Marriott says details of up to 500m guests may have been accessed in breach of its reservation database.

A data breach at 20 US hotels operated by HEI Hotels and Resorts for Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt and Intercontinental may have divulged payment card data from tens of thousands of food, drink and other transactions, HEI has said.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has become the first US hotel company to sign a deal with Cuba since the 1959 revolution, coming as a result of President Obama’s historic visit to the country earlier this week.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide yesterday agreed to a higher $13.6bn (€12bn) offer from Marriott International, a proposal that trumped a bid by China’s Anbang Insurance.

US hotel operator Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide yesterday received a higher buyout offer from a consortium led by China’s Anbang Insurance Group that could derail Marriott International’s planned takeover of Starwood.

Marriott International will buy Sheraton owner Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in a $12.2bn (€11.4bn) deal to create the world’s largest hotel chain.

The Apple Watch will be formally unveiled today, with Apple chief Tim Cook set to confirm key details including the price and launch date of Apple’s first wearable.

Hibernia REIT is to lodge a planning application that could see the Garda regional headquarters, on Dublin’s Harcourt Square, replaced by up to 300,000sq ft of prime office development.

Staff at two Irish hotels can rest easy, at least for the time being — robot butlers are not likely to be taking over their jobs.

The five-star Westin Hotel on Dublin’s College Green narrowed its pre-tax losses last year by 17% to €2.66m.

Nama is expected to make a profit on the sum it paid for developers O’Flynn Construction’s €1.8bn in loans in 2010, according to market sources.

World No 1 hotelier InterContinental Hotels is looking to emerging markets and especially China to drive growth after a recovery in the United States and a string of new Chinese hotel openings helped push 2011 profits up 26%.

Sri Lanka’s ambassador said US rights legislation and pressure for a war crimes probe complicate efforts to bring more American investment into the country.

A CAR dealer was yesterday given permission to seek an injunction today stopping the Sunday World from publishing stories that claim he is an underworld figure who introduced one of Ireland’s leading drug dealers to model Katy French.

Traders were still in the festive spirit today as drinks firms helped boost stocks during an upbeat return following the Christmas break.

The FTSE 100 Index added almost 1% during a buoyant return from the Christmas holiday today.

US real estate investment firm Starwood Capital is in talks with advisers to launch a bid worth around £3bn (€4.39bn) for leisure group Whitbread, the Mail on Sunday has reported.

Premier Travel Inn and Pizza Hut owner Whitbread was today reported to be in the sights of US hotel and property business Starwood Capital.

Wall Street finished the week with moderate gains today, extending a November rally in light post-Thanksgiving trading amid signs of a strong start to the busy holiday shopping season.

The last time George Clooney scored big in Las Vegas, he played a character who robbed a casino in the movie “Ocean’s Eleven".

Irish-owned Clarion Hotels has announced that it has been awarded the management contract for the Carton House, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney has announced 190 jobs at the Starwood Hotels and Resorts call centre, with the support of the IDA.