Hotel chains asked to help find Capitol rioters, prevent more attacks: U.S. House Democrats on Friday asked more than two dozen private companies to take action to prevent domestic terror threats following the January 6 deadly invasion of the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters. The companies were asked to boost screening measures and preserve all service requests and reservation records produced in January, which could be used as evidence that helps identify those involved in the mob. Letters have been sent to 27 hotel, bus and rental car companies, including the Hyatt and Hilton hotel chains and online travel company Expedia.
Olympus Ventures acquires Anguilla resort: Olympus Ventures, the family office of Best Buy founder Richard Schulze, acquired The Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt, which encompasses CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and The Reef by CuisinArt, on the Caribbean island of Anguilla. The property is being managed by Wischermann Lifestyle Hospitality. The property is being renovated in phases, with plans including expanding a hydroponic farm, installing a new solar array and adding a reverse osmosis plant. The second phase will include a spa and wellness center, and improvements to the golf course. Newly appointed Managing Director Simon Fricker will lead resort operations.
Chicago firm buys hotel next to Old Post Office: A Chicago hotel that spent most of the past decade tied up in an ownership dispute that ultimately triggered a foreclosure lawsuit has been sold to a local firm. Hoping to ride the momentum created by the redevelopment of the neighboring Old Post Office into a corporate destination, Chicago-based real estate investors LXG last week purchased the 145-room Holiday Inn & Suites hotel. LXG declined to comment on the price, but the firm said it raised more than US$20 million from dozens of investors for the all-cash acquisition.
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David Barclay, British billionaire and Ritz co-owner, dies: Identical twins David and Frederick Barclay rose from poverty to build a British business empire, including London’s Ritz Hotel and the Daily Telegraph newspaper, before falling out. Last week David Barclay, the elder twin by 10 minutes, died at the age of 86, bringing a public reconciliation from his once-inseparable brother. The two bought the Ritz in 1995.
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