ME Hotels, a collection of “experience-based” urban hotels and contemporary resorts operated by Sol Melia, announced today that the brand’s Cancun property, ME Cancun, will shift to an all-inclusive business model as of January 1, 2011. ME Cancun will embrace the brand’s first “Complete ME” concept, which will break the mold of traditional all-inclusive resorts where non-guests are prohibited access to the property grounds and amenities. In addition to welcoming hotel guests, this revolutionary and industry-first business approach will embrace non-guests and local movers and shakers, allowing them to enjoy the property’s a la carte culinary offerings and revel in ME Cancun’s high style design and vibrant social scene.

Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, the Co-Vice President & CEO of Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts and an industry innovator says “We are excited to evolve the ME brand with the implementation of the Complete ME concept at our Cancun property. This dynamic model will allow the property to cater to a wide array of guests while meeting new consumer demands which have become increasingly driven by the desire for more qualitative value with freedom. Thanks to this calculated business decision, ME Cancun will now become the area’s premier all-inclusive property, offering guests a superior product coupled with the high service standards our guests have grown accustomed to.”

Following the success of Sol Melia’s all-inclusive Paradisus Resorts and adapting to the Cancun market, where all-inclusive properties thrive, ME Cancun’s 419 rooms will now allow its guests to choose from an array of packages part of the new “Complete ME” concept. The hotel’s basic offering will focus on traditional amenities found at all-inclusive resorts, such as unlimited food and beverage options, complimentary access to the pool, YHI Spa’s fitness center, “Chill Out Deck,” “The Beach Club,” the property’s WiFi and all in-room amenities including iPod docking stations, Aveda organic products and house mini bar. Guest rooms on “The Level,” the hotel’s premium collection of accommodations, will offer elevated privileges and amenities that will be part of “The Level” package. Here, guests will enjoy services such as private VIP check-in, exclusive use of the 10th floor’s “Living Room” lounge, exclusive concierge services and 24 hour in-room dining at no extra cost.

Raul Petraglia, Managing Director for ME Cancun added “With the region lending itself to such a business model, we anticipate the Complete ME concept in Cancun to become a successful operation, exceeding the expectations of both our international guests and our loyal local market.”

The resort’s numerous restaurants & bars will remain unaffected with the transition to the new concept. Guests will be able to enjoy dining services from food and beverage outlets including Salt, Beachhouse Restaurant, Silk, e-space, in-room dining and The Water Grill, an Argentinean-style grill that will debut alongside the new model. Additional services such as private “barefoot dinners” on the beach, premium high-energy pool parties with special performances by guest DJs, treatments at the 11,000 square-foot YHI Spa and top-shelf liquor products, among others, will be available for an additional fee. Unlike most all-inclusive properties where a bracelet identifies hotel guests during their stay, ME Cancun will offer a proprietary identification system allowing all outlets to quickly identify guests. ME properties in Cabo, Madrid and Barcelona will not adopt the “Complete ME” approach and will remain operating on an European Plan (EP) basis.

As a younger, tech-driven society, Starwood believes India will become a key market for the Aloft brand’s development outside of the United States. “India is a key focus of Starwood’s expansion efforts, in large part because it is a market that today is relatively ‘under-hoteled,’” says said Vasant Prabhu, Starwood’s vice chairman and chief financial officer. “India is one of the most promising markets within Asia Pacific, with GDP estimates topping 7% for the next two years and a consumer market expected to rank as the world’s fifth biggest by 2025. The market is especially ripe for mid-market products like Aloft, and we look forward to opening several more Aloft hotels in India over the next few years.”

Featuring large guestrooms, buzzing bar scenes, grab-and go cafes and industrial design elements throughout, the Aloft brand seeks to deliver urban-influenced, modern and vibrant design and an energetic guest experience at an affordable price point.

“The energy of Aloft properties in India will reflect the dynamism of the cities where we’re opening our doors,” says Brian McGuinness, senior vice president of specialty-select brands for Starwood. “And we’re excited to connect with India’s taste-making Gen Y travelers, who’ve been eager for a hotel experience that matches their very forward-thinking sensibilities.”

It is the 42nd Aloft hotel globally, and another Aloft hotel is scheduled to open this month in Bangalore. Urbanedge Hotels, a subsidiary of Auromatrix Hotels Pte. Ltd., plans to open several Aloft hotels across India over the next few years. “We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Starwood,” says Kumar Sitaraman, chairman and CEO of Auromatrix Hotels. “Aloft will raise the bar in the mid-market category.”

Aloft Chennai OMR – IT Expressway features 130 loft-style guestrooms, accessible technology and a vibrant social atmosphere. The hotel is located on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), the hub for IT development in Chennai. The hotel is adjacent to more than 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a restaurant.

Aloft Bengaluru Whitefield will include 170 guestrooms, and access to a large restaurant and more than 8,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. The hotel will be located in Whitefield, Bangalore, one of the city’s two major clusters of IT industries, home to several IT parks and an export promotion zone.

More hotels in Chennai and Bangalore

Hotel Indigo, IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) upscale boutique brand, today announces the opening of Hotel Indigo East End in Riverhead, New York.  Conveniently situated near the Hamptons and vineyards of Eastern Long Island, the 100-room conversion property is located on eight private acres and is close to dining, entertainment and shopping venues.

Owned and operated by Jaral East End Hotel Corp, the two-story property preserves the architecture of the original 1970s building. Morris Nathanson Design created a sophisticated, residential feel with contemporary accents and oversized furnishings for comfort and lushness. The overall color palette is neutralized with pops of warm oranges, sea powder and indigo blues, greens and gold. Oversized graphics highlighting Wine Country and the beach bring the surroundings inside. The finishes, materials and fabrics have an organic, natural texture, and the wood is inspired by beach driftwood.

The hotel includes Bistro 72 that features locally grown, organic ingredients and regional wines, along with a fitness center, business center and two meeting rooms totaling 8,000 square feet. The property also features signature Hotel Indigo standards including inviting guestrooms with oversized beds and hard-surface flooring for a fresh, residential feel, spa-inspired showers with Aveda products, and free wired or wireless high-speed internet access.

Hotel Indigo is IHG’s newest hotel brand and offers guests a unique hotel experience with the design and service associated with boutique hotels along with the peace of mind and consistency from staying with the world’s largest hotel group.  With the addition of this hotel, there are 37 hotels open worldwide and more than 60 hotel under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation. Hotel Indigo East End is the third property to open in the Americas this year, following Nashville Downtown and San Antonio at the Alamo.

“Hotel Indigo is committed to creating and delivering a refreshing and inviting guest experience that is truly reflective of the local neighborhood,” said Mary Dogan, Director, Brand Delivery, Hotel Indigo, the Americas, IHG.  “Large photographic murals of the nearby shoreline and wine caskets from the vineyards are featured in public spaces and guestrooms as a way to bring the local neighborhood to life within the hotel.”

Each Hotel Indigo property is uniquely designed to reflect the culture, character and history of the surrounding neighborhood.  No two hotels are the same.  Brand standards don’t dictate the number or size or rooms, making it ideally suited to conversion properties or independent boutique hotels.  Conversions are attractive to developers because they require less financing than new builds and can be up and running in a shorter period of time.

“Hotel Indigo delivers a winning formula for our guests because we are able to offer the best of both worlds – the individuality and unique design you get at a boutique hotel with the reassurance and benefits of booking with a big hotel group like IHG,” said Robert Salvatico, Senior Vice President of Operations, Jaral East End Hotel Corp.  “Located on eight private acres on Long Island’s East End, it is poised to deliver a locally inspired hotel experience in a casual yet sophisticated environment that combines the beaches, vineyards and recreation,”

The resort’s complex of low buildings is grouped around a spacious central pool area at the heart of Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez. Architect Jean Jacques Ory and designer Christophe Pillet created a hotel with contemporary architecture and design throughout the rooms, the villas and the common areas. With its restaurant headed by Pierre Gagnaire, the Dom Pérignon champagne bar and the Spa Sezz by Payot, the hotel is set to bring new life to the regional tradition of luxury resorts.

The Experience
Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez is one of a kind. Owner Shahé Kalaidjian envisions the hotel as “a place full of grace and tranquillity where space and service are incomparable. A hideaway full of light, air and wind.” The property takes inspiration from the area’s most authentic riches: calm breezes, the quality of the Mediterranean light, the deep blue sea, lush green grass and fields of fragrant lavender.Upon arrival guests immediately feel immersed in a relaxed haven. Instead of entering a standard lobby with a formal reception desk, guests are indulged in a spacious room full of light where a personal assistant welcomes them. The assistant will acquaint them with the hotel’s features and will also be on hand throughout their stay. A spacious open-air area with a large pool is the hub of the resort and is surrounded by lounge furniture and a poolside bar. While relaxing on Christophe Pillet’s specially designed lounge chairs, guests can choose from a range of cocktails and sink into holiday mode. For more indulgence guests can head to Spa Sezz which was created in an exclusive partnership with the French cosmetic brand Payot.

The Architecture
Architect Jean-Jacques Ory has incorporated traditional and Mediterranean materials with a modern hotel that is in perfect harmony with the landscape of the Côte d’Azur. Light and air are omnipresent: huge walls made out of glass and oversized windows balance out the heavy material of the stone walls and roof tiles.
The Interior DesignThe resort offers five bungalows of 30m², 30 cocoons of 40m² and two villas of 90m² which come with a private pool. Each guestroom provides direct access to the terrace and the garden. Designer Christophe Pillet created the rooms to be open and spacious. The rooms are light and airy and let the indoor and outdoor merge into one. Interiors reflect the 1950s colour code with a mix of white, light grey, dark brown, light blue and saffron. All furniture and objects have been designed by Christophe Pillet for various Italian and American furniture brands.
The Restaurant ColetteWith the restaurant Colette, named after the famous French writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, the Michelin-star chef Pierre Gagnaire goes back to his roots. The menu focuses on Mediterranean dishes with regional ingredients ranging from freshly caught fish to grilled steaks and barbecues. During the day Colette is quite casual, but at night it transforms into a glamourous restaurant. A glass of champagne at the Dom Pérignon bar is the perfect start to a sophisticated evening.

The Location
Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez is located in a wooded park, just a few minutes outside Saint-Tropez. The hotel provides an Ape Calessino shuttle service into town where one can explore the village. The closest beach, Plage de Canebiers, is accessible just 200 meters walking distance from the hotel. For those who want to go to Plage de Pampelonne, Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez offers shuttles twice a day and fully equipped picnic baskets on request.

Salvador Dali, the Noah of the Hotel Meurice (Paris)

The behaviour of the extraordinary and fabulously eccentric Salvador Dali had to be totally outrageous. This was the case, during his stay at the Hotel Meurice where the master of surrealism, known for his uncontrollable passion for animals, often stayed in his hotel room with all sorts of wild animals often sharpening their claws on the hotel walls; amongst them a horse and a flock of sheep. Dali demanded that the hotel staff hunted flies in the Tuileries Gardens, few meters away from the hotel. However, the great artist knew how to be generous and always rewarded the staff, sometimes even with some of his works including lithographs, now worth a small fortune!

Michael Jackson, a childish whim at the Hempel Hotel (London).

Another worldwide star, adored by millions of fans, Michael Jackson also had some strange requirements. In 2006, he demanded that the World Music Awards commissions the booking of the entire London Hempel Hotel and decorates his room in exchange for his appearance.

Mariah Carey, the diva of the Hotel Baglioni London.

Mariah Carey figures among the most eccentric and demanding of all stars with whims as legendary as her hits. The New York Post recounts that in 2005, the singer demanded that a red carpet should be rolled out under her feet and that silver chandeliers should be lit when she stepped out of her limousine in front of the Baglioni hotel in London. The diva also demanded gold taps, new toilet seats, mineral water to fill her bath tub, and DVD players that continually showing her own video clips. Money no object!

The newest member of the club is the 58-story, 217-room W New York – Downtown, which is poised to check in its first guests on Aug. 16.

Expect to see power brokers wining and dining each other BLT Bar & Grill. The hotel’s bar scene will have both indoor and outdoor options, with a terrace that boasts magnificent city views.

So what’s it going to cost you? Rates start at $399 a night on weekends and $529 midweek.

The W near Wall Street is just one of the many new hotels open or about to open in Manhattan. The InterContinental Times Square opened this week, while Hyatt’s Andaz 5th Avenue – the more W-like of the two – opened last month. Back in April, two of Starwood’s five Manhattan hotels – the W The Court and W The Tuscany (now St Giles Hotels) – dropped the W name.

Pera Palace, closed since 2008, will include a small museum in Room 101, which Turkey founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk once used as a military base. The room will house a museum of items belonging to Ataturk, including hats, slippers and dignitaries’ gifts, The Associated Press reports.

Pera Palace will be marketed as a “museum-hotel,” offering excellent service in a nostalgic setting. KA.BA Conservation of Historic Buildings and Architecture Ltd. oversaw the historic renovation, while interior design was handled by Metex Design Group.

Basic room rates will start at €185 at the state-owned hotel, which is being managed by Turkey shipping conglomerate Besiktas Group.