Raffles to open hotel in Moscow and other international hotel news

Raffles to open hotel in Moscow
Raffles Hotels & Resorts is to launch a hotel in the Russian capital, with the opening of the Raffles Moscow in 2011. Located in the heart of the city, in close to landmarks such as the Red Square, Kremlin and Bolshoy Theatre, the 130-room property will be housed in a heritage building originally built in the mid 17th century. It will include six restaurants and bars, as well as an indoor swimming pool and a 1,300sq m spa. Raffles Moscow will be part of a larger development, which will include apartments, high-end retail galleries and a number of historic buildings.

IHG to launch Staybridge Suites in Kuwait
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to introduce its extended-stay brand Staybridge Suites to the Middle Eastern country of Kuwait. The company has signed a deal with the Bukhamseen Group Holding Company to launch two properties in Kuwait City. Staybridge Suites Salmiya, which is set to open in November 2009, will comprise of 120 suites while an extension to the existing Crowne Plaza Kuwait will comprise the country's second Staybridge Suites property. Expected to open in January 2010, Staybridge Suites Farnawiya will feature 150 suites and will be situated near Kuwait International Airport.

Jumeirah to manage polo resort in Argentina Jumeirah Group is to manage a luxury resort in Argentina dedicated to polo and equestrian sports. The Jumeirah Culu Culu Polo Lifestyle Resort, which will be located in Lobos, one hour outside the capital of Buenos Aires, will feature eight polo fields. Jumeirah will manage the resort's five-star hotel of 252 rooms, including 90 suites in a central building and the remainder in one-four bedroom villas

Starwood to debut W Hotel in Jordan
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide plans to launch its W Hotel brand in Amman, the capital city of Jordan. Scheduled to open in 2011, the 280-room W Amman will be located in the Abdali New Downtown, in a mixed-use development in the centre of Amman, comprising apartments, office space, commercial and retail space and entertainment outlets. The hotel will feature a restaurant, destination bar, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a poolside bar. It will also include more than 4,000sq ft of meeting space as well as a spa and fitness centre.

By Kerstin Kühn

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