Latest news with #HotelMagnolia
Extra.ie
09-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Boyfriend found guilty of Kirsty Ward's brutal murder facing up to 30 years
An Irishman is facing up to 30 years in jail after being found guilty of murdering his girlfriend in a Spanish hotel room after she tried to break up with him. Keith Byrne, 34, will find out next month how long he will spend in prison for the brutal murder of his former partner, fellow Dubliner Kirsty Ward. Ms Ward was strangled to death by Byrne during a 'make-or-break' holiday to Salou, Spain. Kirsty Ward. Her body was discovered at the four-star Hotel Magnolia in the Costa Dorada resort on Sunday, July 2, 2023. Byrne, a former soldier, had claimed Ms Ward had taken her own life but a jury agreed he strangled her to death with the cord of a hair straightener. Speaking outside court, Ms Ward's family thanked prosecutors, Spanish police and the jury, adding: 'Our family now requests our privacy to be respected while we grieve and come to terms with all that has happened during the past two years.' In court, Byrne described himself as a 'respectful and intelligent' father-of-three – and demonised Ms Ward as someone who could be 'four people in one day', especially after binging on alcohol and cocaine, which he claimed made their romance 'toxic'. Keith Byrne. A private prosecutor acting for Ms Ward's family said she was still seeking a 30-year sentence. Public prosecutor Javier Goimil urged the judge to jail him for 20 years. He accepted Byrne's prior use of drink and drugs as a mitigating circumstance after jurors ruled he had 'diminished cognitive and volitional faculties'. Mr Goimil, a domestic violence specialist, rubbished Byrne's court claim that Ms Ward took her own life. He claimed the former soldier, who had been living in Duleek, Co. Meath, decided, 'You're mine or you're nobody's' and strangled his girlfriend to death because she wanted out of their stormy relationship. He said the forensic evidence pointed to Ms Ward having been strangled from behind between 8pm and 10pm on July 2, 2023, after 'incapacitating herself' with alcohol and cocaine. Salou on the Costa Dorada, Spain. Pic: Shutterstock Mr Goimil told the court: 'He's saying Kirsty tied a cable round her neck and attached it to the doorknob, but in the state she was in it would have been impossible for her to do that and there's nothing showing there was a knot in the cable. What's occurred here is a violent and painful death, a strangulation from behind where someone is pulling from the front to the back. This was not a suicide.' He added: 'She didn't leave a note for her son or her siblings or her mum, and what's more, she had bought a plane ticket back to Dublin for July 4. Kirsty's relationship with Byrne was very toxic, very intense and very emotional. She decided to end it during the week they stayed at the hotel in Salou and her partner couldn't accept that decision. His mindset at that moment was, 'You're mine or you're nobody's. You, woman, are no one to say you're going to detach yourself from me, the man, and have your own independent life'. That was why he killed her the way he did.' He said the alcohol Kirsty had drunk before being killed would have impacted significantly on her ability to defend herself. Kirsty Ward. On day one of the trial, on April 23, Kirsty's mum Jackie Ward described Byrne as someone she 'didn't like' and 'didn't trust' and said she had found out after her daughter's death that she had planned to leave him during their 'make-or-break' holiday. She was asked whether she thought her daughter, whose son Evan was 14 when she died, could have died by suicide, to which she replied angrily: 'She did everything for her son. She would never, ever leave him. She would never do that to him.' Jackie Ward told mourners at her daughter's funeral, in Ballinteer, Dublin, in July 2023, that she had been an amazing mum to Evan, saying: 'The two of them were an amazingly strong and tight team and I hope to continue the great work she has done. To me she was a fantastic friend and an absolutely adored daughter to myself and John. She was a caring sister, a cherished granddaughter and much-loved niece and cousin. A loyal and true friend.' Byrne filmed a video from his Spanish prison cell telling his family he did not do what they claimed, saying: 'The truth will come out and then the newspapers will all eat their words, but listen, I love you all very much and just keep this video because everyone will watch it…' Regarding prison, he added: 'I'm okay, safe, going to school, f**king learning Spanish, going to the gym, swimming, playing football, A1. I'm in a low-security unit, there is no violence here… It is not allowed or else you get f**ked out… All the prisoners are on the suss, they don't let anyone act the b**lox because it fcks them all up…' The video ends with Byrne blowing a kiss and saying: 'See ye all soon.' The judge retired to consider his sentence after the jury decision. Byrne is not expected to find out his sentence for nearly a month.
Trade Arabia
12-02-2025
- Trade Arabia
Preferred Hotels & Resorts adds 10 new member properties
Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand, has added 10 new member properties to its global portfolio between October 1 and December 31, 2024. To celebrate this, I Prefer Hotel Rewards members can earn 2,500 bonus points on eligible stays at any of these participating locations for a limited time. Ranging from a restored mansion set in the heart of Santiago's historic centre to an Austrian alpine retreat, each of these unique properties offer a host of memorable guest experiences designed to inspire travellers as they embark on new adventures across the world in 2025 and beyond, with highlights including: • Gamboa Rainforest Reserve (Gamboa, Panama) – Lifestyle Collection: Located deep within the lush Panama jungle along the banks of the Chagres River, Gamboa Rainforest Reserve offers an immersive escape in the heart of nature. This rainforest retreat features 166 elegantly designed rooms and suites with private balconies, offering panoramic views of the verdant jungle and winding waterways. Guests can unwind in the resort's pool or indulge in locally inspired cuisine at a variety of dining options. Activity highlights include guided aerial tram rides through the forest canopy, visits to the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary, kayaking on the Panama Canal, tours of the nearby Soberanía National Park to spot exotic wildlife, and enriching cultural experiences with indigenous communities. • Hotel Magnolia (Santiago, Chile) – L.V.X. Collection: Set in the heart of Santiago's historic district, Hotel Magnolia seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern sophistication. Housed in a historic building converted into a contemporary hotel, this boutique retreat boasts 40 elegant rooms featuring bespoke furnishings, wooden accents, and stained-glass windows. Designed to honour its rich heritage, the hotel captivates guests with an intimate restaurant and innovative menu of locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the essence of Chilean roots. Additional highlights include a rooftop terrace offering sweeping views of downtown, a wine cellar for special occasion dining, tranquil library lounge, and curated cultural experiences, such as guided city tours and exclusive wine tastings showcasing Chile's renowned vineyards. • Aurika Udaipur - Luxury by Lemon Tree Hotels (Udaipur, India) - Lifestyle Collection: Perched on a hilltop overlooking the 'City of Lakes', Aurika Udaipur - Luxury by Lemon Tree Hotels offers an opulent retreat steeped in Rajasthani grandeur. This regal resort has 139 elegantly appointed rooms and suites featuring marble accents, modern amenities and private balconies with unparallelled panoramic views. The property enchants guests with its tranquil swimming pool, grand courtyards, terraced gardens, and a signature restaurant serving both regional and international cuisine. Additional highlights include immersive cultural experiences such as traditional folk performances, a welcoming bar with authentic Shekhawati mural paintings adorning the walls, a serene library, and bespoke wellness treatments inspired by traditional Indian therapies in the on-site spa. • Hotel Kitzhof – Mountain Design Resort (Kitzbühel, Austria) – L.V.X. Collection: Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Hotel Kitzhof – Mountain Design Resort offers a blend of alpine charm and contemporary elegance. Located just a short stroll from the picturesque town of Kitzbühel, this authentic Tyrolean lodge features 160 thoughtfully designed guestrooms, studios and suites, each showcasing natural wood finishes, rustic modern design, and breathtaking views of the stunning scenery. Guests can savour local Austrian ingredients and regional cuisine at one of the lodge's five dining venues, unwind at the spa with an indoor pool, Swiss stone pine sauna, sanarium and steam room, or sip après-ski cocktails by the roaring fireplace in the chic lounge. With activities like skiing, hiking, lake swimming, and mountain biking, this resort provides an idyllic year-round escape. • César Lanzarote (La Asomada- Lanzarote, Spain) – L.V.X Collection: Found in the heart of La Geria Natural Park, César Lanzarote is a chic boutique hotel offering an idyllic escape inspired by nature. This tranquil adults-only retreat offers 20 stylish guestrooms and suites, each featuring panoramic views of either the ocean or nearby volcanoes. Guests can immerse themselves in adventure with activities such as hiking, sunrise yoga, horseback riding, and boating, or explore the hotel's own vineyard and wine production facility. For a taste of the island, the on-site restaurant serves modern interpretations of Canarian cuisine, and guests can experience a range of rejuvenating wellness treatments that harness the geothermal energy of lava stones, embracing the volcanic landscape. 'We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional properties to our global portfolio of luxury independent hotels, as part of our largest year of growth since 2019,' said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. 'Each new member delivers an unparalleled travel experience that celebrates the essence of its location and allows us to connect discerning travellers with distinctive hotels that offer unforgettable stays in some of the world's most inspiring destinations.' Other member properties to have joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts' global portfolio from October 1 through December 31, 2024, include: • Appenzeller Huus – Huus Loewen (Gonten, Switzerland) – Lifestyle Collection • Aurika Mumbai International Airport (Mumbai, India) - Lifestyle Collection • Das Achental (Grassau, Germany) - L.V.X Collection • Hotel Las Islas (Cartagena, Colombia) – L.V.X. Collection • L'Ermitage Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills, California) – Legend Collection Many of these new member hotels participate in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the brand's points-based loyalty program with 5 million travellers enrolled globally. Complimentary to join, members of I Prefer earn points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, Titanium status, and other value-rich benefits from eligible stays at over 600 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. Travellers seeking memorable independent hotel experiences are invited to sign up at
