Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tulsa Downtown Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Tulsa Downtown | April 2, 2024
TULSA, Okla., April 2, 2024 -- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Tulsa Downtown, comprised of 411 guestrooms and suites connected by sky bridge to the Cox Business Convention Center as its headquarter hotel, announces the completion of an extensive $7 million renovation. The new revitalization debuts a relaxing aesthetic to its accommodations, restoration of common areas and restaurants, fitness center upgrades, and new gift shop with barista bar at Made Market. "Our approach with this renovation was very intentional," said, Charles DiClemente, general manager. "We have thoughtfully integrated a combination of comfort and sophistication in e...
Novotel Makes Debut in Phnom Penh With Opening of Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1
Novotel | April 2, 2024
Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1 introduces innovative and instinctive hospitality to Boueng Keng Kang 1, a lively neighborhood celebrated for its culinary, business, and entertainment offerings. Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts, one of the most well-known brands of leading hotel operator Accor, has made its debut in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with the opening of Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1. Incorporating a modern, intuitive design, a relaxed social hub, and a range of dining and wellness options, this newly constructed hotel provides seamless experiences, enabling both business and leisure travelers to prioritize what matters most to them. “Th...
Gaining Control of Utility Costs
Robert Mandelbaum | April 2, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, Joe Snider Over the past four years, utility costs at U.S. hotels have increased at a pace greater than total operating revenue. As a result, utility department expenses increased from 2.9 percent of total revenue in 2019 to an estimated 3.3 percent in 2023. As hotels have struggled to recover from the pandemic, any rise in cost ratios is an area of concern for owners and operators. The good news is that the pace of growth appears to be slowing down. Year-over-year growth rates for utility expenditures have declined on a dollar per-available-room (PAR) basis from a high of 21.4% in 2022 to an estimated 4.0% in 2023...
Wyndham Enters Upscale Extended Stay With WaterWalk
WaterWalk | April 2, 2024
11 hotel portfolio rebrands as WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham marks Wyndham's 25th brand, complimenting Wyndham’s existing economy and midscale extended stay brands. PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 2, 2024 -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is expanding into the upscale extended stay segment, launching a strategic relationship with industry innovator WaterWalk. The deal adds 11 hotels and over 1,500 rooms to the Wyndham ecosystem, rebranding them under the newly created WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham brand, the 25th in Wyndham's portfolio. Located in key markets such as Tucson, Jacksonville and Wichita,...
Gregory Stubbs Appointed General Manager at Resorts World Bimini
RESORTS WORLD BIMINI | April 2, 2024
BIMINI, THE BAHAMAS – Resorts World is pleased to announce the promotion of hospitality veteran Gregory Stubbs to General Manager of its luxury resort, Resorts World Bimini, located on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. In this new role, Stubbs will lead the team in providing outstanding service and oversee operations of the hotel’s 305 guest rooms and suites, four on-site pools, Serenity Spa, restaurants and bars, Fisherman’s Village – an authentic shopping experience and The Resorts World Bimini Beach - a 4.5 acre private beach and lounge. A Nassau-native, Stubbs brings 40 years of industry experience to the role. He joined ...
Ocean City’s Ashore Resort & Beach Club Appoints Nate Leonard as New Executive Chef
ASHORE RESORT & BEACH CLUB | April 2, 2024
Culinary Connoisseur Nate Leonard to Lead the Coastal Resort’s Five New Dining Outlets Ocean City, MD (April 2, 2024) – Ashore Resort & Beach Club, the newly renovated coastal haven nestled along Ocean City's pristine shores, announces the appointment of Nathaniel (Nate) Leonard as executive chef. With an impressive culinary background and a passion for creating memorable dining experiences, Chef Leonard is poised to further elevate the resort as an enticing travel and dining destination along the Maryland coast. Chef Leonard will lead all culinary-related operations, including banquets, events, weddings and the resort's five new coa...
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Makes Vingcard the Main Brand for Hospitality Business Area
Vingcard | April 2, 2024
Hospitality's next chapter combines widespread brand recognition and trust with a heightened commitment to redefining the future of end-to-end security and efficiency. Stockholm –April 2, 2024 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions is announcing that its Hospitality business area will make Vingcard its main brand. Vingcard has a history of offering enhanced security across industries for almost 50 years, and it reinforces its commitment to quality service and customer satisfaction. For the core hospitality segments and adjacent markets, this includes continuing to expand and push the limits in technology innovation, including leading new advanc...
North American Hotel Brands Increasingly Move Toward Sustainability Certification to Strengthen Commitment to Environmental Well-Being
Green Key Global | April 2, 2024
Major hotel companies are in collaboration with Green Key Global, as AHLA and HAC solidify partnership deal to expand further into U.S. and Canada WASHINGTON (April 2, 2024) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) announced today that Green Key Global, the sustainability certification body for hotels, is now jointly operated by the associations in the U.S. and Canada. A roster of hotel companies across the continent, including Accor, Best Western, Choice Hotels, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Highgate, Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and more continue to ...
HSMAI South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast Luncheon Highlights Successes and Strategies for Tri-County Tourism Promotion
April 2, 2024
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - April 2nd, 2024 -- On Thursday, March 28th, the HSMAI South Florida Chapter hosted the Annual South Florida DMO Achievements & 2024 Forecast Luncheon at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale. The event brought together a diverse audience of sales, marketing and revenue management industry leaders seeking insights into the future of the Tri-County tourism promotion.Christina Davis, Co-President of HSMAI South Florida, served as the event's host, while Dr. Peter Ricci, Co-President of HSMAI South Florida, expertly moderated the panel of speakers. The panel featured distinguished representatives from leading Destin...
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $19,500,000 of First Mortgage Financing for Texican Court, Irving, Texas
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company | April 2, 2024
Los Angeles, California – Sonnenblick-Eichner Company on behalf of Valencia Hotel Group, has arranged $19.5 million of first mortgage debt to refinance the Texican Court hotel in Irving, Texas. The non-recourse five-year, fixed-rate loan was funded by a Wall Street investment bank. The loan is interest-only for the entire term at an interest rate of 7.74%, which included a buydown of the rate required by the lender. Built in 2019, the 152-room upscale boutique hotel features a retro-aesthetic design of the mid-century motor court with elements inspired by “Old Texas” architecture. Amenities include a full restaurant, poolside bar,...
Cloud5 Names Fred Reeder as Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development
Cloud5 Communications | April 2, 2024
Chicago, IL — April 2, 2024, Cloud5 Communications, the leading provider of IT and communications solutions and services for more than 5,000 hotels across the Americas, has today announced the appointment of hospitality technology veteran, Fred Reeder, as Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Reeder has decades of experience aligning technology and services with the latest hospitality business needs – and building robust, effective sales teams to serve those needs. Most recently, he served as the principal and head of HBR Global, a management consulting firm focused on sales optimization; global sales and channel...
Customer Experience Management: Business vs. Customer Expectations
April 1, 2024
If you operate in the hotel or hospitality industry, you’ll know that the customer’s experience is EVERYTHING. From a customer’s first online search and the booking experience to every customer touchpoint and interaction during their time with you, it’s the customer experience management that drives repeat visits and those glowing online reviews. But it’s not just the hospitality industry where customer experience is king. These days, excellent customer experiences and a high quality of service are expected across all sectors. Businesses that fail to meet these expectations risk losing customers, damaging their reputations, and s...
Navigating the Digital Seas: A Dive Into Corporate Digital Responsibility in Hospitality
Khoi Yan Phon | April 1, 2024
By Khoi Yan Phon In the dynamic scene of hospitality, where traditional business practices meet disruptive innovations, a seismic wave is on the horizon. This is not just referring to the usual corporate social responsibility (CSR) jargon; it is diving into the digital deep end with corporate digital responsibility (CDR). This article will explore the nuances of CDR, and how it reshapes the way hospitality giants navigate the tech-infused landscape. The Crossroads of CSR and CDR Unlock the mystery of CDR: think of it as the cool cousin of CSR, orchestrating a symphony of digital prowess and ethical commitment. As the hospitality industry...
Selina Announces Updates to Its Executive Leadership Team
Selina Hospitality PLC | April 1, 2024
NEW YORK--Selina Hospitality PLC ("Selina"; NASDAQ: SLNA), a global lifestyle and experiential hospitality company catering to millennial and Gen Z travelers, today announces recent updates to its executive leadership team. Gadi Hassin has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), where he oversees the operational, commercial and financial performance of Selina’s hotel portfolio. Mr. Hassin joined Selina in 2020 as Managing Partner of the APAC region where he was responsible for significant regional expansion and operational excellence. As COO, Mr. Hassin will leverage his 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry a...
Meet the Money 2024 Program Launched!
Jim Butler | April 1, 2024
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com The Meet the Money® 2024 program has launched on MeetTheMoney.com, and we’re excited to bring you a conference packed with the experts you want to hear from. Join us in Los Angeles for three days of high-level discussion panels and special industry presentations focused on financing, investment, deal-making, and success in this year’s market. This year’s program will include: Networking opportunities, including a wine mixer and a grand welcome reception Special presentations that provide an overview of the state of the industr...
Transforming Hotels With Artificial Intelligence
Robert Rauch | April 1, 2024
Operators Who Ignore New Tech Will Be at a Severe Competitive Disadvantage By Bob Rauch Scheduling and training processes are becoming streamlined; revenue management has improved optimizations, and SEO and marketing strategies rely on AI to enhance online visibility. Chatbots are used for customer service and exist with many hotel providers today. Practical Uses of AI in Hospitality We just revised our menus and wine lists while utilizing AI, and while AI provides insights and depth, it still takes a human to know what is best in a market. This is true with all use cases for AI. It can speed up many processes, support innovation, etc....
HVS ANAROCK Hotels & Hospitality Overview, March 2024
Akash Datta | April 1, 2024
By Akash Datta, Dipti Mohan, Dhwani Gupta Read the latest edition of the HVS ANAROCK monthly industry update, Hotels & Hospitality Overview (H2O), for the key trends in the Indian hospitality industry. Key highlights include: India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew by nearly 5% year-on-year in February 2024. Nationwide hotel occupancy rate is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with key markets like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai reporting occupancy rates of more than 80% during the month. There was a notable year-on-year spike in average hotel rates across the country in February 2024, particularly in Delhi and Hyderabad, where...
Marriott Debuts in Perhentian Islands With Opening of Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa
Marriott Hotels | April 1, 2024
Wonderful Hospitality Awaits at Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, Marking Marriott International’s Debut in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia Marriott Hotels, the namesake brand of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, today announced the opening of Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa on the island of Perhentian Kecil in Terengganu, on the East Coast of Malaysia. Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Perhentian Island Marine Park, the opening of Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa marks the flagship brand’s debut in Terengganu. Through the brand’s rich legacy, the new resort invites guests...
Hyatt’s Newest Inclusive Collection Brand Debuts With the Opening of Hyatt Vivid Grand Island
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | April 1, 2024
The 400-suite adults-only resort in Cancun offers a relaxing and engaging escape with an approachable atmosphere that caters to the next generation of all-inclusive travelers CHICAGO (April 1, 2024) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the launch of the adults-only Hyatt Vivid brand with the opening of Hyatt Vivid Grand Island in Cancun, Mexico. The modern all-suite resort offers a relaxed atmosphere with a host of enriching experiences to complement the resort’s lush surroundings. The newest resort in Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection marks the continued growth of Hyatt’s brand footprint in Mexico with additional open...
Chile’s Tierra Atacama Launches $12 Million Renovation
Tierra Atacama | April 1, 2024
The luxury desert lodge will be closed for the remainder of 2024 for a thorough upgrading of the property’s interiors, spearheaded by the original design team of architects Rodrigo Searle and Matías González, featuring refreshments to furniture and the addition of suite room types (SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, CHILE; APRIL 1, 2024)—Tierra Atacama––the all-inclusive, eco-friendly lodge hotel just outside the village of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile–announces the beginning of its $12 million refresh, which will thoroughly upgrade the hotel interiors, furniture, as well as debut eight new suites. To be revealed in 2025, the renova...
Hilton Chicago Appoints Misoon Kong as General Manager
Hilton Chicago | April 1, 2024
Kong brings more than 20 years of experience to the legendary hotel CHICAGO – (April 1, 2024) — Hilton Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of Misoon Kong as general manager. She is the first woman to hold the position at the hotel in the property’s 97 years of history, rounding out National Women’s History Month. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of hotels operations and provide comprehensive leadership to uphold Hilton’s commitment to delivering exceptional guest services and achieving financial success for the 1,544 guest room hotel, which features more than 234,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Most recent...
Brick Hospitality Adds San Diego’s Balboa Park Hotel to Management Portfolio
Brick Hospitality | April 1, 2024
New management unveils a fresh chapter for the iconic San Diego property San Diego, CA (April 1, 2024) – Brick Hospitality, a leading San Diego-based hotel management company, announced today its stewardship of the Balboa Park Hotel, heralding an exciting new chapter for the historic establishment. Formerly known as Hotel Occidental, the Balboa Park Hotel is coming off the heels of a transformative renovation following its acquisition in 2022 by Surf Cowboy Elm. Paired now with the expertise of Brick Hospitality, the property seeks to provide guests with a revitalized experience in the heart of San Diego. Situated in the heart of Bank...
Proper Hospitality Welcomes Montauk Yacht Club to Portfolio, Joining ‘The Collective’
Proper Hospitality | April 1, 2024
The West Coast-Based Luxury Lifestyle Hospitality Brand Enters East Coast Market with Operation and Management of Historic Hamptons Resort MONTAUK, NY - April 1, 2024 - Proper Hospitality today announces management and operations of Montauk Yacht Club, the historic 107-key luxury seaside resort and marina in The Hamptons owned by Safe Harbor Marinas. Joining The Collective – Proper Hospitality’s roster of independent hotels – Montauk Yacht Club will also debut a multimillion-dollar renovation, introducing refreshed facilities and a brand new dining experience upon the season opening this May. Built in 1928 as a private social club, Mo...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 23 March
CoStar Group | March 28, 2024
WASHINGTON – 28 March 2024 – U.S. hotel performance decreased from the previous week but showed positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 23 March. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 17-23 March 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 65.3% (+0.7%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$162.28 (+2.5%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$106.01 (+3.2%) Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans reported the largest year-over-year increase in occupancy (+13.6% to 75.5%). ...
