Believe it or not, September is almost over and fall is officially here. It’s back to school and back to business. Especially for the hotel world. Check out the travel industry’s latest in this month’s hotel news you can use.

September Spotlight

This month there is an interesting video and promotional initiative to come from Ritz-Carlton. The company has launched a video series called “The Art of the Craft.” While a digital video series is far from groundbreaking, the focus of their effort just might be.

As we all know, so many duties in the hotel industry are in the back of the house away from the guests. “The Art of the Craft” series is an attempt to pull back the curtain and show what goes into making the company’s signature (and yes, luxury) experience. We’re not just talking about concierges or the standard promotional video of smiling staffers. Instead, the camera focuses on one team member. It could be a shoe shiner in Istanbul, a housekeeper in Hong Kong or a sommelier in California. Check it out on The Ritz-Carlton website.

Openings & New Developments

The Middle East continues to be the trendy spot for expansion: Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts announced that the Swissôtel Jadaf Dubai is expected to open in the United Arab Emirates in early 2016. The hotel is planned to be the anchor deluxe hotel within a mixed a new development that includes development comprising three hotels, residences, serviced apartments, and retail shops and entertainment.

Then, the new Ritz-Carlton Tunis, Carthage is set to open in late 2014. The resort will be in a suburb of the capital on the Mediterranean Sea. The property will feature 129 suites, seven food and beverage outlets, a ballroom and a destination spa.

In Asia, the low-cost Tune Hotel has opened a 130-room property in Bangkok’s Asoke area, near the new mega-mall, Terminal 21. Tune prides itself on being a low-cost hotel that offers “five-star beds and power showers,” but Wi-Fi and air conditioning are considered “optional extras.”

Also in Asia, the Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa has just opened on the South China Sea. This five-star resort, Anantara’s first destination resort in China, is on Hainan Island one of Asia’s hottest beach destinations.

Renovations & Upgrades

Starting this summer, The Inn on Fifth in Naples, Florida is undergoing a $1.7 million renovation project that is supposed to be complete by mid-October 2012. The renovation will improve the properties look and feel and it will also create additional club-level suites.

Farther south, the Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France has joined the luxury Oetker collection, making it the properties sixth worldwide location. In changing ownership, Oetker will renovate 12 garden bungalows as well as the restaurant, reception and other public areas.

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