Hyatt expands in Brazil: Hyatt Hotels Corporation will open the Hyatt Place Sorocaba and Hyatt Place Macaé in Brazil in 2017.
Marriott adds four Autograph hotels: Marriott International has announced four Autograph Collection hotels in Azerbaijan. Park Chalet Shahgad and Pik Palace Shahdag will open by the end of December and Boulevard Hotel Baku and Intourist Hotel Baku will open in June 2015.
Read more at Hotelier Middle East
Hard Rock adds second European hotel: Hard Rock International will open its second property in Europe in Tenerife, Spain. The Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is set to open in 2016.
RL to debut in Ohio: Red Lion Hotels Corporation signed a franchise agreement for a Red Lion Hotel in Cincinnati. This will be the first Red Lion hotel in Ohio.
Edinburgh landmark to be converted: Duddingston House Properties and the Urbanist Group will convert the old Royal High School in Edinburgh in to a luxury hotel. Currently, they have raised £55 million (US$86 million) for the project.
Miraval invests in Espa: Miraval Group has invested in Espa, a provider of luxury spa and wellness products and services.
Fujita Kanko to go global: Fujita Kanko Inc. has signed a hotel management agreement with Haesung Industrial Co., Ltd. to open a hotel in Seoul. The hotel is expected to open in 2018.
Invesco sells Paris Pullman: An affiliate of the Qatar Armed Forces Investment Portfolio has acquired the Pullman La Defense Paris from Invesco Real Estate. Accor will continue to operate the hotel under a long-term lease agreement.
Minor adds Tanzania resort: Minor Hotel Group will add a resort on the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania. Currently operating as Essque Zalu Zanzibar, Minor Hotel Group has taken over the management contract and the property will be transformed into a Per Aquum resort by the end of 2015.
Read more at Per Aquum’s website
Driftwood acquires in Illinois: Driftwood Hospitality Management has acquired the Crowne Plaza Springfield and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Springfield in Illinois. Both properties will undergo a US$12 million dollar renovation.