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All Things Independent
Midas Hospitality Opens the Newly Built 90-room Fairfield Inn & Suites – Wentzville, Missouri
Fairfield Inn & Suites | January 3, 2014
SAINT LOUIS, MO, January 3, 2014 - St. Louis-based hotel owner, operator and developer, Midas Hospitality, LLC announces the opening of a new, 90-room Fairfield Inn & Suites - Wentzville, MO. Just weeks after announcing the opening of the Aloft Hotel - Beachwood, OH, Midas Hospitality announces the opening of a new 90-room Fairfield Inn & Suites - Wentzville, MO. The Fairfield Inn & Suites is located 40 miles west of downtown St. Louis off of exit 208 on I-70, just west of the I-70 / I-64 intersection and just minutes from the 568-acre, General Motors Assembly plant. Rob Willard, President & Principal of Midas Hospitalit...
Florida Lodging Management to Open 83-key Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott this Month in Ocoee, FL
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott | January 3, 2014
Ocoee, Florida - January 3, 2014 - The 83-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Ocoee, Florida is scheduled to open on Friday, January 10, 2014. Located at 10971 West Colonial Drive, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Ocoee will operate under a license agreement from Marriott International, Inc, owned and managed by Florida Lodging Management. Located 22 miles from Orlando International Airport and 10 minutes from downtown Orlando, the hotel offers guests convenient access to the National Training Center, Lakeside Event Center and Universal Studios. "We are pleased with the continued growth of Fairfield Inn & Suites hot...
Campbell Lodging Opens the 106-key Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Phoenix Airport South in Arizona
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson | January 3, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (January 03, 2013) - Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, a leading upper-midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Phoenix Airport South, AZ. "We are excited about this addition to our portfolio as we grow the brand in the south western region of the U.S.," said Scott Meyer, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. "We strive to provide services and amenities that appeal to leisure and business guests alike and this hotel is no exception with its proximity to the airport and great area attractions." The hotel offers 106 guest rooms and su...
DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown Opens Through Conversion of Former Metropolitan Hotel
Bayview Hospitality Group | January 3, 2014
Renovation Currently Underway for the 486-key Property with Spring 2014 Completion Planned January 3, 2014 - TORONTO, and MCLEAN, Va. - DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown in the heart of the city's financial, research and shopping districts. Now a part of Hilton Worldwide's award-winning Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program, the former Metropolitan Hotel Toronto has completed a multi-million dollar renovation that will conclude in spring 2014 and includes modern updates across the landmark 26-story, 486-room property. The transformation is being led by the hotel's new ownership and ...
The 212-room Radisson Hotel at The University of Toledo Opens in Ohio
January 3, 2014
Toledo, Ohio - January 3, 2014 - Radisson®, one of the world's best-recognized hotel brands, today announced the opening of the 212-room Radisson Hotel at The University of Toledo, 3100 Glendale Avenue in Toledo, Ohio on The University of Toledo Medical Campus. "The opening of this hotel reinforces our commitment to enhance the Radisson portfolio and further expand our presence in the Americas," said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Radisson. "This addition plays a key role as we continue developing the Radisson brand as a powerful, globally consistent, first class-brand complemented by the Radisson 'Yes I Can!' service spiri...
California’s 329-key Hilton Concord Acquired by Waramaug Hospitality and Interstate Hotels JV
Waramaug Hospitality | January 3, 2014
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, JANUARY 3, 2014 - Waramaug Hospitality, a private investment group, along with Interstate Hotels & Resorts and an alternate money management firm, announced today that the joint venture has acquired the 329-room Hilton Concord in Concord, California from Interstate, which continues to remain an investor and operator of the hotel. The award-winning Hilton Concord was recently recognized for two (2) significant awards in 2013, by TripAdvisor® and also by the Governor of the State of California for the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). As the recipient of the 2013 TripAdvisor Certific...
Keeping Track of Changes in Hospitality Law / John Hogan
John Hogan | January 3, 2014
By Dr. John Hogan, CHA CMHS CHE CHO January 3, 2014 Do you know how many new laws were passed last year? Would you believe 40,000+? While it may have been the least productive year for Congress in history, at least in terms of passing laws - fewer than 60 of which made it through the House and Senate and were signed by President Barack Obama, state lawmakers across the US were busy getting more than 40,000 bills passed including ones that tackle everything from drones to minimum wage to food stamp benefits.(1) In fact, one may argue this Congress is on pace to make history with the least productive legislative year since the late 1940s(...
Waramaug Hospitality and Interstate Hotels JV Acquires 257-key Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel, Arizona
Waramaug Hospitality | January 3, 2014
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, JANUARY 3, 2014 - Waramaug Hospitality, a private investment group, along with Interstate Hotels & Resorts announced today they have acquired the 257-room Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel. Interstate continues to operate the hotel. The Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel is a "mini-oasis" for travelers, with a large resort-style pool-area surrounded by lush palm trees and a beautifully landscaped courtyard. Located within the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport submarket, the hotel is a neighbor of Tempe - home to Arizona State University, as well as great restaurants, shopping and nightlife. It is also ideally situated to provide ...
Rare Redevelopment Site On Wilshire Boulevard In Prestigious Beverly Hills, Calif. Hits The Market
CBRE Group, Inc. | January 3, 2014
Los Angeles - January 3, 2014 - A redevelopment site in one of the world's most recognizable and prestigious neighborhoods is for sale, according to CBRE. The firm just launched its marketing effort this week for the site, which includes 63,691 square feet of land located at the southeast corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Linden Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills' world-renowned, upscale restaurant and shopping district. Due to its high-profile location in what is known as the Beverly Hills Golden Triangle, the property is expected to command exceptional pricing on a square foot basis for Beverly Hills, according to Laurie Lustig-Bower of C...
New GM, Jonathan Litvack, to Oversee $45 Million Rejuvenation of Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | January 2, 2014
LOS ANGELES, CA, January 3, 2014 - Veteran hotelier Jonathan Litvack, named general manager of the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel in 2013, will oversee a $45 million rejuvenation of the 485-room property to include all guestrooms, meeting space and the lobby area, as well as the restaurant and lounge. He successfully converted the hotel, which is located in the heart of the city's financial, sports and entertainment epicenter, from a franchise operation to the world's newest Starwood-managed hotel on June 1. The rejuvenation, which includes the hotel as well as the adjacent office tower and retail shopping center anchored by a flag...
Tourism Tidbits: The Tourism Outlook for 2014 by Dr. Peter Tarlow
Dr. Peter E. Tarlow | January 2, 2014
A New Year is a chance for new beginnings. What is true of the world in general is also true of tourism. The tourism industry does not live apart from the rest of the world. It is deeply attached to the economy's undulations, sensitive to issues of security, and can be impacted by a host of unexpected events, ranging from a health crisis to a natural disaster. Certainly 2013 had its successes and challenges and we can expect that 2014 may offer more of the same. Although no one can predict the state of the world throughout 2014, here are some trends that tourism specialists and professionals may want to watch. 1. The state of the econom...
Managed by AD1 Management, the 437-key Park Inn by Radisson, Orlando-Celebration Opens in Florida
January 2, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (January 02, 2014) - Park Inn® by Radisson, a fresh and energetic hotel brand offering friendly and welcoming hospitality at a competitive price today announced the opening of Park Inn by Radisson, Orlando-Celebration, FL. "This is an exciting addition to our portfolio as we grow the brand in the Americas," said Scott Meyer, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. "The hotel has so much to offer for business and leisure guests alike, from pools and recreation to an expansive conference and meeting space." The hotel offers 437 guest rooms and 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting and e...
SoTHERLY Hotels Promotes Scott Kucinski to Vice President of Operations and Investor Relations
SoTHERLY Hotels Inc. | January 2, 2014
Hires David Surette as Corporate Controller January 02, 2014 - WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - SoTHERLY Hotels Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHO) (the "Company") today announced that it has promoted Scott Kucinski to Vice President of Operations and Investor Relations. Mr. Kucinski will help oversee the Company's corporate operations activities including capital markets transactions, acquisitions and dispositions, asset management, and investor relations and compliance matters. Mr. Kucinski joined the Company in 2004 and has served in a variety of roles including Director of Construction Services and, most recently, Director of Investor Relations. Mr. Kucinski ho...
Franck LaFourcade Returns to 2000-2005 Role as GM for Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi in Vietnam
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi | January 2, 2014
HANOI, Vietnam (Jan. 2, 2013) - As the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi celebrates the season, and its rising stature as one of the world's most singular hospitality experiences, the hotel is also celebrating the return of Franck LaFourcade as its new general manager. General manager of the Metropole from 2000 to 2005, LaFourcade has come back to the hotel after nearly nine years in China, managing Sofitel properties in Shanghai as a general manager and as an area general manager. The hotel he has inherited from the previous general manager, Kai Speth, is good deal larger than the hotel he left in 2005, with 364 rooms in 2013 to the 232 r...
Crestline Hotels & Resorts to Manage 107-suite Residence Inn Manassas Battlefield Park in Virginia
Crestline Hotels & Resorts LLC | January 2, 2014
FAIRFAX, VA - January 2, 2014 - Crestline Hotels & Resorts LLC today announced it has assumed management of the Residence Inn Manassas Battlefield Park. The property recently completed an extensive renovation to all of their guest suites and the public areas of the hotel. This is Crestline's 17th hotel in the state of Virginia. The 107 guest suite hotel is owned by Apple REIT Nine, Inc., headquartered in Richmond, VA. Located only one mile from the historic Civil War Battlefield, and adjacent to the town of Manassas with its quaint shops and dining, the recently renovated hotel is perfect for short or extended stays for business or ...
Smart Hotelier’s 2014 Top Ten Digital Marketing Resolutions
the Authors and HeBS Digital | January 2, 2014
By Max Starkov & Mariana Safer Whether you've experienced digital marketing success this year, or have continued to struggle with your direct online channel strategy, now is the perfect time for reflection and planning ahead. 2013, a year of growth in our industry, has also been a year chock full of major industry developments. A few examples include the explosion in meta search travel websites, the continued growth of the mobile and tablet channels, the fall of keyword-centric SEO due to the rise of Penguin 2.0 and Hummingbird, and new technology advancements that have allowed us to achieve unparalleled heights in hotel distributio...
The 520-key Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley Opens in Hubei Province, China
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | January 2, 2014
January 2, 2014 - WUHAN, China and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley. The opening marks the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Hubei Province. The six-story hotel features 520 contemporary guest rooms and suites with scenic views from private balconies, five diverse restaurants and bars, and over 5,000 square meters of flexible meeting space. The Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Wuhan Eco City Biguiyuan Investment Co., Ltd. "We are delighted to introduce Hilton Hotels & Resorts' first property in W...
The 299-room Aloft Yancheng Opens in Jiangsu Province of Eastern China
Aloft Hotels | December 31, 2013
YANCHENG, China - December 31, 2013 - Aloft Hotels, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), today announced the opening of Aloft Yancheng in Jiangsu Province of eastern China. Owned by Yancheng Powerlong Real Estate Development Co.,Ltd, the hotel is the first international hospitality brand in this up-and-coming metropolis, and the seventh Aloft hotel in China. Designed for the next generation of traveler, the hotel features urban-inspired design, tech-forward touches and a vibrant social scene featuring live music performances as well as 299 stylish guestrooms, 380 square meters of meeting space. "From the rec...
Travel Tripper Helps Hotels Earn New Guests in a Trusted, Natural Way with Flip.to
Flip.to | December 30, 2013
Orlando, FL — January 2, 2014 — Flip.to and Travel Tripper announced the beginning of a strategic partnership that includes a seamless integration between the Flip.to brand advocate platform and the RezTrip Central Reservation System (CRS). "We were early proponents of Flip.to - our customers were among the first to sign on. Based on the outstanding results those hotels had, we wanted to pursue a deeper partnership for the benefit of all of our customers." Gautam Lulla, Chief Operating Officer for Travel Tripper, commented. "We have always recognized the value of a compelling booking experience, as well as the value of a guest beyon...
TripAdvisor Caught Red-Handed
MKG Group | December 30, 2013
Glasgow's Bellgrove Hotel, a homeless shelter, finds itself in TripAdvisor's Top 100 best hotels in the United Kingdom The community site has again been caught in a flagrant act of deception basing a ranking for best British hotels on fanciful character appraisals. Despite their «sophisticated algorithms» and their attentive «monitoring» of comments posted on the web, it has been duped by small pranksters who succeeded at getting a homeless shelter in the Top 100 of recommended establishments for the quality of its service in the United Kingdom. If only it was the homeless who were sheltered for the night that judged on the comfort ...
2013 World Rankings of The Top 10 Hotel Groups and Top 15 Brands
MKG Group | December 30, 2013
IHG Retains Top Spot in Groups With Nearly 660,000 Rooms; Holiday Inn & Holiday Inn Express Overtake Best Western for Top Spot in Brands April 3, 2013 - The leading hotel groups worldwide and the top brands confirm global growth in branded supplies, although the economic context remains fragile. It confirms Anglo-Saxon supremacy, reinforced by the sale of Motel 6 to Blackstone by Accor, and China's entry into the first circle of key actors in the global hotel sector. The race for size is a major challenge for hotel groups with a global ambition. Size enables hotels to offer their guests complete geographic coverage and a range of p...
IHG Becomes First in Industry to Commit to Free Internet for All Loyalty Members Worldwide
IHG | December 30, 2013
Move prompted by research indicating free internet is more important than room service to travellers LONDON, March 26, 2013 - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announced that it will be providing free internet to all its 71m loyalty programme members, worldwide. The announcement comes as IHG reveals the results of a global online survey* which show that nearly half of adults (43%) would choose not to stay in a hotel that charged for internet. IHG is the first and only hotel group to offer free internet in all hotels to all loyalty programme members, globally - whether they stay the night or come in for a coffee or an impromptu m...
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts CEO, Kathleen Taylor, to Step Down
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | December 30, 2013
TORONTO-February 5, 2013--Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts today announced that Kathleen Taylor will be leaving her role as Chief Executive Officer. "I am deeply grateful to Katie for her nearly 25 years of outstanding service and wish her well in the next phase of her career" The privately held Company, with the backing of its long-term shareholders Kingdom Holding Company, Cascade Investment and Triples Holdings, is focused on building on Four Seasons leadership position by accelerating execution of its existing strategy to drive global growth and expansion of its iconic brand. Ms. Taylor assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer fro...
HSMAI Names the Top 25 Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing for 2012
HSMAI | December 30, 2013
McLean, Va. (January 9, 2013) – The Hospitality Sales& Marketing Association International (HSMAI) today announced its 10th annual list of the "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing" as part of its annual Adrian Awards Reception and Gala at the New York Marriott Marquis on Jan. 28. "On the 10th anniversary of the Top 25, HSMAI is privileged to honor those who strive to strengthen the hospitality sales and marketing profession," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president & CEO of HSMAI. "We owe a great deal to these professionals who consistently demonstrated ingenuity, diligence and a heightened knowledge...
