Hotels & Accommodations
Rival groups clash outside London asylum hotel as police issue arrest warnings
Rival protest groups have clashed outside a London asylum hotel as police issued an urgent arrest warning.
Several demonstrators were detained by officers on Saturday (2 August) after clashing with rival groups at a protest against the use of the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington, north London, to accommodate asylum seekers.
People believed to be migrants watched the protests from the hotel’s windows, with some waving and blowing kisses as demonstrators chanted and banged drums in the street below.
A man wearing an England football shirt was detained by police after a confrontation with officers.
A group of anti-fascist protesters blocked a junction outside the hotel.
Officers then pushed into the crowd to detain several people, dragging them out by their arms and legs.
The Metropolitan Police said the protest against the use of the Islington hotel was organised by residents under the banner “Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no”.
A counterprotest, organised by Stand Up To Racism and supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party, took place.
Police said the anti-asylum hotel protest had been “endorsed by groups from outside the local community, which is likely to increase the number of people attending”.
Online groups that have voiced support for the protest include “Patriots of Britain” and “Together for the Children”.
The Metropolitan Police said plans were in place to “respond to any protest activity in the vicinity of other hotels in London being used to accommodate asylum seekers”.
A counterprotester outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel said he wants migrants to “feel safe” in the UK.
Student Pat Prendergast, 21, said: “I want people to feel safe. I think the [rival protesters] over there are making people feel unsafe.
“I want to stand up in solidarity and say that, you know, we want people here. We want migrants. We want asylum seekers.”
A noticeably smaller group of protesters waved union flags and held banners outside the hotel. “Get these scum off our streets”, one man chanted in the direction of the hotel.
A large group of masked protesters dressed in black, chanting “we are anti-fascist”, appeared from a side street and marched towards the rival group outside the hotel.
There were brief clashes before police rushed in to separate the two groups.
Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, in charge of the force’s policing operation, said: “We have been in discussions with the organisers of both protests in recent days, building on the ongoing engagement between local officers, community groups and partners.
“We understand that there are strongly held views on all sides.
“Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely, but intervening at the first sign of actions that cross the line into criminality.
“We have used our powers under the Public Order Act to put conditions in place to prevent serious disorder and to minimise serious disruption to the lives of people and businesses in the local community.
“Those conditions identify two distinct protest areas where the protests must take place, meaning the groups will be separated but still within sight and sound of each other.”
Elsewhere across the UK, there were also posts online advertising a “For our children, for our future” protest in Newcastle outside The New Bridge Hotel.
A “Stop the far right and fascists in Newcastle” counterprotest was organised by Stand Up To Racism at the nearby Laing Art Gallery.
Northumbria Police have been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, about 100 people attended a protest outside the Stanwell Hotel in Spelthorne, Surrey, on Friday evening, during which a packet of lit firelighters was thrown at police, Surrey Police said.
A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and inquiries are ongoing to trace another suspect, the force said.
Officers also arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and aggravated trespass following a protest at the same location on Thursday evening.
Restaurant operator Royal Holdings Co. is teaming up with Minor Hotels, the largest hotel group in Southeast Asia, to develop luxury hotel accommodation in the Japanese market.
The company plans to open 21 hotels across Japan by 2035, targeting wealthy foreign tourists from the more than 36 million people who visit each year.
Based in Thailand, Minor Hotels operates more than 560 luxury hotels and resort facilities in 57 countries.
It is also a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, serving 30 million members.
It will be Minor Hotels’ first foray into Japan.
Royal Holdings and Minor Hotels established a joint venture earlier this year.
On July 10, they unveiled plans to open Anantara Karuizawa Retreat, a hotel and resort facility, in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, in 2030, partnering with general real estate firm List Group.
Anantara is Minor Hotels’ flagship brand.
Situated on a 42,000-square-meter plot overlooking Mount Asamayama, the facility will have 51 guest rooms, of which 23 are suites, It will also boast a spa, swimming pool and restaurants.
The companies are preparing to apply for confirmation for construction.
Accommodation fees and other details have yet to be determined.
William Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, which operates Minor Hotels under its umbrella, told a news conference in Tokyo that Japan is the first choice of overseas destination for Thai people.
He expressed gratitude that the globally recognized hotel brand of Anantara had been accepted in the Japanese market.
Royal Holdings started in-flight catering services and operating a cafe at Fukuoka Airport in 1951.
The company has operated the Royal Host family restaurant chain as well as the Shakey’s pizza chain since the 1970s.
In addition, it operates restaurants at airports, expressway facilities and hospitals, and runs Tenya, a restaurant chain specializing in tempura rice bowls.
As for its hotel business, the company opened its first Roynet Hotel (present-day Richmond Hotel) in 1995. It currently manages 43 Richmond Hotels, which target business travelers.
“We want to operate hotels aimed at wealthy visitors from abroad in tourism destinations and cities around the country as a way to expand the scope of our business,” said Royal Holdings President Masataka Abe.
A series of protests outside the migrant hotels have been taking place in recent weeks.
The protest in London on Saturday was held outside of the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington, with a counter-protest led by the group Stand Up To Racism.
The Met said the protest was organised by local residents under the banner “Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no”.
But police said it had been “endorsed by groups from outside the local community which is likely to increase the number of people attending”.
The MP for Islington North, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn had urged people to join the counter-protest.
The police had imposed special restrictions ahead of the London demonstration, including setting out specific areas where each group had to remain.
In Newcastle, a protest and counter-protest took place outside The New Bridge Hotel.
Four people were arrested and remain in custody, according to Northumbria Police.
“The right to lawful protest is a key part of any democracy, which the police uphold,” a spokesperson for the force said.
“However, we will not accept people using them as a means to commit crime or disorder.”
About 1,500 people waved England and Union flags in a march organised by the Britain First group from Manchester Piccadilly rail station to outside the Central Library, where they held a rally.
About 250 people were also estimated to be at a counter-demonstration led by the Stand up to Racism organisation, with police keeping the groups apart in St Peter’s Square.
Greater Manchester Police said that a “number of demonstrations passed by peacefully” with “no incidents of note”.
But two arrests were made during a confrontation at the start of the march, the statement added.
One person was arrested for theft and the other for obstructing an arrest.
Hotels & Accommodations
Japanese vlogger compares Bengaluru airport to ‘5-star hotel’: ‘Fake or natural green?’
A Japanese content creator has gone viral after posting a video of his visit to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, describing it as “one of the most beautiful airports in the world.” The video was shared by a reel creator named Kaito, as per his Instagram bio. In the clip, he can be seen walking through the terminal, clearly impressed by its architecture, greenery, and overall atmosphere.
‘It Looks Like A 5-Star Hotel’
“This is Bengaluru International Airport. This architecture, I have never seen any airport like this before,” he says in the video. “Guys, this is inside of Bengaluru International Airport. I don’t know the official name of this airport. But there are so many trees hanging from the ceiling.”
Kaito compared the airport’s interiors to those of a luxury hotel. “It looks like a 5-star hotel or something. And it smells really really good inside. It smells like… like Aesop, if you know, the cosmetic brand.”
He also pointed out some of the unique features, saying, “Actually, it’s not a tree, it’s like a bell. A huge bell covered with trees hanging from the ceiling. And there is also a fountain there. That’s insane. There’s like an indoor waterfall here.”
‘Is This Fake Or Natural Green?’
While admiring the design, Kaito compared Bengaluru’s airport to some of the world’s best, including Singapore’s Changi Airport and Doha’s Hamad International Airport.
“There is like a garden in Changi Airport, Singapore, and Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar, but this is like another level, because the whole airport is covered with green. Is this fake or natural green?” he asked.
He added, “There is a garden at some airports, but this is not garden, like whole airport is like garden. Oh my gosh, is this real or not? Oh I think it’s real. All plants here are real, but there is no like insect or something.”
Pressed for time, Kaito wrapped up the video saying, “This is a shopping area, but I don’t have much time today. My boarding is already started, so I have to hurry. I don’t have much time to enjoy like eating or shopping.”
The reel, captioned “One of the most beautiful airport in the world”, has received widespread praise online.
Internet Reacts
One user commented, “Yes, it’s one of India’s best airports. We’re proud!”
Another said, “This feels like a garden you can fly from!”
A third added, “South India’s pride, truly stunning.”
Someone else wrote, “Our airports are changing the way the world sees India.”
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