Outrigger Wailea Renovates

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 2/1/2000

The Outrigger Wailea Resort on Maui

is slated for a series of major improvements in 2000

that will position it as a premier, full-service resort. Outrigger Enterprises

Inc., Honolulu, acquired the 516-room oceanfront resort in early 1999.

This will bring the 22-acre (9 ha) hotel in line with the company’s new strategy of operating deluxe,

full-service, beachfront hotels on all of Hawaii’s major islands

and throughout the Pacific. “The hotel has remained a favorite

among visitors to Maui, and it is great to have such a fine property

as part of our portfolio, “ says David Carey, president and CEO

of Outrigger Enterprises.

To further capitalize on the resort’s inherent qualities, Outrigger

plans to spend more than US$25 million on improvements to the property,

enhancing the total guest experience. Designed by Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo,

the new resort will become more open and free flowing.

One of many refurbishment taking place at the hotel

is the lush Mei Court (photo), which will introduce abundant light

into the lobby, capitalize on spectacular views of Mt.

Halaeakala and open up onto the new Grand Promenade which will lead

from the front desk to the Conference Pavilion. Other renovations include

new dining areas, meeting facilities, a new water activity area and

complete renovations of all guestrooms.

Sol Meliá Opens First

Hotel in Rome

Sol Meliá, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, signed a contract

with the Aurelia Centro Company to manage the 282-room Meliá Roma

Aurelia. This will be Sol Meliá’s first hotel in Rome and

is scheduled to open in July 2000.

The hotel will offer a buffet restaurant, “a la carte” restaurant,

lobby bar, fitness center with sauna and Jacuzzi, Royal

Service floor, shopping arcade, swimming pool and garage. Other amenities

include 28,000 sq.ft. (2,600 sq.m.) of meeting space and a business

center.

According to Sebastian Escarrer, vice president

of Sol Meliá, “The

incorporation of the Meliá Roma Aurelia represents yet another

step in the progress of our development program in the main European

cities and capitals. In this particular case, it is a clear indication

of Sol Meliá’s intention to increase its presence in Italy.” Sol

Meliá is also planning another property in Milan, the 288-room

Hotel Meliá Milano, which will open in September.

With the incorporation of these two properties

in Italy, Sol Meliá has

increased its worldwide presence to 28 countries in four

continents, 10 of which are in Europe.

Ritz-Carlton Renovates Former DiLido Hotel for US$100 Million

The former DiLido Hotel on South Beach in Miami Beach

will be transformed into a 380-room Ritz-Carlton Hotel

after an extensive US$100 million renovation and expansion.

The style of the hotel will be in the Art Moderne

style of the early fifties, now referred to as MiMo. The hotel’s

design will also complement the unique architectural style of the

Miami Beach area known as art deco.

Food and beverage options at the hotel will include

The Café with

outdoor terrace and private dining room, a pool bar, specialty restaurant

and The Lobby Lounge with outdoor seating available. Guests will also

have access to a 13,000 sq.ft. (956 sq.m) spa and outdoor pool, the

hotel’s meeting facilities with almost 20,000 sq.ft. (1,858 sq.m),

including a 10,599 sq.ft. (984 sq.m) ballroom.

The owners of the project are DiLido Beach Resorts Ltd., a joint venture

of Flag Finance and Investment Inc., Lionstone Group and the McCann

Group. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. will manage the hotel,

which is scheduled for completion by early 2001.

ASIA

Hilton Shenyang, Shenyang, China; 352 rooms open early 2001; Owner

is Shenyang Friend Real Estate Co. Ltd., Management and contact: Hilton

International.

Hilton Dalian, Dalian, People’s Republic

of China; 380 rooms open mid-2000; Owner is Dalian Chang Jiang Plaza

Co. Ltd.; Management and contact: Hilton International.

Central Kao Tao Village, Hua Hin, Thailand; 120 rooms open late 2001

at a cost of US$8 million; Architect is Khun Khunchorn Chulasai, Bangkok,

and interior designer is Stephen Kitching, Bangkok; Developer, management

and contact: Central Group of Hotels.

Central Royang Village, Rayong, Thailand; 120 Rooms open mid-2000 at

a cost of US$8 million; Architect is Khun Khunchorn Chulasai, Bangkok,

and interior designer is Stephen Kitching, Bangkok; Developer, management

and contact: Central Group of Hotels.

Ananda, In The Himalayas, India; 75 rooms open

mid-2000; Developers: Rafael Hotels South Asia is a joint venture

between The Rafael Group and Indian Hotels & Health Resorts Pvt.,Ltd.

Contact Rafael Hotels Limited, USA.

Australia Hilton Melbourne Airport, Melbourne, Australia; 280 rooms

open late 2000; Contact Hilton International.

EUROPE

Rica Sunnfjord Hotel, Forde, Norway; 157 rooms open 2000; Contact Rica

Hotels.

Rica Hotel Oslo, Norway; 50 rooms open 2000; Contact Rica Hotels.

Estepona Princess, Costa del Sol, Spain; 500 rooms open

mid-2000 at a cost of US$30.5 million; Interior designer

is Miguel Gonzalez and developer is J.C. Construcciones;

Management and contact: Princess Hotels.

MIDDLE EAST

Four Seasons Hotel Amman, Jordan; 197 rooms open mid-2000; Management

and contact: Four Seasons Hotels.

Rotana Hotel, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt; 375 rooms open mid-2000; Management

and contact: Rotana Hotels.

NORTH AMERICA

Elcano Hotel Acapulco, Mexico; 180 rooms; Renovation to be completed

by mid-2000 at a cost of US$6 million; Contact Elcano Hotel Acapulco.

AmeriSuites, Blacksburg, Virginia; 94 rooms open mid-2000; Contact

Prime Hospitality Corp.

Howard Johnson Grand Rapids Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan; 100 rooms

open mid-2000 (Conversion of the historic Milner Building); Management

and contact: Hostmark Hospitality Group.

Radisson Hotel New York-East Side (formerly the Hotel Lexington) Manhattan,

New York; 700 rooms; Renovations completed in 2000; Contact Radisson

Hotels Worldwide.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Miami (South Beach) Florida; 380 rooms open early

2001; Management and contact: Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC.

Wyndham Casa Marina Resort & Beach House, Key West, Florida; 461-rooms;

Renovation of the former Marriott Casa Marina Resort at a cost of US$8.5

million to be completed in 2001; Interior designer is the Daiker Group,

Dallas, and the architect is The Morris Group, Orlando; Owner, management

and contact: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

The Legends at Capitol Hill, Prattville (near Montgomery) Alabama;

90 rooms to open in mid-2000; Architect is J. Michael Lee, Dothan, Alabama;

Owner is Economic Development Partnership, Alabama; Management and contact:

Sentry Hospitality, New York.

Holiday Inn Express, San Francisco, California;

252 rooms open mid-2000; Contact Bristol Hotels & Resorts.

SOUTH AMERICA

Caesar Business Guarulhos (International Airport) Hotel, Sa~o Paulo,

Brazil; 232 rooms open 2001; Contact Grupo Posadas.

Caesar Business Vila Olimpia, Saõ Paulo,

Brazil; 220 rooms open mid-2001; Contact Grupo Posadas.

Caesar Business Avenida Paulista, Saõ Paulo,

Brazil; 400 rooms open 2002; Contact Grupo Posadas.

Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn, Saõ Paulo, Brazil; 356 rooms

open mid-2002 at a cost of US$150 million (part of a mixed-use development);

Contact Bass Hotels & Resorts.