Plateno wins Colombo Fort management: Fairway Holdings entered into an agreement with Plateno Hotels Group of China to manage its 200-bed, soon-to-be-completed city hotel in Colombo Fort, Sri Lanka. This is the first hotel to be developed by the Fairway Holdings Group.
Read more at Ceylon Daily News
JetBlue hotel plan approved: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has picked a partnership between JetBlue and MCR Development to transform the former TWA terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport the airport’s only hotel. The hotel will have 505 guestrooms, meeting space, up to eight eateries and an observation deck.
Read more at Crain’s New York Business
Carlson Rezidor expands Indonesian presence: PT. Carlson Panorama Hospitality, a joint venture between Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Panorama Group, signed a management contract for Radisson Medan, in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The existing property will be extensively renovated under a US$5 million property improvement plan. The hotel will remain open throughout the renovations and will launch as Radisson Medan in the second half of 2016.
Fairmont signs in Nigerian capital: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Asset Management Group have announced the development of a new 270-room hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. Fairmont Abuja is scheduled to open in 2019.
Benchmark names president and COO: Benchmark Hospitality International promoted Greg Champion to president and chief operating officer. Champion previously held the title of chief operating officer at Benchmark. He joined the company in 2009.
Red Lion signs in Mississippi: Red Lion Hotels Corp. signed a franchise license agreement with Lodge Ridgeland, Ltd., for the Cabot Lodge Jackson North/Ridgeland in Mississippi. Following the conversion later in 2015, the hotel will continue to be managed by MMI Hotel Group.
Red Roof to open in Thailand: In partnership with Paragon Hotels, Red Roof Inn will break group on its first property in Thailand in 2016 and plans to open a series of new-build hotels across Thailand between 2017 and 2020.
Aloft to debut in Indiana: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will introduce its Aloft Hotels brand in Indiana in early 2017. Aloft South Bend will include 183 loft-style guestrooms, meeting space and bar.
Chatham grows in California: Chatham Lodging Trust acquired the 134-room Hilton Garden Inn Marina del Ray, California, for US$44.5 million. The Hilton Garden Inn Marina del Rey converted from an independent hotel in June 2013 after an extensive renovation.
African Sun partners with Legacy: African Sun Limited has entered into a partnership agreement with Legacy Group of Hotels to manage five of its hotels. Legacy is among the largest hotel chains in South Africa, with operations in Gabon, Ghana, Namibia and Nigeria.
Jury compensates for bedbugs: A jury has awarded a woman US$100,000 for injuries she suffered from bedbugs in a Red Roof Inn in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Read more at The Washington Post