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November 4th, 2024
The City of Fort Worth Seeking Payment on $400,000 in Delinquent Bed Taxes from Five Hotels through Court Actions and Payment Plans / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Anna M. Tinsley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, TexasKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 4, 2005 - FORT WORTH -- Local hotel and motel operators are pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in city taxes earmarked in part for arts, cultural and tourism programs, officials say. The city is now seeking payment on more than $400,000 in delinquent hotel/motel taxes from five companies through court actions, negotiations or payment plans. "This is a recurring problem," City Manager Charles Boswell said. "They're collecting money for this from people who stay at the hotel and usi...
John Q. Hammons Hotels Completes $8 million in Improvements to Fort Collins, Colorado Property; Rebrands 255 room University Park Holiday Inn to Hilto
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report John Q. Hammons Hotels Completes $8 million in Improvements to Fort Collins, Colorado Property; . Rebrands 255 room University Park Holiday Inn to Hilton Fort Collins FORT COLLINS, Colo. - May 31, 2005 -- Located at the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains, the new Hilton Fort Collins, which opened last week, brings a new level of comfort, hospitality and amenities to Colorado's scenic and fast-growing Front Range region. This 255-room hotel was previously operated under a different brand name, and has received $8 million in improvements to become a Hilton hotel, including renovatio...
Fairmont Takes 15% Equity Interest in Joint Venture to Own and Manage Five Hotels in Kenya / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Fairmont Takes 15% Equity Interest in Joint Venture to Own and Manage Five Hotels in Kenya TORONTO, May 11, 2005 - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. (TSX/NYSE: FHR), Kingdom Hotel Investments ("KHI") and IFA Hotels & Resorts ("IFA") announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. ("Fairmont") to manage five properties in Kenya. Effective today, Fairmont assumed management of Nairobi's Norfolk Hotel, the Mount Kenya Safari Club, the Aberdare Country Club, the Ark and the Mara Safari Club. Following approximately $25 million in enhancements, a...
Fairfield Resorts Now Has 71 Resorts with Over 500,000 Timeshare Owners / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive By Jerry W. Jackson, The Orlando Sentinel, Fla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 26--Fairfield Resorts, an Orlando-based time-share giant that got its start with a single resort in the Ozark Mountains nearly 40 years ago, has surpassed 500,000 owners, a milestone for the fast-growing industry. Fairfield, which opened a sales office in a converted gas station in Arkansas in 1966, has become the first time-share company to pass the half-million mark. It now has 71 resorts in 21 states and territories. The business moved to Orlando from Little Rock in 1999...
Four Seasons Hotels Inc. Earns $5.2 million for 1st Qtr, Down from $8.7 million a Year-ago, Includes $2.3 million Foreign-exchange Loss; Six Consecu
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Four Seasons Hotels Inc. Earns $5.2 million for 1st Qtr, Down from $8.7 million a Year-ago, Includes $2.3 million Foreign-exchange Loss; Six Consecutive Quarters of RevPAR Growth Hotel Operating Statistics TORONTO, May 5, 2005 - Four Seasons Hotels Inc. (TSX Symbol "FSH.SV"; NYSE Symbol "FS") today reported its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005. As previously announced, effective the first quarter of 2005, we have adopted US dollars as our reporting currency. All amounts disclosed in this news release (including amounts for prior periods) are in US dollars unless othe...
Florida's Top Prosecutor Settles Out of Court with Starwood Hotels Concerning Consumer Complaints in 2001 Over Hidden Energy Surcharges / May 2
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Tom Stieghorst, South Florida Sun-SentinelKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 5, 2005 - Florida's top prosecutor said on Wednesday he's settled out of court with one of four hotel chains under scrutiny for hidden energy surcharges. Attorney General Charlie Crist said the agreement stems from a raft of consumer complaints dating to the summer of 2001 when many guests said they were hit with surprise fees to cover soaring energy bills. Crist said Starwood Hotels & Resorts entered into a formal agreement with the state that would curb the practice for at least two years at 14 hotels ...
Fabio Gallo Named Vice President Director of Marketing, Sales and Brand Image for Domina Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Fabio Gallo Named Vice President Director of Marketing, Sales and Brand Image for Domina Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Milan, 26th May 2005 Domina Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. appoints Fabio Gallo as Vice President Director of Marketing, Sales and Brand Image. In his new role Gallo will be responsible for Domina Hotels global marketing, sales and distribution for its four hotel brands, covering Domina Hotels 39 hotels in 14 countries and 250 worldwide future openings. He will be based in Milan headquarter and will report directly to Francesco Borrello, chief executi...
Maximize the Performance of Your Greatest Asset – Your Employees / John R. Hendrie / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Maximize the Performance of Your Greatest Asset - Your Employees By John R. Hendrie, CEO, Hospitality Performance, Inc., May 2005 To paraphrase J.W. Marriott, If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the customer, who, in turn, will take care of the business. We spend a great deal of time and money figuring out what our Guests expect, then frantically delivering to meet that need, and finally attempting to validate the experience they received our performance report. But, who really delivers on our product and services for us? Who is our Ambassador, o...
Embassy Suites Hotels Set to Open Six Hotels in Spring/Summer 2005; Four Hotels are Being Built by Mr. John Q. Hammons / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Embassy Suites Hotels Set to Open Six Hotels in Spring/Summer 2005; Four Hotels are Being Built by Mr. John Q. Hammons MEMPHIS, Tenn. - May 5, 2005 -- Embassy Suites Hotels, currently with 178 hotels, announces the opening of six new properties in the spring and summer of 2005. The openings of these hotels represents the wide reach of the Embassy Suites brand, from the leisure-focused 146-suite La Quinta, Calif. property, complete with full-service spa, to the 300-suite Hampton, Va. property, which will adjoin the new Hampton Roads Convention Center. This latest round of openings ...
A $300 million Hotel/condominium/retail Project Planned for Site Near Dallas Cowboy's Proposed Stadium / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive By John Austin,, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 24, 2005 - ARLINGTON -- A Grand Prairie developer plans to erect a hotel/condominium/retail project worth up to $300 million on the site of the Eastern Star Home on Division Street near the proposed Cowboys stadium. Developer Hal Thorne envisions a 300-room, four-star hotel, 20-story office/condominium as well as boutique retailers and 77 luxury town houses in the $750,000 to $1 million range. He hopes to add banks and restaurants to the mix on 30 a...
Broughton Hospitality Group Awarded the Management Contract for the Inn at East Beach, Santa Barbara, California / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Broughton Hospitality Group Awarded the Management Contract for the Inn at East Beach, Santa Barbara, California Huntington Beach, California -- May 27, 2005 - Larry Broughton, president of Broughton Hospitality Group (BHG) headquartered here, has announced that effective May 15, 2005, his firm was awarded the management contract for the Inn at East Beach, 1029 Orilla Del Mar, Santa Barbara, California. Located only one block from East Beach -- popular with families, sunbathers and volleyball enthusiasts -- the Inn has 33 accommodations comprised of 6 spacious suites with full kitch...
FelCor Appoints Erik Nylen as Vice President of Capital Transactions / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report FelCor Appoints Erik Nylen as Vice President of Capital Transactions IRVING, Texas May 5, 2005 FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE: FCH), one of the nations largest public hotel real estate investment trusts (REITs), today announced the appointment of Erik Nylen as Vice President of Capital Transactions. With more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, Mr. Nylen has extensive experience in hotel and resort development, acquisitions and asset management. Mr. Nylen, 45, was most recently the principal in his own company, where he provided acquisition, investment an...
Fred J. Kleisner is the 2005 Recipient of the Arthur Landstreet Award / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Fred J. Kleisner the 2005 Recipient of the Arthur Landstreet Award; Honored for Impact on Education and Training in the Hospitality Industry LAS VEGAS, Nev., April 2005The Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association has announced this years winners of its awards for champions of hospitality training and education. The following people were honored during the Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, during the AH&LA Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 28. Fred J. Kleisner is the 2005 recipient of t...
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Seventh Edition of EIs Managing Front Office Operations Includes Technology Focus LANSING, Mich., April 2005 The new seventh edition of Managing Front Office Operations, published by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, reflects the increasing role of technology in front office operations. This best-selling textbook provides an in-depth look at management of the front office and how this department interacts with other hotel departments to create a memorable guest experience. Authors Michael L. Kasavana, Ph.D., of Michigan State University, an...
Dubai Hotels Improving their Product to Justify High Room Rates; Condominium Hotels Next Growth Sector in Dubai / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Dubai Hotels Improving their Product to Justify High Room Rates; Condominium Hotels Next Growth Sector in Dubai Dubai, May 2005: Senior management at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina have pointed to an increase in product and service offering as critical to ensure continued high room rates in Dubai are justified. While most hotels in Dubai had a bumper year in 2004, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi led the way with a 37 per cent increase in revenue in 2004. . Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina The Beach Road, c/o Dubai Int Marine Club Dubai, United Arab Emirates ....
Three Key Execs Appointed at Swissôtel The Drake, New York City / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Three Key Execs Appointed at Swissôtel The Drake, New York City NEW YORK (May 4, 2005) David Gibbons, general manager of Swissôtel The Drake, a leading New York City luxury hotel located at Park Avenue and 56th Street, has announced three key management appointments naming Stéphane Lafon as food & beverage director, Roy Lamberty as executive chef and Slavka Kmec as rooms division manager. Stéphane Lafon, Food & Beverage Director As new food & beverage director, Lafons responsibilities include overseeing all food & beverage needs for the 495-room hotel, including its restaurant...
Domina Hotels & Resorts Launching Four New Hotel Brands Worldwide / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Domina Hotels & Resorts Launching Four New Hotel Brands Worldwide Milan, 2nd May 2005 - Domina Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has recently signed an agreement putting Leo Burnett Worldwide, Inc. in charge of Brand & Image Development to develop an international project for creating a brand structure for the future Domina Hotels & Resorts hotel chain. Starting in the second half of 2005 and continuing in coming years, Domina Hotels & Resorts will launch four new hotel brands worldwide, divided by guest and usage type. Launches will take place all over the world until the impr...
How to Increase Your Hotel's Internet Revenue / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report How to Increase Your Hotel's Internet Revenues Florence, Italy - May 2005 - The 2 ½ star, 87 room Hotel Delle Nazioni in Florence Italy managed to increase its revenues with 3rd party websites by 40% in only 6 months. The hotel had been selling its rooms using the long list of distribution websites active on the European hotel market. However at first they were not able to impact the sales levels in a significant way. The problem was it was costing so much time to manage the big 10, they never got around to extending the same prices and availability to the other smaller sites. As of November ...
Owner of Spokane's Davenport Hotel Building Adjacent Tower Adding 250 Hotel Rooms Plus Residences / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Alison Boggs, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 1, 2005 - The skyline of Spokane is about to change as Davenport Hotel owner Walt Worthy launches construction on the first downtown high-rise to be built in more than 20 years. Worthy Enterprises plans to build a 17- to 20-story hotel and residential tower at the southeast corner of First Avenue and Post Street. It will be called the Davenport Tower and Residences and is expected to be complete late next year. Worthy is planning to build it in a "traditional" style compatible with his historic h...
Starwood to Sell Historic Hotel Danieli in Venice for Approximately $244 million; Retains Long-term Management Agreement / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Starwood to Sell Historic Hotel Danieli in Venice for Approximately $244 million; Retains Long-term Management Agreement WHITE PLAINS, N.Y - May 19, 2005 -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that it has signed an agreement to sell the legendary 233-room Hotel Danieli in Venice to The Statuto Group, a prominent Italian real estate holding company, for 177 million Euros (approximately $244 million U.S.). The deal will take four to six months to close and Starwood has entered a long-term agreement to manage the hotel keeping it a member of its prest...
Crescent Real Estate and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC Break Ground on Texas' Only Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Residences at the Ritz-Carlto
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Crescent Real Estate and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC Break Ground on Texas' Only Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas DALLAS - May 25, 2005 -- In a brief ceremony today, Dallas Mayor, Laura Miller; Crescent Real Estate Equities Company (NYSE:CEI) Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Goff; and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer, Ken Rehmann gathered with a crowd of guests, donned hard hats, and turned shovels of earth to celebrate the start of construction on The R...
Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Danny Watts Director of Rooms at Stonewall Resort in Weston, West Virginia / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Danny Watts Director of Rooms at Stonewall Resort in Weston, West Virginia THE WOODLANDS (HOUSTON), TEXAS, May 2005 - Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the promotion of Danny Watts to director of rooms for Stonewall Resort, a AAA Four Diamond resort located in Weston, West Virginia. The announcement was made by Ken Jesina, general manager, who said "I truly look forward to Danny's continued success and positive influence as part of the management team and the future of Stonewall Resort." This is a well deserved promotion." Mr. Watts bri...
Dennis Szefel Will Act as President of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts; Bruce Fears Resigns / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online Special Report Dennis Szefel Will Act as President of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts; Bruce Fears Resigns BUFFALO, NY, APRIL 28, 2005 - Dennis Szefel, group president of Delaware North Companies Hospitality, announced today that he will act as president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts. Szefel will assume operational responsibility for the largest revenue-producing unit of Delaware North Companies, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. The change is a temporary one that will be in effect until a successor is appointed for Bruce Fears, former pres...
Developer Don Kenney Sales 5 Hotels Near Columbus, Ohio Airport for $29.5 million / May 2005
February 28, 2005
Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Mike Pramik, The Columbus Dispatch, OhioKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 12, 2005 - Lodging options at Port Columbus are expected to change with the sale of five hotels by local developer Don Kenney. Dublin-based Platinum Ridge Properties purchased the hotels and a nearby McDonald's this week for $29.5 million. The company's four partners say they're planning up to $2 million in renovations. They intend to change the brands of two of the hotels and could add a sixth hotel at some point. ''The airport market has always been the strongest in Columbus, and we expect it to continue...
