January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino Selects Lodging Management System from Agilysys  Industry-Leading Property Management Software Chosen for Exclusive New Property CLEVELAND – Feb. 15, 2005 – Agilysys, Inc., (NASDAQ: AGYS) a leading provider of enterprise computer solutions and hospitality software solutions, announced that L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino in Lake Charles, LA has selected the Lodging Management System (LMS)   from Agilysys, as well as modules LMS ARTS and LMS SPA, to streamline operations at the exclusive property, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2005. L’Auberge ...

Eldorado Hotel Casino Selects LMS Software from Agilysys; Industry-Leading System Chosen for Attraction Ticketing Operations / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Eldorado Hotel Casino Selects LMS Software from Agilysys; Industry-Leading System Chosen for Attraction Ticketing Operations CLEVELAND – Feb. 15, 2005 – Agilysys, Inc., (NASDAQ: AGYS) a leading provider of enterprise computer solutions and hospitality software solutions, announced that Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno, NV has selected LMS ShowGate and LMS ShowNet from Agilysys to streamline attraction ticketing operations at the 816-room property. The hotel will use the system for ticketing at the 580-seat Eldorado Showroom as well as for off-property events such as the Shakespeare Festival at ...

Falling New Hotel Supply Additions in the 25 Largest U.S. Markets Are Boosting Industry-wide Operating Results / Lodging Econometrics / February 200

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Falling New Hotel Supply Additions in the 25 Largest U.S. Markets Are Boosting Industry-wide Operating Results PORTSMOUTH, NH – February 25, 2005 - Lodging Econometrics (LE), the Industry Authority for Hotel Real Estate, has announced that in the nation’s 25 largest lodging markets, a cyclical low 122 hotels having 16,126 rooms opened in 2004 – down from 147 hotels/26,227 rooms in ’03.  The forecast for New Openings in the Top 25 Markets calls for only slight increases in ’05 to 140 hotels/18,061 rooms and to 152 hotels/19,329 rooms in ’06. Patrick Ford, President, stated, “Such l...

HITEC 2005 Exhibit Space 90% Sold-out; June 20-23 in Los Angeles / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report HITEC 2005 Exhibit Space 90% Sold-out;  June 20-23 in Los Angeles AUSTIN, TEXAS; February 23, 2005 - Exhibit space for the 2005 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is 90 percent sold out, making it vital for interested companies to reserve space. Exhibitors will use HITEC 2005, June 20-23 in Los Angeles, to announce new products and alliances, as well as to feature the most current in hospitality technology products and services for guestrooms, front office, food & beverage, operations, sales, security and more.  A complete list of exhibiting companies is...

Interview with Paul Kirwin Head of Carlson Hotels in Asia Pacific and Update on Raffles International and Taj Hotels Marketing Alliance / Murray Baile

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Murray Bailey's Update: Interview with Paul Kirwin Head of Carlson Hotels in Asia Pacific and Update on Raffles International and Taj Hotels Marketing Alliance by Murray Bailey, February 2005 Interview: Paul Kirwin,Carlson Hotels The Carlson group’s hotel brands are Country Inn, Park (Inn, Plaza), Radisson (Hotel, Plaza), and Regent. We believe the company has underperformed in Asia Pacific, particularly with its Regent brand, which it has been operating since 1997. Regent, once Hong Kong-based, has lost most of its hotels in the region, mostly to Four Seasons’ rebranding. Four Seaso...

Florissant Hampton Inn Acquired by Kinseth Hospitality Companies and Florissant Hotel Associates, LLC / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Florissant Hampton Inn Acquired by Kinseth Hospitality Companies and Florissant Hotel Associates, LLC North Liberty, IA, February 1st, 2004 - Kinseth Hospitality Companies (KHC), an Iowa based hotel management company, in conjunction with Florissant Hotel Associates, LLC, are announcing the purchase of the Florissant Hampton Inn, located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Bruce Kinseth, Senior Vice President of KHC. along with Jin Schoonover, Partner in The Buyer's Agent of St. Louis West real estate agency, and Dennis Orne, President of Le Pique & Orne Architects, principals of Florissan...

Joy Smatt, Chairwoman of the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys, Tackles Employee Housing and Air Service to Florida Keys / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Michael Welber, Florida Keys Keynoter, MarathonKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 23, 2005 - It's no secret that many consider the Keys' most critical issue to be the lack of workforce housing. And that issue, according to Joy Smatt, general manager of the upscale Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa in Key West, has grown worse each year. She should know. With a long career in the hospitality industry, Smatt arrived at the Pier House in 1993. That provides her with a solid perspective on the changes that have occurred both in Key West and throughout the Keys. Smatt became chairw...

Kenley C. Moy Named Regional Director of Sales, Eastern Sales Office, for the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Kenley C. Moy Named Regional Director of Sales,  Eastern Sales Office, for the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau February 15, 2005 - Kenley C. Moy has been promoted to Regional Director of Sales, Eastern Sales Office, for the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (SFCVB).  Moy joined the SFCVB as National Sales Manager, Convention Center Accounts, in October 2000.  Previously, Moy was Director of Sales at the Hotel Monaco, National Sales Manager at the Westin St. Francis, Corporate Sales Manager with Bristol Hotels & Resorts and Regional Sales Manager with Hyatt Hotels o...

Benchmark Appoints Ken Jesina General Manager of Stonewall Resort, Weston, West Virginia / February 2005

January 30, 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 Benchmark Appoints Ken Jesina General Manager of Stonewall Resort, Weston, West Virginia ROANOKE, WEST VIRGINIA, January 2005 ...Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Ken Jesina as general manager of Stonewall Resort, the 2,000-acre, $64 million conference resort located near Weston, W...

Kenneth Sorensen Named General Manager of Le Méridien Cyberport, Hong Kong / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Kenneth Sorensen Named General Manager of Le Méridien Cyberport, Hong Kong 21 February 2005, Hong Kong - Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Kenneth Sorensen as General Manager of Le Méridien Cyberport, Hong Kong. Kenneth will in his role spearhead the business and growth of Hong Kong’s only south-side hotel with a key focus on driving revenue, grow market share and further strengthen the hotel’s strategic positioning as Hong Kong’s chic 5-star business hotel.  Kenneth, began his hospitality career in 1990 with Hilton International and spent the f...

Selling Downtown Kansas City to Tourists and Convention Industry is Building Steam; French Restaurants and Craps Table! / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Rick Alm, The Kansas City Star, Mo.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 15, 2005 - Check a map. There's New Orleans and New York City, but also New Philadelphia, New Boston and even a New Baltimore, for goodness sakes. Why not New Kansas City? OK, we probably won't change our name. But a vibrant, new Kansas City is under construction. And the selling of this neon-bathed, party-hearty, reinvented metro downtown to tourists and the nation's convention industry is building steam for a spring launch. A $1 million advertising campaign kicks off in April with the unveiling of a top-sec...

John Dick Appointed General Manager for The Langham Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report John Dick Appointed General Manager for The Langham Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand 15 February 2005 - Auckland & Hong Kong ----- Langham Hotels International announced today the appointment of John Dick as General Manager for its newly rebranded five star property, the Langham Hotel, Auckland, effective 22 February 2005. . “We went on a worldwide search to find the right calibre General Manager for our New Zealand property and are delighted that John will be joining our dynamic management team to help grow our brand and ensure the continued excellence of the property” stated Eric So, Ex...

The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show Expanding Culinary and Spa Resources in November, 2005 with Two Established Trade Shows / February 200

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show Expanding Culinary and Spa Resources in November, 2005 with Two Established Trade Shows WHITE PLAINS, NY, February 1, 2005... The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) will significantly expand culinary and hospitality resources presented in New York City this November through co-locations with two established trade events – EX·TRACTS: Essentials for Spa, Home & Travel and Kosherfest.  While each of the three shows will maintain its unique identity and branding, organizers will cooperate to offer reciprocal access and cros...

Group of John Q. Hammons Hotels Inc. Shareholders Offer $24 per Share for Company, The Barcelo Deal Was $21 per Share / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy George C. Ford, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IowaKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 9, 2005 --A new bidder has emerged for John Q. Hammons Hotels Inc., owner of the Cedar Rapids Marriott. JQH Acquisition LLC, formed by a group of investors, has offered $24 per share for the Springfield, Mo.-based operator of upscale hotels. The two companies announced Friday that they have agreed to exclusive negotiations through Feb. 28. Earlier in the week, hotel chain owner Barcelo Crestline of Spain and McLean, Va., withdrew its offer for John Q. Hammons Hotels after its exclusive negotiating pe...

The 972 room Hyatt Regency Houston In Foreclosure; Hotel Occupancy Averaged 52.9% in Downtown Houston in 2004 / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Bruce Nichols, The Dallas Morning NewsKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 18, 2005 - HOUSTON -- A year after Texas' biggest city opened a municipally financed convention center hotel downtown, the city's former flagship hotel -- the Hyatt Regency -- is being posted for foreclosure, officials confirmed Thursday. "I can tell you the hotel's in foreclosure," general manager Don Henderson said. The hotel will continue to operate. "Hyatt has a lease on the building well into the future," Henderson said. "We'll be around for a long time. This is a piece of real estate. It has absolutel...

Dieter Huckestein Named Chairman and CEO of Conrad Hotels; Targets 50 Hotels by 2010 / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Dieter Huckestein Named Chairman and CEO  of Conrad Hotels; Targets 50 Hotels by 2010     BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Feb. 2, 2005--Hilton Hotels Corporation, Hilton International Co. and Conrad Hotels, in a major initiative to actively develop the luxury Conrad brand on a global basis, announced plans to have up to 50 Conrad Hotels by 2010, making it one of the largest luxury hotel brands in the world. To lead the initiative, the companies appointed 30-year hotel industry veteran Dieter Huckestein chairman and chief executive officer of Conrad Hotels and president of the Hi...

Hotel Web Pro – A New Service Providing a Single Source for all Internet Services, Including Website Design, Optimization, Ad Management, Connec

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hotel Web Pro - A New Service Providing a Single Source for all Internet Services, Including Website Design, Optimization, Ad Management, Connectivity and Booking Engines February 2, 2005 - The need for effective Internet marketing is not new and it is essential to every hotel in today’s web world.  The confusion hotels often face when matching a service to their needs can be overwhelming.  Hotel Web Pro is a new type of service in the sense that it is a single source for all Internet services, including website design, optimization, ad management and booking engine or connectivity.  By t...

Travelers, Hotels Duel Online Over Rates; Hotels Boosting Rates with Minute by Minute Tactics / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Marice Cohn Band, The Miami HeraldKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 18, 2005 - Browsing Expedia.com on his laptop at Starbucks, Angel Vazquez found a good price on a hotel room for this week's jam-packed Miami boat show. But the deal didn't last long -- Vazquez made sure of that. "The question I ask myself is: Do I have an opportunity to raise rates?" the 31-year-old explained a few days later at Tecton Hospitality, which pays Vazquez to set prices for three small Miami Beach hotels the company runs. As a result, Vazquez spends his days -- and nights and weekends -- trying to st...

HOTEL Asia Pacific magazine wins PATA Gold Award – for 4th-year running / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report HOTEL Asia Pacific magazine wins PATA Gold Award – for 4th-year running Hong Kong, 21 February 2005: Leading hospitality-industry magazine HOTEL Asia Pacific has won the 2005 PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Gold Award for the best business article. This is the fourth consecutive year that the magazine, established in January 2000, has been honoured in the awards. The winning article, Who Wins?, appeared in the January/February 2004 issue of the magazine. The indepth cover story investigated the complex and controversial maneuverings that led to Starwood Hotels & Resorts sec...

Homewood Suites by Hilton Commences Brand Enhancement Program; Full Completion for 145 Hotels Slated for Year End 2008 / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Homewood Suites by Hilton Commences Brand Enhancement Program; Full Completion for 145 Hotels Slated for Year End 2008 MEMPHIS, Tenn - Feb. 16, 2005 -- Homewood Suites by Hilton(R), the national brand of upscale all-suite, residential-style hotels, officially launched a five-year product enhancement program today, titled "Distinctly Homewood." Based on comprehensive guest studies and input from both internal and external constituents, "Distinctly Homewood" addresses three areas to keep the brand the leader in the extended stay industry:  Relevance,  Consistency, and  Distin...

Hobert Wehir, Doorman for the Lodge at Rancho Mirage, Named 2005 Frontline Person of the Year by the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visito

January 30, 2005

  . Tourism Column By Gary C. Sherwin  Vice President, Market Development Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority  February 15, 2005 Imagine this fantasy: You are a doorman for a luxury hotel in Rancho Mirage when supermodel Kathy Ireland arrives and sees your motorcycle chopper parked nearby. She likes it so much that she wants to use the bike in her swimsuit calendar that she is in town shooting and invites you to come along. After the shoot, and while she is still in her swimsuit, she is so appreciative of your generosity that she asks you if want some photos taken together while sitting o...

Hilton International Appoints Greg Seddon and Danny Sukomol to Lead Hilton's National Sales Office in Thailand / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hilton International Appoints Greg Seddon and Danny Sukomol to Lead Hilton's National Sales Office in Thailand Singapore, February 7, 2005….Hilton International today announced the appointment of two veteran sales professionals to lead its newly formed National Sales Office in Thailand.  The National Sales Office was formed to support the expansion of the Hilton brand in Thailand and provide a complete, one-stop solution for Hilton’s travel partners. The office commenced operations on January 1, 2005.   Greg Seddon has been appointed Senior Director of Sales (commencing February 1, 2...

Hilton Worldwide Resorts Expanding with 14 New Resorts to Open In the Next Two Years / February 2005

January 30, 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  Hilton Worldwide Resorts Expanding with 14 New Resorts to Open In the Next Two Years 21st February 2005 – Award winning Hilton Worldwide Resorts today launched its 2005 portfolio, which includes 13 additional properties, bringing the current number of resorts to 59 in 24 countries. The upscale resort network has...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hilton Garden Inn® Evolving with New Guest Room Amenities: 26” Flat Panel High-def TVs, Ergonomic Desk Chair and New Technology Air Cell Mattresses BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., February 15, 2005 – Hilton Garden Inn® is transforming the hotel experience yet again with the Evolution Solution Express (ESE) TM, a 72-foot, 67,000 pound mobile marketing truck that features a full scale model guestroom offering the latest in guest comfort and sleep, ergonomic and entertainment technology. The ESE will trek across the U.S and Canada, and visit popular tourist events and destinations to provide trav...