Traders goes paperless
Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, UAE, has announced the implementation of paperless morning briefings in an effort to move towards environmentally-friendly operations.
In keeping with the vision of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts to operate in an environmentally responsible manner, the property has installed an LCD screen in the meeting room, which is connected to a laptop with access to a shared drive, to be used for the managers’ morning briefing.
“We expect to save about 2,000 sheets of A4 paper monthly and we hope to utilise the same system for departmental meetings soon, thus increasing our saving even more,” said manager Stephan Kapek.
Seventh ME property for Dusit
Dusit International has announced a contract with United Co for Hotels & Tourism Regions for its seventh property in the Middle East and its first in Saudi Arabia, Dusit Thani Jeddah.
The new 278-room property is designed as an urban resort situated in Abhor close to the centre of Jeddah city.
Facelift at Mövenpick Saigon
Sometimes improvement comes in small, barely noticeable increments, more rarely in broad, vivid reinventions. Mövenpick Hotel Saigon has chosen the latter model in an accelerated, $15-million construction schedule that entails closing its doors for business on March 8 and reopening anew on August 1 with a completely new look making the hotel, which rebranded from the Omni, a true member of the Mövenpick family.
Special opening rates
Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Park Inn Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, two of the newest hotels on the multi-faceted entertainment and leisure destination taking shape off the UAE capital’s coast are offering GCC residents discounted rates to celebrate their openings.
With a night’s stay starting at Dh600 ($163) for Radisson Blu Hotel and Dh400 for the Park Inn, the appealing introductory prices aim to attract repeat and new customers to the UAE capital, which was recently nominated as one of the top 10 cities to visit by renowned travel guide, Lonely Planet.
Hyatt grows in China
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Suning Real Estate Development have announced the signing of agreements for Hyatt subsidiaries to provide management services to three hotels in the vibrant hubs of China’s Jiangsu province.
The 400-room Grand Hyatt Nanjing is currently scheduled to open in 2013 and Hyatt Regency Wuxi, providing 350 rooms, and Hyatt Regency Xuzhou, situated on the upper floors of a 60-storey tower are projected to debut in 2012.
Steve Haggerty, global head of real estate and development for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said: “These future openings in three of China’s most dynamic growth centres will further strengthen the Hyatt-branded portfolio in the country. We look forward to delivering authentic hospitality to business and leisure travellers.”
Capella joins leading hotels
Luxury colonial retreat Capella Singapore has been welcomed into the prestigious luxury hospitality organisation The Leading Hotels of the World under The Leading Small Hotels of the World collection.
Capella Singapore opened earlier this year on Sentosa Island. The flagship for Capella Hotels and Resorts in Asia is ‘redefining luxury’ with uncompromising service including distinctive chauffeur-driven service by Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Restoration of the colonial property was overseen by the award-wining Lord Norman Foster. The 112 guest rooms include two Colonial Manors, 38 garden villas, pool suites and Constellation rooms with private rooftop Jacuzzis. Capella Singapore also offers the option of extended stays in 72 sea-facing suites and duplexes and nine manors.