Radisson SAS Belfast To Open In 2004

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 5/1/2003

• Radisson SAS Belfast To Open In 2004
• All Inclusive Viva Resort Is Targeted For Dominican Republic; Refurbishment Takes Place At Viva Fortuna
• Shangri-La To Open Exclusive Resort In Maldives
• Ritz-Carlton To Open Fifth Residence Club
• Hotel Gansevoort To Open In Late 2003

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Radisson SAS Belfast To Open In 2004
Belfast, Ireland Rezidor SAS Hospitality, Brussels, has announced the planned opening of a new Radisson SAS hotel in Belfast—the company’s second property in Northern Ireland and part of the new Cromac Wood Business Park currently being developed on the edge of Belfast’s city center. The property will be within walking distance of the city’s main commercial and shopping districts, and just 2.5 miles (4 km) from the Belfast City Airport.

Scheduled to open in 2004, the 120-room Radisson SAS will include six suites and one presidential suite. It also will offer six fully equipped meeting and function rooms accommodating up to 150 people, a restaurant and a bar.

“The new Radisson SAS Hotel in Belfast marks another significant step in the history of our company and reflects the growing stature of Belfast itself as an international business hub, “ says Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor SAS Hospitality.

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All Inclusive Viva Resort Is Targeted For Dominican Republic; Refurbishment Takes Place At Viva Fortuna Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Viva Resorts, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has begun construction on the Viva Tangerine Resort, an all-inclusive resort that is expected to open in late 2003.

The Viva Tangerine will be situated on 361 feet (110 m) of private beach and will feature 228 uperior rooms. All rooms will feature imported Italian interior and exterior furnishings, a balcony or terrace and a variety of guestroom amenities. The hotel will have a full-service spa with a sauna and a complete gym.

Other hotel facilities will include a freshwater pool, children’s pool, discotheque, tennis courts and conference facilities to accommodate up to 215 people. Food and beverage venues will include a full range of international cuisine served in three main dining rooms, as well as four bars.

Viva Resorts also announced it is embarking on a US$1 million renovation at its 276-room Viva Fortuna Beach Resort, Grand Bahama Island.

The all-inclusive resort will add a stand-alone building for the Viva Kid’s Club, a Jacuzzi, a swimming pool for children and beach bar with a patio for casual dining. It also will freshen up the look of the property by resurfacing all walkways, all buildings will be given a fresh coat of paint on the exterior and all guestrooms will be repainted.

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Shangri-La To Open Exclusive Resort In Maldives
Villingili, Maldives Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Hong Kong, has signed a management contract with Villingili Investments Private Limited to operate an exclusive and fully integrated spa resort in Maldives. The Shangri-La Maldives will be situated on Villingili, a pristine island in Addu Atoll, at the southernmost tip of the Maldives.

When the resort opens in 2004, it will offer four independent and unique villages with a total of 252 villas. The Plantation Club will offer 67 villas extending over the ocean; the Waterford Village will have 68-water bungalows on stilts (photo); the family-oriented Whispering Palm Village will offer 77 villas, including eight that are split level; and the Windance Village will consist of 40 semi-detached tree houses perched on lush greenery. The villas will be designed by Singapore-based Design B.U.BE.

One of the resort’s most luxurious amenities offered will be its spa. Set in the Blue Lagoon with open views of both the Indian Ocean and the lagoon, the spa will offer a full range of innovative treatments along with integrated well-being and lifestyle programs.

In addition, Shangri-La Maldives will provide a selection of bars and restaurants serving a wide choice of local and international cuisine in each of the villages. Other features of the resort include banqueting, meeting facilities, wireless connectivity, a horticultural garden and observatory, a marine research facility and a conservation center.

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Ritz-Carlton To Open Fifth Residence Club
Santa Barbara, California The Ritz-Carlton Club is bringing its private residence club to Santa Barbara, California. The Ritz-Carlton Club Santa Barbara is the fifth residence club property to open since the brand’s inception in late 1999. The Ritz-Carlton Club and William Levy Investments, LLC, Santa Barbara, announced the agreement to develop this new property.

The property will boast a proposed 56 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences and is targeted for occupancy in late 2004. Members of The Ritz-Carlton Club have access to personal concierge services. Some amenities and services that will be included: a rooftop pool and spa tubs with ocean and mountain views, restaurants (targeted to open in October 2004), Ritz-Carlton spa and fitness program and The Ritz Kids program.

Residences will range in size from 980 to 2,050 sq.ft. (91 sq.m to 190 sq.m) and will offer a gourmet kitchen, dining and living areas, entertainment center, master suites, beautifully appointed bathrooms, washer and dryer, multi-line telephones and high-speed Internet access.

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Hotel Gansevoort To Open In Late 2003
New York City Developers William and Michael Achenbaum of WSA Management Ltd. have broken ground for a new, luxury boutique hotel. The 187-room Hotel Gansevoort will be located in New York City’s Gansevoort Meatpacking District, which has become a magnet for restaurants and boutiques.

The Hotel Gansevoort’s rooftop will be its signature feature. A richly landscaped roof garden and an expansive loft with soaring 20-foot ceilings will offer breathtaking city views in three directions and will be a stylish new venue for special events. A 45-foot outdoor swimming pool with underwater music will anchor the roof’s other side.

Guestrooms will have nine-foot ceilings and will offer high-tech amenities. Other services include a 5,100 sq.ft. (474 sq.m) full-service spa, three-level bar, Italian restaurant with a covered dining terrace, business center and meeting rooms. The architect is Stephen B. Jacob and interior designer is Andi Pepper. Hotelier Henry Kallan, also of the Library and Giraffe as well as the Hotel Elysée and the Casablanca, will independently operate the hotel.