Global hotel group Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts continues its worldwide expansion, with 22 new properties located throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa currently in the pipeline to open during 2005 and beyond. This expansion follows on from the 10 new hotels opened during 2004.
As with all Le Méridien hotels, each new acquisition is different in style and ambiance, reflecting fascinating aspects of the local setting and culture. Luxurious, comfortable accommodation and up-to-the-minute facilities are designed to appeal to business and leisure travellers alike.
Grace Bay Club will officially open its 38 new family-friendly villas on November 1, representing a $45 million expansion project at the resort in Turks & Caicos. The Villas at Grace Bay Club are set in four five-story, Mediterranean-style buildings. Each building houses two suites per floor.
The 38 units include four penthouse villas, 14 two-bedroom villas and 20 three-bedroom villas. Each villa includes oceanfront balconies and nine-foot ceilings; open kitchens with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances; and bathrooms with walk-in showers and double vanities.
El Cid Resorts will open its sixth hotel this December as part of the company´s new, $200 million complex bordering Puerto Morelos National Reef Park in the Cancun Riviera Maya.
The oceanfront resort, Hotel Marina El Cid Cancun Riviera Maya, will be located 12 miles south of the Cancun International Airport, halfway between the city of Cancun and the town of Playa del Carmen. El Cid´s new, 617-acre complex boasts a state-of-the-art marina, now in operation a block away from the resort site. In the near future, the complex also will house boutiques, restaurants and luxury condominiums.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announces the grand opening of the Sheraton Salta, the first international hotel in the historic city of Salta, Argentina. The newly built hotel is located in the city´s upscale residential area of Monumento, just a few blocks away from the district´s main square.
The Sheraton Salta is Starwood´s eighth property to open in Argentina and further strengthens the hotel giant´s presence in South America. The hotel is owned by Complejo Monumento Guemes S.A. and will be managed by Starwood.
Hyatt has just unveiled the prototype of Hyatt Place, the hotel chain´s entry in the upscale, select-service lodging segment.
Designed to create “a larger than home” experience, Hyatt Place will combine a contemporary look with state-of-the-art technology to create “a different type of guest experience not yet seen in the industry,” according to Jim Abrahamson, senior vice president of Hyatt Corp.
The third Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Puerto Rico will open in 2007 in Aguadilla under a franchise agreement with Hotel Punta Borinquen, Inc., which is owned by the prominent Puerto Rican businessman Jesus Ruiz.
“We´re delighted with the continued growth of our portfolio in Puerto Rico and the expansion of our Courtyard brand on the island,” said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. “Our moderately priced Courtyard lodging brand has been well-received in San Juan and we are pleased to be able to introduce it in another Puerto Rican city.”