April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report San Jose’s Hotel Room Tax Revenue  Up More than 150% Since 1992 Visitor Economic Impact Up has Nearly Doubled in Seven Years SAN JOSE, Calif. - Nov. 16, 1999 - Silicon Valley, the land of the microchip, is quickly becoming home to a macro convention and visitor business. Visitors to San Jose, Northern California’s largest city, spent $995 million during the past year, according to the San Jose Convention Visitors Bureau (SJCVB).  San Jose’s visitor spending is up more than 36 percent since the last full study in 1997 by CIC Research Inc., and is up 95 percent since...

Sol Meliá Will Manage the Meliá Roma Aurelia Owned by the Aurelia Centro Company / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Sol Meliá Will Manage the Meliá Roma Aurelia  Owned by the Aurelia Centro Company November, 1999 - Sol Meliá has just signed a contract with the Aurelia Centro company, which will enable the Spanish hotel company to manage its first hotel in the Italian capital: the Meliá Roma Aurelia. This hotel, strategically situated very near the well-known Vía Aurelia in the Italian capital, will have a 4 star rating and will open in July 2000.  According to Mr. Sebastian Escarrer, Vice-President of Sol Meliá, “the incorporation of the Meliá Roma Aurelia represents yet ...

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Accor Appoints Henk Stoop as GM at  Cairns’ Reef Casino Hotel;  To be Rebranded as Sofitel Wednesday 24 November: Cairns’ international profile will receive a significant boost today when the high profile Reef Casino hotel embarks on a new beginning with the rebranding of the hotel to one of the world’s premier luxury brands - Sofitel. As of today the 128 room five-star hotel at the Reef Casino will be included in the global Accor network of more than 3,300 hotels. The hotel will be branded with Accor’s luxury Sofitel label as the Hotel Sofitel Reef Casino Cai...

Randy Carroll Named Senior Vice President, Real Estate Asset Management at MeriStar Hospitality Corp. / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Randy Carroll Named Senior Vice President,  Real Estate Asset Management  at MeriStar Hospitality Corp. WASHINGTON - Nov. 29, 1999--MeriStar Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: MHX), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT), today announced that hotel industry veteran Randall W. (Randy) Carroll has joined the company in the newly created position of senior vice president, real estate and asset management. Carroll will focus on optimizing MeriStar’s real estate financial performance by implementing programs that generate incremental revenue from the company’s realty ...

Pegasus Systems, Inc. Acquires REZsolutions, Inc. for Approximately $250 Million / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Pegasus Systems, Inc. Acquires REZsolutions, Inc.  for Approximately $250 Million DALLAS, Nov. 17, 1999 - Pegasus Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEGS), a leading worldwide provider of hotel industry transaction processing and electronic commerce services, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Phoenix-based REZsolutions, Inc., a leading provider of reservation technology systems and representation services to the hotel industry.  This acquisition will enable Pegasus to offer hotels and travel agents a much broader product line, and greatly strengthens ...

The Five-Star President Wilson Hotel in Geneva Joins The Luxury Collection / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report The Five-Star President Wilson Hotel in Geneva  Joins The Luxury Collection  WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 23, 1999 - The President Wilson Hotel in Geneva will join The Luxury Collection on Jan. 1, 2000, under terms of an agreement signed between Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: HOT), and S.A. de Hotel President. The 255-room President Wilson Hotel holds a five-star rating from the prestigious Societe Suisse des Hoteliers.  It is located on Quai Wilson on the shore of Lac Leman, with a dazzling view of the lake’s famous “Jet d’Eau” fountain.  The hotel ...

Point Grace: Boutique Hotel Set to Open in the Turks and Caicos / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Point Grace: Boutique Hotel Set to Open  in the Turks and Caicos Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands  - November 11, 1999 -  Point Grace, a new boutique hotel, is set to open in the Turks & Caicos Islands January 29, 2000. Designed to bring a new level of luxury to the island of Providenciales, the hotel redefines contemporary service and style, with 30 exceptional suites and breathtaking penthouses. Situated on what is considered one of the world’s best beaches, Point Grace’s British Colonial atmosphere sets the tone for an engaging assortment of services and amen...

Omni Hotels Upgrades Reservations System to a Seamless Environment / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Omni Hotels Upgrades Reservations System to a Seamless Environment IRVING, Texas, Nov. 16, 1999 - Omni Hotels announced today it has upgraded its entire reservations system to a seamless environment.  The new, seamless system enables reservation agents both within and outside the company to book hotel reservations based on the most accurate and up-to-date rooms information available. The end result is an easier, more efficient and faster booking process for reservations.  Omni Hotels, in conjunction with Pegasus Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEGS), the leading electronic dist...

After a Half Billion – Omni Hotels Producing New Look; Omni Company History / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report After a Half Billion - Omni Hotels Producing New Look The Omni Hotel at CNN Center Completes $9 Million Renovation Omni Hotels Company History James D. Caldwell,  President   IRVING, Texas (Nov. 5, 1999) -- Following four years of extensive company-wide renovations,  Omni Hotels is preparing to unveil a new and improved version of itself just in time for the new  millennium. The nearly half a billion dollars allocated in 1996 for a corporate capital improvements program has produced a lavish portfolio of hotels and resorts unmatched within the ups...

In Support of Pro-family Issues, Omni Hotels Removing Adult-pay-per-view Movies from Guestrooms / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report In Support of Pro-family Issues, Omni Hotels Removing  Adult pay-per-view Movies from Guestrooms   IRVING, Texas, Nov. 10, 1999 - Omni Hotels announced today that it would be removing adult pay-per-view movies from its guest room televisions. The privately held company expects to have its current movie service provider removed from the majority of its hotels by June 2000. Remaining hotels will be eliminating the service as their vending contracts expire. The decision to remove the adult pay-per-view movies was morally and conscionably driven by the company’s ownership...

The Omni Hotel at CNN Center Completes $9 Million Renovation / Paul Breslin, GM, Bio / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report The Omni Hotel at CNN Center Completes $9 Million Renovation  Paul Breslin General Manager Kevin M. Palm Executive Chef  Juan J. Garcia Director of Marketing After a Half Billion - Omni Hotels Producing New Look   Flagship Omni Property at Epicenter of Downtown Atlanta Renewal Effort  ATLANTA, Sept. 28, 1999 – A key component of the historic revitalization of office, retail, sports, residential and entertainment developments in downtown Atlanta, the Omni Hotel at CNN Center has completed a $9 million renovation of its property.  Encompassing a new restaura...

Maintaining Your AAA Rating / Harry Nobles / November 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Maintaining Your AAA Rating E-mail:  hospsvc001@aol.com by Harry Nobles, November  1999  In a recent article, I offered some suggestions for keeping your property at the physical level expected for a particular AAA rating.  The physical attributes are very important, and include everything from the size of the bath soap to the quality and consistency of housekeeping.  Even with the most modern and luxurious  decor, furnishings, and amenities in place, a property can be denied an additional diamond or lose one due to service.  Service deficiency can be in two areas: the abse...

What is Atmosphere? / Harry Nobles / November 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report What is "Atmosphere"? E-mail:  hospsvc001@aol.com by Harry Nobles, November  1999  We often speak of atmosphere when describing  a hotel or restaurant. This term is rarely used to describe other commercial establishments. What is atmosphere?  One dictionary definition is “a mental or moral environment”.  I think this definition applies very well to a fine hotel.  I am tempted to add “intangible” to that definition; yet, I have often perceived an almost tangible sense of atmosphere in some of the fine hotels I have visited.  What attributes combine to create a particu...

A Slowing in U.S. Lodging Industry's Rate of Profit Growth Brings Constriction in Investor Interest; Initial Public Offerings Come to a Standstil

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report A Slowing in U.S. Lodging Industry's Rate of Profit Growth Brings Constriction in Investor Interest;  Initial Public Offerings Come to a Standstill NEW YORK - November 12, 1999 - In 1999 only one lodging company launched an initial public offering, and there were no secondary offerings. PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality Leisure Practice predicts there will be no major IPOs or secondary offerings in the foreseeable future. “Investor interest in lodging and in initial public offerings has dissipated as profit growth has slowed, and as supply continues to grow faster than...

Newmarket International New Release Helps Maximize Data into More Profit and Better Customer Service at Hotels / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Newmarket International New Release Helps Maximize  Data into More Profit and Better Customer Service  at Hotels   PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (November 8, 1999) -- Newmarket International, Inc. today announced the general release of its 7.2 line of hospitality sales automation products: Breeze ® Delphi®, Delphi Multi-Property Edition, and Global SFA. The 7.2 line is Newmarket’s innovative response to the growing demands of customers for web-enabled applications that scale to meet the needs of any hospitality operation-from independent properties to the corporate enterp...

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Sage Hospitality Resources’ CEO, Zack Neumeyer  Bullish on Technology   Denver, CO November 5, 1999 — Sage Hospitality Resources’ CEO, Zack Neumeyer is a man with a vision.  Sage has been recognized repeatedly for its urban renewal activities and is a true hospitality leader.  Sage is also paying some attention to technology as shown by its recent announcement to use STS Hotel Net as its select technology provider.  A recent interview revealed a tech-savvy and bullish Neumeyer. Read along to learn about several potential technology trends to look for in the ho...

Maritz, Wolf Co. Planning Brand Change and Improvements at Ritz-Carlton, Kansas City / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Maritz, Wolf Co. Planning Brand Change and Improvements at Ritz-Carlton, Kansas City Will Become Part of Fairmont Hotels  Resorts Collection TORONTO, Nov. 23, 1999 - Maritz, Wolff Co. announced today that it has finalized an agreement with Fairmont Hotels Resorts to manage the landmark Ritz-Carlton, Kansas City effective February 1, 2000. Maritz Wolff Co. purchased the property November 5, 1999.  “We chose to engage Fairmont Hotels Resorts because of their longstanding reputation as operators of many of North America’s most distinctive luxury hotels, the exciting op...

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Marc Friday Named Georgia’s  Lodging Industry Leader of the Year SAVANNAH, Ga. - Nov. 1, 1999 - Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association (GHTA) has named Marc Friday Georgia’s Lodging Industry Leader of the year.  Marc Friday, General Manager of the newly developed Wingate Inn in Savannah, was presented this award at GHTA’s 23rd Annual Award dinner held recently here in Atlanta.  Marc is the first Savannian to receive this award and takes his place among some the industry’s top names. Some past recipients include: Dick Stormont (Current Tourism chairman for Ge...

Whitbread PLC to Convert Majority of Swallow Group Hotels to Marriott Brands / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Whitbread PLC to Convert Majority  of Swallow Group Hotels to Marriott Brands Expects Over 30 Hotels And 5,000 Rooms to Be Converted WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 1999 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) today said it expects to substantially increase its current presence in the United Kingdom to more than 70 hotels and 12,000 rooms as Marriott’s UK franchise partner, Whitbread PLC, acquires Swallow Group PLC.  Whitbread announced Monday that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to acquire Swallow Group and its 38 quality-tier hotels f...

Marriott Expecting 1,000 New Hotels by 2003; 14 Lodging Brands Work Together to Make Marriott Stronger / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Marriott Expecting 1,000 New Hotels by 2003 14  Lodging Brands Work Together to Make Marriott Stronger NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 1999 - J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), said today that his company plans to accelerate its worldwide presence by adding 1,000 hotels and 175,000 new rooms across its global portfolio of brands by 2003.  “We expect to manage or franchise a hotel in every gateway city in the world and in 70 countries within the next five years,” said Mr. Marriott, “bringing our systemwide total t...

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report LodgeNet Brings ‘Power of the Internet’  to Ritz-Carlton Hotels; Companies Extend Exclusive Interactive Television Agreement SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Nov. 16, 1999 - LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET) and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. today announced the signing of a new agreement that will bring the “power of the Internet” into the more than 6,000 Ritz-Carlton guest rooms LodgeNet serves as the companies extended their business relationship into the 21st century. Under the agreement, LodgeNet will expand its interactive television offering to i...

The Westin Resort St. John Unscathed By Hurricane Lenny / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Westin Resort St. John Unscathed  By Hurricane Lenny More Than 700 Guests Safe and Sound; Hotel Sustains No Damage ST. JOHN, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nov. 18, 1999 - The Westin Resort St. John suffered no damage whatsoever from Hurricane Lenny, according to the resort’s general manager Gregg Lundberg.  Despite media reports of extensive damage throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, the island of St. John was largely spared by the storm, according to Lundberg. The resort remained open and was at its full capacity of guests throughout the event, he said. Guests included...

Las Vegas Visitor Volume Jumps by More Than 16 Percent in September; Room Inventory Tops 120,000 / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Las Vegas Visitor Volume Jumps by More  Than 16 Percent in September;  Room Inventory Tops 120,000 LAS VEGAS, Nov. 17, 1999 - The highest spike in visitor volume since 1994 was recorded for the month of September, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). The number of visitors to Las Vegas this past September jumped 16.3 percent, to 2,928,201, compared to September 1998. The 16.3 percent increase represents 410,799 additional visitors for the month. For the calendar year through September, Las Vegas visitor volume is up 10.8 percent, or ...

Leisure Canada and Gran Caribe Hotels Obtain Cuban Approval for Construction of Hotel at Jibacoa, Cuba / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Leisure Canada and Gran Caribe Hotels  Obtain Cuban Approval for Construction of  Hotel at Jibacoa, Cuba VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Nov. 17, 1999 -  Leisure Canada Inc.(CANADIAN DEALING NETWORK:LCAN.) is pleased to announce that its Cuban joint venture with Gran Caribe Hotels S.A. has received approval and authorization from the executive Committee of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.  This represents the completion of all regulatory requirements and permitting to begin construction of the first hotel on Leisure Canada’s flagship site at Jibacoa, ...