Briefs

InterContinental opens in Warsaw

Providing a wide variety of services for travelling businessmen and promoting Warsaw internationally - these are General Manager Alex Kłoszewski's grand plans for the newly opened five-star InterContinental, which consists of 326 rooms and 75 apartments. The building contains three restaurants: the Mexican Frida, the New York-themed Downtown and the Ernest Hemingway-styled Hemisphere, as well as a + One Bar. The RiverView Wellness Centre, whose swimming pool is at the same level as the clock on the nearby Palace of Culture, is located on the 43rd and 44th floors. The total investment in the 45-storey 45,000 sqm hotel, by UBM, Warimpex and the InterContinental Hotels Group, came to EUR 113 mln and construction was carried out by PORR between April 2001 and November this year. It was designed by Tadeusz Spychała and the interior was decorated and arranged by Jestico & Whiles, the InterContinental Hotels Group and PORR. "If we were to start construction all over again we would make only minor alterations. The concept would definitely remain untouched," says Rolf Grossmayer of UBM, denying the rumours that investors went overboard with the cost. "Will we have difficulties against our five-star competitors? [the Radisson SAS and Westin have also opened this year] I don't think so. We offer a luxury product." Oliver Horn, hotel Vice-Director, is apparently very aware of the competition, as he gives a long list of services with which InterContinental will try to lure their guests. "We can save their time by minimizing how long they check-in and check-out and enhance their stay by offering guides and help with the shopping and minor payments. We introduced all these innovations after running a survey of 50,000 guests." Alex Kloszewski believes that the international promotion of Warsaw he is involved in, will boost the numbers. "Next year CNN will run a promotional campaign for Warsaw, which will be paid for by members of the Warsaw Destination Alliance, who have donated EUR 1 from each of their guests to the organization."

European hoteliers more realistic: JLL's report

Jones Lang LaSalle's latest Hotel Investment Survey has found that in Europe, investors have adopted more realistic expectations over the short term, in the light of the difficulties the sector has been experiencing. The medium-term outlook does however remain positive, particularly in the UK, Italy and the European gateway cities. Two capitals found to be viewed with either neutral or negative investor sentiment, in the short and long term, however, are Budapest and Warsaw, "where oversupply has been exacerbated by dramatic declines in demand", states the report.

Echo Investment to construct and lease hotels for Qubus

The Polish developer Echo Investment has signed a contract with the Norwegian hotel operator Qubus, to construct and then lease two hotels: one in Kraków and the other in Kielce, in the south-eastern part of the country. The total value of the twenty five year lease agreement between the two parties, comes to EUR 39.4 mln.

Hotel in Katowice's Willa Brachta

Construction work on a recreational and administrative centre in the Willa Brachta is coming to a close. Following the refurbishment, it will most likely become home to a new hotel. There are also plans for a petrol station nearby. The total value of the scheme, which is due for completion on March 31st 2004, amounts to PLN 21.6 mln.