IHG has recently signed an agreement for the new InerContinental Hotel in Mendoza, Argentina. The new hotel will be located in city renowned for its spectacular vineyards.

Mendoza is located northwest of Buenos Aires and it has a beautiful landscape to enjoy. The 15-story InterContinental Mendoza will have 218 guestrooms including 62 suites.

Alvaro Diago, COO, IHG, Latin America and Caribbean said: “We are delighted to announce yet another InterContinental hotel in Argentina. A presence in a city such as Mendoza furthers our growth in areas that not only attract business travelers, but are renown as a tourism destination.”

He also said:” In Mendoza’s case, the vineyards are a particular allure, and we look forward to meeting the needs of this broad-base of travelers.”

The NHH Hotels & Resorts opens a completely new restaurant concept that redefines hotel dinning. The Cafe Zest will be available at two of the branded-hotel locations: Embassy Suites Pittsburgh International Hotel and Doubletree Hotel Atlanta/Roswell-Alpharetta.

This development is in conjunction with the Puccini Group of San Francisco which “revolves around a casual dining style within a bright, airy environment seating 75 to 100 people.”

John J. DePaul, president and CEO of NHH Hotels & Resorts commented: “Cafe Zest is an exciting venture for us because it fills a huge need in the marketplace for fresh, wholesome food served in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere.”

He also said: “The restaurant’s personality is upscale yet very approachable. We wanted to create a venue that is complementary to our hotels, and offers a dining experience for both customers and local residents.”

The prestigious chain of hotels Marriott International celebrates 20 years in Eastern Europe by signing 2 more hotels deals. Marriott International has signed Courtyard by Marriott in Kazan, Tartarstan, and Irkustk, Rusia.

Amy McPherson, president and managing director of lodging for Marriott International in Europe commented: “We are thrilled by the solid expansion and acceptance our brands portfolio has experienced in the region since we opened our first hotel in Warsaw 20 years ago.”

She also said:”With a footing in most of the region’s capital cities, not to mention six hotels in Moscow alone, we are pleased to see our expansion continue into secondary cities and provincial capitals in countries like Russia where we have established a strong presence. We are confident we are well positioned for continued growth in the region in the years to come.”

The Holiday Inn Express expands in Baltimore and it will be the fifth hotel to feature brand’s new sign. The IHG has recently announced that the Holiday Inn Express Baltimore-Downtown opened on September 4th brings 68 guests rooms and 24 job opportunities to downtown Baltimore.

Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Delivery, the Americas commented:”This particular location in Baltimore just one block away from the City Hall is an ideal site for the Holiday Inn Express brand to expand due to the proximity to several medical facilities, government buildings and educational institutions.”

She has also said: “We are excited to welcome another Holiday Inn Express hotel to the Baltimore market with the brand’s new sign and everything it represents.”

The Holiday Inn brand will have the largest relaunch in hospitality history. The global estate is expected to be relaunched by the end of 2010.

The W Hotels Worldwide opens first Western European Hotel with the new W Barcelona in Spain. The 26-story W Barcelona is perpendicular to the dock, showcasing the sea and city view. Authorities from the hospitality industry are referring to the hotel as Barcelona’s very own “Copacabana”.

Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien commented: “Taking the W brand into the dynamic city of Barcelona, a European hub known for fashion, design and architecture, will mark a true milestone in W Hotels’ global expansion into the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations.”

She also said: “W Barcelona offers stunning architecture and innovative design from Ricardo Bofill, a renowned architect. His leading-edge design will set a dramatic stage for the W brand’s unique lifestyle positioning, soon to become a true flagship hotel for the W brand, offering insider access to a world of Wow.”

The 2009 publication of the HVI marks an unprecedented time for hotel values. The market has fluctuated a lot in the past year and a lot of banks bankrupted, hotels have closed and the average price for a room dropped.

The HVI tracks hotels in 65 major markets an in the United States. According to this year’s report, the hospitality industry has suffered more than other industries around the world. This report help hotels to check what they’ve been doing wrong during this time and they can make a change.

The hotel values has significantly decreased in this past year and it has left industry participants in limbo. The question that the HVI report sets is “When will this end?” A question that they encourage authorities from the hospitality industry to think about to make the change.

The Department of Tourism from the U.S. Virgin Islands has launched a promotion offering a limited number of 25-cent hotel rooms on the islands.

This promotion will be available for 25 days and participants are allowed to stay a maximum of 3 nights. In addition, guests will receive a $25 dining credit and $25 activities credit. The reservations must be made at BookIt.com and guest must buy air/hotel packages.

Among some of the participant hotels are: “CENTsational Sale” include Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Hotel Caravelle, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Windward Passage and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & SpaNow.

The Bogota Marriott Hotel in Colombia is officially open and there was a big celebration in which President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia participated.

The 239-room Bogota Marriott Hotel is operated under a franchise agreement with Real Hotels & Resorts of El Salvador. This is the first Marriott International opened in the country.

J.W. Marriott Jr., chairman & chief executive officer of Marriott International, Inc. commented: “Colombia has emerged as one of the most vibrant markets for development in all of Latin America.”

He also said: “We are excited about the potential for many of our Marriott brands throughout the country, such as Courtyard by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, and our new luxury boutique Edition brand.”

The Bogota Marriott Hotel is now welcoming guests from all over the world.

Interstate Hotels & Resorts signed two management contracts in New Orleans that affiliates of the owner of fiver Interstate-managed hotels in the region.

The two hotels are the St. Ann/Marie Antoinette Hotel and the Saint Louis Hotel. The actual owners of these properties is MCC Real Estate and Development, LLC.

Mr. Thomas F. Hewitt, chairman and chief executive officer commented: “One of our most reliable and gratifying sources of new management contracts is current owners.”

He also said: “We have a long-standing relationship with this ownership group, and these two contracts speak to their confidence in our ability to successfully manage hotels in any economic climate.”

Both, the St. Ann/Marie Antoinette and the Saint Louis Hotel, are located in the heart of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.

Viceroy Hotel Group is the new name that the Kor Hotel Group has decided to use to make this change that shows the evolution of the hotel management company, as well as the success resulted for its Viceroy brand.

Brad Korzen, Chief Executive Officer of Kor and now Viceroy Hotel Group has commented about this new change that: “The timing is ideal to underscore the success and growth of our flagship Viceroy brand, in the same year that three new Viceroys debut in Miami, Anguilla and Snowmass.”

He also said:”While the name change is a significant evolution for us, the Company’s focus on brand growth and standards of excellence will remain unchanged.”

Viceroy Hotel Group will keep seeking premier hotel and resort opportunities around the world as they have been doing in it for many years.