Edward Thomas Hotels announces an exclusive partnership with Jaguar to be the first hotel group in the U.S. to offer the all-new 2011 Jaguar XJ for the exclusive use of its guests. The cars will be available to guests of Hotel Casa del Mar and sister property Shutters on the Beach, both in Santa Monica, for complimentary chauffeured rides within the beachside community.

“The XJ is a truly eye-catching luxury car. Its stylish yet sporty design gets immediate attention,” said Managing Director Klaus Mennekes. “The XJ is a blend of unique styling and intuitive technology that delivers a remarkable driving experience. Our guests appreciate fine cars and I am certain they will enjoy being driven in this exceptional automobile.”

The all-new Jaguar XJ (ETC Hotels have chosen the XJL model for extended legroom and comfort for its guests) is a contemporary luxury sedan combining stunning design and intuitive technology. The beautiful interior and exterior design of the car is matched by the most technically advanced engine Jaguar has ever created, offering a rich and exhilarating driving experience.

“It was a natural fit for Jaguar to partner with Edward Thomas Collection Hotels,” said Sharon Corrigan, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar North America. “The Santa Monica beach area is a perfect backdrop to showcase the contemporary luxury and exquisite performance of the all-new XJ.”

The on-going partnership with Jaguar will allow guests the opportunity to travel from the hotels to destinations within Santa Monica on a first-come, first-served basis with compliments of the hotels. ETC hotel drivers will be thoroughly trained on all of the features of the all-new XJ by Jaguar product specialists.

Housed in famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham’s Continental & Commercial National Bank Building, Marriott’s first JW Marriott hotel in Chicago will open this fall, after a $396 million restoration, with 44,000 feet of meeting space and state-of-the-art conference and recreation facilities.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district at 151 West Adams Street, the 610 –room JW Marriott is within walking distance to some Chicago’s most famous sites, including the Art Institute, Millennium Park and the theater district.

The hotel will be home to one of the most comprehensive meetings facilities in the city, including:

• 8,453 square-foot grand ballroom
• 6,096, square-foot junior ballroom featuring the building’s original arched glass ceiling
• 35 breakout rooms
• GoThere Virtual Meetings studio with AT&T & Cisco Telepresence
• Wireless and high speed Internet and video conferencing

The Crowne Plaza Los Cabos-Grand Faro has changed its name to the HOLA GRAND FARO LOS CABOS, Luxury All Inclusive Resort. The name change went into effect on July 1, 2010.

The new name represents a shift in focus at the popular Los Cabos resort. HOLA GRAND FARO LOS CABOS Luxury All Inclusive Resort aims to recapture the sense of fun that Mexico vacations are all about. A simple tag line, “Hola”, expresses the essence of the resort experience – a warm greeting, a friendly smile, and a welcome meant for all.

Theresa Benedict, Tour and Travel Sales Manager for the resort, sees the rebranding as an opportunity to set the property apart from other all-inclusive Los Cabos resorts:

“HOLA GRAND FARO LOS CABOS Luxury All Inclusive Resort offers the refined luxury that our guests have come to expect, plus something more. We have strived to create a unique personality and atmosphere, a sense of ease that avoids the feel of exclusivity that turns many guests off of high-end resorts. Our resort is a place where families, honeymooners, groups, singles and all others will feel welcome.”

In addition to the name change, the property will be launching HOLA VACATION CLUB, which offers additional benefits to returning guests.

For more information about HOLA GRAND FARO LOS CABOS Luxury All Inclusive Resort, visit http://www.holaloscaboshotel.com/

HOLA glad to see you!

About HOLA GRAND FARO LOS CABOS
Embrace the freedom of Hola Grand Faro Los Cabos Luxury All Inclusive Resort, a leading all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. We treat you to impeccable service and sublime opulence on the coast of the sparkling Sea of Cortez. Discover the value of all inclusive: deluxe accommodations, unlimited gourmet dining and drinks, and fabulous entertainment are included in your rate. We’re ideal for Mexico family vacations, destination weddings, honeymoons and couples on holiday. Say “Hola” to the ultimate luxury and surprising value at Hola Grand Faro Los Cabos Luxury All Inclusive Resort. Learn more at http://www.holaloscaboshotel.com/.

“The Embassy Suites St. Louis-Airport fits our strategy of acquiring premium-branded hotels in proven markets,” said Ed Ansbro, Fairwood’s executive vice president.  “Cash-flowing properties are our primary acquisition targets, but we also seek hotels with turn-around potential that have an appropriate risk/reward profile.  This is our first repositioning acquisition in this fund, and we continue to have an aggressive appetite and significant funding available to acquire either individual assets or portfolios.”

The hotel will begin a complete renovation this fall focused on the guests, corridors, restaurant and atrium.  The renovation will be completed in phases to minimize guest disruptions.  Upon completion of the renovation and repositioning, the hotel will be the newest and only full-service, all-purpose hotel in the market.

Situated at 11237 Lone Eagle Drive, in Bridgeton, Mo., the 159-room Embassy Suites St. Louis-Airport is located off Interstate 70, convenient to Lambert International Airport, and is the closest hotel to Boeing International, the area’s largest employer.  The hotel features a business center, 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, indoor swimming pool, fitness center and restaurant.  When completed, the two-room suites will offer Embassy Essentials® Bedding Collection, flat-screen, high definition televisions, coffee maker and high-speed wireless Internet access.

Maximum Hospitality, a Memphis, Tenn.-based management company, will assume day-to-day operations.  Maximum also manages Embassy Suites-Nashville/Vanderbilt.  

With offices in Memphis, Tenn. and New York, N.Y., Fairwood Capital, LLC is a real estate investment firm focused exclusively on the acquisition and recapitalization of hospitality-related real estate and operating platforms.  The company pursues a value-oriented investment strategy that seeks to acquire a portfolio diversified by brand, geographic location and market segment, primarily in premium-branded, select service, extended-stay and full-service hotels.

“This is our first acquisition on the West Coast, and Southern California is one of our key target markets,” said Jeffrey H. Fisher, Chatham’s chief executive officer.  “We expect to fund the acquisition with our anticipated $85 million senior secured credit facility.

“The property fits our model of a great location, in a market with multiple demand generators and superb visibility and accessibility,” he added.  “We believe that the San Diego market also has among the highest barriers to new competition in the country.

“This transaction, like many of our others, is one that we sourced based on our long-standing relationships within the market,” he said.  “It was not actively marketed, and we were able to acquire the hotel at what we believe is an attractive price.”

Completion of the hotel acquisition is subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence and other customary closing conditions.  Upon consummation of the transaction, the hotel will be managed by Island Hospitality Management, which is 90 percent-owned by Fisher.

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised real estate investment trust that was organized to invest in upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels.  The company currently owns eight hotels with an aggregate of 1,057 rooms/suites and with the addition of this contract has a total of five additional hotels under contract to purchase.

Hollywood director and Houston native Wes Anderson chose St. John’s School — his very own high school — as the backdrop for the fictional prep school in his 1998 movie Rushmore starring Bill Murray. Movie buffs can also visit the house where Aurora lived in Terms of Endearment or recreate the lunch scene between Aurora (played by Shirley MacLaine) and Garrett (Jack Nicholson) at Brennan’s restaurant.

Brad Pitt and Sean Penn caused quite a stir in 2008 when they were seen shooting scenes in downtown Houston for their soon-to-be-released movie The Tree of Life, which is now in post-production.

Hyatt’s Concierge team will update the list of filming locations as new movies such as The Tree of Life are released.

Located in the heart of downtown and boasting 947 guestrooms, Hyatt Regency Houston features 71,300 square feet of flexible function space including the 16,000-square-foot Imperial Ballroom, and the 28,000-square-foot exhibit hall. Just steps from Houston’s Entertainment District and Main Street’s Metro Light Rail, Hyatt Regency Houston is the place to stay whether traveling for business or pleasure. Reservations may be obtained by calling 713-654-1234 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              713-654-1234      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or logging on to hyattregencyhouston.com.

Inn at Deep Creek, formerly known as Alpine Village Inn, a 29-unit lakeside hotel, has undergone extensive renovations after Beachtree Properties took ownership in May. The detailed project incorporated a complete makeover from the inside-out, including a new roof, kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, flooring and carpeting. To make guests’ stay more comfortable, new pillow top beds, contemporary fabrics and fixtures with sheer and blackout curtains in each suite have been added. In addition, each suite is complete with flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Inn at Deep Creek is an all-suite hotel situated on the largest freshwater lake in Maryland. The resort’s suites feature brand-new warm elegant décor with kitchens and some suites feature fireplaces. Onsite amenities include a large heated outdoor pool, a landscaped poolside grilling area complete with picnic tables, a private beach with a day-use boat dock, and a second-floor balcony to provide guests with views of the lake.

Deep Creek Lake is situated in Garrett County, Maryland, and known for its approximate 76,000 acres of lakes, parks, caves and forests. It encompasses 3,900 acres and is at a mountain elevation almost half a mile high. Popular for its freshwater man-made lake with twenty-six different species of fish, the lake is perfect for fishing, whether it be fly fishing or ice fishing. Exciting activities at the lake include kayaking, canoeing, rafting, camping, hiking, mountain biking and in the winter, skiing at nearby Wisp Ski Resort.

Children from the Mexican Caribbean spend a special weekend with their families and Mexican actors Arturo Carmona and Ferdy Valencia with activities organized through the program “If You Dream It, You Can Achieve It” organized by Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort and Fundación Televisa.

After spending the day riding horses in an Equine Therapy session at Hacienda Andalucia, the children and their families participated in the different activities at Tres Ríos Nature Park. The actors and children took strolls through the nature park, discovered the rivers at the resort on board kayaks and took part in the exclusive SenseAdventure tour offered by the eco-friendly resort in the Riviera Maya

The actors from the Mexican soap operas Mar de Amor and Hasta Que el Dinero nos Separe arrived to the Mexican Caribbean and attended the Equine Therapy session with a group of 16 children with special needs. Hosted by Hacienda Andalucia—another property of Sunset World—the trip was the first for the program “If You Dream It, You Can Achieve It.”

The actors spent quality time with the children and helped in their therapy session with the horses, a service offered by Hacienda Andalucia to children in support of the local community. The families and children posed for pictures with the actors and received special gifts from Carmona and Valencia.

Carmona and Valencia also planted mangrove trees in the Tres Ríos Nature Park reforestation area at the Riviera Maya resort. The actors signed the Hacienda Tres Ríos Distinguised Guest Gold Book moments before departing to Mexico City.

“It’s wonderful to be able to participate in this type of program and join this work that helps improve the quality of life of children,” pointed out the former Big Brother participant, Carmona, and indicated his interest to return to help with the Dream program.

About Hacienda Tres Rios
Nestled in a 326-acre pristine nature park in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Hacienda Tres Ríos is an endless luxury, all-inclusive resort in the Mexican Caribbean only 45 minutes south of Cancun International Airport. Opened in November 2008, Hacienda Tres Ríos is the first resort of five at Tres Ríos Nature Park. The resort boasts 273 suites constructed using natural materials. At the forefront of sustainable tourism development, Hacienda Tres Ríos creates amazing guest experiences while continuing to protect the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. The Tres Ríos Nature Park is open exclusively to resort guests, and offers guided nature tours through mangrove forests, snorkeling in cenotes and rivers, and daily activities for children. For more information, visit www.tres-rios.com/pressroom

Located at the current site of the Embassy Suites New York, situated at 102 North End Avenue (at Vesey Street), the hotel will house 463 luxury rooms in a prime location in the heart of New York City’s Financial District, adjacent to the Hudson River to the west and the new Freedom Tower (One World Trade) to the east.  The hotel will be situated within a short distance of downtown Manhattan’s historic landmarks and popular attractions, such as the New York Stock Exchange, City Hall, Trinity Church, South Street Seaport, Battery Park, and the trendy neighborhoods of Tribeca, SoHo and Greenwich Village.

“The Conrad New York marks the brand’s entry into Manhattan and is an important strategic milestone for us as we continue to grow this brand,” said John T. A. Vanderslice, global head of luxury and lifestyle brands for Hilton Worldwide.

“The Conrad New York will provide an impeccable luxury experience to the most discerning business and leisure travelers.  As we continue to strategically grow the Conrad brand, we seek only the world’s most desirable locations, and New York City is certainly one of the most desirable.  The Conrad New York is a great addition to the brand’s philosophy, ‘The Luxury of Being Yourself.’”

The soaring, sunlit 15-story atrium lobby features a dramatic Sol LeWitt art piece rising 13 floors above the check-in desk.  Each luxuriously appointed guestroom will feature an average of more than 550 square feet, a minimum of two flat panel televisions and a full complement of contemporary electronic features.  Conrad New York will also feature upscale dining and beverage outlets that are consistent with Conrad’s global definition of luxury.  Interior design is being styled by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Office dA and Remedios Studios.

In addition, more than 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space will ensure that guests can stay connected and meet in comfort, supported by state-of-the-art technology and meeting facilities.  A 6,000 square foot Grand Ballroom is designed to accommodate conferences and social gatherings for more than 600 participants.

Existing Conrad properties in the United States include Conrad Miami, Conrad Chicago, Conrad Indianapolis and Conrad San Juan.

This latest announcement reinforces the continued growth of Hilton Worldwide in the region, and the further development success of the upscale, full-service Doubletree by Hilton brand across Latin America.

The Doubletree by Hilton, Panama City (formerly the Hotel Costa del Sol) will be operated by Blue Star Hospitality, S.A., under a franchise license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide.  Additional Panamanian hotel development projects by Hilton Worldwide that are opening in the near future include the Hilton Panama, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City and the Hilton Garden Inn Panama.

“Hilton Worldwide is truly excited about our current hotel developments in Panama City and being back in such a great city,” commented Daniel Hughes, senior vice president of operations – Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America for Hilton Worldwide.  “These newest additions, including the Doubletree by Hilton, Panama City, reinforce our commitment to add a number of properties to our Central America portfolio and to have a presence in one of the region’s fastest growing destinations. We’re looking forward to being part of a thriving city that continues to offer some of the best tourist attractions in the region.”

The eight-story Doubletree by Hilton, Panama City is strategically located at one of the city’s most important intersections in the business district – Via España and Avenida Federico Boyd – and is connected to Multicentro, Central America’s largest shopping centre and casino. Inside Multicentro, hotel guests can gamble at the Majestic Casino, see movies or browse any of the malls numerous shops and dining and entertainment outlets.  The Doubletree by Hilton, Panama City will offer 213 modern and spacious guestrooms, a rooftop pool, a spa and fitness centre; 2,000 square feet of meeting space, and a full-service restaurant.

Rob Palleschi, global head for Doubletree by Hilton hotels, commented, “This latest Doubletree by Hilton development in Panama City proudly represents another positive step in our brand’s growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. This fine hotel will join Doubletree by Hilton hotels and resorts that are now operating in Peru, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.  With further development plans confirmed in Mexico and additional interest in other Latin American countries, the potential benefits for owners and developers of current and new-build hotels to become affiliated with Hilton Worldwide and the Doubletree by Hilton brand have never been greater.”

Panama City is the political and cultural centre of Panama, and the financial centre of Central America.  Located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, the city is well known as the home of some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America.  The Doubletree by Hilton, Panama City provides a central location for tourists to explore a variety of attractions including the famous Bridge of the Americas spanning over the Panama Canal, tropical forests, and the Old City which features a waterfront promenade, theatres, museums, restaurants and the presidential palace.

Doubletree by Hilton is a proud member of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels with a fast-growing network that spans more than 230 locations across the globe.