Worldwide briefing
Essential news from around the world…
Planet back on track
Planet Hollywood International's chief executive Robert Earl said the chain was "back in the game" last week after a federal judge approved its reorganisation plan, allowing the firm to emerge from bankruptcy.
Bass in Lebanon deal
Bass Hotels and Resorts has signed a 15-year management contract with the owners of the Mzar 2000 ski resort in Lebanon. The £34m, 93-bedroom complex will be renamed the Mzar Inter-Continental.
Boost for Beirut
Dubai-based Al Hobtoor Groub has started work on a new 194-bedroom hotel in Beirut at a cost of £34.25m. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2001.
Sodexho grows
French contract catering giant Sodexho Alliance has become the majority shareholder in offshore caterer Universal Services. It already owns Kelvin, which merged with Universal in March last year.
Starwood sell-off
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has agreed to sell the 1,192-bedroom Westin St Francis in San Francisco for $243m (£137.8m) to BRE/St Francis, a private real estate investment company. Westin will continue to manage it.
Radisson heads North
Radisson SAS Hotels Worldwide has signed a deal with Svalbard Polar Group to manage the world's most northerly hotel, in Norway. The 99-bedroom property will be renamed Radisson SAS Polar Hotel Spitsbergen.
