This April, the British Museum takes on London’s art galleries with its very own art exhibition – Fra Angelico to Leonardo : Italian Renaissance Drawings. Running from 22 April – 25 July, this major exhibition is drawn from the two foremost collections in the field and features 100 exquisite drawings by Italian Renaissance artists including Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Verrocchio. Short break specialist Superbreak (www.superbreak.com) has packages available that include timed entry tickets to the exhibition and overnight accommodation at a wide range of London hotels.

Sample packages include:
THREE STAR PACKAGE - £60.75 per person – staying one night at the three President Hotel which is in easy walking distance of the British Museum including breakfast and a timed ticket to the exhibition. Valid at weekends in May and June and based on two sharing.
FOUR STAR PACKAGE- £84.75 per person - staying one night at the four star Radisson Edwardian Kenilworth Hotel which is in easy walking distance of the British Museum including breakfast and a timed ticket to the exhibition. Valid at weekends in May and June and based on two sharing.

For more information or to book log onto www.superbreak.com

W Hotels Worldwide, recaptures the spirit of Hollywood glamour with the unveiling of W Hollywood Hotel & Residences. Located at the historic intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine, this $350 million complex, developed by Gatehouse Capital and owned in a joint venture by HEI Hotels & Resorts and Gatehouse ...   more »

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened its first hotel in Denmark with the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers.

The 366-room Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers stands 85 metres tall with stunning views over the Copenhagen skyline and the whole Oeresund region. The hotel is located minutes away from Copenhagen International Airport ...   more »

On 1 October 2009, the establishment, formerly Sofitel, moved under the Pullman banner, Accor's luxury hotel brand. The change in banner was accompanied by an ambitious renovation programme. Located in the superb bay of El Jadida, a fortified town built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the Pullman Mazagan ...   more »

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and ABA Development, LLC, announced February 2nd the opening of Hyatt Place Sacramento/Roseville.

“Roseville is home to one of the country’s largest retail concentrations as well as world-class companies, and we are confident Hyatt Place Sacramento/Roseville will exceed guest expectations,” said Scott Brown, owner and ...   more »

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts on February 4th announced its continued growth with the opening of the 231-room Wyndham® Garden Atlanta Airport South.

Located at 5010 Old National Highway, the Wyndham Garden Atlanta Airport South is conveniently three miles from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and minutes from downtown Atlanta. ...   more »

After months of great anticipation, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas officially opened its doors yesterday, welcoming guests to another new and exciting Luxury Included® holiday destination. Following a soft-opening on 22nd January, the resort additionally hosted more than 30 top tour operators and travel agents for a first-hand look ...   more »

Embassy Suites Hotels today announced the opening of the Embassy Suites Palmdale, featuring the brand’s first Design Option III Prototype build in the state of California. The 30th Embassy Suites in the state, the upscale property is located just off Interstate 14, nestled in the beautiful Antelope Valley at 39375 ...   more »

InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announced that the Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise has opened within close proximity of a number of Florida attractions, including this year's "Big Game" in Sun Life Stadium. The property is the third Crowne Plaza to open ...   more »

The opening of Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa has been announced, bringing a new level of luxury and service to Florida’s West coast. Now through April 30, travelers who reserve a stay with offer code CBINTR will be some of the first guests to experience the resort at ...   more »

Renaissance Hotels has opened the latest gem in its global portfolio, the 128-room Renaissance Malmo Hotel in Malmo, Sweden under a franchise agreement with Scandinavian Hospitality Group (SHG).

The Renaissance Malmo Hotel brings together the best of the Renaissance brand experience as it blends history with ultra-modern design in the ...   more »

InterContinental, the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, has begun the countdown to the opening of the newest InterContinental Hotels & Resorts property in Times Square. Slated to open in July, the InterContinental New York Times Square will join the historic InterContinental New York Barclay as IHG's newest ...   more »

Holiday Inn New 76-room property will provide convenient place to stay for visitors of British Columbia

The Holiday Inn & Suites Surrey will showcase the brand’s new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program. First ...   more »

Ramada Worldwide today announced its return to Hawaii with the opening of the 198-room Ramada® Plaza Waikiki in Honolulu.

Owned and operated by California-based Cal-Dynasty International, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of China Airlines Ltd., the hotel is the second Wyndham Hotel Group property to open in Hawaii in the ...   more »

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces the opening of The Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport, a sophisticated, new-build hotel in Richmond, B.C. owned and managed by Wall Financial Corporation. The hotel inspires personal renewal with the help of the Westin brand's signature amenities, fine dining and instinctive ...   more »

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announced January 27th that a new 134-room Staybridge Suites recently opened in the Seattle suburb of Mukilteo, Washington.

The Staybridge Suites Seattle North-Everett is owned and managed by Mukilteo Hotel, LLC, an affiliate of the 360 Hotel Group, under a license agreement with a company in ...   more »

With a ‘soft opening’ on 12 April 2010, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel promises to be one of the finest luxury resorts in Europe. The resort is situated in a stunning position on Martinhal Beach, surrounded by a protected national park, near to the small fishing port of Sagres on ...   more »

Hard Rock International proudly announces the opening of Hard Rock Hotel Singapore. Launched with a ceremonial lion dance and ribbon-cutting, the luxurious, 360-room hotel is part of Resorts World Sentosa, a US $4.4 billion resort destination on Sentosa Island.

Opened in January 2010, the 49-hectare Resorts World Sentosa is ...   more »

Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) today announced that the Cambria Suites hotel in Oklahoma City, Okla. opened on January 11, 2010. Cambria Suites hotels are designed for guests who want to take their lifestyle with them when traveling, and feature stylish design with guest suites that are larger than standard ...   more »

Doubletree Hotels has announced the opening of the Curtis – a Doubletree Hotel in downtown Denver. The 336-room, pop culture-themed hotel is located in the heart of downtown Denver, across the street from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and a short walk from the Colorado Convention Center. Located ...   more »

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced today that the Holiday Inn Wall Street will open in April as the only full-service IHG property in the center of the Financial District in New York City. This 20-story conversion property was ...   more »

A unique and contemporary coastal retreat has opened its doors in St Ives. Resting in a fabulous location overlooking the popular Cornish bay, Salt House offers guests a stylish bolt hole from which to enjoy the seaside delights.

Owners Alan and Sharon Spencer opened Salt House last autumn having spent ...   more »

Last week airBaltic announced a new route from London (Gatwick) to Vilnius, Lithuania.

“The airBaltic decision to relaunch direct flights between London and Vilnius will definitely help to attract more tourists from the UK to Lithuania. The airline is already established in the UK market as the major carrier to ...   more »

EAST, a new lifestyle business hotel from Swire Hotels, has opened in Hong Kong and will set a dynamic benchmark for travelling executives.

“EAST will be distinguished by its natural vitality and sense of place, creating a neighbourhood vibe for all guests,” said Brian Williams, Managing Director of Swire Hotels. ...   more »

The new 193-room Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square opens its doors today, offering guests a combination of heritage, cutting edge design, and exceptional local art.

The Novotel is located in the heart of the city on Cathedral Square, and has incorporated the heritage-listed Warner’s Hotel, originally built in 1863, into the ...   more »

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and OTO Development, LLC, announced January 19th the opening of Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport-South, phase one of the country’s first joint Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites development. Hyatt Summerfield Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport-South is scheduled to open in early March.

“Annually, more than 20 ...   more »

ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe officially launches today following a successful rebranding exercise. Widely regarded as one of Kobe's key landmarks, the 593-room, 37-storey hotel is now the tenth ANA Crowne Plaza hotel in Japan, and the second in the Kansai area.

The rebranding marks the beginning of the hotel's rebirth ...   more »

This year’s Liberation Day celebrations on Guernsey (Sunday 9 May) will have a special resonance, as 2010 marks both the 70th anniversary of the evacuation of islanders to Britain prior to the wartime Nazi occupation and the 65th anniversary of Guernsey’s liberation.

Guernsey’s occupation, which has more recently come into ...   more »

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, has opened their very first hotel in the Spanish Capital Madrid: The Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado truly raises the bar for boutique-style luxury in the heart of town. In an exclusive location, just across from the Prado ...   more »

Dusit International, one of Asia’s leading hotel groups, has announced the official opening of its first flagship hotel in the land of the Pharaohs, Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo.

Located in the Fifth Settlement in New Cairo District, the hotel is in close proximity to the main roads leading to ...   more »

For the increasing number of skiers keen to travel to Europe by train, the journey is now even easier. A new range of advance-bookable taxi transfers in Paris are now available at snowcarbon.co.uk, the new website which promotes train travel to Europe for skiers and snowboarders. The website’s ‘change in ...   more »

Andaz Wall Street, the only hotel situated on Wall Street, will set a new tone of style and optimism in Lower Manhattan when it officially opens on January 18, 2010. Andaz, Hyatt’s newest brand, is devoted to providing simplified, spot-on service and indulgent amenities for its guests. Following the successful ...   more »

Best Western International announces the opening of its first hotel in Laos, the Best Western Vientiane Hotel. Located in the capital city Vientiane, the hotel is the first in the chain’s plans for a network of strategically located Loas hotels. Other planned locations include Luang Prabang, Champasak, Xien Khouang and ...   more »

The Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport has opened after undergoing a recent renovation. The 317-room property is the larger of only two full-service hotels in the Jacksonville airport area.

"We are excited about the recent renovations that have taken place at our hotel," said Mark Kane, general manager, Crowne Plaza Jacksonville ...   more »

Make the most of a special break this winter with Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire, stay in a cosy cottage at Ivy Tower Village and enjoy wonderful walks in the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park followed by a rejuninvating sauna and dip in the pool.

Ivy Tower village is set in ...   more »

Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with more than 7,000 hotels and 11 brands, today announced that the Apollo Hotel Amsterdam, an iconic, 223-room hotel with a 50-year history of serving visitors, has joined the upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand as its first hotel in the Netherlands.

...   more »

SANTO DOMINGO, Jan. 13, 2010 -- The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its neighboring country. The Dominican government is providing relief effort staging areas at some at some of the international ...   more »

When the beaming smiles of the doormen at Four Seasons Hotel Beirut dazzle their very first guests, the city will take another step forward in its renaissance as a 21st-century metropolis. There are few in Beirut who won’t share the uniformed doormen’s sense of pride. After ten years in planning ...   more »

Hidden behind a door in Venice marked only by a bull’s head is a magical world of mirrors, glass sculptures, rare books and vintage objects - Philippe Starck’s first Italian hotel, and Design Hotels™ member, Palazzina Grassi. The renowned French designer was chosen by Emanuele Garosci, hotelier and former rally ...   more »

Welcoming the New Year, the Suzhou Marriott Hotel opened its doors to guests, offering luxurious accommodations, exquisite restaurants, modern design and great meeting space. The new hotel incorporates the latest innovations of Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International’s performance-driven brand. Operating under a long-term management agreement between Marriott International and ...   more »

Dusit International has officially opened the hotel Dusit Princess City Centre, Dubai located near Deira City Centre, adding a new facet to one of the most exciting and popular locations in Dubai with its legendary Thai brand of hospitality. The opening of Dusit Princess City Centre, Dubai, the first Dusit ...   more »

The eagerly awaited international 4 star deluxe Swiss-Belhotel Wooshu Bien Hoa has opened and had its Grand Opening Ceremony in January 2010. Comprising of 132 deluxe rooms and suites, three exciting food and beverage outlets, recreational facilities with spa and swimming pool, business and meeting facilities, the hotel offers excellent ...   more »

Hyatt Place Garden City Will Be City’s First New Hotel in Nearly Four Years

Hyatt and OTO Development, LLC, announced January 11th a major milestone for the Hyatt Place brand: the first Hyatt Place hotel on Long Island and the first newly built New York City-area Hyatt Place hotel will ...   more »

The new Pan Pacific Suzhou officially opened its doors January 11th. The landmark 481-room property located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, features traditional Suzhou gardens and ancient Chinese aesthetics fused with modern comforts and luxury.

The hotel’s opening was graced by acclaimed Chinese painter Ye Fang, who entertained guests and ...   more »

If you really want to get under the skin of India, forget hotels. Try homestays.

Across India, families are throwing open their charming homes and inviting tourists to stay.

From as little as £20 per day (inc breakfast), travellers can choose from over 150 locations, ranging from downtown Delhi to rural homes in the Himalayas.

Each home has been selected to deliver the highest standards of comfort and cleanliness, as well as safety and authenticity.

To book, simply browse www.mahindrahomestays.com – an easy to use site which allows you to choose by location, price or activity (such as yoga or cookery classes). You can explore India by map and read more about each homestay, and the lives of the owners, whether it be a Maharaja’s palace, or on a coffee plantation.

‘It’s not just a holiday, it’s a cultural exchange – and from £20 b&b a night per person, it’s totally affordable for everyone’ says Japa Ghosh, Head of Marketing, Mahindra Homestays.

For help with planning or travel arrangements, call the reservations centre on 0203 140 8422. The friendly team will be able to guide you to the ideal homestay, and provide expert travel advice – they are based in India.

To BOOK: www.mahindrahomestays.com, or telephone 0203 140 8422.
Follow our blog: blog.mahindrahomestay.com

Kempinski Hotels is delighted to announce that from January 1, 2010 the prestigious Villa Rothschild Hotel & Restaurant will become the Villa Rothschild Kempinski Königstein Frankfurt and the sales and marketing agreement of its sister hotel, the Kempinski Hotel Falkenstein, which will be renamed to Falkenstein Grand Kempinski Königstein Frankfurt, ...   more »

On January 7, 2010, the Jekyll Island Authority celebrated the opening of the Hampton Inn and Suites, the first new hotel to open on Jekyll Island since 1974. The 138-room, beachfront property is jointly owned by Jekyll Ocean Oaks, LLC, an affiliate of the ownership group of the Jekyll Island ...   more »

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the opening of its first ElementSM hotel in New Jersey and the seventh Element hotel globally, Element Ewing-Hopewell in Ewing, New Jersey, just 10 minutes outside Princeton. The hotel is owned through a joint venture between American Properties Realty, Inc. ...   more »

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announced that the Avenue Crowne Plaza Chicago has opened just steps from Michigan Avenue's "Magnificent Mile." A conversion of the Avenue Hotel Chicago, the 40-story hotel completed a multi-million renovation in summer ...   more »

As retail stores wrap up their holiday sales, Hilton Worldwide announced today a global multi-brand wide January Sale. Guests who book hotel rooms in January can save 50 percent off weekend getaways throughout the year at participating hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Guests can save up ...   more »

Low fare airline announces new schedule to Winnipeg

Starting June 2010, Iceland Express will fly twice a week from Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport to Winnipeg International Airport, in Manitoba, Canada.

This is in addition to new London Gatwick to New York, London Gatwick to Akureyri and Birmingham to Reykjavik services, ...   more »

The 21 suite hotel, which opened in April 2009, is a rustic two storey property set in beautiful gardens overlooking the Urubamba River. With an imposing mountain backdrop, Hotel Rio Sagrado is three kilometres from the town of Urubamba and fifteen minutes from Ollantaytambo, home to an important Inca village ...   more »

ARLINGTON, VA., Jan. 4 -- Holiday Inn National Airport has been honored by InterContinental Hotels Group with their 2009 Quality Excellence Award. The hotel is one of 107 properties selected from the company's more than 4,300 hotels in recognition of overall quality excellence.

"I am pleased to honor the Holiday ...   more »

Virgin Atlantic, one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines, today announced that it is offering a range of New Year sale fares to a number of worldwide destinations for Economy and Premium Economy travellers. Return fares in both Economy and Premium Economy class are available for sale until 26 January ...   more »

Following the success of the Portsmouth-Santander route, launched in March this year, Brittany Ferries is adding yet another luxury cruise-ferry to its fleet to provide its customers with an additional 2 round trips a week between these ports. This move will mean that from March 2010 the UK and Spain ...   more »

With the recent opening of Hotel Hermitage, Casares, a new boutique hotel concept is born as the first in a series of three hotels planned to embody the same idea of Luxury in Nature.
Opened in November 2009, the Hotel Hermitage, Casares offers a taste of luxury along with ...   more »

Rotana, the leading hotel management company in the Middle East and North Africa has now opened one of Dubai landmark buildings, Rose Rayhaan by Rotana.
Commenting last month, Omer Z. Kaddouri, Senior Vice President UAE of Rotana said: "We are very proud to be managing this landmark property. Rose Rayhaan ...   more »

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Stonestreet Hospitality Realty Corporation, today announce the opening of Hyatt Place Uncasville. Hyatt Place Uncasville is the first newly built hotel to open in Uncasville since 2001.

“We’re thrilled to be Uncasville’s first newly built hotel to open in eight years and believe that city ...   more »

Rotana the leading hotel management company in the Middle East and North Africa announced the opening of Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, the luxurious 5-star hotel which has entered the Abu Dhabi hospitality market and recently welcomed its first guests.

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi is one of key elements of Park ...   more »

Members of the Carlson Hotels Worldwide goldpoints plusSM loyalty program can maximize their earning power and earn up to 50,000 bonus Gold Points® simply by registering and staying at a participating Carlson Hotel property between January and February of 2010.

Bonus Gold Points are easy to earn under the program. Simply register at www.goldpointsplus.com/earnmore and stay at any of more than 1,060 global Carlson properties between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2010. Members begin earning bonus Gold Points after only two stays, and quickly earn more bonus points with each visit. This offer is cumulative, so the bonus points add up fast:


* Stay two times: earn 5,000 Gold Points
* Stay three times: earn 7,500 more Gold Points (member would earn 5,000 + 7,500 for a total of 12,500 Gold Points)
* Stay four times: earn 12,500 more Gold Points (total of 25,000 Gold Points)
* Stay five times: earn 25,000 more Gold Points (total of 50,000 Gold Points)


Members can earn points by staying at Regent® Hotels & Resorts, Radisson® Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Edwardian Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM and Park Inn® properties worldwide. goldpoints plus members should register right away for the program to earn rewards; registration is available via the goldpoints plus Web site. Non-goldpoints plus members can join at goldpointsplus.com and participate.

For more information, please visit www.goldpointsplus.com