Brazil
Hard Rock International announced it will debut in South America with three new projects in Brazil: the Hard Rock Hotel Brasilia, Hard Rock Hotel Caldas Novas and the Hard Rock Hotel Itapema. The first, a 400-room Brasilia property, is slated to be part of the commercial and tourism expansion of Brasilia Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport. The hotel will feature a pool and deck, more than 17,000 square feet of event space and a rooftop entertainment lounge. Caldas Novas is considered to be the largest hydrothermal resort in the world, and the new 303-room hotel will offer six thermal pools. There will also be three restaurants, a helipad and a nightclub. Located off southern Brazil, the property in Itapema is expected to open in 2017 and will have 175 guest rooms with beachfront views and the brand’s curated live music events.
Bulgaria
InterContinental Hotels Group announced that the InterContinental Sofia, the first for the brand in Bulgaria, will open in 2017 after renovations. The 182-room hotel will feature seven meeting rooms and five boardrooms as well as a rooftop restaurant overlooking the main square. Adjacent to the Alexandar Nevski Cathedral, the property is close to the city’s main attractions like the National Theatre and is nearby the Central Railway Station.
Italy
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced that a Le Meridien will open in Rome, marking the brand’s re-entry into Italy. The Le Meridien Visconti Rome is scheduled to debut by the end of this year following an extensive renovation and conversion from the independent Visconti Palace Hotel. Located in the Prati district near the Vatican, the 240-room hotel is also within walking distance from Piazza di Spagna, Piazza del Popolo and the Pantheon. The hotel will feature the brand’s reinterpretation of the traditional lobby into a space for guests to converse and socialize. The signature Latitude Bar will serve coffee specialties from Illy and light bites during the day and aperitifs in the evening. There will also be a rooftop terrace, an all-day dining restaurant and a breakfast room. The property offers 4,300 square feet of meeting space, including the Visconti room that can accommodate over 200 guests.
Qatar
Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, a 50-story property located in the commercial district of West Bay, opened with 272 guest rooms and 42 apartments. The hotel, designed to resemble a falcon’s head in recognition of Qatari falconry, features museum-quality art pieces on loan from the Sheikh Faisal Collection honoring the rich heritage of the Qatari peninsula. Located close to business and diplomatic areas, the hotel has a direct link to the City Centre Mall and is five minutes from the waterfront promenade. The guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the city and Gulf. The property has nearly 16,000 square feet of meeting space, including nine meeting rooms and the pillar-less 9,000-square-foot Shangri-La Ballroom, which can accommodate 900 guests.
Thailand
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok completed a renovation of its historic Authors’ and Garden wings. A room reconfiguration included the creation of new suites, a six-room Grand Royal Suite in the Authors’ Wing and 12 suites with balconies in the Garden Wing. The Grand Royal Suite occupies the entire first floor of the wing, which was the original Oriental Hotel, built in 1876. Meeting and hosting spaces include a formal lounge, a second living room, a study and a dining room for 12 guests with a fully equipped kitchen and bar pantry. The new Garden Suites overlook the river and gardens and include a lounge, dining room, pantry, powder room and a balcony. The hotel features eight meeting spaces, including the nearly 5,500-square-foot Royal Ballroom.
United Arab Emirates
The ibis One Central hotel debuted next to the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The hotel, which is part of the Dubai Trade Centre District, features 588 guest rooms and 3,500 square feet of meeting space that includes five meeting rooms. The hotel offers free shuttle bus service around the city to and from the property. The on-site food and beverage outlets range from an Asian fusion restaurant, WOK & Co., to Cubano-Lito Bar & Grill, offering live music.