Aloft Hotels will open a new location brand in in Dublin’s historic Liberties quarter in the spring of 2018. The deal is part of a franchise agreement with Blackpitts Hospitality Limited. Aloft Dublin City will be operated by Dublin-based Pembroke Hospitality Limited.
Aloft Dublin City will be eight stories tall and have 202 loft-like guest rooms with platform beds, walk-in showers and complimentary Bliss amenities. Guests can also expect the brand’s signature WXYZ bar, a public space where they can catch up on emails, read the papers, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends, The hotel will also have Re:mixSM lounge.The WXYZ® bar and Re:mixSM lounge will be situated on the top floor of the hotel, making the most of the panoramic city views.
Aloft Dublin City will offer SPG Keyless that enables guests to use their smartphone or Apple watch as a room key. Other features will include a Re:chargeSM fitness centre; Re:fuelSM by Aloft, a convenient 24-hour deli option for those on the go; as well as two modern meeting spaces supported by an In-Touc’ business area. Fast and free Wi-Fi will be available throughout the property.
Two independently operated retail spaces will be located on the ground level with direct access from the street. There will also be on-site parking facilities for hotel guests and visitors.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has opened its first golf resort in China at the Ritz-Carlton, Haikou. The golf resort, situated at Mission Hills on Hainan Island, boasts 10 18-hole championship courses.
According to a Ritz-Carlton press release, the 175-room, 16-suite hotel has a 350-acre Blackstone Course that weaves its way around the Mission Hills Golf Club. Built on top of a bedrock of ancient lava from extinct volcanos, the dramatic landscape features rocky outcrops with striking variations of jungle vegetation, expansive lakes and wetlands which can be viewed from every room.
The Ritz-Carlton, Haikou pays homage to the heritage of golf throughout. The architects AECOM, with interior designers HBA Los Angeles, have playfully created a design reminiscent of an elegant golf clubhouse. Guestrooms feature fabrics and patterns inspired by vintage golf elements, ensuring no two spaces are alike. Wall panels and light fixtures incorporate stitching that evokes handmade golf shoes, while antique leathers make references to a vintage golf bag. Tartan flooring remind guests of Scotland, the birthplace of golf.
Stories of holes won or lost can be enjoyed at sunset on the private patio of the hotel’s rooftop Flair Bar which overlooks the golf course. Cocktails feature local fruits, including lychees from the ancient trees that dot the grounds of Mission Hills. A Scottish bagpiper’s lament signals the end the day, or if you prefer, salutes the triumphs of the day, before dinner in Flair’s private dining room which offers a selection of single-malt whiskies and cigars.
Fine dining takes on new meaning in Haikou with the introduction of the elegant Tin Lung Heen Cantonese restaurant which features classic Chinese décor combined with contemporary textures of wood and stone. Diners can enjoy the best of the highly-revered Cantonese cuisine as well as regional delicacies while listening to a master recite classic T’ang Dynasty poetry. The modern rusticity of Terra provides a warm backdrop to an international world-class line-up of chefs preparing authentic dishes from Tuscany to China.
After the hard-fought battles on the fairway, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, with its seven treatment rooms offers a signature Golfer’s Retreat treatment, to sooth away the skirmishes of the day, amongst other rejuvenating and relaxing treatments. The Spa also has a steam room, cool mist showers and indoor vitality pools with jets, as well as a fitness center and swimming pool. Golfers can prepare for the day with Golfer’s Yoga on the lawn.
The luxury golf resort features 11,483 square feet of banquet facilities for conferences and celebrations. Spaces include a 4,429-square-foot Grand Ballroom, two Junior Ballrooms (902 square feet each), seven meeting rooms and one boardroom. With a manicured Fairway Lawn and vast expanses of greenery, the Ritz-Carlton, Haikou wedding specialists can create a memorabe experience to perfection.
The younger guests of the Ritz-Carlton can enjoy their own adventures with the immersive Ritz Kids program designed to build upon their imaginations. A variety of features include the Kids Club, an outdoor playground, a Kids swimming pool, bicycle rental and a Kids Golf Putting Area for golfers-to-be.
Within close proximity to the hotel, Mission Hills Centreville is a premier entertainment and nightlife hub. The design of the Town Center is influenced by design themes from all over the world, boasting an indoor and outdoor commercial shopping complex complete with ponds, bridges, islands and a plaza designed for festival activities.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando)
Universal Orlando Resort has announced that its ride Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon will officially grand open on April 6, 2017.
According to a Universal Orlando press release, the attraction will give guests the ultimate “Tonight Show” experience as they get up close and personal with the show’s most hilarious segments before taking off on a wild and action-packed race through New York City against “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon himself.
To celebrate the attraction’s Grand Opening, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” will take the show on the road with tapings from Universal Orlando Resort from April 3 through 6. Additional details on celebrity guests and how to become a part of the show audience will be released over time.
As they experience the attraction, guests will make their way through Studio 6B to board the world’s first-ever flying theater, which seats up to 72 audience members, for the race of a lifetime. They will speed through the streets of New York City and all the way to the moon and back, encountering iconic landmarks from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building to everything in between.
“Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” will be the first attraction at Universal Studios Florida to feature an all-new Virtual Line experience, allowing guests to spend less time waiting in line and more time discovering even more incredible thrills throughout Universal Studios. The Virtual Line system is accessible via the Official Universal Orlando Resort App or at kiosks located outside the attraction entrance.
(Photo courtesy of Cachet Beach Hotel & Beach Club)
Cachet Beach Hotel & Beach Club (formerly known as Cabo Villas Beach Resort and Spa) has opened at Callejon Del Pescador S/N, El Medano, 23450 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The opening represents the first phase of Cachet Corazon, CHG’s first dual-branded resort destination; the second phase, Cachet Deluxe Los Cabos, is set for completion in 2018.
Here are more details from a press release about the resort:
Cachet Beach Hotel & Beach Club has 77 re-imagined rooms; a Beach Club; Aleta Seafood Grill, Bar and Sun Deck; three chill wet areas and rejuvenating spa experiences at Spa Ritual.
In tandem with Rabago Artiquitectors & Consultores, Cachet Interior Design (CID) revamped the accommodations with decor that is an eclectic but harmonious interweaving of Mexican art, local patterns and vibrant hues. Cachet Beach’s amenities include in-room yoga mats, flip-flops, towels and beach bags are just some of the features that will help guests fully enjoy their time outdoors. Rooms will also include blue-tooth speakers; RoomNetTVs that allow guests to stream their own media; and ASSA ABLOY wristband door keys for people who don’t want to worry about losing their keycard.
The property is situated right on famed Medano Beach and near the Sea of Cortez and within walking distance to downtown restaurants, popular clubs, an upscale shopping mall, and a picturesque marina.
The resort’s signature restaurant Aleta includes a fresh seafood bar offering local catches, a taco station, and mixologist-crafted cocktails using locally-sourced ingredients. The hotel also retains the Baja Brewing Company, the first and only microbrewery in all of Baja. Perched atop an epic rooftop patio, BBC delivers panoramic views to accompany its wide array of craft beers and delicious selection of both sophisticated entrees and comforting pub favorites.
Aloft Hotels has opened new locations in Austin and Louisville.
Aloft Austin Northwest at 14020 US Highway 183 is the second Aloft in Austin, Texas. Owned by Pure Lodging Hospitality and managed by Lodgic Hospitality, Aloft Austin Northwest has 130 loft-style rooms, 1,000 square feet of meeting space, and live music at W XYZ Bar. The hotel is less than a mile from Lakeline Mall and 25 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Aloft Louisville East at 10700 Westport Road is the second Aloft in Louisville, Kentucky. Owned by M&T and developed by CRM Companies/PWM Real Estate Holdings, Aloft Louisville East has 126 loft-style rooms, more than 3,500 square feet of flexible meeting space and live music performances at the hotel’s W XYZ Bar and the outdoor Carloftis Courtyard.
Aloft Louisville East is less than a mile from EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park, 15 miles from Louisville International Airport, 14 miles from Kentucky International Convention Center, and 13 miles from KFC Yum! Center. The opening of the East End Crossing bridge will extend the Gene Synder Freeway (I-265) over the Ohio River into southern Indiana, which will create a new major corridor for traffic traveling north and south through Louisville.
Both hotels feature SPG Keyless that enables guests to use their smartphone or Apple watch as a room key, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Additional amenities include a Splash indoor pool, a Re:charge fitness center; Re:fuel by Aloft, a one-stop gourmet grab & go food and beverage area; and live, local music at the brand’s W XYZ bar as part of the signature Live At Aloft Hotels music series.
(Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Coconut Waterpark)
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida, has opened a $7.1 million waterpark. The new attraction has three waterslides that are each three stories tall, with two speed slides and one inner-tube slide in a 1,095-foot heated lazy river. The new waterpark adds one acre to the hotel’s previously existing two-acre pool area. The waterpark will serve as a multi-functional recreation area, while bringing new culinary offerings with both a food truck and the newly renovated Corkscrew Pool Bar.
Princess Cruises will be the first Carnival Corporation brand to feature the Ocean Medallion, a wearable device powered by a first-of-its-kind interactive technology platform within the O·C·E·A·N, One Cruise Experience Access Network. The Ocean Medallion enables a new level of personalization that delivers an enhanced guest experience previously not available in the global vacation industry.
Ocean Medallion Class will be available November 13, 2017, onboard Regal Princess, followed by Royal Princess and Caribbean Princess in early 2018.
The following is an excerpt from a Carnival Corporation press release:
Medallion Class makes Ocean Vacations more personal, immersive, simple and seamless than previously considered possible. At the heart of this personalized experience is the Ocean Medallion, which enables endless vacation possibilities. The Ocean Medallion has no discernible technology – no on-off switch, no charging, no menu to navigate – and can be worn as a pendant on a wristband in a clip or simply placed in a pocket to reveal enhanced services and personalized experiences without guests having to push a button or take any action. The pre-cruise engage will allow guests to provide preferences that detail their wants, needs and desires so that their onboard experience can be personalized.
Pairing with the Ocean Medallion is the Ocean Compass (for both guests and crew). The Ocean Compass is a personal digital experience concierge accessible by all guests using interactive displays throughout the ship, on stateroom TVs or via guests’ own mobile devices. For example, guests can find their way to venues around the ship; make reservations at the Lotus Spa, specialty dining restaurant and shore excursions; arrange celebrations; view photographs; learn about the destinations they will visit and activities at each port of call and more. The Ocean Compass via Ocean Concierge will invite guests to experiences based on their individual needs, wants and desires.
Loyal Princess cruisers and potential future cruisers collectively feel having an exceptional vacation occurs when guests’ vacation time is spent doing more of what they love. With Ocean Medallion Class on Princess Cruises, there is endless possibility for personalized attention and the ability to truly relax knowing everything will be handled. Some of the initial service innovations include:
Ocean Ready: The Ocean Medallion expedites embarkation as required information is added to the guest profile at home.
Stateroom Access: The Ocean Medallion will also unlock a guest’s stateroom door – replacing the key card and its sign and sail functions.
HERE and NOW: Guests can place dining orders and have them delivered to their current location. For example, by using the Ocean Compass guests can order select food and beverages from a lounge chair and not miss a moment of Movies Under The Stars. While Stargazing with Discovery at Sea on the top deck, parents can order and surprise the kids with hot chocolate without interrupting a moment of the family fun.
THERE and THEN: Guests can place a beverage order and have it delivered to where they plan to be at a designated time. For example, guests wanting to enjoy a glass of wine at the theater can place an order prior to the show and it will be delivered to them at their seat.
Crew at Your Service: With the OCEAN Medallion, from the moment you embark, your experiences will be curated in alignment with your preferences allowing the crew to assist at all times. For example, a room attendant or bartender will have the ability to assist a guest with booking Lotus Spa services or specialty dining reservations.
Ocean Navigate: Accessed through the Ocean Compass, guests can learn the whereabouts of their family as they enjoy activities throughout the ship and be guided seamlessly in finding their way around the ship. Friends and family will also be able to easily communicate with each other through seamless messaging service.
More announcements surrounding innovations and enhancements from Medallion Class Ocean Vacations will be announced in the months leading up to the first sailing on Regal Princess.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Huntsville/Village of Providence is 4 miles from University of Alabama at Huntsville, 6 miles from U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 7 miles from Huntsville Botanical Gardens and 10 miles from Alabama A&M University.
The hotel provides guests with a complimentary On the House hot breakfast, which includes eggs, sausage or bacon, oatmeal, waffles and seasonal offerings such as eggnog muffins and peppermint mocha coffee creamer. In addition, the hotel provides Hampton’s On the Run Breakfast Bags filled with a multi-grain bar, an apple, an artisan breakfast bread loaf and a bottle of water with a flavor packet for those guests on the go, available Monday through Friday.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Huntsville/Village of Providence’s amenities include free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center with complimentary printing and an indoor heated saltwater pool. Each guestroom has brand’s signature Clean and Fresh Hampton bed, microwave, mini-refrigerator, HDTV and coffeemaker.
The hotel also features Perfect Mix Lobby. Within the lobby guests can find our Suite Shop, a food and beverage shop filled with snacks, toiletries, local merchandise and drinks for purchase, and local restaurant, Taco Mama, a Mexican cantina.
B Ocean Resort at 1140 Seabreeze Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has unveiled extensive renovations. The property, which is six miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, has 484 guest rooms and suites. Each room has custom furnishings, a 55-inch HD LED interactive flat-screen television, reading nook, Aveda bath amenities, coffee maker, in-room safe and mini-fridge. As part of the multi-million dollar refurbishment, the resort is also introducing a two-story penthouse with private elevator, kitchenette, separate sitting area and a sleeping room with king-size bed, offering guests views of the ocean and bustling Fort Lauderdale Beach.
The resort has two outdoor infinity edge swimming pools, a 24-hour B Active Fitness Center, two B Indulged Spa Suites and more than 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space that has expanded onto the second floor with Point Room, which offers floor-to-ceiling windows and an attached spacious outdoor beachfront terrace and equipped with the latest technology, an ideal venue for high end corporate and social events.
B Ocean Resort has partnered with Yes Hospitality Group and chef and TV personality, Ralph Pagano to lead the hotel’s food and beverage concepts, including Naked Crab, Salty Siren, The Clipper grab-n-go, and Wreck Bar, which hosts the MeduSirena Mermaid Show, a live underwater aquatic performance every Friday and Saturday night.
Other amenities include free Wi-Fi; B Humane Program that supports the endangered Green Sea Turtle; and Monscierge, a digital touchscreen concierge and destination guide (also available via mobile app) offering guests instant access to information on everything from hotel amenities to weather forecasts, flight updates and local attractions.
Aloft Taipei Beitou Hotel, the second Aloft hotel in Taipei, has opened at No. 1, Lane 300, Daye Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan. The hotel has public areas and 292 guest rooms that showcase the creations of local artists, integrating elements indigenous to Beitou. The modern, loft-inspired rooms and suites are equipped with SPG Keyless, a mobile check-in system where guests can utilize their mobile phones as room keys. Each room also has a walk-in shower, custom amenities by Bliss Spa, free Wi-Fi, and a 43-inch LCD TV linked to a Plug & Play connectivity panel.
The hotel’s signature restaurant is Nook, which serves buffet-style breakfast and a la carte dishes and specialty items, and has a pet-friendly terrace offering water bowls and a special menu for guests’ furry friends. Another dining option is Re:fuelSM by Aloft, Aloft’s signature 24/7 grab-and-go venue.
For socializing, there is the Re:mixSM lounge on the ground floor. The space is covered with butterfly-wing styled wooden panel lighting to create the illusion of swirling in a valley of butterflies, celebrating Taiwan’s reputation as a kingdom of butterflies. A giant floor-to-ceiling pixel-like RGB LED wall imparts a futuristic look. Additionally, the Aloft brand’s signature W:XYZSM bar serves cocktails and beverages while offering the brand’s Live at Aloft Hotels programming that showcases live acoustic performances by up-and-coming artists. Guests can further socialize over a game of pool or get a good workout at the Re:chargeSM gym, open 24/7.
The property also features three on-site Tactic meeting spaces that are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and free WiFi. The meeting spaces occupy 577 square feet of meeting facilities.
Nearby attractions include Beitou Thermal Valley, Beitou Hot Springs Museum,, Shihlin Night Market and Sakura Tunnel, which transforms into a pink paradise with the arrival of cherry blossoms in mid-February. Aloft Taipei Beitou is eight miles from Taipei Songshan Airport and 26 miles from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
To celebrate the opening, Aloft Taipei Beitou is offering a special package of TWD 3,600, which includes a one-night stay in a brand new Aloft guestroom, fast Internet access via wired or WiFi, one complimentary cocktail per stay, double Starpoints for every eligible spending during the stay for SPG members, and late check-out until 2 p.m. The opening package is effective until March 31, 2017, and subject to a 10 percent service charge and 5 percent tax.
