Newport Beach Marriott Begins Second and Final Phase of $60 Million Renovation / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Newport Beach Marriott Begins Second and Final Phase of  $60 Million Renovation NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 8, 2005 - Let the countdown begin. In approximately ten months, the 30-year-old hotel that sits at 900 Newport Center Drive will sport a whole new look and feel. Today, it moves into its second and final phase of a $60 million, year-and-a-half-long renovation and will re-emerge this December as the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. The hotel will feature 20 luxury suites, including five penthouse suites with ocean views; 532 guest rooms with the new plush Marriott bedding; a 14...

Marriott International Partners With Four Native American Tribes to Launch Unprecedented Economic Partnership / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Marriott International Partners With Four Native American Tribes to Launch Unprecedented  Economic Partnership-- New $43 Million Residence Inn by Marriott Capitol is Near the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) -- WASHINGTON, March 7, 2005 - Marriott International, Inc.(NYSE: MAR), Four Fires LLC, a unique financial partnership of Native American tribes, and The Donohoe Companies, celebrated the grand opening of the $43 million Residence Inn by Marriott Capitol, at 333 E Street, S.W. The celebration, which included a Native Ameri...

Massachusetts Lodging Association Recognizes Hotel Marlowe's Earthsmart Eco Initiative / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Massachusetts Lodging Association Recognizes Hotel Marlowe's Earthsmart Eco Initiative CAMBRIDGE, MASS  (March 22, 2005) – Hotel Marlowe, a luxury hotel on the banks of the Charles River in Cambridge, has earned the “Good Earthkeeping Program” award for their dedicated, company wide eco-friendly initiative.  The award was presented to Hotel Marlowe at the MLA’s annual Stars of the Industry Award Gala earlier this month.  Hotel Marlowe will now be entered to win the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s national award. Hotel Marlowe’s Earthsmart Eco Initiative is a comprehensive ...

Who Would Have Thought – Today's Hotel Marketing Necessity Is Also its Best Value / Neil Salerno / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Who Would Have Thought - Today's Hotel Marketing Necessity Is Also its Best Value By: Neil Salerno, CHME, CHA – March 2005 To borrow a phrase from the Smith Travel Research web site “It’s not rocket science…it’s more important than that”. Randy I give you credit, you nailed it. Of course Randy Smith was referring to research data, but it can apply to Internet marketing as well.  All fluff and technical terminology aside, the Internet is still the most economical, value-packed marketing tool ever devised. But you’ve heard that all before. I’m constantly amazed that it is still sh...

Manhattan Hotel Occupancy Increased to 83.2% In 2004, In 2005 Occupancy May Grow to 84.9% / PricewaterhouseCoopers / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Manhattan Hotel Occupancy Increased to 83.2% In 2004, In 2005 Occupancy May Grow to 84.9% PricewaterhouseCoopers Forecasts Manhattan Occupancy and Average Daily Room Rate to Exceed Year-2000 Peak Levels in 2005 NEW YORK, February 22, 2005 - According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality & Leisure practice, strong local economic growth combined with an increase in business travel and international arrivals will lead to the continuation of robust revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth for Manhattan hotels in 2005 and 2006. In 2004, Manhattan hotel occupancy increased by 7.3...

France Hotel Supply Drops Slightly for Second Consecutive Year; The Market Share of Corporate Hotel Brands Gaining on Independent Hotels Supply / Marc

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report France Hotel Supply Drops Slightly for Second Consecutive Year;  The Market Share of Corporate Hotel Brands Gaining on Independent Hotels Supply  Paris, March 7th 2005  While the number of foreign tourists continues to falter in France, even though the French are increasingly staying at hotels in the national territory, the total French hotel supply has fallen for the second consecutive year. As of January 1st, 2005, with some 662,000 rooms and 20,140 rated hotels, all categories mixed, the French hotel supply registered a slight drop of 0.1%. With 262,500 rooms and 3,...

Matthew T. Hoffmann Appointed General Manager for The Council House and Wingspread in Racine, Wisconsin / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Matthew T. Hoffmann Appointed General Manager for The Council House and Wingspread in Racine, Wisconsin RACINE, WISCONSIN, March 2005 - Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Matthew T. Hoffmann as general manager for The Council House, an exclusive international conference center for SC Johnson, a Family Company, and Wingspread, a private conference center for the Johnson Foundation.  Both properties are located in Racine.  Ellen Sinclair, vice president for Benchmark Hospitality, made the announcement. Mr. Hoffmann was previously director of operations f...

MHI Hospitality Corporation Completes Initial Public Offering, Reports 2004 Financial Results / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report MHI Hospitality Corporation Completes Initial Public Offering, Reports 2004 Financial Results WILLIAMSBURG, Va., March 22, 2005 - MHI Hospitality Corporation (Amex: MDH), a self advised lodging real estate investment trust (REIT), today reported results for the year and period ended December 31, 2004 and its business outlook for 2005.  Highlights Successful completion of initial public offering of six million shares with additional 700,000 shares exercised of the underwriter's over-allotment option, for net proceeds of $61.3 million. $23 million revolving line of credit with Branc...

Vista Host Appoints Marte Dobosh Director of Sales for the Hampton Inn & Suites Albany / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Vista Host Appoints Marte Dobosh Director of Sales for the Hampton Inn & Suites Albany ALBANY, NY – Monday, March 21, 2005 - The Hampton Inn & Suites Albany, which is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2005, announces that Marte Dobosh has been named the Director of Sales. Marte is the hotel’s first official employee and will be introducing the hotel to the local business community of Albany, New York and the surrounding market as the first newly constructed downtown hotel in 20 years. The Hampton Inn & Suites is a Hilton branded property. Ms. Dobosh has considerable hospitality experienc...

Marriott International Announces Hotel of the Year Honorees for Eight Brands / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Marriott International Announces "Hotel of the Year" Honorees for Eight Brands WASHINGTON – March 24, 2005 – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) recently announced the recipients of its annual Hotel of the Year award.  The recognition is handed out to select hotels worldwide that represent the very best of Marriott.   They have a reputation for excellence and a commitment to success.  These hotels have a tremendous spirit to serve by going above and beyond for guests as well as their employees. “All of these hotels consistently demonstrated operational excellence based on brand...

Marriott, Renaissance Unveil New Generation of Guest Rooms; Part of the Company's Move to Bring More Variety to its Portfolio of Hotels / March 2

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Marriott, Renaissance Unveil New Generation of Guest Rooms; Part of the Company's Move to Bring More Variety to its Portfolio of Hotels March 7, 2005 - Marriott International, Inc. today unveiled its stunning new Marriott and Renaissance guest rooms to more than 800 of the company's general managers and executives. The new full-service guest rooms will be installed in newly developed hotels and replace the current room decor and bedding in existing properties as renovations are scheduled. "These rooms have a whole new look and feel," said J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executiv...

Fourteen Marriott International General Managers Receive GM of the Year Awards / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Fourteen Marriott International General Managers Receive "GM of the Year" Awards WASHINGTON – March 24, 2005 – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) recently announced the recipients of its annual GM of the Year award.  The recognition is given to select hotel general managers who have steadfastly, over time, been a role model of leadership.  They have led their hotel teams to achieve excellence through their creativity and vision, their dedication to developing the best talent, and their keen focus on improving customer service. “They are all exemplary and courageous leaders who d...

Marriott Named Energy Star® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Marriott Named Energy Star® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WASHINGTON –  March 1, 2005 – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) has been named by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for implementing programs that save more than 80 million KWH of electric energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64,000 tons annually. Marriott’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 15. Today, 90 percent of Marriott hotels have undergone energy efficiency ...

Most Prestigious Luxury Hotel Brand? Ritz-Carlton Rated a Strong First, Four Seasons a Strong Second Among 15 Luxury Brands Rated / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Most Prestigious Luxury Hotel Brand? Ritz-Carlton Rated a Strong First, Four Seasons a Strong Second Among 15 Luxury Brands Rated  NEW YORK - March 21, 2005 -- Wealthy consumers, take note as you make vacation plans for summer! Ritz-Carlton earned highest honors as the most prestigious brand in its segment, according to the new luxury hotel survey from the New York, NY-based Luxury Institute. Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons are truly in a class by themselves as the strongest luxury hotel and resorts brands in the 2005 Luxury Brand Status Index survey. The Institute only surveys wealthy co...

Luxe Worldwide Adds the Griffon, San Francisco and The Rafaelhoteles Piramides, Madrid / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Luxe Worldwide Adds the Griffon, San Francisco and The Rafaelhoteles Piramides, Madrid Los Angeles, California - March 1, 2005 - Efrem Harkham, CEO and President of the premiere hotel representation company Luxe Worldwide Hotels, announced today two new member hotels: the Hotel Griffon, San Francisco, California and the Rafaelhoteles Piramides, Madrid, Spain. Both join the varied Luxe Worldwide portfolio of over 200 member hotels in 27 countries. Hotel Griffon, San Francisco, sited in a restored 19th century building, is located in the city’s financial district, blocks from the Embarcadero Cen...

Lawsuit Claims Reservation Web Site Violates the Nevada Consumer Fraud Act; Vegas.com Claims it Offers the Lowest Hotel Rates in Las Vegas / March

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy John G. Edwards, Las Vegas Review-JournalKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Mar. 5, 2005 - A local lawyer has filed a lawsuit against Vegas.com and the Greenspun Corp., alleging that the Vegas.com Web site makes false and fraudulent statements about the prices of hotel rooms it books in Las Vegas. Vegas.com referred calls to its president, Howard Lefkowitz, who couldn't be reached for comment. The lawsuit by Jeffrey Pitegoff claims the site violates the Nevada Consumer Fraud Act, negligently misrepresents its room prices and breaches contracts with consumers. The Web site says it offe...

White Lodging Services Opens the 616 room Louisville Marriott Downtown / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report White Lodging Services Opens the 616 room Louisville Marriott Downtown WASHINGTON, March 29, 2005 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) today announced the opening of the Louisville Marriott Downtown. The 17-story convention hotel features 616 rooms, including 25 suites and two Presidential suites, and is located at 280 West Jefferson Street. The property is owned by Kentucky Hotel Convention Partners, LLC and managed by White Lodging Services of Merrillville, Ind. "We're very excited to be opening this great new hotel, which is in the heart of downtown Louisville and on the doorstep...

Losing a Diamond or Star / Harry Nobles & Cheryl Griggs / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Losing a Diamond or Star E-mail:  info@optimumrating.com March 2005 No owner or manager is ever happy to have their hotel’s AAA or MOBIL rating lowered, but how bad is it?   How much does it directly affect occupancy, daily rate, or the property’s image and prestige?  Does it have any impact on guest satisfaction which, in our opinion, is the most important factor in the equation?  Loyal repeat guests will rarely forsake you solely on the basis of a lost star or diamond; their patronage was probably not based totally on the rating anyway.  They have patronized your property ove...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Industry-First Subscription Sports Programming Comes To Guest Room TVs  NBA League Pass And Other Daily Subscription Packages Expected To Increase Hoteliers’ RevPAR And Traveler Satisfaction By Peter Klebanoff March 2005 For a long time, hoteliers have told us their guests want more sports entertainment in their rooms. Those sentiments ring true with research showing that sports is one of the most popular types of TV programming on the planet. Professional and college sports broadcasting is a multi-billion dollar industry, and sports fans have more live events to watch now than ever...

Earl Holding, Little America Hotels Owner, May Be a Player in Developing Convention Center for Cheyenne, Wyoming / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Jessica Lowell, Wyoming Tribune-EagleKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Mar. 11, 2005 - CHEYENNE -- The bumpy road to developing a convention center in Cheyenne may have been smoothed a great deal this week. Earl Holding, who heads up the Little America hotel chain, met in Salt Lake City with a delegation from Cheyenne on Wednesday to talk about expanding facilities at his Cheyenne hotel. "Nothing is final," Little America general manager Shaun Powis said Thursday from his Cheyenne office, "but this is the closest we've ever been." For about two years, a community task force has been...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report IHC’s Lasky Hosting “Essentials Of Hotel Management” Event in Berlin International Hotel Conference Founder Morris E. Lasky takes latest hotel management workshop overseas;  First European event to be held on March 15, 2005 CHICAGO— March 3, 2005 – When the founder and producer of the acclaimed International Hotel Conference in Monte Carlo launches a new industry event, you can bet that it will spark interest and attract an impressive line-up of high profile attendees. That’s what happened last year when the IHC’s Morris E. Lasky launched a new series of comprehensive, one-day ...

Dog Friendly Hotels Catering To Large Dogs Find A Niche Market / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Dog Friendly Hotels Catering To Large Dogs Find A Niche Market Knoxville, TN - March 31, 2005 - According to a recent survey conducted by BringYourPet.com, 47% of respondents say they travel with dogs over 40 pounds and 78% stay at designated pet-friendly hotels or lodging at least once a year. With these numbers in mind, many hoteliers are revising their previous weight restrictions and ultimately increasing their bottom line.  DogFriendlyDirectory.com, a leading pet friendly lodging resource for travelers caters specifically to those traveling with large dogs. On the Web site travelers can ...

Klaus Lapp Named Managing Director at Paradisus Puerto Rico / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Klaus Lapp Named Managing Director  at Paradisus Puerto Rico RIO GRANDE, P.R.  (March 23, 2005) -- Andre Gerondeau, executive vice president Central-North America for Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Klaus Lapp as the new managing director of the 500-room Paradisus Puerto Rico, the island’s first all-inclusive, luxury resort.Lapp will be responsible for the 44-acrebeachfront resort, including oversight and management of the 600-plus staff, its six food and beverage outlets, ro...

Historic La Posada de Albuquerque Bought Out of Bankruptcy for $4 million; The Goodman Realty Group Planning 18 Month Restoration / March 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Diane Velasco, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Mar. 11, 2005 - ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Downtown's historic La Posada de Albuquerque was bought out of bankruptcy Thursday by Goodman Realty Group for $4 million. The group beat out the only other bidder, Corporacion De La Fonda, owner of La Fonda in Santa Fe. The auction was held Thursday morning on the second floor of the hotel. The Goodman Realty Group plans to invest "considerably more" money into the property than it paid, company president Gary Goodman said. "We want to make it absolutely first class," he sai...