Interstate Hotels & Resorts Acquires the 329-room Hilton Concord for $29.15 million / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Interstate Hotels & Resorts Acquires the 329-room Hilton Concord for $29.15 million ARLINGTON, Va., February 14, 2005 — Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR), the nation’s largest independent hotel management company, today announced that it has acquired the 329-room Hilton Concord in the San Francisco, Calif., East Bay area.    The property was purchased from Newport Beach-based Hanford Hotels, Inc., for $29.15 million, or $88,600 a room.  Interstate will manage the hotel.  “We have been reviewing a substantial number of hotel acquisition opportunities over the past year...

The Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront Opens; 72-Room Hotel Designed by Architect Gerald Dixon, Composed of 19 Buildings / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront Opens;  72-Room Hotel Designed by Architect Gerald Dixon,  Composed of 19 Buildings ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Feb. 8, 2005 -- Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) today announced the opening of the new Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront, a 72-room property in "America's Oldest City." The hotel was designed by local architect Gerald Dixon and is composed of 19 buildings. The unique design was inspired by the owners' vision to return the area to the look, the charm and the feel this location offered during St. Augustine's Spanish Coloni...

Defining the Hi-Tech Hotel; Anticipating the Tech Needs of Your Guests and Providing It Ahead of Being Asked / HOTEL Asia Pacific / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Defining the Hi-Tech Hotel;  Anticipating the Tech Needs of Your Guests and Providing It Ahead of Being Asked by Terence Ronson, HOTEL Asia Pacific, February 2005 Hoteliers need to be Boy Scouts {or Girl Guides}… For me, the sun can’t rise soon enough on the day that dawns the new era when the Boy Scout Motto "Be Prepared" is unanimously accepted as the mantra for the contemporary Hotelier. This being crucial as they mold their attitude towards the ever demanding, and evolving technological needs of the guest. Because of the cookie cutter approach some operators take in the hope of cre...

Hersha Hospitality Management to Operate Two Newly Opened, Hilton Family-Branded Hotels in New York Metro Area / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hersha Hospitality Management to Operate Two Newly Opened, Hilton Family-Branded Hotels in New York Metro Area PHILADELPHIA, Pa., February 16, 2005 — Officials of Hersha Hospitality Management, L.P. (HHMLP), an operator of nationally franchised, premium branded, full-service and limited-service hotels, today announced that the company has signed management agreements to operate two newly opened, Hilton family-branded hotels in the New York metro area:  the 136-room Hampton Inn-Manhattan Madison Square Garden Area and the 194-room Hilton Garden Inn Queens/JFK Airport.  “The New York m...

Hersha Hospitality Trust Acquires 109-room Fairfield Inn in Laurel, Maryland / 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 Hersha Hospitality Trust Acquires 109-room Fairfield Inn in Laurel, Maryland PHILADELPHIA, Pa., February 9, 2005 — Hersha Hospitality Trust (AMEX: HT), a real estate investment trust (REIT) and owner of nationally franchised, premium, limited-service hotels, today announced that it acquired the 109-room Fairfield I...

TIG Global Announces Executive Promotions to Propel Strategic Growth / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report     TIG Global Announces Executive Promotions to Propel Strategic Growth Sue Heilbronner named EVP of marketing and business development,  John Tunney named EVP of finance and administration Washington, D.C. – February 24, 2005 - TIG Global, the market leader in providing consultative, turnkey web presence management and marketing services to the hospitality industry, announced several key executive promotions, including Sue Heilbronner to executive vice president of marketing and business development, and John Tunney to executive vice president of finance and administration. Thes...

Portland, Oregon's Heathman Hotel Now Wholly Owned by London-based Taylor-Clark Inc. / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Jonathan Brinckman, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 19, 2005 - The Heathman Hotel, a downtown luxury hotel owned until 2000 by a Northwest family, is now wholly owned by London-based Taylor-Clark Inc. The British company paid an undisclosed amount to buy out its former partner, the Rim Hotel Group of Modesto, Calif., The Heathman's general manager confirmed Friday. The transaction was completed Dec. 15, he said. The two companies bought the hotel in September 2000 from the Stevenson family of Bingen, Wash., for what Rim officials said at the time ...

Business and Convention Travelers' Habits Tracked / Top 25 Cities for Convention / Conference/Seminar Travelers / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Business and Convention Travelers' Habits Tracked - Top 25 Cities for Convention / Conference/Seminar Travelers Washington, DC --  February 8, 2005 - Business and convention travel is finally showing signs of recovery, although greater emphasis on travel policies and the increasing use of technology has caused the business travel landscape to shift, according to a new report from the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) and the Institute of Business Travel Management. The 2004 Business and Convention Travelers Report shows that be...

HSMAI Creates Special Interest Groups in Five Industry Segments / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report HSMAI Creates Special Interest Groups in Five Industry Segments MCLEAN, VA (Feb. 24, 2005) – In keeping with its overall objective to create relevance for its members and to be a vital information source for the industry at large, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has launched Special Interest Groups (SIG) in five industry segments. The categories to-date are:    Hotel Internet Marketing   Cruise Internet Marketing   Revenue Management   Resort Marketing   Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing Each SIG is led by an Advi...

A Highly Specialized Market Segment for Hotels; Airline Contracting Strategy Conference Set for March 2-4 2005, Phoenix / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report A Highly Specialized Market Segment for Hotels;  Airline Contracting Strategy Conference Set for March 2-4 2005, Phoenix MCLEAN, VA (Feb. 17, 2005) – Addressing the unique needs of the airline and hotel contracting segment of the marketplace – a highly specialized market segment for hotels – the  Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is presenting the second annual HSMAI Airline & Hotel Contracting Strategy Conference in Phoenix, AZ March 2-4, 2005 at the Crown Plaza Phoenix Airport. The program is designed to facilitate communication and understanding betw...

Hospitality Properties Trust, a REIT Owning 285 hotels in 38 states, Reports 4th Qtr Net income Dropped to $35.9 million from $144.1 million Last Year

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hospitality Properties Trust, a REIT Owning 285 Hotels in 38 states, Reports 4th Qtr Net income Dropped to $35.9 million from $144.1 million Last Year Hotel Operating Statistics NEWTON, Mass. - Feb. 8, 2005--Hospitality Properties Trust (NYSE: HPT) today announced its results of operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2004, as follows:    (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)                                    Quarter Ended        Year Ended                                     De...

Starwood Reports 15% Increase in 4th Qtr Profit; Net Income $100 million vs $87 million a Year Earlier, REVPAR for Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide I

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 Starwood Reports 15% Increase in 4th Qtr Profit; Net Income $100 million vs $87 million a Year Earlier,  REVPAR for Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide Increased 11.1% Hotel Operating Statistics WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Feb. 3, 2005 -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT): Fourth Quarter 2004 Highlig...

Host Marriott Reports 4th Qtr 2004 Profit of $61 million Compared with a Profit of $150 million a Year Earlier; Hotel RevPAR Up 8.6% / Hotel Operatin

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 Host Marriott Reports 4th Qtr 2004 Profit of $61 million Compared with a Profit of $150 million a Year Earlier;  Hotel RevPAR Up 8.6% Hotel Operating Statistics BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 24, 2005 - Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE: HMT), the nation's largest lodging real estate investment trust (REIT), today announced re...

American Hospitality Management, Inc. Opens 96 room Holiday Inn Express in Lexington, Kentucky / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report American Hospitality Management, Inc. Opens 96 room Holiday Inn Express in Lexington, Kentucky ATLANTA (Feb. 15, 2005) -  InterContinental Hotels Group announced today that the new 96-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lexington Downtown University, recently opened, representing another addition to the mid-scale brand's portfolio of limited-service hotels. With the addition of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lexington Downtown University, there are now 33 Holiday Inn Express hotels with more than 2,100 guestrooms in the state of Kentucky. The Holiday Inn Express Hot...

Highland Hospitality Corporation Reports Net Income of $4.3 million For the Year Ended December 31, 2004; Expecting Improvements in 2005 Driven by Ren

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Highland Hospitality Corporation Reports Net Income of $4.3 million For the Year Ended December 2004;  Expecting Improvements in 2005 Driven by Renovation, Repositioning MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 10, 2005 - Highland Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: HIH), a lodging real estate investment trust, or REIT, today reported its consolidated financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. Consolidated Financial Results For the quarter ended December 31, 2004, the Company reported consolidated total revenue of $53.0 million and consolidated net income of $.9 million, or $.02 per dilut...

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professional's Club and Hotel Controllers Conferences Set for March 21-22 in Las Vegas, Nevada and April 25-

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hospitality Financial and Technology Professional's Club and Hotel Controllers Conferences Set for March 21-22 in Las Vegas, Nevada and April 25-26 in Atlanta, Georgia AUSTIN, TEXAS; February 3, 2005 - Hospitality Financial and Technology Professional's (HFTP) popular Club and Hotel Controllers Conferences will feature education sessions that focus on essential club- and hotel-specific topics. The first conference will be held March 21-22, 2005 at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The second will be held April 25-26, 2005 at the Embassy Suites Hotel - Centennial O...

January 30, 2005

Diversified Computer Corp. Moves GuestWare Headquarters to Seattle’s Futuristic, High-Tech Fisher Plaza; Cites Increased Demand for Safe and Secure Data Hosting SEATTLE—February 22, 2005—Diversified Computer Corp. (DCC), maker of GuestWare, the lodging industry’s leading customer relationship management software, has moved its offices to Fisher Plaza, Seattle’s new high-tech office complex. Fisher Plaza’s infrastructure, wired to meet current and unanticipated information technology demands, will provide GuestWare and those customers who use the software with a safe and secure hosting environment backed by system r...

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Invests $1 million In a Series of Themed Rooms and Suites / 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 The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Invests $1 million In a Series of Themed Rooms and Suites ASHEVILLE, N.C. (January 2004) – Can you imagine reliving the 60s, toasting to the good life of F. Scott Fitzgerald or experiencing a golfers paradise without even being outside? It can now be done as The Grove Park Inn Resort...

Griemsmann Real Estate Announces the Sale of Holiday Inn in Emeryville, California / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Griemsmann Real Estate Announces the Sale of Holiday Inn, Emeryville, California . February 21, 2005 – Griemsmann Real Estate, representing buyers RIM Hospitality and AG West Investors, and Jack Ward of Hodges Ward & Elliott, representing the seller John Q. Hammons, announced the completion of the sale of the Holiday Inn in Emeryville, California. Griemsmann Real Estate arranged the sale of the 279 room Holiday Inn located in Emeryville, California, the gateway to San Francisco, and site of aggressive development of retail, residential and mixed use, including IKEA, Bay Street Emeryville, Hom...

Hyatt Regency Boston First Hotel in Boston to Become a Member of Green Hotels Association / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hyatt Regency Boston First Hotel in Boston to Become a Member of Green Hotels Association Boston, MA: February 4, 2005: In addition to the multi-million dollar renovation scheduled to be completed in March, 2005, Hyatt Regency Boston has created some of the most integrated and comprehensive Green Initiatives. "We believe it's important that we commit ourselves to environmentally friendly practices," said David Nadelman, General Manager. "As a leader in the community, Hyatt Regency Boston believes it is our responsibility to continually strive to improve our "green" practices. In...

Owners of the the Greek Isles Hotel and Casino Break Off Dealings with New York Real Estate Group Desiring to Buy the Property / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-JournalKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 23, 2005 - The owners of the Greek Isles broke off all dealings with a New York real estate group that wanted to buy the off-Strip property weeks ago and his company will continue to operate the hotel-casino, a company executive said Tuesday. John Marks, president of Chicago-based Mark IV Hospitality, which owns the property, said in a statement that "no earnest money was ever tendered and a final contract document was never executed" between Convention Center Drive LLC, operators of the 206-room Greek Isle...

Great Service Grows From Great Praise / Richard K. Hendrie / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Great Service Grows From Great Praise by Richard K. Hendrie, February 2005     “Praise the tiny qualities you want to grow.” David Deida, The Way of the Superior Man Anyone who manages a retail business faces a dilemma. The very talents and skills that allow you to run a profitable business: successful processes to achieve specific objectives, management of information, relentless attention to business detail, and, of course, ability to deliver profits are the same ones that ruin a culture of service. Poison it, in fact.  I can hear the echo of discontent rumbling through th...

The Great Escape Near Lake George, NY Building $40 million Hotel with Indoor Water Park / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Gretta Nemcek Stanclift, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, N.Y.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 7, 2005 - QUEENSBURY -- Next winter, visitors to the new hotel at the Great Escape can trade in their snow boards for boogie boards. The Great Escape hopes to become a year-round attraction once people get wind of the new hotel's indoor water park. The full-service water park will feature a flow rider, a surfable wave-making machine that can be used for boogie boarding. "We see it as another attraction, another reason to come to the Adirondacks in the winter time," said John Collins, the ge...

GolfHero Partners with Falcon's Fire and Metrowest; Online Golf Vacation Packages with Cutting Edge Technology / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report GolfHero Partners with Falcon's Fire and Metrowest;  Online Golf Vacation Packages with Cutting Edge Technology SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – ( February 1, 2005 ) - As an online travel portal that places a strong emphasis in creating innovative technology solutions for the golf travel industry, GolfHero has entered into a partnership agreement with Falcon’s Fire and MetroWest golf courses. “We are very excited about this business relationship with two of the golf industry’s premium golf course facilities. This partnership will enable us to provide an efficient, simple solution to planning a golf ...