Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced yesterday that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement for a Hyatt Place hotel in Manati, Puerto Rico with Island Hospitality Partners, LLC, a joint venture of PRISA Group and McConnell Valdes Consulting. Island Hospitality is also the owner of Hyatt Place Bayamon Hotel, which is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2014.
"We are glad to work with Island Hospitality on a second Hyatt Place hotel project in Puerto Rico," said Pat McCudden, SVP, real estate and development Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. "We believe that the Hyatt Place brand and the location of the hotel in Manati will have strong appeal to business and leisure travelers visiting the region."
Hyatt Place Manati, which is expected to open in early 2014, will have 104 guestrooms in a five-story building, and a freestanding casual dining restaurant. The municipality of Manati, located less than 40 miles west of San Juan, is headquarters to a host of multinational corporations and pharmaceutical companies, as well as the Manati Medical Centre and Doctors' Centre Manati, two of Puerto Rico's most prestigious hospitals.
"We believe in the Hyatt Place brand and think the hotels will have strong appeal in both Bayamon and Manati," said Federico Stubbe, Jr., president of PRISA Group. "Hyatt Place Manati and Hyatt Place Bayamon will bring Hyatt's world-class hospitality to Puerto Rico."
Currently, there are more than 165 Hyatt Place hotels in operation in the United States, with more than 35 Hyatt Place hotels under development throughout the U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, China, Latin America, Southwest Asia, and the Middle East. The first two Hyatt Place hotels outside the United States are expected to open later this fall - Hyatt Place San Jose Pinares in San Jose, Costa Rica and Hyatt Place Hampi in Hampi, India.
Hyatt Place Manati to open in early 2014
Hyatt Place Manati to open in early 2014
LuLu Walkathon: 22,000 participants champion greener future
Alkhobar’s New Corniche transformed into a vibrant hub of energy and community spirit when more than 22,000 people gathered for the highly anticipated “LuLu Walkathon.” Organized by LuLu Saudi Hypermarket, the 3-km event was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Sport and Alkhobar municipality on Jan. 31. The walkathon successfully united the community under the themes of health and environmental sustainability.
The event was held with the cooperation of Meshaal Al-Harbi, head of Alkhobar municipality, and Tareq Al-Qahtani, director of the Ministry of Sport’s Eastern Province branch. The official flag-off was performed by Mohammed Haris, director of LuLu Hypermarket Saudi Arabia.
This year’s walkathon went beyond fitness, offering a rich tapestry of entertainment including soulful traditional Arabic music, a contemporary violin performance, and a playful “donuts dance,” which ensured a festive atmosphere for families of all ages.
A major highlight of the morning was the presence of Khadra. Khadra served as a living reminder of the Kingdom’s deep-rooted cultural artistry, posing for photos with the thousands of participants who lined the coast. To ensure every attendee felt the spirit of the celebration, participants were geared up with a premium merchandise kit containing custom-branded T-shirts and caps. Furthermore, every individual who successfully completed the 3-km route was rewarded with an exclusive LuLu goodie bag at the finish line to celebrate their achievement.
Sustainability remained a core pillar for the LuLu Walkathon this year, reflecting the brand’s long-term environmental vision. LuLu’s staff managed the route with a strict focus on environmental responsibility, while strategically placed refreshment stalls kept walkers hydrated without compromising the pristine condition of the corniche.
The massive success of the event was supported by key partners, including MasterCard as the commercial sponsor and Nada, which provided vital refreshments, alongside significant support from Radio Mirchi and Alyaum newspaper.
“The walkathon concluded not just as a race, but as a meaningful tribute to the Kingdom’s past and a definitive step toward a sustainable future,” a statement said. “By blending physical activity with cultural celebration and environmental stewardship, LuLu Hypermarket reaffirmed its commitment to the Saudi community, promoting an active, engaged, and responsible lifestyle for all residents.”
