Kevin T. Kelly Named President of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Kevin T. Kelly Named President of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts BUFFALO, NY, AUGUST 2, 2005 Delaware North Companies has named Kevin T. Kelly, president of its Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts business.  Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is one of the fastest growing businesses within Delaware North Companies, a global leader in hospitality and food service.  The announcement was made by Dennis Szefel, group president for Delaware North Companies hospitality operations.   Kelly, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of hospitality, food service and retail ex...

Boykin Appoints Kimberly Hayden as General Manager of the Hampton Inn Miami Airport- West / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Boykin Appoints Kimberly Hayden as General Manager of the Hampton Inn Miami Airport- West Cleveland, Ohio, August 24, 2005—Boykin Management is pleased to announce that Kimberly Hayden has been appointed General Manager of the Hampton Inn Miami Airport - West, located in Miami, Florida. Ms. Hayden joins the Boykin Management Company team with 8 years of experience working at hotels which operate under Hilton, Marriott and Choice brands. Kimberly recently relocated to Miami from Carrollton, Kentucky where she held the position of Area Director of Operations for Carrollton Host, LLC. Kimberly h...

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Deploys Four German Shepherd Dogs to Assist Security Team / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Deploys Four German Shepherd Dogs to Assist Security Team LAS VEGAS, Aug. 22, 2005 - Every step is an important one in the ongoing struggle to maximize homeland security and Peter Morton's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is doing its part.  On Wednesday, August 22nd, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino welcomes four new additions to its security staff.  The "employees" are four German Shepherd guard dogs, named Sid, Nancy, Prince and Bowie.  The new security dogs will provide yet another form of protection and security for the hotel property, its guests and its employees.    Â...

Japan, a Net Exporter of Tourists, Working Hard to Attract Chinese Tourist / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive The Yomiuri Shimbun Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Aug. 6, 2005 - TOKYO -- As China's growing economy draws more affluent people into the skies, travel agencies around the world are trying to lure them in for stopovers. Japan, which does not fare as well as Europe or the United States in attracting tourists to its shores, expanded visa issuance for Chinese on July 25, allowing groups to apply for visas any where in the country, rather than in just three cities and five provinces, including Shandong and Jiangsu provinces, as under the old ...

Plotting His Travels; Some Bumps Encountered / John R. Hendrie / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Plotting His Travels; Some Bumps Encountered Chaper III by Jacques Joie (as in De Vivre) AKA John R. Hendrie, August 2005 With his Shop in order, Standards established and Rating Scheme ready to go, Jacques Joie prepared to move into the realm of the intrepid traveler.  The first step, he mused, was to plan a trip – select a Destination, gain knowledge about the area (the lodgings, the restaurants, the attractions, and, of course, the history), research opinions about the Destination and the Hospitality Businesses through “blogs” and “bulletin Boards”, and, ultimately, mak...

Jacques Sets Up Shop or Jacques Joie Hospitality Advisory Establishes Rating Scheme / John R. Hendrie / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Jacques Sets Up Shop or Jacques Joie Hospitality Advisory Establishes Rating Scheme by John R. Hendrie, CEO Hospitality Performance, Inc., August 2005 Last week many of you had the pleasure of meeting for the first time Jacques Joie (as in de vivre), a somewhat cranky yet lovable raconteur, willing to share his inimitable style and taste with the intrepid traveler who seeks Hospitality zest and fulfillment. Jacques Joie plans to smooth the vagaries of travel to optimize your experience. He cannot wait to get started on this new life’s calling, but first there are a few adminis...

W & E Cach & Co. Opens 155th Homewood Suites by Hilton in Jackson, Wyoming / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  W & E Cach & Co. Opens 155th Homewood Suites by Hilton in Jackson, Wyoming MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Aug. 9, 2005 -- Homewood Suites by Hilton®, the national brand of upscale, all-suite, residential-style hotels, has opened the 41-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel in Jackson, Wyo. The property, which is owned by W & E Cach & Co., is a new addition to the growing portfolio of more than 155 Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels nationwide.  “Jackson is such a strong tourist market, and has long been in need of an upscale extended-stay hotel like Homewood Suites,” said Michael Luksich, the hotel’s g...

Jenifer Zeigler Appointed Senior Vice President, Global Brand Management for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Jenifer Zeigler Appointed Senior Vice President, Global Brand Management for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts SINGAPORE --  1016 August 2005 – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world’s largest and most global hotel company, has appointed Jenifer Zeigler to the position of senior vice president, global brand management for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.   Based at the company’s global headquarters in London, Zeigler will lead the development of brand strategy and marketing for the InterContinental Hotels and & Resorts brand, including...

Judy Sheng Named Director of Citywide Room Blocks and Hotel Relations for the Boston Convention Marketing Center; Will Coordinate Site Inspections, Ho

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Judy Sheng Named Director of Citywide Room Blocks and Hotel Relations for the Boston Convention Marketing Center / Will Coordinate Site Inspections, Hotel Blocks and Housing Issues for Meeting Planners  Boston, Mass., August 8, 2005 – Continuing its efforts to provide meeting planners with superior customer service, the Boston Convention Marketing Center (BCMC) announced today that Judy Sheng has been hired to the newly created position of Director of Citywide Room Blocks and Hotel Relations.  Sheng will work directly with meeting planners as liaison for their housing requirements includi...

John Rovie Named Director of Sales of the Arizona Biltmore / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  John Rovie Named Director of Sales of the Arizona Biltmore  PHOENIX, Arizona, August 10, 2005 - The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa has named John C. Rovie, a 20-year industry veteran with specialization in the upscale Arizona market, the director of sales. In his new position, Rovie is responsible for overseeing and expanding the Arizona Biltmore's meetings and events business, as well as assisting in all areas of sales in conjunction with Director of Sales & Marketing Robert Filipelli.    He comes to the Arizona Biltmore from the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where he served for 12 year...

Four Seasons Names John Davison Chief Financial Officer / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Four Seasons Names John Davison Chief Financial Officer TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2005 - Four Seasons Hotels Inc. (TSX Symbol "FSH.SV"; NYSE Symbol "FS") announced today the appointment of John Davison, a senior Four Seasons executive, as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Davison replaces Douglas Ludwig who is stepping down as CFO in order to take early retirement. "The success of Four Seasons rests on a strong financial foundation," said Isadore Sharp, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Doug Ludwig has been a significant contributor in establishing that foundation, and in building the team who will t...

Jeff Dahl, President and COO at MGM Mirage's Beau Rivage, and Two Other Top Executives Leave Abruptly / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Tom Wilemon, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Aug. 18, 2005 - Jeff Dahl's leadership of MGM Mirage's Mississippi properties came to an abrupt end Tuesday when he and two other top executives at Beau Rivage left their posts in a management shake-up. Jon Corchis, the casino's former chief financial officer, will temporarily manage the Biloxi resort as well as the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, while MGM searches for permanent replacements. The other vacant posts are chief financial officer and vice presi...

Jim Alderman Named Senior Vice President Acquisitions and Development for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Jim Alderman Named Senior Vice President Acquisitions and Development for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants San Francisco, August 2, 2005 – Jim Alderman was recently named senior vice president of acquisitions and development for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.  In this role, he will be responsible for directing and coordinating all Kimpton property acquisitions, negotiations of management contracts, and identifying new hotel and restaurant opportunities in the southeast and southwest. “As Kimpton continues to follow an aggressive development expansion program and seeks opportunistic investments fo...

The Irvine Company Taking Over Management of the 295-room Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach; New Name for Hotel Not Chosen Yet / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Irvine Company Taking Over Management of the 295-room Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach; New Name for Hotel Not Chosen Yet By Sandi Cain Orange County Business Journal Staff August 11, 2005 - The Irvine Company said Thursday that it plans to take over management of the 295-room Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach at the end of October.  The move is part of the company’s strategy to manage its hotels, golf courses and shopping centers. A new name for the Four Seasons has not yet been chosen.  Last month, the company said it would manage the 204-room Pelican Hill resort it is building at ...

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Select Inns’ Reservations Increase through InnLink Hendersonville, TN – August 17, 2005 - Select Inn, the limited service hotels of Select Franchising, Inc. of Fargo, ND, chose InnLink as their reservation services provider in July, 2004.  During the 12 month period since conversion of reservation services to InnLink from their previous vendor, the Select Inn group has experienced a reservations increase of nearly 70% and an ADR increase of nearly 15%. According to Dipan Patel, owner of the new Select Inn in Maple Grove, MN, “I have received more reservations in one month through InnLink’s ...

Harrah's Acquiring the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino for $370 million from the Ralph Engelstad Trust / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Harrah's Acquiring the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino for $370 million from the Ralph Engelstad Trust LAS VEGAS - Aug. 22, 2005 -- Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) signed an agreement with Imperial Palace, LLC, to acquire the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The Imperial Palace -- featuring a 52,000-square foot casino and a 2,640-room hotel -- occupies an 18.5-acre site on the world famous Las Vegas Strip, situated between Harrah's Las Vegas and the Flamingo, across the Strip from Caesars Palace. This agreement only pertains to the Imperial Palace operations in Las Vegas....

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Ilario Turri Appointed Chef at the Sheraton Dongguan Hotel’s Luigi Italian Restaurant August 2005 - Sheraton Dongguan Hotel’s Luigi Italian Restaurant, introduces Chef Ilario Turri as the restaurant’s new Italian Chef.  Chef Turri started his extensive culinary career in his birth place - Veneto, Italy.   From Veneto, he has been traveling to various places around the globe and has been satisfying diverse peoples with his Italian specialties.  Chef Turri worked as Italian Chef in different restaurants in Milan, Uruguay, Lebanon, Shanghai, Cambodia and Oman.   With these experiences...

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Reports 2nd Qtr 2005 Net Income of $1.7 million Compared to net loss of $(2.7) million in 2nd Qtr 2004 / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Interstate Hotels & Resorts Reports 2nd Qtr 2005 Net Income of $1.7 million Compared to net loss of $(2.7) million in 2nd Qtr 2004 ARLINGTON, Va.--- Aug. 9, 2005--Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:IHR), the nation's largest independent hotel management company, today reported results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005. The company exceeded its earnings guidance of May 5 and raised its 2005 full-year earnings guidance for the second time this year.  For the 2005 second quarter, net income was $1.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $(2.7) millio...

Isabel Gracia Named Director of Sales at One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Isabel Gracia Named Director of Sales at One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island Paradise Island, The Bahamas, August 19, 2005 – One&Only Resorts has announced the appointment of Isabel Gracia as Director of Sales at One&Only Ocean Club, the treasured Bahamian hideaway located on Paradise Island.  Ms. Gracia has 10 years of experience in the international luxury resort industry and comes to the resort after a successful two-year tenure as Associate Director of Sales at the highly-acclaimed Mandarin Oriental Miami.   As Ms. Gracia has shown in previous positions, one of her greatest stren...

The John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston Posts Record Annual Revenue and Smallest Operating Loss in 15 Years; Some Want to Sh

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Peter J. Howe, The Boston Globe Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Aug. 23, 2005 - With four months left before a blue-ribbon Beacon Hill commission decides whether to shut down or sell the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the panel has been thrown a curve ball. The Hynes just posted record annual revenue and its smallest operating loss in at least 15 years. And it achieved those results even though it was the first full year of operations for the new, much bigger Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston, w...

Amenity Creep Making It Almost Impossible for Housekeepers to Clean a Hotel Room in 30 Minutes, the Pace Required to Clean 15 Rooms per Shift / Augu

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Oscar Avila, Chicago Tribune Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Aug. 23, 2005 - Hotel chains are rolling out super-thick mattresses, mountains of new pillows, extra sheets and hefty duvet covers in a competition to create the most restful sleep experience. Even budget chains are joining the fray, upgrading rooms with a rainbow of soaps, shampoos, teas and specialty coffees. But the effects of this pillow fight have strained the nerves and backs of one group: the housekeepers who restore the rooms to pristine condition every day. Ho...

New York City Hotel Rooftops Surge in Popularity with their Bars, Pools, Bird's Eye Views / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Elizabeth Sanger, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Aug. 2, 2005 - College-bound Morgan Curtis and a friend checked into the Meatpacking District's Hotel Gansevoort last Monday to sunbathe by the rooftop pool by day and be within shouting distance of some of the hippest restaurants and clubs at night. The bronzed, bikini-clad 18-year-olds hadn't jetted in from Miami or L.A. -- they jaunted down from the Upper East Side, less than 100 blocks away. "It's better to be downtown," Curtis explained. "It's perfect, it's amazing," her friend Ellie, who asked that her ...

GolfHero Announces Partnership with Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center with HOTELPAR / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report GolfHero Announces Partnership with Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center with HOTELPAR Scottsdale, AZ (August 15th, 2005) GolfHero, an online travel portal specializing in B2B technology solutions for dynamic packaging of golf vacations has announced the signing of an agreement with Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center, in Scottsdale, Arizona.   The agreement will allow the Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center to provide dynamic, real-time packaging of golf vacations utilizing HOTELPAR on its web site, www.hiltongardeninnscottsdalenorth.com and ...

Audit of Hotel Invoices Turns up Overcharges that May Add up to Millions for Business Travelers / August 2005

March 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Kyle Stock, The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Aug. 13, 2005 - Business travelers, the bread and butter of the hospitality industry, are often overcharged without their knowledge by hotels, a pattern that adds up to significant extra costs nationally, according to a recent survey by an agency that books rooms for some of the country's biggest corporations. The average American road warrior is overcharged $1.31 per night, according to a recent survey by Corporate Lodging Consultants, a Kansas-based age...