Best Western International announced that it has welcomed its 4,200th property into the membership, keeping its leading role in the industry, operating under a single brand name. “The value and quality of the Best Western brand is defined by its true global presence,” said David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western. “As we prepare to celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2006, we continue to look ahead with an eye toward innovation and a commitment to customer care, led by the entrepreneurial spirit of our membership.”

Baroness Thatcher reopened Rocco Forte´s Brown´s Hotel in London, 20 months after it closed for a complete renovation. In keeping with the English ambiance of the hotel, a very traditional ceremony took place at noon. Mayfair´s Albemarle Street, on which the main entrance of Brown´s Hotel is to be found, was closed briefly for a marching performance by The Band of the Royal Artillery.

The ceremonial groundbreaking of the 350-room luxury Hyatt Regency Curacao took place on last week with a massive turnout of tourism and hotel officials The project will encompass not only the luxury Hyatt Regency Curacao hotel, but also as a 30-slip marina, beach club, 52 vacation club units, 128 condominium homes, 106 residential lots and 94 terrace homes.

The long-delayed inauguration of the $500 million, 365-room Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands took place in three stages with the opening this week of 40 rooms, two restaurants, the Silver Palm Lounge and a pool bar. Another 173 rooms will follow on December 22, and the remainder will open on January 7. In addition, the La Prairie Spa and the Ambassadors of the Environment children´s program will be operational during the holiday season. A nine-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course will open in February.

Jones Lang LaSalle has arranged the refinancing of the Four Seasons Resort Nevis located in Nevis, West Indies, on behalf of its client, Hotel Equity Fund V, an affiliate of Maritz Wolff & Co. The 196-key Four Seasons Resort Nevis has long been recognized as one of the best resorts in the world by major travel publications, including Condé Nast Traveler and Andrew Harper´s Hideaway Report.

Paradisus Resorts has added a second property, the Paradisus Palma Real, slated to open in the Dominican Republic´s Punta Cana. The Paradisus Palma Real sets new standards in the category of luxury all-inclusive facilities with features and amenities for even the most discerning traveler. Located on an endless span of powder-thin white sand and azure waters, each of the 554 oversized suites boasts a Jacuzzi for two, flat screen television, and a private terrace overlooking either the ocean, garden or pool, with each surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Other amenities include complimentary round-the-clock room service and in-room mini bar.