Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Catalunya set for huge opening

Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Catalunya opens its doors this month in the heart of the historic Spanish city. The hotel will mark the debut of InterContinental Hotels Group’s boutique brand in Spain. Similarly most of the budget hotels in New Zealand will provide same brand for luxury staying. Located in Barcelona’s central Example District, in the midst of the city’s magnificent architectural feats, Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Catalunya serves as the ideal base for discovering the city, providing guests with easy access to Barcelona’s most famous tourist attractions including, Gaudi’s extraordinary monuments such as the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and Casa Batlló.

Situated just a few minutes walk from Plaza Catalunya metro and train station, the entire city and surrounding areas including Montserrat Monastery and Sitges seaside resort are within easy reach. It is also just a short trip from the buzzing bars of Gracia and Barcelona’s oldest district, El Raval, where guests can soak up the cultural delights that the city has to offer. Hotel Indigo is IHG’s boutique brand.

Each Hotel Indigo property is uniquely designed to reflect the community, character and history of the surrounding area. Hotel Indigo Plaza Catalunya’s 77 individually designed bedrooms reflect the local area with striking imagery of Barcelona’s stunning architecture throughout. Inspired by Gaudi’s Modernisme movement, the hotel comprises decorative features with soft edges and an ornamental façade.

For more information visit, Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Catalunya set for grand opening

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Hilton Globally contributes four resorts to Australia portfolio

Hilton Worldwide today signed a multi-unit management agreement with BG Group of Hotels to manage four hotels, marking the company’s entry into the Northern Territory and the introduction of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand into Australia. The properties, currently operating and subject to conversion works, will join Hilton Cairns as a portfolio of five BG Group of Hotels properties being operated by Hilton Worldwide.

The rebranded properties will join Hilton Worldwide’s existing portfolio of 15 hotels in Australasia and include:

• Hilton Darwin – 235 rooms
• DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin – 184 rooms
• DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin – 197 rooms
• DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs – 235 rooms

Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Hilton Worldwide has been operating in Australia for more than 35 years and during that time we have focused on growing our portfolio in key business and leisure destinations in the region with important strategic partners. With our strong leadership on the ground, our aim has been to create a network of hotels that meet the needs of business and leisure travellers, and we look forward to deepening our commitment to our clients and our valued owners in this important market with the addition of five more hotels.”

“Hilton Worldwide is proud to have been selected to rebrand and operate these important hotels. We are delighted to be able to introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Australian market and to add another Hilton Hotel & Resort in the region’s most significant areas of growth,” said Ashley Spencer, vice president, operations, Australasia, Hilton Worldwide. “We have been looking to enter into the Northern Territory for some time and to be working with BG Group of Hotels is a privilege. We are committed to making these properties the leading full-service hotels in the market.”

Guests at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Darwin and Alice Springs will be greeted with the characteristic qualities currently found at the brand’s more than 325 DoubleTree by Hilton locations in 26 countries around the world, including the warm welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services, and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community. Guests at Hilton Darwin can expect the upper-upscale service and amenities the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide is renowned for globally. The Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand offers best-in-class products and services to ensure that every guest feels cared for, valued and respected.

Guests at all four properties can experience the rewards of the Hilton Honors guest loyalty programme. For more information visit, Hilton Worldwide Adds Four Hotels To Australasia Portfolio

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Kempinski Introduces New Hotel & Spa in Yixing

European luxury hotel group Kempinski has announced the opening of its 18th property on mainland China in Yixing, the Pottery Capital of China.Surrounded by bamboo forests and just a one-hour drive away from Wuxi International Airport, Yixing is an eastern Chinese city known for being a modern industrial centre and a source of purple clay, mined since the tenth century and used to make the much sought-after “zisha”-style teapots.Located near Shanghai and on the shores of the stunning Lake Taihu, Kempinski Hotel Yixing boasts 446 rooms and suites and nearly 2,650m2 of function space, including 15 meeting rooms and two ballrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Additionally, Kempinski Hotel Yixing offers a variety of dining choices, featuring its YuanYuan Chinese Restaurant which offers a blend of Cantonese and local cuisines of Changzhou and Yixing and features 24 Private Rooms; the All-Day Dining Elements Restaurant on the 60th floor, from where guests can experience breathtaking panoramic views of Yixing City and Lake Taihu; Le Chai Wine Bar – the first of its kind in Yixing - with a large outside terrace and Bamboo Lobby Lounge.The hotel will also boast a spa, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and indoor swimming pool overlooking Lake Taihu.

Kempinski Hotel Yixing celebrates its opening on January 5th, 2013 combining European luxury and Chinese culture, which blend together in this new landmark like a perfectly prepared cup of Chinese tea.

For more information visit, Kempinski launches new hotel and spa in Yixing

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2013 Top Hotel : Imperial Boat House Voted for Holiday Check

The award recognizes the excellence of hotels within different regions that were particularly popular among their guests. The highest ranked hotels, which account for 10 per cent of all reviews within a region, are awarded with the HolidayCheck TopHotel prize.HolidayCheck.com head of B2B Georg Ziegler said: “Thanks to the excellent reviews from their guests, the Imperial Boat House belongs to the most popular hotels in their region.”

The Imperial Boat House Beach Resort, as its namesakes, features a unique nautical theme, offering 34 authentic teak rice barges, converted into luxury boat house suites. Its 210 well-appointed rooms consist of 34 Boat Suites, 8 Honeymoon Suites, 115 Premier Rooms, 11 Poolside Terrace Rooms and 42 Superior Rooms.The resort is nestled on tranquil Choeng Mon Beach, on the northeastern tip of Samui Island, located in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is served by direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Book your budget hotels in Asia and feel comfort.

The Imperial Boat House general manager Doeke Bonga expressed his gratitude the hotel’s guests for their feedback, saying that the award was made possible by the joint efforts of the entire team.The handover of the HolidayCheck TopHotel award will take place at the opening event for the ITB Berlin on 5 March 2013.

For more information visit, Imperial Boat House voted Holiday Check Top Hotel 2013

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