Elandis, an international hospitality and real estate ownership, development and property management subsidiary of the Libra Group, announced today that it has completed the structure of Hyatt Place Macaé Hotel in Brazil. The 141-guestroom hotel is a joint project development with an affiliate of Hyatt, and will be located 110 miles northeast of Rio de Janeiro. The oceanfront hotel is slated to open in February 2018.

Hyatt Place Macaé is part of a large master development agreement between an affiliate of Hyatt and Elandis, to develop a total of nine Hyatt Place hotels throughout Brazil. Hyatt Place Macaé is set to be the second Hyatt Place hotel opening, joining Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto, which opened in November 2016.

“We are excited to be completing the building’s highest floor marking a significant accomplishment in our industry. It is rewarding to reach this milestone within the predefined timeframe,” said Alexandros Kallantzis, Head of Brazil of Elandis. “This hotel will both address the robust business segment of the area, as well as leisure travelers. We see a lot of potential for weekends as well as it is an appealing area that will likely expand in the short-term as a destination.”

Construction of this project commenced in December 2015. With the finalized structure in place and more than half of the construction activities completed, the hotel development is on track.

Centrally located in Cavaleiros, a vibrant beachfront neighborhood, the new ocean-facing Hyatt Place Macaé will additionally feature a rooftop swimming pool with snack bar, a fitness center, more than 1,700 square feet of flexible meeting space, a lobby lounge and restaurant.

Known as an economic hub for the petroleum industry, the city of Macaé services the majority of Brazil’s off-shore oil platforms and serves as the location for numerous global corporations to establish their headquarters.

The Resort at Pedregal, Los Cabos’ premier Five Diamond, Five Star destination resort, is pleased to welcome Director of Sales and Marketing Jorge Villarreal to the team. In his new role, Villarreal will be responsible for the continued success of the resort where he will oversee all hotel sales, marketing and communication initiatives, directing group sales strategies and implementing target marketing initiatives in order to maximize revenue opportunities and property goals.

“Behind every great resort is a dynamic leader, and Jorge brings unparalleled dedication coupled with his years of industry experience to The Resort at Pedregal,” said General Manager Fernando Flores. “His enthusiasm is contagious and together with our team, he will bring vibrancy to the destination’s leading resort.”

With 20 years of experience in sales director and management roles, Villarreal brings a comprehensive knowledge of the luxury hospitality industry acquired through his extensive background at an assortment of luxury resorts. Most recently, Jorge was the opening director of sales and marketing at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which under his leadership received various prestigious awards and accolades upon opening. After launching his career at the Hyatt Continental in Acapulco, Mexico, he spent most of his career in Los Cabos, having held various director of sales roles at Villa La Estancia Resorts & Spas, Los Cabos, Presidente InterContinental, Los Cabos, and One&Only Palmilla where he learned from the late visionary hotelier Edward Steiner. Villarreal has a terrific overview of the Mexican hospitality market, having also worked as the director of sales at Villa La Estancia Resorts & Spas, Riviera Nayarit, and Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun.

“I am honored for the opportunity to shine a light on this alluring property that’s such a standout in Los Cabos,” said Jorge. “I look forward to continuing the resort’s success by ushering in a new class of luxury leisure, business and group travelers.”

Villarreal graduated from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City where he received his degree in Hospitality Management. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, long-distance running, and exploring new places to travel with his wife, Lupita, and two daughters.

For more information on The Resort at Pedregal, please visit www.theresortatpedregal.com.

Hidden behind the doors of Moody Gardens’ Aquarium Pyramid awaits an awe-inspiring underwater experience that includes a new Humboldt Penguin Habitat, a Mangrove Lagoon touch tank that is home to stingrays and sharks and a multi-level 30,000 gallon Oil Rig Tank.

But, these new treasures won’t remain hidden for much longer. Moody Gardens will host a Grand Reveal May 27, 2017, giving guests their first glimpse into the completed multi-phased $37 million renovation project at the Aquarium Pyramid.

Guests will journey to new depths this summer, exploring the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, South Pacific, North Pacific and the Caribbean. Each ocean exhibit highlights different marine sanctuaries and relationship aspects to the seas with conservation messages that underscore the vital importance of the oceans.

Meet the new Humboldt penguins
Moody Gardens is thrilled to introduce these unique warm-climate penguins that hail from Southern Hemisphere waters from the Antarctic Pole to the Equator. This is the second penguin exhibit at Moody Gardens and the Humboldts are right next door to the South Atlantic Penguin Habitat, home to the King, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins. As part of the recent renovations, the South Atlantic Penguin Habitat is newly enhanced to better benefit guests and the health and livelihood of the penguins within.

Gulf of Mexico Rig Exhibit
See the balance of technology and nature through this impressive 30,000 gallon, two-story, 23-foot scale model oil production platform aquarium. These manmade islands provide valuable attachment surfaces for a variety of encrusting organisms to create an entire reef ecosystem found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. This new exhibit includes diver communication for presentations and interaction, further engaging guests in their underwater experience.

The Caribbean
Journeys to the Caribbean begin with the new Mangrove Lagoon. Touch Cownose Stingrays and Bonnethead Sharks as they swim lazily around the jungle of stilt roots that most of the region’s fish call home. Naturalists are on hand to help guests learn more about these important ecosystems. A second touch tank features small fish, Sea Stars, Hermit Crabs, Pencil Urchins and other invertebrates allowing guests to cross the water/air border.

Moody Gardens is highlighting a hidden gem from the Gulf of Mexico. The new Flower Garden Banks Exhibit brings attention to the unique tropical coral reef system found just 115 miles offshore.

With help from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, guests experience the East Flower Garden Bank, West Flower Garden Bank and Stetson Bank up close and personal. The exhibit includes examples of Brain, Star and Elkhorn coral, to name a few, all of which can be seen on the banks. The Flower Garden Banks reef system is one of the healthiest in the Gulf and Caribbean regions.

Guests are completely immersed in the Caribbean Exhibit with breathtaking views as Sharks, Rays and other tropical fish swim overhead while they walk through the tunnel in this one million-gallon exhibit, giving them the sense of diving in the Caribbean.

New to the exhibit is The Pride, a 19th century rum-runner shipwreck replica, loosely based on the vessel sailed by famed Galveston pirate Jean Lafitte. Divers spent a total of 68.5 hours underwater putting together the ship, which arrived in about 75 individual pieces.

Also new are in-water presentations by Moody Gardens divers. With additions to the exhibit, guests are bound to have questions. Divers are now able to take and answers questions while in the exhibit.

North Pacific Gallery
This exhibit focuses on the high-energy coastline to the west. Seals and Sea Lions are featured prominently alongside other kelp forest inhabitants including Leopard Sharks and the long-lived Rockfish. Jewel aquariums highlight the coastal surge zone, ingenious Giant Pacific Octopus and the relatively unknown deep water coral communities that act as nursery habitat for many commercial fisheries.

And, that’s not all
Don’t miss out on the whimsical and colorful array of soft-bodied predators inside the new Jellyfish Gallery. Lights, sounds and textures further enhance the display of these free swimming coral relatives.

There’s also the South Pacific Biome that showcases the tremendous diversity that is found in the epicenter of the coral reef evolution. Colorful corals, invertebrates, fishes and sharks fill the niche habitats highlighted in the large and small aquarium features.

Guests are able to engage with aquarium staff as they perform essential functions in the working conservation lab. Watch and ask questions as they work in the nursery, perform aquarium water quality tests, necropsies, grow algae as a food source and other functions in their daily lab work.

New exhibits will not only inspire visitor interest and empathy, but also connect visitors to specific ocean habitats, further establishing the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid as the largest and most diverse aquarium in the southwest.

The Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, a leading hotel managed by Hersha Hospitality Management, announces completion of an expansive 10 million dollar transformation.  Led by the internationally-recognized hospitality design firm, Puccini Group, these transformational enhancements include; all 405 guestrooms, lobby and outdoor pool as well as the entryway of the property. 

“We believe that this fresh new look will elevate the guest experience at every touch point of our hotel, far above and beyond the convenience of being the closest hotel to the airport and a number of Miami’s most popular attractions,” says Dan McDermott, General Manager of the property.  “This thoughtful and seamless redesign caters to the needs and necessities that are important to the diverse group of travelers we welcome each day at our hotel and Executive Meeting Center.”

The hotel’s transformation blends a modern tropical resort-like experience with the signature Sheraton comfort and convenience that guests have come to find synonymous with the brand. Perfectly located at the gateway of Miami, the 405-room hotel is the closest hotel to Miami Airport, which serves as the largest gateway for Latin America and the Caribbean.  The hotel has direct pedestrian access to both the airport and the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), which provides direct connections to South Beach and Brickell.  This exciting renovation highlights the property’s sophisticated design, award-winning service, and world-class amenities setting the stage for a unique and memorable hospitality experience that does not just meet but exceeds expectations for business and leisure travelers, alike.

The arrival experience at the hotel begins with a refreshed entryway and porte corche leading into a chic redesigned lobby.  The space is brought to life through the incorporation of striking geometric shapes, colorful aft work and lush greenery.  Plush, contemporary lounge seating is sprinkled throughout, partly screened by partial link walls creating a space that can be both social and semi private in nature. A striking overhead lighting feature opens up the space by drawing attention upward and complementing the vertically integrated greenery.

Stepping outside the rear of the lobby into the outdoor pool area, guests will be immersed in a resort-like experience.  Adjacent to the Miami River and Melreese Golf Course, the hotel’s pool has been transformed into a tropical paradise with indigenous plants, luxurious fabrics and a range of statement seating options.   A unique white sandy beach installation allows guests the opportunity to get a taste of the quintessential south Florida beach experience as they swim, sun and dip their toes in the sand with a cocktail in hand.  Adjacent to this poolside paradise, guests can dine al fresco on the patio of the Rickenbacker, the hotel’s flagship restaurant that serves up a comprehensive menu of creative cocktails and seasonally artisanal cuisine.  Additional indoor dining options include MbarK, where vintage chic meets contemporary design and cocktails can be enjoyed over bistro-style fare. 

Each spacious guestroom has been transformed into a welcoming oasis through modern, clean, and relaxing design elements.  A primarily neutral palette is paired with eclectic furniture pieces and patterns in the form of a custom textile headboard and carefully placed touches of color that add personality and infuse a sense of space that is authentic to Miami.  Each room also features updated bathrooms and signature Sheraton sleep experience alongside additional amenities to the likes of; 37″ flat-screen TV’s, high speed internet, oversized work desk with a Herman Miller ergonomic chair and conveniently placed electrical outlets.  A number of guestrooms also boast sweeping views of Miami.

These transformational property enhancements also include 17,000 square feet of recently renovated, custom-built event space that can cater to groups of 30 to 300 and is conveniently located on a single floor.  As the only International Association of Conference Centers certified hotel in South Florida, meeting planners and business travelers can rest assured in the hands of the hotel’s dedicated IACC-trained staff, including an Executive Meeting Center Concierge.  Additional perks include a 24-hour Club Lounge, fitness center, preferred rates at the renowned Melreese Golf course and complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle.  

Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has announced plans to open and operate a new hotel in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. Expected to break ground in April 2017 and open its doors in early 2019, Virgin Hotels New Orleans will be developed by Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital.

Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels, commented, “New Orleans is an incredibly special city and one Virgin Hotels has had an eye on from the beginning. The history, the food, the music, the spirit – they all work together to make it a one-of-a-kind destination for both business and leisure travelers. We’re excited to bring the Virgin experience to the Big Easy because it’s a perfect fit in terms of our values and our emphasis on creating unique and immersive experiences for our guests.”

Virgin Hotels New Orleans is situated in the city’s Warehouse District at 550 Baronne Street. The up-and-coming area sits directly next to the Central Business District and is home to a growing number of new restaurants, galleries and shops. The new-build hotel will feature 225 chambers, the brand’s flagship space, The Commons Club, a rooftop pool and lounge, gym, and dedicated meeting and event spaces.

Gatehouse Capital has chosen RTKL Architects, Mathes Brierre Architects, and Broadmoor Construction to complete the hotel. Virgin Hotels’ Vice President of Design Teddy Mayer has also tapped a local design firm to bring an authentic New Orleans flair to the project.

“Gatehouse Capital, whom we are currently working with to develop our Virgin Hotels Dallas property, is an outstanding example of a partner that understands the Virgin vision and can help bring it to life,” said Leal.
Adds Marty Collins, CEO of Gatehouse Capital: “This is the second Virgin Hotel development within our lifestyle platform; and we hope to announce others in the very near future. We look forward to being an even more significant part of Virgin Hotel’s brand expansion.”

Virgin Hotels Chicago is now open and accepting reservations at virginhotels.com, with Nashville, Dallas, Palm Springs, New York, Silicon Valley and others to follow. Virgin Hotels continues to explore hotel and office conversions as well as ground-up development in cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC, and London.

About Virgin Hotels:
Virgin Hotels is a lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service, straightforward value and a seamless, personalized hotel experience with the track record of innovation and smart disruption that Sir Richard Branson’s global Virgin Group has pioneered for over 40 years. Each property will intermix a passion for food and beverage with music and culture, fusing with the local landscape and providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.virginhotels.com.

About Gatehouse Capital:
Founded in 1997, Gatehouse Capital is a national real estate investment and development firm that has launched major mixed-use lifestyle developments such as the W Hollywood Hotel and Residences, W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences, as well as hotels among the Hilton, Marriott and Starwood brands totaling more than $1 billion in development. Gatehouse Capital has a reputation for elevating brands and creating hospitality projects that resonate with their guests and their communities. By partnering with industry leaders and visionaries, Gatehouse continually validates its core mission: to deliver extraordinary projects in every sense, beginning with economic return. More information is available at gatehousecapital.com.