April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Sabre’s Travelocity.com and Preview Travel to Merge, Establishing A Leader in Online Travel FORT WORTH, Texas and SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 4, 1999 - Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE: TSG) and Preview Travel, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTVL) today announced the creation of a new company that combines Sabre’s Travelocity.com division with Preview Travel. The transaction creates the clear leader in online travel, a new company that will be known as Travelocity.com.    Sabre’s Travelocity.com and Preview Travel to Merge, Establishing Clear Leader in Online Travel Merger creates the leading online t...

Revolutionary Environmental Practices Incorporated at New Olympic Park Hotels in Sydney, Australia / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Revolutionary Environmental Practices Incorporated  at New Olympic Park Hotels in Sydney, Australia Sydney, Australia - October 5,1999 - For the first time in Olympic history, hotels have been specifically designed to incorporate environmentally sustainable principles in their construction and operation. Ground-breaking initiatives at the Novotel and Hotel Ibis Homebush Bay include: Installation of Australia’s largest commercial solar-powered hot water system Saving of 1200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year by using 100% green energy Comprehensive waste reduction...

The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul Combines Modern Art and State-of-the-Art In Newly Renovated Presidential Suite / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report  The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul Combines Modern Art  and State-of-the-Art In Newly Renovated  Presidential Suite Seoul - October 26, 1999 - Original artworks by Pablo Picasso and Roy Lichtenstein, a high tech office, Asian textiles and antiques highlight the newly renovated, 350 square meter Ritz-Carlton, Seoul Presidential Suite which occupies the entire 17th floor of the hotel.  The presidential Suite is composed of a master bedroom, living room, office, dining room, kitchen, and connecting guest suite with private bathroom and living room. The Suite's contemporary colors and textures...

Earning a AAA Rating vs Maintaining a AAA Rating: Which Is More Difficult? / Harry Nobles / October 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Earning a AAA Rating vs  Maintaining a AAA Rating:  Which Is More Difficult? E-mail:  hospsvc001@aol.com by Harry Nobles, October 1999   The simple answer: maintaining the rating  is more difficult.  There are several reasons why this is true.  Major factors include changing ratings criteria and rising guest expectations.  The 4-Diamond hotel of the early 1990’s is today’s 3-Diamond.  This is true at all rating levels.  Physical facilities play a key role in determining  a property’s overall rating;  as a property ages it becomes increasingly more expensive to...

Mirvac Hotels Signs 20-Hotel Deal With NetPort Hospitality Systems For In-Room Internet Access / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Mirvac Hotels Signs 20-Hotel Deal With NetPort Hospitality Systems For In-Room Internet Access 9 September, 1999  –  Guests at Mirvac hotels throughout Australasia will have direct in-room access to the Internet and advanced office technologies through a partnership between Australia’s premiere business hotel chain and Australia’s leading provider of Internet technology solutions for the hospitality industry, NetPort Hospitality Systems Pty Ltd. Under the contract, NetPort Hospitality Systems will invest over AUD$1 million to install the new infrastructure in 20 Mirvac hotels, with inst...

NetPort Hospitality Systems Provided Australian Government R&D Grant / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report NetPort Hospitality Systems Provided  Australian Government R&D Grant Will Take In-room Access To The International Hospitality Marketplace 28 September, 1999 - NetPort Hospitality Systems, Australia’s leading provider of in-room Internet access technology for the hospitality industry, has been offered a AUD$1 million AusIndustry R&D Start grant. The AusIndustry grant will support NetPort Hospitality Systems in developing its technology for the international marketplace. Allan Taylor, NetPort Hospitality System’s Senior Vice President, applauded AusIndustry’s recognition of the ...

Mirage Resorts Moving Forward with Infrastructure Improvements at Atlantic City Development Site / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Mirage Resorts Moving Forward with Infrastructure Improvements at Atlantic City Development Site ATLANTIC CITY, Oct. 6, 1999 - Mirage Resorts, Incorporated (NYSE: MIR) today applied for state approvals to build the internal road and other infrastructure improvements necessary for its development in Atlantic City. The filing under New Jersey’s Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) marks a major advance in the company’s development of a world-class destination hotel, gaming and entertainment resort in New Jersey. The company said the proposed infrastructure development calls for a fu...

MICROS Acquires OPUS 2 a Leading Provider of Yield Management Systems / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report  MICROS Acquires OPUS 2 a Leading Provider  of Yield Management Systems BELTSVILLE, Md - Oct. 19, 1999 - MICROS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRS), the world’s leading provider of information technology for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has acquired all of the outstanding stock of OPUS 2 Revenue Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of yield management systems for hotels worldwide, for an undisclosed combination of cash and MICROS stock. OPUS 2 customers include top hotel companies around the world such as Starwood Hotels  Resorts Worldwide, Grupo Posadas and Sunburs...

Accor Installing MICROS-Fidelio Brand Property Management Systems Worldwide / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report  Accor Installing MICROS-Fidelio Brand Property Management Systems Worldwide BELTSVILLE, Md. - Oct. 25, 1999--Paris-based Accor, the third largest hotel company in the world, has signed an agreement with MICROS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRS) designating MICROS-Fidelio brand property management systems (PMS), Front Office Version 7 and OPERA, as the preferred systems for select Accor brands, including Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure hotels, in North America, South America and Asia-Pacific, as well as for some locations in Europe. The complete Accor Hotels brand portfolio includes Sofitel, Novot...

MeriStar Hospitality Corp. and Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. Acquire the 315-room Hilton Newark / Fremont Hotel in Newark, California / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report MeriStar Hospitality Corp. and Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. Acquire the  315-room Hilton Newark / Fremont Hotel  in Newark, California WASHINGTON - Oct. 5, 1999 - MeriStar Investment Partners, a $400 million investment partnership, today announced that it has agreed to acquire the 315-room Hilton Newark / Fremont Hotel in Newark, Calif. The property will be the sixth hotel acquired by the partnership, in a transaction expected to close by year end. The partnership plans to invest $6 million in the first year to renovate the property.  Participants in the investment partnershi...

Partnership Between Accor and Mahindra & Mahindra Bring Mercure Hotel Brand to India / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Partnership Between Accor and   Mahindra & Mahindra  Bring Mercure Hotel Brand to India (29 September, 1999) The first Mercure hotel in India has been launched following the official re-branding of the Guestline Hotel Mumbai to Mercure Hotel Guestline – Juhu, Mumbai.   The launch of the Mercure brand in India is a result of a partnership between Accor and  Mahindra & Mahindra. Accor also manages two other hotels for the Accor Mahindra joint venture in India: Guestline Hotels in Tirupati and Bangalore, which will also eventually join the Mercure network after refurbishment. Th...

Meadowbrook Golf Group and Apollo Real Estate Advisors Acquire KSL Fairways Golf Corp. / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Meadowbrook Golf Group and Apollo Real Estate Advisors Acquire KSL Fairways Golf Corp. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Oct. 6, 1999 - Meadowbrook Golf Group Inc. (OTC BB:MGGI) said that the previously announced acquisition of KSL Fairways Golf Corp. has been completed through a newly formed company which is jointly owned with Apollo Real Estate Investment Fund IV. Effective immediately, KSL Fairways Golf has been renamed Fairways Golf Corp. Bank Boston N.A. provided the financing for the transaction, which includes a facility for additional acquisitions.  Fairways Golf is one of the nation’s ...

Kathy McAdams Heads Washington, D.C. Sales Office for the Los Angeles Convention Visitors Bureau / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report  Kathy McAdams Heads Washington, D.C. Sales Office for the Los Angeles Convention Visitors Bureau LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27, 1999 - The Los Angeles Convention Visitors Bureau (LACVB) has announced the promotion of Kathy McAdams, associate vice president, to head the Washington, D.C. Sales Office.  In this capacity, McAdams will oversee the sales efforts of the LACVB’s Washington, D.C. office.  “Kathy has done an outstanding job in selling Los Angeles as a premier destination for conventions and meetings. She has not only made her goals but in most cases exceeded them. Kathy has rightful...

John Mayewski and John R. Spina Named VP and GM at Hollywood Park, Inc. Casinos / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report  John Mayewski and John R. Spina Named VP  and GM at Hollywood Park, Inc. Casinos John Mayewski Appointed VP and GM of Casino Magic Bossier City, Louisiana BOSSIER CITY, La., Oct. 22, 1999 - J. Michael Allen, Chief Operating Officer of Hollywood Park, Inc.’s (NYSE: HPK) Gaming Division, the parent organization of Casino Magic Bossier City, La., has announced the appointment of John Mayewski to the position of Vice President and General Manager of the property.  In his new position, Mayewski will oversee all aspects of Casino Magic Bossier City’s operations including gaming, hot...

Hotel Online is Recipient of 1999 Telman MasterTech Award / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Hotel Online is Recipient of  1999 Telman MasterTech Award Houston, Texas - October 18, 1999 - Telman is pleased to announce this year’s only recipient of the 1999 Telman MasterTech Award, given to hotel management companies, hotel companies or individuals in the hospitality industry who are producing unprecedented results through bringing people and technology together.   This year’s winner is Internet pioneer Richard L. Johnson, Founder and President of Hotel-Online.com, for his innovation and early leadership in bringing information to people in the hospitality industry.  The ...

Mirage Resorts Company-wide Occupancy for 3rd Qtr 1999 Was 98% / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Mirage Resorts Company-wide Occupancy  for 3rd Qtr 1999 Was 98%  Reports Third Quarter Earnings of $0.14 Per Share LAS VEGAS, Oct. 18, 1999 - Mirage Resorts, Incorporated (NYSE: MIR) announced today 1999 third quarter earnings before preopening costs of $29.2 million ($0.14 per share), compared with $30.1 million ($0.16 per share) in the 1998 quarter. The Company’s total revenues for the quarter grew to $670.0 million, representing a $303.4 million, or 83%, increase over the prior-year period. Operating cash flow (EBDIT) at the Company’s wholly owned properties increased by $53....

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Marriott International’s Best Practices Highlighted  in Lodging Industry Survey WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 1999 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) was named “best” in the lodging industry for delivering excellence to guests, employees and investors, according to a recent landmark study, American Lodging Excellence: The Key to Best Practices in the U.S. Lodging Industry.  The study was funded by American Express in partnership with the American Hotel Foundation. In addition, the TRIP.com has recognized Marriott with its “Best of Online Travel” (BOOT) Awards for Marriott’s websit...

Durbin Companies, Inc., Ocean Properties and Winegardner & Hammons Recognized by Marriott International / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Durbin Companies, Inc., Ocean Properties and Winegardner & Hammons Recognized by Marriott International WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 6, 1999) – Marriott International, Inc. (MAR/NYSE) today recognized three franchise companies, which embody Marriott’s vision of hospitality excellence, with Marriott’s Partnership Circle Award.  Durbin Companies, Inc., Ocean Properties and  Winegardner & Hammons, were presented with the recognition during the Marriott’s annual conference of Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites and Renaissance Hotels and Resorts franchisees.  The conference was held in Vienna...

Marriott International's Solid Third Quarter Performance a Result of Increased Profitability from Established Hotels and Contributions from New P

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Marriott International's Solid Third Quarter Performance  a Result of Increased Profitability from Established Hotels and Contributions from New Properties WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 1999 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) today reported diluted earnings per share of 36 cents for its 1999 third quarter ended September 10, an increase of 13 percent over 32 cents in the corresponding 1998 quarter. Net income for the 1999 third quarter was $96 million, up 12 percent from $86 million in the preceding year. Sales were $2.0 billion, an increase of 11 percent versus the 1998 third quart...

Lynne M. Hook Joins Legal Staff at Hilton Hotels Corp. / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Lynne M. Hook Joins Legal Staff at  Hilton Hotels Corp. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Oct. 5, 1999--Lynne M. Hook has joined the legal department of Hilton Hotels Corp. as counsel, employment/human resources. She reports to Thomas E. Gallagher, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel. Hook’s responsibilities in her new position at Hilton include employment advice, human resources policy review and implementation, and oversight of employment litigation. Prior to joining Hilton, she was affiliated with Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP in Los Angeles ...

Luxe Worldwide Hospitality Growing Its Niche by Representing Independent Hotel Operators; Adds 24 Hotels to Its Growing Portfolio / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Luxe Worldwide Hospitality Growing Its Niche  by Representing Independent Hotel Operators;  Adds 24 Hotels to Its Growing Portfolio Los  Angeles,  September 30, 1999:  Luxe Worldwide Hospitality, formed in January by real estate developer and hotel owner, Efrem Harkham, announced the addition of 24 new hotels to the Luxe family. These additions to the Luxe Worldwide Hotel network include 13 independent properties in Mexico such as the Ejecutivo, in Mexico City, Casa Maya and The Sunset Lagoon/Marina in Cancun, Santiago de Compostela in Guadalajara, the Marina Hotel in La Paz, and...

Peter Lechler Named Director of Food & Beverage at Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at Michigan State University / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Peter Lechler Named Director of Food & Beverage  at Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center  at Michigan State University Lansing MI - 11 Oct 1999 - Peter Lechler has been named Director of Food & Beverage for the  Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at Michigan State University.  He will oversee the entire food and beverage operations of the 165 room, 32 meeting room facility, including the Center's two restaurants, the Spartan Pub, banquets and special events, and the room service for guests of the hotel.  Lechler has served as both General Manager and Director of Food and Beverage fo...

Vancouver's 122 Suite Hotel Le Soleil Built at Cost of $650 Per Square Foot / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report   Vancouver's 122 Suite Hotel Le Soleil  Built at Cost of $650 Per Square Foot VANCOUVER, B.C - Oct. 18, 1999 - The $36-million, 122-suite Hotel Le Soleil is Starwood’s first luxury, boutique hotel in North America and has become a fashion and style Mecca in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown financial and business district. At $650 per square foot for the new property, Hotel Le Soleil has stepped out of the traditional Starwood realm as the most expensive to build, chic hotel in Vancouver. “Style, elegance, romance and a certain ‘sensuality’ are the key French ingredients that...

Laurel Springs Golf Club in Suwanee, Georgia Acquired by ClubCorp and Golden Bear International / Oct 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Laurel Springs Golf Club in Suwanee, Georgia  Acquired by ClubCorp and  Golden Bear International  DALLAS, Sept. 30, 1999 - A joint venture of Dallas-based ClubCorp and Golden Bear International, Inc.  of North Palm Beach, Fla., has acquired Laurel Springs Golf Club in Suwanee, Georgia.  Located 27 miles north of Atlanta, Laurel Springs features a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and an award winning 8,100-square foot clubhouse, which includes a pro shop and dining facilities. Opened in 1998, the golf club has since welcomed about 300 members. “Laurel Springs complements ...