The 1,176-room Chicago Marriott Downtown Acquired by The Carlyle Group and LaSalle Hotel Properties / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel OnlineSpecial Report  The 1,176-room Chicago Marriott Downtown  Acquired by The Carlyle Group  and LaSalle Hotel Properties WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2000 - The Carlyle Group and LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO) today announced the acquisition of the 1,176-room Chicago Marriott Downtown in Chicago. Marriott International, Inc.  will continue to manage and operate the property. The Chicago Marriott Downtown is a full-service, upscale convention hotel located on North Michigan Avenue, in the heart of downtown Chicago’s world- famous “Magnificent Mile.” The property has over 60,000 square feet of meeting spa...

Spokane, WA based Cavanaughs and Vancouver, BC Based Coast Hotels & Resorts Form Marketing Alliance / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel OnlineSpecial Report  Spokane, WA based Cavanaughs and Vancouver, BC Based Coast Hotels & Resorts  Form Marketing Alliance SPOKANE, Wash., Jan. 24, 2000 -  Cavanaughs Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: CVH), a lodging, entertainment and real estate services company, announced today a strategic alliance with Vancouver, British Columbia based Coast Hotels & Resorts. Coast Hotels & Resorts is western Canada’s largest regional hotel chain, with 20 hotels and 2,816 rooms in British Columbia and Alberta.  The relationship between the two full-service lodging companies will include a marketing affiliation as ...

California Travel and Tourism Commission Elects Six Hoteliers to Commissioner Posts / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report California Travel and Tourism Commission Elects Six Hoteliers to Commissioner Posts SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 1999 - Eleven Californians have been elected by their industry peers to serve on the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) it was recently announced.  Those elected in their respective industry categories are:  Accommodations— James Amorosia, Sr., Vice President of Operations, Motel 6 Operating L.P., Belmont,  Chris Middleton, Vice President, American Hotels, Inc., Palo Alto,  Anne Evans, Owner, Evans Hotels, San Diego,  Gene Zanger, Part...

Choice Atlantica Hotels Has 11 Operating Hotels in South America, 12 Hotels to Open in 2000 / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report  Choice Atlantica Hotels Has 11 Operating Hotels in South America,  12 Hotels to Open in 2000 FORT LAUDERDALE, January 18, 2000 – After more than three years of solid foundation-building, Choice Atlantica Hotels now has 11 operating hotels, with 12 units scheduled to open in 2000. An additional 37 projects have been contracted and are underdevelopment and CAH expects to sign its 50th property early this year. Since 1996, Choice Atlantica Hotels has been providing South American business and leisure travelers with lodging choices that were previously rarely seen in prime markets...

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report Nicolas Boudet Appointed VP, Development and Acquisitions for Club Med’s North American Zone Paris - January 2000 - Nicolas Boudet has been appointed Vice President, Development and Acquisitions for Club Med’s North American Zone.  With this appointment, Club Med reaffirms its commitment to expanding the brand within the American Continent. Prior to joining Club Med, Nicolas worked in London for the Hospitality branch of the Real Estate Investment firm Jones Lang LaSalle, and previously, in the Paris headquarters of Queens Moat Houses plc.   He is a graduate of the Master’s ...

Bass Hotels Acquires the Austin, Texas Landmark Stephen F. Austin Hotel; Will Brand as Inter-Continental Hotel / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report Bass Hotels Acquires the Austin, Texas Landmark Stephen F. Austin Hotel; Will Brand as Inter-Continental Hotel ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2000 - Bass Hotels Resorts entered the Austin, Texas market today with the purchase of the 189-room landmark Stephen F. Austin Hotel, located on Congress Avenue, a few blocks from the State Capitol. The acquisition was announced by Thomas Arasi, president of Bass Hotels Resorts, The Americas.  “We consider Austin a very important market in our overall growth strategy because of the city’s great importance as a corporate, high technology and meetings ...

BRE / St. Francis L.L.C Acquires The 1,192 Room Westin St. Francis for $243 Million / Westin to Continue Management of the Historic Property / Jan 200

January 30, 2000

Hotel OnlineSpecial Report  BRE / St. Francis L.L.C Acquires The 1,192 Room Westin St. Francis for $243 Million Westin to Continue Management of the Historic Property WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 21, 1999 - Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc., on behalf of The Westin St. Francis Limited Partnership, announced today an agreement to sell the 1,192 room Westin St. Francis in San Francisco to BRE / St. Francis L.L.C. of New York for $243 million. The sale, which is subject to customary conditions including the consent of a majority of the limited partners of Westin Hotels Limited Partnership, is anticipated to ...

Asian American Hotel Owners Association Elect Oregon Hotelier Bakulesh Patel as 2000 Chairman / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel OnlineSpecial Report  Asian American Hotel Owners Association Elect Oregon Hotelier Bakulesh  Patel as 2000 Chairman January, 2000 - Oregon hotel entrepreneur Bakulesh “Buggsi” Patel, chairman and CEO of Buggsi Hospitality Group which owns and operates 15 properties in the Pacific Northwest, has been elected chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that represents 6,600 hoteliers throughout the United States and Canada. The election took place during AAHOA’s annual convention which was held January 5 through 7, 2000 in Las Vegas. Patel’s term lasts until the g...

Bruce Dalton and Jim Carra Named Regional Directors at the Hospitality Recruitment Firm SearchWide / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report Bruce Dalton and Jim Carra Named Regional Directors at the Hospitality Recruitment Firm SearchWide PHILADELPHIA (December 12, 1999) – Bruce Dalton and Jim Carra have been named Regional Directors of SearchWide, an executive recruitment firm.  Dalton will be responsible for all levels of searches, specifically in the east and southeast.  “I will strive to help SearchWide grow and to build upon its reputation as the number one executive recruiter in the hospitality industry,” said Dalton.  Dalton has more than 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry. In addition ...

Air Pacific Developing 300 Room Resort on Denerau Island, Fiji / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel OnlineSpecial Report Air Pacific Developing 300 Room Resort  on Denerau Island, Fiji  Resort will complement increase in air capacity to Fiji 20 January 2000: Accor - the Asia Pacific region’s largest hotel group - will make a strategic addition to its Novotel network, following the announcement that it would manage a new 4-star Novotel Resort to be developed on Denarau Island, Fiji’s premier resort destination. The hotel - which will cost some F$66 million to develop - will be owned by a joint venture between Air Pacific and investors introduced by Accor. The project will commence construction in...

Allan Goodson Named EVP and COO at On Command / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report Allan Goodson Named EVP and COO  at On Command San Jose, CA - January 12, 2000 - On Command Corporation (NASDAQ: ONCO) announced today the hiring of Allan Goodson as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Jim Cronin, Chairman and acting CEO said, “Allan has proven strengths in a strategic growth environment with many years of experience in the telecommunications industry.  He will provide additional management strength and leadership as we continue to capitalize on our exciting growth opportunities.” Mr. Goodson has most recently served as a founding partner ...

Destination Hotels & Resorts Appoints Allen G. Goodman and David Renker to Regional Marketing Positions / Jan 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report Destination Hotels & Resorts Appoints  Allen G. Goodman and David Renker  to Regional Marketing Positions DENVER – January 3, 2000 - Destination Hotels & Resorts, manager of 22 independent, luxury hotels and resorts nationwide, recently appointed Allen G. Goodman and David Renker to expand the company’s leadership in hotel sales and marketing. Goodman was named regional vice president of sales and marketing for the East Coast and is based at The Monarch Hotel in Washington, D.C.  Renker was named regional vice president of sales and marketing for the West Coast and is ba...

FelCor's 4th Qtr FFO $0.87 vs $0.82 / Company Wide 1999 Occupancy 68.3% vs 68.8% / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report FelCor's 4th Qtr FFO $0.87 vs $0.82 Company Wide 1999 Occupancy 68.3% vs 68.8% --- IRVING, Texas…February 1, 2000 - FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE:FCH), one of the nation’s largest hotel real estate investment trusts (REITs), today announced that fourth quarter 1999 Funds From Operations ("FFO") totaled $63.8 million, or $0.87 per share and unit, compared to the fourth quarter 1998 of $62.2 million, or $0.82 per share and unit. Year ended December 31, 1999 FFO totaled $286.9 million, or $3.81 per share and unit, compared to $217.4 million, or $3.75 per share and unit for 1998. These FFO...

Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine Planning 4th Annual Florida Multicultural Tourism/Hotel Ownership Summit / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine Planning 4th Annual  Florida Multicultural Tourism/Hotel Ownership Summit JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - February 7, 2000 - The 4th Annual Florida Multicultural Tourism/Hotel Ownership Summit & Trade Show presented by Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine, Latin Chamber of Commerce will be held in Jacksonville on June 21-25, 2000.  The  theme,  “Tourism Can Change Our Community”, will focus on Hispanic, African American and other minorities in the travel market. The 4-day educational conference will attract top level hospitality representatives, meeting planner...

Gannett Co., Inc. Purchases Interest in Luxury Link, a Travel Web Site / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report   Gannett Co., Inc. Purchases Interest in  Luxury Link, a Travel Web Site  LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2000 - Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) has purchased an interest in Luxury Link, LLC, a  luxury travel Web site. The ownership interest was granted in return for an investment of cash and services including promotional exposure on Gannett publications, including USATODAY and USATODAY.com. Called “an outstanding way to gain access to the best quality travel options all over the world,” (New York Times), Luxury Link provides a searchable database of hotels, tours, and specialty travel,...

Pan Pacific Hotel Yokohama Offering Guests High-speed 7Mbps Internet Access at Flat Daily Rate of US$ 13.80 / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report  Pan Pacific Hotel Yokohama Offering Guests High-speed 7Mbps Internet Access at  Flat Daily Rate of US$ 13.80 January 26, 2000 - The Pan Pacific Hotel Yokohama, located in the city’s rapidly developing Minato Mirai 21 area, will start providing cost-effective, high-speed Internet access services to hotel guests as of February 1, 2000.   This 485-room hotel’s business travelers often request Internet access via  their own PC or a rental PC from the hotel.  Because of this growing demand,  the hotel has decided to install this new service and charge guests a flat  rate.  ...

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report inTRAVELnet.com’s Vacation Ownership Shopping Mall  Believed to be the First to Focus on  Brand Neutral Vacation Ownership Intervals RICHMOND, British Columbia, Feb. 3, 2000 -  inTRAVELnet.com inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ITVRF) and stox.com Inc. (URL: CDNX) have formed a strategic alliance whereby stox.com’s wholly owned subsidiary, Star Target Holdings, will provide the platform and operate the e-commerce website for inTRAVELnet.com’s online Vacation Ownership Shopping Mall. This website, utilizing stox.com’s unique multicast network will offer real-time access for vacationers to a d...

hsupply.com Now Serving More than 600 Hotels; Glenn R. Kruse and James E. Banks Head Up Sales Division / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report  hsupply.com Now Serving More than 600 Hotels; Glenn R. Kruse and James E. Banks  Head Up Sales Division ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2000 -  In response to high business volume and interest in its customized online marketplaces for hotel supplies, hsupply.com has accelerated plans to launch its national sales efforts. The company has tapped two seasoned hospitality and technology sales executives to form and lead its national sales force and growth strategy.  Glenn R. Kruse and James E. Banks will head the sales division, with Kruse serving as senior vice president of national sales and B...

Using the Internet – Zoho Streamlines the Procurement Lifecycle and Reduces All Supply Chain Costs / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report Using the Internet - Zoho Streamlines the Procurement Lifecycle and Reduces Supply Chain Costs  February 29, 2000, Mountain View, California – Zoho Corporation (formerly DMC1 Corporation) announced today its launch into the emerging market for business-to-business, industry-focused, electronic marketplaces. Positioned as the premier online marketplace for the hospitality industry, the Zoho solution (www.zoho.com) brings advances in business-to-business (B2B) Internet technology and proven supply chain models to the hospitality industry. Serving a $150 billion worldwide market, Zoh...

Zagat Survey and OpenTable.com Co-branding a Website for Free Online Restaurant Reservations / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report   Zagat Survey and OpenTable.com Co-branding a Website for Free Online Restaurant Reservations SAN FRANCISCO - Feb. 16, 2000--OpenTable.com, the nation’s foremost provider of online reservations — and Zagat Survey, the country’s most authoritative dining guide, announced today a strategic partnership and a minority investment by Zagat Survey in OpenTable.com.  Both steps are the first in a series of moves by Zagat to increase its online offerings. OpenTable.com will use the funding to fuel the rapid, nationwide expansion of its fine-dining network.  The companies also announced a stra...

XETA Technologies, a Provider of Hotel Call Accounting Systems, Entering Internet Access Market by Partnering with Darwin Networks / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report  XETA Technologies, a Provider of  Hotel Call Accounting Systems,  Entering Internet Access Market by Partnering with Darwin Networks BROKEN ARROW, Okla., Feb. 15, 2000 -- XETA Technologies (Nasdaq: XETA) has announced a strategic partnership with Louisville-based Darwin Networks to offer high-speed Internet access to its customers in the lodging industry.  XETA Technologies is currently recognized as the leader in hospitality call accounting software, boasting a 25% share of the 125-room-and-above market. XETA is also the leading national supplier of Lucent and Hitachi PBX sy...

Trust International Integrates Complete Hotel Inventory into WorldRes.com / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report  Trust International Integrates Complete Hotel Inventory  into WorldRes.com - Joint Marketing Fund Created to Increase Reservations - ORLANDO, FL, February 24 -- TRUST International and WorldRes.com recently announced an agreement to integrate TRUSTS’ complete hotel inventory into WorldRes.com. TRUST is the leading supplier of state-of-the-art central reservation systems and services for up-scale hotels. WorldRes.com is the online hotel distribution network for leisure travel. Under the multi-property participant agreement, WorldRes.com will enroll all of TRUST properties i...

Expecting Nearly Half of Business Travelers to be Women, The Pan Pacific San Francisco is Fine Tuning Amenities / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report  Expecting Nearly Half of Business Travelers to be Women,  The Pan Pacific San Francisco is Fine Tuning Amenities What do women want? San Francisco, CA -- 25 Feb 2000 -    The Pan Pacific San Francisco, long committed to serving the female business traveler, recently posed that age-old question to over 200 globe-trotting women and got some straight answers on what they value most in a hotel. In short, they view the ideal hotel as one that provides a high degree of caring service and thoughtful amenities in the kind of secure, comfortable environment that makes being on the r...

William Cornwell Appointed General Manager for Benchmark's Big EZ Lodge in Big Sky, Montana / Feb 2000

January 30, 2000

Hotel Online Special Report  William Cornwell Appointed General Manager for Benchmark's Big EZ Lodge in Big Sky, Montana THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, January  24, 2000…Benchmark Hospitality has named William Cornwell as General Manager of the company’s newest conference resort, The Big EZ Lodge located in Big Sky, Montana.  The announcement was made by Sam Haigh, Chief Operating Officer for Benchmark Hospitality. The appointment marks a return to the Benchmark organization for Mr. Cornwell.  From 1980 - 1982 he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Benchmark Hospitality.  He left to assume responsibilities as...