Hotel Owner September 2018 | Page 15

MONTH IN REVIEW GO ONLINE www.hotelowner.co.uk HOTEL OPENINGS Arora Group to launch ‘largest hotel opening’ of 2018 Hotel management firm Arora Group has said its dual-branded Heathrow Terminal 4 hotel will be complete by October 2018. The properties, ‘Crowne Plaza London – Heathrow Terminal 4’, and ‘Holiday Inn Express London – Heathrow Terminal 4’, feature a total of 761 bedrooms, which the group said will form one of the “largest hotel openings in the UK this year”. The two hotels will operate under a franchise agreement with IHG and will be managed by Arora Hotels, a division of the Arora Group, and are located only three minutes away from the terminal building. Andrew Brown, who is the opening GM for the two hotels, joined the Arora Group in 2014 and was previously GM at Macdonald Hotels, QHotels, De Vere Group and Trust House Forte Group. Kaushal Niraula, group strategy director, at the Arora Group, said: “We are delighted to be nearing completion on this fantastic project. Constructing hotels on such a scale in such close proximity to Europe’s busiest airport was a challenge, but we have a very experienced team and we are hugely proud of the achievement.” She added: “This new development is a testament to the group’s diversified business model focusing on growth through a strategy of vertical integration within the wider real-estate industry and airports market. By 2019 the Arora Group will be the first company to serve all airport terminals at Britain’s two largest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, which was used by a combined total of over 123 million passengers in 2017.” September 2018 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOP 3 FROM THE WEBSITE 1.  The Feathers Hotel enters administration after legionnaires outbreak 2.  Arora Group to launch ‘largest hotel opening’ of 2018 3.  Airbnb slams Bristol ‘exclusions’ zone proposal REFURBISHMENTS HOTEL FIRES The Avon Gorge hotel in Bristol will reopen on 24 August following a complete restoration of the property. The hotel features 78 refreshed bedrooms and suites, as well as new meeting, event and private dining suite located in the former spa pump rooms. The group said the new events space retains many of the “unique and historic” features uncovered during the renovation, including the steam pumps of the former spa. The Ty Belgrave House hotel in Aberystwyth, Wales, is still too dangerous to enter three weeks after a fire tore through the property. Avon Gorge hotel to reopen following full restoration The hotel has also finished the construction of the Goram & Vincent restaurant, developed by Hotel du Vin specifically for this hotel and inspired by the local legend of two giants, Goram and Vincent. Dating back to 1898, the grand Victorian building was originally known as the Grand Clifton Spa and Hydropathic Institution and attracted aristocrats and gentry from across the country. Scott Harper, COO of Malmaison Hotel du Vin, said: “We’re thrilled that Hotel du Vin has become part of this much-loved hotel’s incredible history. It’s been a special journey for us, and we’re looking forward to showcasing the Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin in all its glory.” Ty Belgrave House hotel ‘still too dangerous to enter’ after fire According to a report by the BBC a crane is being brought in to allow fire investigators inside the hotel, who are hoping to start their investigation by the start of next week. A man was arrested by Welsh police on suspicion of arson in connection to the fire, and detective chief inspector Neil Jenkins of Dyfed Powys police said the force continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding “the unexplained fire”. The fire broke out at the hotel at 2.21am on 25 July, and attending crews were met with a “well developed fire” and rescued nine adults and three children from the affected property. A statement by Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service at the time said: “At present one person remains unaccounted for. The fire has spread to adjoining properties and the fire service are currently working hard to prevent further fire damage. Residents from adjoining properties have been evacuated to alternative accommodation.” www.hotelowner.co.uk 15