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Why Are Bill Gates and a Saudi Prince Buying Four Seasons Hotels Now? / Jim Butler / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Why Are Bill Gates and a Saudi Prince Buying Four Seasons Hotels Now? By Jim Butler, Hotel Lawyer | Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com February 15, 2007 Another milestone has been laid. The Board of Directors of Four Seasons Hotels Inc. a public company has formally accepted a $3.4 billion ($82 per share) purchase offer which surfaced on November 6, 2006 by a group of investors whose principals include Bill Gates, the Prince, and Isadore Sharpe, CEO of Four Seasons. It's a fascinating deal! But what does it really mean? The transaction Now only shareholder approval, expect...
Legacy Hotels REIT Acquires the Fee Interest in the 310 room Delta Beausejour, Moncton, New Brunswick for Approximately $21.2 million / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online Special Report Legacy Hotels REIT Acquires the Fee Interest in the 310 room Delta Beausejour, Moncton, New Brunswick for Approximately $21.2 million . FEB 12, 2007 - TORONTO, ONTARIO- Feb. 12, 2007) - Legacy Hotels Real Estate Investment Trust ("Legacy")(TSX:LGY.UN) today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the fee interest in the 310-room Delta Beausejour in Moncton, New Brunswick for approximately $21.2 million plus closing costs. Legacy currently owns the leasehold interest in the property, which expires in 2015. Legacy expects to invest approximately $6.0 million in the ...
Future Baltimore Convention Bookings Decline: Drop in Bookings Comes as City Financed $301 million Hotel with 757 Rooms Nears Opening / February 200
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive By Sumathi Reddy, The Baltimore SunMcClatchy-Tribune Business News Feb. 10, 2007 - Despite a publicly financed Hilton convention hotel set to open next year, Baltimore's major convention business appears to be declining, prompting concern among officials for the city's investment. Numbers released yesterday show that the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association has booked for 2008 a little more than a third the number of groups that it did in 2005, grim figures for a business in which groups usually book five to 10 ye...
Brian Stapleton Named Director of Culinary Standards for ARAMARK Harrison Lodging / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Brian Stapleton Named Director of Culinary Standards for ARAMARK Harrison Lodging CHAPEL HILL February 2, 2007 - Brian Stapleton, executive chef at The Carolina Inn since 1999, has been named to the new position of Director of Culinary Standards for ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, the company that manages the Inn and 16 other resorts, conference centers and parks around the country. This exciting opportunity for Brian is the result of the amazing job he has been doing here at The Carolina Inn for the past seven and a half years, said Creston Woods, the Inns general manage...
Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels Appoints Bill Green the 2007 Marketing Committee Chairman / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels Appoints Bill Green the 2007 Marketing Committee Chairman LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Feb. 22, 2007 The Hotel Plaza Association, the governing body for the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels ( www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com ), a consortium of seven hotels in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., recently appointed Bill Green as the 2007 chairman of its marketing committee. Green, the director of sales and marketing at the Royal Plaza in the Walt Disney World® Resort, will serve a one-year term as head of the marketing committee. The marketing committ...
Benchmark Appoints Bryan Forsythe as Director of Operations for Virginia Crossings Resort in Richmond, Virginia / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Benchmark Appoints Bryan Forsythe as Director of Operations for Virginia Crossings Resort in Richmond, Virginia The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2007 ...Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed Bryan Forsythe as director of operations for Virginia Crossings Resort, located in Richmond, Virginia. Tom Cupo, Benchmark's general manager for the resort made the announcement. "It is my pleasure to welcome Bryan to Virginia Crossings," stated Mr. Cupo. "He brings important operational experience to his new role as well as extensive knowledge of food & beverage and...
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online Special Report Aztec Group, Inc. Arranges the $79 Million Sale of Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys Miami, Florida -- Aztec Group, Inc., Florida's leading real estate investment and merchant banking firm based in Miami, is pleased to announce that Aztec has arranged the sale of Hawks Cay Resort, located at Mile Marker 61 on Duck Key, Florida. . . Hawks Cay Resort, the largest resort in the Florida Keys, was originally built in 1959 and is located on 59 acres. The property currently features a 177-room hotel, 297 privately-owned guest villas, six food & beverage outlets, a 25,000-square foot con...
Broadreach Capital Partners Acquires Majority Ownership of the 329 room Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad, California / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online Special Report Broadreach Capital Partners Acquires Majority Ownership of the 329 room Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad, California Palo Alto, CA -- February 7, 2007 -- Broadreach Capital Partners has acquired a majority ownership of the Four Seasons Resort Aviara from Aviara Resort Associates, a private investment partnership. The investment represents a recapitalization of the existing ownership structure in joint venture with Maritz, Wolff & Co, who will remain an active stakeholder. Completed in 1998, Aviara contains 329 rooms & suites, an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, a 15,000 squa...
Average Hotel Market Up-Cycle Lasts Almost Seven Years; 11 Years in the Case of Dallas and Houston / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online Special Report Average Hotel Market Up-Cycle Lasts Almost Seven Years; 11 Years in the Case of Dallas and Houston NEW YORK, February 14, 2007 - The average hotel market up-cycle lasts 6.7 years according to the results of a study conducted by Hotel Investment Strategies LLC, a lodging investment advisory firm based in New York. The Principal of the firm, Mr. Ross Woods, said that the study of 50 full-service hotel markets over the past twenty years revealed that the up-cycle has varied between 3 years in the case of Indianapolis and Honolulu to 11 years in the case of Dallas and Houston but averag...
Big Picture Results for Revenue Management / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Big Picture Results for Revenue Management San Diego, CA, February 19, 2007 - The nations first web shopping service, The Avalon Report, www.avalonreport.com, has completed a two year process of research and development by successfully transitioning its comprehensive shopping service to a web enabled format. Founded in 2001, the Avalon Report now delivers subscriber and competitor information, including rates, page placement, page position, photography, web screens, traveler reviews and competitive threat analysis, from any computer in the world, 24/7. Its an entirely new...
Aspen Kiosks Offer Attractive Option to Harried Travelers Tired of Long Lines; VSi's stylish computer-access kiosks help improve guest service an
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Aspen Kiosks Offer Attractive Option to Harried Travelers Tired of Long Lines . VSis stylish computer-access kiosks help improve guest service and increase guest satisfaction by offering quick access to boarding-pass printing, Internet use SUNNYVALE, CALIF. FEBRUARY 15, 2007 Hoteliers can now provide their patrons with a compact, stylish computer-access kiosk that can streamline guest service by freeing up employees to help guests who require more personal services. Vertical Systems Inc. (VSi), a global leader in providing guest-services technology and solutions to...
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive City of Anchorage and CVB Develop New Brand Anchorage Big Wild Life; Effort Took $80,000 and Two Ad Firms ANCHORAGE Feb. 1, 2007 - After a year of development, a new Anchorage brand designed to appeal to residents, visitors and the business community was unveiled today before a crowd of more than 1,000 Anchorage civic and business leaders. The brand, Anchorage Big Wild Life, seeks to express the unique, larger-than-life lifestyle of Anchorage residents. Whether skiing the Coastal Trail on a lunch hour, summer fishing for wild Alaska salmon at Ship Creek, hi...
Oxford Lodging Removes Crowne Plaza Brand Affiliation from Chicago’s Historic Allerton Hotel; Returns the 443 room Property to Independent Sta
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online Special Report Oxford Lodging Removes Crowne Plaza Brand Affiliation from Chicago’s Historic Allerton Hotel; Returns the 443 room Property to Independent Status . CHICAGO--February 6, 2007--The 443-room Allerton Crowne Plaza Chicago, the historical landmark-designated 1922-24 Chicago property that helped spur the redevelopment of North Michigan Avenue into the city’s Magnificent Mile, has shed its Crowne Plaza affiliation to return to its status as one of Chicago’s legendary independent hotels, the property’s new owners announced today. Rechristened today as The Allerton Hotel ...
American Nevada Co. and Station Casinos Breakground on the $600 million Aliante Station Casino and Resort, in North Las Vegas / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive By Arnold M. Knightly, Las Vegas Review-JournalMcClatchy-Tribune Business News Feb. 23, 2007 - When developers first approached North Las Vegas officials about including a casino in the Aliante master-planned community, the reception was lukewarm at best. "Five years ago when they first started planning Aliante, when they said they wanted a casino, my initial reaction was no," said North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon. "It took a lot of lobbying and effort to convince me that it is a good part of the community. Apparently, t...
Ron Strecker Named Chief Financial Officer for the Al J. Schneider Company, an Owner of Hotels in Louisville, Kentucky / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online Special Report Ron Strecker Named Chief Financial Officer for the Al J. Schneider Company, an Owner of Hotels in Louisville, Kentucky LOUISVILLE, KY (January 11, 2007) The Al J. Schneider Company, Louisvilles largest owner- operator of hotels with real estate and lumber divisions, announces the appointment of Ron Strecker to the position of Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. The Al J. Schneider Company owns and operates the Galt House Hotel & Suites, Executive Inn, Executive West, Waterfront Plaza, One Riverfront Plaza and Home Lumber Supply. In the newly created position, Strecker wil...
The World of Accor Trade Expo Grows to 14 Destinations in 2007 / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive The World of Accor Trade Expo Grows to 14 Destinations in 2007 Expo Comes to U.S. for First Time as Tourism in the Asia Pacific Region Reaches Record Numbers and Accor Expands Rapidly Carrollton, TX (February 28, 2007) - Accor has expanded its annual World of Accor trade expo to 14 destinations this year, making it the largest-ever travel expo staged by any hotel company in the Asia Pacific region. Coinciding with the increase in U.S. tourism to China, the expo comes to the U.S. for the first time in its history on March 27, 2007 at Sofitels newest North American flags...
Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Amanda Hawkins-Vogel Director of Operations for West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden Springs, Indiana / February 2007
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Amanda Hawkins-Vogel Director of Operations for West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden Springs, Indiana The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 15, 2007 - Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Amanda Hawkins-Vogel as director of operations for West Baden Springs Hotel. The historic property, located in West Baden Springs, Indiana, is being comprehensively renovated after being closed since 1932. It will reopen in June 2007. The West Baden Springs Hotel is part of the French Lick Resort Casino of French Lick, I...
ARAMARK Harrison Lodging Funds Study to Track Industry Trends and Developments; Study conducted by PhoCusWright, Inc. projects $10.9 billion industry
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online Special Report ARAMARK Harrison Lodging Funds Study to Track Industry Trends and Developments . Study conducted by PhoCusWright, Inc. projects $10.9 billion industry growth in 2007 PHILADELPHIA (February 22, 2006) ARAMARK Harrison Lodging (AHL), a leader in the conference and corporate training centers industry, helped to fund the first-ever market research analysis focusing on tracking and reporting online behavior and trends and opportunities in the groups, meetings and corporate industries. The study, conducted by PhoCusWright Inc., an independent travel, tourism and hospitality research firm, prese...
The Caribbean Has Much to Gain from the Development of the Niche Market, Sport Tourism; Sports Tourism Expert Andrew Preece to Address the 9th Annual
January 30, 2007
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive The Caribbean Has Much to Gain from the Development of the Niche Market, Sport Tourism . Sports Tourism Expert Andrew Preece to Address the 9th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, May 21-24, 2007, Cayman Islands BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Feb 20, 2007) The Caribbean has much to gain by developing its sport tourism potential, an expert in this field has said. There are considerable economic, sport and community benefits to be gained through developing the niche market that is sport tourism, said Andrew Preece, a director of the consultancy fi...
Visual One Win the Battle for Hastings / October 2006
April 30, 2006
Hotel Online Special Report Visual One Win the "Battle for Hastings" October 18, 2006 - Visual One are delighted to announce that Hastings Hotels have signed with Visual One Systems for the supply of their Property Management and Sales & Catering systems for their six properties, plus the Visual One Central Reservations system. Hastings Hotels, based in Northern Ireland are an independent, locally owned group, whose hotels include the 5 star Culloden Estate & Spa, the World famous Europa and the contemporary Stormont Hotels in Belfast, as well as the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Co Down, the Ballygally Castle on the...
Visual One Systems Purchases GolfPro, Inc; Merger replaces exclusive distributorship / October 2006
April 30, 2006
Hotel Online Special Report Visual One Systems Purchases GolfPro, Inc. . Merger replaces exclusive distributorship FREDERICK, MD (USA) October 10, 2006 Visual One Systems Corporation, a supplier of management software to the hospitality industry since 1977, has acquired the GolfPro company after years of being the exclusive distributor of GolfPro®s software systems. Many of the top golf courses in the world, including Pinehurst in North Carolina, Bandon Dunes in Oregon, Shingle Creek in Florida, Kapalua in Hawaii, and Doonbeg in Ireland, use the GolfPro® software. "Though weve had a great relationship wi...
Vikram Sood Named General Manager of The Grand Del Mar in North San Diego County / October 2006
April 30, 2006
Hotel Online Special Report Vikram Sood Named General Manager of The Grand Del Mar in North San Diego County SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 17, 2006) -- The newest member of a growing team of seasoned hotel professionals, Vikram Sood has been named general manager of The Grand Del Mar, a luxurious new resort now under construction in North San Diego County and slated for completion in fall 2007. As general manager, Sood will oversee all day-to-day operations for the much-anticipated 261-room property, which is owned and operated by Manchester Grand Resorts. Situated amidst the striking fairways of the 7,160-yard, par-72 G...
Is This the Time to Sell Your Economy Hotel? / October 2006
April 30, 2006
Hotel Online Special Report Is This the Time to Sell Your Economy Hotel? by: John Keeling, October 2006 There is no doubt that hotels are hot commodities today. Buyers are coming out of the woodwork to become first time buyers of hotels. Cap rates are lower and room revenue multipliers are higher than at any time in the history of the hotel industry. The full-service upscale hotels are getting most of the attention but what about the economy sector? The following table compares the performance of economy properties with less than a $50 average room rate. . Year All Hotels Occupancy Limited Service Hotels Occupancy ...
Swinscoe Spa Consultants Opens Offices in Scottsdale, AZ / October 2006
April 30, 2006
Hotel Online Special Report Swinscoe Spa Consultants Opens Offices in Scottsdale, AZ . Scottsdale AZ - Swinscoe Spa Consultants, a leading-edge, full-service spa and wellness facilities consulting firm founded in British Columbia, Canada, has opened offices in Scottsdale, AZ, to meet the growing demand for their services in the USA. The company provides expert analysis, design development and implementation of spa and wellness products and services with a long list of successful consulting references in their portfolio. Catherine Swinscoe, consultant and founder with over 25 years experience in the industry, is re...
