THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE I 39
The Review ➔ Aloft moves into UK market
THE Aloft London Excel Hotel has opened for business, marking the Starwood brand’s UK debut. Located in the Docklands area
of the capital, the new hotel is immediately adjacent to the Excel exhibition centre and close to London City Airport. Starwood says the Aloft brand
– often seen as a toned down version of its sister W brand – is designed to “shake up the staid and traditional mid-market hotel sector and redefine the category by delivering urban-influenced, modern and vibrant design and a social guest experience at an affordable price point.” The 252-room hotel makes the
UK the seventh international market for Aloft, alongside the US, Canada, China, the UAE, India and Belgium, with further properties set to open in Thailand, Colombia and Costa Rica. There
THE ROOM REPORT
SLEEPERZ' NEWCASTLE ADDITION
are some 50 Aloft hotels in the portfolio, having grown rapidly since its launch three years ago. Rooms at the new Excel hotel
have high ceilings, oversized windows, walk-in showers and 42-inch flatscreen TVs with plug- and-play connectivity. There’s free wireless internet throughout the
hotel, plus five meeting rooms, a 24-hour grab-and-go pantry, fitness centre, small pool, lounge, bar and a restaurant called FEDE, serving modern British cuisine. The opening comes hot on the
heels of the launch of the W London Leicester Square, the first of this Starwood brand in the UK.
➔ DoubleTree makes it ten
HILTON Hotels has opened its 10th DoubleTree property in the UK – the 25th in Europe – as the group makes plans for a further 25 of the upscale, full-service brand. The latest opening is a 179-room
hotel at Newcastle International Airport, 15 minutes from the city centre. Rooms have free internet access, soundproof windows and 37-inch flatscreen TVs, while guests can also take advantage of the onsite fitness centre, coffee
shop and Italian restaurant. There’s also 2,200 square feet of flexible meeting room space with capacity for up to 100 delegates. Dave Laws, chief executive of Newcastle International, says, “As the first internationally branded hotel at the airport, the DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport is very much a sign of confidence in both the north east and in the airport. This iconic building is a gateway to our
region delivering access to a global business network.” Rob Palleschi, global head of DoubleTree by Hilton, adds, “We are delighted to continue expansion of our UK and European presence into the North East of England. The DoubleTree by Hilton brand is quickly becoming recognised within the UK by travellers seeking upscale hotel accommodation along with a personalised, welcoming level of service.”
SLEEPERZ Hotels opens its second property this month, in central Newcastle, and has plans for expansion to new locations across the UK. The group says its two hotels – the first opened in Cardiff in 2008 – are set apart from budget rivals such as Travelodge and Premier Inn by their emphasis on modern design, opting for a business model that offers 'colourful, stylish, compact contemporary rooms at affordable rates'. Sleeperz Hotels chief executive, David Myers, says, “A stay at a Sleeperz Hotels is more interesting than at a predictable budget chain. Our philosophy is design-led with bold contemporary interiors and eye catching buildings near to city centre rail stations with rooms from only £60.” Myers adds, “Sleeperz is different from the majority of hotel chains in the budget sector. We are the first UK hotel group to offer consumers budget boutique, and this gives us a different appeal from the sector’s big brands.” The group intends to grow
its UK presence and currently has three sites in London, Liverpool and Manchester under consideration.
Untitled-3 1
08/12/2011 10:56:26
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96