February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Global Update: Who’s Where and Doing What April 2001 Heads Above the Rest The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm EUROPE Changes at Paris’ Hôtel de Crillon: Hotel Manager Philippe Perd is leaving to become the General Manager at the exquisite 38-room Chateau Saint Martin in Vence, part of the hotel holdings of the German Oetker family (along with the Hôtel Bristol Paris, Antibes’ Hôtel du Cap, Brenner’s Park in Baden Baden and Park Hotel Vitznau in Switzerland). Current Chateau Director Danièle Brunet, a 33-year veteran of the group, will remain on board for one year along...

A Technological Breakthrough; TESA Entry Systems Opens Doors with Bluetooth Technology / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report  A Technological Breakthrough; TESA Entry Systems  Opens Doors with Bluetooth Technology April 3, 2001 – Atlanta based TESA Entry Systems and Registry Magic based in Boca Raton agreed to further explore the development of access control applications for the hospitality industry using Bluetooth technology.   This follows the successful debut of this technological breakthrough in electronic locking systems showcased at the Holiday Inn Wall Street in February.  Utilizing state-of-the-art WAP Bluetooth enabled cell phones provided by Ericsson and Motorola and leading hospitality access ...

Parent of Broadwater Hotel Property in Biloxi Files Chapter 11 / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Parent of Broadwater Hotel Property in  Biloxi Files Chapter 11 ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 19, 2001 - President Casinos, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PREZ - news) announced today that its indirectly owned subsidiary, President Broadwater Hotel, LLC, had filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.  President Broadwater Hotel, LLC owns the Broadwater Hotel property in Biloxi, Mississippi, together with an adjoining golf course, on a total of approximately 260 acres. In addition, President Broad...

Mohammad Billah Named Vagabond's Director of Franchise Development / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Mohammad Billah Named Vagabond's  Director of Franchise Development LOS ANGELES -- April 13, 2001 - Vagabond Franchise System, Inc. announced today the appointment of Mohammad Billah to the newly created position of director of franchise development.  Working with Bruce Weitzman, Vagabond’s vice president, franchise development, Mohammad is responsible for further establishing the company’s Vagabond Inn® and Vagabond Inn Executivesm brands in Washington and Oregon.  Mohammad brings unique perspective and experience to his new responsibilities. A lodging industry professional since 198...

Entrepreneur Magazine's 'Best Hotel Value Award' Goes to Baymont Inns & Suites / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Entrepreneur Magazine's “Best Hotel Value Award”  Goes to Baymont Inns & Suites; Unexpected Amenities  at an Attractive Rate MILWAUKEE (April 5, 2001) – Many companies look for ways to reduce expenses without adversely affecting operations, and corporate travel expenses are no exception.  Baymont Inns & Suites was recently honored with the “Best Hotel Value Award” from Entrepreneur Magazine (April 2001) – showing that when it comes to business travel, cutting back on costs doesn’t have to mean cutting back on quality. “We are extremely excited to receive this award,” said Jim...

Hotelier/Innovator J. Lambert 'Bert' Springer Dies at 67 / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Hotelier / Innovator J. Lambert “Bert” Springer  Dies at 67 A Remembrance and Celebration of J. Bert Springer’s Life /  April 2001 by Bob Rauch I met John Lambert “Bert” Springer in 1979 at the Arizona Hotel & Motel Association meeting in Sedona. He and I were friendly competitors as I had just launched my consulting practice. I was a rookie and the “old pro” (then just a 46-year-old) took me under his wing and fed me my first big consulting engagement, opening the Granada Royale Hometel on 44th and McDowell, in Phoenix. Back then, as it is today, there was an elite corps of...

Bass Achieves EBITDA Multiple of 6.2 times on Posthouse Acquisition; Plans to Upgrade Majority of 79 Hotels to the International Holiday Inn Brand / A

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Bass Achieves EBITDA Multiple of 6.2 times on Posthouse Acquisition;  Plans to Upgrade Majority of 79 Hotels to the  International Holiday Inn Brand London, April 6, 2001 -- Bass PLC (Bass) announced this week that it has acquired the entire business of Posthouse Group from Compass Group PLC.  The consideration for the purchase was £810 million, (approximately US$1.2 billion), in cash. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels acted as property advisor to Bass throughout the negotiation process, giving strategic property and valuation advice.  Arthur de Haast, Managing Director at Jones Lang LaSalle ...

Coral Hotels & Resorts Building Two New Ground-up Crowne Plaza Hotels in the Dominican Republic / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Coral Hotels & Resorts Building Two New Ground-up  Crowne Plaza Hotels in the Dominican Republic MIAMI, FL (April 17, 2001) – Bass Hotels & Resorts [LON:BAS, NYSE:BAS (ADR)], the world’s most global hotel company, and Coral Hotels & Resorts, the leading resort company in the Dominican Republic, today announced the opening of two new Crowne Plaza hotels in that country, one in the capital city of Santo Domingo and a second in Santiago, announced Alvaro Diago, Area President, Bass Hotels & Resorts Latin America, and Daisy Perelló de Roca, Chair of the Board of Directors of Coral Hotels. T...

La Quinta Inns, Inc. Outsources its FF&E Purchasing Program for Renovation and New Construction / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report La Quinta Inns, Inc. Outsources its FF&E Purchasing  Program for Renovation and New Construction Offers Franchisees Purchasing Services without Markup DALLAS, Texas/ BOULDER, Colo., April 10, 2001— La Quinta Inns, Inc., today announced that it had signed an agreement with Benjamin West, LLLP, to oversee the mid-market hotel chain’s purchasing of furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) at its company-owned properties.   In addition, La Quinta will offer the same services at the same cost as part of its new franchise expansion program at no profit to the company.  Unlike other purch...

Bill Kimpton, Founder and Chairman of Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Dies / Mar 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Bill Kimpton, Founder and Chairman of  Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Dies SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2001-- Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC is extremely sad to announce the passing of its founder, namesake, friend and chairman Bill Kimpton.  Mr. Kimpton died Friday, March 30, 2001 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston from complications of leukemia.  He had been battling the disease since July and passed peacefully surrounded by his family.  Mr. Kimpton was 65 years old.    With the purchase of his first hotel, the Bedford in San Francisco, in 1981, Mr. Kimpton establis...

Avalon Hotel and Spa Opening with Amenities of a Destination Spa in Downtown Portland, Oregon / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Avalon Hotel and Spa Opening with Amenities of a  Destination Spa in Downtown Portland, Oregon PORTLAND, Ore. - April 23, 2001 - The Avalon Hotel and Spa is scheduled to open its doors summer 2001, announced Bruce Hraba, president of Waterford Hotels and Inns, the managing company for the new hotel. Located on the riverfront at the edge of downtown Portland in John’s Landing, the Avalon is the first independent, luxury boutique hotel to make its debut in Oregon in ten years. “The Avalon will particularly appeal to business travelers, leisure and social guests who value exceptional ser...

The Americas Lodging Investment Summit will benefit the Educational Institute of AH&LA and The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report The Americas Lodging Investment Summit will benefit the Educational Institute of AH&LA and The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation NEWPORT BEACH, California --- April 17, 2001 - Over 50 of the nation’s hotel investment leaders will be heading to Chicago on April 30, 2001 to attend the inaugural planning meeting for The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS).  The number of confirmed attendees is expected to grow by the time of the planning meeting, making it possibly the largest gathering ever for the kick-off of a major hotel investment event.   Jim Burba, ALIS Chairman, stated, “I...

Ten Industry Employees Receive the American Hotel & Lodging Association Stars of the Industry Award / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Ten Industry Employees Receive the American Hotel &  Lodging Association Stars of the Industry Award Chicago, Ill., April 6, 2001 - Nine industry employees received awards during the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Stars of the Industry Awards breakfast, sponsored by Visa U.S.A.  The awards presentation was part of the AH&LA Annual Conference & Leadership Forum/The Lodging Expo held at the Hilton Chicago, April 4 - 6. Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year award winners are: Cathie Gehrig, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson in Mount Morris, N.Y.;  Jeff Gascon, Radiss...

AH&LA Provides Member Properties with the Broadest Employment Practices Liability Policy Coverage Available in the Industry / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report AH&LA Provides Member Properties with the  Broadest Employment Practices Liability Policy  Coverage Available in the Industry Chicago, Ill., April 5, 2001 - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is offering a new benefit to member properties - employment practices liability insurance, which offers protection to employers in connection with certain types of lawsuits, including employees claiming wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (where insurable by law).   Nationwide, the average cost to defend a suit...

Seven Hotels Receive AH&LA Achievement Awards / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report advertisement Seven Hotels Receive AH&LA Achievement Awards Chicago, Ill., April 6, 2001 - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) paid tribute to the winners of the AH&LA Achievement Awards, part of the association’s  Stars of the Industry awards program, sponsored by Visa U.S.A.  The awards presentation was part of the AH&LA Annual Conference & Leadership Forum/The Lodging Expo at the Hilton Chicago. The awards, created in 1966, acknowledge individual properties and chains that have developed outstanding public relations campaigns.  Categories include community service; en...

Atlantic City, N.J., Casinos Reorganize Management to Streamline Operations / April 2001

February 28, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Atlantic City, N.J., Casinos Reorganize Management to Streamline Operations By Joe Weinert, Las Vegas Review-Journal Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Apr. 4--Two Atlantic City casinos, bracing for the effects of a bad economy, eliminated managers by the bunches.  Both Sands and Tropicana fired 33 managers last week, five days after Showboat eliminated its 10 full-time pit bosses. Tropicana further said it would not fill 10 other jobs, resulting in a total of 43 fewer jobs.  "We need to be efficient now and efficient in the future. If the economy is flat we need to...

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Beijing Tourism Group Assigns Accor the Management Contract for the Xinqiao Hotel in Beijing / Mar 2001

January 30, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Beijing Tourism Group Assigns Accor the Management Contract for the Xinqiao Hotel in Beijing March 7, 2001- Accor has strengthened its position in China's competitive hotel sector with an agreement to manage the 740-room Xinqiao Hotel in Beijing. The hotel will be branded a Novotel and is Accor's second hotel in the Chinese capital after the addition of the famous Novotel Peace Hotel in April 2000. The agreement was signed during the visit of Mr Sven Boinet, Accor member of the management board in charge of hotels, and marks the second agreement between Accor and the hotel's owning company, Bei...

Wyndham’s Women Awards Finalists Share Their Business Travel Secrets; Top Ten suggestions will be located in the guest services directory in every

January 30, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report  Wyndham’s Women Awards Finalists Share  Their Business Travel Secrets Top Ten suggestions will be located in the guest services directory in every Wyndham guest room DALLAS - March 19, 2001-- Women business travelers, the fastest growing segment of the business travel market, have a lot to be grateful for in March — especially if they’re jet-setting around the globe. In honor of Women’s History Month, Wyndham International, Inc. has compiled a Top Ten list of travel tips from its WOMEN ON THEIR WAY® Awards finalists to benefit business travelers across the country.  Tips include ever...

Wingate Franchisee Doug Stafford Opens the 100th Wingate Inn Hotel in Concord, NC. / Mar 2001

January 30, 2001

 Wingate Franchisee Doug Stafford Opens the 100th  Wingate Inn Hotel in Concord, NC.   PARSIPPANY, NJ (March 22, 2001) - Wingate Inns International, Inc. today announced the opening of its 100th franchised Wingate Inn hotel as franchisee Doug Stafford opened the doors to his 93-room property at 7841 Gateway Lane NW in Concord, NC.   “The opening of the 100th Wingate Inn hotel in Concord is a major achievement for the brand as it pushes the chain past a significant landmark in terms of open hotels and national presence,” says Keith J. Pierce, president and chief executive officer of Wingate Inns International.  “Reach...

Hotel Online: Hospitality News

January 30, 2001

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Houston-Based Developer Plans Village Project at Whitefish, Mont., Ski Resort By Jason Blevins, The Denver Post Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 20--Gerald Hines, the Houston-based developer of Winter Park's Zephyr Lodge and Aspen Highlands' new base village, on Monday unveiled plans for a $300 million base village at Big Mountain Ski & Summer Resort in Whitefish, Mont.  Bob Daniels, president of Hines' Aspen-based resort development team, said his boss looks for year-round recreation opportunities, a good-sized airport and a recognized name in the ski resort...

January 30, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Whitbread’s Travel Inn Division Implementing  Chain Management Solution at 225 Hotels March 12, 2001 - Ramesys Hospitality Inc, Edison, NJ, the leading provider of IT solutions to the economy/budget, mid and resort lodging industry, has signed a contract with Whitbread’s Travel Inn division (Luton, UK) to implement its Chain Management Solution (CMS) at 225 hotels in one of the most prestigious hotel sector IT projects in the last 12 months.   The order brings the number of Travel Inns that will shortly be using CMS to over 250.  Travel Inn, one of the UK’s fastest growing l...

Webvertising Brings More Heads in Beds by Offering New Seamless GDS and Internet Connectivity to Hotels / April 2001

January 30, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report Webvertising Brings More Heads in Beds by  Offering New Seamless GDS and  Internet Connectivity to Hotels HOUSTON, TX - March 20, 2001 - Recognizing the hotels’ bottom line of putting heads in beds at the lowest cost, Webvertising and ReservHotel have established an alliance that will provide hoteliers with an integrated system that allows them to manage their distribution channels more efficiently.   Webvertising, a premier Internet agency, and ReservHotel, a leading hotel representation company, announced that they have successfully built a two-way interface from Webvertising’s iHoteli...

Warimpex Finanz and Bass Hotels Developing 406 room Inter-Continental in Warsaw / Mar 2001

January 30, 2001

Hotel Online Special Report  Warimpex Finanz and  Bass Hotels Developing  406 room Inter-Continental in Warsaw Insignia Hotel Partners Puts Together the Cross-border Deal New York, NY – March 21, 2001 – Bass Hotels & Resorts has announced it is investing in a 110 million Euros joint venture – with Warimpex Finanz and UBM Vienna – to develop a new flagship hotel for Central Europe, the Hotel Inter-Continental Warsaw.     The 406-unit property will be Warsaw’s most prestigious hotel, as well as its tallest, at 44 floors. It will also be the first hotel in the city to offer a choice of 78 extended...