Mandarin Oriental to open in Beijing and other international hotel news

Mandarin Oriental to open in Beijing
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is to manage a luxury hotel in the new, landmark headquarters of China Central Television (CCTV), located in the central business district of Beijing. The 241-room Mandarin Oriental Beijing is expected to open in mid-2008, in time for the city's Olympic Games. The hotel will feature six dining and cocktail venues including the Chinese and signature restaurants located on the top two floors of the hotel. It will also include a ballroom catering for conferences and events as well as a spa including wellness and beauty facilities and a fitness centre. Mandarin Oriental group chief executive Edouard Ettedgui said: "Mandarin Oriental is delighted to be expanding our collection of luxury hotels in China, particularly in Beijing, the nation's capital city. This exciting venture is a significant step in further establishing our brand in key business and leisure locations worldwide."

IHG to return to Serbian capital of BelgradeInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to launch a new property in Serbia with the opening of the InterContinental Belgrade in the first half of 2010. The 325-room hotel will be located in a mixed-use development in New Belgrade including a 35-storey office tower and a shopping mall. The hotel will feature three restaurants, a bar and a health club including a swimming pool as well as meeting space designed for business travellers. InterContinental Brands Europe chief operating officer Jennifer Fox said: "We have been present in the capital in the past, and it is testament to our belief in both the city and the country that we have managed to secure such a great location to continue our brand presence there." The launch of the hotel forms part of the company's expansion plans across Europe, with recent signings including Kiev and Moscow, as well as the opening of the company's flagship property in London and a new build property in Dubai set to open later this year.

Marriott to launch 16 hotels in the Middle East
Marriott International is to increase its Middle East lodging portfolio with the addition of 16 hotels by 2010. The Middle East growth is part of the company's global strategy to increase its hotel portfolio by 85,000 to 100,000 rooms over the next three years with nearly 30% of this growth being generated outside the USA and Canada. Half of Marriott International's new Middle Eastern hotel openings will be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the group plans to open and manage eight hotels in the UAE in 2009. the hotels include the 300-room Ras Al-Khaimah Marriott resort & spa; the 248-room Sharjah Marriott resort & spa; the 125-unit Marriott Executive Apartments (MEA) Sharjah; the 170-room JW Marriott Hotel Dubai Lifestyle City; the 152-room Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Lifestyle City; the 46-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Lifestyle City; the 356-room Renaissance Dubai Motorcity; and the 250-room Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Motorcity.

Accor manages first All Seasons hotel in ThailandAccor has started to manage its first hotel under the All Seasons brand in Pattaya, Thailand. After operating the Pacific Prince Pattaya for more than 10 years, the owner decided to adopt the three-star brand. The 259-room hotel provides for business, leisure and conference needs. The company has said that it expects the market mix will initially consist of 50% leisure through travel agents, 25% corporate and 25% direct individual bookings, mainly via internet sites. Amenities at the hotel include wireless internet connection; a Zen-designed swimming pool; spa and beauty facilities and the Seasons, an international and Asian fusion restaurant.

Hilton to expand Doubletree brand in ChinaHilton Hotels plans to expand its Doubletree brand in China with the opening of the Doubletree by Hilton Beijing and the Doubletree by Hilton Kunshan in 2008. The Doubletree by Hilton Beijing will comprise 455 bedrooms, 98 residences and three food and beverage outlets, including 24-hour dining. It will also include a health club, a ballroom and a roof garden and will offer extensive conference and banqueting and wedding ceremony facilities. The 397-room Doubletree by Hilton Kunshan will feature three food and beverage outlets, two ballrooms and a wide range of conference and banqueting facilities. It will also have a large health club and a swimming pool. Hilton Hotels currently operates five hotels in China, with future development plans including the Conrad Shanghai, the Hilton Chongqing resort & spa and the Hilton Taiyuan, all opening in 2009 as well as the Hilton Dongguan, scheduled to open in 2010.

By Kerstin Kühn

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