A Year from Opening, Wynn Las Vegas Resort Plans $198 million Expansion / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report A Year from Opening, Wynn Las Vegas Resort Plans $198 million Expansion LAS VEGAS - May 3, 2004--Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ: WYNN) unveiled the first steps of its plan for the expansion of its Wynn Las Vegas resort. Highlights of these preliminary steps include: an additional showroom 18 additional fairway villa suites adjacent to the golf course in anticipation of our expansion, improvements and refinements to the design of Wynn Las Vegas acquisition by Wynn Las Vegas of 10 lots adjacent to the former Desert Inn golf course that were recently acquired by the Com...

Wynn Las Vegas Construction Cost Per-room May Run Nearly $900,000; Plans to Raise $270 million with Second Public Stock Offering / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Rod Smith, Las Vegas Review-JournalKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 8, 2004 - Wynn Resorts on Friday announced plans to raise $270 million through a second public stock offering next week, a move Wall Street said had been expected as the company's new Strip project moves closer to opening. "It doesn't come as a surprise now that (Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn) is getting closer to opening (Wynn Las Vegas) that he needs more capital. I was expecting that he'd need more," Blaylock & Partners analyst Ray Neidl said. Wall Street sources who requested anonymity said Wynn Resorts' f...

Four Years Ago Wyndham Received the Worst Grade in NAACP's Annual Lodging Report; Diversity Priories Now Paying Off / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Suzanne Marta, The Dallas Morning NewsKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 15, 2004 - Wyndham International Inc. chairman Fred J. Kleisner still remembers his disgust when he learned his hotel chain had received the worst grade in the industry in the NAACP's annual lodging report. What was particularly crushing was how the D had been earned: "It wasn't even for something we did," Mr. Kleisner said. "We had the arrogance to refuse to fill out the survey." But that D grade four years ago set a new course at Dallas-based Wyndham -- one that made diversity a priority for how the compan...

Woodstock, Vermont Inns Committing Nearly $2 million to Improvements / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Woodstock, Vermont Inns Committing Nearly $2 million to Improvements WOODSTOCK, VT, May 2004 -- An estimated $1.7 million is being lavished on lodging accommodations in the greater Woodstock, VT, region in preparation for the upcoming warm-weather season that extends traditionally from mid May to end October, reports says Dave Murison, Executive Director of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce (www.WoodstockVT.com). "The appeal of Woodstock and environs continues to be world-class scenery and our well-preserved village; but we're not resting on our laurels, we're planting, painting a...

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report   StayOnline Helps Hilton Woodcliff Break New Ground; Hotel Noted as State’s Most Technologically Advanced Meeting Venue Adds Wireless Internet Access . Atlanta, GA (May 172004) –  Nestled among 21 acres of rolling hills, the Hilton Woodcliff Lake hotel is a vision of comfort and serenity.  But along with wooded views and extensive landscaping, the Hilton is technically equipped to handle its many business guests’ needs. Adding to its state-of-the-art Amphitheater, the Hilton now provides complimentary wireless Internet in all guest rooms and public areas. StayOnline, a leading prov...

Resorts Seeking Wireless High-speed Internet Access Should Exercise Caution / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Resorts Seeking Wireless High-speed Internet Access Should Exercise Caution May 17, 2004 - Vacation ownership/timeshare owners and guests are increasingly demanding wireless high-speed Internet, or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), access and putting pressure on their resorts to find commercial-grade solutions.  When considering high-speed wireless access — WiFi —  there are a few items a resort manager needs to consider. An article appearing recently in www.hotel-online.com was a windsock concerning the possible liability and pitfalls that could be encountered by resort managers improperly insta...

Automated Solutions Such as WinTrack PM Add Efficiencies to Preventative Maintenance, Rounds, Work Orders and Room Inspection Processes / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Automated Solutions Such as WinTrack PM Add Efficiencies to Preventative Maintenance, Rounds, Work Orders and Room Inspection Processes By Glenn Hasek May, 2004 Henry WilsonÂ’s first day as chief engineer at the 400-room Sunset Resort on the Gulf Coast of Florida was a day he would not soon forget. In his job interview with the hotelÂ’s owners, he had been warned about the hotelÂ’s antiquated preventative maintenance system. What he found on that first day, however, was a chaotic situation far worse than he ever could have imagined. The Sunset ResortÂ’s previous chief engineer kept such inadequate maintenance records that work...

The Landmark Westin Governor Morris Receiving Multi-Million Dollar Transformation; Sleek New Look from Designer Dayna Lee / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Landmark Westin Governor Morris Receiving Multi-Million Dollar Transformation; Sleek New Look from Designer Dayna Lee MORRISTOWN, N.J., May 26, 2004 - The Westin Governor Morris, historic Morristown, New Jersey's landmark hotel, will receive a multi-million dollar facelift under new partners Amerimar Enterprises of Philadelphia, PA and Angelo, Gordon & Co.  The restoration will rejuvenate this jewel of Morris County with a stunning metamorphosis that takes nothing away from its traditional old world charm, while bringing it up to Westin's 21st century standards.  Fully equipped with a...

Web Based PMS Solutions Offer Chains a Painless Solution to Issues of Legacy Systems, Varying Ownership and Data Sharing / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Web Based PMS Solutions Offer Chains a Painless Solution to Issues of Legacy Systems, Varying Ownership and Data Sharing May 26, 2004 - With information technology costs continuing to rise, many independent properties are considering web based alternatives for their mission critical PMS solutions.  In a web based model, the system is hosted by a qualified party, in some cases the actual PMS vendor themselves, and access is provided simply depending on the vendor, in most cases, without the complexity of additional communication layers or transaction fees over the Internet.  This approach appeals to the cost sensitive and IT ch...

Warmbrodt Hotel Investments, Inc. Advises FelCor in the Sale of the Hoiday Inn-Westport, St. Louis, Missouri and Also Selected to Advise on Dispositio

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Warmbrodt Hotel Investments, Inc. Advises FelCor in the Sale of the Holiday Inn-Westport, St. Louis, Missouri and Also Selected to Advise on Disposition of 360 room Holiday Inn - Albuquerque, New Mexico KANSAS CITY, Missouri, May 26, 2004 - Warmbrodt Hotel Investments, Inc. “(WHI”) a Kansas City based hotel real estate firm, announced today it advised FelCor Lodging Trust in the sale of the Holiday Inn-Westport in St. Louis, Missouri.  Located in the Westport Business Park area, the property is adjacent to Interstate 270 and Page Avenue.  The 316-room, 11-story property contains over 12,0...

Wyndham Reports Net Loss of $29.4 million for 1st Qtr 2004 Compared to Prior Year Loss of $107.4 million; Sold 11 Hotels During First Quarter / Hotel

February 28, 2004

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 Wyndham Reports Net Loss of $29.4 million for 1st Qtr 2004 Compared to Prior Year Loss of $107.4 million; Sold 11 Hotels During First Quarter Hotel Operating Statistics DALLAS - May 6, 2004-- First Quarter 2004 Results Summary:      Wyndham International, Inc. experienced substantial increases in its first q...

WTTC's 4th Global Summit in Qatar Addressed Priorities for Driving Change in Travel & Tourism / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report WTTC's 4th Global Summit in Qatar Addressed Priorities for Driving Change in Travel & Tourism May 6, 2004 - The 4th World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, hosted by Qatar Airways in Doha from 1-3 May, attracted more than 800 public and private sector decision-makers and journalists from over 40 countries around the world.  This record number of participants was a clear demonstration of industry solidarity and unity at an important period in Travel & Tourism's history. "Over the past couple of years, the series of crises that have affected Travel & Tourism has increa...

Starwood to Own 50% of First W Hotels Resort, 80 room Resort to be Located on Private Island in the Republic of Maldives / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Starwood to Own 50% of First W Hotels Resort,  80 room Resort to be Located on Private Island in the Republic of Maldives WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.- May 25, 2004 -- W Hotels, the world's fastest growing style brand, continues its rapid global expansion with the announcement of its first resort property, the W Maldives-Fesdhu Resort in the Republic of Maldives, scheduled to open in late 2005. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), W's parent company, has formed a joint venture company with Universal Enterprises Ltd. that will develop and own this newly built resort featuring...

William J. Heaney Appointed Vice President of Sales, WestCoast Hospitality Corporation / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report William J. Heaney Appointed  Vice President of Sales, WestCoast Hospitality Corporation SPOKANE (May 21, 2004) -- WestCoast Hospitality Corporation announces the appointment of William J. Heaney as Vice President of Sales for the company, representing Red Lion Hotels and WestCoast Hotels in the U.S. and Canada.   “Bill Heaney comes to us with nearly three decades of experience in the hotel and travel industry,” said John Taffin, Executive Vice President, Hotel Operations for WestCoast Hospitality.  Mr. Taffin noted that Mr. Heaney will be responsible for developing direct sales ...

Visual One and Rocksoft Announce More Deals in Ireland / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online Special Report   Visual One and Rocksoft Announce More Deals in Ireland 27th May 2004 - Mr. Paul Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Hotels today announced the following:- "We have embarked on expansion plans at the Morgan Hotel and are due to open the Beacon Court Hotel in 2005. As a consequence we needed to evaluate our I.T. Strategy.  The key team evaluated a number of solution providers and we are delighted to announce a partnership with RockSoft Hospitality systems and Visual One – We carried out our background checks of the products and services from V1 and we were surprised by the range of integrated products...

Visual One Exhibits at the Dubai Hotel Show / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online Special Report   Visual One Exhibits at the Dubai Hotel Show 26th May 2004 .   . The Visual One Booth was visited by a delegation which comprised of  His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai (DDCA) and chairman of Emirates Group, (pictured above shaking hands with Mike Gadbury of Visual One Systems) and representatives from the British Embassy in Dubai Visual One Systems exhibited for the first time at the 2004 HOTEL SHOW in Dubai, U.A.E. which is held under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince ...

Counting Tourists; Destinations Use a Hodge-podge of Number-crunching Methods / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Dawn Bryant, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 23, 2004 - The Grand Strand had 1.3 million fewer tourists in 2002 than area leaders reported and suffered more from the 2001 terrorist attacks than previous statistics showed. About 12.7 million tourists came to the beach in 2002, not 14 million as the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce had previously reported. Statistics for 2003 aren't yet available. With Myrtle Beach and other S.C. destinations struggling to get firm tourism numbers, state officials are starting to develop a standard statewide ...

Vintage Inns Chain Increases GDS and Web Reservations 500% / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  .Special Report  Vintage Inns Chain Increases GDS and Web Reservations 500%  Four-Property Hotel Group Leverages NORTHWIND’s Maestro Yield Management, GDS Interface for Projected $1M in e-Bookings . Markham, ON – May 19, 2004 --The four-property Vintage Inns hotel chain in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada is recognized for luxurious accommodations, award winning food and excellent service.  Each property holds a Four-Diamond rating from both Canadian and American Automobile Clubs, and although Vintage Inns maintains a full-service 1-800 reservation center, its skyrocketing reservation gro...

Dr. Hubert B. Van Hoof Selected to Lead New Penn State School of Hospitality Management / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Dr. Hubert B. Van Hoof Selected to Lead New Penn State School of Hospitality Management University Park, Pa. --May 6, 2004 -  A noted academic leader who has bolstered industry partnerships and created international learning opportunities for students throughout his career has been selected to lead the new Penn State School of Hospitality Management. Dr. Hubert B. Van Hoof, currently professor and assistant dean of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northern Arizona University, will become director of the Penn State School of Hospitality Management effective July 12.Â...

VIP Adds Website Services and Merchant Express to Drive Property Bookings, Maximize Rates / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report VIP Adds Website Services and Merchant Express to Drive Property Bookings, Maximize Rates VIP Clients Benefit from Two New Internet Technologies That Direct Buyers to Property Websites and Manage 3rd Party Travel Site Rates from One Screen; Hotels Can Save up to 50 Hours Per Month, Book 6.5% Higher Rates  Calgary, Alberta, Canada — May 4, 2004 — VIP Investment Corporation, a channel marketing provider committed to being ‘the number one producer of reservations and profitability per client’ for hotels, car rental companies, and regional airlines, announced it is expanding its reservat...

Unisys and KoolConnect Partner to Offer Digital Video-on-Demand Services for Hotel Guests New Solution Includes Revenue Sharing Business Model / May 2

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Unisys and KoolConnect Partner to Offer Digital Video-on-Demand Services for Hotel Guests New Solution Includes Revenue Sharing Business Model BLUE BELL, Pa.  and NEW YORK, N.Y., May 6, 2004 - Unisys Corporation and KoolConnect Technologies have formed a strategic alliance to provide advanced video-on-demand (VoD) and interactive television services to the hospitality industry.   This alliance joins leading enterprises in hospitality technology and services and allows hotels to offer guests VoD services that are considered the next "must have" amenity. The joint Unisys/KoolConnect solutio...

Highlights and Predictions from the 2004 AH&LA U.S. Lodging Summit / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Highlights and Predictions from the 2004 AH&LA U.S. Lodging Summit Washington, May 14, 2004—Participants of the first American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) U.S. Lodging Industry Summit, collectively expressed encouraging predictions for the rebounding U.S. travel and hotel industries.  The one-day national conference — held on May 11 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. — offered forecast information on key industry sectors to help hoteliers plan strategies as well as assist consumers make cost-saving travel decisions for the year. Recognized leaders in their disciplines...

Lonestar Hospitality of Houston, Texas, Opens the Comfort Suites Tulsa Airport after $450,000 Renovation / May 2004

February 28, 2004

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 Lonestar Hospitality of Houston, Texas, Opens the Comfort Suites Tulsa Airport after $450,000 Renovation TULSA, Okla. (May 7, 2004) - The Comfort Suites Airport recently opened here at 1737 South 101st Avenue.   Formerly a First Hotel, the hotel underwent a $450,000 renovation that included the redesign of the lob...

Trigild International, Inc. Awarded Management Contract for the La Posada de Albuquerque Hotel / May 2004

February 28, 2004

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 Trigild International, Inc. Awarded Management Contract for the La Posada de Albuquerque Hotel SAN DIEGO, CA - On March 29, 2004, Trigild International, Inc. assumed management of La Posada de Albuquerque hotel.  Trigild is a 27 year old professional hotel management company that operates hotels and restaurants nat...