Ascott sees record signings in China: Singapore-based CapitaLand’s lodging unit, The Ascott Ltd., secured more than 2,100 new units across 12 properties in China in the past three months. With these new units, Ascott has added a record high of more than 5,600 units across 26 properties, which represent 60% year-on-year growth in units in China. Globally, Ascott has sealed new contracts for more than 3,700 units across 22 properties, about 60% of which are from China and the rest are in various countries including Austria and Indonesia. Ascott is also seeing strong recovery in China on the operations front. Its apartment revenue in September 2020 performed close to 95% of that in September 2019.
Motel 6 fires Dallas ad firm after racist comment: Motel 6 dropped its longtime advertising firm, Dallas-based The Richards Group, after that company’s founder Stan Richards reportedly described a new ad pitch as being “too black” for the motel operator’s “white supremacist constituents.” Carrollton, Texas-based Motel 6 said it parted ways with the firm after the comments made during an internal meeting at the ad firm were publicized. The Richards Group helped make famous Motel 6′s iconic slogan, “We’ll leave the light on for you.”
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Rosewood in Amsterdam: Hong Kong-based Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will manage the Rosewood Amsterdam, an ultra-luxury hotel set to open in 2023 in the city’s former Palace of Justice. Originally constructed in 1665 and later expanded in 1836, the building was Amsterdam’s main courthouse for more than 175 years and is now being evolved into a hotel designed by Netherlands-based architectural firm Kentie & Partners. Interior design is led by Piet Boon. The 134-room property will have three restaurants and bars, one of which will feature Indian cuisine, and a full-service Rosewood spa, as well as indoor swimming pool and 3,000-square-foot ballroom.
