Rezidor SAS Signs Financial Joint Venture with Nordic Government Funds for Faster Growth in Africa / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Rezidor SAS Signs Financial Joint Venture with Nordic Government Funds for Faster Growth in Africa Brussels, July 2005 - Rezidor SAS Hospitality, the Brussels-based multi-brand hospitality company, has signed a 35 million EUR (approx. $41.8 million U.S.) financial joint venture agreement with four nordic government funds (IFU of Denmark, Finnfund of Finland, Norfund of Norway and Swedfund of Sweden) to expand its presence in Africa. Through individual projects and portfolio deals, Rezidor SAS has ambitious expansion plans for Africa, primarily under the Radisson SAS and Park Inn h...

Revenue Grabbing Tips for Independent Hotels; Start Thinking Like the Chains / Neil Salerno / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Revenue Grabbing Tips for Independent Hotels;  Start Thinking Like the Chains By: Neil Salerno – July 2005 In many Florida coastal cities, and cities across the country, smaller independent hotels struggle with the daily task of selling rooms along-side franchised brands.  Most Independent hotels have to contend with relative obscurity in the marketplace, limited marketing funds, and sometimes a need to rely on overflow from their larger franchised neighbors. But, what happens when there is no overflow?  Consolidated marketing and the synergy of chain branding threaten the f...

Revenue Source One Draws Thirty-eight Hotel and Motel Owners to Room Rate Pricing Seminar / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Revenue Source One Draws Thirty-eight Hotel and Motel Owners to Room Rate Pricing Seminar Dallas, TX – July 22, 2005 - Revenue Source One announced today the results of the room rate pricing seminar the company presented for the Greater Lancaster Hotel and Motel Association.  Jay Delerno, President of Revenue Source One explained that the company requested all attendees complete and return a “report card”.  Mr. Delerno said, “We are very pleased with the positive comments we received.  The seminar was attended by thirty-eight hotel and motel owners, operators/general managers and reserva...

Smugglers' Notch, America's Family Resort, Selects ResortSuite to Manage its Extensive Operation / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  .Special Report Smugglers' Notch, America's Family Resort, Selects ResortSuite to Manage its Extensive Operation Toronto, ON  June 18, 2005 - Enablez Inc., one of the industry's fastest growing technology companies and a leading provider of integrated hospitality management software, is pleased to announce Smugglers' Notch Resort has selected ResortSuite as the software to manage its full-service, family destination property. With the implementation of ResortSuite, Smugglers' Notch will consolidate its front desk, ski, retail, and activity operations into one unified database. Guests, staff, inventory, and...

The Resort Hotel Association Concludes 19th Annual Meeting / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The Resort Hotel Association Concludes 19th Annual Meeting WILLIAMSBURG, Va., July 27, 2005 — Independent resort owners, General Managers, CEO’s, CFO’s, Risk Managers, Human Resource personnel and Insurance Executives gathered at The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, New York, July 9-12 at the association’s 19th annual meeting. A record setting number of attendees heard from insurance and travel industry leaders, attended educational seminars, reviewed the current status of association insurance programs, networked with fellow resort colleagues and enjoyed the scenic Adirondack region...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Marriott International’s Residence Inn Brand, the Pioneer of the Extended-stay Category, Reinventing Itself with the “Gen7” Suite July 13, 2005 - The first Residence Inn opened in Wichita, KS and today there are 475 properties in North America, making it the category leader.  Residence Inn expects to add 30 hotels to its system this year and is on track to add 25 to 30 hotels each year from 2006 to 2008.   In addition, the brand has refreshed 95 of its oldest properties so far and plans to complete 30 more by 2006, year end. Marriott International’s (NYSE:MAR) Residence Inn brand, which ...

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino Receives Top Score from Freeman Group / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino Receives Top Score from Freeman Group ORANJESTAD, Aruba – July 19, 2005 - Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino -- a revitalizing tropical escapade splashed with cosmopolitan touches -- has been given an overall score of 85 percent by the Freeman Group, a 13 percent increase from last year after a two night in-depth inspection of the resort and its grounds. The score ranked the resort in the top three of all hotels in Aruba based on the quality of guestrooms, housekeeping, food and beverage and leisure amenities. The Freeman Group offers a comprehensive evaluation...

The Pistilli Family Sells Landmark, The Raphael Hotel; the Kansas City Hotel Acquired by Lighthouse Properties / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Joyce Smith, The Kansas City Star, Mo.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 15, 2005 - After more than 30 years as one of Kansas City's premier Country Club Plaza hoteliers, the Pistilli family has sold its landmark -- The Raphael Hotel. Lighthouse Properties, a family-owned business based in Salina, Kan., bought the hotel for an undisclosed price. The Pistilli family also is licensing the Raphael brand to Lighthouse and hopes the company will expand into other markets. The sale comes at a time when two boutique hotels are in the pipeline for the Plaza -- the West Edge project and ...

Starwood Sells Chicago's Raphael Hotel and the Sheraton Chapel Hill; Part of Starwood's Target to Sell $500 Million Worth of Assets / July 2

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Starwood Sells Chicago's Raphael Hotel and the Sheraton Chapel Hill; Part of Starwood's Target to Sell $500 Million Worth of Assets WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - July 20, 2005 -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that it has completed the sale of Chicago's landmark Raphael Hotel to Miami-based developer Crescent Heights. The 172-room Raphael Hotel, one of Starwood's non-branded assets, was sold for more than $21 million. In addition, Starwood also announced the sale of the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel for more than $6 million to the Soleil Group, a Cary, North C...

Gencom Group Acquiring the Lodge at Rancho Mirage for $33 million; Vail Resort's Subsidiary Rockresorts Will Continue to Manage the Property / Ju

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Gencom Group Acquiring the Lodge at Rancho Mirage for $33 million; Vail Resort's Subsidiary Rockresorts Will Continue to Manage the Property VAIL, Colo., July 5, 2005 - Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced today that one of its subsidiary companies has entered into a contract to sell the Lodge at Rancho Mirage for $33.0 million to GENLB-Rancho LLC ("GenLB"), a partnership led by the Gencom Group, a private Miami-based hospitality investment firm ("Gencom"). The transaction price indicates a total value for the hotel of approximately $137,500 per key. The sale price is subject to ad...

Raymond Management Company, Inc. Completes a $1 million Renovation of the Elgin Hampton Inn in Elgin, Illinois / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Raymond Management Company, Inc. Completes a $1 million Renovation of the Elgin Hampton Inn in Elgin, Illinois Elgin, IL, June 28, 2005 – Raymond Management Company, Inc. today announced that it has completed a renovation of the Elgin (IL) Hampton Inn hotel located at 405 Airport Road in Elgin, IL. . Hampton Inn Chicago Elgin / I-90 405 Airport Road Elgin, Illinois 60123 . “This renovation demonstrates our commitment to providing travelers with the high quality accommodations and value-added services in this area synonymous with the Hampton Inn brand,” said Jeff Raymond, President of Ra...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Raffles Holdings Divesture of its Hotel Business Unlocks Significant Shareholders’ Value SINGAPORE 21 JULY 2005 – The Board of Raffles Holdings Limited (“RHL”) today announced that RHL has entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Hotel Business (“Transaction”) to Colony HR Acquisitions LLC, an affiliate of Colony Capital LLC for an enterprise value of S$1.72 billion, approximately U.S. $1,034 billion, subject to adjustments upon completion. The key terms of the Transaction are: divestment at implied enterprise value of S$1.72 billion aggregate consideration of S$1.45 ...

Kimpton's Acquisition Fund Acquires First Property, the Former Radisson Barcelo Hotel in Washington D.C.; Hotel Will Receive $32 million Renovati

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Kimpton's Acquisition Fund Acquires First Property, the Former Radisson Barcelo Hotel in Washington D.C. . Hotel Will Receive $32 million Renovation to Transform to Hotel Palomar SAN FRANCISCO (July 20, 2005) – Kimpton Group Holding, LLC, (“Kimpton”) the leader in the boutique/lifestyle hotel segment, today announced its first hotel asset acquisition by Kimpton Hospitality Partners, L.P. (“KHP Fund”), an acquisition fund recently formed and managed by Kimpton to acquire, develop and redevelop boutique/lifestyle hotel properties. The KHP Fund has acquired the former Radiss...

Radisson SAS Opens U.S. $45 million 129-room Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Cork, Ireland / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Radisson SAS Opens U.S. $45 million 129-room Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Cork, Ireland Brussels,  July 2005 -- Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, the first-class, full-service international brand of Rezidor SAS Hospitality, announces the opening of the new 37 million Euro (approx. $45 million U.S.) 129-room Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Cork, Ireland.  This hotel is the ninth Radisson SAS in Ireland. Built on the site of the 19th Century Ditchley House, the Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Cork spans over nine acres of land.  All rooms offer satellite television, wireless Internet access (WiFi), and 24-hour ...

Ronald T. Harrison Appointed President of Marriott Lodging Canada and Senior Vice President of Marriott International / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Ronald T. Harrison Appointed President of Marriott Lodging Canada and Senior Vice President of Marriott International TORONTO, ON—July 26, 2005—Marriott International is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronald T. Harrison as president of Marriott Lodging Canada and senior vice president of Marriott International. In his new role, Mr. Harrison is responsible for lodging operations for all Marriot hotels and resorts in Canada. With 45 hotels in Canada, generating $400 million in revenue per year, Mr. Harrison projects the brand will grow to more than 70 properties over the next several yea...

Ronald T. Harrison Appointed President of Marriott Lodging Canada and Senior Vice President of Marriott International / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Ronald T. Harrison Appointed President of Marriott Lodging Canada and Senior Vice President of Marriott International TORONTO, ON—July 26, 2005—Marriott International is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronald T. Harrison as president of Marriott Lodging Canada and senior vice president of Marriott International. In his new role, Mr. Harrison is responsible for lodging operations for all Marriot hotels and resorts in Canada. With 45 hotels in Canada, generating $400 million in revenue per year, Mr. Harrison projects the brand will grow to more than 70 properties over the next several yea...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The Prospector Inn Located in Suncadia, Washington’s First All-season Destination Resort, Opened by Destination Hotels & Resorts Denver, Colo. – July 5, 2005 – Charles Peck, president and chief operating officer for Destination Hotels & Resorts, today announced that the hospitality management company’s portfolio has grown to the largest in its history with the addition of its 33rd property the Prospector Inn at Suncadia in Roslyn, Wash. “The opening of the Prospector Inn is an exciting milestone for Destination and the Suncadia project,” said Peck. “It marks a high point f...

The Pritzker Family Trying to Limit What Will Become Part of the Public Record; Claim Opening Case Documents to the Public Would Seriously Hurt the

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Susan Chandler, Chicago TribuneKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 16, 2005 - Seven months after the Illinois Appellate Court ruled that a case involving the Pritzker family should be unsealed, attorneys representing Chicago's wealthiest clan are still trying to limit what will become part of the public record. Of the three boxes of documents in the case, the Pritzkers are seeking to black out 251 full pages and 88 partial pages, arguing the information would seriously hurt their $15 billion business empire and put their children in danger of being kidnapped. Pritzker attorney Lo...

InterContinental Hotel's Customer Loyalty Program Priority Club Now Provides Free Nights at Virtually Any Hotel in the World, Including Competito

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report InterContinental Hotel's Customer Loyalty Program,  Priority Club, Now Provides Free Nights at Competitors' Hotels ATLANTA, July 18, 2005 - InterContinental Hotels Group [NYSE: IHG; London (ADRs)] (IHG), the world's largest and most global hotel company, today began offering members of its customer loyalty program, Priority Club Rewards, the opportunity to stay at "any hotel, anywhere." Beginning today, Priority Club Rewards members who reside in the U.S. can redeem their points toward stays at more than 500,000 lodging establishments worldwide -- even at competitors' hotels. This unprecedente...

The Plasencia Group, Inc. Advises Thayer Lodging Group on the Sale of Eight Properties to Pyramid Hotel Advisors, LLC Properties Combine Geographic Di

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The Plasencia Group, Inc. Advises Thayer Lodging Group on the Sale of Eight Properties to Pyramid Hotel Advisors, LLC  . Properties Combine Geographic Diversity,  Performance and Growth Potential TAMPA, FL / July 5, 2005 - The Plasencia Group, Inc., leading hospitality transaction and consulting services firm representing owners of hotels, resorts, and golf courses, has completed the transaction for Thayer Lodging Group, Anapolis, Md., of eight hotels to Pyramid Hotel Advisors, LLC of Boston. According to Lou Plasencia, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Plasencia Group, this ei...

Pinnacle Realty Investments Executes on Over $400 million in Gross Transactions for 2005 Year to Date / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online Special Report Pinnacle Realty Investments Executes on Over $400 million in Gross Transactions for 2005 Year to Date BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 21, 2005 - Matthew Kenney, Managing Director of Pinnacle Realty Investments (“PRI”) executes on over $400 million in gross transactions for 2005 year to date.  A few notable transactions are as follows: PRI acted as the Exclusive Advisor to Webster Street LLC in the sale of the 188-room Courtyard by Marriott in Brookline, Massachusetts for $54.5 million. PRI acted as the Exclusive Advisor to the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority in the sale of the Four ...

BringYourPet.com helps Guide Pets to Safety during Hurricane Season / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report BringYourPet.com Helps Guide Pets to Safety During Hurricane Season  Knoxville, TN – July 7, 2005 - BringYourPet.com is responding to the need for safe shelter for pets and their owners during disasters. Disaster shelters, such as those set up by the Red Cross, cannot accept pets due to government health and safety regulations.  BringYourPet.com is the first step in finding lodging facilities, such as hotels, motels, and inns, outside of their immediate area that are pet friendly before a disaster strikes.  "It is imperative that animals do not get left behind during the storm - but to bri...

Pegasus Solutions Ending Property Management System Agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group; Pegasus Exiting Property Management System Business

March 30, 2005

Pegasus Solutions Ending Property Management  System Agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group / Pegasus Exiting Property Management System Business DALLAS (June 29, 2005) — Pegasus Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEGS) today announced that it has reached a mutual agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group to discontinue the use of the PegasusCentral Property Management System (PMS). The PMS product will no longer be used in the Holiday Inn Express properties currently using the system, and there will be no new installations. “After a careful evaluation with IHG, we concluded that we could not meet their needs with PegasusC...

Pacifica Real Estate Brokerage Arranges Refinancing of Econo Lodge Garden Grove, CA / July 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Pacifica Real Estate Brokerage Arranges Refinancing of Econo Lodge Garden Grove, CA  DANA POINT, CA:  July, 2005 – Chris A. Chiotis, Principal of Pacifica Real Estate Brokerage, is pleased to announce his firm arranged first mortgage financing for the refinance of the 51-room Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Garden Grove, California. Pacifica arranged the 10-year fixed rate deal through a Southern California based bank. "Pacifica’s straight-forward approach and solid lending relationships enabled us to get the rate and terms we wanted and also provide us with some additional cash-out" according...