Origyn Group acquisition in France: France’s Côte d´Azur Tourism Fund is funding the Origyn Group’s acquisition of Le Saint Paul in Saint Paul de Vence in Southeastern France. The tourism fund has provided €1.7 million (US$1.91 million) for a consolidated investment of €5.55 million (US$6.25 million). Affiliated with Relais et Châteaux, Le Saint Paul is a 16th century residence featuring three rooms and 13 suites along with a gourmet restaurant. The investment program includes the acquisition of the hotel walls, renovation of the rooms, creation of a bar and a wine cellar in a vaulted room by setting up a tasting area. The pastry laboratory will be transformed into a tea room and the hotel reception area will be transformed to honor artists in rotating exhibitions. The hotel will reopen in April 2022.
Accor launches new brand: Accor has launched Emblems Collection, a global portfolio of boutique hotels and luxury resorts. The new collection is launching with a flagship hotel — the 64-suite Guiyang Art Centre Hotel, Emblems Collection in China’s Guizhou province. The hotel is expected to open in December 2022. The brand aims to expand to 60 properties across the world by 2030. The collection will consist of hotels that are ‘emblematic’ of their designers, destinations or demographics and will fall into three categories — Emblems Collection Heritage, Emblems Collection Retreat and Emblems Collection Signature.
Curator adds to portfolio: Curator Hotel & Resort Collection announced the addition of eight lifestyle hotels and resorts from Davidson Hospitality Group, Atlanta, Georgia, to its portfolio. The hotels include Amara Cay Resort in Islamorada, Florida; Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan; Hotel Viking, Newport, Rhode Island; La Siesta Resort & Marina, Islamorada; Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Hollywood, Florida; Pelican Cove Resort & Marina, Islamorada; Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina, Islamorada; and The Ryder, Charleston, South Carolina. These hotels will access Curator’s operating agreements, non-proprietary technology and services to improve operating performance.
Portugal chain report: Portugal has emerged as a preferred European destination for travelers, with international hotel chains focusing their attention mostly on Lisbon and Porto as the main urban destinations, revealed the Portugal Hotel & Chains Report 2021 by Horwath HTL. The pipeline is exclusively centered on 4- and 5-star hotels, improving the overall positioning of the country’s hotel supply. Although the market is mostly dominated by domestic players, the number of global hotel brands has doubled its number from 2018 but still represents 51% of the total chain hotels. Upscale, upper upscale and luxury properties comprise 78% of the existing branded supply (18% growth versus 2018), while 60% consist of 4- and 4-star superior hotels, and 18% consist of 5- and 5-star luxury properties. Budget and economy hotels continue to be scarce, with midscale properties reducing to 18% from 38% in 2018. Algarve and Madeira dominate the beach destinations, while Comporta in Alentejo is expected to bring new international chains to the market. Hotels affiliated to international brands comprise 57% of new projects in the pipeline compared to 23% associated to national brands. Upper, upscale and luxury brands account for 83% of new projects in the pipeline.
ITC signs third hotel: ITC Hotels, Gurugram, India, has signed a management contract hotel in Shimla under its Mementos brand. The 297-room hotel in northern India is the brand’s third signing after Udaipur and Jaipur. The company is building one of the largest hotel in the hills of Shimla. The hill station saw a high influx of domestic tourism, stemming from road trips to nearby destinations and destination weddings. Mementos Shimla has a 7,500 square feet banquet space to cater to the increasing demand for destination weddings. ITC Hotels has more than 100 hotels in 70 destinations in India under six brands.
Sale of Lake Tahoe Resort: The Lake Tahoe Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California, has been acquired by Sodalite Tahoe Hotel LLC for US$86.61 million. The 399-suite property will be managed by Davidson Resorts. Earlier this year, Davidson debuted its resort unit with 11 properties, including two at Snowmass, Colorado’s ski resort. In another development in South Lake Tahoe, the MontBleu Resort has been officially rebranded as Bally’s Lake Tahoe. Bally’s acquired the hotel and casino from Caesars Entertainment in April.
HIG completes purchase of property: Hotel Investment Group, San Diego, California, announced the completion of the purchase of a 1.66 acre property in San Marcos, California, where it plans to build a 110-key Home2 Suites by Hilton. Construction is scheduled to start in summer 2022 and be completed by late 2023. HIG owns and operates 18 hotel and apartment communities across California. The company’s portfolio comprises franchise and boutique hotels, multifamily and medical office properties across California.
AC Milan’s partnership with SIRO: AC Milan has entered into a multi-year partnership with wellness hospitality experience SIRO, which joins the football club as its new official hotel partner. Kerzner International, Dubai, launched SIRO earlier this year which blends the boundaries of hospitality, wellness and fitness. Together, AC Milan and SIRO will drive the long-term vision to deliver an immersive lifestyle and fitness destination. The brands will leverage each other’s platform and expertise and knowledge across human performance and hospitality. SIRO will deliver fitness and wellness for AC Milan guests, providing them with best in class support, complete with a sport concierge to provide exclusive access or expert training. Each SIRO hotel will consist of a fitness club, health spa facilities, nutrition-led dining and a host of active adventures. The SIRO Boka Place will be opening in Montenegro in 2023.