News & Stories

Bonn. The publicity effect for the young Kameha Grand in Bonn is currently enormous. Though quite apart from celebrity show, the extremely creative hotel opening event two weeks ago gives just a small taste of what the unconventional lifestyle and event hotel might provide in future. The flower design by Marcel Wanders lends the hotel quite a unique image. In order to discover the finer details of this hotel concept, unparalleled in Europe, a lot of time would be required - be that for the multi-touch fish pond or the finery of the rooms. Carsten Rath, Founder and CEO of Lifestyle Hospitality & Entertainment Group, which operates the Kameha Grand Bonn, answers our questions. As announced last week at the ITB, the LH&E Group is pushing forward with another hotel project: The urban designer hotel brand "K-Stars Living".

Berlin. The vibration of the world economic crises shook the hospitality market in the US more than in other regions. May be this is the reason why Marriott International now started a global reorganization with a special focus on Europe. The company announced plans to double its portfolio in Europe by 2015.

Bonn. The Grand Kameha Bonn opened with a spectacular laser show, perfectly fitting for what is to be a unique lifestyle and event hotel. Laser flashes, dancing letters and Beethoven's 9th symphony, the "Ode to Joy" formed the backdrop to fireworks in front of the Rhine river. A unique acoustic and visual experience. After 111 days in the run-up, the first project of the new hotel group has now opened. Architecture and design concept form new dimension among "convention hotels".

New York. The world’s population of High Net Worth Individuals suffered significantly from the global crisis; Ultra-HNWIs suffered even more. Though the U.S. remains the single largest home to HNWIs, they also spent significantly less at home – and also started to downgrade or cut back on service experience while travelling. The hotel industry is deeply affected - and challenged to watch carefully the wealthy customers' demands and travel habits. Welf Ebeling, partner of The Syngenuity Group in New York collected facts and figures about the recent development in the luxury market. A guest article.

Brest/Frankfurt. In its 20th year, B&B Hotels, headquartered in Brest, France, is now set to expand in Italy and Poland as well as in Germany and France. The plan is to take advantage of high current interest from investors in Germany in the budget market and to conclude sale-and-lease-back agreements. The cooperation with Tank & Rast has hit difficulties. The group intends to massively reduce collaboration with indirect booking channels. The group also announced its results 2009.

Berlin. It all started with the acquisition of some 5 hotel assets and the known hotel brands such as Ibis, Ramada, Steigenberger, Mercure on the roof remained untouched. Nothing much has changed ever since. While Ibis or Radisson is the brand, Grand City is the management. Today Grand City is on the way to become that largest hotel group in Germany right after Accor. Grand City counts 80 hotels after 7 years - and already overtook Steigenberger who has 77 hotels after 80 years. Grand City is not particularly eager to improve the brand awareness of the Grand City brand. The reason for this is that behind their concept is not the classical hotel-operator model but rather the principle of asset value appreciation.

Interlaken/Mumbai. Victoria-Jungfrau Collection, the Swiss luxury hotel group, enters an alliance with the Indian Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces hotel chain. However, the joint venture only refers to a certain selection of hotels.

Munich. The Swire Group from Hong Kong is known to insiders as stakeholder in the airline Cathay Pacific. In reality, it's much more than that, and now there's a new hotel group to add to it: Swire Hotels. The first two hotels in Beijing and Hong Kong are already open for business, now, the focus is on Europe – more precisely on Great Britain. The parent company has long had hotel experience – as investor in various hotels around the world. The company's own Swire Hotels will occupy a niche: the creative 5-star boutique segment – and possibly make defy a chain or two along the way.

Frankfurt. After the abrupt resignation of Andre Witschi, Chairman of Steigenberger, at the end of the year, unrest has increased inside the company. Miche Novatin, who was hired as a consultant in December, threw in the towel in late January. Managers are suffering from lack of communication with the top decision makers.

Zurich. "Swissôtel has been sold many times, but a good brand doesn't die," CEO Meinhard Huck laughs - despite his being "sold" along with the brand each time. Huck has spearheaded the small and initially purely Swiss hotel group, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, for eight years. Now, Swissôtel counts 27 hotels and is represented in 17 countries. The group's "Swissness" hasn't been lost through the expansion though. In fact, it's quite the opposite: The Swiss touch has been integrated into the group's corporate identity and subtly cultivated from there. The small Alpine emigrant has obviously stood up well as upscale brand of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, especially in these difficult times. A snap shot of developments.