New kids on the block

An update on new hotels and restaurants being launched in India and across the world, along with major upcoming projects

InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced four new signings across four brands in the Middle East: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo. The signings will see the hotel company grow its presence by about 600 rooms across the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia over the next three to five years. Together with Diamond Developers, IHG will open the second Hotel Indigo in the UAE due to open in 2017. IHG has further strengthened its relationship with the Bukhamseen Group in Kuwait with a multi-deal signing. IHG will manage a new 120-room InterContinental hotel and 232-room Crowne Plaza hotel in Farwaniya, Kuwait; whilst the existing Crowne Plaza Kuwait will be converted into a 336-room Holiday Inn. In addition, a 20-year renewal has been signed for the 189-room Holiday Inn Kuwait Salmiyah. Saudi Arabia continues to be a key market for IHG and this is demonstrated by the signing of a franchise agreement for the first Holiday Inn in Tabuk with DUR Hospitality Company.

Hotel openings in New York City

New York City reached 102,000 hotel rooms in its active inventory and is on track to reach more than 115,000 rooms by 2017. Here is a list of the new openings. Baccarat Hotel combines 114 art deco-inflected rooms; chandelier-hung salons; a bar inspired by Versailles’s stables; and a modern-French restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Shea Gallante and former La Grenouille host Charles Masson. The 128-room Marmara Park Avenue offers Turkish tinges like wines from a celebrated vineyard in the country’s Anatolia region and hammam treatments at its spa. Centrally located on 24th street and Madison Avenue, The New York EDITION sits directly across from New York’s Madison Square Park. Hotel Central Park is a 229-room eco-conscious escape designed by AvroKo. The Renwick will open in August with 173 artfully appointed loft-like rooms and a restaurant from a to-be-announced star chef. Re-openings include – SIXTY SoHo, Martha Washington, The Knickerbocker, The Gregory and Warwick.

JW Marriott Hotel Zhejiang Anji, China

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its luxury portfolio in China with the opening of the 228-room JW Marriott Hotel Zhejiang Anji. Accommodations range from the 45sq m Deluxe Garden Rooms to a range of luxurious suites. Guests are invited to explore the hotel’s two restaurants – fine dining restaurant Man Ho and all-day dining restaurant JW Kitchen. The 573sq m Grand Ballroom seats 380 guests banquet style. In addition, five meeting rooms, each accommodating up to 80 guests, offer flexible seating plans and comprehensive business facilities. A fully-equipped Health Club offers a range of state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

Chili’s American Grill & Bar, Mumbai

Chili’s American Grill & Bar has opened at Inorbit Mall, Vashi in Mumbai. After six years in the country, the Inorbit Mall, Vashi restaurant is the 12th in India. The menu sees the inclusion of favourites like Terlingua Chili, Bombay Burger, Original BBQ Ribs, Veggie and Cheese Quesadillas, Big Mouth Burgers, Presidente Margarita and more. The brand also recently introduced lunch and dinner combo offers for corporate and regular walk-ins.

Plaza Premium Lounge, London Heathrow Terminal 4

Plaza Premium Lounge Management has opened the first independent lounge at the Departures of London Heathrow Terminal 4. It has four shower rooms for travellers who want to refresh themselves before their onward journey. The lounge has a VIP area with a separate entrance to the lounge and three private resting suites. Guests can use the area for meetings, spending time with family and friends, enjoying a relaxing massage or sleep in the private resting suites. Connectivity is key in the lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout and plenty of plug sockets for tablets, laptops and mobile phones.