WORLDHOTELS, one of the leading groups of independent hotels worldwide, added 32 new affiliates to its growing global portfolio in the first half of 2009. New additions include the renowned Bel Air Hotel The Hague in the Netherlands, as well as the City Inn group in the UK. WORLDHOTELS also saw growing demand of independent hotels requesting affiliation.

Hotels that are seeking affiliation with the group are subject to a rigorous selection process and must meet a variety of quality standards and other criteria.

Robert Hornman, Vice President EMEA & Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Distribution at WORLDHOTELS, commented: “The support of a global organization is crucial for independent hotels and regional hotel chains, especially in economically challenging times. What sets WORLDHOTELS apart from other hotel groups is our ability to offer our guests a high-quality portfolio consisting of independent and unique hotels, whilst also providing owners with a wide selection of business-building services that are on par with franchise companies.”

Among the new hotels that have recently completed WORLDHOTELS’ careful selection process are:

The Bel Air Hotel, The Hague, The Netherlands: Located between the old city centre of The Hague and the vibrant beach of Scheveningen, this impressive hotel is the latest addition to the WORLDHOTELS portfolio in The Netherlands. The 326 stylish guest rooms range from elegant standard rooms to modern executive business suites and luxury apartments. Guests can enjoy the highly acclaimed restaurant “Purple” and the authentic jazz bar “The Embassy”. Equipped with a state-of-the-art conference hall and nine multi-purpose board rooms, the hotel is able to accommodate exclusive meetings as well as large, prestigious events for up to 300 people.

City Inn Group, United Kingdom: WORLDHOTELS recently added the prestigious properties of City Inn in Bristol, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London to its global portfolio. This award-winning UK hotel brand has further just opened a new hotel in Leeds this month. Overlooking the River Aire and the Leeds Liverpool Canal, City Inn Leeds was designed by renowned architects Allies and Morrison and meets the latest standards of environmental efficiency. All 333 rooms provide an excellent guest experience with floor to ceiling windows, multimedia iMac and free Wi-Fi. One of the outstanding attractions of City Inn Leeds, is the stunning panoramic destination Sky Lounge complete with 360 degree city views.

The Artmore, Atlanta, USA: This unique boutique hotel delivers a highly personalized guest experience. The 105 guestrooms were completely refurbished in warm shades of brown, red and cream and decorated in woods, metals and leather. Playful touches in the interior design highlight the hotel’s proximity to Atlanta’s Arts District. The rooms and suites offer luxurious amenities such as special mattresses, large flat screen televisions and iPod docking stations.

Harbour Plaza Hong Kong: Situated on the north shore of Victoria Harbour, the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong features 506 elegant guestrooms and 48 luxurious suites, most with breathtaking panoramic views. All rooms and suites are equipped with modern amenities including broadband internet access. The hotel boasts spacious meeting and event facilities, first-class health and fitness centers, as well as a choice of seven restaurants and bars serving a variety of Cantonese, Western, and Asian cuisine. A further highlight includes the hotel’s rooftop pool and Jacuzzi, including a stylish pool bar.