Hilton expands in California
Hilton has opened a new property in California. The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa is located next to Ponto Beach near San Diego, offering views across the Pacific Ocean from its 215 rooms. Facilities include more than 2,300m² of indoor and outdoor event space, as well as a restaurant, 520m² Ocean Crest Spa, fitness centre, an outdoor saltwater swimming pool with ocean views and kids’ pool. The resort is also located five minutes’ drive from Legoland California.
Alaska Airlines adds new flights
Alaska Airlines has launched two new routes, connecting Seattle to Philadelphia and Anchorage to Hawaii. The new Seattle-Philadelphia service will operate daily using a 157-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft, while the connection between the Alaskan city of Anchorage and Kona, on Hawaii’s Big Island, will operate every Saturday on a seasonal basis until 10 November 2012, also using a B737-800.
Sheraton New Orleans undergoes major refurb
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has embarked on a major US$45 million renovation of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. The work, which forms part of the US$6bn brand-wide refurbishment plan, will result in a complete transformation of the hotel’s 1,100 rooms, lounge, meeting facilities and lobby. The highlight of the refurbished lobby will be the introduction of the brand’s Link@Sheraton concept, which will feature a range of Microsoft computers and wireless connectivity.
Centerstone expands US hotel portfolio
Centerstone Hotels has expanded its US portfolio recently with the opening of several hotels in Texas, Virginia and Alabama, and new agreements signed in Illinois, Ohio, Florida and California. This month, the company launched the Centerstone Inn in Tuscaloosa in Alabama, and in September 2012 the company expects to open its first new construction property in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Centerstone is also planning to expand into the international hotel market.
Turkish Airlines expands US operations
Turkish Airlines has expanded its services to the US with the launch of a new route to Houston. From 1 April 2013 the national carrier will operate four weekly flights to the Texas hub from Istanbul, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The route will be served using either an Airbus A330 or a Boeing 777 aircraft. Houston becomes Turkish’s fifth US destination, following New York, Chicago, Washington DC and Los Angeles.
