Travel Technology
Business Wire | October 30, 2023
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake, a timeless urban haven on the east bank of Kuncheng Lake and one of the highest hotels in Changshu, with panoramic lake, city, mountain and sunset views.
Located a one-hour drive from Suzhou, Wuxi and Shanghai, with convenient access to Changshu’s intercity train network, the hotel offers the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle. Changshu is hailed as the blessed land in the south of Yangtze River, a destination of spectacular natural beauty where green mountains stretch into the city and water flows to the sea. With a history dating back more than 3,000 years, it is also an important birthplace of Wu culture, which is characterized as being delicate, graceful and refined, having preserved many unique cultural traditions nonextant in other regions of China.
“We are excited to welcome guests to Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake, an ideal destination for discovering the unique historical, cultural and natural richness of Changshu,” said Frank Chen, general manager, Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake. “With modern guestrooms, delightful culinary experiences and flexible event spaces accompanied by thoughtful service, our hotel offers a vibrant new stay experience in Changshu and a premier gathering venue.”
Contemporary Design
Owned by fashion and textile giant Bosideng, the hotel is designed as a modern reflection of Yushan Mountain’s cultural heritage infused with Bosideng’s dynamic spirit of creativity and innovation. The result is a distinctive contemporary edge including décor inspired by feathers and the timeless charm of the traditional guqin instrument, which creates a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. The harmony of modernity and tradition expressed in artwork, murals and motifs around the hotel transforms every space into a gallery of sophistication.
Spacious Accommodation
Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake offers 289 spacious guestrooms and suites ranging from 430 to 1722 square feet (40 to 160 square meters), furnished in contemporary style with plush fabrics, marble bathrooms, a work desk and floor-to-ceiling windows offering memorable lake or city views. Thoughtful amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth sound system and satellite TV ensure guests stay well connected and entertained, while Regency Club access in premier rooms provides complimentary privileges such as afternoon tea and evening cocktails.
For families and guests with longer stays, the hotel offers two-bedroom suites with additional space for added convenience. Meanwhile, the Presidential Suite on the 33rd floor provides a residential-style retreat with a dining room, kitchen and study.
Culinary Experiences
Surrounded by sweeping views from the 36th to 38th floors, the hotel’s four distinct dining venues indulge guests in a variety of culinary experiences ranging from local street food to international fusion cuisine. Market Café satisfies appetites throughout the day with an array of international flavors, including abundant buffet selections. Xiang Yue showcases local cuisine and Zhejiang Chinese specialties crafted with fresh seasonal ingredients and offers eight exclusive private dining room settings for business dinners, social gatherings and celebrations. At Yinxiu 36, guests can savor the authentic teppanyaki cooked right before their eyes in an interactive journey of gastronomy. Come evening, The Lounge is the perfect place to unwind, enjoying signature canapés and cocktails in a social ambience with live music.
Recreation and Wellness
A 24-hour fitness center and an indoor swimming pool with stunning lake views make it easy for guests to relax and recharge after a day of business or sightseeing.
Guests can also enjoy Changshu’s pleasantly mild climate while immersing in lakeside activities such as cycling and kite-flying. The hotel is also well placed for guests to explore Changshu’s stunning landscapes, whether hiking up its most prominent peak at Yushan Mountain National Forest Park or taking a scenic boat ride through Shajiabang National Wetland Park.
Meetings, Weddings and Events
Offering over 25,994 square feet (2,415 square meters) of versatile spaces, Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake provides an exceptional setting for business and social events and once-in-a-lifetime celebrations, whether on an intimate or large scale.
Its largest venue is the Regency Ballroom, one of two pillar-free ballrooms, spanning 9,149 square feet (850 square meters) with a separate lounge area, built-in LED screen and French windows. The hotel also boasts ten meeting rooms and boardrooms equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, as well as exclusive spaces suited for private parties and VIP events. Coupled with the support of its event specialists and catering experts, Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake is set to become a go-to gathering place for a successful and stress-free event experience.
World of Hyatt Gives Members 500 Reasons to Stay Somewhere New
To provide World of Hyatt members even more ways to be rewarded, World of Hyatt is offering members the opportunity to earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake, from November 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024, part of World of Hyatt’s new hotel member offer. Additional participating hotels and their offer stay periods can be found at worldofhyatt.com/newhotelbonus. No registration is required and members can earn on top of other offers.
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Travel Technology
Hyatt Hotels | September 22, 2023
Hyatt Hotels Corporation embarks on a strategic expansion journey with over 30 luxury and lifestyle hotels planned for the Americas by 2025.
The brand's rapid growth includes doubling luxury room inventory and increasing lifestyle rooms, making it a premier choice for high-end travelers.
The strategic acquisitions of Mr & Mrs Smith and Dream Hotel Group enhance Hyatt's offerings for members of the World of Hyatt.
The Hyatt Hotels Corporation has strengthened the brand with ambitious plans to expand its luxury and lifestyle presence throughout the Americas. With a robust development pipeline encompassing more than 30 planned hotels and resorts slated for completion by 2025, Hyatt is poised to make a significant impact. This strategic initiative includes venturing into new markets, reflecting the company's unwavering commitment to enhancing its brand offerings. Over the past half-decade, Hyatt has achieved remarkable milestones on a global scale, including doubling luxury room inventory, tripling the number of resort rooms, and quadrupling the availability of lifestyle rooms. The momentum behind this growth shows no signs of abating. Hyatt now proudly stands as the fastest-growing luxury portfolio, with luxury, lifestyle, and resort properties constituting over 40% of its extensive portfolio. This success solidifies Hyatt's position as the ultimate choice for discerning high-end travelers seeking unparalleled experiences.
This brand expansion has new properties in sought-after destinations, including the Hyatt Centric Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Cas en Bas Beach Resort in Saint Lucia, and Hyatt Centric Querétaro in Mexico. Additionally, Hyatt is introducing Boundless Collection hotels, featuring Thompson Hotels in various U.S. and Mexican locations. Timeless Collection hotels will offer a home away from home experience, with Park Hyatt Los Cabos in Mexico and Grand Hyatt Scottsdale in Arizona among the highlights. The Inclusive Collection will welcome new resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, including Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa and more. Several luxury and lifestyle Hyatt hotels have recently opened in the Americas, with exciting additions like Andaz Mexico City Condesa and Dreams Flora Resort & Spa in Punta Cana. The Fordson Hotel in Oklahoma City will soon join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt.
Hyatt's transformative growth journey extends further through strategic acquisitions that enhance the offerings for its valued guests and members. The recent acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith, a global travel platform renowned for its curated collection of boutique and luxury properties, is a testament to Hyatt's commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. This move significantly enriches the choices available to World of Hyatt members, providing them with an even more comprehensive array of rewarding stays and memorable experiences. In addition to this, Hyatt's earlier acquisition of Dream Hotel Group in early 2023 has opened up new horizons for World of Hyatt members, enabling them to access an expanded portfolio of stay options and lifestyle experiences in vibrant destinations like Nashville, Hollywood, South Beach, and New York City.
Additionally, this acquisition catalyzes Hyatt's brand expansion into an emerging leisure market in Mexico, with the upcoming Dream Valle de Guadalupe (slated for 2024). Nestled across 35 sprawling acres in the picturesque Baja California region, this property will feature a sprawling vineyard, 61 well-appointed guestrooms and villas, a luxurious spa and wellness facility, and a trio of vibrant dining and nightlife venues, including an exclusive tasting room and pool bar.
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Hospitality Trends
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | October 11, 2023
Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown approaches completion of a remarkable $45 million transformation, marked as one of the largest hotel renovations in the Fort Worth area.
A dynamic five-member senior executive team, led by General Manager Damien O'Connor, is poised to steer the hotel's vision and elevate the guest experience.
The hotel, managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, is strategically located across from the Fort Worth Convention Center, near the picturesque Water Gardens, and in close proximity to numerous restaurants and entertainment venues in downtown Fort Worth.
The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown is on the point of completing an extensive transformation, making it one of Fort Worth's most significant hospitality projects. A five-member senior executive team has been assembled to steer the hotel's vision and enhance the guest experience. This team is backed by Aimbridge Hospitality, a globally renowned hospitality management company recognized for its exceptional service. General Manager Damien O'Connor is leading the team, who joined the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown in April 2022. Together, they bring over 80 years of collective experience to elevate the hotel's profile and provide exceptional hospitality in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown, with 403 rooms, enjoys a prime location just across the street from the Fort Worth Convention Center, the scenic Water Gardens, and the new Texas A&M University Law School addition. It offers convenient access to numerous restaurants and entertainment venues, making it a hub in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. Additionally, the hotel is a short drive away from iconic attractions such as The Stockyards, Texas Christian University (TCU), and the Fort Worth Zoo.
The members of the senior executive team at the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown include:
Courtney Towson, Director of Sales and Marketing, brings over 15 years of experience to her role, previously serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Sinclair Autograph Collection in Fort Worth. She spent over a decade with the Gaylord Texan before that.
Rosa Morakis, Director of Human Resources, has held similar roles at various hotel brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, DoubleTree, and Radisson. With a diverse background and proficiency in multiple languages, including Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Greek, Morakis is well-equipped for her role.
Bill Richards, Director of Finance, boasts more than two decades of experience in hotel accounting and finance. He has been a valued member of Aimbridge Hospitality for several years.
Kara Anderson, Director of Food and Beverage, is an accomplished professional and the first certified tea master for Starbucks. With several years of experience at the Beverly Hills Marriott, she has returned to her hometown of Fort Worth.
The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown's $45 million renovation will mark one of the largest hotel transformations in the Fort Worth region. It was started in the fall of 2022; the project is on track to be finalized by the end of the current year. The comprehensive renovation encompasses the hotel's exterior and interior, focusing on creating a more vibrant and spacious environment based on valuable input from guests.
The redesign includes a reimagined entrance, an increased number of suites, and the addition of practical work-space studios tailored for small meetings and versatile use. Adding to the enhanced guest experience is the debut of West+Stone, a signature restaurant bar offering a range of dining options from breakfast to late-night dinners.
The hotel's in-house dining option, &More by Sheraton, will provide an all-day menu and a diverse selection of beverages, catering to both in-hotel dining and takeaway. In addition, the construction has been carried out in stages, allowing the hotel, with its nearly 30,000 square feet of conference space, to maintain operations during most of the renovation process.
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