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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
New Castle Names Denise Bradbury as DOSM of the 234-room Algonquin Resort in New Brunswick, Canada
Algonquin Resort | February 19, 2014
SHELTON, Conn. - February 19, 2014 - Officials of New Castle Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced the appointment of Denise Bradbury to director of sales and marketing for the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews-by-the Sea, New Brunswick, Canada. Most recently, Bradbury was the director of sales for the New Castle owned and operated, Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax, where she and her team bested the brand average for 2013 Meeting Planner Satisfaction scores and delivered nearly 50 percent of the hotel's annual room nights and 70 percent of the hotel's food and beverage revenues. "Denise has bee...
Mark Sneen Named as Hotel Manager of 553-room Palace Hotel, San Francisco, a Luxury Collection Hotel
the Palace Hotel, San Francisco | February 19, 2014
February 19, 2014 - San Francisco, CA - The Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection hotel, is pleased to announce Mark Sneen as the new Hotel Manager of the iconic San Francisco property. Mark comes to the Palace from the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa where brought his enthusiastic and visionary leadership to the entire team in his role as Resort Manager. In his role as Hotel Manager at the Palace, Sneen is an instrumental part of the executive team lead by General Manager, Christophe Thomas. Mark will oversee all areas of operation for the 553 room luxury hotel. Working with the rooms division, food and beverage, engineering, fit...
CSM Lodging Appoints Patrick C. Vyncke as Director of Acquisitions & Development
CSM Lodging | February 19, 2014
Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 19, 2014 - CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, has named Patrick C. Vyncke director of acquisitions & development for the hospitality management and ownership company. Michael Coolidge, senior vice president, real estate and development, made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to welcome Patrick to our company," said Mr. Coolidge. "His background in hotel acquisitions and real estate development will serve CSM Lodging well as we continue to grow our portfolio of owned & operated properties. It is good to have Patrick on our team." Patrick Vyncke was most recently an associate for Waterma...
Nobody Asked Me, But…No. 121; Hotel History: Ponce de Leon Hotel (1888), St. Augustine, Florida
Stanley Turkel, CMHS | February 19, 2014
Quote of the Month; My New Book By Stanley Turkel, CMHS 1. Hotel History: Ponce de Leon Hotel, St. Augustine, Florida* The Ponce de Leon Hotel was built by millionaire Henry Morrison Flagler, Standard Oil co-founder (with John D. Rockefeller) and opened in 1888. Flagler had taken his second wife on a honeymoon to Jacksonville and further south to the seaside village of St. Augustine (the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States). Flagler loved the breathtaking expanse of sea and shore, and enjoyed the clear skies and balmy weather when most of the rest of the country's residents (then concentrated in the northeast) were...
Jocelyn Aviles and Rogerio Domenge of The St. Regis Mexico City Honored with Prestigious Clefs d’Or
The St. Regis Mexico City | February 19, 2014
MEXICO CITY (February 19, 2014) - The St. Regis Mexico City, the cosmopolitan hotel setting the highest standards in luxury and personalized service, is proud to announce that two members of its concierge team were recognized today with the prestigious Clefs d'Or, the utmost achievement as a concierge. The crossed gold keys were presented to Jocelyn Aviles and Rogerio Domenge, which they will wear on their lapels to symbolize an unwavering commitment to service. Half of The St. Regis Mexico City's esteemed concierge team has now been recognized with Les Clefs d'Or, a significant feat that - in addition to serving as a guarantee of the h...
Tucson, Scottsdale and Flagstaff CVBs Launch nSight Travel Intelligence
Visit Tucson | February 19, 2014
Leading Arizona Destination Marketing Organizations use online travel analytics and consumer insights to target travelers and increase visitation NASHVILLE, TN - February 19, 2014 - The Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) of Tucson, Scottsdale and Flagstaff are expanding their market perspectives with nSight, the leading business intelligence solution for the online travel industry. With nSight, these top Arizona CVBs can now see who is searching and booking the destinations from travel websites worldwide to improve marketing efficiency and drive higher visitation. The application will be part of each CVB's marketing strategy, helpin...
HFTP Seeks Nominations for International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) | February 19, 2014
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (February 19, 2014) - For more than two decades Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has honored innovative individuals behind technology-driven developments in the hospitality industry with the International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. The association continues this tradition by accepting nominations for the 2014 honoree. The newest inductee will be recognized at a Keynote session of HITEC 2014 (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference®) in Los Angeles, Calif. Applications are available online, with nominations due to the HFTP office by April 14. The 2014 honoree will b...
Peppers to Debut in Asia with Rebrand of Sentosa Seminyak in Indonesia
Peppers Retreats, Resorts and Hotels | February 19, 2014
February 19, 2014 - Australian hoteliers, Mantra Group, continue to forge ahead with expansion plans in Asia, today announcing that Sentosa Seminyak will join its Peppers brand in March. The world-class villa resort to be known as Peppers Sentosa Seminyak is the second property for the Group in Indonesia joining the newly built Mantra Nusa Dua which opened late 2012. Peppers is Mantra Group's boutique collection of 28 retreats and resorts across Australia and New Zealand. "We are very proud to have a resort the quality of Sentosa Seminyak carry the Peppers name," said Mantra Group CEO, Bob East. "To see the brand evolve from a group of ...
Independents Tap Maestro PMS Management Strategies, Web Services, Support for Efficiency and Profits
Maestro Property Management Solution | February 19, 2014
Maestro Continues to Focus on Providing Business Tools and Services for Independents; Takes Care of Clients' Operations and Staff Productivity -- So They Can Take Care of Their Guests. February 19, 2014 - NORTHWIND-Maestro PMS announced it has enhanced its Diamond Plus Service, Management Strategies, and Web Connection Services to increase revenue and productivity for independent operators. NORTHWIND-Maestro provides the Maestro Enterprise Property Management hotel software solutions for the industry's leading high touch independent hotels, resorts, and multi-property groups. Click here to learn more about Maestro's solutions for profit...
Accor to Manage Crocodile Hotel & Cooinda Lodge in Australia’s Kakadu National Park, Replacing IHG
Accor | February 19, 2014
19 February 2014: The owners of the famed Crocodile Hotel and Cooinda Lodge in Australia's Kakadu National Park, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Accor to manage their hotels from 1 April, 2014. They will replace incumbent managers, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG). The 110 room Crocodile Hotel is located at Jabiru, some 2½ hours drive south east of Darwin, and offers the only deluxe accommodation in Kakadu. Renowned for the crocodile shape of the hotel design, the hotel is built around a large, landscaped swimming pool and features extensive leisure and business facilities, including conference space for up to 250 dele...
No Wait at Check In + Mobile Key by OpenWays = Happy Guests and Increased Revenues
OpenWays | February 19, 2014
Recent study shows Americans get anxious at check-in after just three minutes with satisfaction scores dropping by 50 points after five minutes; Research indicates solutions like Mobile Key by OpenWays would remove frustration with long lines by allowing travelers to bypass the front desk and proceed directly to their rooms using any of the 6.8 billion cell phones on the market (including non smartphones) Los Angeles - FEBRUARY 19, 2014 - A recent study published by The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration reports the clock is running on guest satisfaction, especially when it comes to ho...
Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing to Open in May 2014; Totals 595 Guestrooms in Several Buildings
Yanqi Lake and its Environment | February 19, 2014
BEIJING, Feb. 19, 2014 -- European luxury hotel company Kempinski's largest property in China will be unveiled in May 2014. The development, set on 14-square-kilometre grounds in the heart of scenic Yanqi Lake, Beijing, includes a total of 595 guestrooms and suites with 306 rooms at Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing, located on the main land, as well as 111 rooms at the State Guest House and 178 rooms spread across 12 Boutique Hotels, on a private island. Its 14,069 square metres of meeting space, including a 8,277-square-metre Conference Centre, and ample out-door event space amidst beautifully landscaped natural gardens, offer meetin...
Ireland’s 501-key Doubletree by Hilton Dublin – Burlington Road Completes $21.6 Million Renovation
DoubleTree by Hilton | February 19, 2014
DUBLIN, IRELAND (FEB. 19, 2014) - DoubleTree by Hilton Dublin-Burlington Road announced today an extensive $21.6 million refurbishment of all public areas, guest rooms and suites, conference facilities, and exterior, as well as a completely-renovated Executive Lounge. This iconic Dublin hotel, formerly The Burlington Hotel and located just minutes from city-center, now offers discerning business and leisure travelers the perfect blend of luxury accommodations combined with contemporary amenities, modern facilities and convenient location. Catering to business travelers and event professionals, the hotel boasts more than 30,000 square fe...
Caribbean Resort Installs Clear Sky Software’s Beverage Inventory Control Solution
Clear Sky Software, Inc. | February 19, 2014
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - February 19, 2014 - Clear Sky Software, Inc.® announced today a continued expansion in the Caribbean region with its newest customer - The Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. This luxury resort located in the US Virgin Islands implemented Clear Sky Software's beverage inventory control solution. Called Clear Sky BEVERAGE, this system is a comprehensive, perpetual inventory system that tracks and controls all beverage products. Software modules provided include purchasing, receiving, transfers/issues, returns and physical inventory. Other features will allow hotel executives to report p...
The Radisson Cartagena Ocean Pavillion Hotel Opens in Colombia
February 19, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (Feb.19, 2014) Radisson®, one of the world's best-recognized hotel brands, today announced the opening of the Radisson Cartagena Ocean Pavillion Hotel, Cartagena, Colombia. The 233-room beachfront resort is located on La Boquilla Beach, off the northeastern coast of Colombia and offers spectacular views of the Caribbean. "The opening of this resort reinforces our commitment to enhance the brand's portfolio and further expand our presence in key resort destinations throughout the Americas," said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Radisson. "Cartagena is the most visited city in Colombia for tourists, therefore resort...
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Launches Two New Global Hotel Brands: Radisson Red & Quorvus Collection
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | February 19, 2014
SINGAPORE (February 19, 2014) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, yesterday announced at the Radisson® and Radisson Blu® Americas annual business conference, the company will launch two new global hotel brands. Radisson Red, a "lifestyle select" brand that has been designed and developed to deliver today's customer the experience of tomorrow, while Quorvus Collection, an expertly curated collection of luxury hotels, will reflect and respond to the true sensibilities of the contemporary global traveler while celebrating the culture of each and every location. Carlson Rezidor, whose b...
Boyd Tamney Cross Wins Prestigious Hyatt Award for Marketing ROI for Second Consecutive Year
Boyd Tamney Cross | February 19, 2014
WAYNE, Pa. - (February 19, 2014) - Boyd Tamney Cross (BTC), a full-service direct marketing firm and leading hospitality marketer for unique luxury hotels and resorts, has been recognized for the second consecutive year for its creative and strategic program to increase group and meeting sales and marketing ROI within the Hyatt brand. In collaboration with BTC, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort Spa & Marina was awarded Hyatt Corporation's internationally recognized 2013 Markies Award and lauded as a leader for excellence in marketing. In 2012, BTC and the Hyatt Regency ...
Evolution Hospitality & Argosy Real Estate Acquire 215-room DoubleTree by Hilton LAX – El Segundo
Evolution Hospitality | February 19, 2014
San Clemente, CA - (February 18, 2014) A partnership formed by an affiliate of Argosy Real Estate and senior principals of Evolution Hospitality acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton LAX - El Segundo on February 14. The hotel, which will be managed by San Clemente, CA based Evolution Hospitality, is located adjacent to Mattel Inc. headquarters in a 7.5 million square-foot corporate park and two miles from Los Angeles International Airport. It features 215 guestrooms, a full-service restaurant and bar, 4,500 square feet of meeting space and a heated outdoor pool and spa. A renovation to update the guestrooms, lobby and restaurant is planned ...
Sonnenblick-Eichner Arranges $24,650,000 of First Mortgage Financing for Hotel Murano, Tacoma, WA
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company | February 19, 2014
Beverly Hills, California - February 19, 2014 - Sonnenblick-Eichner Company announced today that it has arranged $24,650,000 of first mortgage financing for Hotel Murano, a 319-room, full service hotel located in the Central Business District of Tacoma, Washington. The hotel has earned the Forbes 4-Star Award, one of only four hotels in the state of Washington to do so. Funded by a Wall Street investment bank, the interest rate on the new 10-year facility is fixed, and is non-recourse to the borrower. The 26-story hotel has 24,000 square feet of meeting space and is located adjacent to the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. The...
Hector Campos Named as Executive Chef for the 104-suite il Lugano Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
il Lugano Hotel | February 18, 2014
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 18, 2014 -- Il Lugano, a luxury boutique hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is excited to announce Hector Campos as the new Executive Chef for the hotel and da Campo Osteria. da Campo Osteria is housed within the hotel and offers authentic regional Italian fare, which is one of Chef Campos' many expertise. Campos comes from the InterContinental Hotel San Juan Resort and Casino where he served as Executive Chef and focused on Caribbean and Italian dishes. Much of his experience is in Latin cuisine and fresh preparation. He brings with him more than 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has bee...
HSMAI Reveals 2013 Adrian Awards Competition Gold Winners
HSMAI | February 18, 2014
Standout Work in Hospitality Advertising, Digital Marketing, Public Relations to be Spotlighted at Awards Gala Feb. 24 McLean, Va. (February 18, 2014) - The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the Gold Winners of the 2013 Adrian Awards. Winners of these prestigious awards, given to those who have contributed outstanding advertising, digital marketing and public relations campaigns to the hospitality industry, will be honored at the annual Adrian Awards Dinner Reception and Gala Feb. 24 at the New York Marriott Marquis. After receiving more than 1,200 entries, HSMAI will present Gold...
Residence Inn Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County, CA Begins $3 Million Guest Room Renovation
Residence Inn Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County | February 18, 2014
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 18, 2014 -- The Residence Inn Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County aims to take expectations to new heights as it begins a $3 million renovation project to create even more comfortable suites for guests to enjoy. The 174 rooms at the all-suite Orange County hotel will be reimagined from top to bottom with furniture, draperies and carpet. Refreshed bathrooms will offer more space to get ready in the morning with Paul Mitchell products that will have guests looking and feeling their best. Visitors will appreciate new sectional sofas to relax and watch 42-inch flat-screen TVs or surf the Internet with recently upgra...
San Francisco’s 393-room Stanford Court Names Michael Baier as GM and Austin Phillips as DOSM
Stanford Court | February 18, 2014
February 18, 2014 - SAN FRANCISCO - Stanford Court, located on San Francisco's iconic Nob Hill and recently under new, independent management, is pleased to announce the appointments of Michael Baier as the hotel's new general manager and Austin Philips as director of sales and marketing. Seasoned hospitality veterans and Bay Area natives, Baier and Phillips collectively bring nearly four decades of experience at distinguished properties across the country. In their new roles, Baier and Phillips are tasked with overseeing a cultural transformation for the 393-room hotel, which will roll out over the course of 2014 and includes a revampe...
Mexico’s 103-suite Grand Residences Riviera Cancun Names Jose Alberto Monzon as Chief Concierge
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun | February 18, 2014
CANCUN, Mexico - February 18, 2014 - The all-new, all-suite Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, a member of the esteemed Leading Hotels of the World collection, is proud to announce the appointment of 20-year industry veteran Jose Alberto Monzon to the position of chief concierge. Monzon, who was also recently named president of Mexico's chapter of Les Clefs d'Or, will enhance the resort's unique blend of warm Mexican service and European hospitality. Through his tireless dedication and keen attention to detail, he will ensure a flawless luxury experience that not only fulfills guests' requests but also anticipates their unique needs and i...
