Amadeus, an industry-leading provider of hospitality technology solutions, has announced a new agreement with Sunway Hotels & Resorts, one of Asia’s most prominent international hotel groups, to deliver a comprehensive technology solution enabling them to streamline reservations and loyalty programs across Sunway’s 11 independent properties in Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as future developments which include a new hotel in Malaysia’s southern state of Johor, scheduled to launch in 2021.

As part of the 3-year agreement, the hotel group will implement Amadeus’ iHotelier® Central Reservation System, Guest Management Solutions, and website management solutions in various phases. Collectively these products will consolidate and organise important guest and operational data as well as provide actionable insights. This is a timely move, as data-driven approaches to guest acquisition and retention are more crucial than ever – according to recent Amadeus research. 76% of senior hospitality industry leaders globally are planning to target new audiences to make up for impacted revenue from their usual business mix, with 75% sharing that forward-looking data will be critical to executing their recovery plan in a COVID-19 context.

“As independent hotels, it can be a challenge to compete with the larger branded properties that have access to more resources, including a standardized technology offering. By implementing Amadeus solutions in our business, we can implement the technology that is most relevant for our processes. This lowers our overall operational cost while having access to the capabilities we need to deliver a wide array of offerings to our guests,” said Dato’ Tan Kia Loke, Sunway Group Senior Managing Director for Chairman’s Office.

Amadeus’ hospitality solutions enable the group to offer highly personalised services to its guests. Dato’ KL Tan continued: “As a hotel group with over 3,300 guestrooms and villas across a diverse portfolio, which ranges from luxury wellness retreats with private villas to 3-star properties with convention meeting facilities, the needs and demands of our guests vary greatly across all properties. By consolidating all guests’ data and providing valuable insights on individual guest profiles, the solutions allow us to create personalized and memorable experiences, which will help towards increasing the frequency of returning guests.”

Through Amadeus’ Central Reservation System, Sunway Hotels & Resorts will be able to organise its portfolio, rates, and inventory in a centralised platform, providing the core capabilities needed to manage hotel distribution and merchandising. Its scalable design lets individual hotels customise the platform according to their individual needs. Additionally, an API-first approach helps reduce the pain of costly migrations, making it easier for the various properties across the group to introduce these new technologies.

Meanwhile, Amadeus’ Guest Management Solutions will provide Sunway Hotels & Resorts with a 360-degree overview of their guest profiles through a streamlined and consolidated view of the guest database. This view allows its hotels to personalize each touchpoint of the guest journey and uncover more opportunities. For instance, a hotel can target guests with effective, tailored communications to deliver personalized offers or upgrades. They can also suggest local itineraries to help provide unique experiences. Ultimately, this enhanced level of personalization can help with cross-selling and loyalty strategies.

“We are proud to be working with one of Asia’s leading hospitality groups, and look forward to being part of its growth plans across the region,” said Maria Taylor, Head of Commercial, Asia Pacific, Hospitality, Amadeus. “Nimble solutions have never been more important to help APAC’s hotels survive and thrive. As a leading travel technology provider with an extensive footprint in the region, we are well-placed to support this expansion. We provide agile, industry-leading solutions that allow hospitality companies to make data-driven decisions that help drive profitable demand, improve operational efficiency, and increase loyalty.”

Sunway Hotels & Resorts operates 11 hotels and resorts in Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam, representing a collection of over 3,300 guestrooms, suites and villas.

Kona Kai Resort & Spa, a legendary Noble House Resort located on the tip of Shelter Island near San Diego’s posh Point Loma neighborhood, has announced several new interactive initiatives in advance of Earth Day. The resort’s new programming is geared toward reducing waste, encouraging greener travel options for employees, and launching a partnership with Surfrider, an organization focused on protecting marine life.

“Kona Kai is surrounded by so much organic beauty, we have to do our part to ensure our natural environment is a top priority and we are doing everything we can to preserve it,” said Hugh Hedin, general manager for Kona Kai Resort & Spa. “These are small, but impactful steps we are taking to give back to this wonderful place we call home so we can all enjoy it for many more years to come.”

In a continued effort to prioritize making better choices for the planet, Kona Kai will launch a series of offers including Earth Day-themed ice cream from the property’s onsite restaurant Vessel, during the entire month of April with proceeds of sales going to Surfrider. The resort is also offering a “Noble Nature” opt-in room recycle program where all guests who participate will receive a free Earth Day ice cream. Additionally, all Kona Kai employees who walk, bike or take public transportation throughout the month of April will be entered to win fun raffle prizes. A family-friendly resort, Kona Kai will also be giving kids seed packets at check-in to plant trees, flowers, and vegetables when they return home.

Located on Shelter Island with fantastic views of Point Loma and the Kona Kai Marina, the resort offers 170 newly-renovated guest rooms and suites, along with an exclusive private beach, two pool and hot tub areas, and Vessel Restaurant.  The 11-acre Kona Kai Resort & Spa was recently refreshed and refurbished by Noble House Hotels & Resorts in June 2018 with 41 newly-expanded luxury suites, a new Marina View Terrace space for events, and Paloma Pool and Bar, a dedicated adult pool.

For more information and to book your perfect spring break vacation at Kona Kai Resort & Spa, please visit www.resortkonakai.com or call 619.819.8139.

About Kona Kai Resort & Spa

The recently-expanded Kona Kai Resort & Spa, a Noble House Resort, is a legend reborn on the tip of San Diego’s Shelter Island that offers amenities and experiences unique to its waterfront location and rich history.  With 170 luxury guest rooms including 41 brand new suites featuring contemporary island-inspired decor, deep soaking tubs, and oversized balconies, Kona Kai Resort & Spa is intimate, yet all-encompassing.  The resort boasts its very own private beach, multiple swimming pools, waterfront restaurants, an award-winning spa, 55,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event space, a 500-slip marina, and a renowned private club— the Kona Kai Club.  Paloma Pool and Bar, a new and exclusive pool area for adults only, allows guests to enjoy poolside craft cocktails and California Coastal cuisine while overlooking some of the region’s most breathtaking sunsets.  Located just minutes away from San Diego International Airport, the historic downtown Gaslamp Quarter, and all of the city’s top attractions, Kona Kai Resort & Spa is a prime destination for both locals and visitors alike and the perfect choice for families and couples looking for a convenient getaway.  For more information and reservations, please call 619.221.8000 or visit www.resortkonakai.com.

About Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd.

A privately held company for more than 35 years, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. was founded in 1979 by owner and chairman Patrick R. Colee as a commercial property development group, later transitioning in 1994 to the dynamic hospitality ownership and management company it is today. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington and continuously growing, Noble House owns and manages a luxury and upper upscale portfolio of 20 distinct and visually captivating hotel properties, over 50 restaurants, bars, and lounges, the Napa Valley Wine Train, and a collection of spas, marinas, and private residences throughout the U.S. and Canada. A range of beachfront resorts spanning California and Florida, luxury retreats in Jackson Hole, WY, British Columbia, and Colorado, and a collection of urban hotels in Seattle, San Francisco, and College Station, TX make up the diverse group of destinations. Built upon a philosophy that emphasizes location, distinction, and soul, Noble House Hotels & Resorts dedicates itself to creating and managing exceptional properties that celebrate the local destination that surrounds.

This is the day we’ve all been waiting for (and some of you probably feared) meaty fast foods are going vegan! Well, not entirely and just as a trial in one of the KFC restaurants, but still. Is this the next stage of the ‘meatless meat’ era that’s been unfolding for the last decade? I believe it is! And just imagine the positive impact on the environment as more and more fast food chains go vegan, using healthy substitutes for meat and dairy. It’s like a dream come true! McDonald’s and Burger King have already introduced vegan burgers in some of their outlets, boasting successful trials and great popularity of the new healthy meals. It was only a matter of time that KFC would launch its very own meatless meal to appeal to even more

customers, especially those who are interested in eating less meat.
McDonald’s and Burger King have already introduced vegan burgers in some of their outlets, boasting successful trials and great popularity of the new healthy meals. It was only a matter of time that KFC would launch its very own meatless meal to appeal to even more customers, especially those who are interested in eating less meat.

Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is raising the bar for corporate meetings and events in Bangkok, with the aim of hosting 100,000 MICE delegates at three world-class convention hotels in Bangkok this year, positioning the Thai capital as a key gateway city for the international MICE sector.

Centara provides guests with a range of exceptional accommodation and large-scale meeting venues in Bangkok. Whether companies are planning a large-scale conference, a customer thank you party, an award ceremony, a product launch, a media briefing or an executive strategy session, this professional group has the perfect proposal.

Bangkok Convention Centre at Centara Grand at CentralWorld

With an unsurpassed location in the heart of the city, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld is one of Thailand’s top MICE venues. Event organisers have multiple options to choose from, including the World Ballroom, which can seat up to 1,000 guests, and 17 Lotus Suites for between 10 and 400 people.

For the biggest international mega-events, the pillar-free Convention Hall can accommodate a staggering 7,000 delegates, while the 23rd floor corporate retreat, M23, features four naturally-lit meeting room, a kitchen, reception area and even a private putting green! With 505 rooms and suites, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld also has the capacity to house many of its delegates under one roof. The hotel’s array of acclaimed drinking and dining venues, including CRU Champagne Bar – one of the world’s highest champagne destinations –  provide the perfect backdrop for unwinding after a day’s conference or for toasting the latest big deal.

Alternatively, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok offers a fantastic collection of function spaces and facilities. The vast BCC Hall can accommodate up to 3,800 guests for a cocktail reception, while the Vibhavadee Ballroom can host 2,000 guests for a reception, or be split into three smaller pillarless venues for medium-sized gatherings. Finally, 17 elegant suites are ideal for training sessions, board meetings, workshops and more.

Following the extension of Bangkok’s BTS network, guests can now travel to and from this 565-room hotel by skytrain, using the recently extended Green Line. The new Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS station, which opened in August 2019, offers direct connections from downtown Bangkok and is just six stops from the Airport Rail Link making this hotel the most perfectly accessible location for both the airport transfers and the bright city lights.

Vayupak Grand Ballroom at Centra by Centara Government Complex

Just a short distance away, the recently refurbished 212-room Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre is nestled in the heart of the Thai government complex at Chaeng Watthana, not far from IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand’s largest conference and exhibition venue. With a 3,000-guest Convention Centre and 26 function spaces in two dedicated buildings, this modern hotel is able to host multiple events simultaneously. And with an amazing auditorium perched atop its very own water garden, and a glass walled reception area with panoramic views, this will create spectacular occasions that live long in the memory!

With almost 1,300 rooms and suites across its three convention hotels in Bangkok, Centara can house every business traveller and conference delegate in style and comfort. Whichever hotel companies choose, they will be fully supported by a Centara’s Meetings Redesigned concept, which uses creativity and innovation to bring every gathering to life.

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 74 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, China, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands -Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to double its size with additional properties in Thailand and new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

A strategic cooperation agreement was signed today to create the world’s first 5G smart hotel in China by InterContinental Shenzhen, Shenzhen Telecom, and Huawei. By introducing the hotel industry’s first end-to-end 5G network with integrated terminals and cloud applications, the project will enable InterContinental Shenzhen to provide guests with the ultimate innovative luxury experience and open the door for digital transformation of entire hotel industry through 5G technology.
Cai Yun, Secretary-General of the Commercial Cultural Tourism Committee of China Real Estate Association, Golden Sun, General Manager of Shenzhen OCT Hotel Development Co., Ltd., Feng Wei, Deputy General Manager of China Telecom Shenzhen Branch, and Dr. Peter Zhou, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei Wireless Solution, delivered keynote speeches and kicked off the ceremony.

Shenzhen Telecom is deploying Huawei’s 5G network equipment in the InterContinental Shenzhen to achieve continuous indoor and outdoor 5G coverage, which will serve as the platform for a new generation of hotel services. Guests will experience innovative 5G hotel applications through 5G smartphones and customer-premises equipment (CPE) terminals, including 5G welcome robots, 5G cloud computing terminals, 5G cloud games and 5G cloud virtual reality (VR) rowing machines, providing business travelers with a convenient and efficient working environment, and leisure travelers with a high-end, immersive entertainment experience.

“InterContinental Shenzhen is a reputable scenario for Shenzhen Telecom. The good number of VIP customers, high user experience standard, short delivery period and high construction environment requirements, all pose great challenges to network deployment and operation and maintenance.” Feng Wei, Deputy General Manager of China Telecom Shenzhen Branch , said, “with the joint efforts of Huawei, Shenzhen Telecom successfully completed the deployment of the 5G network experience zone on the first floor and presidential suites of the InterContinental Shenzhen within two days, providing Gbps level download experience and the 5G-capable hotel application requiring large bandwidth and short delay. In the future, we will provide complete 5G network coverage in the hotel, and build the benchmark for global 5G five-star hotels together with Intercontinental Shenzhen and Huawei.”

Golden Sun, General Manager of Shenzhen OCT Hotel Development Co., Ltd said, “the hotel always puts the guest experience first. Since consumer spending is continuously increasing, consumers are craving higher quality and better consumer experiences. Guests expect new things and new experiences. The joint venture with Shenzhen Telecom and Huawei has brought more possibilities to the hotel. Riding on the advanced technology, we can imagine our future and fly with it freely. We are excited to see the 5G experience zone in InterContinental Shenzhen as this is the first step for our three parties to build 5G hotels. On the other hand, we also hope to realise the comprehensive transformation of smart hotels and digital hotels by introducing 5G technology. We are willing to further cooperating with Shenzhen Telecom and Huawei to explore more in-depth application of 5G in the hotel scene, we hope that our experience can help the digital construction of the hotel industry and tourism.”

The Americana of New York opened on September 25, 1962 as a 2,000-room convention hotel. It was constructed by brothers Laurence Tisch and Preston Tisch, co-owners of the Loews Corporation and was the first over 1,000-room hotel to be built in New York since the Waldorf Astoria in 1931. With 51 floors, it was acclaimed for many years in its advertising and by the media as the tallest hotel in the world, based on the number and height of its inhabited floors. The Americana was built, along with the New York Hilton facing Sixth Avenue on the next block, to serve the huge number of tourists that the 1964 New York World’s Fair would bring, as well as the business and convention market. The hotel was also known in later years as the Americana Hotel, Americana New York and Loews Americana of New York.

On May 14, 1968, John Lennon and Paul McCartney held a press conference at the Americana to announce the formation of Apple Corps, their music label. The Americana also hosted the New York portion of the 1967 and 1968 Emmy Awards. The hotel’s supper club, The Royal Box featured performances by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Peggy Lee, Liberace, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis, Jr., Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra and many more musical legends.

The Americana of New York and the City Squire Motor Inn were sold to a partnership of Sheraton Hotels and the Equitable Life Assurance Society on January 24, 1979. The Americana was renamed the Sheraton Centre Hotel & Towers. Sheraton bought out Equitable’s share in the hotel in 1990, freeing them to undertake a nearly $200 million renovation in 1991, when the hotel was renamed the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. Following the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001, Lehman Brothers Investment Banking division temporarily converted the first-floor lounges, restaurants, and 665 guestrooms of the hotel into office space. Starwood Hotels (which had bought Sheraton in 1998) sold the hotel, along with 37 other properties, to Host Marriott for $4 Billion on November 14, 2005. The hotel continued to be managed by Sheraton, however, and was again renovated from 2011-2012, at a cost of $180 million, with the name shortened to Sheraton New York Hotel in 2012 and then changed to Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in 2013.

The main block of accommodation is a tall thin bent slab form, angled towards the 52nd Street corner, emphasized by the horizontal striped façade of strip windows and yellow glazed brick spandrels. On the north side facing Sixth Avenue, a lower 25-story wing is placed at right angles to the bent slab, and so at a slight angle to the street, and includes the entrance and lobby in a two-story podium.

The dominant feature at ground level is the two story circular rotunda projecting from under the end of the bent wing on the 52nd street corner. An image of the original hotel in the 1960s can be found in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York. The sidewalk on all sides originally had striped paving at the slight angle of the entry and bent wing, effectively turning the Seventh Avenue sidewalk into a forecourt for the hotel.

I once worked as Resident Manager of the Americana of New York. I lived on the 45th floor and was available at any hour of the night for any and all out-of-the-ordinary events. Inevitably, there were incidents that arose out of mechanical failures, unexpected guest behavior and/or employee shortcomings. I loved the excitement of the job and reported to General Manager Tom Troy, a veteran of the Statler Hotel Corporation. The author, Stanley Turkel, is a recognized authority and consultant in the hotel industry. He operates his hotel, hospitality and consulting practice specializing in asset management, operational audits and the effectiveness of hotel franchising agreements and litigation support assignments. Clients are hotel owners, investors, and lending institutions.