The No. 1 Priority of Dallas Hotels Is Seeking Amendment to Smoking Ban in Hotel Meeting Rooms / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Emily Ramshaw, The Dallas Morning NewsKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Oct. 26, 2004 - Was Dallas' strict smoking ban just a pipe dream? City Council members will vote Wednesday on whether to amend the nearly 2-year-old ordinance to allow smoking in bingo parlors and private hotel and motel meeting rooms. Proponents say these two industries have been unfairly affected by the no-smoking policy, which restricts every public venue except freestanding bars and outdoor patios. But critics say it would be a step backward for the council, which fought a tough battle to pass the ordinance. ...

TeleAdapt Expands Operations into Latin America with the Appointment of a New Business Development Manager / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report TeleAdapt Expands Operations into Latin America with the Appointment of a New Business Development Manager TeleAdapt becomes a truly global business with a presence in all continents.  October 2004 - The TeleAdapt Group welcomes Daniel Sato to head its Latin America operations based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. With the appointment of Daniel Sato as the Business Development Manager customers in Latin America will now have a local representative to help with their connectivity issues, hotel retail mini bar and Internet Access Points, or tax free product range concerns.  Gordon Brown, Group Mana...

Boykin Management Appoints David Pickens to the Position of Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Boykin Management Appoints David Pickens to the Position of Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis  Cleveland, Ohio, October 18, 2004 — Boykin Management Company announces the appointment of David Pickens to the position of Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis at its headquarters, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In his new role as Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis, David will develop new reporting tools and will be leading a new key initiative to evaluate existing reporting tools and reports to develop a plan for migration to the new PeopleSoft platform. David wil...

The Procaccianti Group Acquires the Harvey Hotel DFW Airport in Texas; Will Invest $20 Million to Renovate and Re-Flag as Westin / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Procaccianti Group Acquires the Harvey Hotel DFW Airport in Texas; Will Invest $20 Million to Renovate and Re-Flag as Westin CRANSTON, R.I., October 14, 2004 — Officials of the Procaccianti Group (TPG), a New England-based, full-service, privately owned hotel ownership, management and construction company, today announced that the company has acquired the 506 room Harvey Hotel at DFW Airport in Dallas, Texas for an undisclosed amount.  The Dallas office of Molinaro Koger from McLean, Va. represented the seller. The company will invest in excess of $20 million to modernize the fac...

Dorothy Dowling Named Senior Vice President, Marketing at Best Western International / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Dorothy Dowling Named Senior Vice President, Marketing at Best Western International PHOENIX, October 20, 2004 -- Dorothy Dowling has been named to the position of Senior Vice President, Marketing at THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®. The announcement was made at Best Western International's annual convention in Charlotte today by President and Chief Executive Officer, David Kong. Dowling's diverse career in the hospitality and tourism industry spans 20 years. She has served in a variety of senior level positions in both the private and public sectors. Dowling began her hospitality ca...

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  MeriStar Hospitality Re-flags the 503 room Holiday Inn O’Hare International to Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Sixth Property Re-flagged by MeriStar in 2004 ARLINGTON, Va., October 19, 2004 — MeriStar Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: MHX), one of the nation’s largest hotel real estate investment trusts (REIT), announced that it had completed the re-flagging of the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, which had previously been flagged as the Holiday Inn O’Hare International, at a special ceremony held at the hotel yesterday.   The event was attended by senior officials from MeriStar and Inter...

Rollout of Crowne Plaza's Holistic Approach to the Entire Sleep Environment Completed / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Rollout of Crowne Plaza's Holistic Approach to the Entire Sleep Environment Completed ATLANTA, Oct. 21, 2004 - In response to consumer demand for its recently introduced bedding collection, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts now offers its duvet covers, down pillows and other posh bedding items for sale online.   The move follows the successful rollout of the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage, an industry-leading approach to ensure that guests -- business travelers in particular -- experience a good night's sleep. "The introduction of the program was greeted with great success and the demand ...

Condo Hotel Seminar Set for March 10-11, 2005 in Rancho Mirage, California / Condo Hotels – Why All the Buzz? What You Need to Know / October 20

April 30, 2004

Condo Hotel Seminar Set for March 10-11, 2005 in Rancho Mirage, California  Condo Hotels -  Why All the Buzz? What You Need to Know   LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 25, 2004 — Responding to the hottest hospitality industry trend in a decade, Jim Butler, Chairman of the Global Hopsitality Group at the law firm, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP (JMBM), announced that his firm was sponsoring a special executive briefing to address the rising tidal wave of interest and concern about condo hotels, at a comprehensive, one-day program: “Condo Hotels – Why All the Buzz? What You Need to Know.”  Aimed at active par...

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Boston’s Hotel Commonwealth Appoints Daniela B. Guccione to Assistant General Manager and Kelly A. Brooks as Director of Sales and Marketing (Boston, MA) October 18, 2004.  Boston’s new, independent Hotel Commonwealth announces the promotion of Daniela B. Guccione to Assistant General Manager and the hiring of Kelly A. Brooks as Director of Sales and Marketing. Daniela Guccione brings more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry.  Ms. Guccione joined the Hotel Commonwealth as Property Operations Director during its pre-opening stages, and in her role as Ass...

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Choosy GMs Choose NatureÂ’s Mist Green SuitesÂ’ NatureÂ’s Mist Deodorization System Helps award-winning lodging properties optimize guest satisfaction and room cleanliness scores while “flexing” smoking/non-smoking room inventories to accommodate all guests and sell to the last room. UPLAND, CALIF.—September 30, 2004—The 124-room Comfort Inn in Newport News, Va. — a past winner of Choice Hotels InternationalÂ’s “Inn of the Year” and a 10-time+ “PresidentÂ’s Gold Award” recipient — scored a perfect 1000 in a recent room cleanliness audit thanks largely to Green SuitesÂ’ NatureÂ...

China Shines, with Promising Hotel Performance Results / Deloitte / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  China Shines, with Promising Hotel Performance Results October 2004 - It is not surprising that China has received a great deal of attention recently. Its growing economy combined with a huge number of citizens benefiting from reduced travel restrictions is making the country a very attractive destination for inward investment. With the 2008 Olympics in Beijing also looming a number of hotel companies are now vying to win the title of largest hotel brand in China. The HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte has responded to the country’s growing hotel industry by launching the first ever mo...

John Q. Hammons Developing European-Style, Luxury Hotel in Branson, Missouri; The Charlevoix at the Chateau Table Rock Lake; Enters Timeshare Sector w

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report John Q. Hammons Developing European-Style, Luxury Hotel in Branson, Missouri; The Charlevoix at the Chateau Table Rock Lake;  Enters Timeshare Sector with 200 two-bedroom Suites SPRINGFIELD, Mo. & BRANSON, Mo. - Oct. 7, 2004 -- Mr. John Q. Hammons today announced his plans to develop a five-star hotel in Branson, Mo. The 18-story, luxury property will be positioned high atop a mountain ridge overlooking Table Rock Lake, five miles from Branson's entertainment center, which draws an estimated 7.2 million visitors annually(1). To be owned by Mr. Hammons, the European-style hotel will b...

Following an Amicable Resolution Le Marquis New York Changes Name to Hotel Chandler / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Following an Amicable Resolution Le Marquis New York Changes Name to Hotel Chandler New York, October 28 th 2004 - Simon van Kempen, General Manager of Le Marquis New York, a deluxe boutique hotel which opened in September 2001, has announced that effective today the hotel will now be known as HOTEL CHANDLER. Le Marquis New York has changed its name following the amicable resolution of a dispute with another party. Hotel Chandler (formerly Le Marquis New York) has in three years built a strong reputation as a one of New York’s finest hotels in the lower midtown corridor between 23rd an...

Omni Orlando Resort At ChampionsGate Opens On Time – Despite Florida Hurricanes; New 730-room Destination Golf Resort Stands as a Symbol of Resi

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Omni Orlando Resort At ChampionsGate Opens On Time - Despite Florida Hurricanes . New 730-room Destination Golf Resort Stands as a Symbol of Resilient Florida Tourism CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla - Oct. 11, 2004 -- The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate welcomes its first group today - a remarkable feat considering the new flagship Omni Hotel won approval in the shadow of 9/11 and finished construction by overcoming an unprecedented trio of hurricane hits from Charley, Frances and Jeanne. "To open any hotel on time is an accomplishment but this is something that took Herculean effort," sa...

A Pressing Need for All Hotels – Cost Effective Advertising; Promote Your Hotel in National Travel Magazines with Certified Folder Display'

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  A Pressing Need for All Hotels -  Cost Effective Advertising; Promote Your Hotel in  National Travel Magazines with Certified Folder Display's Custom Publishing Division San Diego, October 21, 2004 – For more than 100 years, San Diego’s Certified Folder Display, Inc. has forged a true partnership with the West’s travel industry as the company that provides and supplies visitor information racks and brochures. Addressing a pressing need for the still-struggling travel industry, Certified announces the launch of its Custom Publishing division, directed by hospitality marketing and med...

Ironically, Lawsuit Filed Against Some Nevada Casinos for Card Counting; Computerized Card Counting System Boosts the House's Odds of Winning a

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Rod Smith, Las Vegas Review-JournalKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Oct. 19, 204 - A Las Vegas attorney who has represented dozens of card counting clients filed another lawsuit Monday, this time to stop Nevada casinos from using a computerized card counting system that boosts the house's odds of winning at blackjack. The system, which is sold by the MindPlay division of Alliance Gaming Corp., was designed to protect the integrity of blackjack games by ensuring that cards are dealt out in the same order they are shuffled, industry sources said. But Bob Nersesian, who represents gam...

Magna Hospitality Group, L.C. Completes $2.5 million Refurbishment of the historic Cartwright Hotel, San Francisco / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Magna Hospitality Group, L.C. Completes $2.5 million Refurbishment of the Historic Cartwright Hotel, San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 5, 2004 - The historic Cartwright Hotel, a 91-year-old landmark located near San Francisco's world famous Union Square, will celebrate a recently completed $2.5 million refurbishment with a private grand unveiling celebration for the city's business community on Oct. 21st.   A property-wide restoration began soon after Rhode Island-based Magna Hospitality Group, L.C. purchased the hotel from the Kimpton Group in October 2003.  Highlights include a c...

Carlson Hotels Reclaims Master Franchise Agreement Held by AFM Hospitality for the Development of Park Plaza and Park Inns in Canada / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Carlson Hotels Reclaims Master Franchise Agreement Held by AFM Hospitality for the Development of Park Plaza and Park Inns in Canada Recently Established Development Office to Lead Development Strategy MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (October 11, 2004) - Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced that it has reclaimed the master franchise previously held by AFM Hospitality for the development of Park Plaza and Park Inn hotels in Canada.  The company said it will now develop these brands directly through its corporate development office in Canada which was established earlier this year to develop ...

Carlson Hotels Worldwide Add Six Properties to Portfolio of Brands During September, 2004 / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Carlson Hotels Worldwide Add Six Properties to Portfolio of Brands During September, 2004 MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Oct. 20, 2004) ---- Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced that the company added six new properties to its global portfolio of brands in the month of September.  Three new Radisson Hotels & Resorts properties opened in the United States and Ireland; two Country Inns & Suites By Carlson hotels were welcomed in the Southwestern region of the U.S.; and Regent International Hotels added a new hotel in Germany.  These additions bring Radisson's upscale hotel property total to 43...

After Decade of Studies, City of Carlsbad Approves Grand Pacific Resort Inc.'s Plan to Build $150 million, Mediterranean-style Resort Complex /

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Barbara Henry, North County Times, Escondido, Calif.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Oct. 13, 2004 - CARLSBAD, Calif. -- It took more than decade of studies and architectural designs, but Carlsbad will get a large resort complex next to Legoland's only U.S. theme park. "It's hard to believe it's been 11 years," Councilman Matt Hall said Tuesday night as the council reviewed the latest proposal for the site. "I remember when we said we were going to have a Legoland hotel in five years." After extensively questioning the proposed resort's developers, the council unanimously voted to...

Defining a Hotelier; The Hotel Professional Has Gone Through a Major Transition Over the Past 20 Years / Mark Keith / Canadian Lodging Outlook –

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Defining a Hotelier; The Hotel Professional Has Gone Through a Major Transition Over the Past 20 Years CANADIAN LODGING OUTLOOK August 2004 Year-to-Date The Canadian Lodging Outlook is a joint monthly publication  of Smith Travel Research and HVS International,  Vancouver and Toronto, Canada . By Mark Keith - HVS Executive Search - Hong Kong A decade ago, hotel owner and operator Leona Helmsley appeared in a series of highly successful ad campaigns as a demanding "queen", with a reputation that any transgressions by employees would be met with scathing contempt, ridicule and banishment...

Caesars and Quintain in Joint Venture to Develop 400-room Luxury Resort and Casino in London, Adjacent to the Wembley National Stadium / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Caesars and Quintain in Joint Venture to Develop 400-room Luxury Resort and Casino in London, Adjacent to the Wembley National Stadium LAS VEGAS - Oct. 12, 2004 -- In its first move into Europe, Caesars Entertainment today announced plans to develop and operate a luxury casino resort in London, adjacent to the redeveloped Wembley National Stadium and the legendary Wembley Arena. The project is part of a major redevelopment effort intended to transform the historic sporting area into an international leisure and tourist destination.   Caesars' partner in the casino project is Quint...

Caesars Entertainment Applies Technology to Improve Financial Performance, Guest Experience / October 2004

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  Caesars Entertainment Applies Technology to Improve Financial Performance, Guest Experience LAS VEGAS -- Oct. 19, 2004 -- Caesars Entertainment Inc., one of the world's leading gaming companies, today announced the latest milestone in its strategy of incorporating more advanced technology tools into its operations. The company is introducing a new point-of-sale solution at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, called Revelation, which is designed to integrate and streamline 41 different food and beverage operations throughout the renowned casino-hotel resort. The new system, by InfoGenesis, gives ...

The $289 million 949-room Augustus Tower Will Boost Caesar Palace's Room Count to 3,349; Part of a Refurbishing Plan for the 37-year-old Megar

April 30, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Rod Smith, Las Vegas Review-JournalKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Oct. 27, 2004 - Caesars Palace wrapped up core construction Tuesday on its new $289 million luxury hotel tower, hoping to lure enough added guests to boost casino play and profit margins to historic levels. Part of a $376 million expansion, the resort's 26-story, 949-room Augustus tower is expected to generate enough added room demand to increase occupancy and room rates after it opens in the third quarter of 2005, as was the case when the last tower opened at Caesars Palace in November 1997. The new project, which...