IHG branches out in Serbia and other international hotel news

IHG branches out in Serbia
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to open its first Crowne Plaza in the Serbian capital of Belgrade in a deal with local company, Delta Real Estate. The 415-room hotel will be located in the centre of New Belgrade, and will undergo a €30m (£24m) refurbishment before opening under the Crowne Plaza banner in 2010. IHG will manage the property under a 25-year management agreement. The two companies also plan to develop and manage a new-built 325-room InterContinental hotel in the German capital of Berlin, set to open in 2011.

Marriott increases Courtyard presence in RomeMarriott International has added its fourth hotel in Rome, Italy. The 162-room Hotel Central Park Rome will be rebranded the Courtyard by Marriott Rome Central Park, under a franchise agreement reached with I.R.P.S. Srl. The hotel, which is located in the area of Monte Mario, will be the second Courtyard property in Rome.

Starwood to expand Sheraton brandStarwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide will open 54 new Sheraton hotels in North America by 2009, amounting to 20,000 new rooms. The £1b expansion will include hotels in Dallas, Denver, New York, and Washington DC. The group also plans to open Sheraton hotels in Ireland, Argentina, Egypt, and China. Starwood also announced plans to expand the brand by a further 70 hotels by 2010, 30 of which will include spas. There are currently 406 Sheraton hotels and resorts worldwide.

Waldorf Astoria launches in JerusalemHilton Hotels and IPC Jerusalem have announced a management deal to launch the first Waldorf Astoria Collection hotel in Jerusalem, Israel. The Palace Jerusalem is set to open in the Old City by the end of 2010 and will feature 220 rooms and suites, three restaurants, a spa and fitness facility. The hotel will undergo an extensive renovation programme which will see its historic façade restored. Hilton currently operates two hotels in Israel- the Hilton Tel Aiv and Hilton Eliat Queen of Sheba.

By Gemma Sharkey

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