California LEGOLAND Plans New Hotel

LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad will open the LEGOLAND Hotel in summer of 2013. The three-story property will extend accommodations to the interactive family experience at LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium and LEGOLAND Water Park. The 250-room, LEGO-themed hotel will feature brightly colored LEGO décor, a pool area and restaurant. The hotel will be the first of its kind in North America. The LEGOLAND Hotel joins the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa and the Grand Pacific Palisades already on resort property. (www.legoland.com)

Howard Johnson Hotels Coming to India

Executive team members at Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company based on number of hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, are traveling throughout India this month to explore development opportunities in the country.

Already, the company announced plans to expand its presence in India in 2012 and beyond with a non-exclusive development agreement to launch the iconic Howard Johnson® brand in India with 3,000 rooms across 35 new properties by 2017.

This agreement with Unique Mercantile India Private Limited, a large firm in India with investments in real estate development in Gujarat and Hyderabad, also includes the development of a new 120-room Ramada® resort in Udaipur that will feature a spa, swimming pool, game room, a poolside bar and international cuisine. The hotel’s first 72 rooms are due to open in April 2012 with 48 additional rooms completed by December 2014.

These properties will add to Wyndham Hotel Group’s 14 hotels already in operation and the 15 properties that are currently under development in the country.

“Given the rise in tourism, India is full of growth opportunities,” said Eric Danziger, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer. “We are happy to start the New Year with such exciting expansion plans and look forward to many more opportunities. We remain committed to developing hotels with distinctive services and offerings while strengthening our global presence in sought after destinations.”

The agreement with Unique Mercantile India Private Limited increases Wyndham Hotel Group’s portfolio in the Asia Pacific region, which currently consists of 466 properties and over 65,453 rooms under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Ramada, Howard Johnson, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Microtel Inns & Suites® and Dream® brands.

“We are excited to be partnering with Wyndham Hotel Group as we expand into the hospitality sector and are proud to help bring the Howard Johnson brand to India,” said Mr. Rajkumar Rai, chairman and managing director at Unique Mercantile India Private Limited.

The planned expansion in India follows the recent opening of the luxurious 154-room Wyndham Grand Agra under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts flag. Spread over 18 acres of landscaped gardens, Wyndham Grand Agra is a mere five minutes from the Taj Mahal.

Wyndham Hotel Group, part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN) family of companies, is the world’s largest hotel company with approximately 7,190 hotels and 611,200 rooms in 65 countries under the hotel brands: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Wingate by Wyndham®, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Microtel Inns & Suites®, Hawthorn Suites® by Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham™, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn®.

(www.wyndhamworldwide.com)

Casino Hotel to Open in Tucson

Tucson’s newest hotel – Casino Del Sol Hotel, Spa and Conference Center – opens Nov. 11 after nearly two years of construction. The $100-million property includes a 10-story hotel with 215 luxury rooms and a conference center that can accommodate 1,500 in performance and theatrical configurations or up to 800 for dining configurations. Located on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation, southwest of downtown Tucson, the hotel is part of a 70-acre complex that also includes the Casino Del Sol Casino and AVA Amphitheater concert venue. (casinodelsol.com)

Makeover Transforms New York Marriott Marquis

Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. has unveiled a multi-million-dollar renovation of the brand’s flagship New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. At the heart of the extensive renovation is the reinvented lobby, including two signature restaurants and lounges. The makeover also encompasses the hotel’s nearly 1,946 guest rooms and a new, high-tech Broadway Ballroom.

Envisioned and created by the interior architecture and design firm ForrestPerkins of Washington, D.C., the hotel’s new interior and custom furnishings reflect the vibrancy and energy of New York City.

Renowned for offering travelers some of the most spacious guest rooms in Manhattan, the renovated New York Marriott Marquis guest rooms feature custom furnishings with clean, crisp lines that enhance and accentuate the space of the room.

Neutral colors of cocoa-brown, cream and champagne prevail within guest rooms. Accent pin lighting is mounted on oversized headboards inlaid with nickel, meant to evoke a streetscape grid. High-definition televisions and desk consoles, pull-out love seats and new carpeting and curtains complete the new look. Enhancements to the bathrooms include spa shower curtains. More than 1,000 guest rooms have been totally redesigned, with the remainder to be completed by spring 2012.

The new restaurant and lounge, Crossroads – an American Kitchen and Bar, features a two-story mirrored spiral bar encircled with 11 high-definition television screens. Surrounding the restaurant’s centerpiece is a mix of low sofas and comfortable armchairs accented by four waterfall towers. Crossroads also offers a more traditional seating area for more than 100 guests, surrounded by perforated panel screens that slide to accommodate private or more open events. Illuminated crystal light rods hang above, creating a linear feel, or a streetscape grid pattern.

The design of the new Broadway Lounge is inspired by New Year’s Eve and the traditional ball drop. Guests’ eyes are immediately drawn to six spherical chandeliers, each with 234 shimmering clear glass balls, reflecting Broadway’s bright lights and electronic billboards. Two-story arched glass windows give guests panoramic views of Times Square. The multi-level seating in the Broadway Lounge offers guests the choice to be in the middle of the action or enjoy privacy. The lounge is richly colored in deep turquoise, petrol blue, dark ginger and grays.  The menu features sharing and artisanal tasting dishes, as well as offerings inspired by New York City food trucks, including tacos, sliders and flatbreads.

The New York Marriott Marquis is located at 1535 Broadway, between West 45th and West 46th streets in Times Square. It is owned by Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and managed by Marriott International. (www.nymarriottmarquis.com)

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