Bold Strokes
For Radisson SAS, renovation is an opportunity to reposition, broaden market reach and secure market share in Copenhagen, Nice and Prague.
By Mary Scoviak, Design Editor -- HOTELS Magazine, 11/1/1999
For Brussels-based Radisson SAS, renovation clearly is about opportunity. Whether re-branding, converting or simply redesigning, Radisson SAS, its owners and the design teams begin work with an intensive rethinking of how space can be used more efficiently, what new design features will better serve the market and what look will give the hotel a saleable edge over its competitors.
"We push ourselves to offer something different and offer our customers a choice," says Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Radisson SAS. "For example, bathrooms have to be more user friendly for the elderly. Meeting space has to be more flexible and more adaptable. It has to look and function as well for the launch of a new car brand as for a high-level board meeting. But you have to know your market. Our airport hotels in Manchester, Oslo and Amsterdam each needed 20 small- to medium-sized meeting rooms, but our hotel in London, the Portman, is currently renovating its ballroom because of high demand for meetings and functions of up to 600."
Radisson SAS also continues to look outside the usual creative box for design solutions. Properties in Copenhagen, Prague and Nice, which HOTELS features this month, share a contemporary feel, but the style and design execution is unique for each property.
New Life For A Heritage Hotel In Prague
The transformation of the Czech art deco Hotel Alcron into the luxury Radisson SAS Hotel, Prague, is a case study both in design trends and business savvy. Like investors in other European gateways, Austria's Crown W.S.F. saw an opportunity to breathe new fiscal life into the independent Alcron by bringing in an internationally recognized operator to broaden the hotel's market reach and renovating both the look and space plan of the hotel to better serve a market of 5-star modern travellers. And, like other owners, architects and designers, the team working on the Alcron faced the challenges inherent in updating a city center heritage hotel.
Few changes were warranted in the Alcron's elegant exteriors, with one notable exception. Prague-based architect, Archina, received permission to create a new lateral section to the existing building and add an extra guestroom floor on the roof. Not only did this expand the hotel's room count to a more marketable 211, it also created space for a 24-suite executive floor and a new presidential suite which opened up business opportunities for higher end 5-star travelers and frequent guest programs.
Archina and London-based interior designer GA Design International carried the original 1920s Art Deco theme throughout the interiors, but freshened it with a more contemporary approach. The protected status of elements such as the flat, paneled lobby ceiling required close coordination with London-based lighting designer Equation Lighting Design to provide illumination for the large lobby that would meet modern standards. GA Design updated the traditional marble staircase and timber and marble paneling with the balance of modern artwork and clean-lined furnishings. Since the existing guestrooms and guest bathrooms could not be enlarged, the designers visually reinvented these spaces. Small but important touches, such as positioning the basin in the corner of the bathroom and introducing mirrored surfaces and back-lit art deco-inspired features, make even a small space functional and memorable.
As in its recent work on the Mövenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea in Jordan, GA Design merged form and function to make the interiors more responsive to market demand. The second floor, previously a static floor of guestrooms, was converted into much-needed function and meeting space. Although neither the concept nor layout of the La Rotonde restaurant could be changed (it has been a signature restaurant in Prague since the 1930s), the design team moved the kitchen from the lower level to a space next to the restaurant. Two boardrooms adjacent to the restaurant do double duty as space for private dining or meetings, both of which add selling power for the hotel's market of business travelers.
Other strategic changes were introduced to increase the functionality of certain spaces or open up new revenue streams. General Manager Stefan Buchs points out that the terrace behind the restaurant had never been in use prior to this renovation, which concluded with the Sept. 1, 1998 opening of the hotel. "Radisson SAS did not want to miss the opportunity that terrace represented," says Buchs. "It is now a summer terrace that can seat about 40 people. It is used for barbecues and cocktail parties, as well as al fresco dining--which is rare in the center of Prague." The result is a hotel with an average occupancy close to 77% and an average rate of US$241.
Matching Design To Market Demand
In the case of the 333-room Radisson SAS in Nice, France, renovation was not only an integral part of rebranding but also an essential tool for creating spaces and services tailored to the exacting needs of a target market of conference and meeting planners.
The biggest concerns centered on the need to develop a market-driven space plan and upgrade both the technical and technological systems, says Michel Stalport, general manager of the Radisson SAS Nice. Architects Didier and Fabrice Knoll, Paris, simplified the space flow, rethinking each area with an eye to its function. The traditional front desk was replaced with four satellite counters, including a double station for meeting planners to use for seminar check-in. "Meeting planners no longer have to sit behind a banquet table in the middle of nowhere for check-in. They're right in the middle of the action," says Stalport. The architects also carved out a "business corner" next to the concierge station for easier accessibility.
A strategically located night club was converted into meeting space by leveling the raised floor and introducing movable glass partition walls which flood the rooms with natural light. Stalport says the exit of the meeting rooms leads directly to the bar area which can be set up for coffee breaks or get-togethers. "Revenue has already increased significantly because of these changes," adds Stalport.
A new cafe, created along a window facade in what was previously a wide corridor leading to the restaurant, provides added flexibility for FITs and conference participants at the Nice hotel. The Promenade Cafe serves snacks anytime, even when the restaurant is closed. However, during peak periods for seminars/meetings, the area can be used for a buffet setup to service the meeting rooms. Stalport says that because of the cafe's location and its synergy with the bar, the hotel has been able to create a new source of revenue without increasing payroll.
Didier and Fabric Knoll also introduced more light and color throughout the hotel's public spaces (the renovation of the hotel's 321 rooms and 12 suites is ongoing). Shots of bold color bring an unexpected energy to the lobby, restaurants and bar. Curtains were replaced with veil-like blinds to bring more natural light into hotel spaces that Stalport says previously were "dark and joyless." Technical upgrading supports the aesthetic reworking of the hotel, both in the basic HVAC systems and meeting room technology, lighting and acoustics. Revenues have increased 10% since the conference space renovation was completed last winter.
Renewing SAS's First Hotel
The sleek, high-rise 265-room Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen has stood as a monument to its designer, Arne Jacobsen, for nearly four decades. However, though the architecture endured as a consummate example of Danish modern, the interiors became diluted and softened during a series of renovations. The challenge for interior designer Yasmine Mahmoudieh, with offices in Berlin, Barcelona and London, was to bring back the edge of Jacobsen's style, modernize it and marry functionality with better space utilization to create a hotel that could take on a growing inventory of competitors.
Guestrooms were the initial focus of the phased, US$10.5 million renovation, says Frank Fiskers, Radisson SAS's regional director. One of Mahmoudieh's first priorities was to create a sense of space in the 215 sq.ft. (20 sq.m.) standard guestrooms. She suspended integral elements such as the writing desk, nightstands and minibar/television unit from the wall. "We made the most of space that otherwise would have been a passageway by creating a wardrobe with a colored glass door," Mahmoudieh says. "The door slides behind a mirror so that guests can get dressed in front of the mirror but also easily reach their clothes hanging in the wardrobe." In keeping with Radisson SAS's "rooms styles" concept, the renovation will include 20 different room styles, offering guests choices ranging from pure Scandinavian to ecological and Japanese.
The use of traditional Danish fabrics and materials, such as maple wood, colored glass and aluminum, gives a new lightness to the guestrooms. The partly curved maple wood wall behind the bed serves as an indirect lighting element, augmenting the new, more efficient lighting used in the guestrooms. Mahmoudieh says the bathrooms were designed as a logical extension to the guestrooms to further expand the space. Tiles were used in a horizontal grid, echoing the horizontal sight lines of the guestroom. The colored glass elements of the sliding door, the engraved joints of maple wood wall spaces and the use of indirect lighting intensify the design statement that elevates functional elements into art forms and add residential appeal. Although only 50 rooms have been completed (the rest will be done by spring 2001, as will one restaurant), General Manager Jan Kjaer Nielsen says the hotel's target market of business travelers--both individuals and groups--and celebrities wants to be surprised. "Our guests have seen so many standardized, anonymous hotel rooms. A stay here is refreshing, something they will remember," says Nielsen. That factor and the hotel's consistent service have built occupancy to 82%.
Study in Design
Radisson SAS Royal in Copenhagen and the Radisson SAS
Nice.
Renovation needs to be more than cosmetic. The Radisson SAS hotels in Copenhagen, Prague and Nice made the most of their renovation/re-branding/conversion budgets by realigning the properties with the aesthetic preferences and real business needs of their target markets. Some ideas to adapt for any renovation:
- Rethink not only restaurant concepts, but their location within the hotel. Work on the Radisson SAS Nice included moving a previously "hidden bar" into a more visible position in the lobby. It also involved a new look for a restaurant, which included elevating part of the floor to provide a better view of the sea and including more chairs and tables rather than banquettes. This way, tables could be moved around easily to provide intimacy for couples seeking a romantic dining experience or for the hotel's core group business.
- Create solutions. The city center locations of most Radisson SAS hotels and the high cost of prime real estate create a finite framework for guestroom size in most instances. "We cannot increase the room size, but we can optimize the space and make it more efficient," says Radisson SAS's Kurt Ritter. "We introduced a piece of furniture called a "Power Tower," which houses the minibar, coffee/tea-making kettle, television, safe, iron, ironing board and a trouser press. This gives us better utilization of available room space." In properties such as the Radisson SAS Royal, Copenhagen, some furnishings are suspended from the wall to create the look of more floor space.
- Create a saleable difference. Radisson SAS hotels offer 20 different room styles, ranging from cultural designs such as Scandinavian or Italian to habitat rooms centered on a maritime setting or an ecological theme. "We are in our third generation of these room styles. Though most hotel rooms are refurbished every eight to 10 years, we have found that none of the different basic styles we introduced in 1987 has become outdated," says Ritter. "People don't just call us to book a room. They call us for a high tech room or a Japanese room."
- Don't overlook the basics. Even the best design cannot make up for an inadequate telephone system, under-performing HVAC systems or even small lacks such as the failure to provide grab bars in a bathroom or insufficient lighting in the guestroom. As part of the renovation/re-branding of the Radisson SAS Nice, the designers sought out a new type of ergonomic chairs for the conference areas that provide extra comfort and support.
HOTELS' Renovation Report
The following is HOTELS' 13th annual exclusive renovation report listing 176 hotel renovations planned for completion between 2000 and 2001. A survey was mailed to more than 300 hotel companies. Since refurbishment is an ongoing process, many companies were unable to submit every renovation or chose not to participate.
AFRICA
DAKAR, SENEGAL: Accor SA is adding a casino and swimming pool at its 232-room Sofitel Casino Dakar. Est. Cost: US$8 million. Completion: mid-2000. Interior designer: Lepez, Paris.
ASIA/PACIFIC
BALI, INDONESIA: Accor SA is renovating restaurant, kitchen, entrance and adding 70 guestrooms at its 192-room Novotel. Completion: 2000/2001.
BANGKOK: Central Group of Hotels is renovating guestrooms, restaurants, meeting rooms and entrance at its 607-room Central Grand Plaza. Est. Cost: US$6.5 million. Completion: mid-2000. Interior designer: Khun Kwanchai Phalajivin, Bangkok. Accor SA is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting room and swimming pool at its 429-room Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square. Est.Cost: US$350,000. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Token Interior & Design Co., Ltd., Bangkok.
BEKASI, JAVA, INDONESIA: Accor SA is renovating guestrooms, lobby, kitchen, restaurant and meeting rooms at its 90-room Ibis Cikarang. Completion: 2000/2001.
BUKITTINGGI, SUMATRA, INDONESIA: Accor SA is renovating guestrooms at its 98-room Novotel. Completion: 2000.
JAMBI, INDONESIA: Accor SA is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant and ballroom at its 148-room Novotel Jambi. Completion: 2000.
KOWLOON, HONG KONG: Great Eagle Hotels International is renovating restaurant, meeting rooms and spa at its 487-room Great Eagle Hotel. Est. Cost: US$2 million. Completion: mid-2000. Interior designer: Bilkey Llinas Design.
NAGOYA, JAPAN: Hilton International is renovating guestrooms and restaurant at its 451-room Hilton Nagoya. Completion: late 2000.
SINGAPORE: SMI Hotels & Resorts is renovating one of its towers at its 1,200-room Mandarin Singapore. Est. Cost: US$29.4 million. Completion: 2000. Goodwood Park Hotel Ltd. is renovating guestrooms and kitchen at its 235-room Goodwood Park Hotel. Completion: 2000.
TUMON,GUAM: ANA Hotels is adding 32 guestrooms at its 436-room Pacific Star Hotel. Est. Cost: $8 million. Completion: late 2000.
AUSTRALIA
BRISBANE: Hilton International is renovating guestrooms, bar and Meetings 2000 at its 321-room Hilton Brisbane. Completion: early 2000.
KENNUNURRA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Accor SA is renovating guestrooms at its 60-room Hotel Kununurra. Completion: mid-2000. Architect: Kingsley McGuire & Associates, Perth, Australia.
MELBOURNE: Great Eagle Hotels International is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, suites and corridors at its 385-room Sheraton Towers Southgate. Est. Cost: US$4 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Harrold Thompson & Associates, Los Angeles. Architect: The Buchan Group, West Melbourne, Australia.
PERTH: Hilton International is renovating guestrooms, restaurant, nightclub and bars at its 274-room Perth Hilton. Est. Cost: US$10 million. Completion: late 2000.
CARIBBEAN
CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA: Sandals Resorts is renovating its 329-room Sandals St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa. Est. Cost: US$15 million. Completion: late 2000. Interior designer: Hirsch Bedner. Architect: Spills, Candella and Partners.
DORADO (SAN JUAN), PUERTO RICO: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is adding 44 units at its 82-room Hyatt Hacienda del Mar (Vacation Club). Completion: early 2000. Architect: Nagura Sekkei, Nishio, Japan. Developer: Towa Construction Co., Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
LONG BAY, ANTIQUA: Allegro Resorts is renovating guestrooms, lobby and meeting room, at its 144-room Pineapple Beach Club. Completion: 2000.
PALM BEACH, ARUBA: Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is doing a complete renovation at its 358-room Radisson Aruba. Est. Cost: US$75 million. Completion: early to mid-2000. Interior designer: Al Group, Atlanta, Georgia.
PORLAMAR, MARGARITA ISLAND: Hilton International is renovating guestrooms and corridors at its 336-room Hilton Margarita. Completion: mid-2000.
RIO GRANDE, (Rio Mar Beach) PUERTO RICO: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is adding 275 suites (95 open in early 2000) at its 600-room Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort/Club. Completion: 2000.
ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 166-room Caneel Bay. Completion: 2000/2001. Interior designer: Vision Design, Dallas.
ST. MAARTEN (PELICAN KEY) NETHERLANDS ANTILLES: Sunterra Corporation is renovating 65 units at its 172-unit timeshare Flamingo Beach. Completion: mid-2000.
ST. MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) NETHERLANDS ANTILLES: Sunterra Corporation is renovating 30 units at its 150-unit timeshare Royal Palms. Completion: mid-2000.
ST. MARTIN (Marigot) FRENCH WEST INDIES: Orient Express Hotels is renovating its 78-room La Samanna Hotel. Completion: 2000/2001. Interior designer: Vision Design, Dallas.
VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH WEST INDIES: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 98-room Little Dix Bay. Completion: 2000/2001. Interior designer: Vision Design, Dallas. Architect: Roger Downing & Partners.
CENTRAL/ SOUTH AMERICA
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 59-room The Bristol. Completion: 2000/2001.
Interior designer: Vision Design, Dallas.
SANTIAGO, CHILE: Bass Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 103-room Hotel Inter-Continental. Completion: mid-2000.
Contractor: Niacon Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario.
EUROPE
AMSTERDAM: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating guestrooms at its 243-room Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam. Completion: 2000/2001.
AROSA, SWITZERLAND: Robinson Club GmbH is renovating lobby, restaurant, kitchen and entrance at its 100-room Robinson Club. Est. Cost: US$3.5 million. Completion: late 2000. Interior designer: Planning Group Joehnk, Rosenheim, Germany.
BERGEN, NORWAY: First Hospitality AB is renovating its 123-room First Hotel Marin. Completion: 2000.
BERLIN: Hilton International is renovating guestrooms, lobby, adding 50 new executive rooms and executive lobby and new lifts at its 502-room Hilton Berlin. Completion: early 2000.
BRUSSELS: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating guestrooms and restaurant at its 281-room Radisson SAS Hotel Brussels. Completion: 2000/2001.
CANNES, FRANCE: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating guestrooms, public areas, conference and meeting facilities, public areas, lobby, restaurants, adding boardrooms and updating technology at its 181-room Radisson SAS Montfleury Hotel. Completion: mid-2000.
COPENHAGEN: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating the remainder of its guestrooms (first phase of 48 completed) at its 265-room Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Yasmine Mahmoudieh.
CRETE, GREECE: Louis Organization is renovating lobby, restaurant, kitchen, entrance, and external area and pool area at its 420-room Louis Creta Princess. Completion: 2000. Robinson Club GmbH is renovating lobby, restaurant and entrance at its 175-room Robinson Club Lyttos Beach. Est. Cost: US$2.5 million. Completion: late 2000. Interior designer: Plannings Group Joehnk, Rosenheim, Germany. Architect: Nico Valsmakis, Athens, Greece.
DEAUVILLE, FRANCE: Lucien Barrière Hotels is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting room and entrance at its 273-room Hotel Royal. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Jacques Garcia.
FLORENCE, ITALY: RF Hotels is renovating its 107-room Hotel Savoy. Completion: early 2000.
GDANSK, POLAND: Orbis Company is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant and meeting room at its 275-room Orbis Hevelius. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Kovarik/Markham Design.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating guestrooms at its 318-room Radisson SAS Park Avenue. Completion: 2000/2001.
LIMASSOL, CYPRUS: Louis Organization is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, entrance, cafeteria, bar area and outdoor veranda at its 212-room Apollonia Beach Hotel. Completion: mid-2000.
LONDON: Hilton International Hotels is renovating six hotels here: the guestrooms, lobby, entrance, additional meeting rooms and a new enlarged bar at its 448-room London Hilton. Completion: early 2000. At Hilton's 429-room Langham Hilton, renovations include guestrooms, kitchen, meeting room, extension of the 47 Executive Room and a new health club facility and spa. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Richmond Design. Architect: Halpern Partnership. At the 688-room Hilton London Metropole Hotel renovations include guestrooms, restaurant, adding 373 guestrooms, adding new executive lounge and business rooms, new themed restaurant and upgrade leisure club. Completion: late 2000. The 406-room Hilton National London Olympia is renovating guestrooms, lobby, new restaurant and façade and gym. Completion: late 2000. Hilton International is renovating its 355-room Great Western Royal Hotel. Completion: late 2000. At Hilton's 603-room Hilton London Kensington it is renovating guest-rooms, restaurant, adding a new healthclub and Executive lounge and is doing a façade upgrade. Completion: mid-2001. Accor SA is renovating convention center at its 635-room Novotel Hammersmith. Est. Cost: US$17 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Dumont Delville, Brussels. Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating guestrooms at its 279-room Radisson SAS Portman Hotel London. Completion: 2000/2001.
MADRID, SPAIN: Tryp Hotels is renovating guestrooms, lobby, meeting rooms and entrance at its 179-room Hotel Tryp Centro Norte. Completion: early 2000.
MALMO, SWEDEN: Radisson SAS Hotels is in the final stage of renovating guestrooms at its 224-room Radisson SAS Hotel Malmo. Completion: 2000.
MARBELLA, SPAIN: Tryp Hotels is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting rooms and entrance and adding 91 guestrooms at its 200-room Tryp Marbella Dinamar. Est. Cost: US$6.3 million. Completion: early 2000.
MUNICH, GERMANY: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 636-room Arabella Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Est. Cost: US$56 million. Completion: early 2000. Hilton International is renovating its 478-room Hilton Munich Park. Completion: early 2000.
PAPHOS, CYPRUS: Louis Organization is renovating four hotels here: the healthclub at its 422-room Phaethon Beach Club Hotel and the guestrooms, lobby and bar at its 269-room Ledra Beach Hotel. Completion: 2000. At its 242-room Imperial Beach Club Hotel it is renovating the guestrooms, lobby and meeting rooms. Completion: 2001. At its 85-room Paphiana Sunotel it is renovating lobby, restaurant, kitchen and entrance. Completion: 2001.
PROTARAS (AYIA NAPA), CYPRUS: Louis Organization is renovating guestrooms, lobby, kitchen, entrance, bar, and pool area at its 154-room Ayios Elias Village Resort. Completion: 2001.
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating the public areas at its 216-room Radisson SAS Saga Hotel. Completion: 2000.
RIVA DEL GARDA, ITALY: Best Western International is renovating meeting rooms at its 96-room Best Western Hotel Astoria. Est. Cost: $6.7 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Elizabeth Wolfson & Associates.
ROME: RF Hotels is renovating its 130-room Hotel de Russie. Completion: early 2000.
SEVILLE, SPAIN: Sol Melia Hotels is renovating its 333-room Melia Confort Marcarena. Est. Cost: US$130,000. Completion: early 2000.
STAVANGER, NORWAY: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating guestrooms at its 202-room Radisson SAS Hotel Stavanger. Completion: 2000/2001.
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating three hotels here: The public areas at its 148-room Radisson SAS Strand Hotel. Completion: 2000/2001. At its 351-room Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel it is renovating guestrooms and public areas. Completion: 2000. At the 334-room Radisson SAS Arlandia Hotel Stockholm-Arlandia it is renovating guestrooms and public areas. Completion: 2000/2001.
TURNBERRY, SCOTLAND: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms, restaurant, meeting room and third floor lounge at its 132-room Turnberry Hotel & Spa. Est. Cost: US$12.5 million. Completion: 2001. Interior designer: Moncur & Associates.
VAALS, THE NETHERLANDS: Dolce International is adding 80 guestrooms, two new conference rooms, indoor pool and fitness complex at its 130-room Hotel and Castle Vaalsbroek. Completion: 2000.
VIENNA: Radisson SAS Hotels is renovating guestrooms at its 246-room Radisson SAS Palais Hotel Vienna. Completion: 2000.
WATERFORD, IRELAND: Jurys Hotel Group Plc is renovating its 100-room Jurys Hotel. Completion: 1999/2000.
YEREVAN, ARMENIA: Marriott International Inc. is renovating its 222-room Marriott Hotel Armenia. Completion: 2001.
ZAKINTHOS, GREECE: Louis Organization is renovating guestroom, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, entrance and bar at its 161-room Louis Plagos Beach Hotel. Completion: 2000.
MIDDLE EAST
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Hilton International is rebuilding the beach club facilities at its 350-room Hilton Abu Dhabi. Completion: 2001. Developer: Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company.
HERZELIA, ISRAEL: Dan Hotels is renovating its 206-room Dan Accadia Herzelia On The Sea. Est. Cost: US$4 million. Completion: 2000/2001.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: Hilton International is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting room and entrance at its 582-room Tel Aviv Hilton. Est. Cost: US$70 million. Completion: 1999/2000.
Dan Hotels is renovating two hotels here: the 285-room Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. Est. Cost: US$10 million. The 500-room Dan Panorama Tel Aviv Hotel. Est. Cost: US$6 million. Completion for both hotels: 2000/2001.
HAIFA, JERUSALEM: Dan Hotels Corporation is renovating its 266-room Dan Panorama Haifa. Est. Cost: US$7 million. Completion: 2000/2001.
HURGHADA (RED SEA) EGYPT: Conrad International is renovating guestrooms, entrance and ballroom at its 261-room Conrad International Resort. Est. Cost: US$1.5 million. Completion: 2001.
NORTH AMERICA
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: Tarsadia Hotels is renovating its 1,033-room Anaheim Marriott. Est. Cost: US$75.2 million. Completion: 2000/2001.
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA: Hospitality Partners is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting rooms and entrance at its 221-room Holiday Inn Arlington. Est. Cost: US$2.5 million. Completion: 2000/2001.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. is renovating three hotels here: guestrooms, meeting rooms business facilities and elevators at its 1,068-room Westin Peachtree Plaza. Est. Cost: US$30 million. Completion: 2000.
At its 369-room Sheraton Buckhead Hotel it is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant and adding a new health club. Est. Cost: US$10 million. Completion: 2000. At the Westin Atlanta North at Perimeter it is renovating guestrooms, meeting rooms, business facilities, lobby, restaurants and ballroom. Est. Cost: $US7 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Design Continuum Inc. At the 462-room Sheraton Colony Square it is renovating guestrooms, lobby bar, two club floors and meeting rooms. Est. Cost: US$4million. Completion: mid-2000.
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Dolce International is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, lobby bar, business center, fitness center and resort pool complex at its 239-room Lakeway Inn-A Dolce Conference Resort. Est. Cost: US$20 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Deborah Lloyd Forrest, Dallas. Architect: EDI Architectur Inc., & Kendall Heaton Associates, Houston.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Luxe Worldwide Hospitality is renovating its 86-room Luxe Rodeo Drive (formerly California Summit Hotel Rodeo Drive). Completion: early 2000.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Bristol Hotel Co. is renovating its 303-room Holiday Inn Select. Est. Cost: US$4.5 million. Completion: early 2000. Architect: Jonathan Nehmer & Associates. Interior designer: Harris Design.
BRANSON, MISSOURI: Sunterra Corporation is renovating 48 units and adding 16 units to its 100-unit timeshare Plantation At Fall Creek. Completion: early 2000.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK: Adam's Mark Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting room and entrance at its 471-room Adam's Mark Buffalo. Est. Cost: US$12 million. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: HBE Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri. Developer: Tropical Resorts Ltd.
CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. CANADA: Coast Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, entrance and marina at its 90-room Coast Discovery Inn. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Vignette Designs, Vancouver, Canada.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Boykin Lodging Company is renovating guestrooms, meeting rooms, and restaurants at its 421-room Executive Plaza Hotel. Completion: 2000.
CINCINNATI, OHIO: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby and restaurant at its 487-room Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. Est. Cost: US$6 million. Completion: early 2000.
CLEARWATER BEACH, FLORIDA: Adam's Mark Hotels is renovating guestrooms at its 207-room Adam's Mark Clearwater Beach Resort. Est. Cost: US$10 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: HBE Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri.
CLEVELAND, OHIO: Lane Hospitality is renovating guest rooms and phone system at its 470-room Sheraton City Centre. Est. Cost: US$4.2 million. Completion: late 2000.
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: IMIC Hotels is renovating two hotels here: the guestrooms, lobby and conference center at its 237-room Sheraton Hotel. Est. Cost: US$2 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Towers & Associates. It is also renovating its 191-room Ramada Playa Hotel. Est. Cost: US$1.5 million. Completion: early 2000.
CORONADO, CALIFORNIA: Loews Enterprises is renovating its 692-room The Hotel del Coronado. Est. Cost: US$50 million. Completion: 2000/2004.
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant and spa facility at its 390-room Westin South Coast Plaza. Completion: 1999/2000.
DALLAS: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting room, entrance, adding 184 guestrooms and fitness facilities at its 1,123-room Hyatt Regency. Est. Cost: US$65 million. Completion: early 2000. Rosewood Hotels is renovating two hotels here: the guestrooms at its 141-room Mansion on Turtle Creek. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Vision Design, Dallas. It is renovating guestrooms, restaurant and spa at its 218-room Hotel Crescent Court. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Vision Design, Dallas, Architect: Philip Johnson and John Burgee.
DEER VALLEY, PARK CITY, UTAH: The 130-room Stein Eriksen Lodge is renovating meeting rooms, lobby, increasing parking space and adding 11 new condominiums (44 rooms). Est. Cost: US$30 million. Completion: 2000/2001. Interior designer: Looney Ricks Kiss Architects and Natural Instincts.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Marriott International is renovating guestrooms, lobby, meeting rooms, restaurants, adding new grand ballroom and expanding fitness center at its 1,392-room Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Est. Cost: US$100 million. Completion: 2000/2001.
DULUTH, MINNESOTA: Zenith Management Company is renovating the exterior of its 282-room Best Western Edgewater. Est. Cost: US$200,000. Completion: mid-2000.
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA: Coast Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, entrance and Parkade at its 300-room Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Delcey Walker, Edmonton, Canada.
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA: IMIC Hotels is renovating its 179-room Ramada Inn. Est. Cost: US$750,000. Completion: mid-2000.
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA: Sunterra Corporation is renovating 42 units at its 200-unit timeshare Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Completion: early 2000.
GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE: Sunterra Corporation is adding 40 units at its 82-unit timeshare Bent Creek Golf Villas. Completion: early 2000.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 200-room Westin Poinsett hotel. Completion: late 2000.
HARRISON HOT SPRINGS, B.C. CANADA: Hostmark Management is renovating guestrooms, lobby, ballroom, corridors and concierge floor at its 303-room Harrison Hot Springs Hotel. Est. Cost: US$6 million. Completion: 2000.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Marriott International is renovating guestrooms, meeting rooms and restaurants at its 640-room Renaissance Hollywood Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn). Est. Cost: US$130 million. Completion: late 2000. Architect: Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo, Newport Beach, California. Interior designer: Cole Martinez Curtis, Marina del Rey, California. Developer: TrizecHahn Development Corporation, San Diego, California.
HONOLULU: Hilton Hotels Corporation is adding a 453 guestroom Kalia Tower and converting 235 guestrooms in its Lagoon Tower into timeshares at its 2,545-room Hilton Hawaiian Village. Est. Cost: US$131 million. Completion: early/mid-2001. Aston Hotels & Resorts is renovating two hotels here: it is renovating guestrooms, lobby and kitchen at its 96-room Aston Waikiki Beach Tower. Est. Cost: US$3.1 million. Completion: mid-2000. At its 370-room Aston Waikiki Sunset it is renovating guestrooms and kitchen. Est. Cost: US$3 million. Completion: early 2000.Interior designer: Obayashi Design Group, Honolulu.
HOUSTON: Four Seasons Hotels is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting room, entrance and adding 60 rooms and a bar at its 399-room Four Seasons. Est. Cost: US$7 million. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: TFL International. Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guest-rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants, lobby, new front driveway and additional business floor at its 963-room Hyatt Regency. Est. Cost: US$8 million. Completion: late 2000.
IRVING, TEXAS: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is adding a new ballroom an underground parking garage and spa at its 367-room Four Seasons Resort at Las Colinas Completion: early 2000/2001.
JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS: Zenith Management Company is renovating the exterior of its 108-room Days Inn Junction City. Est. Cost: US$200,000. Completion: early 2000.
KAUAI, HAWAII: Shell Hospitality is renovating guestrooms, converting 108 units into vacation ownership units at its 243-room Kauai Coast Resort. Est. Cost: US$10 million. Completion: late 2000.
KEYSTONE, COLORADO: The 1,500-room Keystone Resort is adding a 49,000 sq.ft. (4,552sq.m) conference center which includes a ballroom. Est. Cost: US$11.25 million. Completion: mid-2000.
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Starwood Hotels & Resort is renovating guestrooms, lobby, meeting room and upgrading golf course at its 468-room Westin Long Beach. Est. Cost: US$1.2 million. Completion: late 2000.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 900-room Wilshire Grand Hotel is renovating guestrooms, guestroom corridors and adding a new sports bar. Completion: 2000/2001.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: Hilton Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen and meeting room at its 321-room Seelbach Hilton. Est. Cost: US$7 million. Completion: late 1999/early 2000. Interior designer: The Collier Group.
MAUI, HAWAII: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 761-room Westin Maui. Est. Cost: US$16 to US$20 million. Completion: late 2000. Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating lobby and restaurant at its 815-room Hyatt Regency. Est. Cost: US$4 million, plus. Completion: early 2000.
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA: Destination Hotels & Resorts is renovating golf museum, 17,000 sq.ft. (1,579 sq.m) retail space, new landscaping, fitness and spa at its 349-room Eden Roc Resort & Spa. Est. Cost: US$22 million. Completion: 2000. Hilton Hotels Corporation is in the final phase of renovation. It is renovating its Chateau building at its 1,206-room Fountainebleau Hilton Resort & Towers. Est. Cost: US$22 million. Completion: mid-2000.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, meeting rooms and entrance at its 484-room Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Est. Cost: US$4.8 million. Completion: 2001. Hilton Hotels Corporation is adding a 20,000 sq.ft. (1,858 sq.m) water theme park, plus 200 guestrooms, 4,000 sq.ft. (372 sq.m) of meeting and banquet space and a skywalk at its 750-room Milwaukee Hilton. Est. Cost: US$40 million. Completion: mid-2000. Architect: Kahler Slater, Milwaukee.
MONTREAL, CANADA: Wyndham International Hotels is renovating its 600-room Wyndham Montreal. Est. Cost: US$10 million. Completion: early 2000. Architect: Callison Architecture Inc., Seattle, Washington. Developer: Hoffman Construction Company, Denver, Colorado.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Bass Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 482-room Inter-Continental New Orleans. Completion: mid-2000. Interior designer: Montgomery Roth Architecture, New Orleans.
NEW YORK: Ian Schrager Hotels LLC is renovating its 689-room St. Moritz Hotel. Est. Cost: US$100 million. Completion: early 2001. Interior designer: Philippe Starck, New York. Manhattan East Suite Hotels is renovating three hotels here: 300 guestrooms, elevators and corridors at its 523-room Southgate Tower Suite Hotel. Completion: late 2000. At its 248-room Dumont Plaza it is refurbishing 125 guestrooms, elevators and corridors. Est. Cost: US$8.5 million. Completion: late 2000. It is renovating 100 guestroom, elevators and corridors at its 211-room Plaza Fifty Suite Hotel. Est. Cost: US$3.5 million. Completion: late 2001. Hilton Hotels Corporation is renovating its 2,042-room Hilton New York. Est. Cost: US$85 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Hirsch Bedner Associates, Santa Monica, California. Architect: Brennan Beer Gorman/Architects, New York.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 1,064-room Wyndham Orlando Resort. Est. Cost: US$36 million. Completion: late 1999/early 2000. Remington Hotel Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting rooms, entrance and pool at its 1,100-room Sheraton World Resort. Est. Cost: US$37 million. Completion: mid-2000. Architect: Humphreys & Partners, Dallas. Interior designer: Fourth Dimension, Dallas. Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, restaurant and meeting rooms at its 446-room Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. Est. Cost: US$14.2 million. Completion: early 2000. Sunterra Corporation is adding 40 units at its 156-unit timeshare Embassy Vacation Resort Grand Beach. Completion: early 2000.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms and kitchen at its 484-room The Westin Ottawa. Est. Cost: US$5.2 million. Completion: early 2000. Interior designer: Wayne Parker, Honolulu.
OXFORD, ALABMA: Zenith Management Company is renovating guestrooms at its 193-room Holiday Inn Anniston. Est. Cost: US$500,000. Completion: mid-2000.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Pacific Hotel Management LLC is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, and entrance at its 320-room Holiday Inn. Est. Cost: US$3.2 million. Completion: early 2000. Architect: Arthur Tam Architects, Oakland, California. Interior designer: Adelle Platt & Barbara Bradley, San Ramon, California.
PHILADELPHIA: Marriott International is renovating its 350-room Renaissance Hotel. Completion: early 2000.
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C., CANADA: Coast Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 150-room Coast Inn of the North. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Vignette Designs, Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms, meeting room, pool and fitness facility at its 512-room Westin Mission Hills Resort. Est. Cost: US$7.7 million. Completion: late 2000. Interior designer: Kevin Joyce
RYE BROOK, NEW YORK: Doral Hotels & Resorts is renovating lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting room, entrance, 100 additional rooms and an 110,000 sq.ft. (10,219 sq.m.) conference center expansion at its 274-room Doral Arrowwood. Est. Cost: US$40 million. Completion: mid-2000. Architect and Interior designer: The Hillier Group, Princeton, N.J. Construction: Morse Diesel International, New York.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 500-room Sheraton Grand Sacramento. Completion: early 2001.
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN: Zenith Management Company is renovating guestrooms at its 158-room Holiday Inn Saginaw. Est. Cost: US$250,000. Completion: late 2000.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, restaurant and health club at its 500-room Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. Est. Cost: US$3.5 million. Completion: early 2000. Marriott International is renovating its 296-room Marriott Hotel. Completion: early 2000.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby, meeting rooms and bathrooms at its 875-room Hyatt Regency San Diego. Est. Cost: US$14.2 million. Completion: early 2000. Noble House Hotels & Resorts is renovating guestrooms, restaurant, lobby, convention center, spa, pool and fitness center and meeting rooms at its 462-room San Diego Paradise Point Resort. Completion: 2000/2001. Interior designer: Carl Myers.
SAN FRANCISCO: Strategic Hotel Capital Inc. is renovating 300 guestrooms, guest-room corridors and retail space at its 805-room Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Est. Cost: US$5 million. Completion: mid-2000. Ian Schrager Hotels LLC is renovating its 370-room Clift Hotel. Est. Cost: US$25 million. Completion: 2001. Interior designer: Philippe Starck, New York.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: Strategic Hotel Capital Inc. is renovating lobby, pool area, exterior painting and new porte-cochere, ballroom, guestrooms and meeting rooms at its 314-room Loews Santa Monica. Est. Cost: US$ 5 million. Completion: late 2000.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby, meeting rooms and landscaping at its 297-room Hyatt Sarasota. Est. Cost: US$5 million. Completion: early 2000.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: Zenith Management Company is renovating guestrooms at its 132-room Hampton Inn. Est. Cost: US$500,000. Completion: 2000.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Hilton Hotels Corporation is adding 219 guestrooms, 38,000 sq.ft. (3,530sq.m) conference center, and expanding meeting space, fitness center, swimming pool and new restaurant and bar at its 181-room Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center. Est. Cost: US$53 million. Completion: late 2000. Interior designer: Meri Meis. Architect: HNTB Interiors, Irvine, California.
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA: Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is renovating its 475-room Radisson Hotel Saint Paul. Est. Cost: US$9 million. Completion: mid-2000. Interior designer: Ste. Marie Design, Fargo, North Dakota.
TAMPA (WESLEY CHAPEL), FLORIDA: Saddlebrook Resort is renovating guest-rooms, meeting rooms and public space at its 800-room Saddlebrook Resort Tampa. Est. Cost: US$8 million. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: The Howard Group, Miami.
TORONTO, CANADA: Hilton International is renovating guestrooms, lobby, entrance, restaurant, corridors and increasing its Executive Floors from 4 to 6 at its 601-room Toronto Hilton. Completion: early 2000. Great Eagle Hotels International is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant and meeting rooms at it 1591-room Delta Chelsea Hotel. Est. Cost: US$4.7 million. Completion: late 2001. Interior designer: Moncuv Design & Associates, Toronto, Canada.
TUCSON, ARIZONA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is refurbishing its Sunrise golf course at its 428-room Sheraton El Conquistador Resort & Country Club. Est. Cost: US$2.1 million. Completion: mid-2000.
VANCOUVER, CANADA: Coast Hotels & Resorts is renovating its 267-room Coast Plaza Suite Hotel at Stanley Park. Completion: 2000. Interior designer: Vignette Designs, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Kimpton Hotel Group is renovating its 233-room Pacific Palisades Hotel. Completion: early 2000.
VICTORIA, B.C. CANADA: Pacific Sun Hotel Inc. is renovating guestrooms, meeting rooms, landscaping, updating technology, adding new banquet facilities and ballroom, and meeting rooms, adding 160 guestrooms, updating technology and lobby at its 300-room Clarion Hotel Grand Pacific. Completion: mid-2001. Architect: Moore Patterson, Victoria, B.C. Canada. Interior designer: Western Interior Design Group Ltd., Victoria, B.C., Canada.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Hospitality Partners is renovating two hotels here: the guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting rooms and entrance at its 296-room Holiday Inn Georgetown. Est. Cost: US$2 million. Completion: 2000/2001. At its 529-room Holiday Inn Capitol it is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting room and entrance. Est. Cost: US$2 million. Completion: 2000/20001. The 415-room Washington Monarch hotel is renovating its auditorium, lobby lounge and hospitality suites. Completion: early-mid 2000.
WAYNE, NEW JERSEY: Prime Hospitality is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms and entrance at its 146-room Wayne HoJo. Est. Cost: US$3 million. Completion: mid-2000. Interior designer: Degrosse, Wayne, New Jersey.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby and restaurant at its 262-room Hyatt Westlake Plaza. Est. Cost: US$1.9 million. Completion: mid-2001.
WOODSON (ST. LOUIS) MISSOURI: Remington Hotel Corporation is renovating guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, kitchen, meeting rooms and entrance at its 392-room St. Louis Airport Hilton. Est. Cost: US$18 million. Completion: early 2000. Architect: HKS Inc., Dallas. Interior designer: Fourth Dimension, Dallas.
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