The Vail Athletic Club Names Kevin Nelson Executive Chef / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report The Vail Athletic Club Names  Kevin Nelson Executive Chef VAIL, Colo. - Nov. 12, 1999 - The Vail Athletic Club Hotel and Spa (“VAC”) announced today that its award-winning restaurant, Terra Bistro, has promoted Saute Chef Kevin Nelson to Executive Chef. Terra Bistro was recently listed in Wine Spectator for receiving the prestigious DiRoNA award at the Distinguished Restaurants of North America annual conference, held from Oct. 13 to 17 in New Orleans. In addition, Terra Bistro is described in the 1999 Zagat Rocky Mountain Restaurant guide as “an out-of-the-ordinary ex...

Internet Access and Cleanliness Top Guest Demands for a Hotel Room / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report   Internet Access and Cleanliness Top Guest Demands  for a Hotel Room   NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 1999 - When it comes to hotel and motel guest rooms and restrooms, one thing is clear—people want them to be clean. Nine out of 10 people interviewed for a new survey said they would be more inclined to choose a hotel if it offered a more hygienic guestroom via antibacterial products, no-touch fixtures, better laundering and stringent cleaning standards. An even greater number (92 percent) said that a dirty public restroom in a hotel or motel would give them a negative impres...

Johansens' Cites Nob Hill Lambourne, San Francisco as Hotel of the Year / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Johansens' Cites Nob Hill Lambourne, San Francisco as Hotel of the Year LONDON (Nov. 4, 1999) – Johansens, a leading publisher of guides to recommended luxury accommodations, has announced the winners of its annual Awards for Excellence for the year 2000. These prestigious awards are based on evaluations by Johansens’ team of  inspectors combined with satisfaction surveys of visitors to member hotels and inns in its guides.  Members are not invited for Inclusion in Johansens’ various guides unless they have passed a rigorous quality inspection by the organization’s i...

Strong Market – Driven Locations of Hotels Helps John Q. Hammons Hotels Improve Results / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Strong Market - Driven Locations of Hotels Helps  John Q. Hammons Hotels Improve Results SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Nov. 10, 1999 - John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. (NYSE: JQH) today reported total earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $24.7 million for the third quarter ended October 1, 1999, compared to the 1998 third quarter EBITDA of $24.4 million. Total revenue for the 1999 third quarter increased to $89.2 million, up 7.9% from $82.7 million in the 1998 third quarter. EBITDA for the nine months ended October 1, 1999, was $76.0 million, ...

A Free Lunch? / JMBM / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel OnlineSpecial Report A “Free Lunch?” Mark Sieke  msieke@jmbm.com   November 1999 - The ultimate fringe benefit is one that is fully deductible by the employer for income tax purposes, yet not taxable as income to the employees.  In a significant victory for the hospitality industry, the recent opinion in Boyd Gaming Corp. v. Commissioner, confirmed that employer-provided meals, under the right circumstances, can be a “free lunch.”  In this case, a Nevada hotel and casino operator maintained a cafeteria for its employees, all of whom could eat for free during their shifts.  For security and logistical r...

Gerhard W. Schaller Will Manage Nikko's First India Property; The Metropolitan/Hotel Nikko New Delhi / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Gerhard W. Schaller Will Manage  Nikko's First India Property;  The Metropolitan/Hotel Nikko New Delhi Slated to Open in April 2000 TOKYO, November 15, 1999 – JAL Hotels Company Ltd. (JHC), parent of Nikko Hotels International, today announced its expansion into the South Asian hotel market with the addition of the newly constructed “Metropolitan/Hotel Nikko New Delhi” to its roster of luxury hotels. With a soft opening of the hotel slated for April 2000, the New Delhi hotel will bring to 46 the number of hotels in the Nikko Hotels International chain worldwide. ...

Merger of unexplored.com and inntopia.com Will Provide Marketing and Distribution Channel for the Travel Industry / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Merger of Unexplored.com and inntopia.com Will Provide Marketing and Distribution Channel  for the Travel Industry San Francisco, Calif. ­ November 9, 1999 ­ Unexplored.com, the Internet's first high-end travel Web portal, and inntopia.com, the real-time leisure-lodging network today announced their intention to merge. This strategic partnership combines inntopia.com's online reservation platform, network of lodges and distribution channels with Unexplored.com's premiere network of travel service providers.  The new company will be named Unexplored Travel Network and w...

Interstate Hotels Acquires Pittsburgh Airport Residence Inn / 3rd Qtr Results / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Interstate Hotels Acquires  Pittsburgh Airport Residence Inn /  3rd Qtr Results PITTSBURGH - Nov. 4, 1999- Interstate Hotels Corporation (Nasdaq:IHCO), one of the largest independent hotel management companies in the United States, today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 1999. The Company’s pro forma results assume that the June 1999 spin-off and transactions related to the spin-off including the sale of Interstate’s interests in The Charles Hotel Complex had occurred on January 1, 1998. The pro forma data may not reflect the Company’s...

Integration Process Underway at Hilton and Promus, Initial Executive Appointments Named / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Integration Process Underway at Hilton and Promus; Initial Executive Appointments Named BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Nov. 2, 1999 - Hilton Hotels Corp. (NYSE:HLT) Tuesday announced plans for a new senior management organizational structure reflecting the company’s pending acquisition of Promus Hotel Corp. (NYSE:PRH). The new structure will take effect immediately upon closing of the acquisition, scheduled for Nov. 30 subject to shareholder approval. The following corporate appointments and titles were announced by Hilton President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen F. Bollen...

Heller Bullish on Hotel Segment – Targeting Projects that Provide a Strong-Risk Adjusted Return / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Heller Bullish on Hotel Segment - Targeting Projects that Provide a Strong-Risk Adjusted Return Renews Commitment to Middle-Market Hotel Financing CHICAGO, Nov. 4, 1999 - Heller Financial, Inc. (NYSE: HF), announced today that its real estate finance business group is renewing its commitment to financing hotel projects and has launched a new loan program focusing on middle-market hotel lending. The new program provides core floating rate debt up to 70% loan-to-value (LTV) and enhanced floating rate debt up to 80% LTV for acquisition and turnaround projects.  “Heller...

Longer Length of Stay Trend Helping Hawaii Visitor Industry / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Longer Length of Stay Trend Helping  Hawaii Visitor Industry Visitor Days Continue Upward Trend Honolulu, Hawaii - November 1, 1999 - For the fifth consecutive month, visitor days grew this September (+3.9 %), compared to the same month last year. The September report released today by DBEDT attributes this to a small increase in total visitors and an overall longer length of stay.  “This good news demonstrates that we remain a strong and desirable visitor destination,” said DBEDT Director Seiji Naya. “Also, it indicates that we need to continue to aggressively...

Performance Payout Checks Totaling $2.1 Million Awarded to Harrah's Employees forThird Quarter Performance / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Performance Payout Checks Totaling  $2.1 Million Awarded to Harrah's Employees  for Third Quarter Performance LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1, 1999 - Achieving service goals in the third quarter resulted in a record $2.1 million in bonuses being paid to over 12 thousand line-level employees at eight Harrah’s brand casinos. This brings the total of quarterly bonuses paid to line-level employees this year by Harrah’s Entertainment to $5.7 million.  The individual checks ranging from $150 to $300 each are being paid for reaching incentive goals in Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.’s on...

Hollywood Casino Aurora Provides HWD with Significant Improvement in Operating Results for 3rd Qtr / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Hollywood Casino Aurora Provides HWD  with Significant Improvement in  Operating Results for 3rd Qtr DALLAS, Nov. 1, 1999 - Hollywood Casino® Corporation (Amex: HWD) today announced results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 1999. The Company reported a 38.6% year-over-year increase in third quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and pre-opening expenses (“EBITDA”) and a 22.3% year-over-year increase in EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 due to significant increases in gaming revenues at its casino...

Trend Toward Purchasing Upscale and Luxury Hotels Expected to Continue / HVS/ Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Trend Toward Purchasing Upscale and Luxury  Hotels Expected to Continue / HVS November 3, 1999 - Stephen Rushmore, president and founder of HVS International, the leading global hospitality consulting and hotel appraisal firm, has recently published the 1998 Hotel Transactions Survey – an analysis of the major hotel or portfolio sales in that calendar year.  “This analysis shows us that in 1998 more hotel companies purchased upscale and luxury full-service hotels,” states Rushmore.  “Although hotel sales activity declined slightly in 1998 from 1997, the average s...

HSMAI Big Apple Chapter and PricewaterhouseCoopers Insights on Lodging Trends in New York City / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report   HSMAI Big Apple Chapter and PricewaterhouseCoopers Insights on Lodging Trends in New York City New York, NY - November 9, 1999 - The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Big Apple Chapter has teamed up with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to offer HSMAI members valuable insights on lodging trends in New York City.  Sean Hennessey, New York Hospitality & Leisure Practice Leader at PwC and HSMAI member, will present regional lodging trends and forecasts at HSMAI’s monthly luncheons.  The purpose of these presentations is to aid member marketin...

Starwood Hotels Realigns Management Structure; Hotel Group CEO Juergen Bartels Resigns / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Starwood Hotels Realigns Management Structure; Hotel Group CEO Juergen Bartels Resigns WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 4, 1999 - Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced a realigned senior management structure reflecting its imminent exit from the gaming business. The Company has eliminated its previous group structure effective immediately and Brenda Barnes, 46, an outside director of Starwood and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi Cola of North America, will assume management responsibility for Starwood’s operations on an interim ba...

Starwood Adds 15 Hotels During 3rd Qtr; W San Francisco had ADR of $199 at 81% Occupancy During First Quarter of Operation / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Starwood Adds 15 Hotels During 3rd Qtr;  W San Francisco had ADR of $199 at 81% Occupancy  During First Quarter of Operation Third Quarter Financial Highlights Pro forma comparable diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 3% to $0.38 (15% excluding a $15 million pro forma adjustment, in 1998, relating to prior quarters) REVPAR for 153 Same-Store Owned Hotels increased 4.7% worldwide, including a 6.2% increase in Europe (11.0% excluding foreign exchange) and a 5.4% increase in North America EBITDA increased 6.3% for 153 Same-Store Owned Hotels worl...

Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Up 11.2% for 9 Months 1999 / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Up 11.2%  for 9 Months 1999 Long-Haul Visitor Arrivals Show Major Rebound HONG KONG - Oct. 29, 1999--All major markets recorded healthy growth in September, with long-haul markets in particular showing a major rebound, according to figures released today by the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA). Total arrivals for September reached 829,541 -- up 13% on September 1998, while the cumulative figure is 7,727,874, representing a growth rate of 11.2%. Business traffic to Hong Kong increased due to the return of investor confidence in Asia,...

The Travel Editor of the Mail Cites The Regent Beverly Wilshire Presidential Suite as the Grandest Suite in the World / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Travel Editor of the Mail Cites  The Regent Beverly Wilshire Presidential Suite  as the “Grandest Suite in the World”  Beverly Hills, California – November 10, 1999 – “Grandest Suite” is the newest superlative bestowed upon The Regent Beverly Wilshire by Frank Barrett, highly respected Travel Editor of the Mail on Sunday, England’s most popular newspaper. The property was also voted #12 Large Hotel in North America in the 12th Annual Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards – the leading travel survey based on over 25,000 reader replies to acknowl...

GAMMA and AHMA Taking Steps to Develop Standards Linking the Gaming and Hospitality Industry / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report GAMMA and AHMA Taking Steps to Develop Standards Linking the Gaming and Hospitality Industry   LAS VEGAS, Nov. 10, 1999 -  The Gaming Manufacturers Association (GAMMA) announced today that it has become a member of Hospitality Industry Technology Integration Standards (HITIS), an initiative maintained by the American Hotel Motel Association (AHMA) that may lead to the foundation for the first communications standard linking the gaming and hospitality industries. Founded in 1910, AHMA is responsible for representing 11,000 properties worldwide that make up the $93 bill...

Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Four Seasons Resort Aviara and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Gain Five Diamond Status from AAA / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Four Seasons Resort Aviara and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas  Gain Five Diamond Status from AAA TORONTO, Nov. 16, 1999 - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts just added some sparkle to its roster of Five Diamond award winners for 2000. The company once again reaped top honors in the annual American Automobile Association competition, including a trio of first time award-winning hotels. The new winners in the prestigious Five Diamond category for the luxury chain include Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Four Seasons Resort Aviara and Four Seasons Hotel Las...

Confederate Flag Boycott Has Cost South Carolina at Least 79 Events / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  Confederate Flag Boycott Has Cost South Carolina  at Least 79 Events By Dave L’Heureux, The State, Columbia, S.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Nov. 6--Almost 80 organizations have canceled events in South Carolina since the NAACP first called on visitors to boycott the state in July. “And those are just the ones we know about,” said Tom Sponseller, president of the S.C. Hospitality Association. He said 79 groups have canceled events. The association has refrained from estimating the economic impact of these cancellations, which it gleaned from hotel o...

FelCor Spends$230 million Renovating and Rebranding 75 Hotels / Revenues Up 14.3% in 3rd Qtr / Nov 1999

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  FelCor Spends$230 Million Renovating  and Rebranding 75 Hotels Revenues Up 14.3% in 3rd Qtr Hotel Performance Statistics Irving, Texas…November 2, 1999 - FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE:FCH), one of the nation’s largest hotel real estate investment trusts (REITs), today announced that third quarter 1999 Funds From Operations ("FFO") totaled $68.9 million or $0.91 per share and unit. Furthermore, year-to-date 1999 FFO totaled $223.1 million or $2.94 per share and unit. FFO results for the quarter were in line with consensus analyst estimates. Financial Performance (as compared to ...

April 30, 1999

Hotel Online  Special Report  The European Hotel and Leisure Industry Meet to Discuss the Industry’s Future November 1, 1999 - We would all like to be able to predict the future.  The 11th Annual European Hotel Industry Investment Conference aims to provide some of the answers to the questions the industry is facing. The conference will examine innovative new financing structures, with a focus on indirect vehicles, discuss the impact of technological advances and the future trends likely to impact the development of the industry.  Over 250 senior hotel, finance and property industry executives will...