Summit acquires Residence Inn hotels: Summit Hotel Properties completed the acquisition of two Residence Inn by Marriott hotels in Branchburg, New Jersey, and Baltimore for an aggregate price of US$56.8 million. Summit entered management agreements with Interstate Hotels & Resorts for both hotels.
Scotland Yard plans revealed: The original Scotland Yard police station will reopen as a 5-star luxury hotel in 2017 under a £110 million (US$171.26 million) deal under Galliard Homes. Although Galliard acquired the lease in December 2013, it recently just secured the backing of LuLu Group to open the Great Scotland Yard Hotel.
Airbnb to expand in Africa: Airbnb plans to expand further in Africa. In the past year, the number of Airbnb listings in Africa have doubled, the number of people staying in listings in the region has increased by 145% and the number of Africans using Airbnb to travel has increased by 139%.
Cambria grows in Orlando: Choice Hotels International signed an agreement with franchise partner Nevada Coal and Grain to develop a new Cambria Hotel & Suites in Orlando, Florida. The 140-room hotel is expected to open in 2017.
Plateno to manage Ranna 212: Plateno Group has taken over the management of Ranna 212 in Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Ranna 212 Beach Resort Tangalle will officially join Plateno’s Portofino brand as Portofino Resort Tangalle in September.
AmEx releases new Africa research: American Express Meetings & Events has released “Emerging Africa: Exploring Meetings on a Changing Continent.” The new study shows about 36% of meetings professionals predict the average group rates for African hotels and air prices will increase by 2017. Group rates for African hotels are also expected to increase by 1.2% over the next two years.
Hotel Jazeera truck bomb claims lives: The death toll from a truck bomb that destroyed Somalia’s Hotel Jazeera has risen to 15. The attack raises fears that Islamic extremist al-Shabab rebels are escalating their violence.
The price of pure water: The Merchant Hotel in Belfast is now offering a 250-ml bottle of Iceberg water from Newfoundland, Canada, for £26.45 (US$54). The water is now the most expensive of the 13 bottles offer on the Merchant Hotel’s menu, which begin £4.95 (US$10).