INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Hotels across the globe are changing things up. Here’s a closer look at the properties rebranding and renovating:
Ambassador Chicago Joins Joie de Vivre Hotels
Ambassador Chicago is joining Hyatt lifestyle hotel brand Joie de Vivre Hotels. As part of its transition to the Joie de Vivre Hotels brand, the Ambassador Chicago prepares for a refresh. This year, upgrades are planned for the hotel’s 285 guestrooms and suites, including the addition of the Joie de Vivre Hotels brand’s signature Jonathan Adler bath products and 55-in. LG smart TVs with streaming capabilities.
Also expected to get a facelift are the hotel’s public spaces such as The Library lounge. Other hotel amenities include an American restaurant and more than 9,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and business and fitness centers.
InterContinental Hong Kong to Rebrand as the Regent Hong Kong
InterContinental Hong Kong is set to undergo a renovation. The hotel closure is now scheduled for April 20 with the reopening as the Regent Hong Kong in 2022.The total transformation will span all 503 guestrooms and suites including bathrooms, all public areas, restaurants and event venues, as well as a refresh of the building facade. The restaurant will remain open throughout the renovation. Hong Kong-born Chi Wing Lo has been appointed as the architect/designer of the project.
The hotel opened in 1980 as the Regent Hong Kong which was owned by IHG up to 2015, and has operated under the InterContinental brand since 2001. IHG acquired a majority stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts in March 2018 and has been working together with the owners to renovate the hotel and reopen the property as the Regent Hong Kong.
Coast Hotels Reveals Refreshed Name for Alaskan Property
Coast Hotels has revealed a new name of its Alaskan property, the Coast International Inn, set to change to the Coast Inn at Lake Hood. The 141-room property is located near a major travel hub, including the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. By changing the hotel’s name to Coast Inn at Lake Hood, the property can leverage the recognition and strength of the Coast Hotels brand while highlighting its scenic location next to a floatplane base. The refreshed branding also includes a new visual identity, logo and tagline: “Your Gateway to Alaskan Adventure and Fun.”
A top-to-bottom renovation of the property is underway, with refreshes to the restaurant, guestrooms and banquet meeting rooms that will celebrate and honor the history of Alaska’s aviation pioneers. Lake Hood is one of the world’s busiest seaplane bases; operations are continuous, and it handles an average of 190 flights per day. The lake itself has runways stretching into the water and seaplanes aligning the shore, giving travelers the opportunity to watch seaplanes take off and land in the water.
