News & Stories

Berlin. Whether the large project at Berlin's Central Station will result in a Sheraton Hotel - as announced a year ago – is currently an open question. Starwood appears to be flexible as far as Berlin is concerned – also because the situation with regard to the former InterConti has again changed.

Velden. For many months, Hypo Alpe Adria Group has had Schlosshotel Velden up for sale. After several attempts, the bank from Carinthia got rid of its millstone at Lake Woerthersee.

Vienna. As of immediately, hotels are no longer part of the core business of the Austrian company B & C Industrieholding. After the sale of the Radisson Blu in Vienna, the Starwood Grand Hotel jewels are now to be sold.

Berlin. Suddenly, on the construction site on the ninth floor, you stand before a real door made of dark-brown high-grade wood containing a bell and an electronic entrance. This means: you have to take off your shoes as the beige-coloured marble floor does not tolerate any concrete dust... Waldorf Astoria, which is currently under construction, has been leading many curious guests into its mock-up room for weeks now.

Zug/Hamburg. Kameha Grand Bonn will now see an immediate remake on Mallorca, Spain. A fund will finance the construction of the new Kameha Bay Portals Hotel. With this investment, the company redirects its investment focus.

London. The original grand hotels were public places that lent an air of gravitas to a city. Of course they were places for visitors to stay but also places for locals to meet, to see and to be seen; almost gifts to the city. The Savoy, perched on the slope between the bustle of Covent Garden and slick greyness of the mighty River Thames, is one such hotel. Closed in December 2007 for a full refurbishment the iconic landmark of The Savoy reopened last autumn. In the event the original estimates of 100 million Pounds Sterling and 18 months turned out to be 220 million Pounds Sterling and 30 odd months.

Vienna. In Vienna this week, Shangri-La Hotels has unexpectedly gotten out of the contract for its first European hotel - two months before the hotel opening. The Asians should accept a renewed postponement of the opening.

Bonn. The Kameha Grand in Bonn closed its first full operating year 2010 with revenues of 16 million EUR. The hotel also received numerous awards. Carsten K. Rath, CEO and founder of the operating company LH&E Management AG has already announced further projects.

Berlin. Exactly at the turn of the year, the Steigenberger Airport Hotel Berlin has been sold by the Hamburger ECE. The buyer has its grip in Germany for the first time.

Frankfurt. At the railway station for long-distance trains in Frankfurt, people are used to waiting: In the basement, it is commonplace that passengers wait for their trains to arrive, upstairs, the IVG Development GmbH and the owner of Frankfurt Airport, Fraport, are waiting for The Squaire to open its doors. Known under the name "Airrail Center", it is supposed to start operating at the beginning of 2011. The investors have been waiting for The Squaire to open for business for almost ten years, whose completion is imminent, despite many setbacks along the way. The on-off project has met with many difficulties over the years, causing its investor IVG the occasional sleepless night. The Squaire looks like a giant ICE on stilts. One of its traction engines will accommodate two hotels: a 247-room Hilton as well as a 314-room Hilton Garden Inn. There`s an escalator connecting the railway station for long-distance trains to the hotels. As far as the hotel chain is concerned, this project constitutes an important piece in Hilton`s Germany portfolio.