Australia
The boutique 1888 Hotel opened in Sydney, with a unique photography focus. Named after the year that Kodak was launched, the 90-room hotel will feature guest-generated art and offer free stays to individuals with more than 10,000 Instagram followers. Venue offerings include private dining spaces and hospitality suites.
Brazil
A new Radisson Blu hotel is scheduled to open in Rio de Janeiro in January 2014. It will offer 292 guest rooms and almost 12,000 square feet of function space. Atlantica Hotels International plans to make $5.5 million in enhancements to the hotel over the next five years.
Germany
Marriott launched “next generation” meeting spaces at the Munich Marriott and the Amsterdam Marriott hotels. The spaces are designed to facilitate collaboration and give workers flexibility and access to technology. The Munich and Amsterdam hotels offer 334 and 391 guest rooms, respectively, as well as 9,200 and 7,600 square feet of meeting space. The new meeting space concept will also be unveiled at new Marriott properties in Turkey and Russia in 2014.
India
Hyatt Hotels announced the opening of the 451-room Hyatt Regency Gurgaon in the New Delhi Capital Region. A 40,000-square-foot convention center dominates the ground floor, including a 20,000-square-foot signature ballroom.
Norway
The 229-room Scandic Kristiansand Bystranda opened this summer in southern Norway as part of the new Aquarama complex, which includes a waterpark and spa. The hotel offers eight meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 300 people.
United Arab Emirates
The Waldorf Astoria Ras al Khaimah opened 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport, with 346 guest rooms, 10 restaurants, a private beach and an 18-hole golf course. The luxury property on the Arabian Sea can accommodate conferences and group events of all types, with more than 6,000 square feet of function space.