With hundreds of new hotels debuting worldwide since this time last year, travelers now have an unprecedented selection when choosing accommodations that fit their needs.
IN THE MIDDLE EAST, the new JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai celebrated its grand opening in February after a soft opening in late 2012.
The five-star property is currently the world’s tallest hotel at nearly 1,165 feet, just 85 feet shorter than the Empire State Building.
A premier venue for conventions and business travelers, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai features nine restaurants and five bars and lounges. The hotel sits in the heart of Business Bay, minutes from the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and close to Dubai International Airport.
“The JW Marriott Marquis will add significantly to Dubai in its drive to become the preferred choice for meetings, incentives, conferences and events business,” said Rupprecht Queitsch, general manager, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. “We are working in tandem with Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Dubai Convention Bureau to put Dubai on the global business destination map.”
LATIN AMERICA IS A HOTBED of development, with Starwood pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy. Early this year, Starwood announced plans to grow in Latin America with a goal of having 100 hotels in operation or development by the end of 2013.
When it opened last summer, the Sheraton Tucumán Hotel became Sheraton’s ninth branded hotel and the 10th Starwood property in Argentina. Located in Tucumán, the provincial capital, the hotel overlooks the city’s scenic 9 de Julio Park, named for Argentina’s Independence Day, and is just blocks from the historic district and civic center.
Sheraton Tucumán Hotel, Argentina © Sheraton
“Sheraton is an icon in Latin America, having been the first international hotel brand to establish a presence in major cities, including Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima. Today, Latin America includes several of the world’s fastest-growing economies and remains one of the most promising markets for the Sheraton brand,” said Hoyt Harper, global brand leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “Sheraton continues to be one of the most sought-after hotel brands in Latin America and around the world; as a result, we are experiencing record-breaking growth, with plans to open our 500th Sheraton hotel by 2015.”
Sheraton Tucumán offers 124 guestrooms, including six executive suites and a presidential suite. The Sheraton Club Lounge on the top floor provides panoramic views of the park and surrounding mountains. The hotel features an 8,600-square-foot spa—the first of its kind in the region—and more than 28,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, making it one of the largest convention centers in the area.
IN BRAZIL, the Sheraton da Bahia Hotel reopened earlier this year to strong reviews. Situated in Salvador, a major tourist destination, the 284-room hotel—formerly the historic Hotel da Bahia—underwent extensive renovation before reopening under the Sheraton flag.
“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of Sheraton hotels in Brazil and to partner with GJP Hotéis & Resorts to open our first hotel in Salvador, one of the country’s most important cities,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, co-president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Americas. “This additional hotel in Brazil highlights our distinctive position in this fast-growing market and the strength of the Sheraton brand in the upscale segment.”
“This is a historic time for the Sheraton brand. Starwood has invested heavily in renovating iconic properties and bringing the brand to the most important places in the world,” Harper added. “Brazil is now a global economic force whose international profile will be further elevated by the World Cup and Olympic Games, and Sheraton is proud to expand its presence during these exciting times.”
Located in the city center with direct access to Sete de Setembro Avenue, Sheraton da Bahia caters to both business and leisure travelers. Salvador—the capital of Bahia—is second only to Rio de Janeiro in tourism traffic. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city offers rich cultural attractions, distinctive cuisine, music, beaches and colonial architecture.
IN AUGUST, PALACIO DEL INKA in Cusco, Peru, reopened after an extensive $15 million renovation. Owned by Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco delivers personalized service in Peru’s ancient capital. Starwood’s Luxury Collection includes a range of unique hotels across five continents, centered on exceptional local character and history.
“Latin America offers diverse destinations ideal for travelers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences with exceptional service and style. The Luxury Collection’s portfolio continues to grow in the region, where we now have 11 hotels from Argentina to Mexico,” said Librizzi. “Palacio del Inka embodies centuries of history and indigenous charm and will appeal to luxury travelers visiting the region for years to come.”
Located at the heart of Cusco, Palacio del Inka sits across from the preserved Koricancha ruins, the Temple of the Sun. The property features a striking Spanish colonial façade; its structure includes original Incan walls combined with 16th-century Spanish design elements. The 203-room hotel includes 17 Casa de los Cuatro Bustos Suites with 13-foot ceilings, rich textiles and custom carved wooden doors, chests and desks that complement vintage paintings and mirrors.
AMONG STARWOOD’S PANAMA openings this year, The Westin Panama debuted in early 2013, followed by the Waldorf Astoria Panama. Located in Costa del Este, Panama City’s newest upscale corporate and financial district, The Westin Panama offers 218 rooms, including 45 suites, and 14,460 square feet of meeting and function space. The hotel anchors the Costa del Este financial center, which features high-end real estate, multinational offices and a waterfront boardwalk with shops and restaurants. Costa del Este is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Panama City and less than 30 minutes from Tocumen International Airport via the Corredor Sur.
Waldorf Astoria Panama, located in the city’s entertainment district, offers 248 guestrooms, suites and luxury residences. The hotel’s design blends luminous tones, exotic woods and reflective materials with high ceilings and multidimensional panels to create a refined social atmosphere.
In addition to exclusive dining and wellness facilities, Waldorf Astoria Panama features Level 5, a multi-event venue that fuses Manhattan penthouse design with contemporary Latin American style. The venue includes more than 3,500 square feet of meeting space, a ballroom and multipurpose rooms, supported by a full-service business center.
“Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts are committed to a presence in landmark destinations around the world, so Panama is an ideal venue for our entry into Latin America,” said John T.A. Vanderslice, global head of luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton Worldwide. “The Waldorf Astoria Panama is positioned to create the exceptional experiences and unforgettable moments that define the brand.”
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, the Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul opened in May, marking the luxury brand’s first hotel in Turkey. Located on the European side of the Bosphorus between Dolmabahçe Palace and the Naval Museum, the hotel offers sweeping views of the city’s domes and minarets. Housed in a restored circa-1930s tobacco warehouse, the property retains a Neoclassical façade and two preserved sycamore trees estimated at 150 and 350 years old.
Inside, Shangri-La Bosphorus blends modern luxury with historical references inspired by Dolmabahçe Palace: marble surfaces, chandeliers and a mix of European, Asian and Turkish décor. A dome-shaped atrium floods natural light onto a large Bohemian chandelier, and the hotel displays more than 1,000 pieces of European and Asian art, including an elaborate southern China lacquer carving behind the reception desk.
WHILE SHANGRI-LA HOTELS & RESORTS has not yet confirmed an opening date for its much-anticipated Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London, the hotel is set to become a landmark on London’s skyline. Occupying floors 34–52 of The Shard—the city’s distinctive crystalline tower and the tallest building in Western Europe—the hotel will be Shangri-La’s first in the United Kingdom.
PARK HYATT IS ALSO ON THE MOVE with multiple new and renovated properties worldwide. Notably, Park Hyatt Sydney reopened after the most comprehensive renovation in its history. The harborfront hotel was closed for 10 months while guestrooms, public areas and rooftop suites were upgraded, unveiling nearly 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Designers emphasized local materials and cultural references throughout the renovation. The foundation was rebuilt with traditional Sydney sandstone, and the boardwalk uses spotted gum timber native to Australia. Park Hyatt Sydney also commissioned Australian artists to create sculptures, paintings and photographs inspired by The Rocks and the harbour, connecting the hotel’s public spaces and guestrooms to Sydney’s history and contemporary life.
CLOSER TO HOME, HONG KONG–BASED Langham Hotels and Resorts expanded its U.S. presence with the September opening of The Langham, Chicago. Housed in the last office building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the 316-room hotel sits in downtown Chicago near the Loop and Michigan Avenue. It is Langham’s first purpose-built hotel in the United States.
“After more than four years of planning and construction, we’re delighted to join the Chicago community and bring our brand of European hospitality to this great city,” said Bret Butcher, CEO, Langham Hospitality Group. “The Langham, Chicago was a labor of love for our chairman, Dr. K.S. Lo, who is committed to developing luxury hotels in landmark buildings.”
Built in 1971 as IBM’s regional headquarters, the building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2008 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in March 2010.
The Langham, Boston © Langham Boston
The Langham, Chicago joins The Langham Huntington, Pasadena; The Langham, Boston; and Langham Place, Fifth Avenue among the company’s U.S. hotels. Looking ahead, Langham is actively seeking opportunities in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Miami, San Francisco and other major cities.