Ouvertures d’hôtels

🎷 At Val Thorens, Europe's highest ski resort, Hôtel Marielle is set to unveil the first vinyl bar, where guests can enjoy a retro musical après-ski experience. Launching in over a month at the Grande Première, the bar will feature a DJ spinning vinyl records selected by patrons from a collection of over 1000, every evening from 6 to 8 PM. Since December 2021, Director Grégoire Le Solleuz and his 70-strong team have been enhancing guest experiences with creative and surprising activities.

🏚 a&o Hostels, Europe's largest hostel chain, is set to open a&o Antwerpen Centraal in Belgium on November 1, 2024. The hostel, previously the "Century Antwerp" hotel, will undergo a €4 million renovation by early 2025. Marking the company's 41st site in 11 European countries, a&o Antwerpen Centraal features nine floors, 133 rooms, and 516 beds. The Antwerp opening follows a&o Brighton Palace Pier in the UK and precedes the planned addition of 3-4 properties in 2025.

🏨 Ascott Limited partners with Jin Jiang Hotels for a 50/50 joint venture to expand their serviced apartment brands, Quest and TULIP LODJ, in China. Starting with approximately 600 units across two operating properties in Wuhan and one under construction in Shenzhen, the venture aims to tap into the underserved premium and upper-midscale segments. Jin Jiang, the world's second-largest hotel group, operates around 13,250 hotels with over 1.34 million rooms and nearly 200 million loyalty members. The collaboration leverages Jin Jiang's ready-to-franchise infrastructure for rapid brand expansion.

🎸 Siyam World Maldives celebrates its 3rd anniversary from October 28 to November 1, 2024, with a four-day event featuring Halloween festivities, live music, shows, Diwali celebrations, and a football clinic for 5-12 year-olds led by English football legend Rio Ferdinand. Children have the opportunity to train with the former Manchester United player during this exclusive event aimed at fun and skill development. The celebration kicks off with a gala dinner at Tempo restaurant, complemented by performances from world magic mental champions, Lucca & Anca.

🏨 At the end of summer, Fort Saint Laurent****, a 16th-century building in Lyon's historic Croix-Rousse district, opened as the 4th Handwritten Collection hotel by Accor after two years of renovation. Architects Cécile Chomard and Marion Simeone led the restoration, preserving original features. It has 35 rooms over 3 floors, accommodating 2-5 guests each. Amenities include a 61.5 m² event space for up to 60 people, a 27 m² lounge, and a forthcoming wellness area by Sothys. Its 112 m² terrace offers cocktails and local products.

🏠 Edgar Suites expands to the French Riviera, opening a new high-end aparthotel in Cannes on December 1. The residence, located in the former Hôtel de France on rue d'Antibes, will feature 10 fully-equipped apartments ranging from 40 to 90 square meters distributed over six floors, equivalent to 34 hotel rooms. The aparthotel can accommodate couples, families, and groups up to 8 people, and boasts a luxury duplex Penthouse with a sauna, jacuzzi, and a 150 square meter rooftop offering panoramic city and sea views.

🏕 Andermatt Swiss Alps AG tasked Implenia with constructing a hotel and residences in Andermatt, Swiss Alps. The hotel will have 66 rooms, bars, restaurants, 164 apartments, a spa, and fitness area. Three buildings connected by a lobby, heated by distant heating, cooled with groundwater, and a photovoltaic façade for electricity. Access road and snow roof also built by Implenia. Construction begins Spring 2025, completion expected November 2027.

❄ MMV opens its Résidence Club l'Altaviva in Tignes 1800 and Village Club Les Arolles in Val Thorens starting November 30, three weeks before Christmas vacation. 15 establishments will open before Christmas, offering early bird skiing. The most affordable weeks are before Christmas, with prices as low as €413 for a 4-person 2-room at Résidence Club de Sainte Foy from December 14-21, and €672 per person for a full-board stay at Village Club de la Plagne 2000 for the same dates.

🏨 The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in Sydney, Australia reopens after a comprehensive renovation, featuring 436 rooms and suites. This 5-star hotel, known for its post-war minimalist architecture and the southern hemisphere's largest brick structure, originally opened in 1966. It is situated in Sydney's business district near iconic attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The renovation by FK interior and architecture respects the hotel's glamorous past while modernizing its comfort and amenities.

🏡 The Four Seasons hotel features 200 rooms and suites with ocean or garden views, most including furnished balconies or terraces, and some boasting private pools. Interiors by Roger Nazarian and Associates display Moroccan touches like custom zellige tiles, stained glass, brass, and copper lighting. Four Seasons ensures comfort with thoughtful details and technology for business or leisure travelers. Rainer Stampfer, President of Global Hotel Operations, celebrates the Rabat location's addition to Morocco's luxury collection, highlighting the city's rich history.