For planners seeking to impress attendees with international elegance, here’s a look at some recent notable news in the world of luxury properties.
Promising Parisian Pair
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) recently expanded its worldwide portfolio and European options with the addition of two luxury-level hotels in the City of Light—the popular meetings-focused Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe, Paris and the elegant boutique hotel Les Jardins du Marais, Paris.
The Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe, Paris also is just a short walk to the renowned Avenue des Champs Elysees and features 478 luxurious guest rooms and suites, and 18,300 square feet of meeting space, able to host events for up to 650 attendees. A tribute to the elegance of the 1920s, the property is highlighted by Art Deco decor, a majestic staircase, lush gardens and exquisite sculptures. Event spaces include an Andalusian-style garden and patio. The hotel also features the upscale Le Saffron Restaurant, The Mosaic Spa, The Purple Bar and a business center.
The Four-Star Les Jardins du Marais, Paris, meanwhile, is constructed around private Mediterranean-style gardens and offers 263 guest rooms and suites and more than 10,000 square feet of event space comprised of 11 meeting rooms, which can accommodate up to 450 guests. The hotel offers an additional 16,000 square feet of alfresco event space in its large garden. Featuring a chic lobby with marble floors and a glass roof, the hotel also has the La Table des Jardins restaurant, a spa, fitness center, bar and business center.
Dynamic Dubai Development
Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab "sail-shaped" hotel, often referred to as the most luxurious hotel on the planet, is bringing an expansive outdoor luxury leisure concept, called "North Deck," to the market this spring.
The North Deck—actually shipped in from Finland—is due to open to guests in the second quarter of 2016 and will offer more than 100,000 square feet of space fanning out 100 meters into the Arabian Gulf. Guests and attendees can enjoy 32 cabanas, 400 sun loungers, a large freshwater pool and one saltwater pool, plus a restaurant and bar.
The hotel’s 202 luxury suites range from about 1,800 square feet to around 8,400 square feet, with a rain shower and a Jacuzzi in each, and the property also boasts six restaurants and substantial conference and banqueting venues.
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Hilton Makes Dali Debut
Hilton Worldwide opened the Hilton Dali Resort & Spa in February, marking its debut in Dali and 64th property in China. The eye-catching new property is halfway up Cangshan Mountain, facing Erhai Lake, and offers 375 lush guest rooms, each with a private balcony offering panoramic views.
With a range of flexible meeting spaces, as well as courtyards and open areas, Hilton Dali Resort & Spa is aiming to be a popular venue for events such as product launches, car shows, business meetings and other events. The main Cangshan Ballroom spans nearly 12,000 square feet, and other spaces include a 3,225-square-foot junior ballrooms as well as 12 other multifunction meeting rooms, all of them equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and the latest audiovisual technology.
Other pluses include three innovative restaurants, two bars, a spacious round-the-clock fitness center and even a rooftop mini-golf course.
Tempting Thailand Rebrand
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of world’s leading hotel companies, rebranded the Sheraton Pattaya Resort, a luxury resort nestled in the Phratamnak Hills south of Pattaya Bay, to InterContinental Pattaya Resort; it begins operating under the IHG flag this month.
The 156-room beachfront resort, located just a five-minute walk from the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Center, will offer a selection of premium rooms and villas in an exotic locale.
The property offers three lagoon swimming pools, a fitness center and a robust spa, and in coming months will also debut a Club InterContinental lounge and Planet Trekkers, a dedicated space for young guests, as part of the new offerings to reposition the property to an InterContinental Resort. Guest rooms will be renovated, including the creation of Club InterContinental rooms on a dedicated floor.
Barcelona Breakthrough
Marriott International is teaming with Ian Schrager and KKH Property Investors to open a new property in Barcelona, Spain, in 2017. The Barcelona EDITION, a “luxury-lifestyle” brand, aims to extend individualized and unique hotel experiences.
The 100-room hotel will be set in Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella district, close to the Cathedral of Barcelona and neighboring the famed Santa Caterina Market. The project will creatively transform an existing office building into a modern luxury hotel, and the space will include three eclectic restaurant experiences, along with a vibrant lobby space, club and rooftop bar area.
Future EDIITION hotels are planned for Sanya, China (2016), Bangkok (2017), Abu Dhabi (2017), Shanghai (2017), Times Square (2018), West Hollywood (2018), Reykjavik, Iceland (2018), Bali, Indonesia (2018) and Dubai (2019).
