Soho-Sydell development: Soho House, along with New York City developer Sydell Group, have announced plans to open in Spring 2017 the 252-bed Ned hotel in London, complete with nine restaurants and bars. The Ned, to be managed by Gareth Banner, will be located at 27 Poultry, a Grade I listed building designed in the 1920s by Sir Edwin Lutyens, whose nickname was Ned. The site once housed the headquarters of the Midland Bank. The Ned will not be a members-only hotel, but there will Ned’s Club featuring a rooftop space with swimming pool overlooking the City of London.
Aloft launches in-room streaming: Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Aloft brand is launching RoomCast Powered by Chromecast, a new streaming solution designed by TeleAdapt for the hotel industry. Aloft New Orleans will begin to pilot this feature with a plan for all 188 guestrooms to be fully outfitted with RoomCast later in 2016.
Read more at Starwood’s website
Sandals may sue Antigua PM: Sandals Resorts International has threatened to sue Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne for statements which it says are defamatory and have the “potential to hurt” the reputation and brand. Sandals and the prime minister have disagreed over the plan by the government to end a 65% concession on Antigua and Barbuda sales tax on room rates. Sandals has accused the government on “unilaterally reneging on the agreement without cause or notice” and is now alleging that the prime minister made two “very serious and highly defamatory allegations against Sandals.”
Shangri-La grows in Hong Kong: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will open its fourth hotel in Hong Kong, the Kerry Hotel. The 545-room hotel is scheduled to open in December.
Priceline founder launches Upside: Priceline.com founder Jay Walker has launched Upside, a company that uses data analytics, cloud computing and a mobile app that rewards business travelers with gift cards for being a little more flexible with their flight and hotel. For example, a business traveler might earn a gift card for staying at a hotel that’s farther away from a convention center or taking a flight that leaves 30 minutes earlier.
Great Wolf to open in LaGrange: Great Wolf Resorts will open a Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Georgia. The 456-suite property is scheduled to open by 2015 and include a 93,000-square-foot (28,346.4-square-meter) water park.
Read more at the Ledger-Enquirer
5-stars combine: Following last week’s announcement that The Anschutz family has acquired full ownership of the famed Sea Island Resort in Sea Island, Georgia, the formation of The Broadmoor- Sea Island Company, LLC was announced on Wednesday. Gary Pierson of Oklahoma City will serve as chairman and CEO, and Steve Bartolin, chairman of The Broadmoor, will serve as president of the newly formed company. Under the direction of The Broadmoor-Sea Island Company, the goal will be to strengthen both properties through the sharing of best practices, training and development, as well as joint marketing initiatives and combined sales efforts.