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Tag: hotel

  • Hotel occupancy rates increase in Bali

    Hotel occupancy rates increase in Bali

    The occupancy rates of star rated hotels in Bali averaged 72.40 percent in August or an increase of 1.76 percentage points from 70.62 percent in the previous month.

    “The occupancy rate was quite encouraging when visits by foreign tourists shrank 9.52 percent in Bali compared with the previous month,” head of the Bali branch of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Adi Nugroho said here on Wednesday.

    Adi said the occupancy rates would boost hotel operators as an occupancy rate of 50 percent is enough to cover operating cost including salaries of employees.

    In August, 2016, Bali recorded 438,135 visits by foreign tourists including 437,929 arrivals recorded by the Ngurah Rai airport and 206 arrivals at seaport.

    The number of arrivals dropped 9.52 percent in August from July but an increase of 44.3 percent year-on-year, Adi said.

    Adi said most foreign tourists stayed at star rate hotels in six of nine regencies in the province.

    The highest occupancy rate was recorded by hotels in the regency of Badung averaging 75.38 percent or up from July, followed by hotels in the city of Denpasar averaging 66.34 percent though declining from the previous month.

    Hotels in the regency of Gianyar followed in the third place with occupancy rate averaging 60.01 percent , down from 66.84 percent in July , the regency of Buleleng recorded an occupancy rate of 57.69 percent up from 52.23 percent and the regency of Karangasem 47.45 percent, down from 50.92 percent.

    Three other regencies – Jembrana, Bangli and Klungkung – have no star rated hotels . They have only inns or non standard hotels.

    Four star hotels recorded the highest occupancy rate averaging 78.16 percent, followed by five start hotels averaging 77.31 percent, one start hotels 64.96 percent , three start hotels 58.55 percent and two star hotels with occupancy rates averaging 56.31 percent.

    Adi Nugroho said despite the significant increase in the occupancy rate. the increase was recorded only in the regencies of Badung and Buleleng.

    In three other regencies, hotel occupancy rates declined including in the city of Denpasar, regencies of Gianyar and Karangasem, Adi Nugroho said.

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  • Starwood Hotels & Resorts To Debut Four Points Jakarta, Thamrin In The Capital Of Indonesia

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts To Debut Four Points Jakarta, Thamrin In The Capital Of Indonesia

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, along with PT Thamrin Ekspress Indonesia today jointly announced the opening of Four Points Jakarta, Thamrin. The opening marks the first Four Points property in Jakarta, and the sixth in Indonesia. The hotel is part of an approximate 159,000 square foot mixed used development that consists of offices located on the upper floors of the building and the hotel.

    “Built for the smart, independent business traveler, Four Points continues to offer our guests exactly what they need while on the road,” says Vincent Ong, Senior Director, Asia Pacific Brand Management, Four Points. “We are excited to open Four Points in Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta, one of the fastest growing cities in Southeast Asia and continuing the immense growth momentum of the brand in the region and generating a halo-opening effect.”

    Four Points Jakarta, Thamrin features 164 guest rooms with fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Guestrooms are fitted with the Four Points brand’s signature bedding, 43” LED flat-screen TVs, and complimentary bottled water. The hotel features an all-day dining venue, which incorporates the brand’s signature Best BrewsTM program, allowing guests to sample a range of local craft and artisan beers. For meetings and events, Four Points Jakarta, Thamrin has three comfortable, stylish meeting spaces totaling 1,615 square feet that overlooks the lively Thamrin business district. The hotel also offers a 24 hour fitness center that is fully equipped with a range of high-endurance and low impact workout equipment.

    Four Points Jakarta, Thamrin is strategically located along Jl M.H. Thamrin at Menara Topas, a major road running through the Central Business District in Jakarta with high visibility for corporate clients. The hotel is located just under one half a mile north of the famous Selamat Datang roundabout near multinational corporate offices, embassies, megamalls, retail shops, restaurants and bars. For guests looking to immerse in the rich history and culture of Jakarta during their stay at the hotel, they can visit Pasar Baru, the oldest shopping center in the city that dates back to the Dutch colonial era, Sunda Kelapa, a 17th century port to see the world’s last wind-powered trading schooners, or take in captivating views from the observation deck at Monas, a National Monument located in the center of Freedom Square. All are located within 7.5 miles of the hotel.

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts is rapidly growing in Indonesia alongside the increasing number of domestic and international travelers. Currently there are 19 properties across Indonesia with 15 hotels under construction. In Jakarta alone, Starwood has five properties representing the Le Méridien, Tribute Portfolio, The Luxury Collection and Sheraton brands, with six more hotels opening by 2020, including the debut of the Westin brand in August, 2016 and the Aloft brand by 2018.

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  • GuestReady launches in Hong Kong, aims the short-term rental industry

    GuestReady launches in Hong Kong, aims the short-term rental industry

    Building on the global success of the sharing economy and its poster child Airbnb, a team of experienced entrepreneurs is building GuestReady.com to professionalise hosting on home-sharing platforms. The service, which is aimed at busy Airbnb hosts launches today in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Paris, and Amsterdam.

    GuestReady’s set of services is aimed at real estate investors and hosts on Airbnb and it’s complementary platforms who are looking for help in managing their property. The startup provides a range of host services such as laundry, cleaning, check-in and check-out of guests, but more importantly, manages entire properties, which includes guest communication, maintaining listings on multiple short term rental sites, and ensuring the property generates the maximum possible yield.

    Airbnb and similar websites have become increasingly popular among leisure and business travellers who are looking for an alternative to long-term stays at hotels or serviced apartments. While traditional property agents focus on long-term rental and management of properties, GuestReady focuses on the underserved niche of short-term and vacation rentals.

    Lou Chan, Co-Founder and MD of GuestReady Hong Kong sees in this trend the big opportunity for GuestReady: “Hong Kong has long been the top choice for traveller, and the market naturally responds to it. According to a survey in 2015, 1 in 3 Hong Kong people who use the internet dip into sharing services like Airbnb. Supporting data also predicts that Asia-Pacific will become the world’s largest market for digital travel sales this year; alternate accommodation providers are set to cash in on this increasing traveller numbers.”

    “As the short-term rental industry is maturing, there is a natural need for more efficiency, professionalism, and standardisation. Especially with business travellers, the property and any service related to a stay need to be of immaculate quality. For non-professional hosts, this is hard to achieve, which is where we step in.”

    By launching GuestReady globally, the startup leverages location-specific advantages and taps into economies of scale to keep costs at bay. Chan, who previously was part of the founding teams of Rocket Internet’s Wimdu and Zalora, believes in the long-term success of platforms like Airbnb.

    The startup has been backed by Switzerland’s Swiss Founders Fund with an undisclosed sum. Romano Brandenberg, Venture Partner at Swiss Founders Fund, sees big potential in the growing and maturing short-term rental market. “Living and work patterns are becoming ever more mobile and the 12-month rental agreement or a room in a hotel is often not an adequate solution anymore for today’s business travellers, digital nomads or city hoppers. Short-term rentals offer a great alternative for these audiences” elaborates Brandenberg, and considers GuestReady a missing link in the industry to enable more property owners to become hosts.

    GuestReady.com launches today in Hong Kong and five other markets in Europe and Asia and is expected to roll into new countries soon.

     

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  • Hilton hotel chain steadily expanding operations in Indonesia

    Hilton hotel chain steadily expanding operations in Indonesia

    Hilton Worldwide, a US-based global hotel chain, has steadily been expanding its operations in Indonesia to tap new market opportunities in a hospitality industry that is thriving on the back of steady economic growth and the free visas being offered to the citizens of most of the countries in the world.

    “We already have four properties under our management and eight others, which are under construction in Jakarta, Tangerang, Surabaya and Bali, will open within the next two years”, Hilton’s vice president for Southeast Asia and India William Costley told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

    The four properties already in operation are the Double Tree by Hilton in Jakarta, the Hilton in Bandung, the Conrad and the Hilton Garden Inn, both in Bali.

    Hilton, which manages more than 4,600 properties in 103 countries, is also looking for new opportunities in Lombok, Medan in North Sumatra, Balikpapan in East Kalimantan and Palembang in South Sumatra, Costley said.

    It is mostly a matter of finding the right partner for promoting Hilton service standards because Hilton has many brands to fit in with different locations, he said.

    “But we are always directly involved together with the owners in the process of designing and constructing every hotel we will manage and in training its human resources,” he added.

    Costley said the steady growth of Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the ASEAN open skies policy would boost business travel and the whole hospitality industry in many other cities across the vast archipelago.

    “We are quite excited about the prospect of the tourism industry, especially after the launching of the visa-free facility,” he said. “And I think the target of 20 million tourist arrivals in 2020 is not impossible.”

    He sees great potential for developing Indonesia into one of the most favorite tourist destinations and tourism is also the right kind of industry Indonesia needs because of its labor intensive, multiplier impact and, most importantly, this industry is friendly to the environment and earns a lot of foreign currency.

    “Take for example this Double Tree by Hilton hotel here, which has 253 rooms. It employs only two expatriates and the rest of the staff are locals,” Costley pointed out.

    Hilton Worldwide has a portfolio of 13 brands, including the Waldorf Astoria, the Conrad, the Hilton, the Double Tree by Hilton and the Hotel Garden Inn, which are promoted as landmark properties in Indonesia.

    Costley said the Waldorf Astoria, Hilton’s most luxury brand, which will be housed in a 74-story mixed-use building currently under construction on Jl. MH Thamrin in Jakarta, will open in 2018 with 181 rooms.

    Two other properties under construction in Ubud and Seminyak, both in Bali, will operate within the next two years and are also under the Waldorf Astoria brand, while the Hilton Bali (formerly the Grand Nikko) will operate later this year with 408 rooms, he added.

    The other four hotels in Hilton’s management portfolio that will open within the next two years are the Double Tree by Hilton in Surabaya and Karawaci in Tangerang and the Hilton Garden Inn in Kemang, Jakarta, and Karawaci.

    Costley said the Hilton group is strongly committed to strengthening and expanding its growing portfolio of landmark properties in such key destinations as Indonesia.

    Our Hilton Honors loyalty program has 55 million members around the world, and this huge data bank is surely an effective means of promoting Indonesia globally,” Costley added.

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  • New Hotels Keep Popping Up in Korea’s Most Celebrated Beachfront Community

    New Hotels Keep Popping Up in Korea’s Most Celebrated Beachfront Community

    Busan’s Haeundae district is best known for its beach that attracts millions of visitors each summer. But it’s also a major MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) center, with the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO),and hosts major annual events such as the Busan International Film Festival. Under these conditions, competition between hotels is higher than ever.

    In 2019, Haeundae will welcome another global hotel franchise unit, Sheraton, which will be operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Starwood currently owns 11 brands including Sheraton and Westin, and operates over 1,300 hotels in some 100 countries. The new 260-room hotel will be located between two major beaches in Busan, Haeundae and Songjeong.

    Lotte Hotel has recently finalized plans to operate a luxury hotel inside the LCT Landmark Tower. The 101-storey tower, which is also located by Haeundae beach, is expected to be completed in 2019.Busan’s Haeundae district is best known for its beach that attracts millions of visitors each summer. (image: Wikimedia)

    Korean retail giant Shinsegae is in the middle of the planning process to build a hotel that offers a somewhat differentiated service by connecting services with shopping. The hotel will be built across from the company’s Centum City store, which is the largest department store in the world. 

    A Japanese company, Sega Sammy Holdings, has also established plans to build a luxury hotel (312 rooms) and a business hotel (470 rooms) on the opposite side of BEXCO. 

    Hotel Shilla, a Samsung subsidiary that operates hotels and duty-free shops, is building a 406-room business hotel, which is expected to open in 2017.

    Lotte Hotel has recently finalized plans to operate a luxury hotel inside the LCT Landmark Tower. The 101-storey tower, which is also located by Haeundae beach, is expected to be completed in 2019. (image: LCT)

    Amid such changes in the area, some businesses welcome the new development plans, while there are those that suffer from the increasing availability of new accommodations. 

    “The hotel market in Haeundae has reached its saturation point, and we have been struggling with our operations,” said an official from one of the hotels in Haeundae. “The government should limit the number of hotel approvals in the area.” 

    “We need a large number of hotels to host large-scale events,” said a MICE industry affiliate. “It’s too early to say that the hotel market in Haeundae is over-saturated. We need more hotels for the continued growth of the MICE industry.”

     

  • First Hilton Branded Hotel in Bali, Indonesia

    First Hilton Branded Hotel in Bali, Indonesia

    Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with P.T. Caterison Sukses to manage and re-brand the Grand Nikko Bali as Hilton Bali. The 408-room resort, located on Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, is planned to open on December 1, 2016.

    “We are deeply committed to expanding our presence in Indonesia, both by introducing more brands from our portfolio of 13 brands as well as entering into new locations where we may not currently be operating. Today’s announcement underscores both the Hilton brand’s strength in this market as well as our management capability to drive exceptional experiences for both guests and owners,” said Guy Phillips, senior vice president, Development, Asia and Australasia, Hilton Worldwide. “In partnership with P.T. Caterison Sukses, the Hilton Bali will be a strong addition to our portfolio.”

    Hilton Bali is ideally located on Bali’s picturesque southern coast of Nusa Dua, which is famed for its beaches. The resort is approximately 16 kilometers from Ngurah Rai International Airport and the district of Kuta. Hilton Bali is also close to many watersports facilities and adventure sports service providers that offer various fun-filled options including jet packs, jet skis, para-gliding and dive trips.

    “As our flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts resonates strongly with both leisure and business travelers alike. Hilton Bali will open as a stylish resort offering world-class hospitality synonymous with the Hilton brand and we are delighted to see this beautiful resort join our outstanding global portfolio of more than 570 hotels and resorts,” said Sean Wooden, vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

    Situated on the waterfront with its own stretch of secluded beach and offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean from its clifftop location, Hilton Bali will offer 389 rooms and 19 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas with beachfront, ocean or garden views. The hotel will have five food and beverage outlets including an all-day dining restaurant, specialty restaurants and a bar. Extensive meetings and banqueting facilities spanning 3,737 square meters will include several meeting rooms, two conference centers with two ballrooms that can accommodate 1,500 people, as well as beachfront, cliff-top and poolside venues that are perfect for outdoor weddings. The hotel features four inter-connected swimming pools, a children’s lagoon, three tennis courts, and a fitness center. Guests will also have access to a kids’ club and an observation tower that offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

    “We are pleased to partner with a global hospitality leader that has a legacy of success and a strong luxury brand that is recognized across the globe. We are confident that Hilton Bali will be a magnet for business and leisure and international and domestic travelers, as well as corporate meetings and wedding planners,” said Charles Djunaidi, Director, P.T. Caterison Sukses.

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  • Indonesia welcomes first Hilton Garden Inn

    Indonesia welcomes first Hilton Garden Inn

    Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide’s upscale global brand of hotels, today announced its entry into Indonesia with the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Bali – Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. Owned by PT. Anggada Duta Realty Tbk., the hotel brings 291 new rooms to the Hilton Garden Inn brand.

    ‘We are proud to open our first Hilton Garden Inn in Bali, Indonesia – one of the most popular business and leisure destinations – and welcome it to our global portfolio of over 665 hotels,’ said John Greenleaf, global head, Hilton Garden Inn. ‘We are committed to growing our presence in Asia Pacific and to providing a welcoming and dependable hotel experience for every guest, every time. Hilton Garden Inn Bali – Ngurah Rai Airport will do whatever it takes to ensure every guest to Bali is satisfied, or they don’t pay – that’s our Satisfaction Promise.’

    Only 500 meters away from the island’s international airport, Hilton Garden Inn Bali – Ngurah Rai Airport is situated at a prime location to offer travelers a great launch pad to discover Bali from the moment of arrival. Conveniently located at Jalan Legian, the hotel is approximately five kilometers’ drive away from the well-known Kuta beach precinct which boasts a wide array of retail, dining and entertainment options. Hotel guests arriving from the airport can expediently check in and immediately head out to Kuta, and the other famous enclaves such as Ubud, Nusa Dua and Seminyak, to explore the beauty of Bali.

    ‘Marking our fourth brand in Indonesia, the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Bali – Ngurah Rai Airport perfectly complements our existing portfolio in the country,’ said William Costley, vice president, Southeast Asia and India, Hilton Worldwide. ‘I am excited that Hilton Garden Inn has made its debut in this world renowned destination and am confident that the hotel will offer visitors to this vibrant island a peaceful and energizing stay experience.’

    Guests can dine on-property at The Garden Grille and Bar, which offers a full cooked-to-order breakfast and dinner, cocktails*, and evening room service. The Pavilion Pantry is open 24 hours and features a complete selection of salty snacks, sweet treats, cold beverages, and ready-to-cook meals.

    Outfitting to business purposes and MICE, the hotel also features a total of six small- to medium-sized meeting rooms, one multi-function hall, and one ballroom. Hilton Garden Inn guests will see why Life’s Better at the Garden through amenities and services offered at each location, including complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour business center with Print Spots remote printing, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a bar and an outdoor pool.

    All 291 guest rooms boast the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens; a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room ‘hospitality center’ with a mini fridge and coffee/tea maker.

    Hilton Garden Inn Bali – Ngurah Rai Airport participates in Hilton HHonors the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn Points & Miles on the same stay and No Blackout Dates on reward stays. To celebrate the hotel’s opening, Hilton HHonors members will receive Double Points per stay on the best available rate through stays completed between May 1 and July 31, 2016. HHonors members always get the lowest price with its Best Price Guarantee, along with HHonors Points, free Wi-Fi, digital check-in and no booking fees only when they book directly through Hilton.

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  • Shilla looks ahead to landmark Phuket opening

    Shilla looks ahead to landmark Phuket opening

    Hotel Shilla has described Phuket as an eventual “crown jewel” of Thai travel-retail after confirming it is to open its first overseas downtown duty-free shop on the island with a local  partner in the second half of the year.

    While the exact size of the store in Tambon Kathu, Amphoe is unknown, the store will consist of traditional core duty-free products such as liquor and tobacco and a mix of local Thai products.  It will also be equipped with “support facilities” to ensure optimum customer experience.

    A Hotel Shilla spokesman told DFNIonline that preparation is going quite well and the alliance with the local partner looks very promising.

    The spokesman also said Bangkok was an option for the outlet, but the contract between Airports of Thailand (AoT) and King Power (Thailand) made it impossible. He explained: “The Shilla Duty Free chose Phuket, where the pick-up counter is serviced by a common operator which has responsibility to give a service to the duty-free operator.”

    He added: “The temporary pick-up counter in [Phuket] terminal one will be operated by The Shilla Duty Free and permanent pick-up counter in T2 by King Power, which will handle the delivery of Shilla Duty Free products due to the contract between AoT and King Power.”

    Reflecting on Phuket as a destination for the new store, the spokesman said: “Chinese inbound passengers have been showing constant growth in Thailand and Phuket in particular, the second most popular travel destination in Thailand, which is leading the growth.  With The Shilla Duty Free’s accumulated know-how of serving Chinese travel-retail consumers, Phuket is a more than satisfactory destination.”

    In order to attract even more Chinese consumers, the retailer, which secured approval this month for a new themed hotel in central Seoul – the Shilla downtown Seoul outlet will eventually move to the new hotel — will focus on travel agencies in Mainland China and Thailand. “In the case of Chinese travel agencies, The Shilla Duty Fee has a good understanding and good relationships.

    “Apart from Chinese customers, Russians might be the secondary target since Phuket is also a popular choice for Russian travellers looking for somewhere sunny for holidays.”

    Looking ahead, the retailer is expecting the Thai travel-retail market in general to grow significantly and the spokesman admitted it is not as mature as the Korean equivalent. “It is believed to be one the fastest growing markets in global travel-retail and our most important objective is enhancing that growth.”

  • Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Debut Ultra-Luxury St. Regis Brand in Jakarta

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Debut Ultra-Luxury St. Regis Brand in Jakarta

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced today that the company has reached a management agreement with Rajawali Property Group to open The St. Regis Jakarta and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta. Centrally located on Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Kuninganin in South Jakarta, the hotel and residences will be part of a new mixed-use development, which will also feature a commercial office tower that will serve as the headquarters of Rajawali Property Group. Slated to open in 2019, The St. Regis Jakarta and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta are poised to become the premium address for well-heeled travelers and residents.

    “The St. Regis Jakarta and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta are a great testament to the growing wealth and appetite for luxury in Indonesia’s capital,” said Stephen Ho, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “We are delighted to foster our relationship with Rajawali Property Group by bringing the St. Regis brand’s bespoke service, contemporary design and refined elegance to the ever-bustling city of Jakarta.”

    Shirley Tan, CEO of Rajawali Property Group, added, “Jakarta currently features some upscale residences that are located above or next to hotels, but few offer the heights of refinement tied to the St. Regis name. Today’s signing with Starwood is part of Rajawali’s greater residential strategy to develop a collection of truly branded residences with unique ownership privileges in Southeast Asia, including The Residences at The St. Regis Langkawi in 2016 and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta in 2019.”

    The St. Regis Jakarta will offer 280 luxuriously-appointed guestrooms and suites, all bearing elements of the brand’s rich heritage infused with modern inspiration. The hotel will feature four distinctive restaurants, including an all-day dining venue, a fine dining restaurant, The Deli, and the signature St. Regis bar. For meetings and events, the hotel will offer expansive function space that spans 3,600 square meters. Guests will also be able to indulge in world-class leisure facilities, including a spa with six treatment rooms, a fitness center and a swimming pool. To further enhance the guest experience, The St. Regis Jakarta will provide signature St. Regis Butler Service, offering guests 24-hour anticipatory service that customizes each stay to specific needs, tastes and preferences, allowing guests to savor the rarest luxuries of all time.

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    Following the success of the residences at St. Regis hotels in Singapore and Bangkok, and the soon-to-open St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta will set new standards for luxury living in Jakarta. Located in a separate tower adjacent to the hotel, the 164 branded residences will offer homeowners and investors refined luxury and privacy, with each home expressing a sense of intimacy, grandeur and panoramic views of the vast city skyline.

    The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta will feature three types of apartments: a 3-bedroom Sky Residence occupying 355 to 373 square meters; the Sky Villa, a 750 square meter, 4-bedroom unit; and the Sky Palace, featuring over 1,250 square meters. Residents will enjoy exclusive concierge service, a multi-function room and wine room, private garden pool, private dining and library lounge, fitness center and dedicated car parking space. Residence owners will also be able to enjoy the renowned St. Regis services at their doorstep, including St. Regis Butler Service, as well as access the hotel’s fitness and dining facilities.

    “Starwood is pleased to expand its portfolio of St. Regis residences in Asia Pacific, as we see strong continued growth opportunities in this area,” said Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President, Acquisition & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta will cater to the lifestyle needs of the increasingly affluent and appeal to luxury property investors, while remaining deeply rooted in St. Regis’ distinctive legacy of uncompromising elegance and the ability to provide the finest experiences imaginable.”

    st-regis-jakarta-indonesia-landscape

    The announcement further strengthens the partnership between Starwood and Rajawali Property Group, which currently owns eight Starwood properties, with a total of more than 1,500 rooms throughout Malaysia and Indonesia. This distinguished portfolio includes The St. Regis Bali Resort and the all-suite St. Regis Langkawi Resort. The latter is on track to open in April 2016, as part of an integrated complex comprising The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa and the ultra-modern Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC), both owned by Rajawali Property Group.

    Starwood currently operates 18 hotels in Indonesia, five of which are located in Jakarta. The company is accelerating its growth in the country and is on track to open 13 additional hotels in the next three years. In addition to The St. Regis Jakarta, Starwood’s pipeline also includes Aloft hotels in Kebon Jeruk and Wahid Haysyim, The Westin Jakarta and W Jakarta.

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  • Novotel Zhuhai rebranded as Pullman

    Novotel Zhuhai rebranded as Pullman

    The Novotel Zhuhai has been rebranded by AccorHotels as the “Pullman Zhuhai,” in line with the company’s plans to promote its up-market Pullman brand in China, reported Travel Daily on Sunday. The Novotel Zhuhai opened only last December, but AccorHotels has decided to rebrand the resort. This will take the group’s Pullman portfolio in the greater China region to a total of 25 hotels across 22 cities.

    “We are excited to welcome the hotel to the Pullman family,” said Paul Richardson, the chief operating officer for AccorHotel’s Greater China region.
    “The rebranding of the property is part of AccorHotels’ ongoing global endeavor to further align with its brand architecture to ensure a more consistent brand experience for its guests,” Richardson added.

    The 268-room, rebranded Pullman Zhuhai is situated in Gongbei, close to the major bus stations that connect the city with Guangzhou.
    Facilities at the up-market resort include restaurants, ballrooms, meeting rooms, a wedding chapel, an executive lounge, sauna and steam rooms, and a fitness center and outdoor pool. Both the ownership and management of the hotel will remain unchanged.

    The latest group of Sands Shoppes retail employees graduated at the Sands Retail Academy’s fourth graduation ceremony on Tuesday, at the Venetian Macao.220 graduate at sands shoppes ceremony

    At the ceremony, 220 front-line retail team members were certified to mark the completion of their training courses, designed to improve service quality at Sands Shoppes. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of over 80 retailers from the complex.

    “With this being our fourth graduation, we are pleased to see an increase in both the number of participants and the number of graduates,” said Antonio Ramirez, senior vice-president of human resources at Sands China. “The Sands Retail Academy is part of Sands China’s long-term commitment to developing local talent in Macao, by nurturing locals who are not direct employees of Sands China,” added Ramirez.

    The Sands Retail Academy was launched in 2013 to improve customer service training at Sands Shoppes. Since its inception more than 1,800 retail professionals have joined the academy.

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  • Radisson Medan set to open in Indonesia

    Radisson Medan set to open in Indonesia

    Radisson Medan will be the fifth Carlson Rezidor hotel scheduled to open in Indonesia after Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu, Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam, Park Inn by Radisson Lampung and Radisson Jakarta Cengkareng.

    Medan is the fourth largest city in Indonesia, and within a one-hour flight radius of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Given its status as the gateway to the Lake Toba tourism region, which the Ministry of Tourism in Indonesia is focused on developing, Medan is also growing as a tourist destination.

    Radisson Medan is a 219-room hotel located in the heart of downtown Medan, next to the Medan clock tower, along the major thoroughfare of Jl. H. Adam Malik. The hotel offers convenient access to the airport, which is the second largest in Indonesia and is well connected to key domestic markets, acting as a hub for the main Indonesian carriers. Radisson Medan is also close to major shopping malls and golf courses, as well as tourist attractions including the Great Mosque, the Sultan’s Palace and historical buildings. Conference and meetings facilities at Radisson Medan will include meeting rooms and a ballroom and the hotel’s recreational facilities include a swimming pool and a gym. Food and beverage options will include an all-day dining restaurant and a lobby bar.

    “We are proud to be planting the Radisson flag in Medan. As the economic and commercial hub of northern Indonesia, Medan is an important destination for domestic business travelers,” said Thorsten Kirschke, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “Radisson Medan is a great addition to our portfolio in Indonesia where we are continuing to grow with our long-term strategic partner, Panorama Group,” he added.

    In 2013, Carlson Rezidor signed a strategic partnership with Panorama Group, an integrated group of companies focusing on tourism, transportation, hospitality and related businesses in Indonesia,to develop Carlson Rezidor hotels in attractive tourist destinations and top-tier Indonesian cities including Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya, as well as emerging destinations such as Bandung, Bintan, Lombok, Makassar and Palembang.

    Radisson Medan is owned by VIGOUR Group, a diversified family business that has interests in agribusiness, hotels, consumer goods and alcoholic beverages. “This is a part of VIGOUR Group’s strategy to enhance our hotel portfolio. Radisson is a globally recognized brand and we are confident that the rebranding, coupled with Carlson Rezidor’s management expertise, will drive hotel performance and deliver a strong return on our investment,” said Philander Jong, member of the family, Commissioner of VIGOUR Group and Director of the group’s hotel arm PT. Aiho Indah.

    Radisson is one of the world’s leading global hotel brands. It delivers vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality that is characterized by its unique Yes I Can! service philosophy. Radisson hotels offer an upscale stay experience, backed by its 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee and a range of World of Radisson services and amenities, which have been created specifically to be empathetic to the challenges of modern travel.

    In Asia Pacific, there are currently 13 Radisson hotels in operation and 21 more in the pipeline.

  • Best Western Unveils First Hotel in Surabaya, Indonesia

    Best Western Unveils First Hotel in Surabaya, Indonesia

    Best Western International has unveiled its first hotel in Indonesia’s second largest city, Surabaya.

    The new BEST WESTERN Papilio Hotel is a modern midscale hotel conveniently located just 20 minutes’ drive from Juanda International Airport and close to popular attractions including Suroboyo Carnival Night Market and the MAS Mosque.

    Set in an eye-catching glass and steel building, the hotel offers a choice of spacious guest rooms, all of which come equipped with amenities designed to help guests unwind and stay productive. These include comfortable beds, ergonomic work desks, 32-inch LED TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi.

    Guests can take a cooling dip in the outdoor swimming pool, indulge in a sumptuous massage at the spa, or work up a sweat in the fitness center, while kids can make splash in the children’s pool.

    BEST WESTERN Papilio Hotel also serves up excellent local and international cuisine at the Mariposa Restaurant, and whatever the time of day, guests can relax and enjoy a drink in the lobby lounge and bar.

    And meeting planners will be able to choose from a variety of flexible function spaces, all equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment and served by a dedicated events team.

    “As Indonesia’s second largest city, Surabaya was the logical next step for Best Western International’s Indonesian expansion,” said Ron Pohl, Best Western International’s Senior Vice President of Brand Management.

    “BEST WESTERN Papilio Hotel will be an excellent addition to our rapidly growing portfolio in Indonesia, bringing modern midscale comfort to the rising number of domestic and international travelers Surabaya is now attracting,” he added.

    Olivier Berrivin, Best Western International’s Managing Director of International Operations – Asia, commented; “With its ideal location close to Surabaya’s main business district and attractions, yet away from the worst of the city’s traffic, BEST WESTERN Papilio Hotel truly offers the best of both worlds.

    “In addition to this, the hotel’s vast array of amenities exceeds its midscale status, offering guests an elevated experience at a reasonable price point. I am confident this exceptional hotel will become a firm favorite among travelers to Surabaya,” Mr. Berrivin concluded.

    The launch of BEST WESTERN Papilio Hotel increases Best Western International’s Indonesian portfolio to 15 hotels, spread across eight popular destinations.

    Best Western Unveils First Hotel in Surabaya, Indonesia

    Best Western Unveils First Hotel in Surabaya, Indonesia

    Best Western Unveils First Hotel in Surabaya, IndonesiaBest Western Unveils First Hotel in Surabaya, Indonesia

    Best Western Unveils First Hotel in Surabaya, Indonesia
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  • Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Highlights Expansion Plans in Indonesia

    Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Highlights Expansion Plans in Indonesia

    Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts unveiled its ambitious expansion plans in Indonesia and Southeast Asia at the 2015 Tourism, Hotel Investment & Networking Conference (THINC Indonesia) in Bali on 2-3 September.

    The upscale Swiss hospitality group will make its debut in Indonesia in the third quarter of 2016, with the opening of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran, overlooking picturesque Jimbaran Bay in the south of Bali.

    “As the company’s first hotel in Indonesia, this is a perfect place to start,” said Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and Asia. “Bali is a holidaymaker’s paradise, and the exclusive beach location of this resort with its unrestricted views of the bay is certainly set to be hugely popular.”

    He said the hospitality management group plans further expansion in Indonesia, with ongoing discussions about new partnerships including Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung. “Indonesia is a key market for our expansion in this exciting region for the hospitality sector,” Mattmüller said.

    Inspired by traditional Balinese design and reflecting the fabled natural wonder of the region, the upcoming Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran is an idyllic haven of 295 rooms, including six suites, amid meandering pools and lush landscaped gardens.

    With breath-taking sunset views from the rooftop lounge and hotel restaurant, the resort also features a 500-sqm ballroom, custom-designed kids’ club, business centre and meeting rooms, gym, library and spa, along with the Samasta Mall, which consists of a wide collection of boutiques, restaurants, gourmet market and a Mövenpick ice cream parlour.

    Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran is amongst eight hotels and resorts the group is opening over the next three years in the region, with expansion also in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

    Thailand is also a major focus, with the recent opening of Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok, followed in the first quarter of next year by the 264-room Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya positioned for families and business meetings on Jomtien Beach. They add to an existing portfolio of three Mövenpick hotels in Phuket and Koh Samui, for a total of five hotels in Thailand by 2017.

    Further hotels to open across the region are Mövenpick Hotel & Convention Centre Kuala Lumpur and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Kuala Terrengganu in Malaysia; Mövenpick Resort Boracay in the Philippines; Mövenpick Hotel & State Guest House Chifeng, China; and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

    The existing eight-property portfolio of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Asia includes four in Thailand and one each in Singapore, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.

    Hosted by HVS and co-hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia and the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), this year’s second edition of THINC Indonesia once again brings together hospitality and tourism industry stakeholders, business leaders and key decision-makers from across 17 nations to explore growth and investment opportunities in the region.

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  • Swissotel to Enter Indonesian Market; Signs New 170-Room Resort in Bali

    Swissotel to Enter Indonesian Market; Signs New 170-Room Resort in Bali

    Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, a leading brand in the FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) portfolio, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with resort developer PT. Bali Ragawisata to manage Swissotel Bali, a new 170-room resort scheduled to open in late 2017.

    Situated on a striking cliff top in Bukit Pandawa, an expansive and upscale master-planned resort development, Swissotel Bali will enjoy an enviable location on the island, mere minutes from top attractions favoured by international jet-setters and a short drive from the Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) International Airport.

    Designed by TONTON Studio, a leading design firm with extensive experience in high-end hotel development across Indonesia, the resort will offer scenic views of the Indian Ocean from stunning guestrooms featuring spacious outdoor balconies. Completing the guest experience will be a private beach club, four exquisite dining outlets including a spectacular bar, the brand’s signature Purovel Spa & Sport, and 400 square metres (4,300 square feet) of indoor meeting space with outdoor function areas.

    “This is an exciting new addition for the Swissotel brand and a perfect complement to our company’s growing portfolio of city and resort destinations throughout Asia and worldwide,” said Wayne Buckingham, senior vice president, Asia Pacific, FRHI Hotels & Resorts. “In keeping with Swissotel’s brand promise of promoting quality in life, the resort will offer a very inspiring atmosphere which will be bolstered with local attributes authentic to the locale. To be pairing an unbelievable resort product with the natural paradise that is Bali is nothing short of magic.”

    “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with FRHI on this new Swissotel resort project and look forward to working with them to create a truly world-class property,” said Djie Tjian An, PT. Bali Ragawisata. “Bali is a thriving holiday destination popular with travellers from all over the world who are looking for the ultimate mix of relaxation, adventure and cultural flair; Swissotel will deliver against this and more.”

    Located between Java and Lombok, Bali is an island with a population of 3.9 million. It is one of Asia’s leading vacation hotspots and the largest tourist destination in the country, recording more international arrivals than Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. In addition to its world-famous beaches, Bali is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music.

    Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its Swiss inspired hospitality, is extending its international reach with plans to open a number of new developments in the coming years. Projects are slated for China, India, Russia and Turkey as well as other exciting destinations globally.

    About Swissotel Hotels & Resorts

    Conveniently located where travellers want to be, Swissotel Hotels & Resorts provides guests with the opportunity to stay in the heart of more than 30 top locations worldwide, where they can confidently explore the very best each destination has to offer. Synonymous with all there is to love about Switzerland, the brand remains true to its roots, successfully combining genuine Swiss hospitality with intelligent design and local flair. With social responsibility at the forefront and a genuine commitment to positively impact the destinations it calls home, every Swissotel upholds industry-leading sustainability standards and is committed to treating guests, colleagues, and the environment with equal respect. This all comes together to provide guests with peace of mind that is authentically Swiss. Part of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company that also operates the Fairmont and Raffles brands, the Swissotel portfolio offers business and leisure guests an authentic and local travel experience that is full of energy, passion and vitality. For more information or reservations, please visit swissotel.com.