News: Starwood doubling footprint in China

Starwood has now opened more than 100 hotels in China. A further 100 signed deals are in the pipeline. Starwood commented "with more high end hotels in China today than any of our competitors, our long lead will be enhanced by the record number of new hotels we have in our pipeline". Regarding strategy "...we are seeing a change in luxury consumption as travellers become more connected... luxury is no longer a one-size-fits-all proposition. What once was prescribed is now personalised with less formality and more fun"

Sounds like progress to us!

News - Sheraton getting more sociable

In an effort to recognise the more sociable world we live in, Sheraton has just launched "Sheraton Social Hour in the Asia Pacific Region", which enables guests to mingle and share in wine tastings (a good hook to drive participation!). The event is spearheaded out of Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Bangkok but will be rolled out to other hotels in the group.

News: Grand Hyatt Hotel to open in Bogota, Colombia in 2015. Paves the way for more openings in the country

Designed by Chicago-based Goettsch Partners architects, who also designed Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Park Hyatt Guangzhou and several other Hyatt-branded hotels in China

Grand Hyatt Bogota will offer 297 guestrooms, including 53 suites

Expected to open in early 2015, the hotel will feature two restaurants, a lobby lounge, a patisserie, and more than 24,000 sq ft (2,270 sq m) of meeting and event space, including a 10,800 sq ft (1,000 sq m) ballroom. Additional hotel amenities will include a fitness centre, an indoor pool, and a spa.

Grand Hyatt Bogota is the second Hyatt-branded hotel under development in Colombia, in addition to the previously announced Hyatt Regency Cartagena, which is expected to open in late 2015. Thirteen Hyatt-branded hotels are under development in Latin America, and when these properties open, there will be a total of 21 Hyatt-branded hotels in the region.

More Hyatt projects expected in Colombia

Hotel Review: Hospes Maricel, Majorca: our room was in the new building, across the road from the mansion, 22-24 June 2012

What's the curbappeal?

- gorgeous 16th century mansion with 21st century facelift set in a delightful bay

- wrap-around terracing with unbelievably stunning views of the Mediterranean sea

- elegant, yet relaxed, contemporary interiors

style rating: zing without bling

crowd: wealthy, but not trashy, middle-aged Europeans and Americans (as well as a few young couples)

atmosphere: very relaxed

cuisine: spanish classics

food rating: good

the bill: i've had cheaper, but it's worth it!

recommended? highly - but I'll be back to check out rooms in the main hotel!

With love,

Ms. Curbappeal x

...some photo’s straight from my iPhone...

find it: www.hospes.com

Cafe Review: Eat, Gatwick Airport 22 June 2012

Loved the Duck Gyozo Dumpling soup - very refreshing :)

Exhibition review: BT ArtBox, London - 22 June 2012

It's Curbappeal:

- Famous artists re-style Britain's famous phone boxes

- Makes you stop, makes you stare

Style rating: hip

Recommended: yes

Find it: http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/24870338-bt-artbox

Event Review - Motorexpo, Canary Wharf, London - visited 11-13/06/2012

It's Curbappeal: luxury and supercar motorshow set amongst Canary Wharfs skyscrapers. You can test drive too.
Style rating: high - the skyscrapers provide an interesting and unusual backdrop for a motor show.
Crowd: a mix of bankers and the general public
Atmosphere: buzzing!
Recommended: yes

Find it: http://www.motorexpo.com/