News & Stories

Chicago. Following Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard by Marriott, the Hyatt Hotels Corporation will also come to continental Europe next year with its American mid-scale brand, Hyatt Place. There are already more than 163 properties of this brand in the USA with more than 20,000 rooms - thanks to the takeover of the former AmeriSuites. Meanwhile, the jump over the pond will consider regional peculiarities, announced Gary Dollens, global head of franchise and select brands, in a conversation with hospitalityInside.com. The first "Select Service Property" Hyatt Place will emerge in Amsterdam and shortly afterward, the second Andaz will follow - also in Amsterdam. A visit to the first European Andaz in London a few weeks ago proved that Hyatt has a fine feel for quality. Thus, it is likely that the team from Chicago has also placed Hyatt Place in a valued niche - even if at first, the basic data sounds similar to those of the big competitors.

Madrid. Chinese HNA Group will not take the 20% share of NH Hoteles as previously agreed. The decision made public on Wednesday may cause financial trouble to NH.

Vienna. Under the new CEO Dr. Andreas Karsten, Vienna International Hotels & Resorts is aiming at continuing its growth and tapping new markets. The focus will be on developing a new umbrella brand concept, and more strongly positioning itself as a restructuring specialist.

Bad Aibling. In Switzerland a new, international consortium has been founded. In addition, the Association of Alpine Gastgeber also promotes it members - small family businesses.

Hirschegg/Kleinwalsertal. Just recently, there has been a change in General Manager at the 1 year-old Travel Charme Ifen Hotel. In addition, there is a new person responsible for hotel openings and support in sales and marketing. The resort hotel group is expanding quickly.

Frankfurt/Eschborn. At eight locations in Germany, the first Best Western Plus hotels opened their doors. Up to 60 hotels of this new category are planned in Germany.

Berlin/White Plains. Dr. Klaus Naeve, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Schoerghuber Stiftung & Co. Holding, has validated his plans - and has sold the last hotel shares of its subsidiary Arabella Hospitality SE. Starwood Hotels & Resorts has taken over 49.8% of Design Hotels AG in Berlin. What Starwood wants with it is still entirely open at the moment.

Aerzen. Within one year, the German marketing consortium "Feine Privathotels" has brought on eleven members. The optimisation of the concepts and the expansion of the membership has progressed.

London. The dynamic competition in Europe finally inspired the bed giant Marriott to rework its concept for the medium-class brand Courtyard by Marriott. After 18 months of investigations and development, a new profile for the European market was introduced which concentrates purely on the demands of the European business traveller. In doing so, the US chain has shown unusual amiability towards Europe and the regions. The focus of expansion is not Great Britain – as normally – but Germany and France. Last week, the European management of Marriott introduced the showroom for the new Courtyard buildings in London. The details.

Paris. Louvre Hotels Group signed a partnership with Jin Jiang Inn to promote the development of hotel tourism between France and China. Step by step, Jin Jiang enters all important markets worldwide.