Latest HITs: Big plan in Dubai; Tivoli's all-inclusive; Registry Collection to Europe

Big Dubai development approved. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, approved the new futuristic development masterplan of Palm Jebel Ali, which will include more than 80 hotels and resorts. Spanning an area of 13.4 square kilometres and occupying an area twice the size of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali will feature extensive green spaces and unique waterfront experiences. The project will add approximately 110 kilometres of coastline to Dubai that will provide approximately 35,000 families with luxury beachside living. Part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the project marks the beginning of a new growth corridor in the Jebel Ali area. As much as 30% of Palm Jebel Ali’s energy requirements will be obtained from renewable sources.

Tivoli’s first all-inclusive. In its 90th anniversary year, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts has opened its fifth resort in Portugal's southern Algarve region and the first luxury all-inclusive property for the brand. Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort is owned by Azora and has 491 guest rooms spread over 27.5 acres, including 56 two-bedroom Premium Family Rooms and four Premium Suites. The property was built in 2019 and has now rebranded as Tivoli Alvor.

Registry Collection to Europe. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has opened the 171-room Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort in Halkidiki, Greece, its first Registry Collection Hotel in Europe. The property is owned and operated by Zeus International Hotels & Resorts and becomes the 16th Registry Collection property. Wyndham and Zeus now work together on 10 hotels in three countries. Zeus International owns and manages an additional 12 hotels spanning Greece, Romania, and Italy.

Dalata adds in London. Dublin-based Dalata Hotel Group has purchased the long leasehold interest in the 89-room Apex Hotel London Wall in a deal worth €62.2 million. There are 107 years remaining on the lease and Dalata will pay for the deal from its existing facilities. The deal is expected to be completed in early July. The property, which will be rebranded as Clayton Hotel London Wall, the group’s fifth in London, is expected to bring in EBITDAR of £4.5 million next year and will required minimal initial investment from Dalata.

First Sonesta Essential. Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has opened its first Sonesta Essential hotel in the heart of California’s wine country in Vacaville, California. Sonesta Essential Vacaville has 86 rooms and is positioned as an upper-midscale, select-service property. The franchise brand features elevated bedding as part of its sleep program, as well as complimentary hot breakfast, premium all-day coffee and a fitness center.

New development leader at Peachtree. Peachtree Hospitality Management has appointed Caroline Royster to vice president of business development, responsible for growing its third-party management partnerships. She will report to Patrick Short, PHM’s president. She most recently served as vice president at R.M. Woodworth & Associates, a hotel advisory company. Before that, she was head of business development for Legacy Ventures, a hospitality developer, owner and operator responsible for identifying, underwriting and analyzing acquisition, ground-up development and third-party management opportunities.

McCaslin joins CapStar. Veteran leader David McCaslin has joined CapStar Advisors as a full partner. CapStar primarily serves as an advisor to hospitality investors and operators, with a focus on mergers, sales or acquisitions of small- to medium-sized companies. McCaslin helped found the original CapStar with Paul Whetsell, who launched the new firm five years ago.

Radisson grows in India. Radisson Hotel Group has signed 11 new hotels in India between January and April 2023. The group also announced the debut of its luxury lifestyle brand, Radisson Collection, in India with the signing of the first hotel in Hyderabad. These signings give Radisson in South Asia 110 operating hotels in 64-plus locations. Further strengthening its partnership with Ruptub Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Radisson signed three hotels under its Park Inn & Suites by Radisson brand in Bengaluru and Kerala. In India, Radisson has more than 150 hotels in operation and development.

New US forecast. Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting’s (LARC) Market Intelligence Reports suggest it expects U.S. RevPAR to increase by 6.6% to $99.45 in 2023, resulting in an annual RevPAR that is 15% above 2019 levels. LARC anticipates ADR to rise by 4.5% this year to $155.70, or 19% above 2019 levels, while occupancy will increase 2% to 63.9%.  Notwithstanding challenging capital markets, LARC anticipates 2023 U.S. hotel EBITDA to grow by 8% and values to increase 5%. LARC believes 2022 values were merely 1% below 2019 levels and that both values and EBITDA will reach 2019 levels in 2023.

Rochester hotel sold. The 210-room Marriott Rochester Airport in Rochester, New York, has been sold by DelMonte Hotel Group to SAI Global Investments for an undisclosed amount. Hunter Hotel Advisors advised the seller.

Minor adds in Brazil. Minor Hotels, Bangkok, has announced its second Anantara property in Brazil in partnership with Grupo Carnaúba. Slated to launch in 2026, the new-build Anantara Preá Ceará Resort will be located in the state of Ceará on the country’s northeast coast within the Vila Carnaúba real estate development, Soon to start development on Preá Beach in the municipality of Cruz and close to the tourist destination of Jericoacoara, Anantara Preá Ceará Resort will offer 60 guest rooms and villas, 25 branded residential bungalows, some with private pools, and a 1,292 sq ft. Presidential Suite.