Hotels

Two Barbados Resorts to Shrug Off Increased Hotel Tax

Although the Barbados government is increasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on hotel rooms from 7.5 percent to 8.75 percent on May 1, the Mango Bay Hotel Group will maintain its current rates through 2012 and absorb the increase for guests booking at the all-inclusive Mango Bay resort and the Island Inn Hotel.

Riu Plaza Guadalajara on Schedule for June Opening

The Spanish hotel group Riu Hotels & Resorts announced that a new Guadalajara property is on schedule for a June opening. This is the first of the company’s Riu Plaza properties -- targeted to business travelers -- to open in Mexico.

AMResorts Unveils New Properties, Relaunch of Sunscape Brand

At this year’s 36th Annual Tianguis Turístico, AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, and Secrets, Dreams and Now Resorts & Spas, forecast a highly successful 2011 with the reintroduction of the Sunscape brand and the continued expansion of the brand, including the opening of new properties in new destinations.

Fiesta Hotel Group to Expand Grand Palladium Resort & Spa in Jamaica

Jamaica’s ability to grow its tourism sector in the midst of the global recession has increased its attractiveness for investment, tourism minister Edmund Bartlett said earlier. The declaration comes as the Fiesta Hotel Group confirmed it would start the expansion of the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Hanover.

Sol Melia to Open Two Paradisus Resorts in Playa Del Carmen

Sol Melia said the all-inclusive Paradisus resort brand is expanding its portfolio with two new properties in Mexico, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, scheduled to open in late 2011. Located in Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla include free-form pools, artful landscapes, a YHI Spa, 12 restaurants and 10 bars providing guests with pure freedom to escape and indulge in all the properties have to offer.

Westin Book Cadillac Hotel Joins List of 2011 AAA Four Diamond Award Honorees

The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel is the latest Detroit property to be awarded AAA's prestigious Four-Diamond rating for hospitality industry excellence. It joins the MotorCity Casino Hotel and its restaurant, Iridescence, and MGM Grand and its restaurant, Saltwater, to make a total of five AAA Four-Diamond properties in the city.