Global Update
The GosTelow reporT
Latin America is a main draw for Sun International , Johannesburg . It already has 44 % of an integrated resort in Monticello , Chile , which has achieved 67 % of all gaming income in the region and given the group confidence to pursue further opportunities , specifically in Colombia , Panama , Peru and Uruguay . Sun International is currently applying for a casino license in Colombia , where it has already entered into a long-term lease in a new mixeduse development in Cartagena . This project includes a 284-room InterContinental convention center hotel .
Cuba will see the 277-room Hotel Havana managed by Kempinski Hotels , Geneva . The company is looking hard
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at the Caribbean , says Kempinski executive Ulrich Eckhardt , who specifically cites Antigua , Dominica and St Kitts .
In Dubai , Damac Towers is under construction . One of the four towers will have the first Paramount hotel from Paramount Hotels & Resorts , owned by Viacom . The 777-key property , masterminded by Executive Chairman Ghassan Aridi and CEO Thomas Van Vliet , is scheduled to open in late 2016 . It will be joined later by 1,080 serviced residences and , in the second stage , 162 villas near the Donald Trump-themed golf course .
Dubai is also the base of Sheikh Adel Aujan , chairman of Aujan Industries Co ., the largest privately owned beverage company in the GCC . He has long had a fascination with Mozambique , where he set up Rani Resorts , led by CEO Luis Pinheiro , who is helping transition the managing of Rani ’ s resorts in Bazaruto , Matemo , Medjumbe and Pembe . Minor International has taken management — plus 25 % ownership — in these resorts , which do not include the Rani Resortowned Radisson Blu Maputo , managed by Carlson Rezidor .
Patina Hotels & Resorts , Singapore , has yet to open its first hotel , the 157-key Patina at Capitol , a conversion and extension of Singapore ’ s historic Capitol Building and adjacent Stamford House . Patina CEO Marc Dardenne is , however , currently in discussions for projects in Europe , the Middle East and Southeast Asia . The Maldives , Thailand and Indonesia are at advanced negotiation stage .
The 110-room VieVage Napa Valley will be located here , in the Carneros district of Napa Valley , California .
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The industry continues to find ways to create new luxury brands . It has recently added
new luxe brand Belmond , Curio from Hilton , Cassia from Banyan Tree and now VieVage from California-based Auberge Resorts .
Auberge will manage a new resort and destination spa that will be developed on the site of the former Stanly Ranch in the Carneros district of Napa Valley , California . The project is expected to break ground in early 2015 and open in 2017 , and will become the first developed under a new lifestyle hospitality brand for resort and urban locations . Auberge says the VieVage concept will bring contemporary themes of design , community , locally sourced food , sustainability , fitness and wellness together in an active and social environment .
The 110-room VieVage Napa Valley will be developed by Stanly Ranch Resort Napa LLC , led by the Colorado-based team of Jeff Selby and Randy Nichols . Selby has spearheaded the acquisition and entitlement process of Stanly Ranch for more than seven years .
18 HOTELS July / August 2014 www . hotelsmag . com