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Radisson expands in UAE

Press Release - June 25, 2008

The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced its 50th hotel in the Middle East & Africa region. The Radisson Dubai Trade Centre District, UAE, is scheduled to open in 2011 and will comprise 450 rooms, a selection of bars and restaurants, amongst a range of other amenities. “Our pipeline in this area now features almost 13,000 rooms, and we are having eight hotels in Dubai alone”, comments Kurt Ritter, president and chief executive officer of Rezidor. “This is a further and clear sign for our commitment to this emerging market where we see a big potential.”

Hilton to expand in India and China

Press Release - June 25, 2008

Hilton’s president and chief executive, Chris Nassetta, has announced that the company plans to open 300 hotels in Asia over the next 10 years. Nassetta said that Hilton expects to manage the majority of these new hotels and leave the investment and ownership of them to others.

Nassetta revealed that the company would concentrate first on the Indian market, where it has signed a joint venture agreement with DLF Ltd to open 75 hotels over a five year period. In India, Hilton will open hotels under the Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn banners. In China Nassetta said the company would like to add 18 hotels in the next four years, with these likely to be added under the Hilton, Doubletree and Conrad banners, with “massive potential” expected from its Hampton Inn economy priced brand.

Commenting on the plans, Nassetta was quoted as saying: “The Asia region is one of our absolute top priorities for our business and development. The strategy is to put about 300 new hotels in the region. We'd like to do better than that, but that's our goal. We're not the number one brand in terms of presence in Asia. That's something we would like to change.”

Carlson to add new hotels worldwide

Source: Press Release - June 24, 2008

Carlson Hotels Worldwide announced the addition of 11 new hotels to its global portfolio during April and May 2008. The hotels comprise five Country Inns and Suites in the US, including its 450th hotel under the banner in the country. Under the Radisson brand, the company opened two properties in North America and under its Radisson SAS banner, one hotel each were opened in Russia and Romania. The Park Inn brand added one hotel each in Canada and Russia to its portfolio. Regent Hotels and Resorts's expansion continues with three new hotels announced so far in 2008, all of which will strengthen the brand's presence in Asia.

The Regent Manila Bay, the Philippines, will open in 2009. The company's first hotel-within-a-hotel, the property will be located within the 148-acre Mall of Asia Complex, which is already home to the Radisson Manila Bay. The Regent Manila Bay will be an all-suite boutique. Also opening in 2009 is The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, Thailand. The hotel will join another upcoming Regent development in Thailand, The Regent Bangkok. In 2012, Regent will debut a luxury hotel and residences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 250-room hotel will be complemented by The Regent Residences, Kuala Lumpur, a collection of 102 exclusive luxury residential apartments.

Inside the hotel room of tomorrow

Seen on ehotelier.com - June 19, 2008

The hotel room of the future has arrived. It's called Guest room 2010 and it's now open in Austin, Texas.

Well, sort of. The room is not actually in a hotel, but rather, at the Austin Convention Center. Outfitted with a massaging bathtub, virtual-reality goggles and nearly 60 other cutting-edge amenities, it's a featured exhibit at HITEC, an annual lodging and hospitality conference for financial and technology professionals that runs June 16-19.

Using a system of linked rods and small caps instead of a mattress, the Ammique bed is one of nearly 60 cutting-edge amenities on display this week at HITEC, an annual conference for financial and technology professionals in the hospitality industry.

Now in its third year, the concept may sound like science fiction, but the grounded-in-reality goal is to foster more personalized experiences. "If you as a traveler can tailor your experience to what you want to accomplish, you're more likely to enjoy your stay," says Jan Walbridge, spokesperson for Guestroom 2010 sponsor IBM.

Naturally, many of the products on display are still in the prototype, "proof of concept," wouldn't-that-be-cool stage, but you may actually see some of them on your next trip. And while you can't book a room with all of them just yet, that doesn't mean we can't take a little tour. Think of it as a day in the life of your next stay.

Checking in at the front desk to get a room key? How 20th century. Soon, you may be able to retrieve a reservation on your cell phone, which you can then swipe across a hallway sensor to unlock your room. That's the idea behind a collaboration between IBM and VingCard Elsafe that eliminates the need for keys and key cards entirely. "We expect to start seeing them within the next year," says Walbridge.

Once inside, you'll probably want to recharge that phone. Using the Wildcharger pad from WildCharge, you can do so without fishing for chargers and hunting for outlets. Simply lay your phone on the pad's thin conductive surface and it'll start recharging immediately. The unit currently works with Motorola's RAZR V3 phone - each device requires its own adapter - but adapters for various Apple and BlackBerry products are in the works.

OK, time to get some work done. The Multi-Media Hub Desk from Uniguest is a centralized desk/workstation with a built-in 22-inch Sony Vaio computer, TV tuner and power-hub for plugging in your personal electronics. With its wood top and brushed metal legs, it's also quite stylish, which is only fitting as it was conceived by Nolen Niu, the Beverly Hills-based industrial designer to the stars.

Then again, all work and no play makes Jack (or Jane) a dull traveler, so it's time to stretch those legs, unkink those shoulders and fire up the Wii. In May, Nintendo introduced Wii for Hotels, a disk-free system pre-loaded with tennis, golf and other popular games. Launched in conjunction with Westin Hotels, the units are currently available in 10 properties, including the Westin Times Square, Westin St. Francis and Westin Galleria (Houston).

Or perhaps you're curious about what recreational opportunities the hotel itself offers. Don the virtual-reality goggles developed by IBM and you can take a tour of whatever amenities have been programmed into the system. The unit is still a prototype at this point, but someday, you'll be able to visit the virtual spa and reserve a soothing massage without leaving your room.

Speaking of soothing experiences, doesn't a relaxing bath sound good about now? Introduced in April, the Fountainhead VibrAcoustic Bath tub enhances the aquatic experience with colored lights, original music and "sound-therapy" vibrations. Bathers can choose from four pre-set sound/vibration experiences, modify the lighting and adjust the vibration intensity according to their personal preferences.

When it's time to chill, it's time to fire up the Roomlinx Media and Entertainment System, a multi-media unit that delivers everything from high-speed Internet access and video on demand to concierge services and customized hotel information. Making its debut in May at Denver's trendy Jet Hotel, the unit will also be available at the Country Inn & Suites in Merrillville, Ind., in July, and at the Bohemian Hotel Asheville (N.C.) set to open this winter.

Need to stay in contact while you're kicking back? If so, the perCushion from Urban Tool can help. Currently in development, this ergonomic pillow-style cushion features a microphone, speakers and Bluetooth capability, so you can pick up calls without having to find your phone or even raise your head. It's slated for launch toward the end of the year.

Finally, when you're ready to hit the sack, wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to fiddle with an alarm clock? Imagine if you could just tell the clock when you want to get up and have it set itself? That's the idea behind Sensory Inc.'s TimeSet technology, which lets you program enabled devices with natural voice commands. According to sales manager Stephen Collard, several manufacturers currently have TimeSet-enabled products in development.

That's a good thing. After all, given how quickly hotel technology is changing, you don't want to oversleep.

External source: To read complete article Cclick Here

Source: MSNBC

Park Plaza Hotels expects to more than double its number of rooms with new developments signed in Russia, Croatia and the UK

Seen on ehotelier.com - June 19, 2008

Park Plaza Hotels is celebrating the recent signing of management contracts and hotel developments in Russia, Croatia and the UK that it expects will lead the Company to exceed the aggressive development target outlined at the time of its London AIM listing in July 2007. These recent signings are expected to more than double the current number of rooms to over 13,200 by 2012.

The deals - all signed within a few weeks of each other - include new hotel developments in Russia's premier business travel destinations such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, resort and conference hotels on the breathtaking Istrian Coast, and the Company's first art'otel in the UK in London's Hoxton area of the City. 

Boris Ivesha, President and CEO of Park Plaza Hotels comments:

"I am delighted to be able to announce such key developments for Park Plaza Hotels that not only expand our brand network into new markets but that we anticipate will exceed the goals set last July at the time of our AIM listing.  We have a commitment to our stakeholders to grow the business through contracts with reputable strategic partners and these valuable developments in key destinations are testament to that dedication.  

Park Plaza Hotels offers one of the most flexible models in the management, franchise and development market today with two brands - Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and art'otel - providing affordable luxury to the discerning needs of the modern-day business and leisure traveller."

Russian Federation

The agreement for 15-20 new hotels (with a total of approximately 3,500-4,000 rooms) in Russia was entered into on 17 April with Ferens Management Limited (Ferens) who will develop a chain of Park Plaza branded hotels which will be operated by Park Plaza Hotels under 20-year management contracts.  Park Plaza Hotels will provide technical services to Ferens, including assisting in the identification and planning of the new hotels which are due for completion by 2012.  The hotels will be located in major Russian cities, with populations of more than 500,000, and hotels are planned for several of Russia's principal business travel destinations, including Moscow and St Petersburg.  Ferens is part of the Renova Stroygroup, one of Russia's leading development companies.

Croatia

Park Plaza Hotels entered into a long-term management agreement contract in mid April with Arenaturist Group, who own eight hotels and five apartment complexes in Pula and Medulin on the idyllic Istrian Coast of Croatia.  The accommodation currently has approximately 2,800 rooms primarily marketed to the growing numbers of leisure visitors, many of whom are international.  Several of the existing Arenaturist hotels will carry the Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts flag and offer accommodation and services in line with the core values of affordable luxury associated with the brand.  Plans are already underway to enhance and reposition the portfolio through significant investment, including possible upgrades to the conference and leisure facilities to broaden the customer base. Park Plaza Hotels has also taken a 20% stake in WM/DMREF Bora B.V. (Bora) from a group of real estate investment funds sponsored and managed by Goldman Sachs. Bora currently owns approximately 74% of Arenaturist and 100% of three related private companies.

United Kingdom

Park Plaza Hotels expect to bring its unique art'otel brand to London having entered into a joint venture in mid-March with Aldersgate Investments Limited - the property vehicle of the Reuben Brothers - to develop an art'otel in London's trendy Hoxton on the edge of the City.  The art'otel brand is built on the concept of individually themed boutique hotels, each of which pays homage to a well-know modern artist. Park Plaza Hotels and the Reuben Brothers, famous for their highly successful property developments and plethora of real estate, will both have considerable involvement in the hotel's planning and design alongside the hotel's chosen signature artist.   The hotel will offer exclusive guest rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, two auditoriums and an art gallery, appealing to a sophisticated clientele with an interest in art and culture.

Park Plaza Hotels continues to work on its development plans with significant openings planned in Germany - Park Plaza Nuremberg (2009) and art'otel cologne (2009), Morocco - Park Plaza Marrakech (2009) and art'otel marrakech (2009) and the United Kingdom - Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, opening in 2010 with 1,037 guest rooms and conference space for over 1,200 delegates, representing the largest new hotel development in the capital for decades.

With these committed developments, Park Plaza Hotels is on track to deliver more than the original target of 10,000 rooms by 2010, well within the timeframe.  Park Plaza Hotels is fast living up to its reputation of becoming one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the industry today.

About Park Plaza Hotels

Park Plaza Hotels Limited is owner, operator and franchisor of hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  The majority of the group's hotels operate under the Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand (part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide), over which the Group has exclusive rights in 56 countries in EMEA or art'otel, a brand to which the Group has exclusive worldwide rights.  Park Plaza Hotels also manages the luxury all-suite Plaza on the River - Club and Residence, London.

Through it strategic partnership with Carlson, one of the world's largest travel and hospitality companies, Park Plaza Hotels has access to Carlson's powerful reservation and distribution system, airline partnerships with 19 airlines, loyalty programmes such as goldpointsplusSM for guests and Look To Book® for travel agents, and cross-selling opportunities. 

There are currently 39 hotels and aparthotels and over 7,300 rooms in the Group's portfolio.  By 2012, the Group's committed projects and territorial franchise agreements are expected to increase the number of rooms to over 13,200.

Projects already under development include Park Plaza Marrakech (2009), Park Plaza Nuremberg (2009), art'otel cologne (2009), art'otel marrakech (2009), Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London (2010) and art'otel London (2012).

Park Plaza Hotels floated on London's AIM Stock Market in July 2007.

Hamburger Hotelmarkt wächst weiter

Quelle: Property Magazine, 19. Juni 2008

Der Hamburger Hotelmarkt startete 2008 mit einem Top-Ergebnis, so das Resultat des Hotelmarktberichts Hamburg der Dr. Lübke GmbH. In den ersten drei Monaten stieg die Zahl der Übernachtungen um 5,3 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahreszeitraum. Mit einem Plus von 7,5 Prozent trugen ausländische Gäste überwiegend zum Zuwachs bei, aber auch bei deutschen Geschäfts- und Freizeitreisenden steht Hamburg weiterhin hoch im Kurs (+4,8 Prozent). Bis Ende 2009 sollen mit der Realisierung von 16 Hotelprojekten über 2.900 neue Zimmer entstehen. Das Potenzial für weitere Investments ist jedoch noch nicht ausgeschöpft.

„Bis jetzt sieht alles danach aus, als könnte die Elbmetropole auch in 2008 ihren ersten Platz bei der Zimmerauslastung unter den Top-10-Hotelstandorten in Deutschland verteidigen“, prognostiziert Andreas Erben, Leiter Hotel der Dr. Lübke GmbH. 2007 lag die durchschnittliche Zimmerauslastung in der Hansestadt bei 74,4 Prozent.

Mit der Eröffnung des Lindner Hotels Am Michel und des Hostels Superbude wurden bis Mitte Juni 2008 bereits 335 neue Zimmer fertiggestellt. Weitere sechs Hotelprojekte mit rund 760 Zimmer sollen zudem bis Ende 2008 realisiert werden. Werden im kommenden Jahre wie geplant zehn weitere Häuser eröffnet, wächst das Hamburger Zimmerkontingent nochmals um mehr als 2.150 Zimmer. Dabei fokussiert sich das neue Angebot vorwiegend auf das Economy- und Mittelklassesegment: Die Hälfte der Bettenzahl entsteht in 2-Sterne-Häusern, 20 Prozent entfallen auf das 3-Sterne-Segment und ein Drittel der neuen Zimmer werden in 4-Sterne-Häuser angeboten.

Trotz der hohen Anzahl bereits geplanter Projekte sieht Erben aufgrund der guten Tourismusentwicklung durchaus noch Potenzial im Hamburger Markt: „An guten, wirtschaftlich tragbaren Standorten lohnt es sich sicherlich, über ein Investment nachzudenken. Im 1- bis 4-Sterne-Segment gibt es noch Spielraum, im 5-Sterne-Segment lassen sich hingegen Sättigungstendenzen erkennen.“

Insgesamt profitierten die Hamburger Hoteliers von einem sehr ausgewogenen Gästemix und somit von einer stabilen Auslastung über die gesamte Woche: Etwa die Hälfte der Übernachtungsgäste besucht die Hansestadt in ihrer Freizeit, die andere Hälfte sind Geschäftsreisende.

„Das dynamische Wachstum der Übernachtungszahlen wird sich unseren Erwartungen nach auch in den kommenden Jahren fortsetzen und so trotz wachsendem Bettenangebot für eine gute Auslastung sorgen“, blickt Erben optimistisch in die Zukunft.

Vor allem der Ausbau der Messe lässt ab September 2008 steigende Nachfrage im Businesssegment erwarten. Und die Eröffnung zusätzlicher touristischer Attraktionen wie etwa der Elbphilharmonie erhöht die Attraktivität der Hansestadt für Freizeitreisende weiter.

Hilton expands in Spain

Source: Press Release - June 18, 2008

Hilton has opened its sixth hotel in Spain and its first in Mallorca: the Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca. Commenting on the addition of the hotel, the president of Hilton Europe, Wolfgang M Neumann, said: “This unique property marks the latest step in our strategy to grow Hilton's Family of Hotels in Spain and Portugal to over 50 properties within the next five years. The debut of our first hotel in Mallorca comes in the same month as the opening of our Hilton Madrid Airport, indicating the progress we are making to achieve this target.”

Lloyd-Fonds legt Motel-One-Fonds auf

Gelesen in "Immobilien Zeitung", 17. Juni 2008

Nach den offenen Fonds entdecken jetzt auch die geschlossenen Fonds, dass sich mit Budget-Hotels Geld verdienen lässt: Das Hamburger Emissionshaus Lloyd Fonds hat seine Hotelfondspläne konkretisiert und will Ende August mit einem drei Motel-One-Hotels umfassenden Fonds an den Start gehen. Enthalten sind die beiden vom Projektentwickler GBI übernommenen Häuser Nürnberg-City am Hauptbahnhof mit 200 Zimmern und "An der Urania" in Berlin (ca. 410 Zimmer). Das dritte Haus befindet sich ebenfalls im Zentrum einer noch nicht näher bezeichneten Großstadt. Für den Fonds ist bei einer Investitionssumme von rund 60 Mio. Euro ein Eigenkapitalanteil von 19 Mio. Euro geplant. Ein ursprünglich ebenfalls für den Hotelfonds vorgesehene Ferienhotel im Landkreis Flossensee soll nun in einem eigenen Fonds platziert werden. Derweil plant Lloyd bereits den nächsten Fonds mit Billighotels und sucht dafür Häuser im Low-Budet-Design-Bereich.

InterContintenal Hotels & Resorts to open Vietnam's tallest hotel in 2011

Seen on ehotelier.com - June 18, 2008

InterContinental Hanoi Landmark to occupy upper floors of a new 336-metre tower, one of the world's tallest buildings

IHG strengthens its commitment to Vietnam, announcing the addition of InterContinental Hanoi Landmark, Vietnam's tallest hotel, to its growing list of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts under development. The company has signed an agreement with Korea-based Keangnam Enterprises to develop the brand new luxury hotel in the centre of West Hanoi. Targeted to open in early 2011, InterContinental Hanoi Landmark will have 383 rooms and suites and 300 serviced residences, occupying the upper floors of the 70-storey, 336-metre Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower. The development is expected to be among the 20 tallest buildings in the world.

InterContinental Hanoi Landmark will be strategically located in the centre of the capital city's new commercial, business, entertainment and retail district and a short walk from the new National Convention Centre. It will be part of a major US$1 billion, 46,000 square metre city centre complex with premium apartments, offices and retail outlets.

The hotel's atrium lobby, restaurants and bars will be located on the 60th floor, offering panoramic city views. Private lifts will lead to guest rooms and suites from the 59th to 69th floors, and on to the world's highest Club InterContinental lounge located on the top floor. Other hotel features will include a large outdoor resort-style pool with outdoor function space on the ground level, a state-of-the-art meetings centre and a fitness club.

When completed, InterContinental Hanoi Landmark will also be one of the world's tallest hotels. It will join the ranks of InterContinental Doha West Bay in Qatar, a 60-storey hotel opening in 2009, and InterContinental Nanjing in China, part of a 431-metre tower and opening in 2010.

Jan Smits, chief operating officer, Southern Asia and Korea, IHG Asia Pacific, said: "With five hotels and close to 2,200 rooms under development, IHG is one of the fastest growing international hotel operators in Vietnam. InterContinental Hanoi Landmark will be a significant addition to IHG's growing presence in this market. Our involvement in this project is a further indication of IHG's commitment to Vietnam."

Lee Young, executive managing director, Keangnam Enterprises, said: "We are delighted have IHG manage this iconic hotel under its prestigious InterContinental brand and we look forward to creating a market-leading product that meets the demands of the increasingly sophisticated traveller to Hanoi. InterContinental Hanoi Landmark will stand out as an exceptional hotel in the new centre of Vietnam's thriving capital and we're confident it will quickly build a global reputation for excellence."

In Vietnam, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has two other properties under development - InterContinental Asiana Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City and InterContinental Danang Resort. Both are scheduled to open in 2009. InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, IHG's first hotel in Vietnam, opened in December 2007. IHG also has four Crowne Plaza hotels under development in Hanoi, Danang and Nha Trang.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the world's first truly international luxury hotel brand, and is committed to providing its guests with memorable and unique experiences that enrich their lives and broaden their outlook. There are 153 InterContinental hotels worldwide with 62 new hotels in the global development pipeline. The brand is enjoying unprecedented growth in Asia Pacific, with 35 hotels operating and 30 new hotels scheduled to open across the region within the next three years.

Europe's best outdoor dining

Seen on ehotelier.com - June 18, 2008

By John Mariani

Al fresco restaurants, from Paris to Portofino

Dining indoors in summer is rather like making love with your clothes on. The sheer pleasure of enjoying good food, wine, and company in a more casual setting increases while dining al fresco. The warmth of the sun, the cool breezes, and the way the light changes and softens as the meal goes on creates layers of moods you just don't get in a staid indoor dining room atmosphere.


© Il Splendido

In picture: Europe's best outdoor dining

For reasons that are as cultural as they are panoramic, dining al fresco in Europe is different from eating outdoors in America. At least one of the distinctions is that Europeans still believe that a more casual setting does not mean lesser food. Too often in the U.S. the outdoor section of a restaurant has a completely different menu, with lighter, cold options built around soups, salads, and sandwiches. In Europe people think nothing of having a fine meal that shows off the true talents and individuality of the chef and the establishment. Maybe a glass of Champagne and some wine too.

Why would anyone order a salad or hamburger at a sunny seafood restaurant like Park Fora overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul? Indeed, the setting often determines the kind of food served, so that an al fresco enoteca such as Cul de Sac near Rome's Piazza Navona encourages a hearty plate of spaghetti alla carbonara and a glass of wine, from 14,000 selections. And then a nap.

Paris almost seems to have been created around the idea of the outdoor café. As soon as spring greets the city, the wicker chairs are placed outside, the tablecloths are draped, and all the pale people come to enjoy the sunshine. What sense is there, after all, in eating a Caesar salad in an outdoor café like the famous La Rotonde on Montparnasse in Paris? This was one of the places Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein and others of the "Lost Generation" made famous in the '20s, and it still serves the same fondly remembered bistro dishes like steak au poivre and rich, cheese-topped onion soup. The Pudlo Paris Guide 2007-2008 says that the Tafanel brothers have brought the cuisine to a higher level than it's had in years, and an outdoor table puts you right in the spirit of the Left Bank.

One of the best places, both for its spectacular setting and its award-winning cuisine, is the Summer Restaurant at Le Bristol Hotel on the fashionable Rue duFaubourg St Honoré. The terrace is canopied, the outdoor tables on the green lawn have white chairs and umbrellas, impeccable service, and a menu that has won Chef Eric Frechon two Michelin stars. This is a place of high chic, of course, and the food is haute cuisine, but Paris teems with bistros and cafes, not least the Café de la Paix in full view of the magnificent Place de l'Opéra. Emile Zola dined here and Enrico Caruso drew cartoons on the napkins. As Daniel Young writes in his book "The Paris Café Cookbook," "At least as many great romantic dramas were played out on the long café terrace as there were sung in arias on the stage of its magnificent place de l'Opéra neighbor, the Palais Garnier."

'Al fresco' is, of course, an Italian phrase, and Italy is blessed with such natural beauty along its rippling seashores that nearly every restaurant in regions like Liguria, Puglia, the Veneto and Campania sets its tables out in the sunshine in good weather. I know of nowhere more beautiful in this regard than La Terrazza ristorante at Il Splendido Hotel, perched high above the fishing village of Portofino. But what a fishing village!-filled with mega-yachts and the homes of the Dolce and Gabbana designers and Giorgio Armani. Il Splendido has played host to everyone from Orson Welles and Ava Gardner to Larry King and Rod Stewart, who was married here last spring.

So, too, to know the height of grandeur is to sit at an outdoor table on the Grand Canal at The Gritti Palace's Club del Doge in Venice-where Ernest Hemingway and, more recently, Monica Bellucci, have dined-and watch the waters lap the dock as the vaporettos glide by as you feast on the freshest fish from the Rialto market. As Somerset Maugham observed, "There are few things in life more pleasant than to sit on the terrace of the Gritti when the sun about to set bathes in lovely colour the Salute [church]."

The equally mesmerizing waters of the Bosphorus that flow through Istanbul are the setting for the wonderful, two-year-old Ajia Hotel. Located on the Asia side of the city, the hotel's Italian restaurant has a unique view of the minarets and hillsides of the European side, and when the moon is a crescent, the stars appear, and you hear the evening prayers ululated from the mosques: The experience of dining here can make you gasp.

And if you are anywhere in Bavaria, but particularly in Munich, it is essential to eat out at one of the beer gardens where the city's vitality truly shines. The Chinesischer Turm is as famous for its oompah bands as for its curious Chinese pagoda architecture. This is supposed to be the largest beer garden in Germany, and it is always thronged with people feasting on hearty German food and steins of beer-even, weather permitting, in the winter.

Sometimes the simplest pleasures of an outdoor table can count among the most memorable in European cities. One of the best meals I had in Lisbon was at a very modest restaurant called Bom Jardim, which Lisboans know as "Rei do Frango" (King of Chickens) for the platter of fabulous spit-roasted chicken with fried potatoes that has been served here forever. A veteran concierge at the Lapa Palace Hotel said his grandmother used to take him to Bom Jardim as a Sunday treat and it was still one of the most beloved restaurants in Lisbon.

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Source: Forbes Traveler