THE HUNTINGTON HOTEL SELLS: Highgate, the hotel management, investment and development firm, and Flynn Properties, the San Francisco, Calif.-based owner of luxury resorts, commercial real estate and select service hotel properties, have acquired The Huntington Hotel. The new owners will revitalize the hotel, which is located in San Francisco’s Nob Hill area. The property was built in 1924 as the first steel and brick high-rise west of the Mississippi. The renovations will include enhanced public spaces and rooms, restaurants and a spa. The hotel is expected to reopen in 2025. The Huntington Hotel is the latest addition to Highgate’s luxury and lifestyle, which comprises more than 7,500 keys with 2,100 keys under development.
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST LE MÉRIDIEN: Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands, has announced its debut in Australia with the opening of Le Méridien Melbourne. Located east of Melbourne, the hotel was built in the 1850s as a hotel. The luxury, 12-story hotel consists of 235 rooms, including 14 suites, a rooftop pool and terrace, a signature gelato and sorbet cream program, a seasonal pop-up cinema on the rooftop (to be launched later this year in collaboration with Melbourne International Film Festival and French Film Festival), a gym, lobby café cum wine bar and a restaurant. The hotel also offers 420 square meters of meeting space. Currently, Le Méridien has more than 110 properties across over 30 countries.
SHA, GREEN HOSPITALITY PLAN MERGER: The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and Hong Kong-based GREEN Hospitality (Pangaia Solutions Ltd.) are considering a merger to combine GREEN Hospitality’s reach and experience in the Asia Pacific region with the Alliance’s knowledge and global network. The merger would help Sustainable Hospitality establish its presence in Asia Pacific. Positive talks have been held between the directors of both organizations. Due diligence is currently underway, with an update expected later this year.
MARRIOTT SAN DIEGO COMPLETES RENOVATION: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, located in downtown San Diego Bay, has completed its multi-million-dollar renovation project. Designed by Boston-headquartered Parker Torres Design, the redesign is inspired by the hotel’s bayside location and features beachy colors and organic textures. The 1,366-key property comprises two signature towers that resemble the hull of a boat and sail which line the hotel’s private marina. As part of the renovations, a former private dining space was converted into a lounge that now features the hotel’s on-site golf experience. The hotel includes six dining venues, two outdoor pools, a spa and wellness center, a 446-slip marina and more than 270,000 square feet of event space.
HYATT REGENCY ADDS IN MEXICO: Hyatt Hotels Corp. has opened Hyatt Regency San Luis Potosí. The hotel marks the first Hyatt property in Mexico’s central state. Located in the downtown neighborhood of San Luis Potosi, a business hub, the hotel comprises 134 rooms with some suites offering outdoor terraces overlooking the Las Lomas neighborhood. Guests staying at the Regency Club suites will get exclusive access to the Regency Club on the ninth floor, complimentary food and beverages and a private lounge area. The hotel includes a swimming pool, fitness space, more than 10,000 square feet of tech-enabled meeting and event space, a 400-person theatre space and four dining outlets.