Starwood signs new deals in Slovakia and Russia … and other International hotel news

Starwood signs deal to operate Sheraton Bratislava hotel…
Starwood has signed a long-term management agreement to operate the Sheraton Bratislava hotel in Slovakia. The 207-room five-star property is scheduled to open in 2009 and is located in Bratislava's centre, adjacent to the city's New National Theatre. It will include a restaurant and bar, and a health club and spa with swimming pool.

… and adds eight new spas to portfolio
Starwood has also added eight new spas to its Starwood Spa Collection, which includes close to 40 hotels and resorts in 18 countries worldwide. The new properties include: St Regis Resort, Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Wigwam Golf resort, Arizona, USA; Convento do Espinheiro Heritage hotel, Portugal; Westin Casuarina Hotel casino, Las Vegas, USA; Westin Denarau Island resort, Fiji; Sheraton Colonia golf resort, Uruguay; Sheraton La Caleta resort, Spain; and the Sheraton Saigon hotel and tower, Vietnam.

SOK Hotels launches second property
SOK Hotels is to launch its second property in St Petersburg, Russia, with the opening of its Sokos Hotel Olympic Garden scheduled for autumn next year. The 348-room hotel, which is located in the centre of St Petersburg, will include conference facilities for up to 300 delegates as well as two restaurants and a lobby bar. Sokos's first St Petersburg property, the Sokos hotel Vasilievsky, is currently under construction on Vasily Island and is also scheduled to open in autumn 2007. Matti Pulkki, senior vice-president of SOK hotel and restaurant division, said: "The mid-range priced Sokos Hotel chain is ideal for St Petersburg's competitive hotel market, where there is a shortage of quality but suitably priced hotels.

Starwood signs Le Meridien St Petersburg
Starwood has signed the newly named Le Meridien St Petersburg, in Russia. The hotel marks the latest addition to Le Meridien portfolio since Starwood acquired the brand last year and is the third Le Meridien property in Russia. Formerly the North Crown Hotel, the 322-room site is scheduled to reopen in 2008 following an extensive revamp. It will include two restaurants, a spa, an indoor swimming pool, extensive conference facilities as well as a river boat service transporting guests along the city's Neva River.

Le Meridien expands in Asia Pacific
Separately Le Meridien has expanded its presence in Asia Pacific with the signing of a management contract at Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi golf resort & spa in Thailand. Located 40 minutes from Bangkok, the newly built resort is scheduled to open in July 2008. The 214-room property will feature four restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, serviced apartments, a health club, conference facilities and an outdoor swimming pool.

Indian Hotels Company to acquire Ritz Carlton Hotel, Boston
Indian Hotels Company (IHC) is set to acquire the 400-room Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston for $170m (£90m). The company, which last year bought the W-Sydney hotel in Australia for $36m (£19m), said it is buying the US property as part of its long-term strategy to establish an international presence.

InterConti to open Holiday Inn in Slovakia
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to open a new Holiday Inn in Zilina, Slovakia. Construction of the 126-room hotel is already underway and it is scheduled to open in January 2007. Zilinia is 200km from Slovakia's capital of Bratislava and located half way between Bratislava and Kosice, the country's second largest city. The hotel is located near a large sports stadium, as well as skiing areas and nature reserves, and aims to attract both business and leisure visitors. Holiday Inn Zilina will feature a restaurant, coffee shop and bar, and include a fitness centre with indoor swimming pool and a selection of gift shops.

Van der Valk buys former Le Meridien hotel in Hildesheim, Germany
German Starnman Hotels has sold the former Le Meridien hotel in Hildesheim to Dutch hotel group Van der Valk. The 110-bedroom hotel, which includes conference facilities, is located in the town centre and 30 minutes from trade fair centre Hanover. The hotel was marketed by the German offices of Christie.

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