New DoubleTree for London

DoubleTree by Hilton has opened a new hotel in the UK: the 260-room DoubleTree by Hilton London Excel. Overlooking London’s Royal Victoria Dock, the hotel is owned and managed by Shiva Hotels. Senior vice president and global head of DoubleTree by Hilton, Dianna Vaughan, said, “We are excited to welcome this beautiful hotel to the brand's growing portfolio of more than 25 properties across the UK”. DoubleTree currently has more than 440 hotels in six continents and almost 40,000 rooms in the pipeline.

First Fraser Suites for Switzerland

Frasers Hospitality has made its first appearance in Switzerland with the opening of the Fraser Suites Geneva, in the country's second most populous city, Geneva; the property is also the group's first Gold Standard serviced residences property in Europe. The 67-unit Fraser Suites Geneva is in Geneva city centre, in the Rue Du Marché shopping and business district. Singapore-based Frasers now has 55 properties (more than 4,300 units) in operation or in the pipeline across Europe.

Meliá Discovers Lisbon

Meliá Hotels International has signed an agreement with Discovery Fund for a new hotel in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. The Meliá Lisboa Hotel is due to open at the beginning of 2018 with 239 rooms, modern conference and meeting space, a health club and a 24-hour restaurant, among other facilities. This project is the group's first Meliá-branded property in Lisbon; three TRYP hotels are already in operation in the city, and Meliá has 12 hotels across Portugal in total.

New Owner for Formby Hall

CS Hotels has purchased Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, on the coast between Liverpool and Southport, in northwest England, from the Maghull Group for an undisclosed sum. The 62-room hotel, set within 183 acres of parkland, was put on the market in May last year for offers in excess of £20 million. The hotel's new owner plans to start major refurbishment work at the property soon, and the work is expected to be completed this spring.

Radisson Blu Number Seven for Istanbul

Carlson Rezidor has opened its seventh Radisson Blu hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. The 133-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Atakoy is situated on the shore of the Marmara Sea, halfway between Ataturk International Airport and Istanbul's Old Town. Commenting on the brand's latest addition, Mark Willis, area vice president for Rezidor Hotel Group for the Middle East and Turkey, said, "Radisson Blu is the leading upscale hotel brand in Istanbul. Our latest addition in Atakoy is another beautiful Turkish delight, fueling our strong ambitions to grow across the country. We plan to add another eight hotels, resorts and residences shortly."

Spain to get a Second W

Starwood Hotels & Resorts plans to expand its W portfolio in Spain with a new hotel in Madrid. The 141-room W Madrid will become the second W-branded hotel in the country when it opens in 2018, joining the 473-room W Barcelona and making Spain the only country in Europe with two Ws. The W Madrid, which is owned by Merryland Inversiones S.L.U., will be the conversion of a former hotel on Plaza de Canalajas in a building dating from the 1800s.

Two New Premiers for the UK

Whitbread's Premier Inn chain has recently opened two new hotels in the UK – the 80-room Premier Inn Isle of Wight Sandown (Merrie Gardens) at the heart of Sandown on the Isle of Wight, just off the coast of south England, and the 80-room Premier Inn London Uxbridge in west London. Whitbread now has more than 700 hotels in operation across the UK.

Hilton Makes its Debut in Chad

Hilton Worldwide has opened its first hotel in the landlocked Republic of Chad, in Central Africa. The 194-room Hilton N'Djamena overlooks the River Chari in N'Djamena, Chad's capital and largest city. "Africa is a key foucs for us in terms of growth," said Rudi Jagersbacher, Hilton Worldwide's president for the Middle East and Africa region. "Hilton N'Djamena is not only a great base for business travelers, but also for those wanting to explore Northern Chad for the sand dunes and Saharan fauna – a jewel amongst the world's desert landscapes."

Swissôtel Signs Al Khobar Hotel

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Mohammed Ibrahim Al Subeaei & Sons Investment Company for the Swissôtel Al Khobar, the group's first property in the city of Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. The 180-room hotel is scheduled to open in 2019. The mixed-use property will also include 20 Swissôtel Living-branded residential apartments.

Fifth Radisson Blu for Dubai

Carlson Rezidor has announced the Radisson Blu Residence Al Sufouh in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The hotel is due to open in the first quarter of 2017 in the west of the city and will have 264 serviced apartments. Wolfgang M. Neumann, president and chief executive of Rezidor, commented, “We are delighted to strengthen our presence in the key market of Dubai which has resumed growth in terms of occupancy and average rate, and is set for further ambitious development.” The hotel marks the brand’s fifth in Dubai joining the 242-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown, the 276-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, the 246-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City and the Radisson Blu Residence, Dubai Marina.

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