Deutsche Hospitality Rebrands as H World

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended February 24th. With Chinese New Year timing having a really big impact, hotel RevPAR for the week was down -25.1% year over year. The week was up against a very tough +58% year-over-year comp in 2023. The prior week, with CNY working in the hotels’ favor, RevPAR was up 62.1%.

Hilton announced the opening of La Festa Phu Quoc, Curio Collection by Hilton, the first Curio Collection by Hilton property in Vietnam. Hilton is partnering with Sun Group to debut the Curio Collection in Vietnam. The resort overlooks the beach, a stone’s throw from attractions like the Kiss Bridge, Kiss of the Sea Show, and Hon Thom Cable Car. La Festa Phu Quoc has 197 rooms and suites, and various food and beverage options including Mare, Il Salone, Merchant and La Capri Beach Club which will open in April. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, Kids Club and more.

Deutsche Hospitality has undergone a rebranding and is now known as H World International. The strategic move is aimed at bolstering the global expansion efforts of its parent company, H World, beyond Chinese borders. All brands under H World International will integrate into the H Rewards global loyalty and online booking system. The brand portfolio encompasses Steigenberger Icons, Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, Jaz in the City, House of Beats, Intercity Hotel, Maxx, and Zleep Hotels. Deutsche Hospitality also said they are welcoming Ji Hotel to their family, a rapidly growing midscale brand from H World China. The brand is marking its international debut with the opening of Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore, the first establishment outside of China. Oliver Bonkehas been appointed CEO of H World International, alongside the existing leadership team from Deutsche Hospitality. Both Oliver Bonk and CFO of H World International, Choon Wah Wong, will continue as Managing Directors at Steigenberger Hotels GmbH. In an effort to accelerate its growth within the APACregion, H World International has formed a joint venture with Conduit House, a hotel operator and hospitality asset management firm in Asia. H World International also announced the signing of five new agreements. They include the partnership with Tantakitt Company Limited for the Montien Surawong Bangkok, a Steigenberger Hotel in Thailand and agreements for the Maxx Huay Yai Villa in Pattaya, Thailand and Steigenberger Resort Byoum Lakeside in Egypt. The company also expanded its presence in Oman with the IntercityHotel Bawshar in Muscat and also announced new additions in Europe including the Bielefelder Hofin Germany and new Zleep Hotels in Denmark and Switzerland.

Accor’s ibis brand announced the opening of ibis Jakarta Raden Saleh in the heart of Jakarta’s Golden Triangle. The ibis Jakarta Raden Saleh features 105 rooms with city views. The hotel has six meeting and function spaces and the Social Hub in the lobby. The all-day dining concept by ibis, Lily’s Garden, will make its debut in Indonesia at ibis Jakarta Raden Saleh.

Once again the rumors are starting that Bloomberry Resorts is looking to sell their Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino in South Korea. Bloomberry tried to sell the property in 2016 but business was so bad for casinos in Jeju that they didn’t receive any bids they liked. Now, with business supposedly picking up big time there, Bloomberry is trying to offload the overseas asset so they can focus on its expansion in the Philippines. Bloomberry is expected to open Solaire Resort North in Quezon City in a few months and they start development of a sprawling property in Ternate, Cavite.

Cygnett Hotels and Resorts said they are embarking on an ambitious expansion plan for 2024, set to further strengthen its market position through an aggressive pan-India expansion. Cygnett wants to build on its 2023 success where the company saw a 15.6% rise in average daily rate and 15.1% RevPAR growth. The brand had occupancy rates reaching 80% in most of their hotels. For the next two years, Cygnett is aiming to expand its presence strategically, targeting religions with high tourism potential and robust business activity. The expansion initiative is designed to cover the entire nation with key markets including vibrant cities and emerging tourist destinations. Cygnett currently has a portfolio of 45 hotels and is on track to reach a milestone of over 33 operational hotels by the end of 2024. In March of 2025 they will solidify its footprint in North-Eastern India with the launch of its Cygnett Inn brand in Tawang. They will be the only brand alongside Taj to establish a presence at an elevation of 3,048 meters in the Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh. Additional Assam, including Guwahati, Barpeta, Nagaon, and Galahad, are set to welcome Cygnett hotels. Cygnett also said that within a year they will unveil its new wellness and lifestyle brand, Ayurvyaas with an 80-room property in Chail, Himachal Pradesh.

The Ascott Limited has launched Citadines Arpora Nagoa Goa, an apartment hotel from CapitaLand Investments’ Ascott unit.

Singapore asset-management firm Sun Venture has acquired the Hyatt Place London City East. The hotel is located in the Aldgate area of London. The seller of the 280 room hotel is Resolution Property, buying the property in September 2020. The hotel is an office conversion and opened in June 2021 under the management of Cycas Hospitality which is remaining in place. JLL is the broker on the deal. This is the first hotel acquisition for Sun Ventures.

Ovolo Hotels announced a strategic brand alliance with Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The partnership will see Ovolo Hotels expand its global presence through SLH’s global sales, distribution, and marketing platforms. The initial collaboration will include five Ovolo Hotels in Australia and Hong Kong with plans to add the two By Ovolo Collective collection hotels in Melbourne, Australia and Bali, Indonesia in this current 1Q of 2024.

Personnel Moves

Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) announced the resignation of Chan Kong Leong as Executive Managing Director.