HOTEL NEWS

WARMER WELCOMES officially launches this month, uniting ShangriLa’s Golden Circle and Taj’s InnerCircle loyalty programmes. Shangri-La’s Diamond members are aligned with Taj’s Platinum membership level, while Golden Circle Jade members are awarded Gold status in InnerCircle. Golden Circle members staying at a Taj hotel earn three GC Award Points for every $5 spent, and InnerCircle members receive four TIC Points for every $5 expended on qualifying stays. The conversion rate is set at 100 GC Award points to 67 TIC points. warmerwelcomes.com RADISSON BLU RESIDENCE, ISTANBUL BATISEHIR has opened with 171 serviced apartments (13 studios, 36 one-bedroom, 77 two-bedroom and 45 three-bedroom apartments). CITADINES AL KHOBAR is expected to open in 2018, comprising 54 onebedroom apartments. The 160-room W GOA has opened, marking the brand’s 50th property globally, and highlights include the 14,000sq ft Spa by Clarins.