Hilton London Heathrow Airport hotel is the travellers' choice… and other International hotel news

Hilton London Heathrow Airport hotel is the travellers' choice
The Hilton London Heathrow Airport has been voted best airport hotel in the world by Business Traveller Magazine, for the second year running. The 395-bedroom, five-suite hotel is undergoing £3.5m of refurbishment this year. Hilton Group also won the votes for best business hotel chain in the UK, best new business hotel and best business hotel chain in Europe.

Armani Hotels to build two new hotels in New York
Construction will start in the next few months on the first two Armani hotels planned for Manhattan, according to Joey Allaham, a New York City restaurateur who recently partnered with Dubai-based Emaar Hotel & Resort Group to bring the designer's hotel chain to the USA. Emaar singed a deal with the designer in 2005 to invest $1b (£531m) to develop seven hotels bearing the Armani name. Armani hotels are scheduled to open in Dubai and London by next year.

Hyatt takes over at Bonaventure hotel Hyatt Hotels Corporation has taken over the management of the 501-bedroom Bonaventure Hotel and Conference Centre in Weston, Florida, which has recently undergone a $90m (£48m) renovation. The hotel has been renamed the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Centre and Spa.

Bill Linehan promoted at InterContinental
InterContinental Hotel Group has appointed Bill Linehan as vice-president, marketing and new business development. Based in Atlanta, Linehan is responsible for developing marketing strategies and strengthening the company's development positioning, as well as identifying new business opportunities. Linehan was director of the company's New York City-based worldwide sales team.

Solare Hotels increase Japanese portfolio
Solare Hotels & Resorts has increased its management portfolio to 44 hotels with an agreement to acquire Royal Park's subsidiary Ryoei Kanko Kaihatsu, which runs the Atsugi Royal Park hotel in Atsugi City, Kanagawa. The Atsugi Royal Park is the sixth hotel to join the group since the start of 2006.

By Chris Druce

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