What You Need To Know About Canada’s New Air Passenger Rights

Photo by Chris Brignola on Unsplash

The regulations outline specific conditions that entitle travellers to compensation, and even a full refund of their airfare.

Passenger rights in Canada have been a sore spot for travellers for many years. Historically, if you were delayed for reasons within the airline’s control, you weren’t entitled to any compensation. As you can imagine, this was frustrating for many passengers who had their travel plans interrupted.

That all changed in May of 2019, when the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations came into play. These new regulations are meant to provide Canadians with compensation when there are airline delays, as well as some basic rights to make their journeys slightly more comfortable. Airlines are required to follow these new rules—but, for your own protection, you should also know what you’re entitled to.

Compensation if you are denied boarding

Under the new passenger bill of rights, if you have a valid ticket, yet are denied boarding due to reasons within the airline’s control (for example, overbooking) but not required for safety, then you’ll be entitled to compensation. How much you’ll get depends on the length of the delay when you reach your final destination:

Length of delay	Compensation amount (CAD)
Up to 6 hours	$900
6 to 9 hours	$1,800
9 hours or more	$2,400

The compensation must be paid as soon as you’re informed, or within 48 hours if it’s not possible to issue right away. For those not in a rush, you could benefit from these new rules by volunteering to give up your seat in exchange for vouchers you can apply to future travel, and other benefits. The airlines will also have to rebook you onto another flight at no extra charge.

Delays on the tarmac

If you’ve ever been stuck on the tarmac, then you know the frustration is real. Under the new rules, you must be allowed access to the washrooms, proper ventilation, food and drink, and the ability to talk to people outside of the plane. In other words, they can’t force you to stay in your seat and have your phones in airplane mode during tarmac delays. If the delay lasts three hours at a Canadian airport, then the airline must return to the gate so passengers can disembark. There is an additional 45-minute grace period for airlines if the plane will likely take off during that time period.

Lost or damaged luggage

If your luggage is lost or damaged on domestic flights within Canada, you are now be entitled to up to $2,100 in compensation. The important thing to know is that if your luggage is damaged, you must file a claim with the airline within seven days of receiving your luggage. If your luggage is lost, then you have 21 days from the time it was supposed to have been delivered to make a claim. If your luggage is lost or damaged, airlines will also need to reimburse any baggage fees you paid.

Compensation for flight disruptions

Passengers are now entitled to compensation up to $1,000 for flight delays or cancellations based on the length of the delay and the airline they’re flying:

Length of delay	Compensation (large airline)	Compensation (small airline)
3 to 6 hours	$400	$125
6 to 9 hours	$700	$250
9+ hours	$1,000	$500

Although you get up to one year to make a claim, airlines have 30 days to respond by paying you what you’re owed or they can provide you with a reason why they don’t think you’re owed anything. Since this compensation only applies when flight delays are out of the airline’s control and not safety-related, they may have a lot of reasons to not pay.

Another thing to consider about the compensation is that it only applies after you’ve made a claim. If you’re in an airport and delayed, you may need to pay out-of-pocket for food or even get a hotel for the night. Having a travel insurance policy in place that has defined payouts in the event of delays or cancellations would likely give you some added peace of mind as you’d be able to make arrangements knowing that you’ll be reimbursed. Don’t forget, many credit cards come with travel insurance included.

Rebooking and refunds

Whenever there is a flight delay or cancellation, the airline must ensure that passengers are able to complete their journey. As soon as a delay reaches 3 hours, airlines need to rebook the passenger on the next flight. With large airlines, if that next available flight doesn’t depart for 9 or more hours after the passenger’s original departure time, the airline would have to book you on a competing airline.

If the rebooking makes your travel pointless (for instance, you would miss your meeting) then you’d be entitled to a full refund on your ticket, plus $400 when flying on a larger airline or $125 on small airlines because you were inconvenienced.

Now, let’s say your flight disruption is outside of the airline’s control. In such cases, airlines must rebook you with a competing airline if their own next available flight isn’t scheduled to depart within 48 hours. This gives passengers some protection, but not many people would be happy about waiting up to two days to get on with their travel plans. A travel insurance policy that includes flight delay insurance may allow you to book on another airline much sooner, and at no cost to you, which is another reason why you should always have travel insurance.

The seating of children

As strange as it sounds, before the Air Passenger Protection Regulations were introduced, airlines weren’t required to seat children near their parent, guardian or tutor, but that’s no longer the case. Parents are now ensured that children under the age of 14 will be seated near them—but the proximity may not be acceptable to some:

Age of children	Minimum seating distance required
Under the age of 5	Must be in an adjacent seat
Ages 5 to 11	Same row, separated by no more than one seat
Ages 12 and 13	Separated by no more than one row

There’s no extra cost for these seating arrangements but, as you can see, if your child is between the ages of five and 13, it’s possible they may not be seated as close to you as you’d like. If you want to ensure that you’re getting the seats you want, then you’re going to have to pay for advance seat selection.

Final thoughts

The airlines will have to pay for this somehow, and it’s likely to be through higher airfare costs for all travellers. Still, new passenger rights are a step in the right direction; however, the wording gives airlines a lot of wiggle room so they don’t have to pay. Even if you’re clearly entitled to compensation, it may take time for you to collect and your travel plans may be severely affected. To give yourself some extra protection, you’ll want to ensure you have travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption and flight delays.

Source: https://www.moneysense.ca/spend/shopping/everything-you-need-to-know-about-canadas-new-air-passenger-bill-of-rights/

50 New Luxury Hotels To Open In Japan In 2020

Tokyo at night. 

Shutterstock

• The upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have placed Japan in the spotlight as a major travel destination.
• Earlier this month, Japan announced that it would invest in opening 50 new luxury hotels across the country.
• Japan is looking to cash in on an increasing number of well-to-do travelers, according to travel research site Skift.
• While new hotels are slated to open in the future, Tokyo is currently facing a 14,000-room per day hotel shortage during the Olympics.Tourism to Japan has increased exponentially in recent years.
• The country was host to 31 million international tourists in 2019. That's nearly five times more than it was in 2011 — and it's expected to reach 40 million in 2020, the Economist reported. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics alone is expected to draw 10 million tourists.
  Many of Japan's visitors will be "well-off" financially, The Economist noted. Skift's Raini Hamdi similarly observed that Japan is becoming more popular among "well-heeled" travelers.
  However, the country hasn't seen tourist spending increase in proportion to the number of visitors.
  "The government wants to address an 'imbalance' of Japan welcoming more foreign arrivals but not necessarily more spending," Hamdi reported for Skift in July.

• It's time for Japan to cash in on its tourism boom

  Earlier this month, Japan's government announced a new initiative to cash in on luxury tourists. Japan will develop 50 "world-class" hotels through a series of investments and loans, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
  Japan currently has 32 five-star hotels, the Wall Street Journal notes, citing data from CBRE Hotels. For comparison, Thailand has 112, France 127 and Italy 187. The US has a staggering 793. 
  The announcement comes on the heels of what the Wall Street Journal calls a "luxury hotel boom" in Japan. Luxury hotel brands like Four Seasons and Marriott International have announced plans to open hotels in the country, and existing luxury hotels are renovating to keep up with the times. The Okura Tokyo Hotel opened in September after a $1 billion renovation with rooms costing as much $28,000 per night.
  "Compared to other cities like New York and Paris, Tokyo still has very few luxury hotels," Miwako Date, chief executive of real-estate company Mori Trust Co. told the Wall Street Journal.
• One reason for this is that mass tourism hasn't been a priority of Japan's.
  "For decades the government pushed industrial growth, so the country's cities filled up with drab business hotels that catered to armies of salarymen. Property developers dominated the real-estate market and clung to most of the prime city-centre spots," the Economist wrote.
  While Japan's plan to build 50 new luxury hotels signals its commitment to broaden — and capitalize on — its tourism market, these new hotels won't debut in time to solve the existing scarcity of hotel rooms. 
  Currently, Tokyo is facing a shortage of 14,000 hotel rooms during each day of the Olympic Games, Business Insider's Katie Warren previously reported. 
  To alleviate the demand for housing during the Olympics, luxury cruise ships will serve as floating hotels, and a new Airbnb partnership with the International Olympic Committee will also create "hundreds of thousands of new Airbnb hosts," Warren noted.
• Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/hotels-japan-where-to-stay-accommodation-luxury-travel-2019-12

These U.S. Airlines Leave The Most Passengers Stranded

• AirHelp analyzed the number of flight cancellations for the biggest airlines in America
• In the U.S., airline cancellations affected more than 13.5 million passengers this year   
• More than four million passengers were affected by American Airlines cancellations in 2019

 Which airlines leave the most passengers stranded on the ground? The world’s leading advocate for air passengers, AirHelp, investigated this topic and analyzed all flight cancellations of the largest airlines in the United States between January 1, 2019 and November 30, 2019.

According to AirHelp’s analysis, a stunning number of passengers experienced a flight cancellation during this period. At American Airlines alone, more than 4,500,000 people were affected by flight cancellations this year. Southwest Airlines also kept many passengers on the ground in 2019: more than 3,630,000 in total. United Airlines lands in third place with approximately 2,200,000 passengers affected.

These are passenger rights

Christian Nielsen, Chief Legal Officer at AirHelp, explains what passengers need to know when faced with a cancellation:

“Already, more than 13.5 million passengers in the United States were affected by a flight cancellation in 2019, and there will definitely be more cancellations throughout the U.S. this winter.

A canceled flight can quickly ruin a whole trip - especially if affected passengers are informed about a flight problem too late and are left without options to re-book their trip. Passengers on flights that took off in Europe on any airline, or that landed in the EU on an airline that is headquartered in the EU, are protected by the EU law EC 261 that covers passengers in the event of cancellations. Passengers who are not on a European flight may still consider checking their compensation eligibility under a separate law, the Montreal Convention.

Under the Montreal Convention, a regulation ratified by more than 120 nations, airline passengers have certain rights to compensation on international flights between participating countries for flight disruptions. If travelers miss a prepaid reservation, have to pay for an extra night at a hotel, or rack up any other unforeseen expenses due to air travel problems, they can get reimbursed as long as the disruption was not caused by extraordinary circumstances and they can prove their expenses. In order to receive compensation, travelers must prove that they suffered damages, as being late is not enough to warrant compensation.

AirHelp advises travelers to claim all possible compensation from the airlines and have successfully assisted passengers with understanding their rights and claiming the money they are owed for more than six years. If necessary, we also go to court on behalf of consumers.”

Flight cancellations and delays may entitle passengers to compensation of up to $700 per passenger under EC261:  the amount of compensation is calculated based on the distance traveled. Eligibility for compensation depends on the actual length of a traveler’s delay and the reason for the canceled or delayed flight. Affected passengers can enforce their compensation claim retroactively for on average up to three years after their flight date.

For cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or medical emergencies, the operating airline may be exempt from owing compensation.

About AirHelp

AirHelp is the world’s largest organization specializing in air passenger rights. The organization helps travelers get compensation for delayed or canceled flights and in instances of denied boarding. The company also takes legal and political action to support the growth and enforcement of air passenger rights worldwide. AirHelp has aided more than 16 million people, is available in 35 countries and has more than 750 employees. To find out more, visit: https://www.airhelp.com/en/.

Travelore News: Airport Van Service SuperShuttle Going Out Of Business

(AP) — SuperShuttle, the shared van service that has carried passengers to and from airports across the U.S. and in Latin America, Canada, Europe and Asia, is going out of business, according to a newspaper report Thursday.

A letter obtained by the Los Angeles Times from the company to a Los Angeles-area franchisee says: “SuperShuttle plans to honor all reservations and walk-up requests for service” through Dec. 31.

Founded in 1983 to serve Los Angeles International Airport, SuperShuttle has lost ground to competitors such as Uber and Lyft. In recent weeks it has pulled out of airports serving many cities, including Phoenix, Baltimore and Minneapolis, the Times said.

Attempts by the newspaper to reach Mark Friedman, identified as general manager in the letter’s signature line, were unsuccessful Thursday. SuperShuttle executives could also not be reached for official comment. But two SuperShuttle reservations agents reached by telephone confirmed to the Times that the company was going out of business, as did a company executive who was not authorized to speak publicly.

SuperShuttle is one of the few services that can still pick up riders curbside at LAX after the airport’s recent changes to help ease congestion. In November, Lyft, Uber and taxis were relegated to a pickup lot next to Terminal 1. Travelers can either walk to the lot or wait for an airport shuttle to ferry them.

The letter to the franchisee cited “a variety of factors” for the company’s closure, “including increasing costs and changes in the competitive and regulatory landscape” that “have called into question the economic and operational viability of the company’s operations.”

The company stopped operations at Hollywood Burbank Airport at the end of November, terminating the contract with the airport’s authority, airport spokeswoman Lucy Burghdorf wrote in an email Thursday.

SuperShuttle is owned by an affiliate of Blackstreet Capital Holdings, a private investment firm based in Bethesda, Maryland, court documents show. Blackstreet describes itself as specializing in acquiring small or mid-size firms “that are in out-of-favor industries or are undergoing some form of transition.”

Blackstreet acquired SuperShuttle in September from Transdev on Demand Inc., which is part of the Transdev Group of France, according to a lawsuit Transdev filed against Blackstreet this month in Delaware Chancery Court in a dispute over some terms of the transaction.

Officials at Blackstreet could not immediately be reached for comment on SuperShuttle’s suspended services or on how SuperShuttle’s services are divided between company-owned operators and franchisees.

SuperShuttle’s website shows that the firm provided service to more than 80 airports worldwide, including those in Southern California, before the firm began suspending services in many locations.

Guidelines And Tips For Packing For Your Next Cruise Vacation From CruiseCompete

Haute Couture on the High Seas- Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Bande Noir, Valentino or Prada?

On the glamorous ocean liners of days past, long gowns and tuxedos used to be de rigeur for dinner. While some passengers – especially on luxury liners – still opt to get all “decked out”, the rules have become significantly more relaxed, and many of the old guidelines have fallen by the wayside.

With things constantly changing in the world of cruise “fashion”, it’s often hard to determine what to pack for a cruise. What’s appropriate can vary by cruise line- and even by ship! However, no matter which ship you’re on, it’s still important to dress tastefully for every occasion, even if fashion is not your “thing”.

Plus, let’s face it – everyone likes an excuse to go shopping, and your upcoming cruise gives you the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe. If you’re stumped for ideas, designers like Fendi, Prada, Bande Noir and others feature chic cruise wear, so you might want to skim through their websites for inspiration.

One thing to remember, the cruise lines will typically list what they deem appropriate dress, so be sure to reference the guidelines on their websites and confirm them with your agent when booking your cruise.

Here are some standard terms to help you decipher the cruise line dress codes:

1.  Casual - Sport shirts for men and anything casual, but no torn or cut off jeans. For women, any resort attire, including nice slacks and casual tops.

2.  Business casual, Resort casual, Cruise casual, Smart casual, Country Club casual - All mean similar things. For men, slacks and shirts are a good option. Polo shirts are fine on most lines, though some prefer button-down shirts. For ladies, skirts, dresses, nice slacks and sweaters.
Both men and women should check out the latest resort/cruise collections featured by designers such as Chanel, Fendi and Valentino.

Tip: Women should plan to mix and match separates to create different outfits and to avoid over-packing. A simple black dress can be jazzed up with a jacket, shawl, jewelry and accessories for a more formal look. Sandals with a casual skirt and an elegant blouse easily transform into cocktail attire when you add sparkly jewelry, so be sure to bring some “bling” with you.

3. Elegant Casual, Cruise Elegant, Evening Chic, Semi formal - For men, dress slacks, dress shirts and jackets are preferred. For women, chic clothing of any type, including dress slacks.

Tip: This is another case where bling can add some extra glamour.

4. Black Tie, Gala Attire & Formal - Formal attire for men refers to a tuxedo, a suit and tie or a sport coat with tie and nice slacks.

For women, formal attire means evening gowns, cocktail dresses and dressy resort wear - at a minimum. A sparkly top and black pants would also do the trick.

Some passengers relish wearing tuxedos and evening gowns on formal nights, but most opt for suits and cocktail attire. Others prefer to stick with the minimum requirement – such as slacks, a sport coat and a dress shirt. Whatever works for you is fine, as long as you’re dressing tastefully and within the guidelines. If you do decide to get all “decked out” just know that you won’t be alone as many of your fellow passengers will be doing it, too.

Tip: For some truly breath-taking cruise wear, check out Gucci’s “2020 Cruise” collection, recently showcased at Rome’s Capitoline Museums.

Should I expect to have to dress formally?

Proper dining attire varies from ship to ship, depending on the itinerary and length of the voyage. One-week cruises typically have one or two formal nights, and luxury cruise lines with longer itineraries will be more apt to have additional dressy evenings.

Ultra-luxury cruise lines include:

• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Seabourn
• Silversea Cruises

Dining room dress guidelines:

While dining room dress guidelines have relaxed over the years, there are still basic standards. Cut-off or ragged jeans and shorts (including gym and basketball shorts), flip-flops, bathing suit attire, hats, caps, and sleeveless shirts (for men) are generally not permitted. Dress requirements for children in the dining room are normally the same as for adults but do have a little more leeway.

Cruise lines offer various dining options, so - depending on where you decide to go for your meals - you may not have to dress up if you don't want to. Food is offered at buffets on deck and in cafés and restaurants throughout the ship, and most lines offer 24/7 room service.

Tip: Dining areas other than the main dining room – especially the buffet - tend to be more casual.

As with any vacation planning, check with your CruiseCompete cruise travel specialist to determine the specific dining attire requirements for your ship.

CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information or assistance planning a future cruise or a cruisetour, please visit CruiseCompete and try the Virtual Cruise Advisor™ or Live Help.
 Find CruiseCompete’s “Sea Tales 2019 Family Cruise Travel Planner” at www.cruisecompete.com/resources.php.

To see consumer feedback click here. Also see links to high quality cruise shore excursions at substantially lower prices than the cruise lines. Enjoy a more intimate tour experience away from the crowds. See by port or by ship: https://www.cruisecompete.com/shore_excursions_by_port.php or https://www.cruisecompete.com/shore_excursions/

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Announces 20 Exciting Independent Hotel Openings Taking Place In The New Year

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA – : Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand announces 20 new launches across the globe in 2020. From glitzy West Hollywood to historically palatial Stockholm, and from the winelands of Northern California to the undiscovered beaches of Tuscany, each of these new city hotels, beach resorts, and countryside retreats extends luxury independent hospitality at its finest, presenting travelers with an inspiring gateway to an authentic discovery of their chosen destination, wherever their journeys take them next.

BEST FOR A TOUCH OF HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR

Pendry West Hollywood (West Hollywood, California, USA) – Launching summer 2020

Located on the iconic Sunset Strip, Pendry West Hollywood is one of the most anticipated developments in the creative heart of Los Angeles. The ‘new luxury’ hotel – set in an eye-catching glass fronted building with interiors designed by the acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to evoke Californian glamour – comprises 149 guestrooms, including 37 suites and 40 additional residences. For the property’s signature restaurant and food and beverage outlets, Wolfgang Puck has created an unparalleled culinary experience inspired by the artistic energy of the surrounding area. Other stand-out features include a spectacular rooftop pool and bar adorned with chic cabanas; Spa Pendry a tranquil sanctuary offering personalized wellness treatments; curated public art collections showcasing local talent; bowling alley; and screening room. More information on Pendry West Hollywood, including rates, will be available soon via www.preferredhotels.com.

BEST FOR AN EXPERIENTIAL FOODIE BREAK

The Sense Experience Resort (Tuscany, Italy) – Launching March 2020

Located off the tranquil western central coast of Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea, The Sense Experience Resort is an eco-retreat made up of 12,000 acres of natural park and pine forest with a private beach in Tuscany’s Maremma region. Inspired by the five senses, the resort offers 112 guestrooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and Italian-designed fabrics and furnishings, with many boasting views of Elba Island and the historic Torre Mozza. Guests are taken on a sensory culinary journey through dishes rooted in Tuscan experiences at Eatè restaurant; rotating street food menus for quick eats and picnics at onsite food truck L’Apino; and barefoot seven-course suppers on the beach under the stars. Other highlights include an outdoor pool with swim-up bar, complimentary bicycle rentals, cooking courses, yoga and Pilates, and a wealth of adventure activities, including deep-sea fishing, island trips by boat, and vineyard tours. Rates at The Sense Experience Resort start from US$130 per night. For more information or to book, visit www.preferredhotels.com.

BEST FOR HISTORICAL URBAN ELEGANCE

Villa Dagmar (Stockholm, Sweden) – Launching April 2020

Named after Dagmar Bergsten – a trailblazing woman and member of the owner’s family who enjoyed travel, art, and culinary trips to the Mediterranean in the early 1900s – Villa Dagmar is an intimate luxury hotel located in the exclusive Stockholm neighborhood of Östermalmstorg, close to City Hall, The Swedish History Museum, and Stureplan Square. The late 19^th century Art Nouveau building extends 70 guestrooms and suites, some with balconies overlooking the inner courtyard and orangery, as well as an organic food store, concept store selling hand-picked designer pieces, spa, flower shop, and signature restaurant serving Mediterranean-fusion cuisine by Michelin-starred Daniel Höglander and Niclas Jönsson. Guests can also enjoy effortless trips to the renowned market hall Östermalmshallen, which is connected to the hotel. Rates at Villa Dagmar start from US$331 per night. For more information or to book, visit www.preferredhotels.com.

BEST FOR A REFINED WINE COUNTRY RETREAT

Montage Healdsburg (Healdsburg, California, USA) – Launching October 2020

The newest launch from Montage Hotels & Resorts, Montage Healdsburg is a transformative hideaway nestled in the hills of Sonoma County, offering travelers a convenient and luxurious base to explore the destination’s celebrated wineries and farm-to-table restaurants. Designed with sustainability in mind, each of the 130 bungalow-style guestrooms and suites are in historic groves and comprise understated contemporary furnishings crafted with local stone, wood, and copper, along with private outdoor spaces that make up a third of each lodging including fire pits, private outdoor showers, and plush daybeds. Guests can experience two fine dining restaurants, treatments at Spa Montage, and a host of activities across the 258-acre resort such as winery tours, cooking classes, outdoor musical performances, 250 miles of hiking and biking trails, archery, and the bee apiary. More information on Montage Healdsburg, including rates, will be available soon via www.preferredhotels.com.

BEST FOR AN OCEANFRONT WELLNESS GETAWAY

Amrit Ocean Resort & Spa (Singer Island, Florida, USA) – Launching June 2020

Comprising more than seven acres of oceanfront in Palm Beach County’s Singer Island, Amrit Ocean Resort & Spa is a luxury coastal getaway created for guests to unplug and recharge. The wellness resort combines Eastern wellbeing philosophies and western technology through The Five Pillars of Wellness – its partnership with ESPA and the Himalayan Institute that connects mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, relaxation, and sleep across its four-story spa, meditation gardens, four farm-to-table restaurants, tranquility pools, outdoor Patanjali yoga classes, and sleep specialist services. The 153 guestrooms and 34 grand luxury wellness suites include terraces with uninterrupted ocean views featuring circadian rhythm lighting and freestanding bathtubs where guests can enjoy a personalized aromatherapy bath, compliments of a Bath Concierge. More information on Amrit Ocean Resort & Spa, including rates, will be available soon via www.preferredhotels.com.

ADDITIONAL 2020 OPENINGS INCLUDE:

AMERICAS

·         Greystone Miami Beach (Miami Beach, Florida, USA) – relaunching February 2020: Steps from the white sand beach, the historic 1930s hotel embraces Miami’s energy with Art Deco glamour across 91 guestrooms, a stunning rooftop pool, and a whiskey and dark spirits lounge.

·         Hotel Maverick (Grand Junction, Colorado, USA) – launching April 2020: Located steps from Colorado Mesa University, Hotel Maverick will be the first luxury hotel in the area at 45,000 square feet offering 60 guestrooms, two restaurants, and bar.

·         The Liberty Trust Hotel (Roanoke, Virginia, USA) – launching April 2020: Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains and originally opened in 1910 as a bank and office building, The Liberty Trust Hotel will launch after a full refurbishment to offer 50 guestrooms and suites.

·         Hotel Effie Sandestin (Sandestin, Florida, USA) – launching June 2020: On 2,400 acres of Florida’s Emerald Coast, the hotel integrates coastal charm with Southern hospitality across 250 guestrooms and 19 suites with views of Choctawhatchee Bay and championship golf courses.

·         Brenton Hotel (Newport, Rhode Island, USA) – launching June 2020: Located on the waterfront, Brenton Hotel pays homage to the area’s public buildings and their history through its architecture and features 57 sunlit guestrooms and suites with expansive views.

·         The Lake House on Canandaigua (Canandaigua, New York, USA) – launching summer 2020: Situated on picturesque Canandaigua Lake, the property offers lakeside luxury across 125 guestrooms, a dedicated events barn, signature restaurant, and destination spa and wellness center.

EUROPE

·         Iberostar Grand Fontana di Trevi (Rome, Italy) – launching March 2020: Just 200 feet from Trevi Fountain, Iberostar Grand Fontana di Trevi extends 19^th century Art Deco design elements across 67 guestrooms, two signature restaurants, and a spectacular rooftop terrace with skyline views.

·         Villa Copenhagen (Copenhagen, Denmark) – launching April 2020: A historic grand post office turned luxury hotel located next to Tivoli Gardens, Villa Copenhagen highlights conscious, approachable luxury across 390 guestrooms and suites – including a luxurious Earth Suite made solely from sustainable materials – as well as stunning interior gardens and dining outlets.

·         The Guardsman (London, United Kingdom) – launching April 2020: On London’s exclusive Buckingham Gate with 53 unique guestrooms and six exclusive residences, The Guardsman offers the atmosphere, discretion, and personal service associated with a private members’ club.

·         The Diaoyutai Mansion Frankfurt (Frankfurt, Germany) – launching July 2020: The first European hotel by the Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality hotel group combines traditional Asian design with international flair across 250 guestrooms and suites, steps from Frankfurt’s top attractions.

·         Pestana Douro, Riverside Hotel and Conference Centre (Porto, Portugal) – launching May 2020: The newest hotel from Pestana Hotels & Resorts will offer 165 guestrooms and suites, along with meeting and event spaces, on the shores of the Douro River.

·         The Londoner (London, United Kingdom) – launching July 2020: Located in Leicester Square, The Londoner is the world’s first super boutique hotel, boasting six subterranean levels and 350 guestrooms including 35 suites, in addition to showcasing the energy of London’s West End through unique design, innovative social spaces, and distinctive restaurants.

ASIA

·         Alma Resort (Cam Ranh, Vietnam) – launching February 2020: Situated on one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches, Alma Resort offers innovative design across nearly 600 apartments and villas, each featuring a waterfront view.

·         The Chedi Mumbai (Mumbai, India) – launching March 2020: Located in the heart of India’s commercial capital, The Chedi Mumbai is a serene and stylish oasis with 316 guestrooms and suites offering views of Powai Lake or the city skyline.

·         CONNECT BUSAN (Busan, South Korea) – launching May 2020: With 216 guestrooms and suites, each with private balconies and sweeping views of Busan Harbor or Yongdusan Park, CONNECT BUSAN is a respite for leisure and business travelers in South Korea’s historic area.

Whether on the go for business or leisure, travelers who visit these new hotels, along with more than 700 other member hotels from the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio, can access exclusive member rates and earn reward points with the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program. Free to join, the program extends points redeemable towards free nights and other on-property expenditures, elite status, and other complimentary benefits to guests. Bookings can be made online at PreferredHotels.com or on the I Prefer mobile app, available on Android and iOS.

For more information on these hotels or any of the properties represented within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio, please visit www.PreferredHotels.com.