New developments are coming up the whole time and the most breath-taking are not always in Qatar or Saudi Arabia. See the rendering above of CINNAMON LIFE INTEGRATED RESORT, which the mighty John Keells Group, under boss Anil Bandara, is putting up in Colombo. Overseeing this $1.3-billion project, as SVP and GM, is Alessandro Aldo Cabella, of the massive Cabella hospitality dynasty. He honed his skills at the opening of MARINA BAY SANDS in Singapore, and when he was approached by John Keells it was an offer, he says, he could not refuse. Among other things, the $1.3-billion plan, by Sri Lankan architect Cecil Balmond OBE, will have a total of 800 bedrooms split between two hotels. Add a giant casino and hospitality for weddings of many thousands, with elephants and white horses at the ready. Meetings? Yes, up to 8,000 at a time. Shopping? Yes, of course, at an integral mall. Want to live there? No problem, there are residences for sale.
From mega to more-miniscule. In London, the 35-bedroom DRAYCOTT HOTEL has been bought by Cadogan Estate and as of 5th January 2023 it metamorphoses as THE CHELSEA TOWNHOUSE, operated by Iconic Luxury Hotels. This is an historic hotel, formed of three 1890-vintage brick townhouses. Under CEO Hugh Seaborn, Cadogan owns over 90 acres in Chelsea and Knightsbridge. Its other hotels include 11 CADOGAN GARDENS, another feature of the Iconic portfolio, plus THE CADOGAN, Belmond; and THE BEAVERBROOK TOWN HOUSE.
Let’s hear Iconic Luxury Hotels’ Executive Director Andrew Stembridge, here:
