Dan Goldes and Tina Wu Named to Vice President Posts at the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau / 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 Dan Goldes and Tina Wu Named to Vice President Posts at the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau February 23, 2005 - The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (SFCVB) has announced that Dan Goldes has returned to the Bureau as Vice President, Member & Community Relations and Tina Wu has been promoted to V...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Bacara Resort & Spa Improves Concierge Operations and Guest Satisfaction as Multiple Departments Benefit from GoConcierge.net’s Web-based Solution SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—February 14 , 2005—Bacara Resort & Spa, a 78-acre Spanish Colonial resort tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynes Mountains, has added efficiencies to its concierge operations, improved guest satisfaction and created a new revenue stream with the help of GoConcierge, the lodging industry’s leading concierge operations solution. Web-based GoConcierge is produced by GoConcierge.net, Los Angeles. "Before implement...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online Special Report Global Update: Who’s Where and Doing What February  2005 Heads Above the Rest The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm   The Americas Michael Silberstein, (Cornell class of 1974), has joined El-Ad Properties, the new owners of New York’s Plaza, as Owner’s Representative. Silberstein, who is a former Managing Director at the New York Palace, will advise El-Ad on their conversion of the 1907 landmark into a mixed-use building to include 250 high-end condominia, a 150-room boutique hotel, and a substantial amount of luxe retail space. Jim Veil has been appointed President of Atl...

German Hotel Market Sees First Positive Growth in 3 Years / Deloitte / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report German Hotel Market Sees First Positive Growth in 3 Years February 2005 - Finally 2004 brought good news for German hoteliers. For the first time since 2001 Germany reported positive growth in revenue per available room (revPAR). Year-end results from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte also showed that Germany managed to outperform the majority of its European rivals, coming second only to the United Kingdom in terms of revPAR growth. Overall Germany finished 2004 with revPAR up almost 5% on the prior year. As can be seen in the graph below, occupancy was the main driver of re...

The 1,511-room Gaylord Texan Resort Enjoying Too Much Business, Doesn't Have Enough Parking Spaces; Forced to Move Employee Parking Two Miles

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveFort Worth Star-Telegram, TexasKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 11, 2005 - GRAPEVINE -- When the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center on Lake Grapevine opened in April, officials proudly proclaimed that it would bring new business to the Metroplex. Now it's also luring more Metroplex residents than expected to its three upscale restaurants. Hotel officials won't say exactly how good that restaurant business is, but they point to a $9.4 million parking garage being built at the north end of the property as evidence. The crowds have also led Texan officials to table plans tempo...

Randy Gantenbein Named General Manager of New Britt Scripps Inn, San Diego / 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 Randy Gantenbein Named General Manager of New Britt Scripps Inn, San Diego SAN DIEGO – February 2, 2005 – Owner Gordon Hattersley, III is pleased to announce Randy Gantenbein as general manager of the exclusive Britt Scripps Inn, San Diego’s newest luxury nine-room Inn opening February 14, 2005.  With more than...

Great Hotels Organisation Reports 15% Increase in Hotel Membership During 2004 / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Great Hotels Organisation Reports 15% Increase in Hotel Membership During 2004 7 February 2005 - Great Hotels Organisation, which includes hotel consortia brands Great Hotels of the World and Special Hotels of the World has announced a 15% increase in hotel membership during 2004. The organisation reported figures rising from 226 hotel members in 2003 to 267 members in 2004. Although Great Hotels Organisation has signed up 94 new member hotels during 2004, the percentage increase of 15% is as a result of the departure of some members following the recent implementation of strict new qual...

Gaylord Entertainment Co. Narrows 4th Qtr Loss to $8.9 million from $14.5 million a Year Ago; Solid Performance from Both the Gaylord Palms and Gaylor

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Gaylord Entertainment Co. Narrows 4th Qtr Loss to $8.9 million from $14.5 million a Year Ago; Solid Performance from Both the Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Texan Hotel Operating Statistics Gaylord Hotels Exceeds Future Bookings Goal of 1.4 Million Room Nights;  Gaylord National Bookings Off To A Strong Start NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Feb. 15, 2005 -- Gaylord Entertainment Co. (NYSE: GET) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2004. For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2004: Consolidated revenues increased by 47.2 percent to $192.6 million from $130.8 million in the ...

American Airlines, Sabre, GetThere, Cliqbook and Four Seasons Discuss Direction of Travel Technology / 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 American Airlines, Sabre, GetThere, Cliqbook and Four Seasons Discuss Direction of Travel Technology New York (February 22, 2005) - Ultramar Travel Management, Inc. hosted a roundtable, "Defending Your Travel Choice," where the industry's leaders gathered to discuss the future of travel technology.  With the trave...

Foxwoods, Already World's Largest Casino Complex, Planning a $700 million Expansion Including a 825-room Hotel / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Ralph Ranalli, The Boston GlobeKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 2, 2005 - Foxwoods, the world's largest casino complex, which draws some 14 million visitors a year, is planning a $700 million expansion to meet a hard-charging challenge from its nearby competitor, Mohegan Sun, and gambling industry analysts also see the move as a preemptive strike against potential future competition from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The project, approved by Mashantucket Pequot tribe members in a referendum Monday, will add 2 million square feet to the complex. The expansion, expected to be ...

After 30 Years the Fontainebleau Won't Be a Hilton; New Owner Turnberry Associates Plans on Running the 1,400-room Resort Itself / February 200

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Douglas Hanks III, The Miami HeraldKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 14, 2005 - For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Fontainebleau won't be a Hilton. New owner Turnberry Associates plans on running the 1,400-room resort itself, saying the iconic Fontainebleau doesn't need the marketing muscle or name recognition of a major hotel brand like Hilton or Marriott. "The Fontainebleau name is strong enough," said Philip Goldfarb, head of Turnberry's hotel division. The decision will leave the region's largest resort without the global sales force, multimillion dollar marketing cam...

FaulknerUSA Exclusively Negotiating with Hyatt Corporation to Operate Proposed 1,000 room Convention Headquarters Hotel in San Antonio / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report FaulknerUSA Exclusively Negotiating with Hyatt Corporation to Operate Proposed 1,000 room Convention Headquarters Hotel in San Antonio February 17, 2005 – (SAN ANTONIO) – FaulknerUSA, the developer of the San Antonio convention headquarters hotel, announced today it has begun exclusive negotiations with Hyatt Corporation to become the project’s operator.  Hyatt currently operates two properties in San Antonio – the Hyatt Regency San Antonio and the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa – and is recognized as a leader in the hotel industry.  “After months of evaluation to find ...

Four Seasons Hotels Inc. Reports Net Earnings for the Year ended December 31, 2004 Increased to $33.2 million Compared to $5.4 million in 2003, Worldw

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Four Seasons Hotels Inc. Reports Net Earnings for the Year ended December 31, 2004 Increased to $33.2 million Compared to $5.4 million in 2003,  Worldwide RevPAR Up 15% for the Year Hotel Operating Statistics  TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2005 - Four Seasons Hotels Inc. (TSX Symbol "FSH.SV"; NYSE Symbol "FS") today reported its results for the fourth quarter of 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2004. "2004 marked an important year for Four Seasons. We had a significant rebound in our profitability that came on the heels of almost three of the most difficult years in the history of the lod...

Florida International University's Hospitality Program Partners with Tianjin, a City 70 miles from Beijing, to Open a Hotel-Management School /

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Douglas Hanks III, The Miami HeraldKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 7, 2005 - As a booming economy pulls in foreign business executives and Beijing prepares to host the summer Olympics in 2008, it's no surprise that hotels have become China's latest growth industry. But concerns about finding enough managers to staff the new properties -- not to mention worries about meeting Western standards for luxury service -- have Chinese officials turning to the Sunshine State for help. Florida International University has joined with Tianjin, a city 70 miles from Beijing, to open a new ...

FelCor Reports 2004 4th Qtr Net loss of $21 million Compared with a Loss of $150 million a Year Earlier; Sold Five Hotels Resulting in Proceeds of $86

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 FelCor Reports 2004 4th Qtr Net loss of $21 million Compared with a Loss of $150 million a Year Earlier - Sold Five Hotels Resulting in Proceeds of $86 million During the Quarter IRVING, Texas, Feb. 9, 2005 - FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE: FCH), today reported operating results for the fourth quarter and...

Top Hotel Revenue Management Professionals from Club Med, Intercontinental, Starwood, Cendant, Vail Resorts and Fairmont, Meet to Discuss How to Incre

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Top Hotel Revenue Management Professionals from Club Med, Intercontinental, Starwood, Cendant, Vail Resorts and Fairmont, Meet to Discuss How to Increase Profits through Pricing Strategies and RM Techniques On May 16-17 in Miami, EyeforTravel is running the third annual Revenue Management and Pricing in Travel event.  The premier forum for RM and pricing professionals, this unique event brings together all sectors of the travel industry: airlines, hotels, travel agents, tour operators and online intermediaries.  At this years conference hear from a range leading travel companies such as Ex...

Built in 1921, Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite Carefully Restored Under New Ownership / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Built in 1921, Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite Carefully Restored Under New Ownership GROVELAND, CALIF., February 3, 2005 -- Evergreen Lodge, a classic Yosemite destination with unsurpassed year-round recreation and activities, has undergone extensive upgrades, making this former 18-cabin operation Yosemite's premier recreational lodging destination.  Built in 1921, the Lodge has been carefully restored and expanded to preserve its history and natural setting.  The new owners, First Light Destinations, have added 50 cedar cabins, a recreation center and great room, a meeting/event hall, and...

E-site Marketing Launches First Application of RSS Technology For Lake Austin Spa Resort / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report E-site Marketing Launches First Application of RSS Technology For Lake Austin Spa Resort Bethesda, MD, February 2005 - E-site Marketing recently launched its first application leveraging RSS (Real Simple Syndication) technology for the online boutique store developed as part of the new Lake Austin Spa Resort website. The new RSS technology employed on the website has generated significant increases in website traffic, Search Engine rankings and online revenue. RSS technology is a format that websites and blogs can utilize to effectively syndicate content. RSS enables the announcement and promot...

Windsor Capital Group Completes $3 Million Dollar Renovation at the 176-suite Embassy Suites Hotel Temecula, California / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Windsor Capital Group Completes $3 Million Dollar Renovation at the 176-suite Embassy Suites Hotel Temecula, California  Temecula, California, February 24, 2005 -- The 176-suite Embassy Suites Hotel Temecula has completed a 9-month, $3 Million Dollar renovation of its suites, lobby, meeting rooms, restaurant and lounge.  The Embassy Suites Hotel is owned and managed by WINDSOR CAPITAL GROUP (WCG Hotels) based in Santa Monica California.  “The extensive renovation recently completed at the Embassy Suites Hotel will enable the hotel to provide guests with superior accommodations and a ...

Embassy Suites Will Have Self-service Registration Kiosks in 100% of Hotels by June 30, 2006 / 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 Embassy Suites Will Have Self-service Registration Kiosks in 100% of Hotels by June 30, 2006 First Hotel Brand to Feature the Multi-Purpose IBM Self-Service Solution at All of Its 175 Properties  MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Feb. 24, 2005 -- Capitalizing on a trend begun by the airline industry -- and most recently, the H...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Rafaelhoteles Selects Electrobug’s Rate Check . LONDON (February 22, 2005) – Mark Heynen, Managing Director of Electrobug Technologies Ltd, announced today that, after an extensive evaluation, Rafaelhoteles has selected Electrobug’s Rate Check Internet rate intelligence tool for its four properties in Spain.  Electrobug’s innovative Rate Check service enables hotels to obtain competitor room night pricing information from virtually any Web site.  Unlike other rate intelligence services, Rate Check provides an unmatched level of customization for hotel properties with easy to use advanced ...

Eagle Hospitality Properties Trust Completes Acquisition of 270-room Embassy Suites Hotel Phoenix-Scottsdale for $33 Million / February 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Eagle Hospitality Properties Trust Completes Acquisition of 270-room Embassy Suites Hotel Phoenix-Scottsdale for $33 Million COVINGTON, Ky. - Feb. 25, 2005 -- Eagle Hospitality Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EHP) today announced it has closed the previously announced acquisition of the 270-room Embassy Suites Hotel Phoenix-Scottsdale in Phoenix, Arizona, from UP Stonecreek LLC for $33 million in cash plus approximately $500,000 in closing costs. The Company expects to invest an additional $600,000 during the first six months of ownership. The hotel will be managed by Commonweal...

A $25 million Hotel/Condo Proposed for Downtown Duluth, Minnesota / Sheraton Branded Property Would Have 145 Hotel Rooms, 30 Upper Level Condos / F

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Jane Brissett, Duluth News-Tribune, Minn.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 4, 2005  - Duluth, Minn., could be home to a new 145-room first-class hotel with 30 upper-level condominiums by mid-2006. The $25 million project is being proposed for downtown Duluth by Minneapolis-based developer Sherman Associates and could get the go-ahead as early as Monday. It would be located at Third Avenue East and Superior Street, near the St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic cancer center that now is being constructed on First Street. The hotel would be connected by skywalk to a yet-to-be built city park...

Great Britain Based Hilton International Committed to Bringing the Grande Dame of Chicago Hotels, The Drake into a Second Golden Era / February 200

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Kathy Bergen, Chicago TribuneKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Feb. 28, 2005 - With a massive makeover already under its belt, The Drake Hotel, the grande dame of Chicago hospitality, is preparing to go under the knife once again, aiming to reclaim its place among the city's most prestigious inns. During the next two years the 84-year-old Italian Renaissance-style landmark will spend nearly $15 million to add a 4,000-square-foot fitness center, a 7,500-square-foot executive conference center, and new luxury bedding and oversized desks in all 537 rooms and suites, and to more aggress...