Red Lion to franchise in Bakersfield: Red Lion Hotels Corp. signed a franchise agreement for a new location in Bakersfield, California. The 198-room hotel is scheduled to convert in June and include a restaurant, fitness center, spa and meeting space.
Read more at Red Lion’s website
Trump partners with Zakarian: Geoffrey Zakarian will open his first restaurant in Washington, D.C., in the forthcoming Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. Along with his partner Louis Ceruzzi, Zakarian will open The National at the hotel that is slated to open in 2016.
Dusit announces new projects: Dusit International will open Dusit Thani Jeddah and dusitD2 Salwa in 2018.
Ritz-Carlton unveils new app: The Ritz-Carlton has rolled out ((Chime)), a new mobile app designed specifically for meeting planners. The app allows meeting planners to communicate with their conference concierge using an online menu of options on their mobile device. The app also has a text feature that allows meeting planners to give specific and unique instructions during a meeting.
Read more at Marriott’s website
Nakheel partners with RIU Hotels: Nakheel will team up with RIU Hotels & Resorts to build Dubai’s first all-inclusove beach resort. Under the agreement, Nakheel and RIU Hotels & Resorts plan to create a 750-room, 4-star all-inclusive resort.
NoMad coming to Los Angeles: Sydell Group has acquired Giannini Place, a downtown Los Angeles building that the company will redevelop into a NoMad hotel. The 12-story hotel is scheduled to open in 2017 and will have about 250 guestrooms as well as a rooftop pool.
iCrowd launches crowdfunding platform: iCrowd Hotels has launched its proprietary online crowdfunding platform. iCrowdHotels’ online platform aims to put the power directly in the hands of the investor by providing technology that allows users to closely track the composition of their hotel portfolios along with fundraising progress for properties in crowd investing status.
DHISCO to launch next-gen OTA: DHISCO is partnering with Nustay.com to launch a combination OTA and online marketing channel later this month.