Marriott expands in France and other international hotel news

Marriott expands in France
Marriott International plans to open three Courtyard by Marriott hotels in France over the next 36 months. They are the 150-room Courtyard by Marriott St. Denis Pleyel, in suburban Paris and scheduled to open in 2009; a170-room Courtyard by Marriott Arcueil in suburban Paris and planned to open in 2010 and the 210-room Courtyard by Marriott Marseille Euromed Centre, slated for opening in 2011. When opened, these three properties will join two existing Courtyard by Marriott-branded hotels in Paris and a third one that is planned to open in 2009 at Toulouse-Blagnac International Airport in France. When all hotels are opened by 2011, the Marriott International portfolio in France will consist of 14 properties spanning three lodging brands.

Spotted Pig founders open second New York Restaurant
Founders of the Spotted Pig restaurant, April Bloomfield, Ken Friedman and Mario Batali, will open their second New York restaurant, The John Dory this October. The John Dory will be located in New York's Meat Packing district and will have 60 covers inside as well as 40 al fresco covers on the riverbank. Sara Ochs will be chef de cuisine at The John Dory having worked as sous chef at the Spotted Pig site since 2006. The menu will be made up primarily of fish as Taylor Bay Scallop with Spring Onion & Garlic; Mackerel with Tomato & Olive Oil and Hamachi with Avocado & Grapefruit on the Crudo menu.

Domina Hotel Group acquires lease of Palace Hotel Bari
The Domina Hotel Group has acquired the lease to operate the Palace Hotel Bari. The Hotel is the largest hotel in Bari, one of the major Italian business destinations. The 200-room hotel features 16 meeting rooms arranged over three floors and can hold up to 420 people. Cuisine at the hotel's Murat restaurant is a combination of international and regional dishes; it also features a rooftop garden where guests can enjoy a panoramic view on the entire city.

Turkey gets its first luxury resort The luxury resort Mardan Palace in Turkey is set to open this October. It will comprise 560 rooms and villas including two royal suites with private pools. Designers have created architecture to reflect the distinct landmarks of Istanbul, with the main hotel resembling The Dolmabahce Palace and bridges across the pool are based on original designs of the Galata Bridge by Leonardo Da Vinci. The hotel's pool, the largest in the Mediterranean, will also have Gondolas to sail guests around it. Mardan Palace will feature a Hammam-style Spa and Health centre and features a vitamin and Champagne bar, Oriental Steam Bath and three Thalasso pools. It will also comprise tennis courts, bowling alleys, basketball, volleyball and squash.

By Gemma Sharkey

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