Adaco Services, Inc. Adds Several New Hotel Clients in the U.S. and Canada / April 2005

February 28, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Adaco Services, Inc. Adds Several New Hotel Clients in the U.S. and Canada April 13, 2005 - Adaco Services LLC, a leader in hospitality software, announces several new hotel clients in the U.S. and Canada.  Since 1985, Adaco, based in Williamsville, NY, has managed all aspects of the hospitality industry’s procurement and operations needs and currently serves more than 500 properties in 48 countries.  New clients are: JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, Tucson, AZ  Inter-Continental, The Barclay, New York, NY  Four Seasons Resort & Club, Irving, TX  Tiburon Hospitality Management and the ...

February 28, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report    Accor North America Hotels Selects TravelCLICK’s ChannelManager CHICAGO (April 13, 2005) – Ray Cohen, President and co-CEO of TravelCLICK, the leading provider of solutions that help hotels maximize profits from electronic distribution channels, announced today that Accor Hotels has selected ChannelManager as the online third-party distribution management tool for 16 of its North American properties. ChannelManager provides hoteliers with a single web-based platform from which to manage rates and inventory across multiple third-party Internet sites around the world.  Its PricePoint Man...

The Former Radisson Inn Colorado Springs North Now `The Academy Hotel' / April 2005

February 28, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The Former Radisson Inn Colorado Springs North Now `The Academy Hotel' COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- April 20, 2005 -- More than 150 customers, business leaders and others who work in the local hospitality industry attended The Academy Hotel grand re-opening on Thursday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. Formerly the Radisson North at I-25 and North Academy Blvd (Exit 150), the 156,000-square-foot hotel built in 1972 has dropped its long-term affiliation with the Radisson Corporation. Today, Frank and Marvel Thomson, who have operated the hotel for the last 20 years, officially changed the full-serviceÂ...

ASBTA: Travelers Booking Online Missing Out On Best Deals Travel Industry Has to Offer / April 2005

February 28, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report ASBTA: Travelers Booking Online Missing Out On Best Deals Travel Industry Has to Offer-- Meta-Search Engines Save Small Business Travelers Even More Time and Money -- DALLAS, Texas (April 27, 2005) -- Small business travelers who book itineraries online may be missing out on substantial savings, especially if they're not using meta-search capabilities to find travel deals, reported the American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA). ASBTA is a national, non-profit alliance that provides valuable services and functions focused specifically on the...

AMResorts Opens Three Mexico Resorts Under the New Brand – Dreams Resorts & Spas; The All-inclusive Resorts Accepted by Preferred Hotels & Resor

February 28, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Discount Hotels London, Sydney, Rome, AmsterdamParis, Melbourne, Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, New York, Auckland Discount Hotels London, Sydney, Rome, AmsterdamParis, Melbourne, Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, New York, Auckland AMResorts Opens Three Mexico Resorts Under the New Brand - Dreams Resorts & Spas; The All-inclusive Resorts Accepted by Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide PHILADELPHIA (April 19, 2005)   Dreams Resorts & Spas, a new, all-inclusive luxury resort brand launched this year by AMResorts, was recently accepted by Pre...

Double-Digit Profit Growth for U.S. Hotels in 2004 and 2005; Strong Revenue Growth Overcomes Some Expense Concerns / PKF / February 2005

February 28, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report U.S. Hotels Break Three-Year Losing Streak-- Unit-Level Profits Rise 11.4 Percent In 2004 -- ATLANTA, Ga. (April 26, 2005) -- The typical U.S. hotel achieved an 11.4 percent increase in profits in 2004 over 2003 according to the recently released 2005 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry published by PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), an affiliate of PKF Consulting.  This improved profitability follows a three-year industry recession that saw unit-level hotel profits decline 36.2 percent during the period 2001 through 2003. While the turnaround in unit-level...

/ January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report     Contact: Le Méridien www.lemeridien.com Also See: Amal Benzari Appointed General Manager at Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien in Dubai / December 2004 Adel Baban Appointed Resident Manager at the 144-unit Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Meridien / March 2004 ...

Steiner Leisure Limited Announces Agreement by Mandara Spa to Build and Operate the Spa at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel in Orlando,

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive ...

Spartanburg, S.C., Marriott Works Hard to Attract Visitors / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Susan Orr, Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, S.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jan. 19, 2005 --The executives who run the Spartanburg Marriott at Renaissance Park know that no hotel is an island. They're proud of the 247-room full-service hotel, which boasts 30,000 square feet of meeting space and, they say, amenities and furnishings as elegant as in any hotel. But they also know their upscale hotel is located in Spartanburg, which lacks the density of population, businesses and attractions found in Atlanta or Charlotte, N.C., or ...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report VRX Named Caesars’ Exclusive Virtual Tour Provider Vancouver, B.C. (March 3, 2005) - - VRX Worldwide Inc. (TSX-V: VRW) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, VRX Studios Inc. (“VRX”), has signed an exclusive, five-year agreement with Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (“Caesars”) to create high quality, web-friendly 360-degree virtual tours and still images for 11 of Caesars Entertainment's domestic casino resorts.  The casino property images will be integrated into user-friendly interactive maps to help visually organize the content and orientate viewers. All content ...

10 Trends Affecting Hospitality IT in 2005 / Bradford Iverson / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online Special Report . 10 Trends Affecting  Hospitality IT in 2005 . This article is from the upcoming Spring 2005 issue of Hospitality Upgrade magazine.To view more articles covering technology for the hospitality industry please visit the Hospitality Upgrade Web site or to request a free publication please call (678) 802-5307 or e-mail. by Bradford S. Iverson, March 2005 The hospitality industry has gone through tremendous change over the last decade.  Some changes have been dictated by technological advances, such as the shift from mainframe access via dumb terminals and green screens, to t...

George Maloof Expanding The Palms Casino Resort; $600 Million Project Includes 40-story Hotel Tower and 50-story Condominium Hotel / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report George Maloof Expanding The Palms Casino Resort; $600 Million Project Includes 40-story Hotel Tower  and 50-story Condominium Hotel     LAS VEGAS, March 3, 2005 - The Palms Casino Resort is embarking on a new era of growth that will change the skyline surrounding its landmark location.  Owner George Maloof announced expansion plans to build a 40-story hotel tower and a 520-foot condominium hotel and spa. The $600 million expansion is part of the master plan for the Palms, which resides on 34 acres on West Flamingo Road.  The expansion will introduce some firsts for La...

Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Lee Hayes Director of Training / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Benchmark Hospitality Appoints Lee Hayes Director of Training THE WOODLANDS (HOUSTON), TEXAS, February 2005 - Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed Lee Hayes director of training for the international hospitality management company.  Benchmark manages 28 hotels, resorts and conference centers in the United States and Japan.  As director of training, Mr. Hayes will be responsible for overseeing the employee service training and guest relations programming system-wide for Benchmark Hospitality. Hayes was previously director of training for Benchmark's North Maple Inn, an awa...

The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2004; The Peninsula Hotels in New York, Beverly Hills and Chicago

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2004;  - The Peninsula Hotels in New York, Beverly Hills and Chicago Among Average Daily Rate Leaders in Respective Locales Hong Kong, March 1, 2005 – The total turnover for The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) was HK$3,112 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, representing an increase of 24% as compared to 2003. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were HK$986 million, a rise of 36% over 2003. The increase was driven primarily by the impr...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online Special Report Global Update: Who’s Where and Doing What March  2005 Heads Above the Rest The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm   The Americas David Hoffman, retired Vice President Human Resources for Hilton International, has passed away. He had been a key player in the "golden years" of the company, when Cornellian Curt Strand was the President, and Hilton International was still headquartered at the Waldorf=Astoria. In the seventies and eighties, the company opened and ran some of the finest, most innovative hotels in the world. Hoffman greatly contributed to creating and nurturing a str...

Debi L. Besmer Named Director of Marketing at Loews Coronado Bay Resort / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Debi L. Besmer Named Director of Marketing  at Loews Coronado Bay Resort SAN DIEGO - March 3, 2005 -- Loews Coronado Bay Resort announces the appointment of Debi L. Besmer as director of marketing, according to Kathleen Cochran, general manager. Besmer brings more than 20 years of first-class sales and marketing experience at some of the country's finest hotels and resorts. Throughout her career she has earned a reputation for superlative leadership, and proven capabilities in revenue management, group business assessment and market positioning. In her new role, Besm...

Shangri-La Hotels Providing eCornell Courses for the Company's Management Staff / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Shangri-La Hotels Providing eCornell Courses for the Company's Management Staff Hong Kong, March 21, 2005 - Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, is joining with eCornell training program for the first time to launch e-learning courses for the company's management staff from April 1, 2005.  Three thousand spaces will be offered over the next five years for online professional development in hospitality. An eCornell certificate will be awarded to those completing any of the 57 online courses in five areas:  human resources management; management essent...

Accor Wins Bidding to Operate a 1,240 suite Hotel Under Construction in Mecca, Saudi Arabia; The Zam Zam Sofitel Grand Suites Developed by Kuwaiti Inv

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Accor Wins Bidding to Operate a 1,240 suite Hotel Under Construction in Mecca, Saudi Arabia 0 The Zam Zam Sofitel Grand Suites Developed by Kuwaiti Investment Company Munshaat Group  Paris, March 16, 2005. - As a result of an international bid, Accor has been chosen by the Munshaat Group, a major Kuwaiti investment company, to manage the largest, most luxurious hotel in the Middle East/Africa region, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.  A five-star establishment, the Zam Zam Sofitel Grand Suites is currently being built at a total cost of USD 600 million, with opening scheduled for Sept...

Xanterra Parks & Resorts Cites Problems with Internet Reservation Services – Internet Services Adding Unnecessary Fees to Room Reservations /

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Xanterra Parks & Resorts Cites Problems with Internet Reservation Services - Internet Services Adding Unnecessary Fees to Room Reservations  Read the Fine Print, Book Directly with Operators, Advises  Concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts DENVER (March 23, 2005) -- Many national park visitors will be paying more than necessary for a lodge room this summer, according to Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operator of lodges in Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and other national parks.     Travelers who search...

Frank Givens to Lead Wyndham Sunshine Suites Resort, Cayman Islands / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Frank Givens to Lead Wyndham Sunshine Suites Resort, Cayman Islands Wyndham Sunshine Suites is pleased to announce its new General Manager, Mr. Frank Givens.  A veteran in the hospitality industry, Mr. Givens recently assumed this position after relocating to the Cayman Islands from the state of Missouri where he was the Director of Resort Programs/General Manager of an AAA Four-Diamond Hotel and Spa.   During his career in the hospitality industry, Mr. Givens has had the opportunity to develop and renovate numerous multi-million dollar hotels.  His background also includes Ch...

Westmark Hotels to Open Six Alaska Hotels for May through September Summer Season / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Westmark Hotels to Open Six Alaska Hotels for May through September Summer Season SEATTLE, March 25, 2005 - Westmark Hotels, a subsidiary of Holland America Line, announces Open Season on Alaskan Hospitality. The largest hotel group in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, with 11 hotels in 10 communities, provides a mountain of services to business and leisure tour travelers. Six properties -- located in Skagway, Tok, Denali, Whitehorse (Klondike Inn), Dawson City and Beaver Creek are open mid-May through mid-September. Travelers to Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Whitehorse and Sitka will find ...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Denver’s Westin Tabor Center Appoints Key Executives DENVER, Colo. – March 30, 2005 –  The Westin Tabor Center is pleased to announce the promotion of Margie Fouracre and welcomes Joshua Alderete and Peter St. John to its team. Margie Fouracre’s new responsibilities as director of operations include continuing to oversee the front office and Service Express. In addition she will oversee banquets, culinary, the Starbucks kiosk and the Augusta hotel restaurant.  In 2000, she opened The Westin Westminster as the director of rooms, where she also held the position of operations manager...

Nanjing International Group Selects Starwood to Manage The Westin Nanjing in China, Scheduled to Open in 2009 / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Nanjing International Group Selects Starwood to Manage The Westin Nanjing in China, Scheduled to Open in 2009 SINGAPORE, March 24, 2005 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT) and Nanjing International Group announced an agreement for Starwood to manage The Westin Nanjing in China.  Scheduled to open in early 2009, the hotel will be part of a multi-purpose complex that houses the hotel in one tower and serviced residences, offices and exhibition space in the other two towers.  The hotel will feature 300 rooms, and close to 14,500 square feet of meeting and functio...

Food Service Ware Washing 101 / Lee Simon – Drawing Conclusions / March 2005

January 30, 2005

  Drawing Conclusions Foodservice Design By Lee Simon / The General Group / March 2005   On a recent trip, I traveled to the mid-Atlantic region in order to tour a prominent university’s newest dining venue.  The front-of-house portion of the facility was extremely attractive, offering a number of different dining options to avoid “food fatigue” by the regular patrons.  I was making note of various design techniques during our guided tour by the facility’s manager when all of a sudden I stopped cold in my tracks.  What existed before me was flabbergasting!  Mind-boggling!  It was … the ware washing area.  I could...