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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on September 30, 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of its first Garner-branded hotel in Türkiye. The project comes under a franchise agreement with FRT Turizm, with support from AB Consulting led by Ahmet Bilgin. Set to open in 2025, the hotel will feature 126 guest rooms spread across four separate buildings and will be located near the International Istanbul Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports.
This franchise agreement comes just a month after IHG introduced the Garner brand to the Turkish market during its Turkish Investor Day. Garner, a midscale conversion brand, focuses on offering comfortable, relaxed stays at affordable prices while providing guests with essential amenities in convenient locations.
Garner has quickly gained popularity with hotel owners worldwide due to its flexible design standards, which accommodate different footprints, and its ability to minimize pre-opening costs. The brand allows investors to move swiftly from conversion to operational status, making it a highly attractive option in the midscale space. To date, Garner has seen 79 signings and four hotel openings globally.
Each Garner property benefits from IHG’s extensive support, including digital services, a global sales organization, award-winning distribution systems, and the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, which has over 130 million members. These resources help investors maximize returns and ensure operational efficiency throughout the hotel’s lifecycle.
Willemijn Geels, Vice President of Development for Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed optimism about the brand’s expansion, stating, “With the first Garner hotel being signed just a month after we introduced the brand to our Turkish investors, it is promising to see the continued confidence our owners have in IHG’s brands. This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without our trusting relationship with FRT Turizm and the support of Ahmet Bilgin and his company AB Consulting.”
The new Garner hotel will be an ideal location for transient travelers, thanks to its proximity to the new Istanbul International Airport, which welcomes over 64 million passengers annually. The brand’s promise of “easy-going stays that get you on your way” aligns perfectly with the needs of travelers in such a busy area.
FRT Turizm board members Fırat Çelebi and Vedat Çelebi added, “Hearing about the Garner brand during IHG’s Investor Day, we knew it would seamlessly fit into our location in Arnavutkoy. We look forward to welcoming travelers to the first Garner in Türkiye once we open our doors next year and becoming the first choice for all transit guests looking for a quick, convenient stay before heading to the airport.”
Türkiye continues to be an important market for IHG, where it currently operates 31 hotels across five brands, including Six Senses, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and the Holiday Inn brand family. The company also has a robust development pipeline, with 12 more properties expected to open in the coming years.
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By Hariharan U
Published on December 3, 2025
South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection has taken a major step toward elevating guest experiences by choosing Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise to power its digital backbone. The resort, which spans 6 hectares of pristine beachfront in Panglao and features 188 rooms and suites blending tropical charm with modern style, needed a reliable, scalable and seamless technology setup to match its luxury standards.
To meet these needs, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivered a complete turnkey solution built to support smooth guest services and efficient operations. The resort selected ALE for its ability to provide strong, high-speed connectivity throughout its varied spaces from indoor lounges and dining areas to beaches, gardens and pools. Working closely with the property owner, a local partner and technology consultant Pertlink, ALE helped shape a network design that is future-ready and easy to manage.
The solution includes the Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch® 6360 Stackable Gigabit Ethernet Switch, ALE’s Hospitality Hybrid Passive Optical LAN, and OmniAccess® Stellar Access Point WLAN products designed to handle both indoor and outdoor conditions. A unified management system brings everything together, allowing the resort to run its entire network and telephony infrastructure under a single brand.
With this setup, the resort now has secure, uninterrupted connectivity across guest areas and back-of-house operations. The digital foundation supports high data usage, strengthens operational efficiency and helps reduce long-term costs, contributing to the resort’s sustainability goals.
Sharing the impact of this collaboration, Dirk Dumortier, Director of Strategic Partnership, APAC, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, said, “To meet the scale and luxury demands of South Palms Panglao MGallery, we knew the solution had to be more than just technology, it had to be a unified ecosystem. Working closely with our trusted partner and the strategic guidance of consultant Pertlink, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivered a future-ready, single-brand Hybrid POL/WLAN infrastructure that guarantees both a seamless guest experience and long-term TCO reduction. Partnership was the true foundation of this digital transformation.”
Terence Ronson, Founder and Managing Director of Pertlink, added, “From the very start, the project's horizontal layout made it clear that HPOL was the optimal solution. After extensive due diligence, we identified ALE as the ideal technology partner — not only for their robust solutions but also for their exceptional pre- and post-sales support. Together with their delivery partner NERA, ALE demonstrated a seamless, professional approach throughout the entire process. Combined with ALE's Wi-Fi infrastructure, we've created an outstanding, connected guest experience.”
The collaboration between ALE, the resort team and Pertlink has laid a strong digital base for South Palms Panglao – MGallery Collection. The resort is now equipped to serve guests with reliable connectivity, personalised services and smooth operations designed to match the expectations of modern luxury travellers.
The Anam is bringing the festive spirit alive at its two oceanfront resorts, The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne with warm celebrations, thoughtful dining experiences and activities for every age group. Known for their blend of Indochine charm and modern comfort, both resorts invite guests to enjoy the season in settings that feel cosy, elegant and truly memorable.
Sharing the essence of the celebrations, The Anam Group’s group general manager Laurent Myter said, “Experience the magic of the holidays in one of our breathtaking settings, where twinkling lights blend seamlessly with tropical breezes. Whether reflecting on your most treasured Christmas memories or ushering in the New Year with grace and style, every moment with The Anam offers something special.”
The Anam Cam RanhWith stunning beachfront views, The Anam Cam Ranh is offering a lineup filled with indulgent dining, lively celebrations and soothing spa treatments. Guests can enjoy the “Festive Afternoon Tea” at The Colonial Restaurant, featuring dainty bites, handcrafted desserts, scones and fresh fruits served with tea or coffee.
Saigon Bar is hosting the “Champagne & Caviar Soiree,” pairing fine caviar with crisp Champagne for those who enjoy a classic, refined evening. The lobby will glow with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, complete with hot chocolate, gingerbread and mulled wine for a warm start to the festivities.
Christmas Eve brings together carols, cocktails and a choice between a grand 9-course Christmas Eve Feast at The Colonial Restaurant or a hearty Roasted Dinner Buffet at The Indochine Restaurant. Christmas Day continues the cheer with a festive breakfast featuring Eastern and Western favourites.
New Year’s Eve begins with the General Manager Cocktail on the Lobby Lawn, followed by two elegant dinner options — a 9-course New Year’s Eve Feast or a lavish buffet at The Indochine Restaurant. The night ends with a lively Countdown Party at the Beach Club, complete with music and fireworks by the ocean. Guests can welcome the New Year with a comforting breakfast spread on New Year’s Day.
For rejuvenation, The Anam Spa offers special festive discounts on 60-minute and 90-minute treatments. Families and children can enjoy a full schedule of activities, from coconut leaf toy making to kite-flying, movie screenings and more.
The Anam Mui NeAt The Anam Mui Ne, celebrations begin with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, accompanied by a choir singing timeless carols. Christmas Eve is extra special for children as Santa Claus makes an appearance at The Indochine Restaurant with gifts and festive cheer.
Guests can choose from a lavish Christmas Eve BBQ Buffet Dinner featuring roasted turkey, chilled seafood, live BBQ counters and free-flow beverages, or enjoy a curated four-course Christmas feast at Lang Viet with optional sparkling wine or Champagne.
Christmas morning at The Indochine Restaurant brings a cosy breakfast and a hot chocolate treat topped with torched marshmallows. Kids can join creative activities at the Kids’ Club, followed by a refined Christmas Brunch with a 3-course menu.
New Year’s Eve celebrations include two standout dining experiences — an elaborate buffet at The Indochine Restaurant or a four-course “Sea Breeze and Sparkle” dinner at Lang Viet. The night continues with a Countdown Party on the lawn, offering games, sparkling wine and plenty of festive fun. Guests can step into the New Year with a relaxed breakfast and brunch, with à la carte dining available through the day.
At the spa, two thoughtful “Christmas Songs” wellness packages offer soothing scrubs, wraps, meditation sessions and traditional therapies. More holiday wellness treatments, including Himalayan singing bowl experiences, are also available. Daily kids’ activities add extra excitement throughout the festive season, from gingerbread decoration to sand painting and kite-flying.
About The Anam GroupThe Anam Group, known for its “Indochine Charm” and “Modern Luxury,” operates independently with a focus on design rooted in heritage and warm Vietnamese hospitality. After opening The Anam Cam Ranh in 2017, the group expanded with The Anam Mui Ne and Axi Plaza, continuing to blend traditional elegance with modern comfort.
Published on December 1, 2025
Six Flags Qiddiya City, the landmark theme park at Saudi Arabia’s upcoming entertainment district Qiddiya City, is building strong visibility in India ahead of its grand opening on 31 December 2025. Positioned as the world’s first destination built around the Power of Play, the park recently hosted an energetic curtain-raiser in India for trade partners and media.
Just 40 minutes from Downtown Riyadh and surrounded by the dramatic Tuwaiq Mountains, Qiddiya City is set to transform the region’s entertainment scene with a mix of adventure, culture, and sports-driven experiences.
At the India preview, the team offered a closer look at the park’s headline attractions. Six Flags Qiddiya City will feature 28 rides, including three global record-breakers:
Falcons Flight – the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster
Iron Rattler – the world’s tallest tilt coaster
Spitfire – the world’s tallest inverted coaster
Alongside these marquee thrills, the park will offer 18 family-friendly rides, global dining options, and exclusive retail stores with Six Flags merchandise.
Tickets start at SAR 325 for adults and SAR 275 for children, while kids under four enjoy free entry. The ticket includes access to all rides. Guests can also upgrade to the Unlimited GoFast Pass for priority access. Pre-bookings have opened online.
Designed with inclusivity in mind, the park features facilities for people with special needs and senior citizens, who can avail discounted entry starting from SAR 75.
Highlighting the park’s vision, Brian Machamer, Park President, Six Flags Qiddiya City, sai“Six Flags Qiddiya City not only opens its door to the public for the first time, it starts to showcase everything Qiddiya City stands for: bold imagination, unforgettable experiences, and a new benchmark for global entertainment. With flexible and inclusive ticketing options, guests can look forward to an unforgettable experience filled with world-class thrills and non-stop fun.”,
Visitors can reach the theme park via car, taxi, or shuttle. Complimentary transport will be available from the designated parking area. The park will operate daily from 4 p.m., while free shuttle services from Jeddah Metro Station will start at 3 p.m. Metro schedules can be accessed on the Riyadh Public Transportation website, and entry to shuttles is restricted to guests with valid tickets.
With its innovative attractions and growing engagement in key markets like India, Six Flags Qiddiya City is set to become one of the most significant entertainment openings of 2025.
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