31 August 2012
The De Vere group of luxury hotels is planning to expand with a new property in Edinburgh. This will be the first property in the city for the company, which is just awaiting official approval of its plans. At the moment the company has a property located at Loch Lomond – the Cameron House resort. It is expected that in excess of 100 new jobs could be created as a result of the new development, both full-time and part-time.
30 August 2012
The Starwood group of luxury hotels and resorts has earmarked the Ukraine as its next emerging market. The aim is for the company to expand its operations in the country and there will be a new luxury hotel in the form of the Sheraton Kyiv Olympiysky opening in 2013. The Ukraine will be the focus of new development along with Russia and Tajikistan. It is expected that these areas will form one of the fastest growing markets for the hospitality industry over the next few years.
29 August 2012
The Sofitel luxury hotels brand has just come to Casablanca. This is the economic heart of Morocco and the new hotel is to be named the Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche. This is a glass building that has been designed by a Belgian architect and has been created to show the modern turn that the city has been taking recently. The hotel can be found in the heart of Casablanca’s business district and is a 24-storey property.
27 August 2012
The Qbic Hotel Amsterdam has been given Green Globe certification in recognition of its efforts to become a greener establishment. The hotel has a four star rating and in recent years has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce the hotel’s impact on the environment. It is now one of the greenest luxury hotels in the Netherlands.
24 August 2012
Guests taking luxury holidays at the Four Seasons Hotel Dublin during September will be able to indulge in the Sodashi Marine Mineral Facial Package. This package includes a mini afternoon tea as well as the treatment, and is set to become a popular option with guests at one of Dublin’s top luxury hotels.
21 August 2012
The Hotel Indigo brand of luxury hotels is part of the world-famous InterContinental group of hotels and has just announced further expansion within Germany. The company has already opened two hotels in Berlin during 2012 and a new property in Dusseldorf is being added to the portfolio. This will be the Hotel Indigo Dusseldorf-Victoriaplatz. The hotel will be part of a franchise agreement in partnership with the LFPI Hotels Management Company.
16 August 2012
Kiev is set to become one of Europe’s top luxury destinations and hospitality companies such as the Marriott group of luxury hotels will be developing new properties. The Marriott group is opening the Renaissance Kiev Hotel, which will have more than 170 luxury rooms. The opening of the hotel is planned for 2013 after the Leipzig Hotel is renovated and re-branded. The Renaissance brand is one of the top luxury brands for hotels.
15 August 2012
The sales and marketing alliance of Great Hotels of the World has just added a number of new luxury hotels to its listings. The organisation is London based but hotels from all over the world can be added.
15 August 2012
The Hyatt group of luxury hotels has just opened the Hyatt Place Delray Beach in Palm Beach County. This is the first new hotel for the area in two years and the new development has been aimed at both business and leisure travellers. The location of the hotel is perfect for both and the aim is to create a travel experience that is positive and unique for all guests. The design of the hotel is for a lifestyle rather than a particular demographic.
14 August 2012
The Green Globe organisation has given certification to the De Hotels van Oranje in the Netherlands. The hotel is located in the popular area of Noordwijk and has been one of the leading hotels in the country when it comes to environmental issues. De Hotels van Oranje has a five star rating and is one of the first to be officially recognised for the work it has done with regards to sustainability. The management of the property has declared that it is very proud of this achievement. Environmental awareness has now become a core value of the hotel.
14 August 2012
The Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow has just opened The Oceanic, an American-themed restaurant. Guests taking luxury holidays in the area will be able to relax in the Art Deco restaurant and bar, which has been given the original name of the terminal at Heathrow that first welcomed travellers from the US. The dishes served in the restaurant are reminiscent of the cuisine available in New York and Miami.
13 August 2012
Sustainability has become a major issue for some luxury hotels as they recognise that guests want to make their trips as environmentally friendly as possible. The Hotel Concorde in Berlin has become a leader in sustainability issues and was originally certified by Green Globe back in 2010.
10 August 2012
Marriott International is one of the world’s leading brands of luxury hotels and it is continuing to expand its portfolio with new properties in Eastern Europe. There is to be a new 220 room luxury hotels in Russia, which will be named the Voronezh Marriott Hotel. This new property is not due to open until 2015. Marriott currently has 14 hotels in operation in Russia and the aim is to continue the expansion.
09 August 2012
Commuters using Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam will soon be able to enjoy the delights of a brand new luxury hotel. The Steigenberger hotel group, which is based in Frankfurt, has just announced that it wants to make Amsterdam a location for development. It is thought that in September 2012 the company will be taking over the Dorint Hotel Amsterdam Airport, which is one of a range of luxury hotels in and around the airport area.
09 August 2012
The Hilton group of luxury hotels has been given an award for the efforts it has made in green tourism. The Carbon Saver Gold Standard is given for establishments that have made great efforts in the reduction of carbon production and this award is for the work carried out at Hilton’s UK luxury hotels. Carbon emissions from the group have been reduced over the last three years.
06 August 2012
Le Royal Monceau has long been one of the top luxury hotels in Paris and is famous for being connected to artists and novelists. It has been open since 1928 and is ideally located close to the Arc de Triomphe. The Raffles group took it over in 2008 and gave it a much-needed facelift. This hotel features 85 luxury rooms and a further 64 suites, and there are plenty of artistic touches in the rooms such as African masks, acoustic guitars and glass seashells.
06 August 2012
Wood Norton Hall is located in the Vale of Evesham and has just undergone a restoration that cost in the region of £4 million. It is now to be the latest of the region’s luxury hotels. There will be 50 rooms in this Grade II listed property. For many years the building was owned by the BBC and was a hotel as recently as 2009, but the property was in poor condition. The new hotel will be part of the Bespoke Hotels group.
03 August 2012
The Rezidor group of luxury hotels has just announced that it is to open the Radisson Blu Hotel in Chisinau in Moldova. The group is undergoing a large expansion programme and this hotel is just one part of that. The hotel currently has 145 luxury rooms but it is to undergo a complete renovation before reopening under the new brand in 2013. The CEO of Rezidor is delighted with the latest acquisition and this is the first hotel in Chisinau that is part of an internationally known brand.
03 August 2012
Belleisle House in Ayr has just been acquired by hoteliers John and Senga Campbell and is to be converted into one of the area’s top luxury hotels. The new development will also incorporate a spa and will make use of the original features of the property. The building dates back to the 18th century and has been under the control of the local council for the past 85 years. There are many acres of parkland for guests to relax in and there is a golf course nearby which is ideal for enthusiasts.
31 July 2012
The Hotel Maria Cristina has just undergone a $25 million revamp and will be reopening again shortly. The hotel is owned by the Starwood group of luxury hotels and is part of its Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts brands. The hotel is to celebrate its 100th anniversary and the renovations have been completed in time for this. Renovations are also planned for other hotels within the brand.
31 July 2012
The Ritz-Carlton has been named as one of the world’s top luxury hotel brands in a survey of customer satisfaction. There are a number of factors that were assessed with the survey, including the standard of personalised service and the welcome that guests can expect.
30 July 2012
The ME by Melia luxury hotel is due to open in London in August. This latest addition to the line up of London’s luxury hotels has been designed by Norman Foster and is located on a prime site where the Strand and Aldwych meet. The hotel is to have 157 luxury rooms and was formerly Marconi House. The facade of the building dates to 1904 and has been blended with contemporary features to create a modern hotel.
26 July 2012
The Four Seasons Milano luxury hotel has added a top spa to its facilities for guests taking luxury holidays in the city. The building was originally a 15th century convent, and the spa has been designed by one of the region’s top interior designers. The spa opened in the middle of July and it takes the form of a tranquil haven with a variety of treatment rooms and saunas, as well as a fully equipped fitness centre.
24 July 2012
Mallorca has long been a favoured destination for those who enjoy luxury holidays and there are plans in place to develop a number of new hotels in the area. The Jumeirah group of luxury hotels has already opened a flagship property there and others that are soon to join them are Nikki Beach and Wave House. There are more and more luxury amenities being developed on the island, such as golf courses, top quality restaurants and marinas, which are attracting thousands of holidaymakers each year.
24 July 2012
The Small Luxury Hotels of the World has continued to grow during 2012 and no less than 13 new luxury hotels have been added as members in the period from April to June this year. Membership of the listing is considered to be an achievement, as only the very best hotels are accepted. The group has also reported a growth in revenue for member hotels when compared to the same period last year.
20 July 2012
Luxury hotels group Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has announced the development of a site just outside Dundee that is set to open in 2015. This new venture will be only the second Wyndham property throughout the entire UK. The first is the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour. Wyndham Grand The Angus hotel will be launched by MAP Property & Leisure Developments, which will have a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
13 July 2012
The Lalit Suri group of luxury hotels, which is part of Bharat Hotels Ltd, has announced plans to invest around £28 million in a heritage project in London. This is an old building that will be restored and converted into a luxury boutique hotel. There are also plans for four further luxury hotels in India and a number of mid-market properties that will be developed within the next five years.
12 July 2012
The Turkish hospitality company Rixos has unveiled plans to expand, with a further five luxury hotels to be added to its present portfolio of 16. These new properties will be opened in Egypt, UAE and Azerbaijan, among other locations. Rixos was first established in 2000 and the brand has expanded a great deal in recent years. Recent additions to the portfolio include the Rixos The Palm Dubai and a further property in Istanbul.
11 July 2012
Guests taking luxury holidays at London’s famous Claridge’s Hotel will be pleased to find that 20 of the suites have recently been given a facelift. Linley, the furniture brand that was founded by the Queen’s nephew, David Linley, has created the design. The suites are a mix of Art Deco and traditional styling, and the aim has been to keep, as much as possible, the original heritage of the hotel in mind.
09 July 2012
The Waldorf Hilton hotel in London is one of the city’s top luxury hotels and is due to take guests back to the past with its latest idea. The hotel was famous in the early part of the 20th century for its Argentine Tango teas, and is due to revive the tradition. It is now 100 years since the tango was first performed at the hotel and this idea is to celebrate that anniversary.
06 July 2012
A new luxury hotel under the Mercure brand has opened in the city of Poitiers in France. This can be found in the heart of the city and is close to a number of attractions. One of the most unusual features of the hotel is that the building was formerly a Jesuit chapel. The building dates back to the mid 1850s and became something of a landmark in the area. It ceased to be used as a place of worship in 1870, and has also been a school.
05 July 2012
The Palazzo Sasso is a luxury boutique hotel that opened in 1997 and is now to get a new name and image. This hotel is on Italy’s popular Amalfi coast in the town of Ravello, and it has gone from strength to strength since it opened. From the beginning of next year the hotel will be known as the Palazzo Avino; it will be named after Guiseppe Avino, who founded the hotel. The decision has been made by his granddaughter, Mariella, following his death.
04 July 2012
The TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence are much sought after because they are based on the reviews of guests who have stayed in the hotels, and Red Carnation Hotels has recently achieved this certification for all 14 of its properties. This is in addition to the Traveller’s Choice Awards that were handed out earlier this year to three properties within the group. Recognition such as this is reassuring for customers who want to know that the standard of service they can expect is high.
03 July 2012
The owners of the Harrods brand have plans to open a number of Harrods Hotels in some of the world’s top luxury destinations. These include New York and Paris. The owner is Qatar Holding LLC. The company is based in Doha and has recently entered into an agreement to open a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Qatar Holdings will be looking for a management company to work with them on the day-to-day management of the hotels.
03 July 2012
The Timbers Resorts group of luxury hotels has just opened a new property in Europe. This is the Hotel Castello di Casole, which is a castle that dates back to the 10th century. It now boasts 41 suites and sits in the heart of an estate totalling 4,200 acres. This Tuscan resort is perfect for those who want to take luxury holidays in the area and it is just as short journey from luxury destinations such as Florence, Siena, and the major wine regions.
29 June 2012
The city of Truro is to get a new luxury hotel. Nigel Carpenter, an experienced hotelier, has purchased the Old County Hall building and there are plans to develop the site into a luxury destination for holidaymakers. Mr Carpenter currently owns the St Michael’s Hotel & Spa in Falmouth and has grand plans for his new acquisition, which is currently home to the local council offices.
28 June 2012
One of Lanzarote’s luxury resorts has undergone something of a revamp recently. The renovations have been designed to bring the facilities up to a higher standard than ever before. The Melia Salinas will have a five star rating and has been designed to appeal to families and couples alike.
27 June 2012
The Crown hotels group has announced that the Bloomsbury Palace Hotel has just undergone a renovation. This hotel is located in the popular Bloomsbury area of London, which is ideally located for those who want to see some of the city’s major attractions. Many people taking luxury holidays in the city want easy access to places such as the museums, Trafalgar Square and the royal palaces.
21 June 2012
The Swissotel group of luxury hotels has announced that it is to develop two new luxury hotels in the popular destination of Bodrum in Turkey. One will be a beach resort while the other will be city-based. The group already has luxury hotels located in other parts of the country, including in Ankara and Istanbul. It is expected that the new hotels will be opening in 2013 and 2014.
19 June 2012
One of London’s top luxury hotels has just opened a new dining facility in the form of the Terrace Grill & Bar. The Le Meridien Piccadilly’s new restaurant will specialise in dishes using British meat and seafood. This area used to be known as The Terrace, but has undergone a complete refurbishment in recent months.
19 June 2012
Those who want to spend time at Royal Ascot or visit the area for another race meeting will find that luxury accommodation is available in the form of the Berystede Hotel. It is estimated that more than 500,000 visitors come to the area just for the races each year. The Berystede Hotel is part of the Macdonald group of luxury hotels and it is just ten minutes away from the Ascot racecourse, making it ideally located for those who want to mingle with royalty and celebrities.
18 June 2012
One of London’s top luxury hotels is currently updating all of its guest rooms at an estimated cost of £1.8 million. With more than 200 rooms to upgrade, guests can look forward to higher standards of comfort and a stylish design. The London Marriott Hotel Kensington began the refurbishment back in March and it is estimated that the overhaul will be completed in the winter of this year. The lighting and soft furnishings will all be changed, and the rooms will feature the signature Marriott beds.
15 June 2012
Melia Hotels International is now opening the first part of its Calvia Beach Resort in Mallorca, in the form of the Beach House Hotel. This is intended to be the first lifestyle resort for Mallorca. The property was formerly the Majorca Beach Hotel and has undergone a complete transformation in just four months. The hotel has now been redesigned to offer a contemporary image and is very much focused on adults.
14 June 2012
The Marriott International brand of luxury hotels is growing, and the company has just announced that it is to open a new property in Bucharest. This will be under the Courtyard by Marriott brand and will consist of 147 rooms. The company is to operate and manage the property in an agreement with the owners, and the hotel has been scheduled to open during the early part of 2014.
13 June 2012
The Celtic Manor hotel in South Wales is one of the area’s top luxury hotels and there are plans for renovation and expansion. The investment is in the region of £160 million and some of the areas that will be improved include the hotel’s family facilities. The hotel is famous as the location of the 2010 Ryder Cup, thanks to its excellent golf facilities, and it has become one of the top luxury destinations in Wales. There has already been an investment of £500,000 in the golf facilities; the improvements include an adventure golf course.
12 June 2012
The Sport Hotels Resort & Spa, which can be found in Andorra, has enlisted the help of the Lifestyle Agency for promotions and marketing. This group of luxury hotels can be found nearly 2,000 feet above sea level in the Pyrenees Mountains. The complex includes the Sport Wellness Mountain Spa, which covers more than 5,000m2 over a total of five storeys.
11 June 2012
The UK is to get its second InterContinental hotel, which is expected to open in November of this year. The hotel is to be based in Queen Anne’s Chambers, a building that has historical significance for this part of London. This is a very busy area of the city and many of the city’s main tourist attractions can be found here. Guests are ideally located to visit attractions such as the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, not to mention all the museums and art galleries that are within easy reach.
06 June 2012
Ruthin Castle is a privately owned luxury hotel in North Wales and the management there has just announced that it is to open a new spa in July. The Moat spa will feature a number of different treatments that are available to guests and will include an outdoor sauna tent that is log-fired – the first of its kind in the UK.
05 June 2012
The Starwood group of luxury hotels and resorts has just launched the Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra Hotel and Spa, which is the first for the Sheraton brand in the Spanish capital. The hotel is owned by the Comercial Mirasierra Group and this is just one of the hotels that is planned for the expansion of the Starwood group. Over the next three years it is hoped that 60 new hotels will be opened around the world.
04 June 2012
The Augustus Collection is a sales and marketing company that has just acquired a hotel in Bulgaria. This is one of a number of luxury hotels in the area and it is named The Cliff Hotel & Spa. This is a four star resort with both Arabic and Mediterranean features in its design. The location is ideal for those who want to pay a visit to Nessebar – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and Sozopol.
04 June 2012
The Ennismore Capital group is set to expand its portfolio of luxury hotels in London. The group currently specialises in boutique luxury hotels and the announcement of expansion comes hot on the heels of the group’s acquisition of the Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch. The cost of this purchase has not been confirmed, but it is expected to be more than £60 million.
31 May 2012
The Luxury Collection is a brand development by the Starwood group of luxury hotels and it has just reopened the Hotel Alfonso XIII after spending around $25 million on the restoration of the building. The aim was to bring back the splendour of the original property. This is the first of the hotels that are to undergo this work, and other hotels that are to be restored within the next year include the Maria Cristina, the San Sebastian and The Gritti Palace.
31 May 2012
Luxury Hotel Partners is a management company for luxury hotels. It has been established by the same operators that run the Small Luxury Hotels of the World programme. This organisation has just acquired its third property in the UK and will be taking over the management of No 11 Cadogan Gardens in the heart of London.
30 May 2012
The Castille Paris, one of the top luxury hotels in the city and part of the Starhotels Collezione group, has just completed an extensive renovation. The renovation cost in the region of €20 million and began back in 2005. This is when the company took over the property and this final part of the renovation was the redesigning of 40 rooms located in the Opera Wing of the hotel.
28 May 2012
Green Globe has just announced that the Club Med Saint-Moritz Roi Soleil has been given certification, thanks to the advances it has made in eco issues. The resort can be found within the Swiss Alps, in the Engadine Valley, and it has the distinction of being the 26th resort within the Club Med group to achieve this certification.
25 May 2012
The Interstate Hotels & Resorts group is to expand its portfolio with a new luxury property in Dublin. The new hotel is The Marker, which will also be an apartment complex. This new hotel can be found in the heart of the city and it is expected that the hotel will open in early 2013. This will be the 27th hotel for the group in Europe. Other hotels in the portfolio include the Rajasthali Resort & Spa in India and the J Hotel at Shanghai Tower in China.
25 May 2012
A new luxury spa hotel is being opened on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. This latest addition to the region’s luxury hotels is to be visited by some of Europe’s rich and famous, including royalty from Monaco. The building is a former monastery that dates back to the 17th century. The new hotel is to be named Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel and Spa. It can be found at Cape d’Orso, on the cliff edge, and has been transformed by Bianca Sharma.
24 May 2012
Ackergill Tower is a luxury hotel close to Wick. It has a prime location on the coast and guests can look out over Sinclair Bay and towards the Orkney Isles. The rooms have been finished to a very high standard and are filled with antiques, linking the rooms to people and places from the region’s past. The tower itself dates back to the 15th century and is a great place to visit for those who want to take luxury holidays in Scotland.
24 May 2012
One of Edinburgh’s top luxury hotels has been given the award of Scotland’s Hotel of the Year 2012 at an awards ceremony that took place recently. The ninth annual Scottish Hotel Awards bestowed the honour on Chester Residence. This is a five star establishment located in the West End of the city. It picked up the award after the judges deemed that this is the type of hotel that is becoming particularly popular now.
22 May 2012
The Millennium UN Plaza hotel is to undergo an upgrade. The building consists of two glass skyscrapers, and the West Tower is to be given a luxury renovation costing in the region of $30 million. This should be open again in September of this year. The location of the hotel next to the UN means that it is hoped that the hotel will appeal to diplomatic and business travellers as well as those wanting to take luxury holidays in New York.
21 May 2012
Those who are looking for the ultimate in luxury holidays will be pleased to know that building work is due to begin on a new seven star hotel in Spain. This latest addition to Spain’s luxury hotels is to be built by Banyan Tree Holdings in the region of Almunecar. The budget for the project is estimated to be in the region of €230 million and the work is just waiting for an environmental report and final approval from the local council before the building can get underway.
21 May 2012
The High Tor Hotel is one of Matlock Bath’s luxury hotels and it has just undergone a renovation costing in the region of £3 million. The hotel is soon to be finished and reopened. The hotel is located at Artist’s Corner and boasts 14 boutique style bedrooms as well as a restaurant and bar.
21 May 2012
Two Danish luxury hotels have been given certification by Green Globe. Both the Carlton Hotel Guldsmeden and the Axel Hotel Guldsmeden have been recognised for their environmental efforts. These two luxury hotels have been operating with sustainable issues in mind and are considered to be carefully following a number of green guidelines that do not take away from the luxury service that guests of the hotels expect. The hotels have also demonstrated that they are ensuring that they are regularly reviewing and updating their procedures to meet with the latest requirements.
18 May 2012
Wivenhoe House in Colchester is due to open in the summer after a restoration that has cost in the region of £10 million, and with a number of new senior members of staff. The hotel will be opening as one of the area’s top luxury hotels and is also the site of the Edge Hotel School, a place where professionals will learn how the hospitality industry works from the inside.
17 May 2012
The Bernardus Lodge, one of Carmel’s luxury hotels, is to re-launch its restaurant towards the end of the month. The hotel is located in Carmel Valley and sits in grounds of many acres. Cal Stamenov, a top chef who will have the title of culinary director, will run the Marinus restaurant. The interior of the restaurant has been renovated and the menu will undergo a revamp to meet this new standard. The new menu will demonstrate the chef’s awareness of the shift from tradition to the new informal simple meals.
17 May 2012
The Cotswold House Hotel has opted for a re-launch of its restaurants after securing the services of a top chef. Dave Watts has trained under some of the country’s finest chefs and worked at restaurants such as Le Manoir aux Quats’Saisons. He will run both of the hotel’s restaurants. The Dining Room restaurant at the hotel is due to reopen in mid-May and this will be a fine dining experience aimed at those celebrating a special occasion.
16 May 2012
The Hilton Garden Inn group of luxury hotels has just announced that it is to open a new hotel in the prestigious district of Parioli in Rome. This will be the former Claridge Hotel, which now becomes the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge and is in a great location for those who want to take luxury holidays in the city. It is close to a number of major attractions, including the Villa Borghese and the Via Veneto.
14 May 2012
The Iberostar group of luxury hotels and resorts has announced that it is dividing its portfolio into new categories. The company currently has more than 100 hotels, which are located in 15 different countries around the world. The aim is to ensure that hotels with similar features are categorised together so that guests can be sure of what to expect.
09 May 2012
The Al Habtoor Group has acquired a historic hotel in Hungary’s capital, Budapest. The luxury five star Le Meridien Budapest has 218 rooms and is perfectly located for the sights and attractions that the city has to offer. Considered one of the more romantic European cities, hotel guests looking to spend some quality time with their loved one may consider this luxury destination for their next getaway.
09 May 2012
The Bulgari Hotel and Residences will be opening its doors in the heart of London on 28th May 2012. The fabulous accommodation is ideal for those looking for luxury hotels or luxury holidays. Located in Knightsbridge, one of the most upmarket areas of the English capital city, there are 85 luxury rooms and suites on offer to guests.
08 May 2012
The Aurora Hotel Collection has just opened a new luxury hotel near Gleneagles. The Cairn Lodge & Hotel is located in Auchterarder and the group has plans to acquire a number of other properties over the next 18 months. This particular property has just reopened after six months of refurbishment, which was needed as the property had been unused for some time.
04 May 2012
The Four Seasons group of luxury hotels is to open a five star property in Baku in June 2012. The hotel is to be conveniently located on the promenade, adjacent to the Caspian Sea. The hotel is to have a penthouse spa and will also have a heated indoor pool. Guests staying in one of the 171 rooms will have views of either the sea or the city itself. If guests are lucky enough to be staying in one of the corner suites, they will have panoramic views.
04 May 2012
The Viceroy Hotel Group is planning to expand its operations into Europe by taking over the operation of the Nef Bebekoy hotel development in Istanbul. The Viceroy Istanbul will be a five star resort and it is due to open in 2013. The group is also working on a second development, which is located in Turkey’s Bodrum and will open in 2014.
04 May 2012
The luxury hotels in operation today recognise the need for personalised service, and with this in mind the Manor on Golden Pond has opted to introduce a Personal Activities Concierge Service. This has been designed to ensure that guests are getting the ultimate service from their luxury holidays. This boutique hotel is the only one located in New Hampshire that is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group.
03 May 2012
The first European resort for Jumeirah has just been opened in Mallorca. The Dubai-based group of luxury hotels has added the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa to its portfolio; it is a five star resort and is perfect for those who want to enjoy the local traditions as well as top quality luxury.
02 May 2012
The first Edinburgh addition to the listings of Small Luxury Hotels of the World is the Nira Caledonia. The group has selected this hotel because it has a prime location in the heart of the city and the architecture of the building is something very special. The interiors of the hotel are fresh and welcoming, and the Gloucester Place hotel fits in nicely with the surrounding area, which mainly consists of cobbled streets.
01 May 2012
Middlethorpe Hall near York has made the transition into a luxury hotel and spa. This is a former historic house that dates back to the late 17th century and which fell into the hands of Historic House Hotels in the 1980s. The restoration that followed turned it into one of the city’s top luxury hotels, as well as a fine dining venue and spa.
25 April 2012
The De Vere group of luxury hotels has announced that it is to launch a new type of room, known as UpperDeck, which will come complete with luxury touches such as top quality beds and bedding, flat screen TVs and satellite channels, and Starbucks branded coffee. These rooms will be part of the Village Hotels brand of the group and are intended to be a type of first-class room.
25 April 2012
The George Washington Hotel has been named The Hotel of the Year for 2011 by the Wyndham brand. The hotel is a Wyndham Grand hotel and is managed by Marshall Hotels & Resorts. This is the highest award that can be given by the group and recognises high levels of achievement. The luxury hotels are assessed on all aspects of their service, as well as the role that they play in their local community. The hotel has managed to raise large amounts of money for local charities in recent years.
24 April 2012
A new destination guidebook on Greece has been launched by The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, which is part of the Starwood group of luxury hotels. This will be part of a set of guidebooks which are to be published by Assouline and will detail the company’s luxury hotels and resorts in the country under The Luxury Collection brand.
24 April 2012
A luxury hotel on the Wirral has just undertaken a cottage conversion and has invested a large sum of money to ensure that the latest green technologies have been used to provide heating and hot water. The Mere Brook House Hotel is located near Thornton Hough and the works on the cottage have taken around 12 months to complete. The conversion has given the hotel a further four luxury rooms and meeting facilities.
24 April 2012
A number of luxury hotels in Paris are due to close shortly for renovation. It is expected that the Ritz Paris and the Hôtel de Crillon will be closed for up to two years for renovations to take place, which will be complete refurbishments. The aim is to keep up with the growing number of new luxury hotels that are opening in the city.
23 April 2012
One of Doncaster’s top hotels has been given a four star rating. With a number of luxury hotels already located in the city, the Earl of Doncaster, which can be found on Bennetthorpe, has achieved the new status following an upgrade that cost in the region of £5 million. The renovation has included an extension and upgrades to all the rooms.
23 April 2012
The Bedford Lodge Hotel, which is located in Newmarket, is to expand over the coming months with the development of new rooms and a studio for health and fitness. It is expected that the works will be completed in Augusts 2012 and the studio that is being developed will offer a wide range of fitness classes for guests and those who have joined the on-site fitness club. In addition there will be another 22 luxury guest rooms added to the hotel’s current total of 55.
20 April 2012
The Red Carnation group of boutique luxury hotels has announced that it is launching a range of new packages for guests. These will include adventure days such as driving around Silverstone racetrack, a day at Ascot or hot-air balloon rides.
17 April 2012
The Bharat Hotels group is to launch its Lalit brand of luxury hotels in London. The brand is currently operational in India and the group has just purchased a property in London, which will be refurbished and will operate under the Lalit brand within three years. The property purchased has around 70 rooms and was formerly an academic institution.
13 April 2012
The Boringdon Hall Hotel is located near Plymouth and has just been given a four star rating by the Quality in Tourism scheme run by VisitEngland. The hotel has 40 luxury rooms and is a former Elizabethan manor house right on the edge of Dartmoor. The recent renovations and upgrades at the hotel have helped to achieve the new rating.
13 April 2012
There are plenty of luxury hotels that are perfect for families, and one of these is ideal for those who want to spend some time in the South Seas. The Hotel Kaveka can be found on the island of Moorea and has just undergone a complete renovation. Accommodation is individual bungalows and there is an overwater restaurant, which enjoys amazing views.
12 April 2012
The TripAdvisor website has announced a list of London’s top five classic luxury hotels. Everyone wants a taste of luxury, and old-fashioned charm at the same time can go a long way with those who want to feel a little pampered. These hotels have been ranked according to information provided by travellers’ reviews, which makes the listings special as they are based on personal experience. All the luxury hotels listed have been winners of awards at the 2012 Travellers’ Choice Hotel awards.
12 April 2012
The Odeon Leicester Square cinema has been sold and is to become a luxury hotel, specifically a Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel. It is expected that the work on the project will not begin until early 2013, but planning permission is already in place. The luxury hotels group is still to appoint a team of architects and the aim is to ensure that the landmark building will be treated with the greatest of respect.
11 April 2012
Kinmel Hall is a Victorian mansion located in North Wales, which has just come under new ownership. The new owners want to restore the building and turn it into one of the area’s leading luxury hotels. The building was purchased for £1.5 million at an auction held recently. The name of the new owner has not yet been announced.
10 April 2012
The Kivotos Hotel in the town of Ornos has been listed by the Greek Conde Nast as one of the best hotels in the region. The hotel is on the popular holiday island of Mykonos. The hotel boasts a wide range of luxury amenities and it is expected that this listing will see the hotel do very well, as the magazine is now voting for the best hotels in the country.
06 April 2012
A number of luxury hotels that were formerly owned by the Von Essen group have found themselves with new owners in recent months. The latest of these is the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath. A group named Topland is now the new owner of the 46-room hotel. The hotel is to be managed on a day-to-day basis by Vision Asset Management.
06 April 2012
The city of Baku is bracing itself for an influx of tourists in the next few years with plenty of new developments, and one of these is a five star Marriott hotel. The Marriott group is famous around the world for its luxury hotels and the new Marriott Absheron Hotel in the centre of the city has just been opened by the country’s president and his wife.
06 April 2012
The Starwood group of luxury hotels is planning to increase the number of properties under the W brand to 60 by 2015. The brand has recently launched the 42nd hotel in its portfolio, which is the W Paris Opera.
05 April 2012
The Congham Hall hotel is one of the leading luxury hotels in West Norfolk and it has just acquired a new owner. The hotel is located at Grimston, near the popular town of King’s Lynn, and it has just been purchased by Nicholas Dickinson, an experienced hotelier. In recent years his holdings have been abroad and this is his first venture on his return to the UK after spending time establishing the Martinhal resort and hotel in Portugal’s Algarve.
05 April 2012
The new Jumeirah resort in Mallorca is due to open before the end of April 2012. The group is becoming one of the largest luxury hotels groups in the world and this will be its first resort in Europe. The resort will be able to cater for guests of all nationalities, as the staff will be drawn from some of the top resorts around the world.
04 April 2012
There is to be a new property joining the ranks of the luxury hotels in London’s Square Mile. This is being categorised as a ‘super luxury’ establishment and will include a number of residences. The hotel is to be located in the building that used to be the Port of London Authority HQ. Planning permission for the development has already been granted.
03 April 2012
The survey of the highest hotel occupancy rates for 2011 show that there are no less than five Scottish cities in the top ten European cities, so Scotland is bracing itself for an influx of investment in luxury hotels. Edinburgh was top and was closely followed by Inverness, Glasgow and Dundee. Edinburgh even managed to surpass cities such as Paris and Rome.
02 April 2012
The Sheraton Grand hotel in Edinburgh is to become a flagship hotel for the world-renowned Starwood brand. The hotel is due to reopen in April 2012 following a refurbishment programme and this will be the yardstick by which other Starwood hotels will be measured. The refurbishment programme that has been put into place by Starwood will cover hotels all over the world and will cost in the region of $6 billion.
02 April 2012
The Great Hotels of the World group of luxury hotels has announced that a new property is opening in Italy in April 2012. The Villa Armena, Relais & Beauty Farm is finally ready after a development which took two years and cost in the region of €4.5 million.
30 March 2012
The Laura Ashley fashion company is to open a ‘brand hotel’ using its own designs in Hertfordshire. The hotel that the company has purchased is already in operation under another name, which has not been revealed, and has been sold to Laura Ashley for £5.8 million. The hotel has 49 rooms and will be a boutique property featuring Laura Ashley products, from the soft furnishings to the wallpaper.
29 March 2012
The Royal Horseguards is one of London’s top luxury hotels. It has a five star rating and is owned by Guoman Hotels. It has just launched a range of luxury offers for those who want to visit London during 2012. These are designed to attract those who want to go shopping, those who are on a romantic break, and enthusiastic sightseers.
28 March 2012
Belgraves hotel is one of a number of luxury hotels in Belgravia, but it is the first flagship hotel in the capital for Thompson Hotels. The hotel has been designed by EPR Architects Ltd in collaboration with Tara Bernerd & Partners. Belgraves is the former Sheraton Hotel and it has been completely refurbished to ensure a boutique property, without making any changes to the basic structure of the building.
26 March 2012
Those who want to take luxury holidays in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world will find that there is now a new option when it comes to top quality accommodation. The Corinthia Hotel London has just revealed a collection of hotel suites which cover two storeys and which are set to change the face of luxury accommodation in the city, as there are very few penthouse suites available.
23 March 2012
Luxury hotels will soon be developed in the Solent. Two of the forts that are located in the Solent have been purchased by a developer, who has plans to develop them as hotels and museums. The two forts in question are Horse Sand fort and No Man’s Land fort, and these are now owned by the same company – Clarenco – that purchased Spitbank fort a few years ago.
23 March 2012
The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts group has added to its ever-growing list of luxury hotels with the opening of the Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv. This is to be the first hotel located in Eastern Europe for the brand. The hotel can be found in the heart of the city in the Podil district and is soon to be joined by other hotels in Eastern Europe and Asia, including one in Baku, Azerbaijan.
22 March 2012
The Virtuoso Elite Preview Program is one of the longest running in the industry and has just added another of London’s luxury hotels to its list. The Bulgari Hotel and Residences London is the hotel in question. This is the third Bulgari hotel to join the program and is not even due to open until April 2012.
22 March 2012
Marcello Pigozzo, an experienced Hong Kong hotelier, has launched a new hotel brand at the luxury end of the market. The Salviatino Collection has sprung from the hotelier’s purchase of Il Salviatino, a Renaissance villa located just outside Florence, which has become a top quality five star hotel. This has become a flagship property for the new brand of luxury hotels, which are at the moment mainly in Europe.
21 March 2012
The Alrov group of luxury hotels is to open a new hotel in Amsterdam shortly. This will be the Amsterdam Conservatorium Hotel and the finished building will be the result of €157 million invested in renovations. The group also has plans to open a string of luxury hotels across other countries in Europe over the next few years.
21 March 2012
Dalhousie Castle was formerly part of the Von Essen group of luxury hotels and has been sold to the owners of the Northumberland Hotels group. Dalhousie Castle dates back to the 13th century and has been a hotel since the early 1970s. The Northumberland Hotels group already owns a number of luxury hotels around the country, including Doxford Hall Hotel and Guyzance Hall.
20 March 2012
The Jumeirah Group of luxury hotels has just taken over the management of one of Turkey’s top hotels. The group, which is based in Dubai, has a new management agreement with the Pera Palace Hotel. It will take over the management from 1st May 2012 and the name of the hotel will change to the Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah.
19 March 2012
The town of Ljubljana in Slovenia is to get a tourism boost with the opening of the Antiq Palace Hotel & Spa. This is a boutique hotel located in the heart of the town centre, which will appeal to both business and leisure travellers. The hotel has made use of the medieval style of architecture and it fits in nicely with the surrounding buildings.
15 March 2012
The Adriatic Luxury Hotels group is one of the largest hospitality groups in Croatia and has been formed from the merger of two managing companies. These are Excelsad and JadranskiLuksuzniHotelid. The management company of JadranskiLuksuzniHotelid will take care of the hotels, which are located in and around the Dubrovnik area. They include Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, Hotel Croatia and Hotel Kompas.
15 March 2012
The ICMI group of luxury hotels has announced that it is to acquire its seventh property. This is to be a small hotel located in Edinburgh and it will open in May 2012. This is The Atholl hotel, which is located on Atholl Crescent, part of the city’s New Town. The hotel comprises four suites and is going to be one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in the city.
09 March 2012
The Starwood group of luxury hotels is to open no less than 25 new properties across Europe over the course of the next four years. It has already opened hotels in Paris and Istanbul. 2012 will see the opening of 80 hotels for the group all over the world. It is considered that both Eastern and Central Europe are good areas for expansion and many of the hotels located there will be new-build properties, while hotels in more established tourist areas will be mainly conversions of existing properties.
09 March 2012
Great Hotels of the World is a sales and marketing project that is open to some of the finest luxury hotels in the world. The latest members to join come from all over the world, including Greece and Indonesia. Being added to the list is a sign of quality and luxury.
08 March 2012
The luxury hotel company Jumeirah Group has announced that reservations are now being taken for the newest additions to its portfolio in Mallorca, London and Rome.
07 March 2012
The Fairmont Monte Carlo has been given a number of awards in recent months, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to the quality of one of the leading hotels in one of the world’s favourite luxury destinations. The awards come courtesy of the International Hotel Awards; the hotel was voted Best European Hotel for 2011.
05 March 2012
The Starwood group of luxury hotels and resorts has opened a new property in one of the world’s leading luxury destinations. The W Paris – Opera hotel is owned by Meridia Capital, a company based in Barcelona, and the location is an 1870s building located near the Opera-Garnier and very close to other attractions, such as Galeries Lafayette and Place Vendome. This is in the 9th arrondissement of the city.
29 February 2012
The Fairmont luxury hotel in Monte Carlo has been honoured at the International Hotel Awards for 2011. The awards were held at the Savoy hotel and attending the ceremony were representatives from luxury hotels from around the world. The awards given to the Fairmont Monte Carlo are the Best European Hotel 2011, the Best Hotel of Monaco 2011, and a Highly Commended Spa award.
28 February 2012
The Grosvenor Hotel has just launched its Cora Pearl suite as part of the 18-month refurbishment of the building. The suite has been named after a French courtesan who visited London during the 1870s. Cora Pearl booked a suite at the hotel but was turned away when the hotel learned of her salacious lifestyle. In order to create the right style in the suite, the hotel enlisted the help of author Katie Hickman, who has extensively researched the subject of courtesans.
28 February 2012
The Cafe Royal in London is due to open in June this year as part of The Set. This is a new hotel collection developed by Alfred and Georgi Akirov, which will be making the most of the 150-year history of this city landmark. The Cafe Royal has undergone many transformations during its time in order to keep pace with the changing face of the capital.
23 February 2012
Many travellers are now looking for a green option when they check out luxury hotels, but there are not that many establishments that consider their green credentials. However, the Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall is a little different. The hotel is modern and has a spa and is located between Newquay and Padstow on the northern coast of the county. The hotel has been designed so that all of the rooms have a view of the sea.
23 February 2012
The Scotsman Group has now sold off some of its assets and a number of these have been bought by a billionaire businessman from Saudi Arabia.
22 February 2012
As many luxury hotels are discovering, having a luxury spa can help to bring in guests who want a few days of pampering away from their busy lives. There are plans for a rooftop spa to be developed in Teesdale at The Morritt Arms, located in Greta Bridge. The hotel dates back to the 16th century and planning permission for the development has just been applied for.
21 February 2012
The world famous Cliveden House luxury hotel has been purchased by Ian and Richard Livingstone, the owners of Chewton Glen hotel. Cliveden House is a five star hotel located in Berkshire and is now part of the 60 property-strong portfolio owned by the Richardsons, which also includes the David Lloyd fitness clubs. Cliveden House had a guide price of £35 million and is a grade I listed building.
16 February 2012
The Virtuoso group of luxury hotels has added one of the top Milan luxury hotels to the Preview collection. The Armani Hotel has become the latest fashionable establishment to join the select list of luxury hotels. This is a travel network that has an impressive membership. The Armani Hotel will be able to take advantage of the networking opportunities available to it at Virtuoso as well as marketing and sales support. The Armani Hotel Dubai is also part of the Virtuoso group.
16 February 2012
The Gran Melia Rome Villa Agrippina is the newest of the luxury hotels to be unveiled in Rome. Located in the heart of the city, the new hotel has views of the Tiber River and will be opening to guests at Easter. The hotel will feature original architecture and will be in the heart of the shopping district and some of the city’s best-known tourist attractions, including Saint Peter’s Basilica.
09 February 2012
Paris is known for luxury hotels but until now not many of them have been part of international brands. A number of hotels have been recently opened in the city that look set to reverse this trend. International luxury hotels that have opened recently include Mandarin-Oriental, Raffles and Shangri-La. Close behind these is the Starwood W Hotel.
08 February 2012
The Regent group of luxury hotels has announced that it will be opening a new property in Montenegro during 2014. This is to be located on the waterfront and is ideally located to meet the needs of the many thousands of tourists that flock to the area each year. The new hotel will continue the trend of the Regent luxury hotels by offering a simple design and top quality service. The design will be unique to the hotel and aims to offer amenities for relaxation and entertainment.
07 February 2012
The Starwood Capital Group has become a partner in a hotel located in South Beach called the Gansevoort. This luxury hotel has more than 300 guest rooms and more than 250 condo units. In addition there are retail outlets and a large gymnasium. These leisure facilities are in addition to the three swimming pools and the numerous dining venues. The hotel boasts a pool and lounge on the rooftop, which gives guests some amazing views of the ocean.
03 February 2012
The Starwood name has become synonymous with luxury hotels and resorts, and the group has been announcing plenty of plans for expansion over the coming years. 2012 in particular will see the opening of a number of luxury hotels.
02 February 2012
The Abbey Hotel in Bath now has new owners in the form of Ian and Christa Taylor. The hotel currently has a three star rating but the new owners plan to renovate the property so that it becomes the latest luxury boutique hotel that the city has to offer. The Abbey Hotel was formerly part of the Compass group of hotels and has been part of the Best Western brand for more than 20 years. The marketing will continue to be carried out by Best Western.
02 February 2012
London is the location for the latest of the Thompson Hotels. The group is known for luxury hotels throughout the US, but this is the first European property for the company. The hotel is named Belgraves and is located within Belgravia, one of the most prestigious districts of London. It is ideally located for those who want to explore the city centre.
31 January 2012
There are a number of luxury hotels in the world where it seems that money is no object to those who frequent them. A recent survey has named a French ski hotel as the most expensive luxury hotel in a ski resort.
31 January 2012
There has been something of a boom in the building and development of luxury hotels in Berlin in recent years, and there are a number that are due to open in the months to come. The Hotel Mani is a boutique hotel located on the Rosenthaler Platz in the Mitte district of the city.
26 January 2012
Anyone looking for exclusive luxury deals to a fabulous five star hotel in London may decide to choose the St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, which has just been voted Best City Spa by Natural Health Magazine as part of its 2012 awards.
24 January 2012
In the TripAdvisor awards that were held recently, Rockliffe Hall reached second place in the list of luxury hotels in the UK. Rockliffe Hall is a golf and spa luxury destination and is located in Hurworth, close to Darlington. The hotel has been ranked higher than some of London’s luxury hotels, such as the Ritz, although it was kept in second place by the Dorchester.
24 January 2012
The Merchant Hotel is one of a number of luxury hotels in Belfast and it has just been awarded the title of best hotel in the UK. The Merchant Hotel has a five star rating and was recognised at the International Hotel Awards, which have been produced in conjunction with Bloomberg Television and were recently held at the Savoy Hotel in London.
20 January 2012
Radisson is one of the largest hospitality providers in Ethiopia and the Radisson Blu hotel, located in the heart of Addis, is one of the largest. It can be found in Kazanchis and is ideal for visitors who want to see places such as the National Palace and the Economic Commission for Africa. This is one of a number of luxury hotels in or planned for the region and it boasts more than 200 rooms, 44 of which are business class, a Presidential suite and 16 other luxury suites.
16 January 2012
Something that many guests expect as standard in a luxury hotel is a spa, and a number of luxury hotels are adding or upgrading these facilities. A new spa has been opened at a Bordeaux hotel, the Grand Hotel de Bordeaux, which is one of the area’s most popular choices for luxury holidays. This particular hotel is owned by Michel Ohayon and has membership of the Leading Hotels of the World, which indicates the high standards at the hotel
13 January 2012
An Australian company is to become the latest to join the development of Birmingham city centre with plans to develop a new hotel which will become something of a landmark. The StayWell Group is hoping to convert the Auchinleck House site – a former office block – into a hotel and conference centre with a four star rating. This is close to the Five Ways shopping area of the city and should prove to be popular with both business and leisure travellers.
09 January 2012
There is to be a new owner for the Keswick Hall luxury hotel and country club. The sale price is unknown and the identity of the new buyer has not yet been announced. The current owner is Orient Express Inc. This group has a number of luxury hotels and other luxury holiday options, such as trains and country clubs. Keswick Hall is located in Albemarle County and attracts large numbers of visitors each year.
05 January 2012
The Jumeirah group of luxury hotels is based in Dubai but has now been given the task of managing the Hotel Via Veneto, a five star establishment located in Rome, Italy. This is one of a number of luxury hotels in the city and boasts 122 rooms. It is privately owned but will be integrated into the existing portfolio of hotels that is owned and managed by Jumeirah.
04 January 2012
The Bulgari Hotel is due to open in April 2012 in London, in time for the influx of tourists that are expected to visit for the Olympics. The Bulgari Hotels and Resorts group is due to open its latest establishment in the Knightsbridge area of the city. The hotel will have 85 rooms and it has been developed in a partnership with the Marriott International group of luxury hotels. This is to be the first major luxury hotel development in London in 40 years. It is not only tourists that will be able to take accommodation in the hotel as there will also be residences available for purchase.
03 January 2012
The Swan Hotel in Lavenham is to have its own spa after plans were revealed to convert a former art gallery. Permission has been granted for the spa to be developed from the former Wildlife Art Gallery. It will have seven rooms for treatments. The Swan Hotel dates back to the 15th century and the buildings are Grade Grade I and II listed. The owner of the hotel is Thorpeness and Aldeburgh Hotels Ltd, who will oversee the development and the creation of extensions to the existing properties to develop the spa and a new courtyard.
02 January 2012
It is predicted for 2012 that destinations located outside the eurozone of Europe will be among the most popular luxury destinations in the coming year. Croatia, for example, has been growing in popularity and this year is expected to be joined by Serbia, as new resorts and luxury hotels are being developed. It is also predicted that all-inclusive luxury holidays will be a big hit in 2012 as many people are beginning to see the benefits of having food, drink and entertainment included in the holiday package.
02 January 2012
The St Giles group of luxury hotel now has a new provider of online reservations services. The Pegasus Solutions Open Hospitality system will be used for both the central London St Giles Hotel and the establishment located at Heathrow. Open Hospitality has been connected to the St Giles group before as they have created websites for two St Giles luxury hotels located in New York, which have proved to be very successful.
30 December 2011
The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, which can be found in St Andrews, has been listed in the Travel & Leisure Top 500 Hotels listing, an accolade which is considered to be prestigious. The readers of the magazine vote each year for the world’s top 500 luxury destinations and the voting covers a wide range of categories, such as location, rooms, service, value and food.
30 December 2011
There are plans to develop a new luxury resort in mid-Wales which will be marketed at foreign tourists, in particular those from the Far East. The resort is expected to cost in the region of £50 million. The resort will consist of a luxury hotel and holiday homes and will be located in the Welsh countryside. The UK attracted more than 100,000 tourists from China during 2011 and it is estimated that the number will be higher in 2012.
29 December 2011
The Coniston Hotel is a luxury hotel located near to the Yorkshire town of Skipton and has recently won an award from the Hotel Marketing Association. The recognition came in the category of Best Small Budget Marketing Campaign. The hotel launched a Drop in for Coffee campaign, which was designed to bring business to the hotel from those who are not actually staying there.
28 December 2011
Travellers who want to take luxury holidays in Ireland can give the facilities at the Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt. This is the only hotel that managed to achieve two awards at the Annual Awards for Excellence run by Conde Nast Johansens 2011. It is considered to be a good hotel for business travellers as there are plenty of meeting and conference facilities there, and it is in the business categories that the hotel was recognised this year.
26 December 2011
A hotel management company based in Dubai has been appointed to run one of the oldest luxury hotels in Istanbul. Jumeirah is soon to sign the agreement to take over the running of the Pera Palace hotel, which used to be used by those who were travelling on the Orient Express. The hotel is located in the Tepebasi district of the town, which has become a much sought after area. The new management will take over the hotel in 2012.
23 December 2011
One of the leading luxury hotels in London, the London Lanesborough hotel in Hyde Park, has just announced that it is opening one of the most luxurious suites available in the capital. This will be known as the Lanesborough Suite and the designer responsible is Alberto Pinto. The suite combines contemporary elegance with modern sophistication.
21 December 2011
One of Co. Londonderry’s luxury hotels has left the Radisson hotel chain after 16 years. The hotel will now become an independent establishment. The hotel, which was formerly known as the Radisson Blu Roe Park Resort, will change its name to simply the Roe Park Resort, and this is part of an investment of £2.5 million by the business owners. The hotel is no longer a franchise partner of the group.
21 December 2011
Tuscany has added to its list of luxury destinations with the Hotel Castello di Casole, which is due to open in 2012. Tuscany has a large number of luxury hotels but this latest addition is aimed at taking luxury to new heights. The hotel is going to be the result of a restoration on a castle that dates back to the 10th century and the company responsible for the work is Timbers Resorts, which has developed a good reputation for developing luxury residences.
16 December 2011
The Rothschild Hotel Ltd group of luxury hotels is to operate a new boutique hotel on the Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv. This will be the former Evergreen House, which will become vacant when the current owners – Evergreen Venture Partners – move to different premises within the city. The hotel will have all the facilities that are expected from a boutique hotel, including top quality fixtures and fittings.
16 December 2011
There are plans for a new luxury hotel to be created in the town of Wigan, in northern England. The building that has been earmarked for the development is currently considered to be something of an eyesore but the Sanguine Hospitality group has confirmed that it is keen to consider making something out of the building. This is the same group that runs the franchised restaurants of Marco Pierre White.
16 December 2011
The Fairmont group of luxury hotels has just added a new property to its portfolio. This is the Fairmont Amman, which is due to open during 2014. This hotel is to be located in the heart of Amman and will be just a short journey from the airport. It will also be ideally placed for those who are travelling to the city on business.
14 December 2011
The Charming House DD724 is a boutique hotel located in Italy and has just been given an award for being the top boutique hotel in the country. It has also been placed third in the best design hotel worldwide category at the Boutique Hotel Awards. The awards are designed to recognise little known yet luxurious hotels around the world that have managed to retain a unique identity. The hotel is located in the Dorsoduro district of Venice, and the management has declared that it is delighted with the recognition that the hotel has received.
13 December 2011
The Kempinski group of luxury hotels is to open its first hotel in Austria. The Das Tirol is opening after a renovation that lasted 100 days and which has seen the hotel become the first five star establishment in Kitzbuhel that gives direct access to the ski slopes. The spa at the Das Tirol has been given the label of a leading spa.
12 December 2011
One of the luxury hotels in Cornwall has been recognised with an award for its green credentials. The Scarlet Hotel located close to Newquay has been awarded the International Green Travel award, thanks to its commitment to sustainable luxury. The award was given by the Sunday Times Travel magazine and was voted for by the readers. The awards covered 27 different categories on holidays and travel.
09 December 2011
A number of luxury hotels formerly owned by the Von Essen group have just been purchased by Halcyon Hotels and Resorts. The estimated cost of the purchase is £40.5 million. Halcyon Hotels and Resorts, headed by Nigel Chapman, has declared its delight in the deal going through, particularly as a number of the hotels were previously owned by Nigel and his business partner before being sold to Von Essen. There are further hotels in the former Von Essen chain that are for sale and for which new owners are expected to be announced in the coming months.
08 December 2011
The Dubai luxury hotels company Jumeirah has expanded into Italy with its first hotel, the Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome. It is expected to be added to the group’s global portfolio in early 2012 and the name will change to the Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto. The Jumeirah Group executive chairman has been quoted as saying that the addition of the Italian hotel is a very important one for the group’s luxury hotels and resorts portfolio and is a key part of its expansion plans, which began with the opening of several other international hotels this year, such as in the Maldives and in Frankfurt.
08 December 2011
The Sofitel Luxury Hotels chain is offering its guests a European Christmas this year with a variety of French-themed festivities. One of the highlights of a stay at this luxury hotel at Christmas is the La Buche de Noel, which is a traditional French dessert in the form of a log cake with hazelnut butter cream. It is being offered at all of the Sofitel Luxury hotels around the world during the holiday season.
07 December 2011
A number of luxury hotels in the Omni brand are offering French style celebrations to see in the New Year. These include supplying guests with French macaroons, fresh fruit and champagne, which can be used to toast the New Year. Packages also include a late checkout if needed and a New Year’s Day breakfast. The hotel will also call the guests in advance to customise the holiday package for each guest.
05 December 2011
The Armani hotel in Milan has been designed to reflect the style of the 1930s. The interior design of Armani was first seen in a hotel named after him in Dubai and the Milan establishment is the first in his home country of Italy.
05 December 2011
The Dukes Hotel in London is considered to be one of the capital’s best-kept secrets. It is located in an area behind some older buildings in Mayfair, one of the most exclusive districts of the city. It currently has the feel of a gentleman’s club and the service is known for being personalised. It was formerly managed by the same man who developed One Aldwych, another of the city’s luxury hotels, and the rumour is that the vodka drinks served in the bar were the inspiration for Ian Fleming to create James Bond’s favourite drink.
02 December 2011
Visitors taking luxury holidays at the Yeatman Hotel in Oporto, Portugal can now enjoy formally recognised fine dining as the hotel has just been awarded its first Michelin star. Chef Ricardo Costa has worked hard to achieve this status and it has helped to place this establishment at the forefront of Portugal’s luxury hotels.
01 December 2011
There are new plans for a hotel in Southampton. These have been developed by the Harbour group of luxury hotels. The estimated cost of the project is £25 million and it will be located in the Ocean Village.
01 December 2011
There is to be a new luxury hotel opening in London in December. This is to be opened by Thompson Hotels, a US group known for luxury hotels. This will be the first European property for the company. The hotel is to be named Belgraves and will be close to Sloane Square on the site of the Sheraton Belgravia, a luxury hotel which closed two years ago.
01 December 2011
The Grasshoppers Glasgow is the latest in a long line of luxury hotels to grace the city and in recent months it has become increasingly popular.
28 November 2011
The Eden Hotel Collection brand of luxury hotels has just acquired a second hotel from the Von Essen chain, which is now in administration. The hotel in question is the Mount Somerset hotel and spa facility, which is located near Taunton. The guide price was £3 million. This is in addition to the Greenaway hotel and spa, which is located in Cheltenham and which was picked up by Eden Hotel Collection earlier in November.
25 November 2011
The Algarve in Portugal is one of the world’s leading luxury destinations for those who enjoy golf. There are more than 20 top quality golf courses in the region and players come from all over the world, not just to enjoy golfing luxury holidays but also to take part in tournaments.
25 November 2011
Bora Bora is one of the world’s leading luxury destinations, with many people going there to see where movies such as Castaway were filmed. The islands are located in French Polynesia and offer a wide variety of luxury hotels and resorts for those who want to relax and feel pampered. Many of the resorts there offer accommodation in bungalows close to the water and guests that stay there are able to enjoy the wide range of activities that are on offer.
23 November 2011
East Lodge is a luxury hotel located in Derbyshire and it has just announced a solution to the age-old problem of where to leave the family pet while taking luxury holidays. Those who are staying at the hotel are able to leave their pet dog at the local boarding kennels, which also have a luxury theme. The Canine Country Club is just a short drive away from East Lodge and can take pets overnight or for a day visit.
22 November 2011
The St Pancras Renaissance, one of the newest (and one of the oldest) luxury hotels in London, has been named Hotel of the Year at the European Hospitality Awards, which were recently held in the city. The hotel is a five star establishment and dates back to 1873, when it was known as The Midland Grand Hotel. For many years the building was not in use, until it was taken over by Manhattan Loft Corporation. An extensive refurbishment followed and this has also been recognised with a win in the Refurbishment of the Year category.
21 November 2011
The LVMH group – known for luxury goods – has revealed plans to open a new Cheval Blanc hotel in Paris. The group has a chain of luxury hotels and restaurants that it has named after its Saint Emilion premier cru property, Chateau Cheval Blanc. There are plans in place to expand the property holdings of the group. The hotel that has just been announced in Paris will open during 2014.
18 November 2011
Luxury hotels can be found the world over, but they are not often geared up for all the family. However, a number of them are now realising that travellers with children form a large potential market and have launched services that are aimed at children. The Ritz-Carlton in Berlin was the first luxury hotel located within the city to have an entire programme – the Very Important Kids programme – aimed at younger customers. This has now been revamped and relaunched with a wide variety of activities that ensure even young children can enjoy the luxury holiday experience.
18 November 2011
Greece is a country that boasts a number of the world’s leading luxury destinations and no matter what the taste of the traveller, there are plenty of options to choose from. One of the major considerations of a luxury holiday now is how good it can help the traveller to feel. A growing number of luxury hotels and resorts in Greece have developed holistic spas, so that the guests can leave feeling truly rejuvenated, and as many resorts are also raising their ‘green’ profile, the trip can also be guilt-free.
17 November 2011
When considering luxury hotels in the Lake District, one must first define what is actually meant by ‘luxury’? Although many hotels purport to be luxury, some just don’t match the standard that might be expected by the claim. Luxury, however, can mean two different things to two different people. Some people’s ideal of luxury could purely mean relaxing and getting away from it all, while others might expect pampering spa treatments or an on-call butler to tend to them.
17 November 2011
Many people prefer to holiday at the end of the summer season for several reasons. They may not like it too hot, or they may prefer to holiday when the school holidays are over. Whatever reason people have for choosing holidays in autumn, there are plenty of places for them to go to escape the cooler weather of the UK.
15 November 2011
Chewton Glen is a luxury hotel located in the New Forest. It is ideal for those who want to improve their tennis game, as there are two indoor and two outdoor courts at the hotel. The indoor courts are considered to be ideal for those who are just learning the game, as they are made from recycled tyres, making the surface quite slow. The tennis centre at the hotel has been in existence for 20 years and there is an on-site coach who can help guests of all ages to learn the basics.
14 November 2011
One option for those who want to take luxury holidays in Scotland is the Gleneagles Hotel. The Diageo Plc group runs the resort and the site offers some of the best amenities in the region. The hotel itself offers a calm and relaxing environment as well as a wide variety of outdoor activities. The hotel is perfect for those who enjoy playing golf, as it owns no less than three championship standard golf courses. The hotel also now boasts a destination spa and luxury accommodation for all guests. There is a total of 850 acres of countryside surrounding the hotel.
10 November 2011
The Hilton Worldwide group of luxury hotels has announced a new addition to the group. A new hotel under the Waldorf Astoria brand is due to open in Amsterdam in 2013. The hotel will be located in the heart of the city and will be within the UNESCO World Heritage sector of Amsterdam. In order to create the hotel, the company will be combining no less than six of the historic canal-side buildings.
09 November 2011
The Starwood group of luxury hotels and resorts in Greece has installed RFID contactless locks for doors at several of the group’s hotels. These include The Romanos and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, both located in the Peloponnese region of the country.
09 November 2011
It has been reported that an increasing number of holidaymakers are looking for ethical luxury holidays. With this in mind, a number of holiday providers are marketing different packages as a ‘responsible’ choice, to give holidaymakers peace of mind that their holiday will not be causing further damage to the environment.
02 November 2011
The Sofitel group of luxury hotels has boosted its reputation as a leading provider of luxury accommodation by earning a number of nods in the Readers’ Choice Awards from Conde Nast. No less than 20 hotels were mentioned, an improvement on the previous year’s total of 14. The hotels that were recognised are located all over the world and include the Sofitel luxury hotels in Cairo, Angkor, Fez, Siem Reap, Shanghai, Hanoi, Montreal, Munich, Budapest, Rome, London, Sydney, Queenstown, Cartagena, Buenos Aires, Chicago and Washington.
31 October 2011
The development of a new luxury hotel in the heart of Bath is expected to give the local economy a boost with both tourism and jobs. The city is famous as an ancient spa town and the new hotel will have its own spa facilities, helping to ensure that the city receives plenty of tourists looking for exclusive holiday deals.
27 October 2011
The Connoisseurs Scotland hotel group has added two new properties to its portfolio. These are the Kinloch Lodge Hotel and The Torridon Hotel. Kinloch Lodge is located on the Isle of Skye and is the home of the Macdonald family. Lady Claire Macdonald is a famous chef and food writer, and the house has been run as one of the islands luxury hotels for almost forty years. The hotel has a traditional Scottish style with log fires and family portraits on the walls.
27 October 2011
British Virgin Islands has been recognised in the Conde Nast Traveller’s Awards for 2011. More than 8 million votes were received from the readers for the best luxury hotels and resorts in the world. The British Virgin Islands featured very strongly.
25 October 2011
The manager of one of France’s five star luxury hotels has declared that it is the personalised service offered in such establishments that is one of the main things that sets them apart from other types of hotels. Giuseppe Cosmai is the manager of Le Mas Candille, located in Mougins in the south of France.
25 October 2011
With the luxury holidays market becoming ever more competitive and many hotels trying to improve their environmental credentials, it should come as no surprise that one of the luxury hotels in Budapest has plans to add several electric charging stations for electric cars.
24 October 2011
The opening of a new luxury hotel at East Midlands Airport has taken place a week ahead of the planned launch. The original date was 31st October, but the Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands Airport has opened its 218-room establishment after the development was finished ahead of time. The management of the hotel have thanked the staff who have worked hard to beat the given deadlines.
19 October 2011
Macdonald Hotels, the luxury hotels group, has marked the unveiling of its Spa Collection of establishments with the timely re-launch of the Inchyra Hotel & Spa, located in Stirling, Scotland. The hotel has undergone a transformation at a cost of £4 million and has become the company’s flagship spa hotel. The facilities are considered to be top of the range and mark the establishment’s place as one of the leading luxury destinations in Scotland.
19 October 2011
It has been announced that one of Paris’ highest profile luxury hotels is to close for two years after next summer for an extensive renovation. The Ritz is a five star establishment located in the heart of Paris, but this year did not win the expected ‘palace’ accolade marking it out as one of the city’s top luxury destinations.
18 October 2011
At this time of year everybody is busy thinking about Christmas but there are times when everyone needs a break. Luxury short breaks are the answer to this problem, and there are plenty of winter breaks available at one of the luxury hotels located in Yorkshire.
17 October 2011
The four luxury ski resorts located on the edge of Lake Annecy have joined forces and will be known as Lake Annecy Ski Resorts. These can be found in the Arayis mountain range which is in the northern part of the French Alps and within an hour of Geneva. These resorts include La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Saint-Jean de Sixt and Manigod.
13 October 2011
Those who enjoy adventure luxury holidays could consider The Cambrian in Adelboden. This has been listed as one of the 50 Best Luxury Adventure Holidays in the World for 2012 by an organisation called Adventure Temples, which is an online community and travel organisation specialising in information on adventure breaks. The organisation has members all over the world who provide feedback on different resorts.
13 October 2011
One of Scotland’s luxury hotels, which has proved to be very popular with a variety of celebrities, has just been voted the best in the British Isles. The hotel is a former historic house and earned the accolade from Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Guests such as Elton John and Hugh Grant have stayed at Culloden House in recent years.
07 October 2011
Warner Leisure Hotels are famous for offering exclusive luxury deals to their customers and now aim to take the stress out of Christmas. They recognise that for some people there is very little time to relax during the festive season and are offering Christmas breaks in their luxury hotels so that the stress of organising the holidays can be forgotten about.
07 October 2011
The Starwood Hotels & Resorts group has announced that it is opening a St Regis Hotel in the city of Florence, Italy. The building was formerly the Grand Hotel Florence and has been subjected to a ten-month restoration aimed at restoring the historical aspects and heritage of the building. The building dates back to 1432 and was the first of many luxury hotels in Florence.
07 October 2011
Marriott is to open its first luxury hotel in Baton Rouge. The Renaissance Hotel will have 256 rooms and will be the first of its type built in the city in 20 years. This hotel will feature 12 storeys and is located in the heart of the city.
06 October 2011
Due to open in December 2012, the Alpina Gstaad is the newest of the luxury hotels in this popular skiing region. This hotel is to be part of a luxury development that will also offer private apartments and chalets as well as hotel rooms. The development will be located in Oberbort, just a few minutes from the centre of Gstaad, and offers guests taking advantage of luxury holiday deals an excellent view of the Saanenland.
03 October 2011
The image of Tenerife is changing a little. Alongside the package holidays there are now a whole range of exclusive holiday deals available for those who prefer luxury hotels and destinations. The Sensatori resort has promised a new holiday experience for those choosing Tenerife and has the appearance of a fortress.
30 September 2011
For those in Europe, New Year is a time of fairly cold weather. Those who wish to escape to the sun have the option of taking a luxury cruise to warmer climes. The Europa cruise ship is offering the chance to take a 16-day exclusive luxury holiday cruise to a number of ports in both Mexico and Hawaii beginning on 4th January.
28 September 2011
Easter Ross in Scotland is looking to offer a warm welcome to visitors to the town in order to make it more attractive as a destination. Those on luxury holidays on board ship around the Scottish coast often stop at the town and the community is looking to find ways to make visitors feel more welcome, as this does have a knock-on effect on local businesses. When a large cruise liner calls in at the port the population of the area is temporarily doubled, which is beneficial for the local community in many ways.
28 September 2011
River cruises offer an alternative to those who do not want to spend a long time at sea but still want to visit a number of luxury destinations and enjoy luxurious surroundings. Rhine cruises have been popular for a long time and for many, the starting point is the trendy city of Amsterdam. Many of these cruises are aimed at adults, so passengers will find that they are not disturbed by the noise of young children.
28 September 2011
Many people may like the sound of a cruise but will be unsure about taking that first step of booking because they don’t know what to expect and are not sure if it will suit them. After all, going on a cruise is very different than any other holiday as passengers cannot simply turn around and go home if they decide that they do not like it. It is important to find a ship that ticks all the boxes.
28 September 2011
To date British law has prevented those on luxury holidays on board ship from getting married unless a religious minister or a notary carries out the ceremony in order to fall within the regulations in the UK. However, those heading off to luxury destinations on a cruise liner run by Cunard may find that this changes in the future, as the company has stated that it is considered removing its ships from UK registration.
28 September 2011
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has announced that it is to exhibit at the 2011 Scandinavia Show which will be taking place at Earl’s Court in London on the 8th and 9th October. The aim is to promote the different cruise options that are available to the different Scandinavian ports. A number of cruise experts will be manning the stand at the show and literature on the different cruise options will be available and potential passengers will be able to find out what the cruise line has to offer them.
27 September 2011
Silverpoint Leisure is a global company that has a number of luxury hotels and resorts around the world and which has recently launched its Social Community where those who are members can share details of their holidays. This online hub is available in a variety of languages so that members can use the site – and various social networking sites – to pass on information to other members.
26 September 2011
The Algarve has always been a popular choice for those looking for luxury hotels and with the addition of spa resorts its popularity is set to grow. The Monchique area of the Algarve is considered to be one of the best luxury destinations for those who need to relax. This area sits 300 metres above sea level, providing the perfect alternative for those who want something different from a beach holiday.
21 September 2011
Many people would not consider Slovakia to be at the top of their list of luxury destinations but the country has much to offer those who are looking for an exclusive luxury holiday that is somewhat off the beaten track. The country has many excellent five star hotels and spa resorts, which are proving to be very popular. Some of the benefits of the region include amazing scenery, luxury hotels and a wealth of natural resources.
21 September 2011
The St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel has come top in a survey of luxury hotels in the country, as listed in The Sunday Times Magazine. The hotel was designed in the 19th century by Sir George Gilbert Scott and opened in 1873 to offer accommodation for those planning on travelling by train. The hotel recently reopened following a decade of intense restoration work to bring back the Victorian grandeur. Many of those who stay there are travelling to and from the continent, as St Pancras station is now home to the Eurostar.
15 September 2011
Since the economic crisis started, an incredible number of rich customers have made a decision to play down the pleasure of acquiring things, preferring instead the enjoyment of acquiring experiences. To this end, suppliers of high-priced services and products are adopting the philosophy that they supply customers with moments to treasure as opposed to more items that require dusting.
14 September 2011
Turkey’s incredible success at the 2011 World Travel Awards demonstrates its credentials as one of Europe’s premier luxury destinations.