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November 4th, 2024
Oetker Collection Appoints Jean-Marie Le Gall as General Manager of The Woodward, Geneva
THE WOODWARD | April 12, 2024
With over 30 years of hospitality experience across Europe, Jean-Marie Le Gall takes the helm of The Wooward, Oetker Collection’s Masterpiece Hotel in Geneva Oetker Collection is pleased to announce that Jean-Marie Le Gall has been appointed General Manager of The Woodward in Geneva. He commenced his role on April 3rd 2024. A highly respected hotelier with exemplary leadership skills, in Le Gall’s most recent role as General Manager for Hotel Fouquet's Paris, he demonstrated an ability to deliver outstanding results inclusive of taking on the responsibility of Acting General Manager for the opening of the hotel brand’s New York...
Three Waters Resort & Marina, a Tribute Portfolio Resort Set for Fall 2024 Opening in the Florida Keys
Pivot | April 12, 2024
Islamorada, Florida, April 12, 2024 – Three Waters Resort & Marina, a Tribute Portfolio Resort in the Florida Keys, will open its doors in Fall 2024. This new upscale resort will elevate the guest experience and become the crown jewel for the Islamorada Resort Collection, which also includes the beloved Amara Cay Resort and La Siesta Resort & Villas. Offering an energizing escape in the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” Three Waters Resort & Marina spans 15 acres of oceanfront property and will feature 214 chic, island-inspired guest rooms, nine distinct new dining concepts, and a wide variety of authentic and upscale ex...
Crestline Selected to Manage the Kimpton Alton Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco
the Kimpton Alton Hotel Fisherman's Wharf | April 12, 2024
An Iconic Hotel with Waterfront Views, Vintage Charm, & the Award-Winning ABACÁ Restaurant & Bar FAIRFAX, VA – April 12, 2024 Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC (“Crestline”) announced it has been selected to manage the 248 guest room Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco. The luxe hotel offers guests a new perspective on comfort with an unpretentious yet upscale atmosphere that complements the vibe of Fisherman’s Wharf. The welcoming Living Room features sophisticated furnishings rooted in the 1970s San Francisco counterculture movement. The Kimpton Alton Hotel is home to ABACÁ, recognized...
The MRS Group of Hotels Welcomes Sameer Mehra as Chief Commercial Officer
April 12, 2024
National, 12 April, 2024: The MRS Group of Hotels that owns and operates a distinct collection of boutique hotels across Rajasthan & Uttarakhand, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Sameer Mehra as Chief Commercial Officer. This significant move underscores the group's dedication to accelerating its growth and solidifying its presence in the hospitality industry. With a distinguished career at leading hospitality brands such as The Oberoi Group, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and most recently, Standard International in Thailand, Mr. Mehra is set to lead the group's strategic growth and commercial operations. ...
SH Hotels & Resorts Appoints Leadership Across 1 Hotels & Treehouse Hotels
SH Hotels & Resorts | April 12, 2024
MIAMI, FL (April 12, 2024) – SH Hotels & Resorts, the hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, is pleased to announce the appointment of several leaders to key roles across the company. These seasoned hospitality veterans are set to spearhead operations at established 1 Hotel properties spanning North America and Treehouse Silicon Valley opening this year, as well as European locations including Treehouse Manchester, also opening this year, and 1 Hotel Copenhagen. “We are thrilled to bring in and elevate these extraordinary professionals as we continue to rapidly expand across ...
Investing in Wellness Tourism: A Good Strategic Move for Hotels
Angelina Chang | April 12, 2024
By Angelina Chang In recent years, the hospitality industry has witnessed a significant shift towards prioritizing wellness tourism. This movement reflects a global trend towards slower living and self-care, highlighting the importance of holistic health for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Wellness is defined by the “Global Wellness Institute” (GWI) as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that leads to a state of holistic health.” As hotels navigate this evolving landscape, investing in wellness tourism emerges not only as a lucrative business strategy but also as a commitment to community well-being ...
Minor Hotels and The Cavaleros Group Sign Hotel Agreement to Debut South Africa’s First NH Collection
Minor Hotels | April 11, 2024
Dubai, April 9, 2024: Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator and investor with more than 540 hotels in 56 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and the Americas, is pleased to announce the signing of a strategic partnership with The Cavaleros Group to manage a hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. The signing represents the upcoming debut of Minor Hotels’ NH Collection brand on the African continent. From July 1st 2024, the group will manage the hotel in Sandton, the financial district of South Africa’s largest city. The 329-key property will first operate as NH Sandton and sub...
Erik Davenport Joins Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh as Director of Sales and Marketing
Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh | April 11, 2024
Dallas, TX – (April 11, 2024) – Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh welcomes Erik Davenport as its new Director of Sales and Marketing. Davenport joins The Stoneleigh after leading sales and marketing teams at top hotels and resorts across Dallas-Fort Worth and the region. “Trust in associates,” Davenport said when asked to describe the best approach for hospitality teams. “Trusting people to get their work done even though it may be a different way than I do it is key,” he added. A military brat who has lived many places, Davenport was excited to finally call DFW home. While pursuing his degree in Hospitality Managemen...
First Hospitality Appoints Matt Schuster as Chief Financial Officer
First Hospitality | April 11, 2024
CHICAGO, IL (April 11, 2024) First Hospitality, a national hotel operating, management, and development company, announces the appointment of Matt Schuster as chief financial officer. Schuster brings a wealth of expertise in hospitality finance and investment to this position. Schuster will report to David Duncan, president & CEO, and will lead the company’s financial services functions including all financial reporting, treasury operations, corporate financial planning, and analysis. Schuster will play a critical role in further developing long-term strategy and execution. “Matt’s knowledge and background in hotel real esta...
Raines Adds Cambria Charleston Riverview to Management Portfolio
Raines | April 11, 2024
FLORENCE, SC — April 11, 2024 — Raines, a leading hospitality management, development, and investment organization, has added the Cambria Charleston Riverview to its management portfolio. This 126-room property strengthens Raines' foothold in the Charleston market as the company’s seventh hotel in the local area and kicks off its partnership with the hotel’s owner, RREAF Holdings. “For a variety of reasons, we’ve decided to partner with Raines on this property,” said Kip Sowden, chairman and CEO of RREAF Holdings. “The Raines team sets itself apart with its deep understanding of the Charleston market, the personalized...
Sunstone Hotel Investors To Acquire Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk for $230 Million
Sunstone Hotel Investors | April 11, 2024
ALISO VIEJO, Calif., April 11, 2024 -- Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (the "Company" or "Sunstone") (NYSE: SHO) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation to acquire the fee-simple interest in the 630-room Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk (the "Hotel"). The exceptionally well-located Hotel is situated directly between San Antonio's famous Riverwalk and the Alamo, the two most visited tourist sites in Texas. The acquisition includes nearly two acres of riverfront land and a 516-space parking garage, located adjacent to the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum which is currently ...
This Customer Could Ruin Your Business
Shep Hyken | April 11, 2024
By Shep Hyken What if I told you that a satisfied customer could ruin your business? Most people think satisfied customers are happy and will come back. At least, it appears that way. Many years ago, I used to begin my customer service keynote speeches with a question: By a show of hands, how many of you believe it’s important to satisfy your customers? As you might imagine, just about everyone raised their hand. Then, I shared the findings from a study by Vanderbilt University professors Anthony J. Zohorik and Roland T. Rust. They found that up to 40% of satisfied customers don’t come back – even though they a...
Hotel Association of Los Angeles Recognizes Industry’s Brightest Stars
the Hotel Association of Los Angeles | April 11, 2024
HALA President & CEO Dr. Jackie Filla and KTLA's Wendy Burch pose with the 2024 HALA Stars of the Industry Awards winners. LOS ANGELES, CA – (April 11, 2024) —The Hotel Association of Los Angeles (HALA) celebrated the best and brightest of the industry Tuesday night at the second annual HALA Stars of the Industry Awards. Wendy Burch, KTLA’s star veteran reporter, MCed the dinner gala at the Omni Los Angeles with her unique flair, announcing awards from Best Housekeeper to Best General Manager. Across all roles, winners were recognized for hard work, dedication, going beyond their normal duties, and—most importantly—supporting ...
Hotel X Supercharges Marketing With Automation and Dynamic Content
Hapi | April 11, 2024
The 404-room resort in Toronto implemented Salesforce Sales and Marketing Cloud for rich guest profiles and personalized guest journeys, but needed Hapi’s experienced hospitality team to access the necessary data. Located on Lake Ontario just five minutes from bustling Union Station in downtown Toronto, it’s hard to imagine there’s room for a full-service luxury resort. But stroll the 6-acre grounds of Hotel X, which opened in March 2018 as part of the Library Hotel Collection, and you’ll find multiple restaurants, a 90,000-square-foot fitness facility, a spa, a kids play center, cinema screening room, tennis, squash and pickleball...
Unlocking AI in Hospitality SMEs: Q&A With Ian Millar
Beatrice Venturini | April 11, 2024
By Beatrice Venturini Amidst the current discussions about AI's transformative potential, there's a common industry misconception that it primarily benefits large-scale hotels and enterprises, leaving smaller and medium-sized firms behind in the dark ages. To shed light on the nuanced reality, we sat down with EHL’s Ian Millar, Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Technology, to discuss how AI is not just a tool for hospitality giants but can also be a game-changer for SME hotels and firms with an innovative mindset. How is the hospitality industry gearing up to AI? PwC are describing the advent of AI as the “$15.7 trillion game changer...
Caption by Hyatt Chattanooga, Developed by 3H Group, Inc., Breaks Ground
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | April 11, 2024
Caption by Hyatt Experiencing Momentum Globally with Hotels Planned in the U.S. and Asia Pacific CHICAGO (April 11, 2024) - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) celebrates the groundbreaking of Caption by Hyatt Chattanooga in Tennessee, set to open in early 2026. Developed by 3H Group Inc. under a franchise agreement with Hyatt, the hotel in Chattanooga will uniquely combine the design and comfort of an upscale, lifestyle hotel with the self-activation capabilities of a select-service property. Following the debut of its first property in Memphis, Tenn. in 2022, the Caption by Hyatt brand is poised to grow in several more key markets this yea...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Signs With Real Hotel Group to Bring Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants to Lisbon
IHG | April 11, 2024
The centrally located hotel will add to IHG’s growing luxury & lifestyle portfolio in Portugal 11.04.24 (London, UK): IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the signing of Kimpton Lisbon, the first Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in the Portuguese capital. Set to open its doors in 2026, the boutique luxury hotel marks the second Kimpton to come to Portugal, following the signing of Kimpton Algarve São Rafael Atlántico in late 2023. Kimpton Lisbon adds to IHG’s fast-growing luxury & lifestyle portfolio, now the second largest in the world, and reinforces its f...
Salamander Collection Appoints Scott Little as Managing Director of Salamander Middleburg
Salamander Collection | April 11, 2024
MIDDLEBURG, VA (April 11, 2024) – Salamander Collection has announced the appointment of Scott Little as Managing Director of the triple Forbes Five-Star-rated Salamander Middleburg. An experienced executive who has held numerous leadership roles at the highest levels of the hospitality industry, Little brings a unique range of expertise to his role at the resort, including luxury operations, community and investor relations, real estate development, preservation, finance and acquisition. “Scott’s hands-on approach and strong connection within the communities he’s lived made him the perfect fit for Salamander Middleburg, and his ...
MDM Hotel Group Names Sonia Fong Vice President of Sales & Marketing
MDM Hotel Group | April 11, 2024
Industry veteran will lead efforts across MDM’s hotel portfolio MIAMI (April 11, 2024) – MDM Hotel Group, one of the nations’ most respected hotel owning companies and operators, has named Sonia Fong Vice President of Sales & Marketing for MDM Hotel Group. Fong will be leading the sales and marketing efforts across all of MDM’s properties, which include the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Hotel Beaux Arts, JW Marriott Miami, Miami Marriott Dadeland and the Courtyard Miami Dadeland Hotel. The 25-year industry veteran was most recently Senior VP of Convention Development with Louisville Tourism, where she led a team of 22 across...
Challenges Faced by Hospitality Organizations in Overcoming Communication Silos
Jaime McMahon | April 11, 2024
By Jaime McMahon In the fast-paced environment of the global hospitality industry, various teams must work together to deliver exceptional customer service. When departments in hotels, restaurants, casinos, and similar organizations are aligned, they share information and address potential issues promptly, but when they work alone, customer satisfaction inevitably suffers. Unfortunately, instead of sharing information and collaborating freely with other teams in their hospitality organization, many teams store data behind closed walls, which can create communication silos. A recent PwC survey finds that 55% of organizations have teams w...
Waterparks Maintain Momentum in 2024 Amid Growth and New Opportunities
David J. Sangree | April 11, 2024
By David J. Sangree March 2024 – In 2023, waterpark owners and operators saw a more competitive market as attendance levels remained similar to 2022 while ticket pricing growth was more subdued. This occurred due to increased competition from a variety of additional attractions and entertainment venues in the post-pandemic economy. In 2023, 16 indoor waterpark openings and expansions added 480,000 square feet of indoor waterpark space while twelve new outdoor waterparks opened. New growth is forecasted for indoor and outdoor waterparks in 2024 as several large-scale projects will open that will alter the waterpark landscape. These projec...
Senate Votes to Overturn Job-Killing Joint-Employer Rule
AHLA | April 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (April 11, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to overturn the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) destructive joint-employer rule. The House of Representatives passed the same resolution in January, and it now heads to the president’s desk for consideration. Additionally, following a lawsuit filed by AHLA and other business groups, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on March 8 blocked NLRB’s implementation of the rule. “Today’s bipartisan Senate vote i...
Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa Completes Renovation
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | April 10, 2024
MCLEAN, Va. – April 2024 – Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa recently completed an impressive renovation to provide an elevated hospitality experience for guests. Renowned for its breathtaking palm-fringed beaches, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes, Mauritius offers a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, or beach lovers. Located on a magnificent long stretch of Flic-en-Flac beach, Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa offers respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life thanks to a new and refreshed guest experience. "For more than 22 years, our resort has continued to provide unmatched hospitality experien...
TFE Hotels Appoints Chris Kemlo as General Manager for The Calile Hotel in Brisbane
TFE Hotels | April 10, 2024
BRISBANE: TFE Hotels has appointed accomplished hotelier, Chris Kemlo, as General Manager of The Calile Hotel in Brisbane. Now in its fifth year, and off the back of being named Best Hotel in Oceania in The World’s 50 Best Hotels last year, The Calile Hotel remains committed to delivering the best possible hospitality experience for its discerning guests. With a career spanning more than 18 years in the industry, Chris’ reputation for delivering elevated customer service and driving business success will stand him in good stead to lead The Calile team. Having worked in Crown Resorts for 14 years, Chris says there weren’t many h...
