The Spanish hotel chain NH Hoteles has announced plans to invest
more than $45 million in Mexico over the next four years.
NH Hoteles, which currently operates 14 hotels and 3,000 rooms
in Mexico, recently opened a newly renovated hotel in Mexico City’s
Zona Rosa neighborhood, a property that was acquired when the chain
bought Mexico’s Krystal hotels in 2001. The 302-room resort in
Mexico City cost about $6 million to renovate.
Located close to the Independence Monument in the Zona Rosa
area, which is also near the city’s financial district, museums and
convention centers, the NH Mexico City’s rooms include nine suites
and 25 junior suites. Amenities include direct-dial phones, cable
TV, pay-per-view movies and video games, Internet access, a buffet
breakfast, 24-hour room service, an outdoor pool and a fitness
center.
Though most of the NH properties in Mexico target business
travelers, the acquisition of the Krystal has brought several
beachfront hotels into the Spanish chain’s family, such as the NH
Krystal Cancun in Punta Cancun. The brand, which is working with
three-Michelin-star chef Ferran Adria, is known for establishing
high-end restaurants in each property, which will also increase
appeal to leisure travelers.
NH has three more projects planned over the next two years,
including two more in Mexico City: a 107-room hotel in the historic
district and a 135-room hotel in the upscale Sante Fe neighborhood;
as well as a 128-room property in Puebla that was scheduled to open
before the end of 2004.
The four-star NH Tlalnepantla just north of Mexico City last
year was the first property to open under the NH brand in
Mexico.
When the new projects are complete, the number of NH Hoteles
rooms in Mexico will increase to 5,000 by 2008, and bump the
company’s total investment in the country to $155 million,
according to published reports.
NH Hoteles bought the Dutch Krasnapolsky chain in 2000, and the
German Astron hotels in 2002. The company currently operates 240
hotels in 16 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa.
NH Hoteles has announced plans to launch a holiday promotion
starting Dec. 17 with rates in Mexico City starting at $70 per
night.
www.nh-hotels.com
