Heathrow Hotel Market Gets Boost from British Airways Labor Problems / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Heathrow Hotel Market Gets Boost from British Airway's Labor Problems September 21, 2005 - The strike by Gate Gourmet, the catering supplier of British Airways (BA), in August and the subsequent walk out of BA’s ground staff, helped boost the performance of hotels in the Heathrow area by over 50%.  Using data from our newly launched service Daily HotelBenchmark™ by Deloitte, we examine the impact the strike had on the Heathrow hotel market not just on the major days of the strike but also throughout the whole month of August. What a big difference a few days in August makes Heathrow is the ...

Developers of the The Harrick, a 138 unit Condominium Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida Select Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, as Operator / Sep

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Developers of the The Harrick, a 138 unit Condominium Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida Select Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, as Operator   WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 15, 2005 - The Harrick, a Manhattan-styled luxury all-suite boutique hotel in West Palm Beach, has announced it has selected Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, the innovative boutique hotel operator, as Manager of the hotel and restaurant.  Kimpton owns or manages 39 boutique hotels and restaurants in 17 cities across the U.S. “We’re thrilled to be working with Kimpton, as their reputation is stellar and they’re...

Harrah's Stepping Up Efforts to Help 8,000 Harrah's Employees; Opens Gulfport Assistance Center with On-site Primary Health Care Services /

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Harrah's Stepping Up Efforts to Help 8,000 Harrah's Employees; Opens Gulfport Assistance Center with On-site Primary Health Care Services LAS VEGAS, Sept. 8, 2005 - Stepping up efforts to help nearly 8,000 Harrah's employees begin the process of recovery from Hurricane Katrina, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) announced the opening of the Harrah's Gulf Coast Region Assistance Center today in Gulfport, Miss.      The center, located at 11975 Seaway Road in Gulfport, is a resource for employees of Harrah's three Gulf Region properties displaced by Hurricane Katrina.  Available se...

Harrah's Takes Additional Steps to Bolster Relief Efforts for its 8,000 Employees in Biloxi, Gulfport, and New Orleans / September 5, 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Harrah's Takes Additional Steps to Bolster Relief Efforts for its 8,000 Employees in Biloxi, Gulfport, and New Orleans LAS VEGAS, Sept. 2, 2005 - With its first Hurricane Katrina relief effort priority being the health and well-being of the nearly 8,000 members of the Harrah's family of employees living in the Biloxi, Gulfport, and New Orleans areas, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) today launched the Harrah's Employee Relief Hotline. Harrah's is asking all displaced employees to call the toll-free number so they can be accounted for, and so they can be directed to relief services. Th...

Hamister Hospitality Group Acquires the Sleep Inn in Louisville, Kentucky / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hamister Hospitality Group Acquires the Sleep Inn in Louisville, Kentucky Williamsville, N.Y. – September 21, 2005  - Hamister Hospitality Group, LLC is pleased to announce the purchase of its second hotel in the last thirty days, the Sleep Inn located at 3330 Preston Highway, Gate 6 at the State Fairgrounds, in Louisville, Kentucky.   In making the announcement, Mark E. Hamister, Chairman and CEO of the hotel’s management company, The Hamister Group, Inc. said that “our commitment to this market includes an important element of our Company’s Vision --- that is to exceed  our custome...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Speranza Forms Hospitality Talent Scouts, Inc.; Executive Search and Consulting Firm to Provide “Key People” Services NEW YORK, N.Y., September 12, 2005 — Hospitality veteran Frank Speranza today announced the formation of Hospitality Talent Scouts, Inc. (HTS), an executive search and consulting firm.  Headquartered in New York City, the firm will provide a broad array of services to the hospitality industry. “Good talent is always hard to find and attract,” said Speranza, HTS CEO.  “With the hotel economy in a robust rebound, we predict that people will be the number one issue facin...

HSMAI Foundation Awards Four Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Scholarships to Ambitious Students of Hospitality / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report HSMAI Foundation Awards Four Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Scholarships to Ambitious Students of Hospitality MCLEAN, VA (Sept. 7, 2005) – The winners of this year’s Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Foundation scholarships are an ambitious group of individuals with impressive backgrounds and work history in the realm of hospitality and travel.     For 2005, HSMAI is awarding three Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Scholarships to full-time students and one Scholarship to a part-time student; all are HSMAI student members.  The scholarships are made possible b...

Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International 2005/2006 Event Calendar / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International 2005/2006 Event Calendar MCLEAN, VA (Sept. 29, 2005) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will present a comprehensive line-up of industry events and programs throughout the year, delivering educational sessions and strategy conferences as well as business-to-business forums for buyers and suppliers of hospitality, travel and tourism.   HSMAI events are invaluable for sales and marketing professionals looking to hone their skills, network with customers and stay abreast of industry changes.  Followin...

Hilton Hotels Corporation Updates Status of Hotels Affected by Hurricane Katrina; Hilton New Orleans Riverside is Partially Operational and is Housing

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hilton Hotels Corporation Updates Status of Hotels Affected by Hurricane Katrina;  Hilton New Orleans Riverside is Partially Operational and is Housing Relief Workers BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Sept. 19, 2005--Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT - News) continues to monitor the status of Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  "As the clean-up and rebuilding efforts begin in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, our thoughts and best wishes continue to be with those who have...

Cushman & Wakefield Completes Jacksonville Hotel Transaction / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Cushman & Wakefield Completes Jacksonville Hotel Transaction NEW YORK - Sept. 20, 2005 - Cushman & Wakefield, the world's largest privately held real estate services firm, today announced the sale of the 249-key Holiday Inn Baymeadows in Jacksonville, FL. The Hotel Transactions Group of Cushman & Wakefield acted as transaction advisor in the sale, with assistance from locally based Commercial Jacksonville, a Cushman & Wakefield Alliance office. Cushman & Wakefield represented the seller, Connor Hospitality Ltd., in the transaction, which closed on September 15, 2005. "This asset generated sign...

HFTP Annual Convention & Tradeshow Set For Myrtle Beach, S.C. Oct 26-29, 2005 / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report HFTP Annual Convention & Tradeshow Set For Myrtle Beach, S.C. Oct 26-29, 2005 Sold-out Hotel Forecasts Good Attendance AUSTIN, TEXAS; September 27, 2005 * The sold-out status of the host hotel for the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Annual Convention & Tradeshow is a strong sign that the popular convention will be well-attended. As of yesterday, there were no rooms available at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where the convention and tradeshow will take place. This year's room block is the largest set aside in the hi...

Hotel Financial Strategies Finances NumerousProjects Totaling $175,000,000 / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hotel Financial Strategies Finances Numerous Projects Totaling $175,000,000 BEVERLY HILLS, CA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2005:  Hotel Financial Strategies (HFS) is pleased to announce the start of the fall season with the financing of projects totaling $175,000,000.  The most unique of which is the historic Bedford Springs in Pennsylvania.  This wonderful Victorian property was originally built in 1829.  It was the host to Presidents and dignitaries from around the world.  When the property is rebuilt, there will be 218 rooms, 20,000 sq. ft. of conference facilities, a large grand ballroom and a 13,00...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Elizabeth Hotels Implements Guestline’s Internet Native, Centralised PMS Solution 27th September 2005  - UK-based Elizabeth Hotels, a 17-strong group of limited and full service hotels up to 95 bedrooms, recently completed the implementation of RezLynx™, Guestline’s web based, centralised Hotel Enterprise Solution.  Designed from the ground up as an Internet native ASP (Application Service Provider) offering, RezLynx uses a single, central database to store company, agent and guest history from the entire estate, providing the group with comprehensive data mining capabilities. The system...

Two Outrigger Hotels Select GuestWare to Manage Guest Response, Guest Recognition Processes; Island Level of Hospitality Expected to Reach New Heights

March 30, 2005

Two Outrigger Hotels Select GuestWare to Manage Guest Response, Guest Recognition Processes . Island Level of Hospitality Expected to Reach New Heights at Oahu-Based Properties   SEATTLE — September 20, 2005 — Two Outrigger Enterprises Inc. properties—the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, and the Outrigger Reef on the Beach—have selected GuestWare as the software they will use to manage their guest recognition, rapid response and incident tracking processes. GuestWare, the lodging industry’s leading customer relationship management software, is produced by Seattle-based Diversified Computer Corp. (DCC). ...

How Can You Get Your Customers to Behave? / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report How Can You Get Your Customers to Behave? September 26, 2005 - I was asked the other day, “How do we know that our mailer made the customer decide to buy?” It could have been an ad in the newspaper. Perhaps that guest was planning to come back anyway. Let me share with you some of the best ways to measure the results of your marketing efforts, and why all of these are good and important. One of the many challenges we face as marketers is influencing our past guests’ behavior. The prevailing wisdom holds that direct marketing results can only be measured in dollars. The bottom line is indis...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Got Pineapple?  - Hotelier-turned-industry-innovator Ray Burger Launches Pineapple Hospitality™ —  bringing fresh ideas and business-building products and programs to your guests’ doors and your bottom line SAINT CHARLES, MISSOURI — SEPT. 20, 2005 — Got Pineapple? Hundreds of lodging properties and companies just like yours do — Pineapple Hospitality™ solutions, that is. An upstart company headed by Ray Burger — a former hotel operator and past VP of Sales & Marketing for Green Suites International — Saint Charles-based Pineapple Hospitality™ is all about bringing fresh ideas to...

TravelHero Announces Plan for Spin-off of GolfHero / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report TravelHero Announces Plan for Spin-off of GolfHero Scottsdale, AZ- ( September 20th , 2005) - TravelHero, an online travel technology company specializing in B2B solutions for the online travel industry today has announced its plans to spin-off the GolfHero division into a separate company. “The decision to separate GolfHero at this time is based on the overwhelming demand for this exciting new golf travel technology solution from major companies within the online hospitality industry. Since the creation of GolfHero, we’ve understood the time would come when we would be approached to spin-of...

GolfHero Announces Partnership Agreement to Power All Rosen Hotels and Resorts with HOTELPAR / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report GolfHero Announces Partnership Agreement to Power All Rosen Hotels and Resorts with HOTELPAR Scottsdale, AZ- ( September 19th, 2005) - GolfHero a travel technology company specializing within the hospitality industry offering a B2B solution for dynamic packaging of golf vacations today has announced a partnership agreement with Rosen Hotels and Resorts, Florida's largest independent hotelier. The agreement will allow Rosen Hotels and Resorts to provide dynamic, real-time packaging of golf vacations utilizing HOTELPAR on all of their hotel web sites. “It is exciting to be partnering with the...

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on Lake Grapevine Building $16 million, 29,000 sq ft Entertainmnet Complex / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on Lake Grapevine Building $16 million, 29,000 sq ft Entertainment Complex NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sept. 29, 2005 -- Gaylord Entertainment Co. (NYSE:GET), the leading hospitality and entertainment company and parent company of Gaylord Hotels, today announced the ground breaking of the much anticipated "Glass Cactus" entertainment complex being built on the grounds of the landmark Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on Lake Grapevine, outside Dallas. The nearly $16 million, 29,000 square-foot venue, with an additional 5,000 square feet of decki...

After Two Decades as Georgia's Tourism Tagline, "Georgia on My Mind" is Going with the Wind / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Leon Stafford, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Sep. 15, 2005 - After two decades as the state's tourism tagline, "Georgia on My Mind" is going with the wind. In an effort to update its image and invest its advertising with more vigor, the state Department of Economic Development is expected to unveil a new slogan, "Put Your Dreams in Motion," today at a conference on tourism in Valdosta. "It's served its purpose," state Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser said of the "Georgia on My Mind...

Gunter Muller Named General Manager of ResortQuest Aspen in Colorado / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Gunter Muller Named General Manager of ResortQuest Aspen in Colorado NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 16, 2005 – ResortQuest, the nation’s largest vacation rental property company, has named Gunter Muller general manager of ResortQuest Aspen in Colorado.  In his new position, Muller will be responsible for the management of the company’s vacation rental properties, including mountain top homes and condominiums, as well as overseeing guest services. Muller brings with him over 25 years of experience in the property management and hospitality industry.  He comes to ResortQuest from Marriott I...

GIC Real Estate Pte Ltd Acquires the InterContinental Hotel Paris from IHG for 315 million euros (U.S.$ 390 million); The 438 room Hotel to be Rebrand

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report GIC Real Estate Pte Ltd Acquires the InterContinental Hotel Paris from IHG for 315 million euros (U.S.$ 390 million); The 438 room Hotel to be Rebranded Westin Paris SINGAPORE, 8 September 2005 - GIC Real Estate Pte Ltd ("GIC RE") through its affiliate has acquired a 100 percent freehold interest in the InterContinental Hotel Paris ("Hotel") for 315 million euros. This well known landmark is in an excellent location on rue de Castiglione in the heart of the historical, cultural and shopping areas of Paris, facing the beautiful Tuilleries Gardens and adjacent to the Lourve museum. It is an in...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Georg Fuchs Named Executive Chef at Rocco Forte’s The St David’s Hotel & Spa in Cardiff; Until Recently Executive Chef at The Savoy in London 26 September 2005 - Georg Fuchs, until recently Executive Chef at The Savoy in London, joined Rocco Forte’s The St David’s Hotel & Spa in Cardiff today (Monday 26 September) as Executive Chef.   Austrian by birth, Georg has worked in Dubai, Israel, South Africa, the United States, Switzerland, Hungary and Germany, but has spent the last eight years working in the United Kingdom, more specifically London. Prior to The Savoy, he was Executive Chef o...

Florida Hotels Join BringYourPet.com to Promote Pet Friendliness / September 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Florida Hotels Join BringYourPet.com to Promote Pet Friendliness Knoxville, TN – September 13, 2005 – BringYourPet.com announces the recent addition of two Orlando, FL pet friendly hotels to its Web site; the Ramada Inn Resort Eastgate and the Travelodge Hotel Maingate East. "We’re delighted that the Ramada Inn Resort Eastgate and the Travelodge Hotel Maingate East have joined us,” states Company spokesperson for BringYourPet.com, Brian Bailey. “Both the Ramada Inn and the Travelodge are very accommodating to traveling pet owners and their pets.  We are looking forward to working with th...