Absolute Hotel Services signs U Hotel in Doha, Qatar

Thailand-based Absolute Hotel Services is expanding its U Hotels & Resorts brand with the signing of its first hotel in Doha, Qatar.

The 120-room U Le Mirage Doha, which is scheduled to open in August 2011, will feature 78 superior rooms, 36 deluxe rooms and 6 suites with room sizes ranging from 33 square meters for superior rooms to 66 square meters for suites.

New Hotel Managers @ Unique Hotels in Thailand

The Unique Collection of Hotels & Resorts has appointed the following new Hotel Managers:

Mr. Peter Dietze has been appointed as Resort Manager of Absolute Sanctuary (Koh Samui). Peter starts his new challenge at Absolute Sanctuary (Koh Samui) today - 20 October, 2010.

Hilton Hotels launches Eforea spa concept

Hilton Worldwide  is debuting its new spa brand, Eforea, at the Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey today, with plans to rapidly roll out the spa concept globally.

In a statement, Hilton says Eforea is “a turnkey spa solution that owners can easily implement and customize.”

Vina Properties Acquires Dalat Palace Golf Club and Hotels

Saigon-based Vina Properties has acquired the Dalat Palace Golf Club, long an iconic presence on the Southeast Asian golf scene. Dalat Palace GC was voted the country’s top course in the most recent rankings from both Vietnam Golf magazine and Golf Digest U.S..

U.S. Hotel Construction Took Deep Drop in September

The number of rooms in the U.S. hotel industry's active pipeline declined 21.9 percent year over year in September, though construction activity remained vigorous in a few key business travel markets, according to Smith Travel Research data released this week.

IHG Signs Four Hotels in Asia

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed four new hotel contracts for hotels in Taipei, Hong Kong and Xiamen, adding more than 700 rooms to its pipeline.

“This expansion is a clear sign of our long term confidence in the Greater China market and we are honoured to be partnering with three cutting-edge real estate developers in their respective region,” said Keith Barr, managing director, IHG Greater China. “As the industry’s international leader in Greater China, IHG’s ambition is to address the growing needs in the country’s most energetic cities.”

Six Senses Pledges to Support BLUE with Share of Diving Revenues

The Six Senses Eco Symposium at Soneva Fushi ended on Sunday with a rallying cry to invest more in preserving fish stocks.

Chris Gorell Barnes, co-founder of BLUE Marine Foundation, said that only 0.6 percent of the world’s oceans are protected. “The rest can be fished until they are empty,” he said. “If we go on at the same rate then the oceans will be empty of fish by 2050.”

5 new normals of hotel financing

Major events in our culture often are the impetus for significant changes in behavior. Whether it is adjusting to new security measures after 9/11, long-term deployment of troops during the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or, on a personal level, a death of a loved one, we adapt our lives to the “new normal.” Today is no exception given the continued uncertainty in the U.S. economy.

Marriott Grand Opens Two Properties in Tianjin

Marriott has grand opened the 368-room Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview Hotel and the 96-unit The Lakeview, Tianjin – Marriott Executive Apartments.

To celebrate their grand opening, the Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview Hotel is offering an introductory rate of RMB 770++ while The Lakeview, Tianjin – Marriott Executive Apartments is offering apartments starting from RMB 1080++ including breakfast for two. The promotional rates for both properties are valid until 31 December 2010.

Best Western Opens Hotel in Sapporo

Best Western has opened its second property in Sapporo, the Best Western Hotel Sapporo Nakajima Koen.

The 278-room Best Western Hotel Sapporo Nakajima Koen is located on the south side of Sapporo city centre by Nakajima Park. The central business district and Susukino night-life entertainment area are within walking distance.