Preferred Hotels & Resorts has added six ‘best-in-class’ new member properties to its global portfolio

Borgobrufa SPA Resort

Borgobrufa SPA Resort, Umbria, Italy

Located amid olive groves, perfumed orchards, and rolling vineyards, Borgobrufa SPA Resort presents a secluded wellness retreat in the heart of the Italian countryside. The 49 rooms and suits are surrounded by historic farm buildings, an 18th century villa and the village of Brufa. At the heart of the resort is Umbria’s largest spa, comprising more than 32,000 sq-ft with heated indoor and outdoor pools, and an array of treatments including traditional heat baths alongside salt and snow rooms. Other highlights include two restaurants, a wine cellar of more than 350 vintages, and outdoor activities including horseback riding, ebike tours, tennis, and hiking. www.preferredhotels.com/hotels/italy/borgobrufa-spa-resort 

Castlemartyr Resort, Cork, Ireland 

Located on 220 acres in southern Ireland’s ancient Mitchell’s Woodlands, the Castlemartyr Resort has historical ties to Sir Walter Raleigh, the Boyle Family, Earls of Shannon and Oliver Cromwell It comprises a restored 17th century manor, offering 106 guestrooms and suites, and 36 luxury self-catering lodges in Cork’s countryside near the Celtic Sea. There is fine dining by founder chef Vincent Crepel at the new Terre Restaurant, and relaxed dining at Canopy Restaurant, which brings the atmosphere of outdoor dining into an indoor setting. There is also a Ron Kirby-designed Castlemartyr Golf Course, an award-winning spa, and swimming pool overlooking manicured gardens on the lawn. www.preferredhotels.com/hotels/ireland/castlemartyr-resort

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, Scotland 

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh comprises five buildings including the 19th century India Buildings on Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town. It is the first phase of Virgin Hotels’ U.K. debut and offers a blend of traditional Victorian architecture and clean, contemporary design. The pet-friendly hotel has 222 guestrooms and suites featuring Virgin Hotels’ signature chamber design, alongside several dining outlets including The Commons Club, the brand’s flagship restaurant and bar. There is also all-day dining and entertainment at Eve, and Greyfriar’s Hall, a 19th century church restored and repurposed for special events with a rooftop extending unobstructed Edinburgh Castle views. www.preferredhotels.com/hotels/united-kingdom/virgin-hotelsedinburgh 

Galeria Plaza Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico 

A tower in downtown Monterrey’s new financial district, Galeria Plaza Monterrey is the fifth addition to the Hoteles Galeria Plaza brand and the newest skyline addition to the state of Nuevo León’s business capital. Offering views of the emblematic Cerro de la Silla mountain, the hotel blends avant-garde, minimalist design with comfort and technology across 196 deluxe rooms, six lofts, and two master suites. There are two restaurants offering local and international cuisine under the direction of Executive Chef Guy Santoro. www.preferredhotels.com/hotels/mexico/galeria-plaza-monterrey

sly Berlin, Berlin, Germany 

Located in the city’s Friedrichshain neighborhood, the sly Berlin blends indoor and outdoor spaces with four buildings, including a 2,368 square-foot greenhouse, connected via open-air walkways and courtyard spaces. With 150 guestrooms and suites, sly Berlin’s interiors fuse nature and the city’s urban culture with solid oak wood, Italian serpentine stone, stainless steel, and Brutalist concrete. Other highlights include a large rooftop sauna with skyline views, a health club, and a restaurant featuring an open kitchen and grill. www.preferredhotels.com/hotels/germany/sly-berlin 

The Elser Hotel & Residences, Florida, USA 

Located in downtown Miami, the new 49-story, 646-room luxury tower, designed by Sieger Suarez Architects, offers studios to threebedroom suites. Named after Elser Pier, a turn-of-the-century shoreline hotspot that helped shape the vision for downtown Miami and the thriving metropolis it is today, the hotel has views of Biscayne Bay. Onsite amenities, include pool with lounges and a 19,000 squarefoot sun deck. www.preferredhotels.com/hotels/united-states/elser-hotel-andresidences-miami 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is a global independent hotel brand representing some 650 hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries. 

www.PreferredHotels.com 

*Source: Sarah Maxwell at smaxwell@preferredhotels.com

The new BoTree will open in July 2023 in London’s West End

The BoTree, London 

Located at the intersection of Marylebone and Mayfair, the five-star BoTree will have 199-room hotel with 29 suites. 

Along with bars and two restaurants, one of which will provide rooftop views of the city, there will be a live music club and boutique screening room. 

The BoTree will become a sister property to the Middle Eight and The Guardsman hotels and will open as a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection. 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing 700 hotels, resorts, residences and hotel groups across 80 countries. 

 www.thebotree.com and www.PreferredHotels.com 

*Source: Sarah Maxwell at smaxwell@preferredhotels.com 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand with over 650 hotels in 80 countries

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun, Mexico

It has now welcomed 19 new member properties including : 

Hotel Per La, Los Angeles, California, USA 

The Hotel Per La is located the former headquarters of The Bank of Italy - a historic building in downtown LA. The 241 guestrooms feature custom furnishings and Bellino linens, an art collection with more than 4,000 curated pieces and a rooftop pool and bar with skyline views. Later this summer the hotel will launch a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that highlights the building’s past through its restrooms in a walk-in vault that used to house 12,000 safe deposit boxes. 

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun, Mexico 

The all-inclusive beachfront resort, and sister property of Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta, is surrounded by the white sands of Playa Mujeres. It has 452 suites with private balconies or terraces along with six dining concepts with two more set to launch later this summer). 

Iniala Harbour House, Valletta, Malta 

Located on St. Barbara Bastion in the Maltese capital, the Forbes 5-star petfriendly property comprises four palatial houses and offers 20 suites and three guestrooms with balconies or terraces. ION Harbour is its rooftop restaurant by Michelin starred chef Alex Dilling, 

Grand Hotel San Pietro, Sicily, Italy 

The Grand Hotel San Pietro is in a restored early 20th century villa in the historical district of Taormina. There are 63 guestrooms with views out to the Ionian Sea, and the hotel offers private boat tours to sea caves and rocky beaches as well as Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanos. 

Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, Anguilla 

The resort is spread across 300 acres of lush beaches with 178 guestrooms, beach suites, and multi-bedroom private villas. It has one of the Caribbean’s largest spas with more than 27,000 sq ft of dedicated spa and wellness space. 

Other member properties that joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio from April through June 2022, include: 

• Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 
• Virgin Hotels Nashville, Tennessee, USA
• Virgin Hotels Dallas, Texas, USA
• Virgin Hotels Chicago, Illinois, USA 
• Preserve Sporting Club & Residences, Richmond, Rhode Island, USA 
• Aspen Meadows Resort, Aspen, Colorado, USA 
• The Laurel Hotel & Spa, Auburn, Alabama, USA 
• The Hotel at Auburn Auburn, Alabama, USA
•  Pestana Douro, Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre, Porto, Portugal 
• HS HOTSSON Hotel Guadalajara Expo, Guadalajara, Mexico 
• Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca, Mexico 
• Umiltà 36 (Rome, Italy) Hotel Savoia & Jolanda, Venice, Italy, and 
• Hotel Golf Chateau de Chailly, Chailly-surArmançon, France. 

www.PreferredHotels.com

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes 19 New Member Properties

Aurora Anguilla Resort

Preferred Hotels and Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 650 hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries, welcomed 19 new member properties to its global portfolio between April 1 and June 30 this year. Ranging from a new urban jewel in downtown Los Angeles to a villa estate on the island of Sicily, these distinct luxury hotels present experiences anchored in their local communities and surroundings for travelers to explore with family, friends, and even pets over the summer season. Highlights include:

Hotel Per La (Los Angeles, California, United States)

Opening its doors this month, the highly anticipated launch will take up residence in the former headquarters of The Bank of Italy - a historic building in downtown Los Angeles. Guests will be treated to 241 guestrooms featuring custom furnishings and Bellino linens, an art collection with more than 4,000 curated pieces, 10,000 sq ft of meetings and event spaces, and a rooftop pool and bar with sweeping skyline views. Later this summer the hotel will launch a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that playfully highlights the building’s past through its restrooms in a walk-in vault that used to house 12,000 safe deposit boxes.

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun - a Tafer Resort (Cancun, Mexico)

The all-inclusive beachfront resort - and sister property of Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta - is surrounded by the white sands of Playa Mujeres and offers 452 suites with private balconies or terraces. Foodies will enjoy six dining concepts (and two more set to launch later this summer), including DAO – a contemporary Chinese restaurant, and a gourmet hall offering a range of world cuisines with five kitchen stations. Standout features include four family heated pools, one adults-only rooftop pool, holistic treatments by Spa Imagine, and easy access to Playa Mujeres Golf Club. For discovery trips, the concierge team is on hand to organize excursions to Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.

INIALA HARBOUR HOUSE & RESIDENCES (Valletta, Malta)

Boasting a location on the iconic St. Barbara Bastion in the Maltese capital, the Forbes 5-star pet-friendly sanctuary is comprised of four palatial houses and offers 20 suites and three guestrooms with balconies or terraces and some with private plunge pools - all sat atop ancient vaults - with French windows that frame unobstructed views of Grand Harbour. Other highlights include ION Harbour - a rooftop restaurant by Michelin starred chef Alex Dilling, spa treatments at Essensi Spa by Iniala, 24-hour state-of-the-art gym, glamorous cocktail bar, and original artworks from both renowned and up-and-coming Maltese and Gozitan artists.

Grand Hotel San Pietro (Sicily, Italy)

A carefully restored early 20th century villa turned luxury hotel is situated on the site of an ancient Roman road in Taormina. Guests can enjoy 63 guestrooms, some pet-friendly, with sweeping views out to the Ionian Sea, an outdoor pool surrounded by gardens, an al-fresco restaurant with an expansive terrace, and the Rotonda sul Mare – an intimate patio that serves romantic dinners for two directly above Isola Bella. Other highlights include a spa with a Finnish sauna and steam bath, private boat trips to sea caves and rocky beaches, and guided tours to Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanos. Guests can take complimentary shuttle rides to Taormina for designer shopping and dining experiences.

Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club (Anguilla)

Home to one of the Caribbean’s largest spas with more than 27,000 sq ft of spa and wellness space, the dreamy island resort is spread across 300 acres of beach with 178 guestrooms, beach suites, and multi-bedroom villas featuring shared butler services. Luxury offerings include the recently re-imagined Aurora International Golf Club and seven restaurants and bars including D. Richards, the island’s only steakhouse looking out to neighboring Saint Martin. Guests can enjoy group hikes, pickleball, movie nights on the beach and boat racing - Anguilla’s national sport. This fall, guests will be able to book one of the resort’s own fleet of charter jets for direct service to the property from select U.S. airports.

Other member properties that joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio from April 1 through June 30, 2022, include:

• Virgin Hotels New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
• Virgin Hotels Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee, United States)
• Virgin Hotels Dallas (Dallas, Texas, United States)
• Virgin Hotels Chicago (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
• Preserve Sporting Club & Residences (Richmond, Rhode Island, United States)
• Aspen Meadows Resort (Aspen, Colorado, United States)
• The Laurel Hotel & Spa (Auburn, Alabama, United States)
• The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center (Auburn, Alabama, United States)
• Pestana Douro, Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre (Porto, Portugal)
• HS HOTSSON Hotel Guadalajara Expo (Guadalajara, Mexico)
• Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca (Oaxaca, Mexico)
• Umiltà 36 (Rome, Italy)
• Hotel Savoia & Jolanda (Venice, Italy)
• Hotel Golf Chateau de Chailly (Chailly-sur-Armançon, France)

Grand Hotel San Pietro

Each of these new member hotels participate in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the brand’s points-based loyalty program with more than 4.5 million travelers enrolled globally. Complimentary to join, members of I Prefer earn points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, Elite status, and other value-rich benefits from eligible stays at more than 650 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. Travelers seeking memorable independent hotel experiences are invited to sign up at www.IPrefer.com/enroll.

For stays at any of the spotlighted new member hotels, travelers are invited to book via the Preferred brand website. Travel advisors and agents can book client stays via GDS using the “PH” and “PV” chain codes. For hotel owners and operators exploring options to stay or become independent, visit www.PreferredHotels.com/Freedom.

Alma Resort’s New Street-Style Venue Pays Tribute to Vietnam’s Vibrant Sidewalk Culture

In Vietnam the sidewalk is used for much more than walking. The curb comes to life with coffee and street food vendors, barbers, exercise groups, mobile masseuses, shoe shiners, street performers and then some.

 

To pay homage to the quintessential Vietnamese pastime of spending hours sipping brews on the pavement with friends, 30-hectare beachfront resort Alma, a Preferred Hotels & Resorts member, has launched Cam Ranh’s most hip and happening venue, Chill’s Snack & Bar.

 

Open from 5pm-10pm daily, the street-style venue is anchored by two American-style food trucks to a backdrop of the resort’s vast Alma Amphitheater. Plenty of plastic tables and chairs are assembled on and alongside the tarmac of one of the resort’s onsite service roads. Twilight lights strung between palm trees create a warm ambiance as the afternoon morphs into the evening.

 

Chill’s menu features a selection of popular street beverages such as Vietnamese coffees, fresh fruit juices, milk teas including bubble milk teas, iced teas and soft drinks. The venue’s signature coffees are coconut coffee and coffee with fresh milk and tapioca pearls. In addition to Saigon, Tiger and Heineken beers, Chill’s also serves cocktails such as ‘Amphitheater Sunset’ with tequila, orange, grenadine, crème de cassis and lime.

 

The likes of seafood pizza, fruit, fried fish balls, shrimp salad, meat sandwiches, cheese sticks, lemongrass chicken feet, and popcorn are written up on Chill’s menu board daily.

 

Entertainment ranges from nightly movies screened under the stars at the amphitheater to live music by performers such as the resort’s resident singer Engie to fire twirlers and flair tenders. Competitions such as high walking competitions are staged for national and global holidays as well as other special occasions.

 

Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler said the resort’s temporary eight-month closure, due to a flare-up of COVID-19 in Vietnam before Alma’s reopening on January 15, “was a prime opportunity for our team to get creative, spawning the concept for Chill’s as a street-style venue that welcomes locals and tourists alike”.

 

“Everyone who has been to Vietnam knows that everyone is welcome to join the community on the pavement; it is part and parcel of experiencing Vietnam’s culture and its culinary delights famous the world over,” said Laubichler-Pichler. 

 

“We are the only resort in our location that doesn’t have a wall around us. I genuinely believe Chill’s is an open house; like on Vietnam’s ubiquitous sidewalks, everyone is welcome to chill out here and relish life’s simple pleasures.”

 

For more information, or to make a booking, visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email reservation@alma-resort.com

Alma Resort Heats Up Major Solar Power Project

Thirty-hectare beachfront resort Alma is implementing what it believes is Vietnam’s most ambitious hotel solar power project yet.

Alma will this year install 5634 solar panels totalling 12,500 square metres on the roofs of its 196 pavilions, two V-shaped towers housing 384 suites, lobby lounge, spa, gymnasium and utility building.

With a capacity of 2480 kilowatts peak - the rate at which it generates energy at its peak performance on a sunny day – the solar power system will fuel between a quarter to almost half of Alma’s energy needs, depending on occupancy dictated by the low and high seasons.

It's estimated the system will save the resort up to USD 16.85 million (VND 390.85 billion) in electricity bills over the next 25 years. It will also reduce Alma's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 72,670 tonnes over a 25-year period.

With hundreds of solar projects under construction in Vietnam, which has recently overtaken Thailand as Southeast Asia’s largest solar market, Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler believes it’ll soon be incumbent for five-star resorts across the country to introduce solar power systems to lessen their carbon footprints.

“With the weather we have in Cam Ranh, it makes total sense for us to take advantage of an abundance of sunlight and embrace a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to electricity,” said Laubichler-Pichler. “We hope to set a positive example on the solar power front for the rest of Vietnam’s luxury hospitality landscape.”

German companies C. Melchers (Vietnam), Aschoff Solar Ltd. and a German financial Institution are engineering, implementing and financing the solar rooftop modules throughout the resort. Instead of a direct investment, the resort will pay for the system in savings made on its electricity bills within the first decade of operation. “After the costs are taken out to pay for the solar technology, Alma will still save an additional USD 1.96 million (VND 45.18 billion) on electricity within this 10-year timeframe,” Laubichler-Pichler added.

The resort’s solar project will generate 3.83 million kilowatt hours of energy in its first year of operation alone. Excess solar energy from one part of the system is used by other facilities on the grid.

Last year, the resort, a Preferred Hotels member, launched a mobile app called “Alma Resort” available for download on Android, Apple, Windows and Amazon devices. The app opens the door to contactless communication with guests and staff in real-time as the world continues to tackle coronavirus, and marks a transition to more sustainable solutions by offering menus, resort maps and more digitally. The resort also hosts environmentally-friendly activities including tree planting for guests and beach cleaning by staff.

Alma’s staff are fully vaccinated, undergo regular testing for COVID-19 and are equipped with extensive COVID-19 safety training. In response to the onset of the global pandemic, the resort implemented an array of ongoing health, safety and hygiene measures.

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS WELCOMES 13 NEW MEMBER HOTELS

ESME Miami Beach

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 700 hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries, is pleased to welcome 13 new member hotels to its global portfolio between September 1 and December 31, 2021. Ranging from an Iberian-influenced oasis in Miami Beach to a hidden lakeside retreat in the country of Georgia, these additions to the brand portfolio offer a host of exciting travel ideas for adventures in 2022 and beyond. With travellers increasingly eager to re-connect with inspiring cultures and landscapes near and far, each of these new member properties deliver authentic, one-of-a-kind guest experiences that embody the spirit of independent travel and help create long-cherished, shared memories, with highlights including:

· Fox Harb’r Resort (Fox Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Situated on the northern shore of Nova Scotia, Fox Harbour’s seasonal resort offers 85 contemporary guest accommodations including classic rooms, suites, townhouses, and villas, each with views across the ocean or its world-class golf course. All accommodations come equipped with heated granite bathroom floors, kitchenettes, and a balcony or terrace, creating the ideal environment for travellers seeking a luxurious, convenient stay. Additional amenities include a full-service spa, an array of dining options, and access to boating, fishing, archery, riding, and more.

· HS HOTSSON Hotel CDMX Condesa Sur (Mexico City, Mexico)
Set to open in March 2022 and centrally located in Mexico City’s vibrant city centre, this sophisticated hotel is perfect for visitors looking to explore one of the world’s largest capital cities. Travellers can explore Latin America’s second-largest urban park, Chapultepec Park, or take an afternoon stroll on Paseo de la Reforma to learn about Mexico City’s past, before returning to relax in one of the hotel’s 103 all-suite accommodations equipped with kitchenettes. Other nearby activities include bicycle tours, jogging trails, a shopping mall, a golf course, and a casino.

· Esmé Miami Beach (Miami, Florida, United States)
Opened in November 2021, this new Miami Beach hotel and former hideaway for Al Capone is a chic escape alongside historic Española Way that features textured design details showcasing a distinct Spanish-Mediterranean aesthetic. Guests can unwind in one of the 145 rooms and suites, sunbathe and dine at the rooftop pool and restaurant, meet for crafted cocktails at El Salón, and enjoy delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine at The Drexel.

· Kvareli Lake Resort (Kvareli, Georgia)

Kvarli Lake Resort

Crowned the hidden jewel of the Kakheti Region with picturesque views of Kvareli Lake Resort, is the quintessential escape in Georgia’s Caucasus mountains. Each of its 41 rooms has wooden finishes and comes with a private terrace extending views of the surrounding woodlands and Alazani Valley. Amenities include a traditional restaurant and lively bar, a secluded spa, outdoor pool, and games room. Well-equipped for active travellers, there is a wide variety of activities available including hiking, fishing, boating, cycling, football, volleyball, and seasonal water skiing on the lake.

· Park Piolets Mountain Hotel & Spa (Canillo, Andorra)
Located in one of the world’s smallest nations – the Pyrenees mountains of Andorra – this all-season ski-in, ski-out, 150-room hotel is set in the centre of Grandvalira Ski Resort. The décor has a modern-rustic aesthetic that features expansive windows and notable design details such as natural wood, leather, and stone. The hotel also boasts on-site dining at Restaurant 1817, a golf course, a restorative spa, and a kids club.

Other member hotels to join Preferred Hotels & Resorts from September 1 through December 31, 2021, include:  

· HS HOTSSON Hotel Puebla (Puebla, Mexico)

· Union League Club of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois, United States)

· Woolley's Classic Suites (Aurora, Colorado, United States)

· The Altair Hotel Bay Harbor, Miami (Miami, Florida, United States)

· The Liberty Trust (Roanoke, Virginia, United States)

· Pendry Park City (Park City, Utah, United States)

· Hotel Plaza Tour Eiffel (Paris, France)

· Pendley Manor (Tring, United Kingdom)


Each of these new member hotels participates in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the brand’s points-based loyalty programme with more than 4 million travellers currently enrolled globally. Complimentary to join, members of I Prefer earn points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, Elite status, and other value-rich benefits from eligible stays at more than 650 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. Travelers seeking memorable independent hotel experiences are invited to sign up at www.IPrefer.com/enroll.

For stays at any of the spotlighted new member hotels, travellers are invited to book via the Preferred brand website. Travel advisors and agents can book client stays via GDS using the “PH” and “PV” chain codes. For hotel owners and operators exploring options to stay or become independent, visit www.PreferredHotels.com/Freedom.    

About Preferred Hotels & Resorts     
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 700 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 80 countries. Through its five global collections, Preferred Hotels & Resorts connects discerning travellers to the singular luxury hospitality experience that meets their life and style preferences for each occasion. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high-quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Programme. The I Prefer™ hotel rewards programme, Preferred Residences℠, Preferred Pride℠, and Preferred Golf™ offer valuable benefits for travellers seeking a unique experience. For more information, visit PreferredHotels.com.  

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Preferred Hotel Group Surveys I Prefer Loyalty Program Members on 2022 Travel Aspirations

Preferred Hotel Group – which operates independent hotel brand Preferred Hotels & Resorts and new sustainable hotel brand Beyond Green – recently conducted its annual global travel survey for members of its loyalty program – I Prefer Hotel Rewards.

More than 4,000 Members from around the world participated, and the results reveal a truly optimistic attitude towards travel in 2022, signaling a much-anticipated revival for the industry as solo travelers, couples, and families continue to Believe in Travel

Survey Results Snapshot:

WHERE? According to the survey results, destinations across North America and Europe are the top travel picks this year with 30% of respondents keen to explore North America and nearly a quarter wanting to experience the diversity of Europe’s urban and rural destinations. Exciting hotel launches in Europe this year – such as Sommerro, a luxury Art Deco hotel debuting in Oslo in September, and Passalacqua, an 18th century villa on the shores of Lake Como set to open in June, and across the United States – such as Pendry Park City, a contemporary mountain resort, which has opened its doors in Utah just in time for the ski season, and Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences, a wellness resort on Florida’s Palm Beaches launching this spring – are prompting a growing number of inquiries, stimulating intent, and generating bookings for future travel.

WHY? More than 50% of respondents claim their primary vacation motivation is to travel with their extended family, having spent so much time apart. Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Preferred Residences collection, which offers more than 80 residential-style lodging options ranging from beachfront villas to luxury chalets, is a turnkey option for these types of leisure bookings, particularly as travelers continue to prioritize personalization and socially-distanced accommodations. Beyond Green’s family-friendly, sustainable properties will also be in high demand, including Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve, in New Mexico, which offers the Junior Tracking Program for kids of all ages to experience hands-on conservation activities.

WHAT? There are notable shifts in preference based on the types of guest accommodations prioritized. Inquiries and requests for resort-style properties continue to outpace city hotels with the survey revealing that over two thirds of respondents are planning to book a resort break in 2022. City hotels are still a strong consideration and beginning to make notable gains with nearly half of respondents planning to book an urban adventure this year. Second city destinations will continue to rise in popularity with traveler’s keen to explore lesser-known, and less crowded, metropolises such as Atlanta, Chicago, York in the United Kingdom, and Milan in Italy.

Debuted in 2013, I Prefer Hotel Rewards is the world’s largest guest loyalty program for travelers who seek out the unique perspective of the independent hotel experience. More than 650 participating properties around the world offer I Prefer benefits, and the program currently has 4 million members.

We hope this news might be of interest to you. Should you require any additional information or would like to set up an interview with our Vice President of Loyalty Jeri Salazar, please do let me know. You can also find a link to the infographic and a selection of images of the hotels mentioned here.

*70% of survey respondents are from North America, 14% from Asia Pacific, 13% from Europe, 2% from Central and South America, and 1% from the Middle East and Africa

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Alma Resort Reopens Its Doors for Business Amid a Brave New World

 Alma Resort in Vietnam the 30-hectare resort

Eight months after Alma’s closure, prompted by COVID-19’s resurgence in Vietnam, the 30-hectare resort will reopen on January 15 betting on a brighter future.

“In my time managing hotels for decades, when you have a hotel’s grand opening usually the first two years make for the gift that keeps on giving,” Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “Yet since Alma’s debut in late December 2019, we nor anyone else the world over has experienced anything like the rollercoaster ride, with all of the tourism industry’s fits and starts as we dealt with three major lockdowns.”

Since the resort's closure from May 16, Laubichler-Pichler said his team has kept busy developing a host of new capacities and services in readiness for the reopening, ranging from kickstarting a major solar power project and undergoing extensive training to developing a ‘back of house’ tour and enhancing Alma’s very own mobile app.

During the closure, Preferred Hotels member Alma appointed a sustainability officer to oversee three new staff sustainability committees focused on ‘green products’, ‘innovation and solutions’ and ‘partnerships’, through means such as garbage segregation, tree planting, paperless solutions, education and more.

A central plank of the independently owned and operated resort’s sustainability push is the implementation of a solar power project believed to be the most ambitious yet for a hotel in Vietnam. Involving the installation of 5634 solar panels totalling 12,500 sqm across the resort, it’s estimated the project will fuel up to almost half of the resort’s energy needs and reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 72,670 tonnes over a 25-year period.

To retain and motivate staff, Alma joined forces with Australian-founded company Typsy, a global digital hospitality training platform, to ‘up-skill’ hundreds of its hotel staff. Learners are encouraged to explore their interests, build skills to help with internal promotion and career progression, and earn industry-recognised qualifications via Typsy’s “Netflix-style” library of hospitality training videos by industry experts.

Alma’s managers also studied eCornell’s management accounting certification program’s six courses over four months, equipping them with tools to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting systems to boost the performance of managers and units across the entire organization.

Another example of how Alma has strived to think ‘outside the box’ during the closure is the one-hour “Back of House” tour available upon reopening to lead guests through the resort’s innerworkings. Tour stops include the pastry room, staff canteen, engineering workshop, loading dock, laundry and uniform rooms, electric buggy station, generator station, air conditioner centralized plant, water treatment plant, and CCTV and fire panel room.

Offering contactless communication with guests and staff in real-time, Alma has also recently updated its mobile app to usher in a payment gateway, allowing guests to settle bills in a cashless manner via the app, as well as accessing information about the weather in real-time due to the installation of a live weather cam on the resort’s stretch of Long Beach.

Other changes include doubling the size and capacity of the kitchen of beachfront restaurant Atlantis, that specialises in fresh and local seafood, and introducing a gourmet family barbeque experience and a roadside coffee shop to cater to the local traffic’s insatiable thirst for caffeine.

The team is also readying the resort for Tet on Feb. 1, to be marked with a six-day program filled with merriment such as traditional games and competitions, an outdoor cinema on the beach, kite flying competitions, lively singalongs and more. The vast lobby will be transformed into a traditional “Tet Village” with huts brimming with snacks and drinks.

“We’re cautiously optimistic about 2022 for a tourism industry that was brought to its knees by the pandemic,” Laubichler-Pichler said. “Things will gradually pick up but it’ll take time before tourism numbers come back to the levels of demand we experienced after Vietnam’s first lockdown, or even the second lockdown for that matter.”

With fully vaccinated staff that undergo regular COVID-19 testing, Alma has a raft of stringent health and safety measures in place to combat COVID-19. For more information, please visit https://www.alma-resort.com/covid19en

For further information, please visit alma-resort.com or email info@alma-resort.com

The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Announces New Independent Hotel Openings in 2022

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, has announced nine new launches that it will welcome into its global portfolio of unique hotels, resorts, and residences in 2022. From a contemporary ski resort on the slopes of Utah to a national landmark turned luxury design hotel in Oslo, each of these new urban retreats, beach resorts, and historic hideaways will offer travellers authentic, personalized experiences, inviting them to reconnect with inspiring destinations and local cultures as they dust off their passports and set off on new adventures.

Highlights of the new openings within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio for 2022 include:

 

Pendry Park City (Utah, United States) – launching January 2022

Set in the heart of Canyons Village at Park City Mountain, the spectacular ski-in, ski-out Pendry Park City will offer a modernist take on a traditional alpine lodge. Paying homage to the surrounding mountain landscape, the resort will boast warm, natural design elements that create a contemporary, open feel, and will feature 153 guestrooms, suites, and residences, each offering floor-to-ceiling windows and curated artwork. Guests and locals alike will enjoy access to four distinct restaurants and bars, a deluxe Spa Pendry and fitness centre, a heated rooftop pool with a destination bar, Pinwheel Kids Club, and more than 7,000 square-feet of indoor event space.

 

Passalacqua (Lake Como, Italy) – launching June 2022

Built in the 18^th century by Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua, Passalacqua is set on the shores of Lake Como and has hosted historic leaders from Napoleon Bonaparte to Winston Churchill. Sister property to the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the stately, ultra-luxury mansion retreat will extend 24 stylish suites designed and curated by one of Italy’s most renowned hotelier families – Paolo, Antonella, and Valentina De Santis. Committed to preserving its heritage, Passalacqua will showcase original features, including hidden passageways, centuries-old beamed suites in forgotten stables, and glasshouses with ancient fruit trees. Guests can enjoy the lakeside swimming pool and open-air gym set in the olive groves, vintage boat trips from the private dock, and partake in a variety of wellness and culinary experiences in the manicured gardens such as spa treatments, yoga sessions, farm-to-fork dining, and movies under the stars.

 

The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – launching Summer 2022

Located in Hong Kong’s Southside district, home to the iconic Victoria Harbour and the city’s renowned Ocean Park, the eco-conscious oceanfront resort is the next much-anticipated international launch from The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts. The luxury hotel – perfect for couples, friends, solo visitors, extended families, and business travellers – will offer 425 guest rooms and suites overlooking the South China Sea, including children-themed rooms and two signature suites with private pools. Additional features include four diverse restaurants, an outdoor infinity pool and kids’ lagoon pool, an indoor kids’ play zone, a luxury spa and fitness centre, and versatile indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including a 5,600 square-feet pillar-free grand ballroom.

 

sly Berlin (Berlin, Germany) – launching Summer 2022

Located in the city’s trendy Friedrichshain neighbourhood, Berlin’s coolest new hotel will be housed across four modernized buildings, interconnected via inviting open courtyard spaces and a striking 2,368 square-foot greenhouse. Comprised of 150 guestrooms and suites, some boasting private balconies, sly Berlin’s interiors will showcase a fusion of nature and urban culture, featuring solid oak wood, Italian serpentine stone, stainless steel, and Brutalist concrete touches. Other highlights include a well-equipped gym and a large rooftop sauna with sweeping city skyline views. A lively restaurant and bar, complete with open kitchen and grill area, will be housed in the natural light of the greenhouse amid an abundance of greenery.  

 

Sommerro (Oslo, Norway) – launching September 2022

A rebirth of a restored 1930s landmark in Frogner, a historic neighbourhood in Oslo’s West End, Sommerro celebrates Norwegian design, fusing form and function as the city’s first hotel in an original Art Deco building. Set to be Norway’s largest-ever preservation project, the hotel occupies the former headquarters of the capital city's electrical company, Oslo Lysverker, and through a multi-million-dollar renovation, will become a modern tribute to local cultural heritage. Original artwork by celebrated Norwegian artist Per Krohg is featured throughout the hotel, with pieces including a giant wall fresco and a ceiling mural that nods to the building’s unique history. A true community space, the 231-room property – which counts 56 residences – will also offer four restaurants, three bars, meeting and event spaces with capacity for up to 150 people, a 100-seat gilded theatre, a sprawling wellness paradise, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, terrace, and restaurant.

 

Other 2022 openings include:

·       The Wall Street Hotel (New York, United States) – launching Winter 2022: Housed in the historic Tontine Building that originated as the city’s first Stock Exchange in 1729, the sleek, residentially inspired retreat will boast 180 spacious rooms and suites, a fine dining restaurant featuring a Michelin star chef, and a stylish rooftop bar and lounge with outdoor terrace

·       Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences (Singer Island, The Palm Beaches, Florida, United States) – launching April 2022: Comprising more than seven acres of prime oceanfront on Palm Beach County’s Singer Island, the wellness resort will extend 155 guestrooms, 34 grand luxury wellness suites, and a four-story spa featuring meditation gardens, tranquillity pools, outdoor Patanjali yoga classes, and sleep specialist services

·       TOA Hotel & Spa (Zanzibar, Tanzania) – launching May 2022: Set on a private white sand beach in Pongwe on the east coast of Zanzibar, the tranquil Indian Ocean oasis will include 86 contemporary guestrooms including eight luxurious suites, three swimming pools, a deluxe spa, a signature restaurant, three buzzy bars, and a relaxed café

·       Pendry Washington D.C. (Washington, D.C., United States) – launching Fall 2022: Located within The Wharf – the city’s latest waterfront neighbourhood – the stylish design hotel will feature 131 guestrooms, three signature dining and bar concepts, Spa Pendry and fitness centre, and 5,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces

Travelers planning to book a stay at any of these new hotels, or any of the other 650 participating properties across the Preferred Hotel Group portfolio, can access exclusive member rates, earn points, and take advantage of other value-rich immediate benefits during every eligible stay, while also accessing special members-only offers and unique partnerships, by joining I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the world’s largest points-based loyalty program for independent hotels with more than 4 million travellers currently enrolled.

Each of these new member properties are bookable via www.PreferredHotels.com and, for travel advisors, via the GDS using the “PH” and “PV” chain codes. For more information on these hotels or any other Preferred Hotels & Resorts member property, please visit www.PreferredHotels.com.

The Holiday and Travel Magazine

https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au