Aimbridge managing first U.S. Voco: Dallas, Texas-based Aimbridge Hospitality will manage VocoTM – The Franklin New York. Voco is the newest upscale brand from IHG Hotels & Resorts and the property is the brand’s first in the United States. The 50-room hotel, originally built in 1930, has already seen a renovation of US$3 million, or US$60,000 per key, investment from its ownership, Andrew and Stephen “Chip” Weiss Jr. of Flintlock Construction and Andrew Kaplan. An additional US$1 million is being spent on a restaurant buildout to open next year.
Here’s what’s powering The Red Sea Project: Riyadh-based The Red Sea Development Co., the developer behind the land and property development announced by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017, will create a massive battery storage facility to enable the entire site to be powered by renewable energy 24 hours a day. The development on the west coast of Saudi Arabia will include 50 hotels when complete and be powered solely by wind and solar energy.
New World Phu Quoc Resort: Hong Kong-based New World Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by Sun Group to manage the New World Phu Quoc Resort (formerly Sun Premier Village Kem Beach Resort), on Vietnam’s southern Phu Quoc island, with an opening anticipated in 2021. The agreement marks the 11th property and second resort to join New World Hotels and Resorts’ portfolio across Asia, but the third in Vietnam including New World Saigon Hotel and New World Hoiana Hotel.