Sree Hotels LLC and LTD Management Co Building a $15 million 136 room aloft in Charleston, South Carolina / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By John P. McDermott, The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News Jun. 1, 2007 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., in an effort to extend its urbane W Hotels concept to smaller cities and suburban markets through a less expensive new brand, has broken ground on its first "aloft" property in South Carolina. The 136-room lodging near Charleston International Airport is to open in summer 2008 as one of the first in the newest addition to the Starwood stable, joining names such as Westin, Sheraton and...

Crescent Hotels & Resorts To Operate Holiday Inn Conversion in Sparks, Nevada on Behalf of the Navnish Group; Quality Inn to Undergo $6 Million Renova

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Crescent Hotels & Resorts To Operate Holiday Inn Conversion in Sparks, Nevada on Behalf of the Navnish Group . Quality Inn to Undergo $6 Million Renovation to Convert to Holiday Inn Brand SPARKS, NV./WASHINGTON, D.C., June 14, 2007—Crescent Hotels & Resorts, a rapidly growing hotel and resort management and ownership company, today announced that it has signed a letter of agreement to manage the 220-room, full-service Quality Inn in Sparks, Nevada, next to Reno, on behalf of an affiliate of the Navnish Group, a developer and owner of full-service and select-service hotels throughout the U...

Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $49,000,000 of First Mortgage Financing for Three Hotels in the Pacific Northwest / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report  Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $49,000,000 of First Mortgage Financing for Three Hotels in the Pacific Northwest Los Angeles, CA – June 26, 2007 - Sonnenblick-Eichner Company announced today that it has arranged $49 million of first mortgage financing for three separately owned hotels located in the Pacific Northwest cities of Portland and Seaside, Oregon and Seattle, Washington.  The company arranged a $20 million, 10-year fixed rate loan for the Best Western Ocean View Resort, a 5-story 107-room full service hotel located on the beach in Seaside, Oregon.  The AAA Three-Diamond hote...

Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $65,000,000 of First Mortgage Leasehold Financing for the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort, Anaheim, Cal

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report  Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $65,000,000 of First Mortgage Leasehold Financing for the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort, Anaheim, California Los Angeles, CA – June 19, 2007 - Sonnenblick-Eichner Company announced today that it has arranged a $65 million first mortgage for the leasehold interest in The Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort located in Anaheim, California.    The Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort is a 490-room, 13-story, full-service hotel located on Convention Way, one block south of the world famous Disneyland Theme Park and one block east of ...

UK Budget Hotel Developer, Somerston, Alligns with Hilton Hotels to Build 25 Hampton by Hiltons in the UK / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report UK Budget Hotel Developer, Somerston, Alligns with Hilton Hotels to Build 25 Hampton by Hiltons in the UK LONDON & BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - June 12, 2007 - Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) today announced that the company has signed a letter of understanding for a major development alliance with the experienced hotel franchise owner and operator, Somerston Hotels UK Limited -- with the intention to introduce an additional 25 new hotels comprising 3000 rooms across the UK in the next five years.  This represents the second major U.K. hotel franchise announcement with a leading property part...

Fastest Growing Outdoor Activity in U.S. Attracts Flocks of Youth to Georgia Competition; Event for young birders draws 100 participants who identify

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report  Fastest Growing Outdoor Activity in U.S. Attracts Flocks of Youth to Georgia Competition . Event for young birders draws 100 participants who identify over 200 species ATLANTA, June 20, 2007 - Softscribe Inc., a technology public relations firm focused on driving sales for companies targeting vertical markets, today announced its sponsorship of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ second annual Youth Birding Competition.  Twenty-four teams of 100 young people ages six to 17 from all over Georgia participated in the 24-hour event on April 28 and 29, which coincided with the peak ...

Softscribe Inc. Spins Off Keyword Research, Website Optimization as Standalone Products; Hoteliers can increase online bookings. Clients JDA, Aptech d

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report  Softscribe Inc. Spins Off Keyword Research, Website Optimization as Standalone Products Hoteliers can increase online bookings. Clients JDA, Aptech deploy new keywords, optimized Web pages to boost search engine visibility, increase sales. ATLANTA, June 6, 2007 – Softscribe® Inc., a technology public relations firm focused on driving sales for companies in vertical markets, today announced it will offer keyword research and website optimization services to hotel operators and other companies as standalone products.  The firm’s signature KeywordCapitalSMkeyword phrase research and W...

SoftBrands Announces Pay As You Go Pricing for Independent Hotels / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report SoftBrands Announces "Pay As You Go" Pricing for Independent Hotels MINNEAPOLIS – June 21, 2007 – SoftBrands Inc. (AMEX: SBN), a global supplier of enterprise application software, today released a pricing model aimed at making it easier for independent hotels to benefit from the latest in property management system (PMS) technology.   SoftBrands’ new pricing model reduces the need for a hotel to secure capital expenditures and make the typical one-time, up front payment by instead charging a monthly rate per room.  Under the new pricing model, hotels will pay as little as $6.95 per room...

On Ramp to Social Media / Julie Keyser-Squires, APR / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report On Ramp to Social Media By Julie Keyser-Squires, APR, June 2007 Social Media arrived in force to the hospitality industry this year.  Understanding what it is and how you and your organization can participate and benefit is critical to your future success.  What is it? . Social Media is online peer-to-peer communication like forums, blogs and wikis.  These are significant to your business because anyone can use these online conversation areas to make comments about you and your company.  Sherry Heyl, CEO of Social Media agency What a Concept!, says that Amazon.com and its feature of  Â...

Signature Worldwide Announces New Ownership Founder Sells Shares to CEO and COO / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Signature Worldwide Announces New Ownership Founder Sells Shares to CEO and COO COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 7, 2007) — Signature Worldwide, a leading provider of training and business solutions, announced today that Steve Wolever, president and CEO, and Becky Wolever, chief operating officer, have purchased founder Don Farrell's shares, making them majority shareholders in the company, effective June 1, 2007. This also marks Farrell's planned departure from Signature.  Signature's Senior Management team remains the same. The company's corporate headquarters will continue to be located in Columbus, Ohio.   Founded by Farrell in 1986...

Doha Real Estate Company Selects Bavaria Hotels to Operate New Project in Sharjah, UAE / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Doha Real Estate Company Selects Bavaria Hotels to Operate New Project in Sharjah, UAE Dubai, June 2007:  Bavaria Hotels International Chief Executive Officer, Thomas H. F. Gertz, recently announced the signing of a contract to manage a new all-suite property in Sharjah for the Doha Real Estate Company. “With two large-scale suite hotels already opening in Qatar and the UAE, Bavaria Hotels International is delighted to continue the trend of upscale all-suite hotels right here in the UAE” commented Mr Gertz.  “The Sharjah property will be managed under the Executive Suites brand, signifyin...

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Debuts US$2 million Website Re-design / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Debuts US$2 million Website Re-design June 19, 2007 - Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, unveiled its new look website at www.shangri-la.com.  Featuring completely re-vamped design and layout, the website also offers expanded content, added site options and enhanced navigation usability. . website at www.shangri-la.com . The website re-design provides online visitors with even greater insight into the Shangri-La brand, a critical imperative given the group's rapid expansion into new Western markets. The most dramatic trans...

Three Years After Opening, the Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Undergoing a $120-million Expansion / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Steve Huettel, St. Petersburg Times, Fla.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News Jun. 15, 2007 - TAMPA -- Just three years after opening, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is undergoing a $120-million expansion that will make it Florida's largest casino. An addition expected to open in August will create a 3.2-acre gaming floor with 3,200 machines -- about 50 percent larger than the existing casino. The project also includes a steak house, a VIP lounge and a 1,250-space garage with room to park nine buses at a time. ...

The Westin Seattle Adds Four New Executives / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report The Westin Seattle Adds Four New Executives . June 22, 2007- The Westin Seattle announced today the addition of four new managers to its team of more than 600 employees.  Michael Smutzer Promoted to Director of Front Office at The Westin Seattle Smutzer brings nearly 10 years of hospitality industry management to his new position where he oversees operations of the front office, concierge and the business center as well as coordinates the Manager on Duty program. He is a Six Sigma Green Belt. He has been with The Westin Seattle since 2000, serving previously as front desk manager and service ex...

Triton Companies Demolishing the Sea Castle on Siesta Key, Florida; Planning to Build a Hyatt Branded Fractional Ownership Resort / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Sara Kennedy, The Bradenton Herald, Fla.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News Jun. 19, 2007 - SARASOTA -- The Sea Castle on Crescent Beach will be demolished and replaced with a new Hyatt Residence Beach Club at Siesta Key. Brent Virkus, president and founder of Triton Companies, said Triton closed on the Sea Castle property June 1 and has signed an agreement as a partner in the project with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. Demolition and construction is slated to begin early next year, he said. The units will be sold as a "fractio...

Albert Joseph Scoma, Owner of the Landmark Scoma's Restaurant on San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, Dies at 86 / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Carolyn Jung, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News Jun. 13, 2007 - LEGENDARY SAN FRANCISCO RESTAURATEUR DIES: Albert Joseph Scoma, owner of the landmark Scoma's Restaurant on San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, died June 2 of natural causes. He was 86. In 1965, he and his brother Joe Scoma bought a six-stool coffee shop on Pier 47, and over the years transformed it into a 320-seat restaurant what would become one of the nation's highest-grossing independent eateries. The restaurant owns its own f...

Marriott International Partnering with Ian Schrager to Create a New Hotel Brand with as Many as 100 Distinct Properties; Plan to Radically Rethink the

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Marriott International Partnering with Ian Schrager to Create a New Hotel Brand with as Many as 100 Distinct Properties Plan to Radically Rethink the Boutique Hotel Concept WASHINGTON and NEW YORK, June 14, 2007 - Marriott International, Inc., (NYSE: MAR) is partnering with Ian Schrager, who invented the concept of the boutique hotel 23 years ago, to create a new brand of as many as 100 hotels that will combine the personal, intimate, individualized and unique lodging experience that Mr. Schrager created with Marriott's operational expertise on a global scale. According to J.W. Marriott, Jr.,...

San Jose Hoteliers, Convention and Visitors Bureau Execs and City Reps Converge on New York and Chicago to Promote San Jose / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report San Jose Hoteliers, Convention and Visitors Bureau Execs and City Reps Converge on New York and Chicago to Promote San Jose SAN JOSE, CA (June 19, 2007) —Nearly 20 San Jose hoteliers, convention and visitors bureau sales staff and City representatives are converging on New York and Chicago this week to promote San Jose as a premier meeting destination to meeting planners and media. “We’re in New York and Chicago this week promoting San Jose’s innovative one-stop shopping program for meeting planners and the fact that offer a fun and exciting destination to explore beyond business,” said D...

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report HSMAI’s Hotel Directors of Sales & Marketing Special Interest Group Planning Hotel Sales Strategy Conference in Washington DC on September 4, 2007  Social Media, Voice of the Customer and E-Commerce Among Timely Topics at First Annual Event MCLEAN, VA (June 14, 2007) – Innovations in sales leadership, e-commerce for sales and marketers, a “voice of the customer” panel discussion, and a special report on “Social Media and Travel” will highlight the first annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Hotel Sales Strategy Conference in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday,...

Sabre Holdings Acquires E-site Marketing to Build on Comprehensive Hospitality Offerings; Award winning internet marketing company to complement SynXi

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report  Sabre Holdings Acquires E-site Marketing to Build on Comprehensive Hospitality Offerings . Award winning internet marketing company to complement SynXis RedX distribution management system SOUTHLAKE, Texas and BETHESDA, Maryland - June 5, 2007 - Sabre Holdings, announced today that it has acquired E-site Marketing, the premier internet marketing company specializing in online business solutions exclusively for the hospitality industry.  By combining industry-leading Internet marketing and distribution products and services, E-Site Marketing and SynXis will create an unmatched online offe...

How American-Owned Can You Get?, ISHC's CapEx 2007 Report, The Bowery Hotel / Stanley Turkel / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 29 .. How American-Owned Can You Get?, ISHC’s CapEx 2007 Report, The Bowery Hotel, By the Numbers, Quote of the Month By Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC June 2007   1.  How American-Owned Can You Get? Shilo Inns generously makes donations to private and public schools and prides itself in being committed to its communities.  With this admirable attitude toward its fellow citizens, how can it be so wrong-headed in its advertising slogan, “American Owned and Proud of It”?  Does Shilo require a loyalty oath from its employees, franchisees or guests?  Or is ...

ResortQuest Hawaii Appoints Sharon McAuliffe as Senior Director of E-Commerce / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report ResortQuest Hawaii Appoints Sharon McAuliffe as Senior Director of E-Commerce HONOLULU, HI (April 30, 2007) –ResortQuest Hawaii has appointed Sharon McAuliffe as Senior Director of E-Commerce. She will join that company on May 16 to oversee electronic distribution strategy for ResortQuest Hawaii’s 26 properties and to lead the expansion of the E-Commerce division. McAuliffe most recently served as the Director of E-Commerce for Castle Resorts & Hotels. She also served as Director of E-Distribution for Pacific Valley Investors Hotel Group where she created and implemented the electronic distr...

Intercrew Systems Proudly Announces the Appointment of Industry Veteran Scott Dahl to the Office of President and CEO / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Intercrew Systems Proudly Announces the Appointment of Industry Veteran Scott Dahl to the Office of President and CEO June 12, 2007  -  Intercrew Systems, a leading supplier of Revenue Management software and expertise to the hotel industry, announced today that Scott Dahl has joined the company as President and CEO. A 22 year veteran of the hotel industry, Dahl spent the last five years successfully guiding Sunstone Hotel’s top line success as SVP of Revenue Management.  He has held similar positions with both Interstate Hotels and Lodgian during his total of eleven years ...

Stan Brown Selected as the New Executive Vice President and COO of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality / June 2007

February 28, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Stan Brown Selected as the New Executive Vice President and COO of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality      BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 25, 2007 - Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced today that Stan Brown has been selected as the new executive vice president and chief operating officer of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality. Brown will oversee and direct the company's entire lodging and hospitality division, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz. Brown will start his new position on August 20, 2007, and will office in the company's new corporate headquarters in Broomfield...