Meininger to open in Leipzig: Meininger Hotels will open a hotel near Leipzig’s main station at the beginning of 2017. The former ibis Hotel from AccorHotels will be converted and ultimately have 404 beds available in 126 rooms.
Read more at Travel Daily News
Leonardo expands in Spain: Leonardo Hotels added the 153-room Madrid City Center and the 75-room Leonardo Boutique Hotel Madrid. Both properties were NH-branded and will be incorporated into Leonardo Hotels.
Read more at Travel Daily News
Sheraton Grand to debut in London: Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Sheraton Grand will debut in London with the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane. The 303-room hotel will unveil its complete transformation in October.
Read more at Starwood’s website
San Diego Marriott La Jolla sold: Carey Watermark Investors 2 acquired the San Diego Marriott La Jolla for an undisclosed price.
Shamin to open in Maryland: Shamin Hotels purchased the Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore Hunt Valley for US$13.7 million. The hotel will undergo a renovation.
Read more at the Richmond Times-Dispatch
2015/16 U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide: HVS released its 2015/16 U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide, which provides a basic comparison among franchise fees charged by participants. HVS collected documentation from 69 hotel brands and then analyzed the sections pertaining to the costs associated with being a franchisee.
Ritz-Carlton’s Johnson passes away: Former Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. owner William B. Johnson recently died after a long illness. Johnson bought the rights to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel brand in 1983 and also was also the former owner of Waffle House diners.
Read more at the Wall Street Journal