MUNICH-The SV Group, which already owns three Marriott International branded hotels, has expanded its portfolio with a dual-brand Residence Inn by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott here.

The Group, which is based in Basel, Switzerland, opened a Courtyard in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2006, followed by a Courtyard in Basel in 2010, and a Renaissance Hotel in Zurich in 2011. Also last year, the Group opened the dual-brand 125-suite Residence Inn Munich City East and 227-room Courtyard Munich City East. The Residence Inn marked that brand's debut in Europe, while the dual-brand approach comprising a Residence Inn and a Courtyard was a first for Europe as well.

Like most dual-brand developments, the brands are chosen to target different types of travelers on different types of trips. Residence Inn is an upscale extended-stay brand, while Courtyard is an upper-end select-service brand. The dual-brand strategy also allows for operational savings. For example... Full Story

FRHI Appoints Glennie President & COO
TORONTO-Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. parent company of the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissotel brands, has named Michael Glennie to be president & COO.

Sonesta Adds First Hotel In Maryland
BALTIMORE, MD- Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has contracted to manage its first hotel in Maryland, the AAA Four Diamond, 195-room Royal Sonesta Hotel Baltimore.

Michigan Resort To Open New Tower
NEW BUFFALO, MI-The Four Winds Casino Resort here is scheduled to open a new nine-story, 250-room tower in June, bringing the resort's total room count to 415.

NYC's Kimberly Completes $12M Redesign
NEW YORK-The Kimberly Hotel here on 50th St. recently completed a $12 million renovation of the property.