Conrad Hotels & Resorts Unveils Smart Luxury In China’s Fujian Province With Opening Of Conrad Xiamen

 –  Conrad Hotels & Resorts,  Hilton’s (NYSE: HLT) smart luxury hotel brand, today announced the opening of  Conrad Xiamen, on the southwestern coast of Xiamen Island. Owned by Shimao Group and managed by Hilton, Conrad Xiamen is the first Conrad hotel in Fujian province, the sixth in China among a portfolio that includes Conrad Hong Kong, Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay, Conrad Dalian, Conrad Macao, and Conrad Beijing, and joins the larger Hilton portfolio of over 70 hotels in China.

“Conrad Xiamen is an excellent addition to our China portfolio. It underscores our commitment to growing our presence across the top destinations of this market and our confidence in the increasing demand for luxury accommodations from a new generation of smart luxury travelers,” said Bruce McKenzie, senior vice president of operations, Greater China & Mongolia, Hilton.

Conrad Xiamen occupies the 37^th to 54^th floors of the iconic 300-meter tall Shimao Straits Tower, in the heart of Siming’s Central Business District. Designed to be a shopping, leisure, and business hub, Shimao Straits Tower is a striking sea-facing landmark with a sail-shaped design boasting expansive views of the famous Gulangyu Island. Guests of Conrad Xiamen will enjoy direct access to a shopping mall and a cinema, as well as the prestigious Shapowei dining precinct. Nan Pu tuo Temple and Xiamen University are within walking distance and Conrad Xiamen is also close to major businesses and popular attractions such as Gulangyu Island ferry terminal, Zhongshan Road and Baicheng Beach. Conrad Xiamen is 22 kilometers from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.

“We are delighted with the debut of our Conrad Hotel & Resorts brand in Fujian. Conrad Xiamen is a great flagship hotel that epitomizes the luxurious facilities and intuitive service that will provide our guests with inspired experiences and define a new standard for luxury in Xiamen,” said John Vanderslice, global head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts.

Conrad Xiamen has 241 guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views. Averaging 60 square meters, the rooms have walk-in wardrobes, large flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi and wired Internet access, Nespresso machines, hydrotherapy rain showers and 400-thread count luxury bed linens. Alternatively, guests can opt for suites and executive rooms with exclusive access to the Executive Lounge on the 54th floor.

Overlooking the city from the 37^th floor is a 24-hour Health Club with a full range of cardio and strength training equipment, as well as personal trainers. The heated 25-meter indoor pool offers sea views and guests can also unwind in the Jacuzzi or enjoy personalized treatments at Conrad Spa, which uses only the purest natural products.

With over 2,000 square meters of flexible meeting space and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, Conrad Xiamen is also an ideal venue for corporate events, social gatherings and weddings. There are eight multifunction meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 210 people and a pillar-less, 760-square meter ballroom that is connected to a sea-facing 380 square meter foyer.

Conrad Xiamen delivers exquisite culinary experiences with its five restaurants and bars. Coast Bar & Grill offers the ultimate sky dining experience, with fresh seafood, grilled specialties and the highest bar in town. Lucheng serves mouth-watering Cantonese and Fujian delicacies, and has eight private rooms that are perfect for small functions. Pier 38 is an all-day dining restaurant with a buffet featuring a vast array of Asian and Western dishes, interactive cooking stations and great sea views. The sophisticated Plush serves High Tea by day and transforms into a vibrant bar in the evenings. Offering fine wines and snacks, it is a great place for socializing and relaxing. And at Parisian patisserie French Kiss, guests can expect fine pastries and Western-style meals.

To ensure that guests enjoy all that the city has to offer by way of culture, art, cuisine and adventure, Conrad Xiamen offers signature  Conrad 1/3/5experiences. Conrad Xiamen also offers the  Conrad Concierge app, which enables guests to customize the details of their stay, such as pre-selecting bath amenities, or checking-in while in transit, via a smartphone or tablet.

Conrad Xiamen participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® on the same stay, with No Blackout Dates on reward stays.
Along with HHonors Points, members also enjoy the lowest rates, digital check-in, complimentary internet access, and a booking fee waiver when they book directly through  www.conradhotels.com.

Conrad Xiamen is located at No. 186, Yanwuxi Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, 361005, P.R. China. For more information or to make reservations, please call the hotel directly at +86 0592 258 6666, visit the hotel’s website at  www.conradhotels.com/xiamen, or follow the hotel on Wechat: Conradxiamen.

Hilton currently operates over 70 hotels in China, recently opening the second Hilton hotel in Xiamen, DoubleTree by Hilton Xiamen-Wuyuan Bay.

For more information about Conrad Hotels & Resorts, please visit  http://news.conradhotels.com or follow us at  www.facebook.com/ConradHotels,  www.instagram.com/ConradHotels,  http://twitter.com/ConradHotels.

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About Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the destination for the new generation of smart luxury travelers for whom life, business, and pleasure seamlessly intersect. Conrad offers its guests an innovative way to Stay Inspired through a curated collections of 1-hour, 3-hour, or 5-hour experiences, available through  www.stayinspired.com or through the intuitive  Conrad Concierge mobile app. Consisting of 26 properties across five continents, Conrad is part of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company. Connect with Conrad by booking at  www.conradhotels.com. Learn more about the brand by visiting http://news.conradhotels.com or following us on  Facebook,  Instagram, and  Twitter.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts Set To Debut Smart Luxury In Doha, Qatar In 2019

Expected To Open in 2019, Property Will Join Middle Eastern Conrad Destinations in Dubai, Cairo, Istanbul and Makkah

Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) luxury hotel portfolio for the new smart luxury traveller, today announced the signing of a management agreement with Assets Real Estate Development Company for the 325 guestroom Conrad Doha, expected to open in early 2019.

Carlos Khneisser, vice president of development, Middle East & North Africa, said, “Momentum for growth in Qatar’s hospitality offering continues at a strong rate, owing to the significant focus being put on the country’s future as a truly international destination, in line with Qatar’s 2030 Vision. We are delighted to have confirmed our latest Conrad hotel for the region, which joins a selection of prestigious properties in outstanding destinations worldwide.”

Conrad Doha will occupy a prime location in a rapidly evolving business area of the city and will be easily connected to the main C-Ring Road, which leads to the downtown area and the new Hamad International Airport (DOH). Comprising 295 guestrooms and 30 suites the hotel will also offer almost 1,000 square metres of events space including a Grand Ballroom for corporate events and social occasions.

Guests will be able to enjoy luxurious spa and fitness facilities, as well as an outdoor swimming pool. Dining options will include seven restaurants and bars, offering diners upscale culinary experiences.

John T.A. Vanderslice, global head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, said, “As we have expanded Conrad’s global footprint, so has the brand’s awareness. We encourage our guests to never just stay, but stay inspired, whether it’s via the Conrad 1/3/5 local experiences or the App-enabled personalized service guests can access while on-property through the digital Conrad Concierge. We now feature 24 destinations globally, and with our expansion into Qatar we fully expect the brand to resonate strongly with travellers to this rapidly evolving Gulf country.” 

Qatar is seeing major growth to its infrastructure, in advance of the 2022 Football World Cup and its ambition to become a major hub for business, industry and tourism within the Middle East.

Hilton Worldwide already operates Hilton Doha, as well as the recently opened DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Old Town and expects to increase its Qatari portfolio with a further seven projects currently under development, including the region’s first Curio, a Collection by Hilton hotel expected to open later this year at the Mall of Qatar.

Dr. Mohammed Aba Al-Khail, CEO of Assets Real Estate Development Company, said, “Hilton’s reputation in the Middle East as a leading luxury hotel operator affirms our strategy to position Conrad Doha as a world-class hotel.  We are delighted to be working with Hilton, with their more than 55 years’ of hospitality management experience in the region, and renowned global brands.”

Conrad Hotels & Resorts is present in inspired destinations around the world, including Dubai, Hong Kong, London, and New York. Eight new Conrad hotels will open in 2016 (including Conrad Makkah, slated to open in summer of 2016), and a further 23 hotels are currently under development.

Conrad Doha will offer the popular Conrad Concierge mobile app, which gives global luxury travelers the ability to customize details of their hotel stay before, during, and after each visit via a smartphone or tablet. Whether it's pre-selecting bath amenities or checking-in while in-transit from the airport, guests can access a variety of features by using the app.

Conrad Doha will also participate in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest loyalty program where guests who book directly through www.conradhotels.com have access to benefits including the digital Conrad Concierge app and complimentary Wi-Fi at 24 Conrad hotels.

For more information about Conrad Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.conradhotels.com or http://news.conradhotels.com.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, comprised of more than 4,600 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with more than 758,000 rooms in 100 countries and territories. For 96 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

 

About Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the destination for the new generation of smart luxury travelers for whom life, business, and pleasure seamlessly intersect. Conrad offers its guests an innovative way to Stay Inspired through a curated collections of 1, 3, or 5 hour experiences, available through www.stayinspired.com or through the intuitive Conrad Concierge mobile app. Consisting of 23 properties across five continents, Conrad is part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company. Connect with Conrad by booking at www.conradhotels.com. Learn more about the brand by visiting http://news.conradhotels.com or following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts Announces Debut Of Conrad Pune In India

 The smart luxury and intuitive service of the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand debuts in India with the opening ofConrad Pune. Located in the heart of the central business district, the iconic Art Deco inspired Conrad Pune is the epitome of curated experience, services and sophisticated style. The hotel is managed by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Palm Grove Beach Hotels Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the K. Raheja Constructions Group.

Poised to become Pune’s most coveted address, the luxury hotel is located on Mangaldas Road near Koregaon Park, the city’s prime commercial, residential and entertainment districts. It offers easy access to the city’s IT and business hubs including Magarpatta, Kharadi, Hinjewadi and Pimpri-Chinchwad, as well as the airport.

“The introduction of the Conrad brand in India marks a significant milestone for the brand’s expansion in South Asia, and Pune enjoys a robust demand for high-end hospitality from affluent travellers from around the globe,” says Amit Midha, general manager, Conrad Pune. “We are uniquely positioned to cater to the needs of the new generation of smart luxury travellers, offering access to a world of connections and inspired experiences.”

The destination for the new generation of smart luxury travellers for whom life, business and pleasure seamlessly intersect, Conrad Pune features among the largest guest rooms and suites in the city, six stylish dining outlets, extensive business and recreational facilities and, what is anticipated to fast become, the city’s most sought-after meetings and events space ideal for exclusive social gatherings and business functions.  Providing the backdrop are expansive public spaces with 40-feet high ceilings, cascading water features, a collection of handpicked artwork, bold geometric shapes, dashes of striking colour and hints of lavish ornamentation.

Starting at a spacious 450 square feet, the hotel’s 310 luxurious guest rooms including 20 suites offer the very latest in-room technology.  These are equipped with everything a guest needs for a productive business trip or restful vacation including signature Conrad amenities, plush bedding and five-fixture marble bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and soak tubs.   These ‘Intelligent Rooms’ sense the guest’s arrival and switch from energy saving mode to occupied activating the air-conditioning system, drawing curtains and adjusting the lights to suit the time of day.

Conrad Pune offers the popular Conrad Concierge mobile app, which gives global luxury travellers the ability to customise details of their hotel stay before, during, and after each visit via a smartphone or tablet. Whether it's checking-in while in-transit from the airport, guests can access a variety of features by using the app.

The dining options at the hotel, that promise to become the city’s hot spots, include three innovative restaurants, a chic bar, a unique poolside café, delightful delicatessen and a lobby lounge. Coriander Kitchen, the all-day restaurant offers an interactive culinary journey with multiple live counters serving a range of Indian, Asian and Mediterranean street food inspired cuisine.  With a dramatic 40 feet fully-glazed wall overlooking an outdoor waterscape, this restaurant offers an inspiring venue for a breakfast meeting; and a leisurely lunch or dinner with friends, family or business partners or a quick bite with colleagues. For an indulgent evening, guests can dine at Zeera, the speciality Indian grill fine-dining restaurant, with a display kitchen and sweeping wine wall.  Koji, the Asian speciality restaurant, serves the best of Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine.  Meanwhile, the Asian-inspired chic Masu bar features a large sake wall, offering the ideal location for cocktails with colleagues and business associates as well as family and friends. For guests who enjoy the outdoors, Kabana, the poolside café that serves a classic western lounge menu and a selection of refreshing beverages and wines, offers the perfect setting.

Guests can also recharge with a quick bite and a refreshing cup of tea at Pune Sugar Box, the delicatessen that offers freshly baked pastries and savouries, as well as hand-made chocolates. It also features a live counter offering guests the choice of customising their order.

The hotel features a dedicated rejuvenation floor with the city’s first outdoor temperature-controlled pool, a dedicated kids’ pool, whirlpool, a 24-hour fitness centre, a full-service Conrad Spa and a salon.

For guests who wish to explore the city, the dedicated concierge at the hotel is happy to assist in booking a restaurant, securing tickets or organising a taxi or chauffeur driven limousine. For guests who seek inspired experiences, the hotel offers a more customised and curated collection of 1-, 3-, and 5-hour itineraries available at www.StayInspired.com and accessible via the Conrad Concierge mobile app.  Each Conrad 1/3/5 recommendation features an inspired view into each destination covering food, shopping, art and design, culture, family and adventure.

Conrad Pune will be the premier choice for exclusive meetings, private dinners and grand receptions. The 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space at the hotel features a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, seven boardrooms, dedicated entrance, indoor automotive lift, state-of-the-art audio visual technology, intelligent lighting, exceptional service and inspired catering.

The hotel  participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest loyalty programme that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 4,600 hotels worldwide.  Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton Worldwide channels enjoy access to benefits including an exclusive discounted on room rates, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available through the Hilton HHonors app, which allows guests to check-in and choose their room.

To learn more about or connect with Conrad Pune, please visit www.ConradPune.com
 or call +91 20 6745 6745.  For more information about Conrad Hotels & Resorts, please visit http://news.conradhotels.com or follow us atwww.facebook.com/conradhotels, https://instagram.com/conradhotels, and http://twitter.com/conradhotels.

Travelore News: World's Largest Hotel To Be Built In Mecca

The biggest hotel in the world is being built in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, offering 10,000 rooms, helicopter pads and convenience for the Masjid al-Haram

The world's largest hotels up until now have been in Las Vegas  Photo: dargroup

The world’s largest hotel is being planned for Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a remarkable structure that will rise out of the desert and apparently contain 10,000 rooms for worshipers.

The hotel will be part of a mixed-use development at Abraj Kudai, a $3.5bn (£2.25bn) project intended to look like a desert fortress, that encompasses a ring of towers standing on top of a podium.

It is due to be completed in 2017 and is being situated in the Manafia area of Mecca’s central zone, just 2.2km south of the Masjid al-Haram (holy mosque).

• Saudi Arabia's travel highlights

DesignMENA reported that the hotel will have 10,000 rooms in 12 separate towers, which are 44 storeys high, that will also include 70 restaurants, rooftop helipads, royal floors and a full size convention centre.

Two of the towers will offer five-star facilities, according to the hotel’s architects Dar Al-Handasah. The other ten will provide four-star accommodation.

The interiors are expected to be in keeping with the opulent style found elsewhere in the region.

• The best hotels in the world

"Due to its unparalleled size, height as well as distinguished location, exposure and architectural style, the building appears as a striking landmark with a profoundly modern multifunctional identity relating to both the Saudi locality and the Islamic universality of its expected users, “ said architects Dar Al-Handasah on its website.

^{PHOTO: (dargroup)}

The site, which will also include residential facilities, a shopping mall and plenty of car parking for those visiting the mosque and black kaaba, has an approximate total site area of 60,000msq and a total built-up area of 1.4million msq.

Abraj Kudai is not the only one new hotel planned for Mecca. Hilton, the worldwide brand, is developing the Conrad Makkah, due to open in 2016, which, once built, will "help to meet the demands for a wider variety of accommodation from the rising number of pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia every year."

• The world's most unusual hotels

It will be the first Conrad in the country. The Hilton Makkah Convention Hotel also opened recently, while the new Hyatt Regency Makkah is accepting reservations from July.

^{PHOTO: (dargroup)}

The world's largest hotels up until now have been in Las Vegas. The Venetian and The Palazzo, which operate as a single hotel, offers 7,117 rooms. TheMGM Grand in Las Vegas is close behind in terms of number of room keys, with 6,852 rooms available.

Contributed by Natalie Paris, wwwthetelegraph.co.uk

Follow us onTwitter: @TraveloreReport

Hilton Expands Welcome Program For Chinese Travelers Globally

Leading Hospitality Company Offers Specially-Tailored Services for Chinese Travelers at Top Destinations Worldwide

This information originated in American English.

 Hilton Worldwide today announced the expansion of Hilton Huanying (huān yίng) - a program that offers Chinese travelers a customized hospitality experience during their stay - to more than 110 Hilton Worldwide properties globally. As Chinese citizens make up the world's largest outbound travel market¹ and are continually evolving in their needs, Hilton has updated the Huanying program amenities and service standards. These offerings meet the needs of the modern day Chinese traveler, while maintaining the comforts that harken back to home. With this expansion, Hilton Huanying - deriving its name from the Chinese word for 'welcome' - will now greet guests at participating hotels under brands including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and DoubleTree by Hilton in more than 30 countries and 65 cities popular among Chinese travelers, including Tokyo, Seoul, London, Paris, New York and San Francisco. 

"Huanying is an essential part of the Hilton hospitality promise, welcoming Chinese travelers with a level of service and personalization we know they expect and enjoy," said Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. "Since being introduced in 2011 at 51 properties in 13 countries, Huanying has empowered more than a million Chinese travelers to explore new destinations with the comforts of home. We are very proud of this program, and the benefits are clear. Chinese travelers who stay at Huanying properties express a greater overall satisfaction in their hospitality experience."

Chinese outbound travel is expected to grow at an unprecedented pace, with the number of outbound Chinese travelers expected to double from 100M to 200M by 2020², and Hilton is responding by enhancing its Huanying program. Through its extensive field research, Hilton has discovered that Chinese guests who stay at participating properties expressed a substantial increase in customer satisfaction in areas including service, accommodations, property loyalty and overall experience. In fact, a third party survey found that Hilton is the preferred hotel brand amongst Chinese travelers³.

"Driven by our in-depth knowledge of China, where we have been operating hotels for over 25 years, and our position as a global hospitality company with over 4,300 hotels operating in 94 countries, we have a unique advantage in addressing the needs of the Chinese travelers," said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide. "With this in mind, we applied our comprehensive understanding of where Chinese travelers like to visit and what they look for when they stay at a hotel, in order to develop a tailor-made service that better meets the needs of our Chinese guests, in the form of Hilton Huanying."

In order to continue to best serve the needs of the evolving Chinese traveler, Huanying program offerings have been expanded to include additional locations, expanded traditional breakfast options and a 24-hour interpretation service that Mandarin-speaking guests may access during their travels.

These offerings were added while maintaining Huanying's focus on three signature hospitality touch points: the arrival experience, guest room amenities and the breakfast experience. The complete list of Huanying offerings include:

Arrival Experience

• Huanying Greeting: a welcome note in Simplified Chinese
• Mandarin interpretation service (Many properties offer Mandarin speaking team member(s) as well)

Guest Room Amenities

• Tea kettles
• Jasmine tea
• Slippers
• Dedicated Mandarin-speaking television channel

Breakfast Experience

• Two varieties of congee with condiments, fried rice or fried noodles, a dim sum selection, fried dough fritters (crullers), hard boiled eggs, Chinese tea, fresh fruit and soy milk
• Chinese culinary utensils including chopsticks, Chinese spoons and a soy sauce dish

Travelers may access a list of participating Hilton Huanying hotels at www.hilton.com.cn/huanying. To download images and access more information, visitnews.hilton.com/huanying. Information in Chinese is available at www.hilton.com.cn andnews.hilton.com.cn/huanying.