We start this week’s news summary with some group news.
Radisson Hotels group is planning to bring its Prizeotel branded hotels to the UK. Prizeotels offer a lifestyle, midscale experience. The brand which Radisson first launched in 2009 operates 16 properties principally in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Watch this space for updates.
Meanwhile, Accor Group has launched its latest brand - Handwritten Collection – “elegant hotels with genuine personality”. The Collection is expected to reach more than 250 hotels by 2030. As yet no openings are planned in the UK.
Kew Green Hotels group is planning a multi-million-pound investment across its portfolio of hotels primarily to elevate their technological capabilities. At the same time they are planning to introduce the Open Lobby concept, transforming the traditional hotel lobby by combining all public spaces, from the reception area, the restaurant, bar and lounge into one open lobby. Hotels due for the transformation include the Holiday Inns in Reading, Rochester, Leeds/Wakefield, Lincoln and Derby/Nottingham.
In other news:
The Hyatt Regency London Albert Embankment has just opened. Located on the banks of the River Thames, it is the group's eighth property in London. The hotel has 142 bedrooms and suites, a cocktail bar and two restaurants, a fitness centre and three fully equipped meeting rooms seating up to 62 delegates. The hotel was formerly a Crowne Plaza property.
Private member’s club Soho House is opening in Manchester in the former Granada TV studios in Spinningfields. It will include a rooftop pool and bar area, events spaces, wellness facilities and a bar and dining room. Mollie’s Manchester will also be opening in the former television studios. It will include 140 bedrooms, a restaurant, cocktail bar, events space, lounge, workplace plus an outdoor terrace. Opening dates ‘some time in 2023’.
Cameron House, 30 minutes north of Glasgow and overlooking Loch Lomond, has just opened its new Lomond Wing extension. It marks the final phase of its extensive transformation following the hotel fire five years ago. The Lomond Wing includes 68 new luxury, contemporary styled bedrooms and suites plus a new events suite/ ballroom seating up to 500 guests theatre style as well as a new loch-facing terrace.
A major expansion of the Grand Hotel Swansea is planned this year. A four-storey rear extension will add 42 bedrooms to the current 53, and there will be an expanded rooftop bar area on the fifth floor with conference and events space.
easyHotel has just opened its first hotel in Ireland. easyHotel Dublin City Centre is in Benburb Street in the Smithfield area in the heart of Dublin. It has 160 fully equipped en-suite bedrooms. There is no breakfast or dinner restaurant in the hotel although there are plenty of options on the doorstep. Heuston Station in central Dublin is a 10 minute walk away. Dublin Airport is 7 miles away.
The former Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Knowsley has changed its name to the Knowsley Inn & Lounge following completion of a £250,000 refurbishment programme. The hotel has 86 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar and four meeting rooms. It is located at junction 4 of the M57 near Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium.
Finally, Neverland a ‘diverse and unforgettable’ events venues, next to the River Thames in London and with a sandy beach, is hosting a VIP showcase event on the 26th January as an opportunity for events and corporate travel agents to view the unusual events spaces.