January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Anupam Narayan and David Kong Named SVP's for Best Western’s Global Operations Strategy PHOENIX, Mar. 19, 2003—Two executive team members at Best Western International,  THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, have been promoted and assigned expanded areas of responsibility.  President and CEO, Tom Higgins of Best Western International made the announcement.  Tapped as part of a re-emphasis of Best Western’s global operations strategy were Anupam Narayan, senior vice president of Global Brand Management and Chief Financial Officer, and David Kong, senior vice president of Global ...

New York City Restaurant & Bar Owners Try to Digest 21 Pages of Rules Banning Smoking / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive New York City Restaurant & Bar Owners Try to Digest 21 Pages of Rules Banning Smoking By Paul H.B. Shin, Daily News, New York Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 17, 2002 - Smoke 'em if you got 'em -- but be prepared to take it outside.  Mayor Bloomberg's tough new smoking ban in all bars and restaurants -- plus just about every other public hangout in the city -- kicks in at 12:01 a.m. March 30.  Sounds simple enough.  But for owners of the city's estimated 13,000 restaurants, cafes, saloons and other spots newly covered by the order, digesting the 21 pages of ...

Development Plans by Olympus Real Estate Corp. for the Former Hiltop Inn (Also Once the Bustling Hilton Inn – Dallas) On Hold; Purchase Contract

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Development Plans by Olympus Real Estate Corp. for the Former Hiltop Inn (Also Once the Bustling Hilton Inn - Dallas) On Hold;  . Purchase Contract Not Honored by Owner Transcendental Meditation Group Founder Maharishi Yogi  By Steve Brown, The Dallas Morning News Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  The Dallas Morning News Real Estate Column Mar. 28, 2003 - If David Deniger has learned anything about the real estate business, it's that it's hard to do a deal with a maharishi.  Almost six years ago, Mr. Deniger's Olympus Real Estate signed a contract with the Maharis...

Global Epidemic of Mystery Pneumonia Traced to Guest Who Stayed at Hong Kong's Metropole Hotel / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Global Epidemic of Mystery Pneumonia Traced to Guest Who Stayed at Hong Kong's Metropole Hotel Hong Kong Officials Trace Outbreak to Chinese Visitor By M.A.J. McKenna, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 21, 2003 -- The Hong Kong government acknowledged Thursday that a visitor from the Chinese mainland sparked the epidemic of mystery pneumonia that has swept the world, belying weeks of disavowals by the Chinese government.  The admission of the link to the mainland Chinese outbreak --- suspected for weeks by international health aut...

Meeting Contracts Between Event Organizers and Hotels Receiving More Scrutiny / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Meeting Contracts Between Event Organizers and Hotels Receiving More Scrutiny The Orlando Sentinel, Fla., Tourism Column By Jerry W. Jackson, The Orlando Sentinel, Fla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 31, 2003 - Meeting and convention contracts between event organizers and hotels are getting a lot more scrutiny these days, in the climate clouded by war and the threat of terrorism.  The fine print is including more restrictions and explanatory language as hotels try to get more control over lost bookings in case of a terrorist attack or other unexpected eve...

Mary K. Mahoney, Former President and CEO of Howard Johnson International Named SVP of Member Relations and Customer Support for Fairfield Resorts /

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Mary K. Mahoney, Former President and CEO of Howard Johnson International Named SVP of Member Relations and Customer Support for Fairfield Resorts March 25, 2003 - Fairfield Resorts, Inc., a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation, announced today that Mary K. Mahoney has joined the company as senior vice president of member relations and customer support. Mahoney, a 23-year hospitality industry veteran, served from 1998 until present as president and chief executive officer of Howard Johnson International, Inc., also a subsidiary of Cendant, where she led a successful reimaging progra...

Marriott Sets Single-day Company Record in Web Site Bookings of More than $4.8 million in Gross Sales on March 3, 2003; Highest Since Site Launched in

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report    Marriott Sets Single-day Company Record in Web Site Bookings of More than $4.8 million in Gross Sales on March 3, 2003;  Highest Since Site Launched in 1996 WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 6, 2003 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) announced that it set a single-day company record in bookings on its web site, Marriott.com, generating more than $4.8 million in gross sales on March 3, 2003 - the highest since the site was launched in 1996.  The record comes just weeks after Marriott.com announced a series of web site enhancements that enable travelers to design their own travel pac...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Grants $500,000 to Florida International University’s School of Hospitality Management MIAMI, Fla. (March 19, 2003) --Florida International University’s School of Hospitality Management has received a $500,000 gift from J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation to build a state-of-the-art distance learning facility and establish a scholarship endowment. The grant, which will be matched by the State of Florida, gives FIU’s School of Hospitality Management a total of $900,000. Including the state matching funds, this is the largest single ...

Implement This Successful Hotel Sales Program In Under 30 Days! / Richard J. Welch CHA, CHME / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Implement This Successful Hotel Sales Program In Under 30 Days! by Richard J. Welch CHA, CHME  March 2003 Although I like to think of myself as a conversational style writer, there is a yearning deep within my soul that aches for a sense of contributing that which can only be filled by trying something as difficult as writing and sharing successful ideas. I always thought that everything you need to become successful in the Hotel business, you already have! So, with that thought in mind I have developed a sales and marketing action plan that will yield immediate results.  Today we are...

Executive Hotels & Resorts Commences Management of Hotels in Vancouver and San Francisco / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Executive Hotels & Resorts Commences Management of Hotels in Vancouver and San Francisco VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – March 24, 2003 - Executive Hotels & Resorts  is pleased to announce the commencement of management of two new boutique hotels. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Executive Hotels & Resorts has entered into a joint venture with Le Soleil Hotel And Suites Ltd., a Vancouver-based hotel investment and management company, for the purpose of holding long term leases and management rights over the Le Soleil Hotel in downtown Vancouver.  A management assignment for Le Sole...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Sydney’s Manly Pacific Hotel Now Operated by Accor;  Will Be Rebranded Novotel After Renovation 18 March 2003: One of Sydney’s most famous beachside hotels, the Manly Pacific, has joined the Accor network and is set to undergo a multi-million dollar renovation.  The hotel, originally opened in 1982, has been a highly popular hotel for overseas tourists, conference and incentive groups, and business travellers, with Manly Beach easily accessible to the Sydney city centre via car, ferry or JetCat (20 minutes to Circular Quay). Accor will work with the new owners to refurbish the hotel,...

Mandarin Oriental, New York Set to Open Late 2003 / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Mandarin Oriental, New York Set to Open Late 2003 NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2003 – With its international reputation for outstanding service, as well as its restaurant and spa expertise, Mandarin Oriental is set to provide an unparalleled New York guest experience upon debuting its luxury new hotel in late 2003. With its exotic oriental origins, an individuality that is reflective of Manhattan’s culture and style and a holistic approach to service, Mandarin Oriental, New York will distinguish itself as the city’s most dynamic property.   As part of the AOL Time Warner Center, the hotel’...

The 451 room InterContinental Malta Owned by Eden Leisure Group Opens; Located on St George's Bay Near Valletta, Malta / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  The 451 room InterContinental Malta Owned by Eden Leisure Group Opens; Located on St George's Bay Near Valletta, Malta MALTA, March 17, 2003 – The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) announced the opening of InterContinental Malta, a premier venue for corporate and leisure travelers.  Built to meet the fast-growing meeting and incentive market, this luxurious 5-star hotel features 451 guest rooms, 19 meeting rooms, six restaurants and bars and 17,200 square feet of function space. In addition to tailoring to the corporate travel market, the InterContinental Malta generates a tranqu...

Hector Maldonado Named Regional Director-Midwest for Shell Vacations / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Hector Maldonado Named Regional Director-Midwest for Shell Vacations Northbrook, IL — March 25, 2003 -- Based on the sales success of its four existing Regional point-based Clubs, Shell Vacations LLC is preparing to launch a new Midwest Club, to be based in Chicago.   According to Simon Crawford-Welch, Executive VP, Sales & Marketing for Shell Vacations LLC, "The launch of our Midwest Club will enable us to have an important presence for Shell Vacations in the Midwest and Great Lakes  region and will allow us to focus on drive-to markets from the highly populated cities with...

Michael Sansbury Named Resort Executive Of The Year At 2003 Resort Management Conference / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Michael Sansbury Named Resort Executive Of The Year At 2003 Resort Management Conference SAN DIEGO, March 3, 2003 - Hospitality industry professional Michael W. Sansbury, who has successfully overseen the introduction of three new resort hotels at Universal Studios Florida, Orlando since 1999, has been honored as the Resort Executive of the Year for 2002 by hospitality and resort industry professionals convening at the 2003 Resort Management Conference in San Diego. Sansbury is the 29th individual to be honored as Resort Executive of the Year.  The Resort Executive of the Year is awar...

San Jose Marriott Contracts with Chef Michael Mina to Own, Operate World-class Restaurant / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report San Jose Marriott Contracts with Chef Michael Mina to Own, Operate World-class Restaurant SAN FRANCISCO (March 23, 2003) – Internationally acclaimed chef Michael Mina has announced the opening of Arcadia, his new South Bay restaurant that promises to become one of San Jose’s premier dining establishments.  Arcadia is Mina’s first Bay Area restaurant since leaving Aqua in San Francisco, and precedes the opening of his new signature San Francisco restaurant, details of which will be announced shortly.  The 130-seat Arcadia is located in San Jose’s vibrant downtown area, nex...

Novotel Hotels in Montreal and Ottawa Select MAI Canada Ltd. As Its PMS Provider / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  .Special Report Novotel Hotels in Montreal and Ottawa Select MAI Canada Ltd. As Its PMS Provider Ontario, Canada (March 26, 2003)... MAI Canada Ltd., the exclusive distributor of Hotel Information Systems’ (HIS) epitome Enterprise Solutions in Canada announced that they have signed an agreement with two Novotel Hotels in Canada to be the provider of the Property Management Systems (PMS) for the Novotel Montreal Centre and the Novotel Ottawa Hotel. The properties have been using HIS’ System/36 Front Office systems for the last 15 years and will soon transition to epitome PMS for the Microsoft Windows platfo...

Thayer Interactive Group Taps Industry Veteran To Head Sales And Marketing Efforts / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report     Thayer Interactive Group Taps Industry Veteran To Head Sales And Marketing Efforts . Unique Service Generating $1 Million or More in Incremental Revenue per Hotel WASHINGTON, D.C., March 12, 2003—Thayer Interactive Group (TIG), a unique, full-service online hospitality marketing firm, announced today that it has selected Lyn Locke to lead its sales and marketing team as vice president.  In this position, Locke will oversee TIG’s global sales and marketing efforts and direct its expansion into new markets. Locke is a 20-year veteran of the travel industry who has held senior pos...

Larkspur Hospitality Obtains $107 million Refinancing Agreement with Greenwich Capital Markets / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Larkspur Hospitality Obtains $107 million Refinancing Agreement with Greenwich Capital Markets March 3, 2003 - Karl Hoagland, chairman, president and CEO of Larkspur Hospitality Development and Management Company, LLC (LHDMC), an independent hotel company, today announced the completion of a refinancing agreement with Greenwich Capital Markets (GCM). LHDMC raised $107 million of new capital in a $90 million first mortgage provided by GCM and $17 million in preferred equity financing. "Our ability to raise this amount of capital in the current economy, which has severely impacted the ho...

The 700-room Langham Place Hotel Opens in July 2004; First New Five-star Property in Kowloon for Over a Decade / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  The 700-room Langham Place Hotel Opens in July 2004 - First New Five-star Property in Kowloon for Over a Decade Hong Kong, March 7th, 2003 – The Langham Place Hotel will open its doors in the bustling heart of Mongkok on July 1st next year, becoming the first new five-star property to appear in Kowloon for over a decade. The 700-room hotel, which has more than 50 luxurious suites, is the flagship of a mega 1.8 million sq. ft development that embraces the hotel. Other components of the project, which encompasses four city blocks in total, include a mall with over  300 shops and a 60...

Lancaster County Pennsylvania Hotel Operators Lose Suit to Block Construction of $100 million Convention Center/Hotel Project / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Lancaster County Pennsylvania Hotel Operators Lose Suit to Block Construction of $100 million Convention Center/Hotel Project By Bernard Harris, Lancaster New Era, Pa. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 18--After three years of litigation, the original lawsuit filed by a group of Lancaster County hotel and motel operators opposed to plans for a downtown convention center likely received its final death blow Friday.  The state Supreme Court, in a one-sentence ruling, denied the hoteliers their last chance to appeal the case at the state level.  A second lawsuit is...

Best Western Inn & Suites in Lakeworth, Texas Includes Free HSIA as a Standard Guest Amenity; Higher Occupancy and Guest Loyalty More than Pays the Co

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Best Western Inn & Suites in Lakeworth, Texas Includes Free HSIA as a Standard Guest Amenity; Higher Occupancy and Guest Loyalty More then Pays the Cost LAKEWORTH, TEXAS (March 13, 2003) — “Free” is good, but usually there’s a catch. Not so when it comes to  ConnectedHotel High Speed Internet Access (HSIA) if you’re a guest at the Best Western Inn & Suites in Lakeworth, Texas. “We decided from Day 1 to provide free HSIA in all of our rooms because we know that our guests really appreciate it,” said Anil Patel, General Manager of the Lakeworth Best Western Inn & Suites, located at 392...

The 651 room Sheraton Four Points Hotel, Kissimmee, Florida Reflagged La Quinta Inn Lakeside; Now Largest La Quinta Hotel / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report The 651 room Sheraton Four Points Hotel, Kissimmee, Florida Reflagged La Quinta Inn Lakeside;  Now Largest La Quinta Hotel Dallas, TX, March, 18 2003 - La Quinta Corporation (NYSE: LQI) announced that it has reflagged a former Sheraton Four Points hotel at 7769 West Bronson Highway, Kissimmee. With 651 rooms in 15 buildings in a resort setting, the La Quinta Inn Lakeside is located less than two miles from the entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort area, features three heated swimming pools, supervised activities for children, 3,200 square feet of flexible meeting space, and...

Tharaldson Lodging Reflags Quality Suites Dallas to La Quinta Inn & Suites; First Franchise Agreement Between the Companies / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Tharaldson Lodging Reflags Quality Suites Dallas to La Quinta Inn & Suites; First Franchise Agreement Between the Companies Dallas, TX, March 28th, 2003 - La Quinta Corporation is pleased to announce the opening of the La Quinta Inn & Suites Dallas Northwest.  The hotel is owned by Tharaldson Lodging Company and represents the first franchise venture between La Quinta and Tharaldson.  La Quinta’s franchise system now exceeds 6,000 rooms. The La Quinta Inn & Suites Dallas Northwest is located at 2380 West North Highway in Dallas, just minutes from Love Field Airport, and close...