Centara Aims to Be a Global Hotel Operator

Centara Hotels & Resorts announced its expansion plans at ITB Berlin. Their sustainable strategy is to introduce its style of family-centric hospitality to multiple new markets, striving to become one of the planet’s top 100 hotel operators by 2027. Centara currently has a global portfolio of 95 hotels and resorts either operating or in the pipeline, covering 12 countries and six diverse brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life, and COSI. Last year’s openings included the 515-key Centara Grand Hotel Osaka which was the group’s debut in Japan, and the 224-key Centara Ayutthaya, reaffirming its leading position in Thailand. This month the 100-key COSI Vientiane Nam Phu, Laos becomes the first location outside of Thailand for COSI. Other new openings in 2024 will include the 145 key Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. It will form part of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a new multi-island wonderland that will also feature Centara Grand Lagoon Resort Maldives, scheduled to open in early 2025. Centara plans to introduce Centara Reserve brand in more destinations and the reimagined Centara Life brand will start in key cities and resorts in Thailand and beyond. The newest in the collection will be the Centara Life Lamai Resort Samui, set to open this July. Finally, the Centara Karon Resort Phuket and Centara Grand Mirage Resort Pattaya will be fully renovated by the end of 2024.

The Ascott Limited announced the opening of the 255-room Sydney Central Hotel Managed by The Ascott Limited (Sydney Central). This brings the total key count in Metropolitan Sydney to 1,671, in line with Ascott Australia’s strategic expansion timeline. Onsite amenities include a full-service restaurant and bar, a heated rooftop pool, gym and a 24/7 carpark. Ascott is also planning to add a café along The Goods Line and expand the room count at the hotel by 72 keys across eight floors. The refurbishment will include accessible rooms and family suites with an eventual rebranding of the property to Citadines Sydney Central. Ascott Australia is on its way to their target of more than 30 properties by 2030. Their lyf brand will open a 197-key property in Bondi Junction and their Oakwood brand will open a 72 key aparthotel in Hackney, Adelaide in late 2024.

Singapore’s Ascott Group is also undertaking a $100 million renovation of its Haymarket site and strategic expansion of the Quest brand into regional Victoria in Australia. Ascott’s 2030 strategy includes rebranding over 200 Quest properties and to manage 30 hotels by decade’s end.

Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort on Yeongjong Island in South Korea celebrated their grand opening yesterday, announcing the completion of the first phase of what they hope will be a four-stage development project. Mohegan started the development in 2016 and kept delaying and delaying the project for various reasons. Mohegan said their ambitious goal is to develop Yeongjong Island into a world-class tourism destination by 2046 that rivals Singapore or Macau with the entertainment complex consisting of three five-star hotel towers, multipurpose performance venue, casino, restaurants and business facilities spanning an area equivalent to 64 football fields. The $1.6 billion development, so far, is one of the largest foreign direct investment ventures in South Korea.

H2O Hospitality has partnered up with Marriott Bonvoy, marking a significant expansion in the availability of luxury rental properties on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform. The collaboration introduces over 2,000 properties from H2O Hospitality’s portfolio in destinations across South Korea and Japan, including Seoul, Jeju and Tokyo. For context on H20 Hospitality, read this.

Atmosphere Cove announced its plans to manage and rebrand Kudakurathu island resort in Raa Atoll, Maldives. The newly renamed ‘Raaya by Atmosphere’ is set to open on July 4, 2024. This is going to be the third Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives and the ninth globally. Raaya by Atmosphere is strategically located just a 45-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. The resort includes 167 beach and ocean villas alongside six diverse dining options. Amenities include the offering of various watersports and diving, an arts and craft studio, a mini-golf course, three watchtowers for star gazing, a mangrove walkway, and a spa.

Indian Hotels Company Limited announced a significant expansion in Madhya Pradesh in India with the signing of a new Vivanta hotel in the ancient and spiritually significant city of Ujjain. The move is part of IHCL’s strategic plan to cement its presence in key pilgrimage destinations across India. The hotel is being developed by Phulwani Real Estate India Private Limited and marks IHCL’s inaugural project in Ujjain. The 130-key Vivanta hotel is said to be a comfortable driving distance from Indore airport. The hotel’s amenities will include an all-day diner, swimming pool, and a fitness center alongside banqueting space and meeting rooms. With this addition, IHCL’s portfolio in Madhya Pradesh will encompass 12 hotels across its Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Ginger brands, including four under development. For context on IHCL's strategy, read this.

Personnel Moves

Eco Hotels and Resorts announced the appointment of Akash Bhatia as Chief Executive Officer. Bhatia will be responsible for driving strategic initiatives, overseeing operations and spearheading the company’s expansion plans. Bhatia is joining Eco Hotels and Resorts from Amritara Hotels & Resorts where he worked as a Vice President. Before that he was Cluster GM with Ramee Hotels & Resorts and Regional GM with Lemon Tree Hotels.

Benares Hotels, an indirect subsidiary of Tata Group’s Indian Hotels, announced their Board of Directors approved the appointment of Veeramani Venkata as their Chief Financial Officer. Venkata is said to have successfully led teams at The Park, The Trident (Oberoi), Ramada Caravela Beach Resort, Taj Nashik and Visakhapatnam. He is said to have gained international exposure through roles at Dusit International in Bangkok, Warwick Hotels and Resorts in Fiji, Savoy Hotels Group in the UAE, Hospitality Management Holdings and Sharjah National Hotels in the UAE.