Algeria
- Starwood’s Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre opened in June on the North African Mediterranean coast. For groups, the property offers more than 95,000 square feet of function space, 254 guest rooms, 42 suites, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 3,000, access to an oceanfront promenade and an adjacent exhibition center. For more information, call 213.41.984000 or visit www.lemeridienoran.com.
China
- Rosewood Beijing, planned to open summer 2013, will be Rosewood’s first China property and part of the brand’s Asian expansion plan. Located in the central business Chaoyang District, the 279-room hotel will offer numerous terraces, gardens and balconies, plus 33,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes a 8,252-square-foot pillar-less ballroom. Seven restaurants and lounges offer dining options for groups. For more information, call +86.10.6597.3888 or visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/beijing.
England
- Bulgari Hotel & Residences, a new-build luxury hotel, opened in June in London with 85 rooms and suites. The hotel property accommodates groups with two boardrooms, private offices, private dining rooms and a ballroom that covers an entire floor of the hotel and can seat up to 160 guests. Additionally, a 47-seat theater is available for press events, screenings or film viewings. For more information, call 0207.151.1010 or visit www.bulgarihotels.com.
France
- Dolce Hotels signed an agreement to manage the former Hotel des Thermes, in the famous spa destination in northeastern France. The new Dolce Hotel Vittell is scheduled to launch in late summer 2013, following a refurbishment and expansion, with 111 guest rooms, two restaurants, eight meeting rooms and 9,700 square feet of function space. For more information, visit www.dolce.com.
Japan
- The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, the first Ritz-Carlton property in Japan, opened this spring. Set in the city of Nago in northern Okinawa and surrounded by an 18-hole championship golf course, the property offers 97 guest rooms, three restaurants and a spa overlooking the East China Sea. For more information, call +81.980.43.5555 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/okinawa.
Scotland
- Host of the 2014 Ryder Cup, Gleneagles Hotel is welcoming groups to play its championship PGA Centenary Course two years in advance. In addition to golf, 14 meeting venues and fine dining, Gleneagles offers a spa, outdoor team-building activities and specialized corporate programming. For more information, call +44.0.1764.662231 or visit www.gleneagles.com and www.conventionscotland.com/us.
- Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh completed a two-year, full refurbishment of its 296 guest rooms, 14 function rooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located near the Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh International Convention Center, the flagship property can arrange incentive trips to the city’s more than 40 golf courses and visits to the Royal Yacht Britannia. One Spa offers a rooftop Hydropool and customizable incentive programs. For more information, call +44.31.229.9131 or visit www.sheratonedinburgh.co.uk.
Singapore
- The 372-room Singapore Marriott completed a $28 million refurbishment. Guest rooms have newly installed bathroom upgrades, and the lobby now has an open floor plan and a new Marriott Cafe. The hotel has 13 meeting rooms and more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space. For more information, call +65.6735.5800 or visit www.marriott.com.
South Africa
- Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront Capetown is modernizing its 177 guest rooms. The upgrade is scheduled for completion in August. The waterfront property offers two conference rooms, each accommodating approximately 70 guests, and the Harbour View function room can hold receptions, banquets and cocktail events for up to 300. For more information, call +27.21.441.3000 or visit www.radissonblu.com.
Spain
- Mallorca’s expansive Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa is made up of 11 low-rise buildings integrated into the island landscape and is seeking LEED Gold certification. The brand’s first property in Europe offers 120 rooms, two restaurants and four bars. Two specialty suites cover more than 1,500 square feet each. The largest of four meeting spaces can hold up to 180 guests. For more information, call +34.971.637.888 or visit www.jumierah.com.
Switzerland
- Radisson Blu Zurich Airport will complete an expansion of its 8th floor conference center this fall, also adding private parking spaces and additional function facilities. The airport hotel will offer 330 hotel rooms, approximately 40,000 square feet of meeting space and a direct link to the terminal. For more information, call +41.44.800.4040 or visit www.radissonblu.com.
Thailand
- Okura Prestige Bangkok opened in May with 240 rooms, three restaurants and an infinity-edge swimming pool on the 25th floor. The property offers more than 10,000 square feet of event space and the largest ballroom can accommodate up to 350 for a cocktail reception. The hotel is directly connected to the Bangkok Mass Transit Skytrain. The building’s Victor Club offers a high-tech telepresence conference room with the latest audiovisual and teleconferencing capabilities. For more information, call +66.0.2687.9000 or visit www.okurabangkok.com.
Tunisia
- Rezidor plans to open the 234-room Park Inn by Radisson Sousse in 2013. The property is being renovated and hotel plans include three restaurants, four bars and more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom. The spa will provide Thalasso treatments utilizing seawater and seaweed. For more information, call +216.7575.7600 or visit www.parkinn.com.
Turkey
- Viceroy Hotel Group was selected to manage the new Nef Bebeköy resort property in Istanbul in 2013. The 58-room luxury hotel will spread across 16 acres and include a signature restaurant and conference facilities. For more information, call +971.02.813.7777 or visit www.viceroyhotelgroup.com.
United Arab Emirates
- The 282-room Sofital Abu Dhabi Corniche opened in April near Port Zayed with six restaurants and bars. An independently accessible 28,000-square-foot conference center can be configured to accommodate up to 1,000 attendees. For more information, visit www.sofitel.com.