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Industry Happenings
FRHI Hotels & Resorts to Open New Hotels in Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Indonesia in 2014
FRHI Hotels & Resorts | January 24, 2014
TORONTO, January 24, 2014 - Keeping pace with its robust growth strategy, FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI), the parent company of luxury and upper upscale hotel brands Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, will open an impressive collection of hotels and resorts in exciting international destinations in 2014. "Expansion is a key strategic priority at FRHI, and we have aggressive development plans in place to achieve our projected target of 50% growth over the next five years," said Michael Glennie, president and COO, FRHI. "Growing our brands with the right product, in the right...
Ground Broken for 80-room Hampton Inn Hotel in Butler, Pennsylvania; To Open Q1 2015
Hampton Hotels | January 24, 2014
Owned by Butler Hotel Associates, to be Operated by Horizon Hospitality January 23, 2014 - BUTLER, Pa. - Hampton Hotels, Hilton Worldwide's global brand of more than 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton hotels, today announced the groundbreaking of the 80-room Hampton Inn. The property is owned by Butler Hotel Associates, LP and will be operated by Horizon Hospitality, LLC. Construction, led by the Snavely Group and Kaczmar Architects of Cleveland, is expected to be completed by January 2015. "We are excited to break ground on this project and look forward to bringing a new lodging option to Butl...
Flip.to Helps Guests of Acme Hotel Company Share Travel Adventures with Their Friends
Flip.to | January 24, 2014
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 24, 2013 - Flip.to, the brand advocate platform for hotels, is helping Acme Hotel Company create an online diary for their guests. The hotel is using Flip.to to help guests share their travel adventures into their own social networks, thus boosting brand awareness and earning new guests from the social networks of their most trusted, untapped marketing source - their guests. Since going live with Flip.to in November, guests of the Chicago based property has reached almost 25,000 of their guests' closest friends, relatives and colleagues. Flip.to has helped 24% of Acme's guests share a branded message into their per...
In 2013, Travelers Smiled About Service, But Irate Over Internet
TrustYou | January 24, 2014
According To Latest Study Analyzing Over 14 Million Reviews Worldwide TrustYou Releases Global 2013 Reports Unveiling Review Trends in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, The Middle East & Africa New York, New York and Munich, Germany - January 24, 2014 - In 2013, hoteliers enjoyed better review scores and improvements in service and management response rates, despite declining Internet satisfaction, according to the latest findings that compare user-generated hotel reviews for 2013 with the year prior. TrustYou, working in conjunction with Donna Quadri-Felitti, Ph.D., at New York University, Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospita...
L’Enfant DC Hotel LLC Acquires Washington DC’s Iconic L’Enfant Plaza Hotel; Closes for Major Upgrade
L'Enfant Plaza Hotel | January 24, 2014
January 24, 2013 - Washington, D.C. - L'Enfant DC Hotel LLC announced today the purchase, for an undisclosed amount, of the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. The landmark 372-key property was acquired by the company on December 3rd. The hotel was immediately closed upon transfer in anticipation of a major renovation. The yet-to-be-branded hotel is located in the heart of Southwest Washington's most dynamic mixed-use development, which includes quality retailers and Class A office space. This location is one block from many of Washington's premier attractions, including The National Mall, The Washington Monument and The S...
Ayre Hoteles of Spain Switch Remaining Portfolio to Pegasus Connect+
Pegasus Solutions | January 24, 2014
DALLAS (January 24, 2014) – Ayre Hoteles have switched the rest of its portfolio of four-star hotels to Pegasus Connect+. All of the brand's 11 urban hotels in six Spanish cities are now available online, and in the global distribution systems (GDSs) under the "UI" chain code. "Ayre Hoteles was launched in 2006 to bring a fresh blend of functionality, comfort and style to the Spanish market," said Juan Serra of Ayre Hoteles. "We signed with Pegasus Connect+ because it too brings a fresh blend of functionality in terms of hotel distribution and reservations. Pegasus Connect+ allows our hotel teams to focus on the people, which we say i...
Choice Partners with Maplewood Hotels & Resorts to Develop Cambria Suites Throughout Canada in 2014
Driftwood Hospitality Management | January 24, 2014
Bedford, Nova Scotia - January 24, 2014 - Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, today announced a partnership with Maplewood Hotels & Resorts to develop new Cambria Suites properties in Canada. Maplewood is a joint venture between Driftwood Hospitality Management and Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. "The lodging sector in Canada is experiencing momentous growth, making it the ideal market to bring the Cambria Suites brand to key locations," said Carlos Rodriguez, Driftwood's executive vice president. "Through our strategic partnership with Pacrim, Maplewood is perfectly poised to ...
M&R Hotel Management Appoints Saul Castillo General Manager for Staten Island Hotel
M&R Hotel Management | January 24, 2014
GREAT NECK, N.Y. (Jan. 24, 2014) ─ M&R Hotel Management of Great Neck, N.Y., today announced the appointment of Saul Castillo as general manager of the 93-room Comfort Inn hotel on Wild Avenue in Staten Island, N.Y., responsible for operations, sales, revenue management, marketing, guest relations, security, human resources, housekeeping and maintenance. Castillo, a 20-year hospitality industry veteran, began his career as a bellman. Most recently, he was director of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Kennedy Airport in Queens, N.Y., also operated by M&R Hotel Management. Castillo, who describes himself as a "people's manager," ...
New outsourced revenue management startup in Orlando
BestRev.com | January 23, 2014
BestRev, LLC, is a new revenue management consulting startup, based in the Orlando, FL area. With core competencies in the areas of revenue management, rate and inventory management, online distribution and channel management, the team at BestRev is now offering their services to independent and franchise hotel properties of all sizes. According to CEO and co-founder, Zephyr Gentry, "We recognize the need that independent and franchise owners have every day: for solid expertise and know-how in the ever-changing world of e-commerce, as it relates to hotels specifically, and the travel industry, in general. The old approaches just don't w...
The Plasencia Group and RM Crowe Announce the Sale of the Houston Marriott West Loop by The Galleria
The Plasencia Group | January 23, 2014
Tampa, Fla. (January 24, 2014) – The Plasencia Group is pleased to announce the sale of the Houston Marriott West Loop by The Galleria, located in Houston, Texas. The firm exclusively represented RM Crowe, the owner of the hotel. This is the second time The Plasencia Group has been engaged to sell the hotel. A joint venture between Clearview Hotel Capital and WHI Real Estate Partners acquired the 301-room hotel from RM Crowe. Marriott International will continue to manage the property. According to Robert Wiemer, Senior Vice President of The Plasencia Group's Southwest Region, "This transaction was completed in record time with both ...
New Cornell Study Finds Stash Hotel Rewards Increases Guest Spend by Nearly 50%
Tailwind Public Relations | January 22, 2014
2-Year Study of More Than 50,000 Guests of a Hotel Loyalty Program's Impact Ever "Most hoteliers are convinced that loyalty programs programs deliver," said Clay Voorhees, Professor of Marketing at Michigan State be directly attributed to Stash." loyalty program for and ...
Fulcrum Hospitality LLC Appoints Veteran Hospitality Executive as Chief Operating Officer
Fulcrum Hospitality LLC | January 22, 2014
Prominent lodging industry expert Cheryl Boyer has joined Fulcrum's senior leadership team. New York, NY January 24, 2014 – This week, Fulcrum Hospitality LLC ("Fulcrum") announced the appointment of hospitality industry veteran Cheryl Boyer to its senior leadership team as Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Boyer's 20-plus year background in providing consulting and asset management to institutional investors, lenders and other key industry players is an ideal addition to Fulcrum's existing core team of hospitality executives. Ms. Boyer was formerly the President of Lodging Advisors, a highly regarded consulting practice with which Fulcrum...
Top 5 Resolutions Hotels Should Make to Boost Online Revenue
Vikram Singh | January 22, 2014
By Vikram Singh We have entered a new year of awesome possibilities. The hospitality and lodging business is poised for more disruption, innovation and growth. I would love to see my readers address and implement a very simple list of hotel marketing strategies this year. Doing so will help boost your online revenue and make your marketing more meaningful and self-reliant. 1. Own Your Best Revenue Channel: Your Website This is an excellent year to take ownership of your most important digital asset. Amazingly, the majority of hotels, B&B's, and vacation rentals today are still "renting" their websites. You simply cannot be doing thi...
The 331-key Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in Virginia Appoints Stephen DeMarco as Executive Chef
Chef Stephen DeMarco | January 22, 2014
ROANOKE, Va. (Jan. 22, 2013) - The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, a DoubleTree by Hilton, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen DeMarco as Executive Chef. Chef Demarco brings more than 28 years of experience to the region following his most recent work as owner of his own restaurant consulting firm and serving as a private chef in the New York Metropolitan area. He is looking forward to adding his culinary skills and influence to the very diverse and growing culinary landscape of Virginia's Blue Ridge. "Chef DeMarco offers a new and fresh perspective which we will utilize in building upon our food and beverage progra...
Benchmark Hospitality International Honored with Houston’s Best & Brightest & Top Workplaces Awards
Benchmark Hospitality International | January 22, 2014
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, January 2014 ... Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has been named one of the "Brightest & Best Companies to Work For" in Houston by the National Association for Business Resources, and a "Top Workplace" by the Houston Chronicle. Burt Cabañas, founder & chairman made the announcement. "These awards are very important to me and to our company," said Mr. Cabañas. "This is because they originated with our employees encouraging this recognition of our company and of the Benchmark Hospitality family. I'm personally grateful to each member of ou...
Jenna Braden and Luke Andersen Welcomed to Sales Team at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington
Skamania Lodge | January 22, 2014
STEVENSON, Wash. (Jan. 22, 2014) - Skamania Lodge, by Destination Hotels & Resorts, located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, is pleased to announce two appointments to its sales team, Jenna Braden as the national sales manager, and Luke Andersen as sales manager. Joining Skamania Lodge after successful sales tenures at a number of U.S. properties, Braden is charged with creating custom sales campaigns that broaden the lodge's client base and raise awareness for the property, particularly in the Seattle market. Andersen's focus is on building sales for weddings, executive meetings and special events, adding to his previous e...
CSM Lodging Announces Plans for Historic Professional Building in Phoenix Following Purchase
CSM Lodging | January 22, 2014
$40 Million Hotel Targeted to Open by Super Bowl 2015 Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 22, 2014 ... CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, has announced plans for the renovation of the historic Professional Building -- the former Valley Bank & Trust building -- located at North Central Avenue and Monroe Street in downtown Phoenix, and the property's conversion to a premium select-service hotel. The hospitality management, ownership and development company, which owns and operates 39 hotels in locations across the country, completed the purchase of the landmark property on December 20. Bill Upshaw, president of CSM Lodging, made ...
A Brand Debut in Scotland, the 88-key Hampton by Hilton Glasgow Central to Open in 2014
SCOT Sheridan | January 22, 2014
January 22, 2014 - MCLEAN, Va. and GLASGOW, UK - As the Scottish hospitality industry readies itself for an unforgettable year of tourism, Hilton Worldwide today provided further cause for optimism in unveiling plans to open the country's debut Hampton by Hilton hotel in Glasgow's city centre this summer. The property joins the growing European portfolio of Hilton Worldwide's global brand of over 1,900 mid-priced hotels. Under a franchise agreement with SCOT Sheridan and Curo West Campbell LLP, £11million has been invested in the redevelopment of a former office block on West Campbell Street, a short walk from Glasgow Central Rail Stat...
Infor Partners with Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park
Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park | January 22, 2014
Providing a Dependable Financial and Human Resources Foundation NEW YORK - Jan 22, 2014- Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, today announced that Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park in Northfield, Ohio, a premier entertainment and gaming destination in the Midwest, has selected Infor Infinium FMS and Infor Infinium HCM, to improve financial reporting, payroll, and analysis across the property. Built on the reliability of IBM Systems, Infor Infinium FMS provides a proven and reliable financial solution that organizations can count on to help them close books accurately and quickly...
Marriott to Acquire Protea Hospitality Holdings for $186 Million
Marriott International, Inc. | January 22, 2014
Bethesda, Md., USA and Cape Town, January 22, 2014 – Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) and South Africa's Protea Hospitality Holdings announced today that they have signed definitive agreements for the purchase by Marriott of Protea's three brands and management company. Under terms of the agreements Marriott will pay approximately 2.02 billion rand, or approximately US $186 million at current exchange rates, subject to normal closing adjustments. The purchase price represents approximately 10 times anticipated pro forma 2014 calendar year EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) excluding trans...
The 115-room Courtyard Houston/Kingwood to Open in TX; Owned & Managed by Insignia Hospitality Group
Courtyard by Marriott | January 22, 2014
Kingwood, Texas - January 22, 2014 - Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its innovative lobby and room design in Kingwood, Texas. This is the first Courtyard in the area featuring the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space. Along with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. Scheduled to open on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, the 115-room Courtyard Houston/Kingwood also offers a refreshing and stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thoughtfully planned, ...
5R’s of Digital Marketing and Social Media Engagement: Renew, Review, Repute, Replace and Respond
Lodging Interactive | January 22, 2014
Lodging Interactive says Websites, Review Sites, Reputation Management, Content Marketing and the merger of Social Media & Mobile should be top priorities for hotel marketers in 2014 PARSIPPANY, N.J. - JANUARY 22, 2014 - Hoteliers who didn't pay much attention to digital marketing and social media engagement last year will be playing catch up this year, as 2014 is looking to be the year of "Internet Everything." Experts are predicting "Millennials will become the core customer within the hospitality and travel industries over the next five to 10 years," and "global travel to the U.S. will begin to rise dramatically." These travel tr...
Operated by TMI Management, the 114-room Hampton Inn & Suites San Bernardino Opens in California
Hampton Hotels | January 22, 2014
January 22, 2014 - SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. and MCLEAN, Va. - Hampton Hotels, Hilton Worldwide's global brand of more than 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Hampton by Hilton hotels, today announced the official opening of its newest property, the 114-room Hampton Inn & Suites San Bernardino, located at 895 East Hospitality Lane. "Hampton combines quality, innovation, comfort and plenty of value-added extras, making it the brand of choice in the marketplace today," said Wendy Crenshaw, general manager, Hampton Inn & Suites San Bernardino. "Quality accommodations and amenities combined with proactive, frie...
The Bricton Group Awarded Management Contract for Hampton Inn Canon City in Colorado
the Bricton Group | January 22, 2014
Canon City, CO (January 22, 2014) - The Bricton Group, Inc., a Chicago based hotel investment and management company, was awarded the management assignment for the Hampton Inn located at 102 McCormick Parkway in Canon City, CO. "We are thrilled to be expanding our management platform and services into Colorado and working with such a wonderful ownership group and property ", said Zio Pekovic, Vice President of Acquisitions and Development for Bricton. Bricton has previously operated in the Denver market and is "focusing heavily on serving clients and strategically growing in the Mountain States", added Mr. Pekovic. The property, which w...
