InterContinental opens new Los Angeles hotel and other international news

InterContinental opens new Los Angeles hotel
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened a 363-room hotel in Los Angeles. Formerly a Park Hyatt, the property offers private balconies with city and mountain views and 12,500sq ft of function space. Kirk Kinsell, IHG chief development officer for the Americas said: "We have been looking for an opportunity to expand our presence in Los Angeles with the introduction of the InterContinental brand to the market. This new deal reflects the brand vision and further solidifies our growth of luxury properties in the USA." Separately IHG has appointed John Bamsey as its new chief operating officer for the Middle East and Africa. Bamsey, who has been with IHG for more than 12 years, has been promoted from his previous role of chief operating officer for the UK and Ireland. Previously he worked in senior management positions in the hotel industry with companies including Hilton and Le Meridien.

Corinthia signs deal with Lafider s.p.a
Malta-based hotel operators Corinthia Hotels International has signed a technical assistance and management agreement with Algerian hotel company Lafider s.p.a. for the construction and operation of Corinthia hotel Algiers, a five-star hotel complex to be built in the Algerian capital of Algiers. Housed in a glass-fronted tower, the 274-room property, which is set to open in 2009, will feature a business centre and executive floors, health club with indoor and outdoor pools, a variety of restaurants, banqueting hall, meeting rooms and conference facilities.

Burger King to open 40 restaurants in Mexico
Fast-food giant Burger King plans to open some 40 restaurants in Mexico this year. The new outlets will be opened mainly under franchise agreements of the company, which currently operates 325 restaurants, 70 of which are owned by its subsidiary Burger King Mexicana. Separately, Burger King is adding a $1 (50p) breakfast offer of 10 items to its US menus. The national roll-out is believed to be the first shift by a major player to a dollar item breakfast menu, which for lunch and dinner has been one of the fast-food industry's most effective traffic-builders in the past. The menu will include a new ham, egg and cheese sandwich called Hamlette, as well as French toast sticks, a sausage patty on a biscuit, and a small hash-browns patty, as well as a small coffee, a 10oz serving of milk, and orange juice.

Brussels get three new Thon hotels
Worldhotels has announced the addition of three new Thon hotels in the Belgian capital of Brussels. The 108-room Stanhope hotel is located in the centre of Brussels and includes a library bar, restaurant and interior garden, as well as extensive conference facilities. The 454-room Thon hotel Brussels City Centre is located close to the new business district, next to the European Parliament and features a top floor relaxation centre including fitness room, sun beds and sauna. Finally, Thon hotel Brussels Airport, which located near Brussels international airport, features 100 rooms equipped with high speed internet connection.

By Kerstin Kühn

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