settlement with former Kempinski President and CEO Reto Wittwer to resolve their mutual litigation. In November, Kempinski filed criminal complaints that Wittwer defrauded the company of a significant sum of money.
Read more at Hotelier Middle East
Oberoi Group to manage in Maldives: Subramanya Construction & Development Company Limited and The Oberoi Group have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Maldives to build a luxury resort.
Read more at the Hindu Business Line
Old War Office to become hotel: The Hinduja Group acquired the heritage Old War Office in London that was once inhabited by Winston Churchill. The group plans to restore and convert the 1,100 rooms into a five-star hotel and luxury residences.
Read more at The Times of India
Berlin investment: Germany’s Union Investment Real Estate has made its third hotel investment in Berlin in the last six months with the acquisition of the Meliá hotel in Berlin from Hamburg-based Grundstücksverwaltungsgesellschaft Am Weidendamm Berlin-Mitte in an off-market transaction. The 364-room hotel will be held in Union’s “Defo Immobilienfonds 1” portfolio.
Fibra Inn to develop JW Monterrey: Fibra Inn will develop a 250-room JW Marriott Monterrey hotel in Mexico. Fibra Inn signed a franchising agreement with Marriott Switzerland Licensing Company SÀ RL for the use of the JW Marriott brand. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2019 and will be operated by Grupo Hotelero Fibra Inn.
Best companies: Five hotel companies were ranked among Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For 2016: At 20, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; at 47, Hyatt Hotels; at 56, Hilton Worldwide; at 70, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts; and at 83, Marriott International.