Lodging Daily News

NEW YORK—The New York Palace, a luxury midtown hotel, is beginning the first phase of a $120 million redesign with a $25 million makeover of its Towers accommodations. The New York Palace has employed two design firms to assist in this renovation: San Francisco-based design firm BAMO; who will redesign The Towers’ 176 guestrooms and suites as well as the new private reception experience; and New York-based design firm BBG-BBGM, who is renovating two of

ORLANDO, Fla.—Hard Rock International announced plans to open Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs in Fall 2013. The company, in collaboration with Kittridge Hotel Management, will transform the former Hotel Zoso into a 160-room lifestyle hotel. “We’re thrilled to bring the Hard Rock experience to this world-renowned city and are very pleased with our new relationship with Kittridge Hotels,” said Nelson Parker, head of development in the Americas for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos. “Hard Rock

GREENWICH, Conn.—Starwood Capital Group today announces the launch of two new hotel brands, the luxury brand Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, and the lifestyle eco-brand 1 Hotels & Resorts, with five hotel openings scheduled under the group’s hotel brand management company, SH Group. The initial five hotel openings will occur over the next twenty-four months and include: Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, N.Y.; Baccarat Hotel Rabat, Morocco; 1 Hotel & Residences South Beach, Fla.; 1

NORWALK, Conn.—Priceline.com Incorporated announced that it has signed a definitive agreement for the Priceline Group to acquire KAYAK in a stock and cash transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, the transaction values KAYAK at $1.8 billion or $40 per share of KAYAK, with the Group paying approximately $500 million of the consideration in cash and $1.3 billion in equity and assumed stock options. The Boards of Directors of the Priceline Group and KAYAK have

BETHESDA, Md.—Marriott International, Inc. has completed the transaction announced on May 31 with Gaylord Entertainment Company, now Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., to acquire the Gaylord brand and hotel management company for $210 million. Gaylord Entertainment’s shareholders approved that company’s transition to a real estate investment trust on September 25, and Gaylord Entertainment merged with Ryman Hospitality Properties and assumed that name. Ryman will continue to own the existing four Gaylord hotels and Marriott will manage