Wyndham Spending $30 Million to Rebrand, Renovate Eight Hotels / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Wyndham Spending $30 Million to Rebrand,  Renovate Eight Hotels DALLAS - Aug. 5, 1999 -- Wyndham Hotels Resorts, the proprietary brand of Wyndham International, Inc. (NYSE:WYN), will convert and renovate a total of eight properties over the next few weeks, expanding the brand into markets that are key to its continued growth and investing $30.3 million in capital improvements. The properties that will be converted include the  Marriott Casa Marina Resort/The Reach in Key West, Fla.,  Colorado Springs Marriott in Colorado Springs, Colo.,  Marriott Arlington in Arlington, Texas,Â...

Wyndham Boston Opens after a $40 Million Redevelopment / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Wyndham Boston Opens after a $40 Million Redevelopment DALLAS - Aug. 16, 1999--Wyndham International, Inc. (NYSE:WYN) announced the opening of a flagship hotel in Boston’s Batterymarch Building, a historic landmark in the heart of Boston’s Financial District. James D. Carreker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are excited to be expanding our presence in the Boston area and very proud that the Wyndham flag is flying over one of Boston’s most beautiful and important landmark buildings. Boston is one of the nation’s most important business markets, and it is equall...

Wyndham Reports a Net Loss of $876.7 million for First 6 Months 1999 / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Wyndham Reports a Net Loss of $876.7 Million  for First 6 Months 1999 Branded Hotel Performance Owned Hotel Performance DALLAS - Aug. 11, 1999--Wyndham International, Inc. (NYSE:WYN) today reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted, of $165.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 1999, compared with $147.1 million for the comparable 1998 period. Revenues rose nearly 40% in the quarter to $651.2 million from $465.5 million the prior year quarter. As expected, Wyndham’s results in the quarter included $893.8 million in no...

Detlef C. Willrodt Appointed GM at Grand Hotel Bangkok / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Detlef C. Willrodt Appointed GM at  Grand Hotel Bangkok Bangkok - August 1999 - Detlef C. Willrodt has been appointed to manage the 650 room luxury Grand Hotel Bangkok. Willrodt believes "the Asian crisis is over and the business of the future will tell so". Detlef C. Willrodt hospitality career began with a 5 year Chef and Patissier apprenticeship in Germany and the subsequent career development to Executive Chef. He returned in 1972 to earn his Bachelor Degree in Hotel Business Administration. Willrodt progressed to F&B Manager for Hilton International, Hyatt and InterContine...

Greg Magi, GM Gateway Suites Melbourne, Finds Success with Well Researched Guest Loyalty Program / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Greg Magi, GM Gateway Suites Melbourne,  Finds Success with Well Researched  Guest Loyalty Program Melbourne - August 4, 1999 - Gateway Suites Melbourne, part of the Park Plaza International network of Hotels, today unveiled a new benchmark in frequent-guest loyalty programs - The One William Club.  Gateway Suites Melbourne recognises that the business and leisure traveler is extremely discerning when purchasing goods, services and accommodation. In addition to value for money, they now expect incentives and rewards for their custom. The smashing success of the bank reward point/frequent...

New Westin Sleep Study Says That Sleeping in Hotels Isn't Always a Dream / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report New Westin Sleep Study Says That Sleeping  in Hotels Isn't Always a Dream 52,000 New Beds Headed to Westin Hotels  Resorts in North America The Heavenly Bed NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 1999 - Great sleep beats great sex according to a new survey studying travelers’ sleeping habits on the road. 63 percent of travelers say that a good night’s sleep is the most important service a hotel can provide according to “Sleeping on the Road.” A Sleep Study by Westin Hotels Resorts. Sleep is so important that more than twice as many travelers said they’d take a great night’s sleep over great se...

Wendy S. Brown to Head Up Hospitality Interior Design at The Hillier Group / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Wendy S. Brown to Head Up Hospitality Interior Design at The Hillier Group NEW YORK (August 13, 1999) – Hillier New York, the Manhattan office of The Hillier Group, the nation’s third largest architecture firm, welcomes Wendy S. Brown to its Hospitality Studio. Brown, the senior vice president of Hospitality Interior Design, joins Paul Bellisario, RA, and John P. De Luca, RA, both associates of the firm. Bellisario and DeLuca launched the Hospitality Studio at Hillier New York in March under the direction of Robert J. Blakeman, AIA, studio principal. At Hillier, Brown will expand the Ho...

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Injunction to Block Opening of W Hotel  in Seattle Rescheduled;  ‘W’ Hotel to Open on Schedule SEATTLE - Aug. 31, 1999 --The hearing date of Seattle Seventh Avenue’s motion for partial summary judgement to block the opening of the “W” Hotel in Seattle has been postponed from September 3, 1999, to October 29, 1999, by order of U.S. District Court Judge Thomas S. Zilly.  The order calls for Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide Inc., owners of the “W” Hotel and Seattle Sheraton Hotel joint venture partner, to file materials in opposition to the motion by October 15, 1999. Seventh ...

North American Internet Services Using Hotelink for Hotel Internet Access / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report North American Internet Services Using HoteLink™  for Hotel Internet Access ALEXANDRIA, VA (August 12, 1999) -- Viator Networks and North American Internet Services (NAIS) announce completion of a $5.6 million exclusive license agreement to use Viator’s HoteLink™ server in 700 hotels, Multiple-Dwelling Units (MDU) and Multiple-Tenant Units (MTU) properties to be managed and installed by NAIS.  This agreement positions both companies to move aggressively into these markets by reducing capital, installation and support costs for NAIS and providing Viator a solid foothold in all...

Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Developing Internet Reservation Network for Lodging Properties / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Developing Internet Reservation Network  for Lodging Properties August 10, 1999 - The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and inntopia.com, the online leisure lodging network, are partnering to create the Vermont pilot project, a new initiative to develop an Internet-based network of Vermont lodging properties.  The project is being managed by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and includes the Lake Champlain Islands and St. Albans Chambers of Commerce. For the first time, hotels, inns, campgrounds, and bed and breakfasts in ...

U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. 2nd Qtr Reflects a 98% Increase in the Number of Hotels Paying Royalties / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report  U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. 2nd Qtr Reflects a 98% Increase in the Number of Hotels Paying Royalties  ATLANTA, Aug. 2, 1999 - U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS) has reported a net profit of $0.08 per share for the three months ended June, 30, 1999 compared to a net loss of $0.07 per share for the same period in 1998. Net income improved to $1.5 million in the second quarter of 1999 from a net loss of $1.3 million in the second quarter of 1998. Total revenues for the second quarter of 1999 increased 70 percent to $4.8 million, up from $2.8 million in the same period in 1998. USFS fr...

Tunica, MS Area Casinos Unite to Provide Educational Benefits for Employees / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Tunica, MS Area Casinos Unite to Provide  Educational Benefits for Employees Form North Mississippi Chapter of the Educational Institute of AH&MA TUNICA, MS - Aug 4, 1999 -  The 15,000 people employed by the Tunica area casinos now have new opportunities to expand and develop their skills, talents, and abilities through the newly-formed North Mississippi Chapter #114 of the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Motel Association.  The chapter, comprising Bally’s, Fitzgerald’s, Gold Strike, Grand, Harrah’s, Hollywood, Horseshoe, Lady Luck (in nearby Lula, MS), Sam’s Town and Sh...

Travelocity.com Partners with www.go.com / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Travelocity.com  Partners with  www.go.com FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 16, 1999 -  Travelocity.com, the online travel expert, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Infoseek Corporation (Nasdaq: SEEK), home of GO Network™ (www.go.com).This agreement makes Travelocity.com the preferred online travel provider of air, car and hotel booking capabilities for GO Network, a global media network that features superior search and directory tools and integrates the highest quality content and services. “We’re pleased to provide GO Network users with access to Travelocity.com ...

World's Best Hotel? The Orinetal, Bangkok Reports Travel Leisure Magazine / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report World's Best Hotel? The Orinetal, Bangkok Reports Travel Leisure Magazine NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 1999 - Nancy Novogrod, Editor in Chief of Travel Leisure magazine, is pleased to announce the winners of the fourth annual WorldÂ’s Best Awards readersÂ’ survey. Featured in the September issue, the results highlight the foremost destinations, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, car-rental companies, and spas around the globe, as selected by the worldÂ’s most experienced travelers, the readers of Travel Leisure. Service, value, accommodations, food, and entertainment and were among the categories judged. ...

Performance Hospitality Management Utilizes Travelhero.com for Internet Reservations / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Performance Hospitality Management Utilizes Travelhero.com for Internet Reservations SCOTTSDALE, AZ - August 13, 1999 - TravelHero.com, a leading provider of Internet travel services with a website located at http://www.travelhero.com announced today that they have reached an agreement with Performance Hospitality Management of Dallas to distribute inventory from Performance’s 60 plus hotels on the TravelHero.com Network through the ResHERO program.  ResHERO, TravelHero.com’s inventory freesale product, allows properties to accept instantly confirmed online reservations on Trave...

Telluride, Colorado Opens 11,000 Sq. Ft. Conference Center / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Telluride, Colorado Opens 11,000 Sq. Ft.  Conference Center TELLURIDE, Colorado. On the evening of August 5, 1999, the town of Mountain Village and the Telluride Jazz Festival united to celebrate the Gala Grand Opening of the spectacular new Telluride Conference Center. The Gala featured a special presentation of “Jazz in Film” performed by the renowned Terence Blanchard Sextet and an orchestra from the Denver Musicians’ Association. The evening kicked off with a selection of savory appetizers, before Blanchard and his musicians mesmerized the audience with powerful jazz re...

Tampa/Hillsborough CVA Receives Industry Awards from Four Meetings Publications / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Tampa/Hillsborough CVA Receives Industry Awards from Four Meetings Publications Tampa, FL, August 24, 1999 -   1999 has been a good year for the Tampa/Hillsborough Convention and Visitors Association. The organization, which was created to attract and serve business travelers and leisure visitors to the Tampa area, has been awarded top honors from Meetings & Conventions Magazine, Successful Meetings Magazine, Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine and Facilities & Destinations Magazine. “To be recognized consistently by meeting planners, readers of these top publications, is an ...

SuperClubs Resorts Utilizing HotelView To Take Travelers on Video Tours Via the Internet / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report The Future of Hotel Marketing on the Web!   Maximize your online advertising with real video so your hotel can sell itself SuperClubs Resorts Utilizing  HotelView To Take Travelers on Video Tours Via the Internet POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (August 20, 1999) - Visitors planning a trip to the Caribbean soon will be able to take video tours via the Internet of eight SuperClubs resorts and four other island properties. HotelView, a leading travel and tourism video library and distribution network, has produced the video tours for the resorts. A wholly owned subsidiary of Visual Dat...

Strategic Hotel Capital Purchases Stock of Its Major Shareholder, Security Capital Group / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Strategic Hotel Capital Purchases Stock of Its Major Shareholder, Security Capital Group CHICAGO (Aug. 12, 1999) - - Strategic Hotel Capital Inc. (SHCI), an upscale and luxury global hotel investment company based in Chicago, today announced a plan to purchase the stock of a major shareholder, Security Capital Group (SCG), according to CEO Laurence S. Geller.  “We are delighted with the purchase of SCG's interests at an attractive price. We are proud to have been associated with such a fine organization as Security Capital Group. They have been of great assistance to management in growi...

Stephen Weber Appointed National Sales Director, Eastern Region at Dolce International / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Stephen Weber Appointed National Sales Director, Eastern Region at Dolce International MONTVALE, NJ (August 31, 1999).  – Jo Ann Swahn, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Dolce International, has named Stephen Weber Dolce International National Sales Director, Eastern Region.  He will be responsible for coordinating and supervising the efforts of the national sales team in the eastern region and implementing a sales strategy to expand the business for current and potential national accounts.  Weber, a Southwest Missouri State University graduate with a bachelor of arts de...

Wayne Sterling Opening GM at Just Opened Outrigger Hotel Tahiti / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Wayne Sterling Opening GM at Just Opened  Outrigger Hotel Tahiti HONOLULU - Aug. 5, 1999--Amidst popping firecrackers, a Chinese lion dance and colorful Tahitian fanfare, the Outrigger Hotel Tahiti opened its doors to the public.  The deluxe, oceanfront resort is the first of three to six Outrigger hotel properties planned for the islands of French Polynesia. Situated on a picturesque oceanfront location with panoramic views of Papeete Harbor and the island of Moorea, the 200-room Outrigger Hotel Tahiti features many unique and luxurious touches, including a grand staircase, pandanus-decor...

W Hotels Combine Substance With Style / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report W Hotels Combine Substance With Style WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 12, 1999 -  For years, choosing to stay in a cool, stylish boutique hotel often meant sacrificing the services and amenities business and leisure travelers expected from full service hotels. The enthusiastic reception of the first three W properties, the W New York, W Atlanta and W San Francisco has demonstrated that there is a market for a fun, hip and exciting hotel collection that happily marries boutique hotel flair with the quality and functionality of larger brand hotels. “The launch of W Hotels represented a...

Starwood Reports Slowing in RevPar Growth and Margin Expansion During 2nd Qtr / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Starwood Reports Slowing in RevPar Growth and Margin Expansion During 2nd Qtr Second Quarter Financial Highlights Pro forma comparable diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 48% to $0.43 Pro forma comparable total company EBITDA increased 7% EBITDA increased 6% for 152 comparable owned hotels worldwide; 13% in Europe and 5% in North America REVPAR for 152 comparable owned hotels increased 2.7% worldwide, including a 6.1% increase in Europe (9.9% excluding foreign exchange) and a 2.8% increase in North America 31 managed or franchised hotels with 5,400 rooms ope...

Spencer Hall, a Dedicated Conference Center in London, Ontario Will Undergo a $1.2-million Renovation / Aug 1999

March 30, 1999

Hotel Online Special Report Spencer Hall, a Dedicated Conference Center in London, Ontario Will Undergo  a $1.2-million Renovation LONDON, ONTARIO (August 23, 1999). –   Andy Dolce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dolce International, announced that Spencer Hall, a dedicated conference center in London, Ontario managed by Dolce International, will undergo a $1.2-million renovation this summer. The project, completely refurbishing the 60 North wing guestrooms and the North wing corridors and public areas, is scheduled for completion in September 1999 and will augment the renovation of two large meeting ro...