“Superbrand” title for Corinthia
Corinthia Hotels International (CHI) was named one of the Czech Republic’s first ‘Superbrands’ by the country’s newly set up Superbrand Council.

The Superbrand programme evaluates the best global and local brands in a selected destination and produces a high-calibre publication profiling each of the chosen brands. The prestigious honour, together with the Superbrands publication, were announced at a launch ceremony attended by Czech Republic’s Deputy PM Ing Martin Jahn at Corinthia Towers Hotel in Prague. CHI chairman Karmenu Vella, who accepted a copy of the book from Bill Colegrave, director of Superbrands worldwide, said, “We are proud that the CHI brand has been recognised by this prestigious group, along with such famous American brands as Coca Cola, Microsoft and McDonalds.”

Ritz-Carlton plans luxury golf and spa resort
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced plans to develop a five-star golf and spa resort at a location one half hour from Dublin. Scheduled to open in 2006, the 203-room resort will be known as The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, County Wicklow. It will be the company’s first hotel in Ireland and sixth location in Europe. Located within the 1,000 acre Powerscourt Estate, which overlooks Sugarloaf Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton will include a lavishly-appointed 30,000 sq ft E’Spa, four restaurants and lounges, and meeting space with capability to handle groups of up to 1,000.

Worldhotels to open two new hotels
WORLDHOTELS’ growing selection of lifestyle-oriented hotels has now been extended reflecting customers’ growing desire for contemporary design and style. Two new hotels are joining Worldhotels’ Deluxe Collection: Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà, Verona, Italy, its first hotel in Verona and Hotel de Sers Paris Champs Elysées, which is located in the city’s famous Golden Triangle, at the corner of Avenue George V and Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie.

InterCon Lagos aims to set the standard
InterContinental Hotels Group announced that work has begun on the development of its first hotel in Nigeria, the InterContinental Lagos. The 258-room development, which will provide the ultimate in luxury accommodation for holidaymakers and business people alike, is a clear reflection of InterContinental Hotel Group’s confidence within the market. It will feature 42 suites including a Presidential and VIP suite as well as six Bay Club Lounges located on the 17th Floor.

Shangri-La receives Pioneer Award
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts was recently recognised for its contributions to China’s hotel industry when it received the first annual ‘China Hotel Industry Pioneer Award’ during the China Hotel Development and Financing Seminar in Beijing. The seminar was conducted by Horwath Asia Pacific, Sonnenblick-Goldman and the China Tourist Hotels Association.

Radisson SAS Media Harbour set to open
The new Radisson SAS Media Harbour Hotel Düsseldorf with 135 rooms, two executive boardrooms and a wellness area is set to open this month in the city’s bustling Medienhafen district. The new Radisson SAS Media Harbour Hotel Düsseldorf is the ideal complement to the existing Radisson SAS Hotel in Düsseldorf city centre.