The Leading Hotels of the World has added four properties into its portfolio of independent hotels. Here's the scoop on each one:
• The Rocco Forte Verdura Golf and Spa Resort is located on the Sicilian coast near Agrigento. Set among olive groves, its 153 guestrooms offer sea views and private balconies or terraces, and 50 have outdoor courtyard spaces and large terraces. Restaurants include La Zagara, for Mediterranean cuisine with Sicilian influences; Buongiorno, for buffet breakfast and children's dinners; Liola, for traditional pizza; Amare, specializing in fresh seafood, grilled fish and meat; and three bars serving light meals. For recreation, the hotel offers a swimming pool, private pebble beach, tennis center, and two championship 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole course and driving range. Its spa has 11 treatment rooms, a relaxation area, gym, swimming pool and sauna.
• Germany's Kameha Grand Bonn is an ecological lifestyle and design hotel located on the banks of the Rhine near the city center. With 253 rooms and suites, it offers a contemporary, forward-looking interpretation of the classic grand hotel. Among the dining options are Brasserie Next Level, Riverside Terrace, Elysion Lounge & Sushi Bar, Reingold Bar and two lounges. Its Kameha Spa and Power House Fitness offers a heated rooftop pool, sauna, steam bath, massages and beauty treatments. Meetings and conference facilities can accommodate up to 1,500 people.
• The Chateau Star River is located in the Pearl River area of Guangzhou, China, adjacent to the Panyu Bridge. Guest accommodations are in 205 rooms and 111 suites. A variety of dining options provides a range of cuisines: Always Cantonese, E-Cafe, Chuan Kitchen, Chateau Grill and two bars. Leisure facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa, sauna, fitness center, tennis courts and a nightclub. Meetings and conference facilities can accommodate up to 950 people.
• Slated to open in early 2010, Trump SoHo New York is situated in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, with easy access to Tribeca and the Meatpacking District. Rising 46 stories, the hotel will offer 245 rooms and 146 suites, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city's skyline, including the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and the Hudson River. Its restaurant, Quattro, serves Northern Italian cuisine. In addition to the Spa at Trump, there is a fitness center with Technogym equipment and an outdoor pool. There is 12,000 square feet of meetings and conference facilities, including a ballroom, private boardrooms and SoHi, an event space on the 46th floor with panoramic views.
In related news, the Leading Small Hotels of the World added Australia's Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa to its roster. Located in the heart of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, about three hours from Sydney, Wolgan Valley features individual suites with private decks and swimming pools, separate living and sleeping areas, and double-sided fireplaces. Breakfast and dinner are served in the main homestead. The Country Kitchen serves lunch and informal meals throughout the day, while the Valley Bar & Terrace offers views of the Wolgan Valley. Activities include guided walks, four-wheel-drive safaris, horseback riding and aboriginal interpretative tours, a swimming pool, gymnasium and sauna, as well as the Timeless Spa offering a range of relaxation and beauty therapies. There are private meetings and conference rooms for up to 50 people.
Agents can learn more about all Leading Hotels members online at www.lhw.com.