Marriott, Samhi develops in Bengaluru: Marriott International and Samhi launched a 336-room integrated property in Bengaluru, India. The property offers Marriott’s Courtyard and Fairfield brands.
Read more at the Business Standard
Best Western grows in Iowa: Best Western Hotels & Resorts added the Best Western Plus Technology Park Inn & Suites in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Owned by Atul Patel, the hotel features 64 guestrooms, two suites, a business center and meeting facilities.
RAR Hospitality to manage in Carlsbad: RAR Hospitality will manage the Holiday Inn Carlsbad and Staybridge Suites Carlsbad in San Diego. The hotels mark the eighth and ninth hotels for RAR Hospitality in California, and its first portfolio expansion in 2016.
Hotel Universo acquired: In partnership with Marcucci Group, Shaner Italia, a division of Shaner Hotels, acquired the Hotel Universo in Lucca, Italy. The companies were the winning bidders in a recent auction sale for the historic property and plan to develop a branded hotel through an extensive restoration and renovation valued at approximately €7 million (US$7.8 million).
Mercure Brigstow Bristol sold: The Splendid Hospitality Group purchased the Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel for an undisclosed price. JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group advised on the sale on behalf of a subsidiary of Algonquin (UK) Limited.
Action Hotels buys land in Dubai: Action Hotels acquired new freehold land in Dubai’s Media City. The acquisition is part of the company’s ongoing growth plan focused on the Middle East.
Read more at Proactive Investors UK
Mount Kellett to consider selling Le Meridien Etoile: Mount Kellett Capital Management LPhas mandated Eastdil Secured LLC to explore a sale of Paris’ largest hotel, the Le Meridien Etoile. The 1,025-room property is reportedly valued at €400 million (US$450 million).
Read more at Bloomberg Business
W Hotel Union Square for sale: The W Hotel Union Square in New York City is up for sale after owner Host Hotels & Resorts retained Eastdil Secured to market the 270-room hotel. Host acquired the property in September 2010 for more than US$185 million.
Top luxury travel destinations: Virtuoso released data that shows the most popular winter and spring destinations for wealthy travelers. Upscale travelers are seeking exotic destinations as they escape winter in North America. While some typical warm-weather favorites remain popular, Virtuoso also found a desire to explore “far and wide.” The most popular destination for January through March 2016 is Mexico; Panama saw the most significant growth in year-on-year bookings for Q1 2016; and luxury travel to Africa has grown more than any other continent.