InterContinental Hotels Group signed a franchise agreement to introduce its newest brand, Hotel Indigo, to Russia next year. The 119-room Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg Tchaikovsky is set to open in summer 2012. Vega Ltd owns the 101-year old townhouse, previously an unbranded hotel, which will also house a restaurant and a bar.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Sunstar Hotel & Development, S.A. announced the opening of the Sheraton brand’s first all-inclusive resort, The Sheraton Bijao Beach, Panama. The hotel marks the second Starwood all-inclusive resort in Central America.

The Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort in Costa Rica has introduced their new Shangri-La Gardens as a haven for adults to escape and relax. The “secret garden” setting is a peaceful retreat that features six natural volcano-heated river pools and a thermal waterfall. It is lit with torches that spotlight the new chaise lounge furnishings and butlers serve a menu of Asian and Latin tapas, as well as specialty cocktails and martinis.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. said its long-awaited Florida resort, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, will officially open on Jan. 19, 2012. The St. Regis Bal Harbour is expected to build up Bal Harbour as an enclave for art, design and fashion that is just minutes from Miami and Miami’s South Beach. The resort’s general manager is Marco Selva.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants opens its newest oceanfront hotel in Miami, the Surfcomber, on Dec. 1. Following a top-to-bottom renovation of this South Beach spot, the new Surfcomber will offer guests a playful escape.

Historic Hotels of America announced the ability to quickly locate a hotel, learn more about the organization, “like” on Facebook, or check out current “Hot Deals” hotel packages listed by category through any mobile device. The new mobile site can be accessed on any web-enabled mobile phone, automatically redirected from Historic Hotels of America’s homepage at www.historichotels.org.