Concord Hospitality’s New Partnership With Margaritaville Resorts

Hampton Inn & Suites Charlottesville-At The University, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, has completed an all-encompassing, multi-million dollar renovation of its 100 spacious guest rooms and suites and communal spaces, including expanded seating areas to connect, relax and unwind. In addition to interior updates, the hotel also received new patio furniture and a conversational fire pit, along with new exterior signage and paint. Notable amenities include a market, fitness center, and 600 square feet of meeting space. Hampton Inn & Suites Charlottesville-At The University is owned by Noble Investment Group and managed by McKibbon Hospitality.

The Loom Hotel, located in Warwick, Rhode Island, has opened along the Pawtuxet River. The hotel, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is managed by Coury Hospitality and offers 163 guestrooms and an onsite restaurant.

Concord Hospitality unveiled its first-ever partnership with Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels as it assumes management of the Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound by Margaritaville in Bradenton, Florida. The 123-key hotel offers two onsite dining venues, a resort-style pool, and a fitness center.

Sunbeam Properties is set to start demolition for the new construction of a mixed-use project in North Bay Village, Florida, that will include a 300-room Hyatt hotel and restaurant. The project will also include 1,936 residential units, class A office space, commercial space including a grocery store, restaurants, entertainment and retail, a production studio, a marina, and 5,000 parking spaces.

The InterContinental Indianapolis is scheduled to welcome guests this winter. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the property will feature 170 guestrooms and suites, two dining venues, the city’s first rooftop bar, a fitness center, over 5,000 square feet of flexible event and meeting spaces, and a Penthouse Suite. The hotel, housed in the 11-story Illinois Building, is undergoing a $110 million restoration by Keystone Group.

Raines announced the groundbreaking of The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista in Columbia, South Carolina. Developed and managed by Raines, this will be the second Shepherd Hotel in South Carolina. The hotel will transform the historic Columbia Central Fire Station into a 59-key boutique hotel featuring modern amenities such as an onsite restaurant, a fitness center, a board room, a lounge, and valet parking.

Marc & Rose Hospitality announced the newly transformed Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, a striking retreat set within the scenic expanse of America’s largest urban park and wilderness preserve in Phoenix. Arizona Grand is complete with 744 guest suites and villas, a 7-acre Oasis Water Park, an 18-hole golf course, an athletic club, and spa, and over 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Recently re-imagined through a $10 million renovation, the resort now offers more for each guest, including a trio of redesigned hospitality suites. Arizona Grand’s extensive meeting spaces have also seen substantial upgrades. Additionally, public areas have undergone remarkable transformations, including upgraded pools, a redesigned lobby, a refreshed athletic club and spa, and a refurbished restaurant.

Salamander Washington DC has unveiled its new Salamander Spa, the final chapter in a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation. The new dual-level wellness sanctuary offers 14 treatment rooms, advanced skincare and beauty therapies, and exclusive, first-in-DC treatments. This launch marks the culmination of a remarkable transformation of the 373-room hotel, which now boasts a redesigned Living Room and Lobby Lounge.

Hunter Hotel Advisors announced the sale of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Buford Mall of Georgia. Woodvale acquired the property from Hotel Equities. The 96-room hotel features multifunctional guestrooms, a fitness center, versatile meeting spaces, and an indoor pool. The new owner plans a full renovation of all guestrooms and public spaces.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Cobbo Bay Developers SA for a new Dreams Resorts & Spas branded resort in the Dominican Republic by the end of the year. Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa will feature 519 guestrooms, including 40 villas and 100 swim-up suites. Situated on Juanillo Beach, the resort will feature an array of amenities, including 10 a la carte restaurants, six bars, a spa with 13 treatment rooms, four pools and a lazy river, two pickleball courts, a tennis court, a fitness center, a theater, and flexible meeting spaces.

Yntegra Group presented findings from its environmental impact assessment for its planned $200 million luxury development in the Exumas, Bahamas, which is set for a 2028 opening. According to Travel Weekly, the resort on East Sampson Cay, a collaboration with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, aims to support the Exuma economy by sourcing goods and services from nearby businesses in transport hospitality, as well as materials. A 150-unit employee housing facility will be developed to address local housing needs. Expected to create around 500 jobs, particularly for Exuma residents, the project will also offer training and apprenticeships for Bahamians, enhancing local employment opportunities. The project prioritizes sustainability with plans to develop less than 50% of the 124-acre island. Renewable energy sources, including solar, will meet 30% of the power needs, while 14,000 native trees and plants will be used in the landscape.

Melia Hotels International and Rafael Nadal will expand Zel Hotels to the Americas with the opening of Zel Punta Cana on December 12, 2024. The all-inclusive resort features 190 guestrooms, two pools, five tennis courts, dedicated meeting spaces, a full-service spa, six dining experiences, a beach club, and a concept store.

SLS Baha Mar unveiled a new room concept offering extraordinary experiences for family vacations & luxury group trips. The 299 guestrooms have been re-imagined to reflect the natural beauty of Nassau’s coastline while capturing the playful essence that defines the SLS brand. SLS Baha Mar features three different pools with private cabanas and dedicated poolside bars, a world-class casino, fitness center, spa, expansive Baha Bay Water Park, dynamic nightlife options, and a diverse array of restaurants.

Personnel Moves

Driftwood Hospitality Management announced three key promotions within its leadership team. In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Bryan Postema will oversee all aspects of hotel operations across its 80+ property portfolio, ensuring the highest guest satisfaction, setting financial milestones, and exceeding brand standards. Previously, Postema served as managing director of Driftwood Capital Assets. As Vice President of Operations Focus Service, Michael Buddemeyer will lead strategy and operational initiatives across DHM’s newly created Focus Service and Extended-Stay division. Michael Diaz has been promoted to Chief Strategy Officer of Driftwood Hospitality Management. Diaz will focus on long-term planning and strategic growth initiatives in his new role. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer after the company’s inception in 1998.

Europe Highlights

Pandox AB announced the acquisition of Radisson Blu Hotel Tromso, a 269-room property in Northern Norway. The strategic acquisition is valued at approximately MNOK 750. The hotel boasts 269 rooms, a restaurant and bar, and 13 meeting rooms, including a grand hall. The funding for the acquisition will come from a mix of existing cash reserves and a freshly secured bank loan, with the deal anticipated to be finalized in early 2025.

Urban Rest announced the opening of the first phase of Urban Rest Hackney, a new serviced apartment property in the vibrant East End of London. The newly launched phase features a selection of One and Two Bedroom Serviced Apartments. The second phase of Urban Rest Hackney is expected to open in mid-2025, with a warehouse conversion adjacent to the current property, bringing the total number of serviced apartments to 30.