Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens — Effective November 30, 2007, the New Otani Hotel & Gardens became the Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens; a 21-story full service hotel, surrounding its guests with a serene atmosphere emanating intriguing accents derived from Japanese culture. The hotel features 434 guest rooms and 20 suites, including three Japanese suites. The property is located in the heart of Downtown’s Little Tokyo. www.kyotograndhotel.com

The London West Hollywood — LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels will re-open the Bel Age Hotel as The London West Hollywood in April 2008, following a complete evolution in design, amenities and service. The opening comes a little over a year after the successful launch of its sister property, The London NYC in Manhattan, and brings together many of the same award-winning partners and collaborators from that project – including award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay. The 223 guest suites will feature an open floor-plan that presents unobstructed views. www.TheLondonWestHollywood.com

Hotel Palomar Los Angeles - Westwood — Texas-based real estate investment company Behringer Harvard Wilshire Boulevard LP recently purchased the Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Westwood near UCLA with plans to reopen in May 2008 as the Hotel Palomar Los Angeles–Westwood, under the management of San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Improvements will include extensive guest room upgrades, a decrease in the number of guest rooms to create more suites, fitness center and a high-end, chef-driven restaurant. The new hotel will have 268 total guest rooms with 26 suites. In-room spa treatment will also be available. www.thewestwoodhotel.com

SLS at Beverly Hills (formerly Le Meridien at Beverly Hills) — SBE Hotel Group, a division of SBE Entertainment Group, announced plans in March 2007 for the launch of its new luxury hotel concept, to be called SLS Hotels. The first SLS property will be operated under a management agreement with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). As part of the agreement, Le Meridien at Beverly Hills will undergo a complete transformation and emerge as SLS at Beverly Hills, part of The Luxury Collection, in March 2008. A crucial component of the SLS concept’s recipe for success is creative mastermind Philippe Starck, who is designing the look and feel of all SLS properties. SBE also announced an exclusive collaboration with culinary innovator José Andrés to oversee all food and beverage for SLS properties. SLS has 300 guest rooms and suites. www.sbeent.com

The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena – The Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel is now The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena, following the sale of the historic property to Langham Hotels International, a luxury hotel group owned by Hong Kong-based Great Eagle Holdings. The hotel is a legendary Pasadena landmark since 1907, set on 23 acres overlooking San Marino. This luxurious property is the only AAA Five Diamond hotel in Pasadena, and the closest to Downtown Los Angeles. Its facilities include 380 guestrooms and suites, including cottages situated throughout the beautifully landscaped grounds; Michelin Star Dining Room; outdoor pool and terrace; three lighted tennis courts, bike riding and nearby golf; a full-service Huntington Spa and fitness center and more than 60,000 combined square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. Langham Hotels International will invest $25 million to upgrade the property. www.langhamhotels.com