Ouvertures d’hôtels

🏦 OWO, formerly the British Old War Office, transformed into a five-star hotel since September. The historic building, inaugurated in 1906, underwent a six-year restoration and now operates under Raffles, Accor with Philippe Lebœuf as the general manager. Guerlain designed a four-story spa featuring a 20-meter pool, exclusive massages, and holistic programs by Pillar Wellbeing. It won the 2024 Hotel & Lodge Awards' Wellness category.

🏠 Turkey is a key market for Radisson Hotel Group, with Istanbul showing strong performance and growth. Radisson plans to expand in cities like Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, and Mersin. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, emphasizes the strategic importance of Turkey and the commitment to community impact. In the first half of 2024, Radisson will expand with one new hotel and six additional signings, including Park Inn by Radisson Yalova City Center (130 keys, opening April 2024).

🏦 Hilton launches Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the brand's 20th hotel in Brazil and the first Tapestry property in Rio de Janeiro. Managed by ICH/Intercity Hotéis, the 135-room hotel is located in Botafogo, offering views of Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer. Anabel Gruber, hotel's general manager, highlights the unique design and Hilton's signature service, while ICH CEO Alexandre Gehlem anticipates increased international visibility. Tapestry Collection by Hilton boasts over 120 hotels worldwide.

🏨 B&B HOTELS expands in Spain, with a new hotel in O Milladoiro, Galicia, and the first hotel in Cantabria, Castro Urdiales. The Galician hotel has 82 rooms with amenities like buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi. Totalling 49 hotels in Spain and 15 in Portugal, B&B targets managing 200 hotels by 2030. A partnership with Grupo Avintia Real Estate aims to open 10 new hotels by 2025. Founded in 1990, the company operates over 770 hotels in 17 countries, adding 170 since 2022.

🏨 Hyatt Hotels in "advanced negotiation" to acquire Standard International, founded by André Balazs who sold 80% of his share in 2013. Standard International, led by Amber Asher since 2021, boasts 20 hotels globally including the flagship Standard Hotel (8 locations) and sister brands Bunkhouse, The Peri Hotel, and Standard X. Additionally, 12 hotel projects are underway. Reported by Bloomberg.

🏢 Vacap Hospitality, led by Amadou Loum Diagne, secured an $81 million (approximately 49 billion CFA francs) loan from the U.S. government-controlled DFC for constructing two hotels in Dakar's Almadies district. The agreement, aimed at countering Chinese and Russian presence in West Africa, was signed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. The fund will be used for a 250-room Sheraton hotel and a luxury 150-key Aloft hotel.

🏨 Hôtelier Alboran opens a new Radisson hotel in Reims (Marne) this summer. The new building, part of an eco-district on a former railway brownfield, includes 102 rooms, a 70-seat bar-restaurant, fitness area, and rooftop on the 8th floor. Facilities for business clients include two meeting rooms (28 m² and 50 m²) and an 80 m² indoor studio near the rooftop. The hotel also offers coworking space and a rooftop view of Reims and its cathedral. Interior designer Ana Moussinet and art curator Sylvie Castellani, alongside photographer Maia Flore, contributed to the hotel's artistic and vintage design. Reims welcomes 5 million tourists annually, nearly half from abroad.

🏠 Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre, set in Wulin Square, vibrant district of Hangzhou, will complement the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake. This urban hotel is part of a complex featuring residences, offices, retail, and dining options. The hotel boasts 188 rooms, 26 suites with panoramic city views, a spa on the 18th floor, a modern gym, a heated indoor pool, terraces for events, and four unique dining concepts. Four Seasons has 130 hotels and resorts, plus 55 residential properties in 47 countries, with over 50 projects in development.

🏡 Hôtel d'Inghilterra Roma, a 16th-century residence, will reopen on September 27 after a renovation inspired by the Grand Tour era. Renovations, overseen by Elisabetta Fabri, President and CEO of Starhotels, included the restoration of the exterior and the protected historic facade, as well as modernization of upper floor rooms and suites. The hotel reduced its rooms from 84 to 80, enhancing luxury interiors. Italian master artisans contributed to the restoration as part of "La Grande Bellezza – The Dream Factory" project.