Dusit in Phuket: Dusit International signed a management agreement with Phuket, Thailand-based property developer Layana Development to operate the DusitD2 Phuket Aria project in Surin Beach. The hotel is planned to open in 2020.
Intercity Hanover: Deutsche Hospitality is developing an IntercityHotel in Hanover, Germany. The 220-room hotel is being designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun and will be operated via a lease agreement with property company BauWo. Opening is scheduled for 2019.
Dual brand in Fort Lauderdale: Driftwood Acquisitions & Development and developer Merrimac Ventures announced a partnership to build a dual-branded Tru/Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The US$30 million new-build will be managed by Driftwood Hospitality Management and is expected to open in early 2019.
Delaware in Rocky Mountains: Resort and hotel management services company Delaware North added the 150-room Rocky Mountain Park Inn, in Estes Park, Colorado, on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park, to its portfolio. The company plans capital improvements that will keep the hotel closed until May 2017.
Cabinet role for Gray? Bloomberg reported that President-elect Donald Trump discussed the possibility of naming Blackstone Group’s Jon Gray as U.S. Treasury secretary in a meeting the two held on Sunday. Gray, a billionaire and a Democrat who financially supported Hillary Clinton during the campaign, is one of several being considered for the role.