Hotel briefs

Strategic Hotel Purchases 1

Prague, Czech Republic—Strategic Hotel Capital Inc. and GIC Real Estate Pte Ltd. acquired the Hotel Inter-Continental Praha. Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts has been awarded the management contract for the 364-room hotel.

Lowe Enterprises Develops

San Diego—Lowe Enterprises has been chosen by the University of California San Diego, to develop and operate a conference center hotel on a 9.5-acre, University-owned site at 9820 N. Torrey Pines Road, adjacent to the main campus. The 210-room hotel will feature 20,000 square feet of conference space. Final plans will be presented to the University's Board of Regents for approval in January 2000.

Leisure Hotels Plans 120 Units

Ruidoso, NM—Leisure Hotels L.L.C. broke ground on a 120-suite hotel at 107 Sierra Blanca Drive. The new Hawthorn Suites Golf & Convention Resort, which is located adjacent to The Links Golf Club and the Ruidoso Convention Center, will include 33,000 square feet of meeting space. The project is planned to open in mid-2000.

Second City Hotel Acquires

Detroit—Second City Hotel L.L.C., an entity comprised of a local investment group in a joint venture with Highgate Holdings, purchased the 286-room Heaven on Earth Inn and Conference Center from Maharishi School of Vedic Sciences. The buyers plan to redevelop the property to cater to the increasing demand of convention business. Richard Ehmer and Eric Schaefer of Marcus & Millichap represented both parties.

Mandarin Oriental Builds

Miami—Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has broken ground on the 325-room Mandarin Oriental Brickell Key, a luxury hotel tower. The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2000.

Candlewood Expands

Las Vegas—Candlewood Hotels is expanding into Las Vegas with a $13 million project featuring between 96 and 122 rooms. The project will be located at the intersection of Paradise and Flamingo roads and is slated for completion in early 2000. Snyder Langston is providing construction services.

Hawaiian Best Inn Debuts

Laie, HI—Hospitality Associates has opened Hawaii's first Best Inn at 55-109 Laniloa St. The 49-room beachfront property is operated under a license agreement with U.S. Franchise Systems Inc.

Renaissance Plans 65 Rooms

West Palm Beach, FL—Renaissance Partners plans to construct a 65-room boutique hotel in the Clematis corridor. The $8 million to $10 million project is part of the strategic development of downtown West Palm Beach and is planned to reflect the "New Urbanist" theme that Renaissance is introducing to the area.

Hilton Saratoga Springs Opens

Saratoga Springs, NY—Hilton Hotels Corp. has opened the 112-room Hilton Garden Inn Saratoga Springs. The hotel is owned by Turf Saratoga L.L.C. and operated under a license agreement with Hilton Inns Inc.