Four Seasons Philadelphia to convert: Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. has selected Sage Hospitality to manage the Four Seasons Philadelphia starting in June 2015. The hotel will be repositioned as an independent luxury hotel and undergo a multi-million dollar update. The hotel will be closed during the renovation and reopen in the fall of 2015.
Marriott expands in Scotland: Marriott International will open the Residence Inn Aberdeen in 2017. This will be the second Marriott property in Scotland.
Read more at Marriott’s website
Starwood grows in Croatia: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed an agreement with Hoteli Dubrovacka Rivijera d.d. to open a Welcom Hotel Sheraton in Dubrovnik, Croatia in 2015. This will be Starwood’s fourth hotel in Croatia.
IHG signs Saudi development agreement: IHG has signed a master development agreement with Dur Hospitality Company for the franchise of several Holiday Inn & Suites across Saudi Arabia within the next five years. IHG currently has 24 hotels in Saudi Arabia.
InterContinental in Europe: IHG has signed two InterContinental Hotels in Europe. The InterContinental Dublin will open in 2015 and the InterContinental Baku will open in 2016.
Priceline may drop best-price clause: Priceline Group Inc.’s Booking.com has offered to drop a best-price contract clause to end French, Swedish and Italian antitrust probes. Booking.com has proposed scrapping a requirement that forces hotels across Europe to offer the same price as other online travel agents.
Churchill office to become hotel: The British Military of Defence has sold off the Old War Office Building in London that Sir Winston Churchill used during World War II. The historic building has been sold on a long-lease arrangement to the Hinduja Group and will be converted to a hotel and residential apartment building. The building was put up for sale in 2013 after being declared as surplus.