Tag: Orient-Express Hotels
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Could There BE Any More Luxury Hotels Opening In The Near Future?
The Westcliff Johannesburg
You guys, the hotel news keeps rolling in so fast we can barely keep up with it. In order to get us all up to speed, we’ll give you a brief rundown of some of the latest news & rumors for Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Rosewood and SBE that have us mighty intrigued.
FOUR SEASONS
Starting in South Africa, Business Traveller reported last week the venerable Westcliff Johannesburg will move from Orient-Express to Four Seasons, and based on our own investigation, that does look to be happening. If you’ve had Sunday brunch at the glorious La Belle Terrasse, spent time at the pool, and wandered its cobblestone streets and lush gardens, you know this place is easy to fall in love with. If indeed ‘substantial’ renovations will be part of the transition, things will only get that much better.
Surprising as it might be, late next year will be the first time Four Seasons will get in on the luxury hotel action in Dubai, with a 237-room resort at the northern end of Jumeirah Beach. More in the Middle East should follow in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, and Kuwait. Like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons is also planning on Kyoto and Casablanca, and if that wasn’t enough, we’re hearing about South America (with a number of hotels in Brazil) and various rumors elsewhere as well.
Hotel Deals / Hotel Promo Codes / Insane Hotel Packages / Travelzoo / Orient-Express Hotels / → All Tags
These Hotel Deals Uncovered A NYC Jewel and an Arizona Gem
Deals: you want 'em, and surprisingly, everyone has 'em. Take a look at some of the latest hotel deals going around the internet today from booking sites, social media sites, flash sale sites and more. Don't forget to scroll down to see the HotelChatter-approved deal either. Who knows? You might just find what you're looking for. (But don't forget to tell us about your stay!)
DEALS, DEALS, DEALS*
· The Lullaby of Broadway is a Buy Once More: The Milford Plaza in Times Square finally got a property-wide renovation and we're happy to report the hotel with the catchiest commercial jingle of the '80s looks good again. And Travelzoo is now offering a great deal for summertime, peak season for NYC hotels, for just $179 a night. That rate actually works for Thursday-Saturday stays in June and July, and it includes free WiFi. Plus, the hotel is open over Fourth of July starting at $159 a night. There are blackout dates (June 6, 30 and July 6) and you have to book by March 27. Going to NYC before June? The hotel has rates for just $199 in April and May. Go to Travelzoo to book.
· Live It Up In Vegas for 20 Percent Less: The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas is one of the most sought-after party spots on The Strip from its raging pool scene to its massive nightclub Marquee and its restaurant funland featuring Holstein's, Scarpetta, STK and two shops from chef José Andrés. Now you can stay there for 20 percent off thanks to Vegas.com's new deal. The offer is good for stays from now through September 30, but you have to book before May 30. A three-night minimum is required and there are some blackout dates (Memorial Day, Labor Day and a few others) but we found rates from May 10-13 for $186 a night, compared with $233. Go here to book.
· Upgrade Yourself at the Newest Orient-Express Hotel: Orient-Express Hotels has snapped and spiffed up the legendary El Encanto Resort in Santa Barbara, which now features 92 individually designed California-style bungalows, with hardwood floors, plantation-style shutters, and bespoke accessories. The first West Coast hotel for O-E also has its own spa, a lush garden wonderland, views of the Pacific Ocean and even its own Holstein cow, Ellie, whose milk is used to produce handmade cheese for the hotel's restaurant. Rates for a superior bungalow are pricey at $525 a night but the Enchanted Upgrade package gives guests a one- category upgrade at the time of booking. It's only valid until May 31st (excluding Memorial Day Weekend) so book soon. Call 805-845-4008 and mention the Enchanted Upgrade option. The hotel has a bunch of other offers on tap too that might interest you.
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Orient-Express’ El Encanto Santa Barbara Has A Cow With Its Renovations
It certainly looks like Orient-Express isn’t letting that whole rejected Tata offer get in the way of its renovation and expansion plans. We’ve barely told you about the disco break the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro enjoyed to come back in its former glory, and now reservations have started for a March opening of the historic El Encanto Resort in Santa Barbara.
One thing we already love? As part of its dedication to locally sourced produce, El Encanto will have its own cow: Ellie. Ellie’s milk will be used to make a special cheese only found at the hotel. How great is that? And it doesn’t stop there.
Hotel News / Hotel Renovations / Orient-Express Hotels / Rio De Janeiro Hotels / Brazil Hotels / → All Tags
After A Disco Break, Brazil's Copacabana Is Back!
The famous Copacabana Palace in Rio had once been the place to be when visiting Brazil especially during its 80s and 90s heydays. But then something happened and, well, the place fell into a bit of disarray. Then in 2011, Orient-Express stepped in. They shut down the place in June and finally have announced that after throwing $20 million into a makeover, the iconic hotel is back!
The lobby has been expanded for a more airy feel and all 145 rooms and suites in the main building have been renovated from furniture down to the linens. Careful attention was made though, to ensure that the history of the 90-year old hotel was well respected, keeping the marble staircase, and unearthing the original ceiling that had been covered by plaster.
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Orient-Express Hotel Group Rejects Tata Offer
Indian Hotels offer to buy the Orient-Express luxury brand is met with a "no"
Orient-Express Hotels Group has turned down the surprise buyout offer from Tata Groups’, Indian Hotels Company, saying the proposed $1.2 billion price tag was not enough and came at an inappropriate time.
Though Orient-Express said they would take three weeks to decide, they made the decision earlier, stating, The Indian Hotels proposal “..is deeply unattractive from a financial perspective," said Orient-Express Chairman Robert Lovejoy. Further, "The board believes the current macroeconomic environment, conditions in the luxury hotel business and factors unique to Orient-Express would make this a highly disadvantageous time to sell the company to realize its true value."
Indian Hotels’ initial offer was $12.63 a share for stocks (a 40% premium). Meanwhile OEH closed yesterday at $10.55 a share.
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Orient-Express Hotel Group Gets Offer, Not Knowing They Were For Sale
Will the Orient-Express hotels in Cusco keep their names? In three weeks we'll know for sure
This news appeared in our inbox this weekend from an unknown source and we weren’t sure whether it was fact or fiction. Orient-Express Hotels up for sale? Really? Trouble in paradise?
Add the news that the unsolicited all cash offer from Tata Group’s Indian Hotels of $12.63 Per Share (a 40% premium on that day’s closing share price), was a tad on the bold side and we were even more uneasy--why go so high? Yet that would mean a cool $1.86 billion sale for Orient-Express. At least they're getting a higher bid, unlike the discount Jetsetter.com had to offer for its company sale.
Subsequent news briefs confirmed the proposal was definitely real, bold, and that U.S.-listed Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., while in $615.6 million debt wasn't seeking bailout. However, in a statement the company said it will evaluate the proposal carefully and respond in due course in accordance with the best interests of the Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and its shareholders.
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Inside a Room at the Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio in Cusco, Peru
If you've made it as far as Cusco, Peru, chances are you want to feel like you're in Cusco, Peru. That's where the Hotel Monasterio comes into play, as it not only calls a well preserved 15th century monastery home (hence the name), but keeps the furnishings and food as locally sources as possible. It's not all so foreign, however; the toiletries are L'Occitane, the staff speaks excellent English and its membership in the Orient-Express Collection ensures a certain level of service.
Yesterday we showed you all around the property and made mention of the fact that it was the first Cusco hotel to introduce the option of oxygen enriching guest rooms to counter the effects of Cusco's high altitude. Luckily we didn't suffer from "soroche," or altitude sickness, and thus didn't need to add the additional service.
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Inside the Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio in Cusco, Peru
First things first. Hotel Monasterio is the most famous hotel in Cusco, Peru. Part of the reason comes from its being of the Orient-Express Collection, but the property really distinguished itself when it became the first to offer oxygen-enriched rooms to combat the effects of altitude sickness, a very real obstacle to enjoying Cusco for travelers who arrive to the city's 11,200' height without acclimating. Airplanes actually have to specially adjust their cabin pressurization after arrival at the city's small airport.
Altitude effects everyone differently and we were lucky to only get super winded while climbing stairs, which isn't much of a problem as the hotel is only two stories and occupies a monastery built in 1595. It's got electricity now, and window glass, and luxury bedding, and other niceties of the last couple centuries (including free WiFi!), but the building has been well preserved and the 16th century aura is still very much alive.
Orient-Express Hotels / Hotel Rebranding / Luxury Collection Hotels / Australia Hotels / → All Tags
Another Orient-Express Hotel Leaves the Collection
Just over a week ago we told you that the Observatory Hotel in Sydney will leave the Orient-Express Collection come summer to be part of Langham Hotels. By then, Orient-Express will no longer have a presence in Australia; earlier this year its other property Lilianfels Blue Mountains made the transition to Starwood's Luxury Collection, marking this collection's debut in the country at the same time.
Lilianfels is set a few hours outside of Sydney in the village of Katoomba, the heart of the Blue Mountains national park in New South Wales. As you can see from the aerial shot, the famous Three Sisters are just a few minutes' walk away. Inside the historic mansion that was once the residence of New South Wales Chief of Justice, Sir Frederick Darley, you'll find 67 traditionally decorated rooms and 4 suites, with 22 of the rooms and 3 suites having views of the Jamison Valley.
Hotel Openings / Orient-Express Hotels / Peru Hotels / → All Tags
Orient-Express Palacio Nazarenas, Cuzco Opens Today
Today Orient-Express Hotels officially opened Palacio Nazarenas, in Cuzco, Peru. Transforming the former 16th century Carmelite convent into a 55-suite hotel was a long, four-year excavation project in which architects and archeologists uncovered Inca artifacts. These have been preserved to use for the hotel’s historical talk series on the area and Cuzco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Mandarin Oriental Gears Up for Milan While Langham Hotels Take Over The Observatory Hotel
There's tons of hotel news flying around this week and we don't have time to give each and every story the love and attention it may deserve, so you will have to settle for some news briefs.
· Mandarin Oriental Milan is coming in 2013: The luxury brand, Mandarin Oriental have long had their eyes set on Italy but now we've got word that the MO Milano will open in 2013. The hotel will have 104 guestrooms including 34 suites set throughout three 19th century buildings on Via Monte de Pieta, a rather swank address. A GM has just been appointed for the property which is a good sign that the 2013 opening date will stick.
· Trump Lands in Miami: It's finally happened. Trump Hotels have officially assumed management of the Doral Golf Resort & Spa outside Miami. Over the next 18 months, Trump will put in about $200 million in renovating the almost-800-acre resort. The place will be fully re-branded when the new look is complete.
Josh Flagg / Celebrity Scoop / Italy Hotels / Luxury Hotels / Hotel Pools / Orient-Express Hotels / → All Tags
Josh Flagg Ranks The Best Hotel Pools in Italy
Our resident celebrity hotel hopper, Josh Flagg is about to invade your living rooms again when the fifth season of Million Dollar Listing premieres on Bravo on June 6. But life isn't all "house" work for Josh. As soon as filming finished, he packed up and resumed his whirlwind travels. Now Josh is telling us the Top 10 Hotel Pools in Italy. As you can imagine, each night will cost you at least five hundred Euros. After you decide on a bathing suit, best ring up your favorite sugar daddy.
I just got back from a three and a half week trip to Italy and after staying in 20 different hotels and swimming in 20 different pools, I sat down and compiled a Top 10 List.
I visited all the top locations so I am sure I did not miss any. Below in the following order is my list of the top ten hotel pools in Italy, some of which are among the best in all of Europe
10. Coming in at number ten is Hotel Quisisana in Capri (pictured above). The tiny island of Capri is a 45-minute hydrofoil ride away from the port of Naples (a place which unless there is a gun put to your head, I would recommend you never visit... This wouldn't be so difficult because during the short time I stayed in Napes, I met two people that were held up at gunpoint and one that was run over by a motorcycle. I digress.)
Capri has been known as a jet set location for years and is evident by the number of designer stores located within a three block radius. In fact they have an Hermes store which is the size of a good walk in closet. At the end of the shopping street is the famous Quisisana hotel. The round pool with it's mosaic tile work that reads "I heart Quissi" is a staple of the Italian pool scene.
Be very careful in the rooms however, as the floors are all made of porcelain tile and very easy to slip on (which is evident by the fact that my grandmother slipped and broke her right hip, thus putting an end to our lovely trip and causing her to stay in a hospital on the mainland for two weeks.)
9. Le Sirenuse was made famous when it was featured in "Only You" with Marisa Tomei. Prior to that however it has always been known as a place for the rich and famous to be seen. Book way in advance though as it is a very small hotel. My father gave my mother her wedding ring while staying at this hotel in 1982, only three months after knowing each other, so this place must have a special effect on people.
