Great news for art fans in Amsterdam: After 10 years of rebuilding, renovation and restoration, the Rijksmuseum reopened its doors in April. For the first time, visitors can follow a chronological journey through 80 galleries, in which 8,000 objects tell the story of 800 years of Dutch art and history. Only Rembrandt’s masterpiece “The Night Watch” will be returning to its original position.
Classic Vacations reports that it has promoted Greg Bernd to vice-chairman of industry relations. Bernd was previously co-president of Classic, as was David Hu, who now takes on the full role as president. In this new role, Bernd will focus exclusively on strengthening industry partnerships and developing new relationships for Classic.
The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand opened in April with a gala party; the new resort boasts a series of suites and villas, all with sea or lagoon views. Guests can also enjoy all-day dining at Edgewater, Metzo’s Mediterranean restaurant and cocktails in the ICON Lounge.
Germany’s Oetker Collection was due to open its first hotel in the Middle Eastern Gulf Cooperation Council this year, but it seems like the plans have fallen through: Hotelier Middle East is reporting that the Collection has formally withdrawn from a contract to operate the Hotel Le Bristol Abu Dhabi, part of a partnership with the National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCTH) that was due to open in the second half of 2013.
The Abu Dhabi hotel was reportedly inspired by Oetker’s Hotel Le Bristol Paris and was the vision of NCTH chairman HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. Other properties in the Oetker Collection include the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden and the Palais Namaskar in Marrakech.