LVMH to replace iconic Paris department store: LVMH will transform the iconic La Samaritaine department store in Paris into a 5-star hotel, offices, shops and residences. The cost of the project is estimated to be €460 million (US$514.8 million).
Virgin announces fourth hotel: Virgin Hotels will open its fourth property, in Dallas. The new-build is scheduled to open in 2018 and will include 200 guestrooms, a spa and pool.
Read more at The Dallas Morning News
Meliá grows in China: Meliá Hotels International will open a new 190-room hotel in Shanghai in 2016. The Meliá Shanghai Hongqiao will be the hotel company’s eighth property in China.
IHG to bring Holiday Inn to Cairns: IHG signed a management agreement with Taisei Kanko Australia Pty Limited for the 173-room Holiday Inn Cairns. The hotel is currently operating as the Mercure Cairns Harbourside and will undergo a refurbishment before opening as a Holiday Inn later in 2015.
TripAdvisor launches private surveys: TripAdvisor has released a customizable private survey feature for its Review Express platform. The new feature is designed to allow hoteliers to simultaneously gather public TripAdvisor reviews along with private guest feedback.
Read more at TripAdivisor’s website
Hilton to debut in Swaziland: Hilton Worldwide signed a management agreement with the Swaziland Public Service Pensions Fund to open a new-build Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, Swaziland. The 130-room hotel will be Hilton’s first hotel in Swaziland.
Pentahotels expands in Asia: Pentahotels was appointed by Luks Industrial Co. to manage Pentahotel Hong Kong, Tuen Mun, opening in 2016.