Hilton to launch Doubletree brand in the Czech Republic and other international hotel news

Hilton to launch Doubletree brand in the Czech RepublicHilton Hotels has unveiled plans to launch its four-star Doubletree brand to the Czech Republic. The company said it is looking to open properties in the capital city of Prague as well as regional cities including Brno, Plzen and Ostrava. Hilton's area president for Europe and Africa Wolfgang Neumann said: "Doubletree is a hotel category just below the Hilton hotels in which we currently see the biggest opportunity for our future activities in the Czech Republic." Hilton last month officially opened its second hotel in Prague, the 300- room Hilton Prague Old Town at the site of the former Hotel Renaissance in the city centre.

Rezidor expands in South AfricaThe Rezidor Hotel Group has unveiled plans for its second hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, in South Africa. The 192-room Park Inn Sandton, which will open in 2010, will complement the Radisson Hotel Sandton which is due to open in late 2008. The Park Inn Sandton will be situated directly across the road from the Gautrain Sandton Station, which will link commuters on South Africa's first underground railway system directly to the Johannesburg's International Airport and Pretoria. The hotel marks Rezidor's fourth property in South Africa with further properties in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

IHG to open new property in Qatar in 2010InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with H.E. Mohammed Bin Ajaj Al-Kubaisi to develop InterContinental Doha West Bay in Qatar. Targeted to open by March 2009, the 60-storey tower will be located in the city centre close to both the main shopping precinct and business district. The 540-room property, which will comprise both hotel rooms and serviced apartments, is the second InterContinental in the Qatari capital and will include five restaurants, a gym, spa with swimming pool and extensive conference facilities.

Marriott to expand in ScandinaviaMarriott International is to increase its presence in Norway and Sweden bringing its portfolio to six hotels by 2010. The hotels are being developed under a recently announced multiple franchise agreement with Scandinavian Hospitality Group and include the following: a 300-room Marriott hotel at Oslo International Airport, Norway (2009); a 120-room Renaissance Malmoe Hotel in Malmoe, Sweden (2009); a 280-unit Marriott Ski Resort in Trysill, Norway (2010); and a 310-unit Marriott Resort in Hemsedal, Norway (2010).

By Kerstin Kühn

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