February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report The Knowland Group Begins Service in Colorado Springs, Colorado . Market Intelligence Firm Continues Expansion – Offers Group Sales Leads in Key City for the Aerospace Industry Washington, DC (April 28, 2006)—The Knowland Group announced today that it has begun service in the Colorado Springs, Colorado market.  This next step in the company’s expansion marks yet another exciting move for The Knowland Group, which has garnered a nation-wide presence in the hotel group sales sector. Colorado Springs, home of the U.S. Air Force Academy, inspired Katharine Lee Bates to compose "America the B...

The Knowland Group Begins Service in Annapolis and Colombia, Maryland / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report The Knowland Group Begins Service in Annapolis and Colombia, Maryland . Market Intelligence Firm Solidifies Its Presence in Maryland With Coverage of Hotels in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Suburban Washington DC, Annapolis and Columbia Maryland Washington, DC (May 9, 2006) — The Knowland Group announced today that it has begun service in the Annapolis and Columbia Maryland markets.  The latest development in the company’s growth is a significant step for The Knowland Group, a nation-wide provider of market intelligence to the hotel group sales sector. Both Annapolis and Colombia are centra...

Host Hotels & Resorts to Acquire The 732 room Westin Kierland Resort & Spa for $393 Million / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Host Hotels & Resorts to Acquire The 732 room Westin Kierland Resort & Spa for $393 Million  May 22, 2006 - Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, from The Kierland Resort Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company comprising affiliates of Woodbine Development Corporation of Dallas, TX, the Herberger Interests of Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., of Anchorage, AK, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. of White Plains, NY. The resort, which opened in...

KSL Capital Partners to Acquire the Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa from Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. for $56.0 million; Plans a $30 milli

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  KSL Capital Partners to Acquire the Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa from Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. for $56.0 million;  Plans a $30 million Renovation LA QUINTA, Calif. - May 10, 2006 -- KSL Capital Partners (KSLCP) has announced an agreement to acquire the Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa from Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:BEE)  In addition to the $56.0 million purchase price (excluding customary closing adjustments and transaction costs), KSLCP plans a $30 million renovation and upgrade to the existing resort over the first 24 months following ...

KSL's Proposed Construction of a Condominium-Hotel in Encinitas, CA Facing Unique Project Fees, Restrictions / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Adam Kaye, North County Times, Escondido, Calif. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 7, 2006 - ENCINITAS ---- Construction of a luxury condominium-hotel on an Encinitas bluff will begin in 2007 despite a $220,000 fee, an order never to build sea walls, and other restrictions proposed by the state Coastal Commission, a resort spokesman said last week. Doug Yavanian of KSL Encinitas Resort Co. said that company officials are scrutinizing the demands contained in a report headed to the commission for a vote Wednesda...

Kaaren Hamilton Named Sales Manager at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Kaaren Hamilton Named Sales Manager at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson Jersey City, NJ, May 19, 2006---Kaaren Hamilton has been named Sales Manager at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson.  The hotels General Manager, Andrew Davidson, announced the appointment of the industry veteran, who brings more than 20 years experience in hotel and conference center management to her new position.   An honors graduate of the University of Surrey in England, Ms. Hamilton worked at two of Britains leading properties: the noted Westbury Hotel on New Bond Street in London and at Pennyhi...

The Cordish Company Wants to Attract a W Hotel to Proposed Entertainment District in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Kevin Collison, The Kansas City Star, Mo. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 5, 2006 - Kansas City will contribute $13 million to renovate the Empire and the Midland theaters, and the Cordish Co. is seeking a new contractor to redevelop the old Jones Store block. New details about the downtown entertainment district emerged this week when what were described as the last important development amendments were signed by the city and Cordish. The documents clear the way for a scheduled June 19 sale of $295 mi...

Benchmark Appoints Keith Battaglia Director of Sales & Marketing For Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Benchmark Appoints Keith Battaglia Director of Sales & Marketing For Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2006 - Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Keith Battaglia as director of sales & marketing for Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center, located in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York.  Sean McLaughlin, general manager of the property, made the announcement. "Keith has a highly distinguished record with Benchmark Hospitality, including a period that he worked for the company's properties in Manhattan," state...

Jewish Resorts Thrived for Decades Around the U.S.; The Ethnic Specific Vacation Became a Casualty of Air-conditioning, Air Travel and Assimilation

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Bonnie Miller Rubin, Chicago Tribune Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 29, 2006 - Sheila Fidelman may be in her eighth decade, but she remembers her days in the hospitality business with laser-sharp clarity. The food. The fashions. The nightly floor shows, where guests danced to big-name bands. "It was just a glorious, gracious time," said Fidelman, whose last name was synonymous with a celebrated resort in South Haven, Mich., which proudly touted itself as the "Catskills of the Midwest." Every Memorial D...

Shaping the Future of High-end Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is The Qasr Al Sharq, a 46 suite Hotel Adjacent to the Jeddah Hilton and Managed

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Shaping the Future of High-end Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is The Qasr Al Sharq, a 46 suite Hotel Adjacent to the Jeddah Hilton and Managed by Hilton International Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 26, 2006: Hilton International’s first ever palace hotel is set to open on May 15th and promises discerning travellers unmatched levels of luxury, exclusivity and Arabian hospitality.    Conveniently located adjacent to the Jeddah Hilton, the 46 all-suite premier property is set to re-define the booming tourism and hospitality sectors in Saudi Arabia, with a host of first-ever...

Using Fraudulent Hotel Appraisals to Scam $67 million from JP Morgan Chase Gets 3 and 5 Year Prison Terms for Two Former Hoteliers / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Pedro Ruz Gutierrez, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 20, 2006 - A federal judge Friday sentenced two South Florida investors to three and five years in prison, respectively, for their roles in a $67 million loan scheme to finance hotels by defrauding lenders. U.S. District Court Judge Anne Conway gave Terry Singh Mughar, 47, a five-year prison term and ordered the Miami-Dade resident to repay nearly $40 million in restitution to JP Morgan Chase. Conway sentenced Jason Madow, 36, of...

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  John Neutze Appointed Director of Business Development for Hilton’s National Sales Office – Thailand 22 May 2006, Thailand & Singapore… Hilton International today announced the appointment of John Neutze as Director of Business Development for Hilton’s National Sales Office – Thailand.    Based in Bangkok, Neutze will be responsible for driving and growing inbound leisure and MICE business to the Hilton Family of hotels in Thailand.  These include Millennium Hilton Bangkok, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa and Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa.   Prior to assuming his p...

La Quinta Hotels Promotes Jim Mitchell to Executive Vice President Information Technology / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report   La Quinta Hotels Promotes Jim Mitchell to Executive Vice President Information Technology Dallas (May 16, 2006) – La Quinta hotels announce the promotion of Jim Mitchell to Executive Vice President Information Technology reporting to Wayne Goldberg, La Quinta’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  He will have responsibility for all areas of the Company’s information systems.  Prior to this promotion, Mr. Mitchell was the Vice President of Business Solutions for the Company. “With an aggressive growth strategy in place, it is vital that our information systems are not...

Jim Metzger Named General Manager for Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Jim Metzger Named General Manager for Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio  MADISON, Wis. - -- May 1, 2006 -- Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.(R) (Madison, Wis.), America's largest developer of indoor waterpark resorts, has named Jim Metzger general manager for the company's eighth Great Wolf Lodge resort, under construction in Mason, Ohio.  Metzger will be responsible for the successful operation of the 401, all-suite, northwoods-themed family resort, scheduled to open this fall in Mason, Ohio.  Metzger has a wealth of management and operational experience including over 20 years of experience in the...

John Meeske Named Chief Executive Officer for Myriad Entertainment and Resorts, Inc., Developers for a Planned $1.9 billion Casino Resort in Tunica, M

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report John Meeske Named Chief Executive Officer for Myriad Entertainment and Resorts, Inc.,  Developers for a Planned $1.9 billion Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi EDMONTON, Alberta - May 16, 2006 -- John Meeske has agreed to serve as the Chief Executive Officer for Myriad Entertainment and Resorts, Inc. ("Myriad") (OTCBB:MYRA). Myriad is an emerging destination development and management company with current focus on the development of a planned $1.9 billion casino/resort in Tunica, Mississippi.  Mr. Meeske will begin his posting as Myriad's CEO on July 1, 2006. Scott Hawrelechko, current CEO...

Big Tribute Planned for John Marks, the Retiring President of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau; Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Big Tribute Planned for John Marks, the Retiring President of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau . Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Called Marks  "the Best CVB CEO in the Country - Bar None"   June 2 Tribute "On The Grass, Under The Stars" to Feature Many Special Guests May 3, 2006 - In honor of John A. Marks' 19 years selling "Everybody's Favorite City," a "Thank You John" evening is being planned for Friday, June 2, at AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza.   All proceeds will benefit the SFCVB Education & Research Foundation, a 501[c]3 organization.Â...

Joe Dantoni Appointed General Manager The Lodge at Woodloch, Hawley, Pennsylvania / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Joe Dantoni Appointed General Manager at The Lodge at Woodloch, Hawley, Pennsylvania HAWLEY, PA – April 20, 2006 – The Lodge at Woodloch, set to make its debut in June 2006 as the first full-service destination spa to open in the U.S. in over a decade, is proud to announce Joe Dantoni as General Manager.  He delivers more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience combined with a successful track record of operational strength and leadership.   “We are delighted to have Joe as part of our team.  We are confident that under his stewardship, The Lodge at Woodloch will offer the highes...

Former Disney Executives Take Over Palace Entertainment, Operator of 32 Water Parks and Amusement Centers in the U.S. / Sandi Cain / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Former Disney Executives Take Over Palace Entertainment, Operator of 32 Water Parks and Amusement Centers in the U.S. By Sandi Cain - Orange County Business Journal Staff  May 2006 John Cora and a team of former Walt Disney Co. veterans are looking to bring some Mouse to Raging Waters, Boomers and other parks that are part of Palace Entertainment Inc. Cora, who worked at Disney for 25 years and led operations for the Disneyland Resort expansion earlier this decade, has taken over Newport Beach-based Palace Entertainment.  Orange-based VisionMaker LLC, owned by Cora and Daniel Martinez, boug...

Right Man, Right Time: Denis Ivosevic – the Head of Tourism for Istria, Croatia / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Right Man, Right Time: Denis Ivosevic -  the Head of Tourism for Istria, Croatia Istria’s No Pushover! by Barry Napier, May 2006   Right Man, Right Time Denis Ivoševic is a trendy bachelor living in Novigrad, Croatia, and Head of Tourism for Istria, the most developed tourist area in Croatia. He is also Istria’s man of vision. Denis is very confident and yet displays a disarming humility. Though an advocate of living life well without stress, he ardently rejects the Croatian notion of ‘polako’. “We don’t take it easy here,” he insists with good humour, ”We work very hard to mak...

Rustic Cuisine of Istria, Croatia; Family Owned Restaurant Hotel Provides Immense Pleasure / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  Rustic Cuisine of Istria, Croatia - Family Owned Restaurant-Hotel Provides Immense Pleasure by Barry Napier May 2006 - Istria, the north-western region of Croatia, is nothing less than stunning. All real travellers want to find that hidden gem…and Croatia is just that.  Croatia is rated the fourth best tourism destination in the world, and top destination in Europe. In 2005 Istria had 2.6 million visitors, accounting for 37% of all Croatian tourism. Istria is determined to retain everything that makes Istria unique, including its ‘hinterland’ or central area, with its bea...

Istithmar Hotels, based in the United Arab Emirates, Signs Master Franchise Agreement with easyHotel Limited to Open a Chain of Budget Hotels Across

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive Middle East and North Africa Business Report, Amman, Jordan Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 1, 2006 - Istithmar Hotels, a subsidiary of Istithmar PJSC -- an international investment house based in the United Arab Emirates, has signed a Master Franchise Agreement with easyHotel Limited to open a chain of budget hotels across Middle East, North Africa, India and Pakistan. It recently announced its plans to open eight new budget hotels across major metropolitan cities in India over the next four years. easyHotel.com, a hou...

The 80-villa InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa on Bora Bora Providing New Dimensions to Ecotourism, Escape and Wellness; Over the Water Villas

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report  The 80-villa InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa on Bora Bora Providing New Dimensions to Ecotourism, Escape and Wellness Over the Water Villas Air-Conditioned by Deep-Drawn Seawater May 1, 2006 - The 80-villa InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa will make a soft opening on Bora Bora starting May 1 as French Polynesia’s first 21st Century hotel. And from all indications, the world appears ready for this revolutionary accommodation that takes the nearly 60-year-old hotel industry in Tahiti and Her Islands to a new, pathfinding level never before imagined. . . 10,000 Villa Night...

InfoGenesis Teams Up With Leading Companies to Form Innovative Relationship; Unique Offering Provides An Integrated Solution Suite For Gaming Industry

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report   InfoGenesis Teams Up With Leading Companies to Form Innovative Relationship . Unique Offering Provides An Integrated Solution Suite For Gaming Industry  Santa Barbara, CA (May 2, 2006) – InfoGenesis, one of the countries leading hospitality technology companies, is bringing its award-winning technology to an innovative relationship designed to change the technology landscape of the gaming industry. InfoGenesis will work with IBM, Bally Technologies, Agilysis and SSA Global, to produce an integrated solution suite anchored on IBM's "all-in-one" System i business computing solution.  It ...

Leslie Power Named GM and Rene Hampton DOS at the 95 room Hotel Indigo Sarasota / May 2006

February 28, 2006

Hotel Online  Special Report Leslie Power Named GM and Rene Hampton DOS at the 95 room Hotel Indigo Sarasota ATLANTA (May 17, 2006) – InterContinental Hotels Group announced today the appointments of Leslie (Fullen) Power, general manager, Hotel Indigo Sarasota and Rene Hampton, director of sales, Hotel Indigo Sarasota. Hotel Indigo Sarasota will be the brand’s seventh property to open, planned for later this year. “With more than 20 years of combined hotel experience, Leslie and Rene have the necessary operational skills, personalities and enthusiasm that personify the essence of the brand,” said Jim Anhut, senior vic...