Photo courtesy of Iberostar
Iberostar Tucan and Quetzal resorts in Playa del Carmen, Mexico have reopened with a new look after fire destroyed a large part of the area shared by both accommodations last October. Iberostar turned the situation into a positive one by remodeling the lobby, spa and fitness area, plus other spruce-ups. Click for details and a social media preview.
Anbang Insurance Group certainly got Marriott International's attention. The Chinese consortium made what was considered a superior takeover proposal to Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide right in the middle of the hospitality chain's merger with Marriott. Per the rules, Marriott was compelled to one-up Anbang's offer to end negotiations and get back on track. Click to find out the details about Marriott's amended deal with Starwood and what's next in the merger process.
With the contracts signed, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has officially become the first U.S.-based hotel company with properties in Cuba for more than half a century. Later this year, after renovations, Hotel Inglaterra in Havana will become part of the chain's Luxury Collection and five-star Hotel Quinta Avenida, also in the island nation's capital, will become a Four Points by Sheraton. There are other deals not as far along that are in the works between U.S. hospitality chains and Cuban entities, click to find out more.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' Luxury Insights Report has just been released, and it seems to reveal a paradigm shift with luxury traveler preferences. The study seeks specific reasons why people stay at the Canadian company's portfolio of luxury and historic accommodations, and it seems that travelers nowadays look for emotional resonance and cultural immersion from Fairmont's historical properties, rather than just the material benefits of amenities and services. Click for more insights.
Right on the heels of a deal that would expand its presence in South Africa, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is poised to hit the ground running in South Asia. A master franchise agreement with India's Sorrel Hospitality will facilitate Best Western's growth throughout India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Phoenix-based chain has 22 properties in India already, and plans to launch the Best Western Premier Collection there and grow the boutique GLo and Vib brands as well. Click for details.
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