Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found around the world.
Turkey
Radisson Hotel Group expands its Radisson brand to Istanbul in Turkey with the opening of two new hotels: the Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet and the Radisson Hotel President Beyazit Istanbul. Situated near the Grand Bazaar, St. Sophia and Topkapı Palace, these two new hotels combine modern and historical Turkish culture.
The Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet overlooks the Sea of Marmara and is situated within the historical walls of Istanbul. With 28 rooms, guests can dine at the Anatolian-style Şömine Restaurant or Marmara Cafe & Bar, which offers sea views and a scenic fountain. Meetings and events facilities include a 19th-century Ottoman-French meeting room and historical ballroom.
The Radisson Hotel President Beyazit Istanbul is located in the heart of old Istanbul, home to some of the most historic sites to explore including museums, churches, palaces, mosques, bazaars and natural sites.
The hotel offers 201 contemporary rooms and suites along with five on-site restaurants and bars. Guests can work out with panoramic sea views in the modern fitness center and refuel at the health club, complete with a swimming pool, steam room and locally-inspired treatments.
Radisson Hotel President Beyazit Instanbul Terrace; Image courtesy of Radisson Hotel
Radisson Hotel President Beyazit Istanbul features four meeting rooms and two event venues for up to 350 guests, complete with a ballroom that features nearly 4,000 square feet of event space.
New Zealand
Holiday Inn Express made its debut in New Zealand this July with the launch of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown. Opened in partnership with Pro-invest Group, the new-build hotel welcomes guests in time for the start of the ski season, offering an ideal location in Queenstown's city center.
Holiday Inn Queenstown; Image courtesy of IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown features 227 contemporary guest rooms including spacious suites – a Holiday Inn Express first in Australia and New Zealand – in addition to superior rooms which provide views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range.
Travellers will have easy access to popular ski destinations like Coronet Peak, Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone, with tourist attractions such as the Skyline gondola and the town's dining precinct nearby. Queenstown is also the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Milford Sound for further exploration.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown is complete with a fitness room, sauna, two flexible meeting rooms, self-serve laundry, dry room, onsite parking and a free business center.
Denmark
Villa Copenhagen officially opened its doors in the heart of Denmark’s capital early July. The 390-room hotel is located in the century-old Danish Post and Telegraph office, adjacent to Tivoli Gardens.
Villa Copenhagen Hotel; Image courtesy of Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen appointed Universal Design Studio, a London-based architectural firm, to create several public spaces and 381 of the guestrooms across the hotel’s five floors and ensure that the new interiors matched the grandeur of the 1912 Neo-Baroque architecture. The property is notably home to the city’s finest private art collection valued at more than $2 million – current artworks on display include pieces by local talent and celebrated international artists, including Jaume Plensa, Per Kirkeby and Ian McKeever.
Villa Copenhagen offers 24,757 square feet of flexible meeting and event spaces for smaller gatherings or large events of up to 1,200 attendees. Guests can choose from five food and beverage outlets within the hotel, and can go for a dip in the sustainable lap pool, warmed year-round.
Japan
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C recently announced the opening of the latest hotel to join its luxury Asia Pacific portfolio, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. The property is set amidst a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features an abundance of striking natural surroundings.
The Ritz-Carlton Nikko; Image courtesy of Ritz-Carlton
Located in the Northern Kanto region of Japan, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is set two-and-a-half hours north of Tokyo, accessible by rail or car, and offers a breadth of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. It features many natural highlights including the Kegon Falls and an array of famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
Nikko, and the surrounding area, has long been known as a holy place and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the cultural, religious, and architectural significance of its richly decorated shrines and temples. Perched along Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai, guests can easily access prominent scenic attractions, such as Nikko National Park, where the hotel is located, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage designated area.
The hotel’s 94 guest rooms and suites all feature a private balcony and an engawa lounge area, offering an expanded space for guests to take in the natural scenery surrounding the hotel. Guests can choose from four dining experiences, including The Japanese Restaurant, Lakehouse, The Bar and The Lobby Lounge. Further enhancing the hotel’s meditative and spiritual setting, guests are also invited to participate in a nightly meditation.
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