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Briefs: Waldorf Miami underway | Thailand timetable

Waldorf residence for sale in Miami: New York and Miami-based developer PMG, Toronto-based private equity firm Greybrook Realty Partners and Hilton have commenced sales for the Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami. The building will rise 1,049 feet above Biscayne Bay as the tallest residential and hotel tower south of New York City. The 100-story tower will consist of 360 private residences as well as 205 guest rooms and suites. Residences start at US$1 million. The hotel will be managed by Hilton Management Services.Among the project partners is global investment company Mohari Hospitality.

A comeback for Thailand in 2022? At the recent 10th annual Thailand Tourism Forum 2021, STR’s Area Director for Asia Pacific, Jesper Palmqvist, talked about the latest hotel performance data and analysis for Thailand, including forecasts for the future. “After a particularly challenging January 2021, Thailand’s hotels at least end the first quarter with similar patterns as seen by the end of 2020. There are early signs of reservations in June but also some for November-December. In light of Thailand’s dependency on international arrivals… the STR forecast for Bangkok has been downgraded for the full year of 2021. We do foresee 2022 as a bigger comeback year on many fronts across the country.”

State of the U.S. consumer: A new report from Deloitte indicates that consumers’ anxieties have retreated slightly as new cases of COVID-19 decline and the pace of vaccinations rise. Highlights from the report include:

  • Only 29% of respondents stated they were more anxious during the survey week than the week before, one of the lowest figures since the survey launched in April 2020. Consumers’ concerns about their well-being and that of their family and immediate circle have also fallen
  • The economic scars of the pandemic remain highly visible. About 47% of respondents attribute their anxiety to financial stress and 28% to their employment situation. And a sizable share of respondents is worried about upcoming payments such as rent, credit card, and mortgage
  • With fears about the virus starting to ease a bit, consumers are not stocking up on essentials as they had in the early stages of the pandemic. The shares of respondents who intend to spend more on groceries and household goods in the next four weeks compared to the prior four weeks have been edging down

Read the full report

Four hotels in Palm Springs stalled: The Andaz Hotel, The Orchid Tree, The Tova, and The Dream Hotel under construction in Palm Springs, California, have been stalled due to complications from COVID-19, and now the city is now taking legal action in hopes that development will continue. It could include asking the court to take control of the properties and into the hands of a developer who actually can finish them.

More from NBC Palm Springs

New CEO at finance co.: Access Point Financial, a direct lender and specialty finance company focused exclusively on the hospitality industry, has appointed Michael Lipson as its new chief executive officer. Also continuing his role as chairman of the board, Lipson possesses more than 40 years of financial and banking expertise. Prior to working with Access Point, Lipson served as senior vice president – Multifamily Asset Management & Operations for Freddie Mac.

Trump hotels removed from travel network: Luxury travel network Virtuoso has quietly removed all 10 Trump-branded hotels and resorts from its list of preferred partners, as first reported by Zenger News. A spokesperson for Virtuoso confirmed that Trump Hotels ceased being a preferred partner earlier this month, but declined to elaborate. “As a rule, we don’t talk about why we engage in non-renewals with partners,” said Misty Belles, managing director of global public relations for the company. Regardless of how Trump Hotels left Virtuoso, the departure could hurt Trump’s hotel management and licensing business, which Forbes reported to be down US$24 million since 2019, as well as his golf resorts in Miami and Europe, which are reportedly down another US$120 million.

More from Forbes

US$86M hotel contract from Immigration: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is securing hotel rooms to keep up with the growing influx of families crossing into the United States who may face deportation. The Biden administration has awarded ICE an US$86.9 million contract for hotel rooms near the border to provide temporary shelter and processing services for families who haven’t been expelled from the country but have been placed in immigration proceedings for their removal. Through “Texas-based nonprofit Endeavors,” the contract offers over 1,239 beds and “other necessary services.” The families will receive a comprehensive health assessment during their stay, including COVID-19 testing.

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New design role for Four Seasons: Four Seasons has appointed Isabel Pintado to the newly-created position of senior vice president, design and innovation. Prior to joining Four Seasons, Pintado had led several global design studios. In 2020, Design Middle East magazine ranked Isabel No. 1 on its annual “Creative 30 Power List.”

Dorchester London gets a rooftop: The Dorchester in London will launch a rooftop restaurant and bar — “The Dorchester Rooftop.” With views across Hyde Park and East London, it will showcase a series of culinary pop-ups overseen by executive chef Mario Perera and featuring The Dorchester’s chefs, highlighting British, French and Mediterranean cuisine. The rooftop will be open throughout spring and summer, and the restaurant and bar will be open daily for lunch and dinner. Tables will be available for up to six guests and in anticipation for the unpredictable British weather, terrace umbrellas, heaters and blankets will be available.

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