Radisson Hotel Group Expands with New Opening in Riyadh

Radisson Hotel Group Expands with New Opening in Riyadh

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on May 27, 2024

Radisson Hotel Group is excited to announce the opening of Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya, marking its 28th hotel in Saudi Arabia and its 9th in the bustling city of Riyadh. This milestone is part of the Group's strategic expansion in the Middle East, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the country's economic and tourism sectors.

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is a city that beautifully merges historical charm with modern advancements. The city boasts attractions such as the historic Diriyah, Riyadh Boulevard, and the King Abdullah Financial District. Located in the northern Al Yasmin suburb, the Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya is designed with contemporary urban aesthetics, featuring neutral tones and coastal accents to create a sophisticated and elegant ambiance.

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The hotel offers 201 guest rooms and apartments, catering to both business and leisure travelers. Each room is designed with a modern flair, featuring elegant finishes that reflect the beauty of Riyadh. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a full-service restaurant, a cozy lobby lounge, and expansive meeting and event facilities covering 500 square meters. For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel provides separate indoor fitness centers for ladies and gentlemen, along with additional leisure facilities such as a fitness center, pool, spa, and kids club.

Culinary experiences at Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya are highlighted by the lively RBG Restaurant, which offers a mix of à la carte and buffet breakfast options. The restaurant's menu features traditional dishes with modern twists and locally inspired desserts, ensuring a delightful dining experience.

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Mohamad Saade, General Manager of Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya, expressed his excitement about the new opening, stating, "We are delighted to open our latest hotel in Riyadh that blends comfort with elegance. We've focused on creating a team that brings both personality and experience to the forefront to ensure our guests receive distinctive and delightful service aligned with Radisson’s signature service."

Tim Cordon, COO of MEA and SEAP at Radisson Hotel Group, emphasized the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia to the Group. "The Kingdom's economic diversification plans and its growing role as a tourist destination align perfectly with our growth objectives. We see tremendous potential in contributing to and benefiting from the Kingdom's expansion in the tourism and hospitality sectors. We are excited to be part of this transformative journey," he said.

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The Radisson Hotel Group's ongoing expansion in Saudi Arabia reflects its commitment to the Vision 2030 initiative and underscores the brand's dedication to providing exceptional hospitality experiences. With the opening of Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya, the Group continues to strengthen its presence in the region, offering high-quality accommodations and services to travelers from around the world.

As the Radisson Hotel Group continues to grow, it remains focused on delivering its signature "Yes I Can!" service, ensuring every guest enjoys a comfortable and memorable stay. The new Riyadh property exemplifies this commitment, combining modern design, excellent amenities, and outstanding service to meet the needs of today's discerning travelers.


Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on its asset-light strategy with a major move—selling Playa Hotels’ real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts for $2 billion. This follows Hyatt’s acquisition of Playa in February for $2.6 billion, including debt. Playa operates 24 luxury all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

The sale covers 15 of Playa’s resort assets, effectively reducing Hyatt’s net purchase price for the remaining Playa business to around $555 million. The deal, still pending regulatory nods in Mexico, is expected to close before the end of 2025.

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As part of the arrangement, Hyatt and Tortuga will enter into 50-year agreements for these properties, allowing Hyatt to continue managing the resorts. Thirteen of the resorts will operate under Hyatt’s standard management fee structures, with two under separate agreements.

Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian called the move transformational, noting it turns the Playa acquisition into a fully asset-light transaction. "It also ramps up our fee-based earnings," he added. Hyatt now anticipates its asset-light earnings mix could hit at least 90% by 2027.

Analysts view the swift real estate divestment positively, seeing it as a smart way for Hyatt to stay nimble while bolstering returns. Proceeds from this deal will primarily go toward repaying loans taken to finance the Playa buyout.


Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, a flagship Accor property, has proudly announced that it has been awarded the Green Key Certification, a globally recognised eco-label that underscores excellence in sustainable tourism and hospitality.

Granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)—one of the world’s leading environmental education organisations and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)—the certification marks a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices without compromising guest comfort or luxury.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said, “At Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, we believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a way of life. Being Green Key certified reinforces our commitment to offering eco-conscious experiences that align with global environmental standards.”

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The hotel has rolled out various impactful initiatives, from using clean, renewable energy and implementing robust waste management practices to driving water conservation, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainably sourcing products. These measures are designed to benefit not only the environment but also the local community.

As travel trends increasingly lean towards conscious luxury and responsible tourism, this certification positions Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach as a leader in sustainable hospitality in India.


IHCL to Open New Vivanta in Anjuna, Strengthening Goa Portfolio

IHCL to Open New Vivanta in Anjuna, Strengthening Goa Portfolio

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality player, has announced the signing of a new Vivanta property in Anjuna, Goa. This greenfield project marks another step in IHCL’s strategy to grow its presence across key leisure destinations in India.

Strategically located in Anjuna, celebrated for its vibrant culture and beaches, the upcoming Vivanta Anjuna, Goa will feature 110 well-appointed rooms. Guests can look forward to an array of facilities including an all-day diner, a bar, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and modern conference spaces, catering to both leisure and business travellers.

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL, shared, “IHCL has been at the forefront of pioneering destinations and has played a defining role in putting Goa on the global tourism map for over five decades. This signing is in line with our strategy to expand IHCL’s presence across segments in key leisure markets. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Fiesta Hotels with this new project.”

The hotel is being developed by Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., led by directors Ravinder Kumar, Manju Vardhan, Raj Vardhan, Harsh Vardhan, Gagan Garg, and Gaurav Garg, who have deep investments in real estate and hospitality. Ravinder Kumar, Director, Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are proud to collaborate with IHCL through the addition of our second hotel in Goa. It stands as a testament to our shared vision to deliver exceptional experiences in one of India’s most cherished destinations.”

Goa continues to attract travellers with its sun-soaked beaches, Portuguese-era architecture, thriving culinary and music scene, and vibrant local communities. With this signing, IHCL’s Goa portfolio grows to 18 hotels, including five under development, underscoring its long-standing commitment to shaping Goa’s tourism landscape.

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