October is breast cancer awareness month, but that’s not the only philanthropic initiative throughout the hotel industry. This October’s Hotel News You Can Use column features two unique programs designed to give back, several creative hotel upgrades and renovations, and the hot new properties opening all around the world.

October Hotel Spotlight:

If you’re sitting down for a cocktail at any of the 40 Four Seasons hotels throughout North America, think pink when you order this month. For the first time ever, the hotels’ food and beverage teams have joined together to raise money for breast cancer. Each of the hotels has crafted at least one signature cocktail that has a portion of the proceeds going toward breast cancer research.

While the organization has 100 percent participation in the program, each property is designing an original cocktail, choosing its own partner charity and spearheading its own philanthropic program.

Four Seasons Vice President
of Food & Beverage for the Americas, Guy Rigby states, “As soon as you start something like this everyone wakes up and wants to be a part of it.”

Pink Ribbon frozen cocktails at the Four Season San Francisco

At the heart of the effort is community outreach. In Vancouver, the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver aims to sell 1,000 cocktails in the month and has partnered with Absolut Vodka, which agreed to match the total amount raised in October.

In Los Angeles, the Beverly Wilshire has three signature cocktails as well as its best selling rose champagne all raising funds for the Noreen Fraser Foundation. In addition, The BLVD is holding a benefit dinner with a silent auction and Margot Ray performance.

This is not the first time Four Season has given back. In addition to specific efforts for the earthquakes in Japan and Chile, the organization has raised over $400 million for its charity of choice, Terry Fox Foundation, and contributed to the United Way.

Openings and New Development:

Not only are hotels launching this fall, but new hotel collections are coming out. This fall, Trust Hospitality has started indie boutique hotels & resorts™ with eight hotels in its portfolio. Current hotels are located in Costa Rica, Miami Beach, New York City, Colombia and Brazil. Additional expansion is planned in South American, Florida, New York and the Caribbean. Click here to see all the properties.

There are lots of openings in Asia this fall. First up, the Park Hyatt is opening its 30th property in Chennai, India, which will be the third Park Hyatt in India and the first in Southern India. There will be 201 luxury guests rooms, two restaurants, a spa and a fitness center. Find out even more about the experience online.

Also in India, today marks the opening of Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri, Coorg in South-Western India. It’s the 25th property launched by the brand since 2010. Located in a rainforest, there are 63 rooms and villas designed to be eco-friendly.

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