Brazil
AccorHotels announced the Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana will be converted into a Fairmont-branded property. The renovation began in May and is expected to finish in 2018. The hotel’s 400 guest rooms and an 800-seat convention hall will be fully remodeled. The complete renovation will also feature a new pool area with private lounges that overlooks Copacabana Beach. The new spa will have a private VIP suite as well as individual and couples cabins.
The Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana opened with 545 guest rooms. The beachfront hotel was built in 1975 and completed an extensive renovation in 2011. The property features two pools, one with a 360-degree view of the city’s three main tourist attractions, Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf, as well as a full-service spa. Two restaurants and three bars feature options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is over 26,000 square feet of meeting space, including 36 rooms for up to 500 attendees.
China
InterContinental Hotels Group opened Hualuxe Zhangjiakou. The hotel features 340 guest rooms, with nearly 30 suites. There are six restaurants and bars, including IHG’s Chinese restaurant brand, Cai Feng Lou, which offers authentic Chinese cuisine with local flavors; all-day dining restaurant, Xian Yan; Tai & Ko, specializing in Japanese, Korean and Mongolian cuisine; and the HUALUXE signature Noodle Bar. The property offers six meeting rooms and the city’s largest pillarless ballroom, at nearly 14,000 square feet and with a capacity for 1,400 people.
Germany
The new-build IntercityHotel Duisburg opened with six floors and 176 guest rooms. These include 95 Business Rooms and 79 Business Plus Rooms. The four events rooms total over 2,800 square feet and can accommodate up to 200 guests. On-site there is a restaurant, lounge and bar.
Thailand
Park Hyatt Bangkok debuted as the first Park Hyatt hotel in Thailand. The property is located in the city’s central business district and offers over 21,500 square feet of meetings and event space. The 222-room hotel features two restaurants, a bar and a lounge. Art plays an important role in the hotel’s design and experience, with instillations created by Japanese artist Hirotoshi Sawada.
The Netherlands
Kimpton De Witt debuted in Amsterdam. The property is the first Kimpton-branded property outside of the Americas. The 274-room hotel is located in a late-20th century building with architecture from the Dutch Golden Age and blends modern design with classic Dutch art and Delft-inspired tiles. The property features 18 meeting and event spaces. Next to the hotel is Wyers Bar & Restaurant, serving American staples with Dutch influences, while House Bar offers craft cocktails and an extensive menu of local gins and genevers. Also at the hotel is Miss Louisa Coffee & Beignets, featuring a walk-up window.