Richard Behr Named General Manager of Merv Griffin's Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Richard Behr Named General Manager of Merv Griffin's Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 20, 2004) - Merv Griffin's Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas today announced the addition of Richard Behr as the new general manager to oversee resort operations.   Behr brings to the hotel more than 15 years of experience in various aspects of hospitality management.  Most recently, Behr held the position of resort manager and director of rooms for the Royal Palms Resort & Spa.  Previously, he served as general manager at The Hermosa Inn, and also held numerous management...

QualAsia Formed to Provide Authoritative Organization to Inspect and Evaluate Hotels Across Asia; Harry Nobles Appointed Chairman of New Asian Hotel R

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report  QualAsia Formed to Provide Authoritative Organization to Inspect and Evaluate Hotels Across Asia . Harry Nobles Appointed Chairman of New Asian Hotel Rating Service Phuket, Thailand May 27, 2004 - The Quality Authority of Asia (QualAsia) has appointed Harry Nobles as its first chairman.  QualAsia will begin rating hotels and restaurants throughout Asia in the summer of 2004, and plans to expand coverage to more than 40 countries and territories by the end of 2005. The Quality Authority of Asia was started by Steve Barlow, a resident of Phuket, Thailand. He began forming the concept for t...

Qatar Tourism Masterplan Includes US$15 billion Investment in Resorts, Hotels, Sports Facilities / 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 Qatar Tourism Masterplan Includes US$15 billion Investment in Resorts, Hotels, Sports Facilities DOHA – May 1, 2004 - The State of Qatar  — the heart of the Arabian Gulf — has unveiled an ambitious new tourism masterplan that will guide a US$15 billion investment into an array of prestigious projects and establis...

What It Takes to be a Hotel Professional: The Things You Can Control / Chris Longstreet / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report What It Takes to be a Hotel Professional:  The Things You Can Control by Chris Longstreet, CHA, Society for Hospitality Management May 2004 Several years ago, I sat out in the grass of a minor league ball game.  There, while eating hot dogs with my kids, I watched the opposing team conduct their warm up drills.  One player caught my eye.  He seemed to do more, give more, and work a little harder than the rest.  I was impressed with his effort and his apparent desire to be the best and achieve his dream of making it to the big leagues.  I wondered then: what made him diffe...

AmeriTel Inns Selects PrinterOn for Guest Printing Services / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online Special Report   AmeriTel Inns Selects PrinterOn for Guest Printing Services AmeriTel Adds Convenient Guest Printing to its Complimentary High-Speed Internet Access BOISE, ID and KITCHENER, ON, May 4, 2004 - AmeriTel Inns has selected PrinterOn's remote guest printing service for all of its brand properties. The service lets guests using the hotel's high-speed Internet service print documents from their room to the hotel's business center. AmeriTel Inns owns and manages upscale mid-service properties located across four states. The guest printing service will be fully deployed in all AmeriTel Inn properties...

PRIME Hotels & Resorts Adds Fifth Property with the Conversion of the Wyndham Sunnyvale to PRIME Hotel Sunnyvale / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report PRIME Hotels & Resorts Adds Fifth Property with the Conversion of the Wyndham Sunnyvale to PRIME Hotel Sunnyvale Fairfield, N.J., May 19, 2004 - Prime Hospitality Corp. (NYSE: PDQ) today added the fifth property to its growing PRIME Hotels & Resorts portfolio with the conversion of the Wyndham Sunnyvale to PRIME Hotel Sunnyvale. The first California property to join the new upscale, full-service hotel brand, PRIME Hotel Sunnyvale, situated in the heart of the Silicon Valley with 180 guest rooms and 18 suites, is one of the area's top properties serving both the business and leisure market. ...

Prime Hospitality Corp Converts Three Wyndham Hotels in the Phoenix Area to the PRIME Hotel Brand / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Prime Hospitality Corp Converts Three Wyndham Hotels in the Phoenix Area to the PRIME Hotel Brand FAIRFIELD, N.J., May 25, 2004 - Prime Hospitality Corp's (NYSE: PDQ) PRIME Hotels & Resorts enters the next stage of Wyndham conversions with the re-branding of three properties in the Phoenix market.   Today, the Wyndham Garden Hotel - North Phoenix will be flagged PRIME Hotel Phoenix North; on June 7 the Wyndham Hotel - Phoenix Airport becomes PRIME Hotel & Suites Phoenix/Airport, and immediately following that, on June 9, the Wyndham Garden Hotel - Chandler will be branded PRIME Ho...

Prime Hospitality Corp. Converts Wyndham Salt Lake City to The PRIME Hotel Salt Lake City Convention Center; 11 more Wyndham Conversions Planned / May

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Prime Hospitality Corp. Converts Wyndham Salt Lake City to The PRIME Hotel Salt Lake City Convention Center; 11 more Wyndham Conversions Planned Fairfield, N.J., May 12, 2004 – Prime Hospitality Corp. (NYSE: PDQ), today announced the conversion of the first of 12 Wyndham properties to its new upscale, full-service hotel brand, PRIME Hotels & Resorts.  The PRIME Hotel Salt Lake City Convention Center becomes the fourth hotel in the developing brand, with 11 more Wyndham conversions transitioning over the next two months.   The Wyndham conversions bring to the PRIME Hotels & Resor...

Premier Hotel Corporation Opens Fourth Suburban Extended Stay Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Premier Hotel Corporation Opens Fourth Suburban Extended Stay Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida ATLANTA – May 11, 2003 – Suburban Franchise Systems (SFS), owner and franchisor of Suburban Extended Stay Hotels, announces the opening of the fourth Suburban Extended Stay Hotel in Jacksonville, Fla.   This is the ninth Suburban Extended Stay Hotel owned by Premier Hotel Corp., making Premier the company’s largest franchisee and stakeholder. “Premier Hotel Corporation knows the economics of the Suburban model and sees it as a sound investment” said Kevin Lewis, president of SFS.  ...

50 Most-Popular Destinations for Memorial Day 2004 / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report 50 Most-Popular Destinations for Memorial Day 2004 NORWALK, Conn. - May 25, 2004 -- Internet travel service priceline.com(R) (Nasdaq:PCLN) has released the results of its 2nd annual survey of the 50 most-popular destinations for Memorial Day. The survey is based on more than 30,000 actual hotel room booking requests made by priceline.com customers for the May 29-31 long weekend. Priceline.com sells hotel rooms, airline tickets, vacation packages, rental cars and cruises, often at significant discounts over other online travel services. "We're seeing very traditional travel patterns ...

A Complete Set; Pineapple Management Services Signs with StayOnline to Install Wireless HSIA in Remainder of Properties / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report   A Complete Set; Pineapple Management Services Signs with StayOnline to Install Wireless HSIA in Remainder of Properties . Atlanta, GA – May 3, 2004 – A successful single hotel install led to eleven more in 2003, and will culminate with an entire group in 2004 for StayOnline of Atlanta, GA.  Pineapple Management Services has inked a deal which makes StayOnline its sole provider of wireless high speed Internet access. “StayOnline has been willing to work with us in designing a system that meets Marriott specifications and our own pricing structure,” said Glenn Pedersen, President of ...

Hong Kong Entrepreneur Gordon Oldham Building a 30 Villa Balinese Themed Resort at Bang Tao Bay / 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 Hong Kong Entrepreneur Gordon Oldham Building a 30 Villa Balinese Themed Resort at Bang Tao Bay May 2004 - Phuket Pavilions Private Villas has broken ground on a site overlooking Bang Tao Bay and the islands premium resort playground. A boutique 30 villa contemporary Balinese themed resort, each having individual swi...

Philadelphia Leisure Tourism Jumps 39% Compared to 8% National Average; Convention Center Bookings Down 26.4% from 2002 to 2003 / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Philadelphia Leisure Tourism Jumps 39% Compared to 8% National Average; Convention Center Bookings Down 26.4% from 2002 to 2003 PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2004 - The Philadelphia region has experienced steady growth in leisure tourism, with leisure visitors staying longer and spending more in the five-county region, according to a new research study.  Compiled by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) with data from seven independent organizations, the report entitled Greater Philadelphia Tourism Monitor, documents, for the first time, the economic impact of leisur...

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report BringYourPet.com Takes on a “Pet” Project for a Good Cause Knoxville, TN – May 12, 2004 – BringYourPet.com has unveiled a new animal welfare charity section on their pet-friendly travel Web site. This addition provides the online community with a simple way to access information about the goals and missions of animal charities across the country.  BringYourPet.com has designed the “Pause for Paws” section to help promote the tireless work done by these charitable organizations. In addition, one charity is spotlighted in every edition of the BringYourPet.com newsletter in order to showca...

Pet Friendly Lodge Triples First Quarter Earnings with BringYourPet.com / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Pet Friendly Lodge Triples First Quarter Earnings with BringYourPet.com  Knoxville, Tennessee - May 20, 2004 – Smoky Mountain based Jewel of The Smokies reports tripled revenues for the first quarter of the 2004 fiscal year due to their affiliation with BringYourPet.com.  “This past quarter, we have far exceeded our initial expectations for 2004. We have earned more revenue and continue to pay far less in advertising costs compared to the same period last year,” said Jewel Of The Smokies spokesperson William Labee. “Even with the sluggish economy, we have increased our earnings by 300 per...

Pet Friendly Hotels Provide Shelter During Disasters / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Pet Friendly Hotels Provide Shelter During Disasters Knoxville, TN – May 5, 2004 – BringYourPet.com is responding to the need for safe shelter for pets and their owners during disasters. Disaster shelters, such as those set up by the Red Cross, cannot accept pets due to government health and safety regulations. BringYourPet.com is the first step in finding lodging facilities, such as hotels, motels, and inns, outside of their immediate area that are pet friendly before a disaster strikes.  Mercedes Flett, President of the nonprofit animal welfare organization, United Animal Nations (UAN), e...

Two Best Western Phuket Resorts Introduce 'Online Contracting' / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report   Two Best Western Phuket Resorts Introduce “Online Contracting” May 27, 2004 - Two Best Western Resorts in Phuket now offer significantly improved service for travel agents, tour operators, and corporate clients through automated, Internet-based management of room rates and allotment distribution.  Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort and Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort has selected the Pelican System to provide efficient solutions to rates management and allotment distribution by allowing hundreds of travel agents and corporate clients to book online with their own negotiated rates...

Peabody Hotel Group Proposing $135 million, 500-room Peabody Hotel in Nashville; Would Seek up to $40 million in Public Assistance / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy David Flaum, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 21, 2004 - The Peabody ducks may waddle up the road to Nashville. Owners of the Peabody Hotel Group have proposed a $135 million, 500-room Peabody hotel and six-story parking garage on part of a 10-acre parcel on the Cumberland River that the city of Nashville wants redeveloped. The plan, including 50,000 square feet of meeting space, will compete with several other proposals, including a convention center complex and a mixed residential and commercial development, but it would fit in with the pro...

Molinaro Koger Structures Sale of Hilton Hotel Pasadena, California / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report   Molinaro Koger Structures Sale of Hilton Hotel Pasadena, California McLean, Virginia – May 13, 2004 – Continued investor appetite for full-service business class hotels in first-tier markets is demonstrated by Molinaro Koger’s announcement today that the firm structured the sale of the Hilton Hotel, Pasadena, California, on behalf of owners Angelo, Gordon & Co. and The Shidler Group.   Purchased by a joint venture of The Carlyle Group and Davidson Hotel Company for an undisclosed amount, the 296–room Hilton Hotel is located just north of Los Angeles, across from the Pasadena Conventi...

The 880 room Le Meridien Heathrow Receives £15m Renovation, Reflagged to the Park Inn Brand / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report The 880 room Le Meridien Heathrow Receives £15m Renovation, Reflagged to the Park Inn Brand Brussels, May 2004…Park Inn, the fastest growing mid-market hotel brand in Europe, has launched its first hotel in the United Kingdom at Heathrow.  Formerly the Le Meridien Heathrow, the hotel recently underwent a £15m (approx. $26 million U.S.) renovation and will have an additional £10m (approx. $17.5 million U.S.) renovation over the next two years to complete its conversion to the Park Inn brand. The Park Inn Heathrow features 880 rooms and nine suites.  Recent developments include th...

The Historic Paradise Inn in Mount Rainier National Park Will Receive $10.8 million Renovation / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Jeffrey P. Mayor, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News May 13, 2004 - The historic Paradise Inn in Mount Rainier National Park is to be closed in 2006 for a $10.8 million renovation. And if the timing works out and funding is available, park officials hope to begin construction of a new Jackson Visitor Center the same season. Built in 1917, the 118-room inn is slated for work on the building's foundation and to improve its ability to withstand an earthquake. "That would involve an actual closure of the building," park Superintendent David Uberuaga said. "...

Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts Offer Tips for Business Travelers to Asia; Honing International Relations Skills / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts Offer Tips for Business Travelers to Asia;  Honing International Relations Skills May 2004 - Throughout the Pacific Rim, business opportunities are on the rebound. In order to make the westward journey to Asia a successful and lucrative venture, savvy business travelers are honing their international relations skills by learning proper etiquette so that they can gain an edge over the competition and build important, lasting relationships. Pacific Rim cultures value respect and appreciate efforts taken by their North American counterparts to learn t...

2003 U.S. Hotel Profit Loss To Be Reversed in 2004; Expense Creep and Control Influence Profitability / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report 2003 U.S. Hotel Profit Loss To Be Reversed in 2004;  Expense Creep and Control Influence Profitability Atlanta, GA, May 18, 2004 – U.S. hotels suffered a third consecutive year of declining profits in 2003, according to the 2004 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry survey conducted by PKF Consulting and the Hospitality Research Group (HRG). PKF Consulting and HRG announced the availability of its 68 th annual Trends report today (www.hrgonline.com). “The operating profit for the average U.S. hotel in HRG’s Trends sample dropped 12.4 percent in 2003, this after declines of 19.4...

PKF Consulting/HRG Survey Forecasts Banner Year for Hotel Transactions; Investors Favoring the Full-service Segment / May 2004

February 28, 2004

Hotel Online  Special Report PKF Consulting/HRG Survey Forecasts Banner Year for Hotel Transactions; Investors Favoring the Full-service Segment  Annual Hospitality Investment Survey, Just Published, Reveals Optimism Among Hotel Investors Atlanta.  May 5, 2004.    In its just-released 2004 edition of Hospitality Investment Survey, PKF Consulting and the Hospitality Research Group find that, as the national economy continues to rebound, the hospitality industry is optimistic that the demand for lodging will increase in 2004 after three years of decline, according Mark Woodworth, Executive Managing Dir...