CAPELLA UNVEILS WELLNESS RETREAT AT NEOM: Capella Hotels and Resorts will soon open its first coastal destination in Saudi Arabia. Located in NEOM at Elanan, one of Magna’s destinations, against the backdrop of desert mountains and the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, Capella at Elanan will be a wellness retreat, as part of the sustainable development in the country’s northwest region. The resort will showcase interlocking geometric shapes. The property will feature 80 rooms and suites, four dining concepts, expansive gardens, an observation tower and a spa. Capella at Elanan is Capella’s second property in the Middle East.
VIVA RESORTS BY WYNDHAM TO OPEN IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Viva Resorts by Wyndham, the provider of all-inclusive vacations in the Caribbean, will open its latest resort, Viva Miches by Wyndham, a Trademark All-Inclusive Resort in December. The new resort will be Viva Resorts by Wyndham’s ninth all-inclusive property in the Caribbean and the sixth in the Dominican Republic. The property is located in Miches on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic and comprises three buildings offering 538 rooms with garden, ocean and oceanfront views. The resort also offers a pool with a swim-up bar, five restaurants and several activities and experiences. With an investment of $80 million for the initial phase, the second phase of the property will increase room count to 750 rooms with a total investment of $130 million. Viva Resorts by Wyndham has all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, including in Mexico, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.
U.S. PERFORMANCE UPDATE: The U.S. hotel industry improved from last week but reported mixed comparisons YOY, according to CoStar’s data through June 8.
- Occupancy: 69.1% (-0.1%)
- ADR: $160.9 (+1.8%)
- RevPAR: $111.26 (+1.7%)
Among the top 25 markets, Houston posted the highest YOY increases in occupancy (+14.8% to 71.1%) and RevPAR (+19.3% to $85.20). New York City saw the largest lift in ADR (+9.1% to $358.25). The steepest RevPAR declines were recorded in Detroit (-8.7% to $83.43) and Atlanta (-6.8% to $85.63).
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ISHC LORI RALEIGH AWARD: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) has started accepting nominations for the Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Launched in 2015 in honor of Raleigh, founder of Travers Group and executive director of ISHC from 2000 to 2013, the award recognizes young industry professionals with leadership qualities and a promising future in hospitality consulting. Candidates should be 35 years or younger and recognized by their company leaders or other industry constituents as an exceptional example of a future leader. The candidate must be a self-practitioner or working for a company which provides third-party consulting services to the hospitality industry and have an active role or be responsible for providing advisory services to the firm’s clients. Nominations are due by August 16. Winners will receive a one-year associate membership to ISHC, including access to all meetings and networking functions.
WASHINGTON D.C. HOMEWOOD SUITES COMPLETES RENOVATION: The Homewood Suites Washington D.C. Downtown has completed a renovation and unveiled a refreshed lobby, public spaces and 175 suites. The revitalized lobby features new furnishings and a new nook, along with additional seating for dining and computer work. The hotel’s 2,300 square feet of meeting space has been updated with modern touches. The hotel includes a work area, fitness center, sundry shop and laundry facilities. Homewood Suites Washington D.C. Downtown is managed by Crestline Hotels & Resorts.
