worldwide briefing

Move into Mexico

Hilton Hotels Corporation makes its first move into Mexico early this year. The five-star, 129-bedroom Mexico City Airport Hilton will be managed under franchise by Grupo Chartwell de Mexico.

More for Germany

Hyatt International plans to quadruple its presence in Germany this year with the opening of the 277-bedroom Hyatt Regency Mainz in March, the 283-bedroom Park Hyatt Hamburg in April, and the 346-bedroom Grand Hyatt Berlin toward the year's end.

Benelux buy

Thorn Business to Business has bought Cablecom International's HotelSYS interactive hotel system, which offers in-room TV and other technology services across 8,500 hotel rooms in the Benelux countries.

Hong Kong luxury

A mere £2,480 a night is the starting price for the Peninsula Hong Kong hotel's new 2,652sq ft Garden Suite. This buys private elevator, sun terrace, en-suite and guest bathrooms, living room, dining/reception area with grand piano, 24-hour valet service and Rolls Royce at all hours.

Monaco buyout

Monaco-based Rafael Hotels, which runs six five-star properties, has bought out HKR Resorts of Hong Kong's 60% stake.

Westin additions

New Westin hotels include the Nagoya Castle, opening in Japan today; the Westin Hermitage, to open in Nashville, US, in April; the Western Hanoi in Vietnam in July; and, late in 1999, the Westin Sydney in Australia.û