China
The DoubleTree by Hilton Suzhou opened in the city’s central business district, where more than 200 financial institutions, banks and companies have their regional headquarters. The property features 357 guest rooms and 181 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, with full kitchens and separate living and work areas designed for longer-stay guests. Meeting space at the property includes an 11,200-square-foot pillarless ballroom that can accommodate up to 900 guests for a reception, six meeting rooms, a boardroom and a VIP room. The all-day dining bistro, OPEN, features interactive chef pods that serve Asian cuisines, Western grill items and fresh seafood while YUXI Chinese restaurant offers local favorites, regional specialties and Cantonese cuisine, complete with 11 private dining rooms. There is also an Italian restaurant, lobby lounge, sports bar and grab-and-go outlet on-property.
Hilton Yantai Golden Coast debuted with 409 guest rooms. The hotel overlooks Golden Beach, is nearby the city’s shopping district and offers easy access to popular attractions like 37 Degree Dream Sea Water Park, Changyu Castel Winery, Cishan Hot Spring Park and Penglai Pavilion. The property offers nearly 2,000 square feet of meeting space, including 12 multifunction rooms and two ballrooms. The 15,700-square-foot grand ballroom can accommodate up to 1,900 guests. There are three on-site restaurants and a bar that has 13 private dining rooms.
Spain
A new hotel, Hotel Camiral, is set to open at PGA Catalunya Resort, near Barcelona. The resort, located on the Costa Brava, has two championship golf courses, The Stadium Course and Tour Course. The 149-room hotel will feature contemporary design and offer three dining options: an a la carte restaurant, a lounge bistro and a pool-side bar. There are two meeting rooms, the 1,400-square-foot Tour Room and the 1,625-square-foot La Selva Room, both of which can accommodate up to 100 attendees. Each room offers direct access to the golf courses and have terraces for outdoor events. Groups can arrange for golf clinics, tennis, paddle tennis, biking and horseback riding, as well as trips Girona or Barcelona and the Costa Brava.
South Korea
The 409-room Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun opened with a Green Building certificate. The hotel features floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the guest rooms and the 19th floor suite has an outdoor terrace offering views of Seoul. There is over 5,500 square feet of meeting space, including five meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 150 guests. The property is located near Namdaemun Market and City Hall.
Thailand
Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach opened with 180 guest rooms. The property underwent a complete renovation and is located near Phuket International Airport and adjacent to the old town of Nai Yang. Food and beverage offerings include both Thai and international cuisine along with afternoon tea in the open-air lobby lounge. The property offers nearly 2,500 square feet of meeting space across three rooms, including a ballroom that can accommodate 100 guests. The hotel features the brand’s Greatroom lobby design, a lagoon-style pool and beachfront pool villas.
United Kingdom
Hyatt Place London Heathrow/Hayes debuted as the first Hyatt Place brand in the U.K. The 170-room hotel is located near Heathrow Airport, and the Heathrow Express connects guests to central London with trains departing every 15 minutes. The property has 2,000 square feet of meeting space, the Gallery Cafe and the brand’s Gallery Market Morning Boost, offering complimentary breakfast for guests.
Uruguay
Hyatt Centric Hotels unveiled its first property outside North America, the Hyatt Centric Montevideo. The 178-room hotel is located in the Pocitos neighborhood nearby the area’s business and leisure districts, including the World Trade Center, Montevideo Shopping and Ciudad Vieja. The hotel features over 18,700 square feet of meeting space, with each meeting room named after an influential female Uruguayan poet. There are six meeting rooms and a ballroom that can be configured for events up to 280.