As we start into what is sure to be a momentous New Year for the UK capital, it appears that travellers from abroad have already started to turn their gaze to the possibility of visiting London around the time of Olympic Games. According to figures just released by a leading hotel reservation website, demand for hotels in London has increased dramatically from some countries. Hotels.com claim that the number of searches for London hotels from Russia is up by over 400 percent, whilst searches from Brazil are also up by over 200%. Internet users from Colombia have increased their number of searches by 224%, whilst searches from within the UK have increased by over 100 percent as even British people begin the search for somewhere to stay in London during the Olympics which will take place in July and August of this year.
Alison Couper from the hotel website said that: “With all eyes on London and the UK this year, it’s no surprise that the rest of the world is searching for accommodation in the capital. We’re continuing to work with hoteliers to ensure we provide hotel rates to suit any Olympic budget. But we are advising visitors... Click to read more about hotels in London
Thompson Hotels, the American luxury, boutique hotel chain, will open the doors to its new hotel in London next month. The group has hotels in New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago and Miami Beach and the new London hotel is to be called Belgraves. This hotel, which from its name is obviously located in Belgravia, is the first the company will open in the UK and is a joint venture with The Harilela Group. The hotel is located at 20 Chesham Place and, although designed by acclaimed British designer Tara Benerd, oozes New York attitude as well as traditional British hospitality.
“We’re finally ready to open our doors to London” said Jason Pomeranc, a co-owner of Thompson Hotels. “Belgraves is a truly creative collaboration which will have a huge impact on Londoners and international travellers alike”. Stephen Brandman, another owner of Thompson Hotels said, “As with all our Thompson Hotels, guests can expect impeccable service and style from Belgraves.”
Belgraves, which is due to open its doors in London on 1st February, will have 85 rooms and suites, a lounge bar, a restaurant and lobby area. The bedrooms have silver grey wooden floors and are nicely finished with natural... Click to read more about hotels in London
At a recent gala award ceremony run by the World Travel Awards held on 16th January in Doha, Qatar, Dukes hotel in London received the World’s Ultimate Service Award.
The General manager of Dukes, Debrah Dhugga, collected the award from Graham Cooke, president and founder of the World Travel Awards. Dhugga said she was enormously proud of all her colleagues at the five star, boutique London hotel. “The team’s hard work, passion, and our investment in training and development are the key to success at Dukes,” she said. “I am delighted with this fabulous achievement for the team, which is so very well deserved. It does not matter what style or standard of hotel you are, it is service that is the key product”.
Nominations for the annual World Travel Awards featured more than 5,000 companies in 1,000 categories across 162 countries, with the winners selected by more than 210,000 industry professional and consumers worldwide.
Dukes boutique hotel is a five star establishment with 90 rooms located in a quiet courtyard in Mayfair. It previously won the coveted prize of “England’s Leading Boutique Hotel” at the World Travel Awards in 2011. This London hotel has been welcoming distinguished guests... Click to read more about hotels in London
Hotel group Park Plaza recently acquired a site at Park Royal in west London where it plans to build a new hotel which will allow easy access into the heart of the capital and its major attractions. It is reported that the hotel group paid in the region of £6 million for the two-acre site located at 628 Western Avenue. The site is considered by Park Plaza to provide a “high profile, gateway location” on a “major arterial route” into central London and has good public transport links nearby. The site is located very close to both Park Royal and Hangar Lane underground stations and it also looks out onto the A40 with easy access to Wembley Stadium, Westfield Shopping Centre and Heathrow Airport.
Park Plaza owns, develops, operates and franchises hotels both in the UK and abroad. The group said it will now apply for planning permission to construct this new hotel at the front of the Western Avenue site.
The president and CEO of Park Plaza, Boris Ivesha, said this new Park Royal site in west London forms part of the group’s plans to increase its UK hotel interests. “This presents an... Click to read more about hotels in London
Curzon hotels, the current owner of the Thistle Kingsley in London, has put the four star hotel up for sale. The property, along with a sister hotel the Thistle Brighton, are being marketed by consultants CB Richard Ellis Hotels. Both properties will be sold on a freehold basis with a management contract in place with Guoman Hotel Management which currently manages or leases 38 hotels in the UK.
London’s Kingsley by Thistle is located in Bloomsbury Way near Covent Garden, the London Transport Museum, the British Museum and the Strand. The hotel has 129 bedrooms including Deluxe and Executive rooms and Junior Suite. The hotel recently underwent a £10m upgrade of its facilities and now boasts seven meeting rooms, one of which is in the style of a theatre and can seat up to 100 people.
CBRE reported that the hotel is “performing well under the current challenging trading conditions and has the potential for future growth”. Owen Pritchard who is part of CBRE’s brokerage team specialising in disposals and acquisitions said trading information would be available on expression of interest but could confirm that the hotel has been profitable. CBRE said it is seeking offers in the region... Click to read more about hotels in London