A customer at an Ohio restaurant left a $5,600 tip to split among the entire staff for Christmas

A customer left the employees of Souk Mediterranean Kitchen a $5,600 tip

Employees at a restaurant in Ohio received a Christmas gift they didn't see coming when a customer left a $5,600 tip for the entire staff to split.

The guest, who asked the restaurant to allow him to remain anonymous, was dining at Souk Mediterranean Kitchen in Toledo on December 12 when he left the massive tip for all 28 employees -- including those who were off that day. After dividing it, each staff member took home $200.

"There was a lot of tears, I'm tearing up now talking about it," Moussa Salloukh, Souk's owner and chef, told CNN. "Your restaurant staff becomes your family and everyone cares about each other. I've been staying out of the kitchen to give employees hours to get through and put gifts under the tree for their kids, so this was so huge for us."

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Burger Singh aims to tap South in 2021; eyes 100cr revenue

Burger Singh, an Indian brand of fusion burgers is planning to expand in Southern states aggressively post-pandemic. With the current presence in Hyderabad, the company plans to enter Bangalore and Chennai in 2021. The company has gone from being present in eight cities in Feb 2020 to 12 cities in November 2020.

“We have great unit level economics on the smart store format and we have had a lot of success in franchising that model,” said Kabir Jeet Singh, CEO and Co-founder at Burger Singh in an interaction with ETHospitalityWorld. With 50 points of sales currently, Singh expects to take the company to 100 + point of sales by the end of 2021.

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Marriott International Announces Covid-19 Testing Availability and Optional Health Protocols for Groups In Expansion of Connect with Confidence Initiative

Gaylord Hotels will be the first Marriott brand to offer new health protocols in January 2021

As part of ongoing steps to help instill confidence and provide exceptional experiences and solutions for meeting professionals and attendees, Marriott International has identified health protocol options, including COVID-19 testing, which meeting professionals may select for group meetings at certain Marriott branded hotels in the United States beginning in January 2021. These optional health protocols build upon initiatives already in place as part of the recent launch of Connect with Confidence, a program empowering meeting professionals to identify and tailor solutions that best meet the needs of their attendees.

Meeting professionals may select optional health protocols for meetings and events at Gaylord Hotels and Resorts in Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and Colorado as soon as January 2021. In the weeks that follow, the health protocols are expected to be available for selection at certain other Marriott branded hotels throughout the United States.

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Alma Promotes Chefs Despite COVID-19’s Impact on Tourism

CAM RANH, Vietnam (December 18, 2020) – The Alma resort has appointed two executive sous chefs who bring more than two decades of hospitality experience to 14 restaurants and bars at the new 30-hectare beachfront property.

 Alma’s general manager Herbert Laubichler-Pichler this month named Mai Ly Huong and Francesco Conzattu as executive sous chefs at the five-star family resort overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula.

 Born and bred in nearby Nha Trang, Huong received a Certificate of Cooking from Nha Trang’s Huong Duong Vocational Centre and started her career at Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel and Spa in 2012. She worked at Sheraton Seoul D Cube Hotel in South Korea, Aloft Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, JW Marriott Phu Quoc and Sun Aqua Iru Veli at the Maldives before joining Alma as a sous chef in September 2019.

Describing herself as “able to not only operate but thrive in a high-pressure and high-volume environment”, she said a priority in her new role was to continue developing her leadership skills to help her kitchen staff develop and realise their full potential. 

 Francesco, who was born in Sassari, Italy, decided he wanted to be a chef at a young age when he started helping his grandmother and mother cook. He completed a six-year full-time hospitality course with the Professional Institute for Hotel and Tourism IPSAR Sassari before launching a career in 2007 that has seen him steadily climb the ladder at leading hotels and restaurants in Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Dubai. 

 He has worked for the likes of both Starwood’s Hotel Cervo in Porto Cervo and Leading Hotel of the World Hotel La Perla in Corvara, both in his native Italy, as well as the Cavalli Club, Restaurant and Lounge in Dubai. He was chef de cuisine at Italian restaurant Armani Deli at Armani Hotel, housed in the world’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa, before his appointment at Alma as chef de cuisine at Alma in September 2019. 

 Francesco, who describes himself as “self-motivated, hands-on team player”, said he wished to “keep learning and growing” in his new role, including learning everything required to oversee the culinary operation of the resort and support the entire F&B team.

 Bold, spacious and emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the independently owned and operated Alma features 580 oversized suites and pavilions, 14 food and beverage outlets, and a cascade of 12 beachfront swimming pools. Other drawing cards include a science museum, 6000 square metre waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, art gallery, cinema, convention centre, amphitheatre, youth centre with virtual games, kid’s club, water sports centre, gymnasium and yoga room and an 18-hole putting green.

Alma is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit www.alma-resort.com or email info@alma-resort.com

-ENDS-

About Alma 

Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam's maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, art gallery, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an 'Alma Mart' mini supermarket

The Dubai EDITION open this fall

The Dubai EDITION marks a significant expansion for the brand into the Middle East's most popular travel destination. Situated in downtown Dubai, the hotel will be located in one of the city's most popular locations, opposite the world-famous Dubai Mall.
Designed with LW Design Group LLC, the hotel will feature 210 rooms and suites. The property will also be home to three food an beverage outlets, pool, spa and fitness center, in addition to dynamic events spaces boasting multiple meeting rooms and a ballroom.

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Note worthy Hotel Openings in 2020-2021 - KAI KirishimaKirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture January 2021

In time for the Olympics, renowned hospitality group, Hoshino Resorts will open a brand-new KAI resort. KAI is the group’s upscale brand of boutique hot spring ryokans and ideal escapes for travelers seeking relaxation in-between Olympic games. KAI Kirishima will open in January and the property is located hillside of Mount Takachiko and in the Kirishima-Kinkowan Nation Parkin Kagoshima Prefecture. Guests can get lost in relaxation and nature at the outdoor onsen bath situated in the Suskino meadow and inside the rooms which come with floor-to-ceiling views of Japan’s stunning landscape.

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The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel announces new staycation package

The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel has introduced an immersive and luxurious staycation package to pamper their guests and leave them spoilt with unlimited choices.

The hotel’s distinctive and festive ambience with a very special Christmas tree will elevate the yuletide spirit. The star attraction will be a beautifully crafted life-size Gingerbread House that will host a one-of-its-kind Christmas carnival inside serving an array of lip-smacking delicacies such as marshmallows with delicious hot chocolate, warmed cookies, chocolates, Christmas cakes and more. Adding to the festive fervour, Christmas Carols will be sung by the choir on 24th and 25th December. Christmas isn’t complete for kids without meeting their dearest Santa Claus. The hotel has specially planned “Meet the Santa” activity from December 22nd to 25th for them.

Those looking for an intimate family outing within the city would love the dreamy packages that can be personalised and upgraded as per one's preference. The hotel has planned an array of enchanting experiences that will be loved by guests of all age groups. With inclusions such as accommodation for two along with breakfast and an option to choose between a eclectic 5 course set menu for dinner at Dilli 32, their Speciality Indian restaurant or an exquisite unlimited beverage option paired with delectable sharing platters and canapes at Club Cuba and poolside celebration with a live band performance and DJ, the hotel is all set to delight you. Guests will also get a 20% off on culinary experiences during their stay. The package also includes a voucher worth INR 1000 for the Gingerbread House that can be redeemed for shopping Christmas special goodie.

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Jan Vanhaelewyn Appointed General Manager

Jan's hospitality career with Marriott International began in 2008 serving as Resident Manager of two of the most unique The Luxury Collection Hotels in Mexico: Hacienda San Jose, as well as Hacienda Temozon, located in the Peninsula of the Yucatan. Thereafter, he moved over to Spain at Le Meridien RA Beach Resort & Spa, before returning to Mexico to open The Westin Guadalajara as the Food & Beverage Director. Shortly after, he joined the pre-opening team of the W Bogota in Colombia where he was promoted to Director of Operations. In 2017, Jan's expertise brought him to The St. Regis Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico, where months after starting as Hotel Manager, the hotel was forced to close as a result of Hurricane Maria. Jan led the team through a successful closure, renovation, and reopening of this beautiful flagship resort in December 2018. Most recently, he served as General Manager of The Ocean Club, A Luxury Collection Resort in the Dominican Republic.

34 Million Fewer Americans to Travel This Holiday Season

AAA Travel expects the vast majority of Americans to stay home this holiday season. Public health concerns and travel guidance are influencing their decisions not to travel over the year-end holidays, a period that typically sees high demand for vacations. While AAA expects at least 34 million fewer travelers compared to last year's holiday season, as many as 84.5 million Americans may still travel from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, a decline in travel of at least 29%.

"While Thanksgiving is traditionally spent gathering with friends and family, the year-end holidays are when Americans often venture out for longer, more elaborate vacations. That will not be the case this year," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. "Public health concerns, official guidance not to travel, and an overall decline in consumer sentiment have encouraged the vast majority of Americans to stay home for the holidays."

The CDC urges Americans not to travel for the holidays this year, warning that travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.

For those who make the personal decision to travel, it is important to understand the risks involved and take steps to keep yourself and others safe. Seek the advice of a trusted travel advisor and refer to AAA's COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map and TripTik.AAA.com for the latest state and local travel restrictions, and to help determine which rest stops, gas stations, restaurants and hotels are open along your route.

Raeshawna Scott Appointed General Manager At Kimpton Banneker Hotel

The Kimpton Banneker Hotel, managed by Valor Hospitality Partners, announced today the appointment of Raeshawna Scott as General Manager.

As general manager, Scott will lead day-to-day hotel operations, guest relations and team development for The Banneker. A seasoned hospitality leader, Scott brings 18 years of hospitality experience to her position, along with a passion for heart-felt guest interactions and developing future hospitality leaders. Scott has been with the Kimpton Hotel family for 10 years and has held various leadership roles, including director of housekeeping, front office manager, assistant general manager and general manager, later becoming part of the Valor Hospitality Partners team in September 2019.

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Jean-Francois Fortin Appointed Executive Chef At Fairmont Dallas

Fairmont Dallas is proud to introduce Jean-Francois Fortin as the hotel's new Executive Chef.

Chef Fortin has a wealth of culinary management experience from over twenty two years in the industry, most of which served at Fairmont hotels across North America. After earning his professional culinary diploma and completing Chef Training at Trait-Carre Professional Center in Quebec City, his career began in 1998 as Chef de partie at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. He progressed through various positions of increasing responsibility, including Sous Chef, Chef, Manager and Consultant for different restaurants.

Chef Fortin served as Sous and Executive Chef for a variety of Fairmont hotels from 2005 to 2016 including Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Edmonton, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Algonquin St. Andrews, Fairmont Chateau Montebello and finally at the infamous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada.

Serving as the Executive Chef of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for since 2016, Chef Fortin is excited for the opportunity to get to know Texas cuisine. He and his team have already launched La Taqueria at the Lobby Bar, a new pop up concept at the Fairmont Dallas featuring Tex-Mex classics including tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.

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Cambria Hotels to come to Gatlinburg

The 140-room in Gatlinburg-area hotel is expected to open in 2022, and will feature a rooftop bar and restaurant. Known as the "Gateway to the Smokies," the proposed hotel will be situated in downtown Gatlinburg in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the United States and is part of the Appalachian Trail, offering more than 850 miles of trails, camping, fishing, biking and horseback riding. The future hotel is in the epicentre

of this vibrant mountain resort city, which includes Ober Gatlinburg, the only ski resort in the state, the Gatlinburg SkyLift, which takes people 1,800 feet up to the top of Crockett Mountain, and the Gatlinburg Space Needle, where visitors can take in 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountains. Additional area attractions, many of which are within walking distance of the planned hotel, include Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Haunted Adventure, as well as the Rocky Top Sports complex and many bourbon distilleries, breweries and wineries. The Gatlinburg Convention Centre is also only one block from the future hotel.

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Note worthy Hotel Openings in 2020-2021 - THE NEWBURY BOSTON | March 2021

THE NEWBURY BOSTON (Boston, March 2021)

The Newbury is a partnership between Major Food Group (Sadelle’s, Carbone, The Grill) and the hospitality company Highgate. Set at the city’s most sought-after address, One Newbury Street, the hotel is located in the heart of Boston’s premier shopping and dining district, the Back Bay. The Newbury is a full renovation of one of the city’s most iconic landmark buildings adjacent to the Boston Public Garden, which debuted in 1927 as one of the first Ritz Carlton hotels in the US. The building will be thoughtfully transformed into a 286-room luxury hotel, with multiple dining experiences and event spaces - a nod to the property's rich history as a hub for lavish dinners and parties. Acclaimed designer Alexandra Champalimaud (Champalimaud Design) will lead the renovation of the hotel’s guest rooms, while celebrated architect Jeffrey Beers will conceive the building’s new entrance and public spaces. Major Food Group is behind the hotel’s food & beverage offerings – including The Street Bar, elegant event spaces, and a rooftop restaurant with 360-degree views of the city. The rooftop restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with sweeping views of the Boston Commons from a glass enclosure that will slide opened during the warmer months, as well as an Italian-focused menu by Chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi.

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Note worthy Hotel Openings in 2020-2021 - Nomad London (London, December 2020)

NOMAD LONDON (London, December 2020)

NoMad London, a partnership between Sydell Group and investment firm BTC UK, will debut this December in the Covent Garden neighborhood, adjacent to the iconic Royal Opera House. The property, a historical 19th-century building formerly known as Bow Street Magistrates Court and Police Station, will be thoughtfully transformed into a  91 room hotel by interior design studio Roman and Williams. Drawing on inspiration from the buildings history, location, and the artistic, cultural connection between London and New York, the hotel will feature spaces including the NoMad restaurant, Side Hustle bar, Library, and the brand’s first-ever subterranean craft cocktail bar and lounge, Common Decency that will debut in the spring of 2021. New to London and to the NoMad brand, Executive Chef Ian Coogan will be responsible for the hotel’s culinary offerings. In keeping with the ethos that began at NoMad New York, the restaurants and bars at NoMad London will toe between grand and intimate, classical and colloquial, and serve as perfect locales for festive moments of revelry as well as quiet meals that nourish the spirit. The hotel is the first international outpost for the NoMad brand — with NoMad hotels in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas receiving numerous awards and accolades —  and will continue NoMad's tradition of offering gracious hospitality married with understated elegance and comfort.

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Note worthy Hotel Openings in 2020-2021 - The Columns Hotel (New Orleans)

Columns is a 20-room hotel located in the historic neighbourhood of New Orleans’ Garden District. Built in 1883 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the beloved property was acquired by acclaimed hotelier Jayson Seidman in 2019.

Following a thoughtful restoration process, preserving many of the building’s original architectural and design elements, Seidman will introduce the property in full later this year – with new public spaces including an expansive garden and a rooftop bar. The hotel’s bar & restaurant will be led by Michael Stoltzfus and the team behind the beloved Garden District eatery Coquette, which has been nominated for six consecutive James Beard Awards since opening. The menu will include dinner classics and cocktail fare focused on Southern American cuisine, with extensive open-air seating on the hotel’s sprawling porch and in the gardens below.

Opening In December 2020

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Marriott International Provides Updates on Sustainability and Social Impact Progress

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) ("Marriott") today released its 2020 Serve 360 Report presenting data from 2019, including progress toward the company's 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact Goals. The Report can be accessed here.

In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Marriott's sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, guides the company's commitment to make a positive and sustainable impact wherever it does business, delivering value for associates, customers, owners, the environment, and communities around the world.

In addition to showcasing data on company diversity, environmental footprint, volunteerism, and other environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities, 2019 highlights include:

Trained more than 725,000 associates in human trafficking awareness since 2016, in pursuit of the company's goal to train 100% of on-property associates by 2025

Achieved goal of spending $500 million at managed hotels and above-property with women-owned businesses one year ahead of schedule

Launched efforts to replace single-use toiletry bottles in guestroom showers with larger, pump-topped bottles - when implemented across the globe in the future, expected to prevent about 500 million tiny bottles from going to landfills annually - in support of Marriott's goal to reduce waste by 45% by 2025

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Technology in Hospitality, Evolution, Innovation and Guests.

In hospitality, technology is a complicated problem. For an industry that has historically excelled and set the bar for customer experience, buying technology solutions has not been on the top of the list. Not because hoteliers like to be old fashioned, but because until recently guests really didn't care. Guests do care about the quality of the mattresses; they care about the wear in the carpets. They care about hot water, air conditioning and operational elevators.

But innovation and competitive advantage in guest experience and comfort is not going to come from installing an elevator or hot water. Those innovations were solved a long time ago. On the material side of comfort, innovation has pretty much plateaued. The future of innovation in guest experience is through technology.

In the 2000s there were approximately one billion computer users, most of them PC users, either wealthy enough to have a computer at home or they had to use a computer at work or school. In other words, very few of the guests were active computer users during their stay. Today we have over four billion computer users, most of them using a smartphone. We can quite safely assume that every hotel guest is now an active computer user during their stay.

The future of hotel guest experience is based on how good your technology is. Let me explain.

"Hospitality being slow to adopt."

In the hospitality industry and more specifically, the technology side of the hospitality industry, it is often said that technology moves slowly. That hotels don't invest enough in technology, and thus systems are old, and new technology doesn't get adopted fast enough.

But if one looks back over the last century and if we look up from our iPhone and it's frantic iteration cycle that we've been accustomed to, things have evolved - a hundred years ago we celebrated elevators in hotels. Today guests complain if there isn't a ramp up to the front desk.

Enterprise technology doesn't evolve fast, from a vendor side, it might, but for the customer side, it doesn't. In fact despite everyone being tired of hearing cloud-this and cloud-that today only 20-30% of Fortune 100 companies have moved to cloud systems. And those old mainframe computers that were invented in the 1950s and which most people only get to see in movies, well they're still selling, in fact, over 70% of the Fortune 500 companies use them

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Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne West End

Opening early December on the doorstep of everything Melbourne is famous for - art, culture, coffee, shopping, food, festivals, sport… and a whole lot more - Adina West Melbourne hands guests the keys to a WOW-factor new lifestyle precinct, where virtually every conceivable amenity rests at their fingertips.

Welcome to Trenerry Property's West End precinct. A 9,200sqm inner-city oasis, wrapped in an industrial-chic neighbourhood on the CBD's western fringe.

A mecca for edgy and immersive arts and cultural experiences, diverse foodie encounters, Zen-factor green space, and retail therapy suited to every style and budget. Just 500m from Melbourne's CBD and a stone's throw from Docklands lively waterfront hub (home to Australia's first immersive 'trick-art' gallery ArtVo; and world-renowned public art trail, featuring 25 acclaimed works of art, not least being 'Cow up a Tree').

That is, of course, if guests can pull themselves away from Adina West Melbourne's immediate vicinity, according to Adina West Melbourne Hotel General Manager Lucy Ockleston.

More than a hotel, Adina West Melbourne creates a legacy as 'place maker' - providing a sanctuary and 24/7 concierge service for its guests and residents of four apartment buildings that share the $300-million mixed-use site - while helping to drive West Melbourne's wider urban regeneration.

Not so much spoiled for choice, but inspired by it, hotel guests and West End residents will enjoy access to the precinct's 2,000sqm of Zen gardens; supermarket; 24/7 gym; coffee roastery; 10 drool-worthy eateries, including a Mediterranean-style restaurant/café/bar that shares Adina West Melbourne's lobby space. Not forgetting, access to a private outdoor retreat, opening out from Level 3, complete with three pools: a 25m lap pool, plunge pool and spa pool. #Nama-stay!

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Arsen Khodosov Appointed Director of Sales and Marketing At Hyatt Place and Hyatt House in Tampa

Arsen Khodosov, Director of Sales and Marketing, brings over 10 years in the hospitality industry to Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Tampa. Prior to joining HRI Lodging, he served as Task Force Director of Sales with Crescent Hotels & Resorts, working with brands such as Hilton, Marriott and IHG. His previously held positions include Regional Director of Sales and Marketing with Chesapeake Hospitality, Director of Sales and Marketing with Westmont Hospitality Group, and leadership roles with McKibbon Hotel Management. Khodosov graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

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Hyatt Announces the Opening of Hyatt Regency Cape Town

“The hotel marks the second Hyatt hotel in South Africa and brings the brand’s premium of level service to Cape Town for the first time”

CHICAGO (December 15, 2020) - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Cape Town, the first Hyatt-branded property in the “Mother City.” Situated at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, the 137-room Hyatt Regency Cape Town represents Hyatt’s growing brand presence across Africa. It joins eight existing properties on the continent and is the second Hyatt hotel in South Africa.

The Hyatt Regency brand is designed for productivity in mind, delivering seamless experiences addressing the needs of both business and leisure travelers. Services and amenities include a memorable culinary experience, flexible spaces to work, collaborate or relax, and expansive technology-enabled facilities for meetings and events, along with expert planners who anticipate every detail of a guest’s stay. Situated in the bustling Bo-Kaap neighborhood, and only a few minutes from Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront and Robben Island Ferry, Hyatt Regency Cape Town delivers its brand promise to guests that are looking to experience South Africa’s rich and multicultural history.

“We are extremely excited to welcome guests to the first Hyatt hotel in Cape Town,” said Asif Raza, general manager Hyatt Regency Cape Town. “For business travelers, the hotel provides easy access to the financial district and Cape Town International Convention Centre, while its location in the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood makes it a great base for leisure travelers, too. The hotel’s tranquil ambiance and modern design will ensure a stress-free guest experience and we are proud that we can now offer the renowned Hyatt Regency service to visitors to South Africa in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.”

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