Generator appoints Roy to new chief commercial officer role

Hostel group Generator has announced the appointment of Colin Roy as chief commercial officer, a newly created role as the group accelerates growth and customer engagement.

Punta Tragara to reopen in April

Punta Tragara, Capri reopens on April 13th, as the property celebrates the 130th birthday of legendary architect Le Corbusier. This year would mark the 130th birthday of the Swiss-French architect’s birth.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah claims social media crown

The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the world’s most luxurious hotel, has taken the crown as the most followed hotel on Facebook and Instagram. The luxurious property – recognised as the World’s Leading Luxury Hotel by the World Travel Awards – has over 500,000 followers on both platforms.

Nobu Hotel Shoreditch set for June opening in east London

Opening in June 2017, located in the heart of London’s artistic quarter, Nobu Hotel Shoreditch is the first European hotel from the internationally renowned Nobu Hotels brand.

Taylor River Lodge prepares for June opening in Colorado, USA

Taylor River Lodge, the newest Colorado property by Eleven Experience, is set to open in June for its first summer season. The quintessential mountain lodge retreat, made up of a series of luxurious log cabins, is perched just above the banks of the pristine Taylor River in Taylor Canyon.

Dewey to lead Leasowe Castle following refurbishment

Leasowe Castle has welcomed a new general manager as part of the venue’s on-going transformation. With more than 40 years in the hospitality sector, Mike Dewey has joined the team at the Wirral-based castle ahead of a company-wide rebrand, following a £3 million refurbishment.

Hilton to repurchase $1bn of common stock

The board of directors of Hilton Worldwide has authorised a stock repurchase program of up to $1 billion of common stock. The board also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share of Hilton’s common stock, payable on March 31st, 2017 to stockholders of record as of March 10th, 2017.

Brown to lead food and beverage offering at Jupiter Hotels

Tracey Brown has been appointed food and beverage director at Jupiter Hotels, responsible for the group’s portfolio of 29 hotels across the UK. Following 30 years at the business, Brown has risen through the ranks from hotel manager to director.

Hilton to repurchase $1bn of common stock

The board of directors of Hilton Worldwide has authorised a stock repurchase program of up to $1 billion of common stock. The board also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share of Hilton’s common stock, payable on March 31st, 2017 to stockholders of record as of March 10th, 2017.

Sium to lead Kimpton Donovan Hotel, Washington DC

Awet Sium has been appointed general manager of Kimpton Donovan Hotel in downtown Washington, DC. In his new role, Sium will oversee all hotel personnel, day-to-day operations, guest relations and business development at Kimpton Donovan Hotel.

Minor signs for Avani Busan Hotel in South Korea

Minor Hotels has announced that it will debut its Avani brand in South Korea with the launch of Avani Busan Hotel. The new-build 400-key hotel represents a milestone for Minor Hotels as its first property in South Korea.

Brown to lead food and beverage offering at Jupiter Hotels

Tracey Brown has been appointed food and beverage director at Jupiter Hotels, responsible for the group’s portfolio of 29 hotels across the UK. Following 30 years at the business, Brown has risen through the ranks from hotel manager to director.

Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara opens in Mexico

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has opened the Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara, the fourth Hyatt Regency hotel in Mexico. With this hotel, the Hyatt Regency brand is marking its return to the city of Guadalajara as part of the mixed use Andares development, a successful luxury commercial complex.

Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara opens in Mexico

The 257-room Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara has opened its doors in Mexico. With this hotel, the Hyatt brand is marking its return to the city of Guadalajara as part of the mixed use Andares development, a successful luxury commercial complex.

Thomas selected to head Les Clefs d’Or

Simon Thomas, head concierge at The Lanesborough in London, will be appointed International president of Les Clefs d’Or on in March 2017. The ceremony will be held at the Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hôtels Les Clefs d’Or in Berlin.

One&Only Royal Mirage to welcome chef Gaggan Anand

One&Only Royal Mirage has partnered with world-class Indian chef Gaggan Anand of Gaggan restaurant to create a pop-up restaurant at the resort’s fine dining restaurant, Celebrities.

Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill set for Plymouth opening

Excitement is mounting as the final preparations begin for the grand opening of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s new Plymouth restaurant.

Mondrian Doha set for soft launch this spring

sbe, a leading privately-held lifestyle hospitality company, will open its first hotel in the Middle East with the launch of Mondrian Doha, Qatar in the spring. This soft opening will set the stage for Mondrian Doha’s grand opening celebration, which follows in late September, and promises to be an outstanding showcase of the property.

Construction begins on The Oaklander Hotel, Oakland

Concord Hospitality plans to open Pittsburgh’s first Autograph Collection Hotel in the heart of the Oakland neighbourhood. Construction began on the 167-room property, The Oaklander Hotel, last month.

AccorHotels reveals increase in net profits despite challenging French market

AccorHotels has reported financial results for 2016, revealing an 8.1 per cent increase in net profits to €266 million when compared to the previous year.

Airbnb acquires Montreal-based Luxury Retreats

Airbnb has acquired Montreal-based Luxury Retreats, a luxury vacation rental company offering over 4,000 homes in 100 destinations around the world. Luxury Retreats chief executive Joe Poulin will join Airbnb and lead luxury homes, reporting to Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky.

Sarkozy appointed to board of AccorHotels

The board of AccorHotels has unanimously co-opted Nicolas Sarkozy as an independent director. He will serve the organisation for the remainder of Moussalem Moussalem’s, with the former director having stepped down following Colony Capital’s decision to sell its shareholding in Accor.

Alila Jabal Akhdar launches Rose petal spa experience

This year guests at Alila Jabal Akhdar will be able to celebrate the rose harvest in Oman with a rose-inspired experience. Every year, from the end of March until mid-May, the rugged, rocky mountain landscape of Jabal Akhdar - the Green Mountain in Arabic - is transformed into a spectacular shade of pink.

Thouvard to lead Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Thailand

Denis Thouvard has taken up the position of general manager of Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Thailand. Thouvard is French national who firstly joined Centara Hotels & Resorts team in 2009 as general manager for the opening of Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket.

Finamore takes up leadership role with Fairmont Hotels

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has welcomed Peter Finamore to the role of regional vice president, Pacific North-west and general manager of Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, BC.

Clarke joins Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris

Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris has appointed Stephanie Clarke as its new director of sales and marketing. Clarke brings years of experience in top luxury hotels to her new position in the Parisian palace.

Göschel appointed executive chef at The Alpina Gstaad, Switzerland

Martin Göschel has been appointed executive chef at The Alpina Gstaad from May 1st. The 45-year-old German succeeds Marcus Lindner, who is leaving the hotel at the end of the 2017 winter season for a new challenge in Zurich.

UK serviced apartment sector set for strong growth in 2017

The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers has revealed the strong growth of the sector is set to continue this year with a record 2,600 new units set to open in the UK in 2017.

InterContinental sees profits rise despite challenging environment

InterContinental Hotels Group has reported strong underlying revenue growth for financial 2016, driven by growth in both RevPAR and rooms. Global comparable RevPAR was up 1.8 per cent, while the company recorded $24.5 billion in total gross revenue from hotels in its system during the year.

InterContinental sees profits rise despite challenging environment

InterContinental Hotels Group has reported strong underlying revenue growth for financial 2016, driven by growth in both RevPAR and rooms. Global comparable RevPAR was up 1.8 per cent, while the company recorded $24.5 billion in total gross revenue from hotels in its system during the year.

InterContinental sees profits rise despite challenging environment

InterContinental Hotels Group has reported strong underlying revenue growth for financial 2016, driven by growth in both RevPAR and rooms. Global comparable RevPAR was up 1.8 per cent, while the company recorded $24.5 billion in total gross revenue from hotels in its system during the year.

New leadership appointments for Dusit International

Dusit International has appointed of Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk to the role of vice president sales. At the same time, Michael Leong will assume responsibility as vice president marketing.

Amadeus takes up leadership of Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket

AKARYN Hotel Group has appointed Daniel Amadeus as general manager of Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket and of the brand new Akyra Beach Club Phuket.

Radisson Blu Residence opens in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

The Rezidor Hotel Group is introducing its first residence property in Dhahran, bringing the brand to Saudi Arabia for the first time. With 92 stylish and sophisticated apartments, a restaurant and a gym, guests will find everything they need to feel at home at the Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran.

Radisson Blu Residence opens in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

The Rezidor Hotel Group is introducing its first residence property in Dhahran, bringing the brand to Saudi Arabia for the first time. With 92 stylish and sophisticated apartments, a restaurant and a gym, guests will find everything they need to feel at home at the Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts debuts in Changsha

The St. Regis Changsha is set to open its doors in China. The St. Regis brand also expects to debut The St. Regis Shanghai Jing’an later this year, as well as four additional hotels in Greater China’s gateway cities and leisure destinations over the next five years.

Edwardian Hotels London ‘bottoms out’ Leicester Square development

Edwardian Hotels London has celebrated the ‘bottoming out’ of its new development in Leicester Square. Excavators earlier reached the lowest point, more than 30 metres below ground level, making it the deepest hotel basement in London and perhaps the largest commercial basement in the UK.

Edwardian Hotels London ‘bottoms out’ Leicester Square development

Edwardian Hotels London has celebrated the ‘bottoming out’ of its new development in Leicester Square. Excavators earlier reached the lowest point, more than 30 metres below ground level, making it the deepest hotel basement in London and perhaps the largest commercial basement in the UK.

DoubleTree by Hilton Pleasant Prairie Kenosha opens in Wisconsin, USA

DoubleTree by Hilton Pleasant Prairie Kenosha has joined the global portfolio of Hilton Worldwide after the completion of its $3.5 million renovation.

Concord Hospitality opens Buckeye Bourbon House in Columbus, Ohio

Concord Hospitality has opened its first bar, Buckeye Bourbon House, in downtown Columbus, serving as both the owner and operator. The bar will offer guests and residents a vibrant cocktail experience inside the former Buckeye Savings & Loan Building, located at 36 E. Gay St.

The St. Regis Changsha expands Marriott presence in China

ST. Regis Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of The St. Regis Changsha, the luxury hotel brand’s eighth hotel in Greater China.

Mapletree Investments acquires Oakwood Worldwide

Mapletree Investments has acquired Oakwood Worldwide, a global provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions. The acquisition covers all of Oakwood’s global operations.

Mapletree Investments acquires Oakwood Worldwide

Mapletree Investments has acquired Oakwood Worldwide, a global provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions. The acquisition covers all of Oakwood’s global operations.

Mapletree Investments acquires Oakwood Worldwide

Mapletree Investments has acquired Oakwood Worldwide, a global provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions. The acquisition covers all of Oakwood’s global operations.

Premier Inn reaches 750 property milestone with Chiswick opening

Premier Inn has officially opened its 750th hotel, in Chiswick. The £28.3 million addition to the estate expands on the brand’s portfolio in the capital and supports Premier Inn’s ambition to be everywhere that business travellers need to be.

Eleven launches Bahama House in the Bahamas

Harbour Island, renowned for its famous pink sand beaches and cool, laid-back vibe is home to Eleven’s latest property – Bahama House, opening in February 2017. The property marks the first island escape for Eleven’s portfolio, setting itself apart with a range of tailor-made guest experiences geared towards water enthusiasts and leisure travellers.

Marriott sees quarterly earnings grow after completing Starwood acquisition

Marriott International has reported fourth quarter 2016 results, the first since the completion of its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. In the quarter the combined company reported net income of $244 million, a 21 per cent increase over 2015 fourth quarter net income of $202 million.

Vietjet records $105m profit for financial 2016

Vietjet has reported positive growth in 2016, with revenue of US$1.21 and profit of US$105 million. The airline achieved a load factor of 88.9 per cent, transporting more than 14 million passengers.

Marriott sees quarterly earnings grow after completing Starwood acquisition

Marriott International has reported fourth quarter 2016 results, the first since the completion of its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. In the quarter the combined company reported net income of $244 million, a 21 per cent increase over 2015 fourth quarter net income of $202 million.

DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville opens in Indiana, USA

Visitors to Evansville - the commercial and economic hub of south-west Indiana, south-east Illinois and north-west Kentucky - have a new hotel option in the heart of its bustling downtown. Today marks the grand opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville, a 241-room, five-story, state-of-the-art property just moments from offices, restaurants and cultural attractions along the city’s horseshoe-shaped waterfront.