Hotel and Resorts News and Notes for November 2024

While most big hotel news is covered by TMR’s team and hosted on its Hotels and Resort homepage, some smaller news bits deserve attention. Below you can find rolling hotel news bites from the last four weeks that travel advisors, industry professionals, and frequent travelers should know about. 

New GM at Park Hyatt St. Kitts 
New Sales Director at Park Hyatt New York 
Palladium Hotel Group’s New Premium Offerings 
Soon-to-open St. Regis Aruba Resort Appoints GM 
Sofitel Expands into Africa 
Hilton Cancun Appoints New GM 
Sonesta in St. Maarten Launches New Adults-Only Club 
Caesars Virginia to Open with a Gordon Ramsay Restaurant 
Magic Cocktails at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit   
New York Hilton Midtown’s Wicked-inspired Suites 
Winter Dining at W Aspen 
Brand-New Spa Debuts at Banyan Tree Dubai

Park Hyatt St. Kitts has appointed George Vlachopoulos as its new general manager. He is originally from Athens, Greece and has more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality space. Most recently he was GM at Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection.

Vincent De Croock is the new director of sales and marketing at Park Hyatt New York. He has 15 years of experience working for Hyatt, most recently as the director of sales and marking for Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort. 

Palladium Hotel Group launches new premium offerings at Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa this month. Currently available at the company’s resorts in Italy, Brazil, and Spain, The Signature Level will now offer guests exclusive access, enhanced in-room amenities, and additional experiences in Jamaica. 

The St. Regis Aruba Resort, which will open in the coming months, has appointed Oliver Reschreiter as its general manager. Reschreiter has a 25-year background in luxury hospitality, most recently serving as resort manager of JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Sofitel is expanding in Africa – the French-founded luxury hotel group just opened Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa in the capital of the West African country of Benin. It’s located close to the Port of Cotonou and the international airport on a parkland estate featuring 198 guestrooms, including suites. 

Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort has a new general manager to oversee the 715-room property. Felix Schlokat joined the resort in September and brings a wealth of hospitality experience to the role. Most recently, he was similarly positioned as GM at Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya, an All-Inclusive Resort. 

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in St. Maarten has launched its new Ultimate Adults Only Club. This new club level offers upgraded rooms and suites on the hotel’s ninth and tenth floors, access to a more secluded open-air bar and lounge, and other personalized services. The elevated experience is available to book starting Nov. 1.  

The newly opened Caesars Virginia is now home to the state’s first Gordan Ramsay restaurant. The casino resort features a 320-room hotel tower, 90,000 square feet of gaming space, upscale bars and lounges, and a full-service spa. 

Abracadabra! Special, magic-themed cocktails are coming to Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit this fall. Roberto Zenteno Solís (aka “Spider”), Velas Resorts’ resident magician for 20 years, has partnered with the resort’s mixologists to create a cocktail menu that dabbles in illusion. The drinks include a margarita enhanced with a liquid nitrogen “smoke bomb,” a Carajillo in flames, and an espresso martini decorated with shimmering gold beans. 

Hilton and Universal Pictures have partnered to create custom-designed, Wicked-inspired suites at New York Hilton Midtown. The ‘Stay Like’ Wicked rooms, inspired by the upcoming film release on Nov. 22, are now available to book for stays between Nov. 21 and Jan. 5, 2025. 

W Aspen is debuting a new restaurant and a new bar for the winter season. From Dec. 1, 2024 to April 2025, guests will have the opportunity dine at Chef Eyal Shani’s Mediterranean restaurant HaSalon. The hotel also welcomes a new, permanent bar on the lobby level serving signature cocktails by mixologist Dushan Zarić. 

Banyan Tree Dubai recently unveiled Banyan Tree Spa Dubai that centers on immersive and holistic experiences. The spa features vitality pools, heated loungers, and private treatment suites. Notably, it will also offer a Tranquility Garden and a Rainforest Experience.