Occupancy Decline of 4.2% Reported by Candlewood Hotels in 1st Qtr; RevPAR and ADR Up / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive WICHITA, Kan., May 1, 2001 - Candlewood Hotel Company, Inc.  (Nasdaq: CNDL), a leading owner, manager, developer and franchisor of high-quality, value-oriented, business-travel hotels, today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2001. First Quarter 2001 Results Comparing the operating results of the Candlewood hotels owned, leased and managed by the Company (including unconsolidated joint venture entities, but excluding franchise results), revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 5.2 percent to $44.06 from $41.90 in the 2000 first quarter.  The average dai...

California Hotel and Motel Association Announces Name Change / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report  California Hotel and Motel Association  Announces Name Change SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 3, 2001 - The California Hotel and Motel Association has announced that it was renamed the California Hotel and Lodging Association, effective April 12, 2001. The California Hotel and Lodging Association (CH&LA) is an affiliate of the American Hotel and Motel Association, which has changed its name to American Hotel and Lodging Association effective April 4, 2001. The proliferation of limited-service establishments extended stay properties, bed and breakfast inns, timeshares, vacation rentals, condom...

CHIP Hospitality Completing $20 Million Renovation Program at Seven of its Properties / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive CHIP Hospitality Completing $20 Million Renovation Program at Seven of its Properties Vancouver, BC (May 3, 2001): Hotel management group, CHIP Hospitality, will complete a $20 million refurbishment program to upgrade seven of its properties across the country. The ambitious renovation project began in September 2000 and will be completed by June 2001. Properties scheduled for the extensive make-over include Mayfield Inn & Suites (Edmonton), Red Deer Lodge (Red Deer), Lethbridge Lodge (Lethbridge), Regina Inn (Regina), Saskatoon Inn (Saskatoon), Sandalwood Hotel & Suites (Missis...

Hotel Common Sense – Continuing Education is Essential For Continued Success / John Hogan CHA MHS / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report  Hotel Common Sense –  Continuing Education is Essential  For Continued Success By John Hogan, CHA MHS - May 2001   “Your education won't end when your school days are over unless you are intent on becoming obsolete”         Wes Roberts, in Straight A's Never Made Anybody Rich As we move forward in the 21st Century, I personally see at least five critical components of learning for all of us in the hospitality industry.  First, we must recognize that international studies are not just for economics classes in college – it is an essential subject.  It is not a matter of ...

Downtown Buffalo, N.Y. Received $41 million in New Hotel Construction, and Expansion During Last Three Years / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Two New Hotels Add Significantly to Capacity of Downtown Buffalo, N.Y. By Sharon Linstedt, The Buffalo News, N.Y. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Apr. 30--In just over a month's time, downtown Buffalo is seeing the debuts of two new hotels on Delaware Avenue, boosting the room count in the heart of the city by nearly 10 percent.  The Mansion on Delaware Avenue, located at 414 Delaware Ave., opened its doors on April 13 following $2 million in renovations to turn the historic Victor Hugo building into a 28-room luxury hotel. In mid-May, the new $7 million Hampton I...

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Global Update: Who’s Where and Doing What May  2001 Heads Above the Rest The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm The Americas Palace coup: Michael Silberstein is the new Managing Director at the New York Palace, replacing Maria Razumich. Razumich had been at the property since 1994, and had taken over as Managing Director in the spring of 1997, replacing Richard Cotter when he joined New York's St. Regis. Silberstein, a Cornell graduate, has had a distinguished career with Hilton, John Coleman Hotels and his own Chamberlain Group.  He was most recently an Area Vice President wi...

Lodging Host Hotel Corp. Opening its Third Property in the North San Antonio Area, a 43 room Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Boerne, Texas / May 200

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report Lodging Host Hotel Corp. Opening its Third Property  in the North San Antonio Area, a 43 room Holiday Inn  Express & Suites in Boerne, Texas  May 22, 2001 - Lodging Host Hotel Corp announced today that it would open the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Boerne, Texas on June the 18th.  Kevin P. Hilchey, President of Lodging Host, made this announcement.  According to Mr. Hilchey  “We have a lot of experience in the Hill Country.  This is our third property in the north San Antonio area.”   According to Mr. Hilchey, "We look for this to be a very good project for us as  the hotel...

Plans to Make the Broadview, in Downtown Wichita, a Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza On Hold Until Brand Infringement Resolved by Bass / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Wichita, Kan., Hotel Owner Wrangles Over Affiliation, Delaying Renovations By Alan Bjerga, The Wichita Eagle, Kan. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 23--As remodelers tear away at the Broadview Hotel and the east-side Ramada, new owner Mordechei Boaziz is eyeing another Wichita hotel, and the Broadview is encountering its first obstacle since the Miami businessman took control in January.  Boaziz's plans to make the Broadview a Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza are on hold until Holiday Inn's parent company decides whether the downtown hotel will take business away from ...

Jack Binion Set to Bring Horseshoe Brand of Gaming to Chicago Area / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report   Jack Binion Set to Bring Horseshoe Brand of  Gaming to Chicago Area HAMMOND, Ind., May 4, 2001 - Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corporation opened the new Horseshoe Casino on May 4.  The new facility is an upscale, multi-level gaming property located at Casino Center Drive on Lake Michigan. Formerly Empress Casino, the Hammond gaming property has been transformed with over $11 million in recent renovations.  “And that is just the beginning,” said Roger Wagner, President of Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corporation.  “You need only to look at our other casinos to realize Horseshoe transfor...

Prestige Resort Development Breaks Ground on the $90 million Club at Big Bear Village / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report Prestige Resort Development Breaks Ground on the  $90 million Club at Big Bear Village BIG BEAR, Calif. ­  Prestige Resort Development has broken ground on its $90+ million The Club at Big Bear Village, the first of its kind in Southern California and the largest private residence resort in the country.   Pamela Jandt, CEO of Prestige, says that the project, which began sales in early December 2000, is meeting sales projections and has already launched second-tier pricing beginning at $114,000 for a three-bedroom and $134,000 for a four-bedroom: "The demand has been gratifying, whic...

Hospitality Bifocals. Do you have a pair? / Michael Terry, Ph. D. / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report Hospitality Bifocals....Do You Have a Pair?  (AKA: Summertime and the livinÂ’ is Â…..not so easy) Michael Terry, Ph. D., CHA - May 2001 Picture yourself preparing for the spring ownersÂ’ meeting scheduled for late May.  LetÂ’s set the stage for this dramatic “once in a lifetime event”, which takes place each and every end of May.  Revenues have dipped a bit during the first quarter recessionary period, the gas price scare has worsened, layoffs have reached record highs, product supply has increased, and the Fortune 500 has announced a 20% corporate travel cut across the board.  Because Â...

Best Western's Development Team Brought 80 New Hotels into the Brand During the First Quarter Ending March 31, 2001 / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Best Western's Development Team Brought 80 New Hotels  into the Brand During the First Quarter Ending March 31, 2001 Phoenix, May 29, 2001 - Strengthening its position as the world's largest hotel chain, Best Western's development team brought 80 new hotels into the brand during the first fiscal quarter ending March 31.  With nearly 4,000 hotels in 80 countries worldwide, the brand continues to lead all brands in the number of hotels offered. In January, company officials announced plans to sign more than 400 hotels by year-end.  During the first quarter, 35 hotels were added in North ...

Benchmark Opens the Chattanoogan Early and Under Budget / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report   Benchmark Opens the Chattanoogan  Early and Under Budget -- Renowned culinary expert Walter Staib  designed restaurant concepts CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, April 16, 2001 ... Benchmark Hospitality has opened The Chattanogan, a new hotel and conference center located in the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The property opened three weeks earlier than planned and $500,000 under the established budget of $43 million.      The Chattanoogan opened with a culinary demonstration and celebration featuring the unique food and beverage concepts developed with the assistance of Walter Stai...

Benchmark Hospitality Purchases International Conference Resorts / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report   Benchmark Hospitality Purchases  International Conference Resorts - Adds five ICR resorts and conference centers to existing  management portfolio of 22 properties THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, May 18, 2001...Benchmark Hospitality, Inc., purchased International Conference Resorts (ICR) on Wednesday, May 16, 2001, in Phoenix, Arizona.  Benchmark’s purchase of ICR was done in concert with EquiSource Capital Corporation, a Dallas-based real estate investment firm.  According to EquiSource’s President and CEO, William R. Henry, the company will continue to assist in the development, acquis...

Baymont Inns & Suites Selectively Uses Hotel Conversions to Augment Growth / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report  Baymont Inns & Suites Selectively Uses  Hotel Conversions to Augment Growth Ten Existing Properties Recently Re-opened or in Conversion -- MILWAUKEE, Wisc., May 15, 2001--Baymont Inns & Suites, a leading mid-priced segment hotel brand, today announced that it will expand the role of hotel conversions within the company’s five-year strategic plan to grow the brand to approximately 500 hotels nationwide.  The company said that it has recently re-opened or is in the process of converting 10 properties to the Baymont brand.  Currently, there are 180 Baymont Inns & Suites open in 30 st...

Renovations from Owners and Partners of Bass Hotels in Latin America Have Totaled More than US$175 million Over the Past Three Years / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report Renovations from Owners and Partners of Bass Hotels  in Latin America Have Totaled More than US$175 million  Over the Past Three Years Hotels in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua and Venezuela offer new services and technological upgrades to serve the business traveler MIAMI, FL (May 22, 2001) – Renovations and upgrades from owners and partners of Bass Hotels & Resorts (BHR) [LON:BAS, NYSE:BAS (ADR)] upscale division properties throughout Latin America, have totaled more than US$175 million over the past three years, announced Alvaro Diago, Area President, Bass Hotels & Resorts ...

The Landmark Lord Baltimore Hotel in Downtown Baltimore Acquired byRadisson-Olympus Capital Partners / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive The Landmark Lord Baltimore Hotel in Downtown Baltimore Acquired by Radisson-Olympus Capital Partners;  - Renamed Radisson Plaza Hotel Baltimore Inner Harbor - BALTIMORE, May 16, 2001 - Radisson-Olympus Capital Partners (ROCP) today announced the acquisition of a 439-room, full-service, historic landmark hotel located in Baltimore's central business district in the heart of the city's inner harbor.      ROCP is a strategic alliance formed this past year between Olympus Real Estate Partners and Carlson Hotels Worldwide to acquire hotels for conversion and management unde...

Bacara Resort & Spa Sues Neighboring Golf Course's Owner for Failure to Make Course Improvements / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Bacara Resort & Spa Sues Neighboring Golf Course's Owner for Failure to Make Course Improvements  By Mark Van De Kamp, Santa Barbara News-Press, Calif. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 26--The owner of the oceanfront Sandpiper Golf Course is being sued for more than $50 million in damages by its neighbor, the luxurious Bacara Resort & Spa.  Bacara's owners accuse the Golf Trust of America of illegally scheming to prevent them from buying the 18-hole course five years ago, then failing to honor a commitment to spend millions on course upgrades to help boost room s...

Boyd Gaming To Acquire Delta Downs Racetrack for Approximately $125 million / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report  Boyd Gaming To Acquire Delta Downs Racetrack  for Approximately $125 million   LAS VEGAS, April 26, 2001 - Boyd Gaming Corporation, (NYSE: BYD - news) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Delta Downs Racetrack near Vinton, Louisiana. The track is eligible under Louisiana law to operate slot machines at its facility, and the Company plans to begin casino operations as soon as it receives appropriate licenses and approvals and completes necessary improvements to the facility. Without unforeseen delays, the Company hopes to have regulatory approv...

Best Western Answers Slowing Economy with $25 million Marketing Campaign / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report   Best Western Answers Slowing Economy with  $25 million Marketing Campaign PHOENIX - Best Western, the world’s largest hotel chain, today unveiled a major new advertising campaign designed to enhance brand image, capture new guests and encourage loyalty as the economy begins to show signs of slowing and travelers seek better value. Using the theme “World’s Largest Hotel Chain,” the $25 million marketing campaign launches on May 7 with a summer-long schedule of television commercials airing on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET and Univision in the U.S. and on CBC, CTC and TAV in Canada....

Brad Rahinsky Appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report   Brad Rahinsky Appointed Director of Sales and  Marketing at The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel Atlanta, Georgia...April 27, 2001...Paul Breslin, general manager of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel announces the appointment of Brad Rahinsky to director of sales and marketing.  Rahinsky brings over ten years of experience in the hospitality industry to his position and a dynamic energy to the sales team at the award-winning hotel which enjoyed an extensive $31 million renovation in late 1999.   “I am very enthusiastic about the potential of this hotel and the unique accommodations and services we ...

Barbecue Is Anchor for Owensboro, Ky., Tourism / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Barbecue Is Anchor for Owensboro, Ky., Tourism By Keith Lawrence, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 6--Owensboro. You can't spell it without a Q.  As in "bar-b-q."  "I travel extensively across Kentucky," said state Sen. David Boswell, D-Sorgho, who's been in state politics for more than two decades. "And the number one association people have with Owensboro is barbecue. We just have a real reputation for it."  Last year, when President Clinton visited Owensboro he made two stops -- a school and a barbecue restaurant.  "Ba...

Procurement Company, Avendra, Claims Customer Base Exceeding 1,600 hotels and Represents Nearly 500 Suppliers / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report   Procurement Company, Avendra, Claims  Customer Base Exceeding 1,600 hotels and  Represents Nearly 500 Suppliers ClubCorp, Bass and Fairmont Join Industry Leader  in Procurement Services WASHINGTON, May 2, 2001 - Avendra, LLC, announced today it has executed definitive documents that add Bass Hotels & Resorts, ClubCorp, USA, Inc., and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts as founders. They join Marriott International, Inc., (NYSE: MAR - news) and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, which formed the venture in early 2001. Avendra is an independent company providing the largest, most comprehensive pro...

Winegardner and Hammons, Inc. and Eagle Realty Group Open the 295 room Austin Marriott North / May 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online  Special Report   Winegardner and Hammons, Inc. and Eagle  Realty Group Open the 295 room  Austin Marriott North WASHINGTON – May 14, 2001 – Marriott International, Inc. (MAR:NYSE) announced  that the Austin Marriott North opened today.  The newest addition to the Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites portfolio, this 295-room property is located at 2600 La Frontera Boulevard in Austin, Texas’ flourishing business district of Round Rock.  The property will operate as a Marriott franchise, co-owned by Winegardner and Hammons, Inc. and Eagle Realty Group and operated by Winegardner & Hammons, Inc., a...