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Industry Happenings
Owned & Operated by A&G Hospitality, the 114-key Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit/Southgate Opens in MI
Hampton Hotels | January 21, 2014
January 21, 2014 - DETROIT, Mich. 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 Detroit/Southgate, located at 13555 Prechter Blvd in Southgate. "Hampton combines quality, innovation, comfort and plenty of value-added extras, making it the brand of choice in the marketplace today," said Carl Perrin, general manager, Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit/Southgate. "Quality accommodations and amenities combined with proactive, fr...
Clear Sky Software Manages Beverage Inventory at the Country Club of Naples
Clear Sky Software | January 21, 2014
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - January 21, 2014 - Clear Sky Software, no stranger among hotel F&B departments, is quickly expanding in the Country Club market. The company announced today that the prestigious Country Club of Naples in Naples, Florida installed Clear Sky's beverage product perpetual inventory system called Clear Sky BEVERAGE. On a daily basis, Clear Sky BEVERAGE helps management track and control all beverage inventories located in storage rooms, outlets, and banquet areas. As a bonus, Clear Sky BEVERAGE integrates with CCN's club management software provided by Jonas Club Software. This integration allows Clear Sky pro...
The 350-room Radisson Hotel Hartford Opens in Connecticut
January 21, 2014
HARTFORD, Conn. (January 21, 2014) - Radisson®, one of the world's best-recognized hotel brands, today announced the opening of the 350 room Radisson Hotel Hartford, 50 Morgan Street, Hartford, Conn. Ideally situated for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel is centrally located in downtown Hartford, known as the 'Insurance Capital of the World.' "The opening of this hotel reinforces our commitment to enhance the Radisson portfolio and further expand our presence in critical markets in the Americas," said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Radisson, and executive vice president, Owned and Managed Hotels, Americas. "We ...
Ensemble Hotel Partners Opens 172-room Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard
Ensemble Hotel Partners | January 21, 2014
January 21, 2014 - Philadelphia, PA - Ensemble Hotel Partners celebrates the opening of the new Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard, a 172-room Courtyard by Marriott property. The Courtyard Philadelphia South is the first hotel to be constructed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and will exclusively serve the city's newest and largest business campus. Located just three miles from Philadelphia's Center City, The Navy Yard is a thriving master-planned, mixed-use campus fueled by innovation and rich in industrial history. Having emerged as a highly sought-after business address, The Navy Yard is currently home to over 130 companies...
Magnolia Hotels Expands Partnership with Stash Hotel Rewards
Magnolia Hotels | January 20, 2014
Magnolia Hotels Adds Properties in Dallas, Denver and Omaha to Leading Rewards Program for Independent Operators DENVER – January 21, 2014 - Magnolia Hotels announced today that it has expanded its partnership with Stash Hotel Rewards by adding properties in Dallas, Denver and Omaha to the largest point-based rewards program in the U.S. The addition of these properties to the Stash Rewards program comes on the heels of a successful partnership with Magnolia Hotel Houston, which joined in October 2012. "Within the first year, Magnolia Hotel Houston saw an increase in revenue through new guests and corporate business as a direct result ...
Twenty Four Seven Hotels Adds TownePlace Suites Sacramento Cal Expo to Portfolio
Twenty Four Seven Hotels | January 20, 2014
Newport Beach CA, January 21,2014 – Twenty Four Seven Hotels expands its portfolio with the addition of the TownePlace Suites Sacramento Cal Expo. The hotel has 117 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom residential-style suites, offering 25% more space than traditional hotel rooms. The hotel features In a Pinch 24/7 food/beverage pantry, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, outdoor pool exercise room, on-site business services and complimentary weekday USA Today in the lobby. The hotel is pet-friendly and discounts rates based on length of stay. TownePlace Suites Sacramento Cal Expo is within walking distance to Cal...
Filling the Cap Stack Gap
William G. Sipple | January 20, 2014
By William G Sipple Even with great availability of low cost senior debt today, we still see a lot of projects suffering from a gap in their capital stack. Most of these deals are new construction projects, but there are plenty of acquisitions that have the same issue. Many of the owners are seeking some type of "passive" equity to get their projects off the ground. They are hoping to identify groups that will take a non-controlling interest in a project and settle for lighter equity returns. They often prefer to see these investors come in through the riskiest phases of the project and want to exit them from the deal at or prior to sta...
HVS Releases 2013-2014 Hotel Development Cost Survey
Elaine Sahlins of HVS | January 20, 2014
2013 Development Costs Rise; Market-by-Market Development Uneven HVS has released the HVS Hotel Development Cost Survey for 2013-2014, which incorporates a range of data sources including development budgets, material and labor costs indexes, and input from industry professionals, to track hotel construction costs in the United States. According to HVS San Francisco Senior Vice President Elaine Sahlins, author of the Survey, research shows that by the end of 2013, the hotel investment market as a whole had largely recovered from previous recessionary years, but the trend in market-by-market hotel development has been uneven. "The hotel ...
Hotel Industry Outlook: Jim Butler’s Top 10 for 2014
January 20, 2014
For the most recent update on this topic, click here By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 21 January 2014 Hotel Industry Outlook: Jim Butler's Top 10 for 2014 by Jim Butler | Chairman, JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® A lot of exciting things are happening in the hospitality industry as 2014 opens. Based upon more than $68 billion of hotel transactions, JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® has made its "top 10" pick of the events, issues, trends, and developments that will have the biggest impact on the hotel industry. 1. 2013 will prove to be better-than-expected, but 2014 will ...
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Appoints Chris Ivy as Chief Development Officer in the Americas
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | January 20, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (January 20, 2014) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the appointment of Chris Ivy as chief development officer in the Americas effective today. He will report directly to Thorsten Kirschke, president, Americas. "Chris' appointment will help Carlson Rezidor drive and deliver our development strategy, with a strong focus on significantly increasing the pipeline of owned/managed and franchised hotels through a targeted development strategy," explained Kirschke. "Through key relationships with owners, developers, management companies and financial institution...
The 197-key Sheraton Zurich Hotel Opens in Switzerland; Owned by ZUFA Immobilien AG
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | January 20, 2014
January 20, 2014 - ZURICH - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the opening of the new Sheraton Zurich Hotel, marking the brand's second hotel in the financial capital of Switzerland since the world-renowned brand was introduced into the country more than 40 years ago. Owned by ZUFA Immobilien AG and opening under an agreement between Starwood and Arabella Hospitality SE, Sheraton Zurich fuels the global growth of the Sheraton brand as it remains on track to celebrate the opening of its 500th hotel by 2016. "I would like to thank our longtime partner, Schörghuber Corporate Group, for once again putt...
Afsi Bird Appointed as General Manager for the 109-key Hotel Teatro in Denver, Colorado
Hotel Teatro | January 20, 2014
January 20, 2013 - Denver - Hotel Teatro, Denver's luxury boutique hotel, announces the appointment of Afsi Bird as general manager. With an extensive background in luxury hotel management and hospitality, Bird previously served as general manager of Denver's Oxford Hotel. In her new position, Bird will lead the Hotel Teatro team in managing revenue generation, customer satisfaction and overall operations. "I am extremely honored to work with such an elite team, and as general manager of one of the world's premier boutique hotels," said Bird. "I hope to assist in elevating the already world-class standard of service Hotel Teatro provide...
Caribbean Travel Marketplace ‘14 Sees Increased Interest From International Buyers From 20 Countries
Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association | January 20, 2014
THE CARIBBEAN (Jan. 20, 2014) - Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2014 resulted in creating a lot of excitement with onsite negotiations for new packages and promotions as hoteliers, along with ministers and directors of tourism, met with wholesalers, tour operators and airlines at the Montego Bay Convention Center in Jamaica this week. "There were 11,560 pre-scheduled appointments between Caribbean hoteliers, destinations and attractions and the buyers from around the world and hundreds of additional on-site appointments with many of the wholesalers, tour operators, and airlines" said Richard J. Doumeng, president of CHTA. "We were especial...
Feasibility Study Starts for Planned USC Hotel and Conference Center
BuildCentral | January 20, 2014
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Add/Update 168 Hotel Projects to the New Hotel Construction Projects Database Chicago, IL. January 20, 2014 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have added or updated 168 hotel projects in the last two weeks to Hotel Construction, a nationwide database of hotel construction projects, openings, and key decision makers (Owner/Developers, Architects and Contractors). These proposed hotels are still in the planning stages. Now is the perfect time to have your product drawn into plans, or offer construction services: CIA Hotel (Hyde Park, NY) Ashford Dunwoody Hotel (Dunwoody, GA) Alta Colorado Lodge and Resort (L...
Renovations are on the Rise: Owners & Operators Get Creative to Put WOW Factor Back in Guestrooms
Creation Hospitality | January 20, 2014
During the Great Recession, the decline in hotel operating performance left very limited, if any funding for hotel renovation reserves. In recognition of these challenging times, hotel brands were more flexible with their franchisees in enforcing property improvement plans and capital renovation cycles, resulting in the deferral of capital expenditures. Today, lodging demand has recovered and hotels are busier than ever, thanks to the strengthening economy and increased travel. According to Smith Travel Research, overall occupancy rates across the U.S. were reported to finish the 2013 year at a 2% increase from 2012; RevPAR over this sam...
Hotel Fira S.A.U and IHG to Open 276-key Crowne Plaza Barcelona Fira Center in Spain in Q1 2014
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | January 20, 2014
20 January, 2014 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's largest hotel companies, has signed a franchise agreement with Hotel Fira S.A.U to open its first Crowne Plaza® in Barcelona - Crowne Plaza Barcelona Fira Center. The hotel will open during the first quarter this year. Revealing 3, 000m2 of meeting space, the hotel will have the largest conference and meeting facilities across the entire portfolio of Crowne Plaza properties in Europe. It will be converted from an existing building to a 276 room hotel complete with a new Wellness Centre, a fitness room and a VIP club lounge. Occupying a prime location in the ci...
Cachet Hotel Group Takes Full Ownership of URBN Hotel in Shanghai, China; Renovation Near Completion
Cachet Hotel Group | January 20, 2014
SHANGHAI, Jan. 20, 2014 -- Cachet Hotel Group (CHG), announced today the completion of the acquisition of URBN Hotel in Shanghai by CHG's co-founder Robert Roche. The transaction was announced as an all cash buyout for an undisclosed sum. URBN Hotel is a gold standard for eco-tourism located in the heart of Shanghai where it draws design-focused business and leisure travelers from all over the world. Occupying a converted factory warehouse, URBN uses 100% recycled and locally sourced materials and is China's first carbon neutral hotel. In a recent statement, CHG's CEO Alexander Mirza indicated, "URBN Hotel has been one of the most award...
Comcast and Liberty Announce $1.2 Billion Philadelphia Skyscraper with New Four Seasons Hotel
Jim Butler | January 20, 2014
For the most recent update on this topic, click here By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 20 January 2014 Hotel Lawyer on Hotel Mixed-Use. JMBM's hotel lawyers are proud to be the hotel legal and advisory team for the developers on the Four Seasons luxury hotel component of this spectacular project. This is one of the high-profile hotel-retail-office mixed-use projects we have been working on for more than a year. Hotel mixed-use is back! Hotels are being added to projects with retail, residential, office, entertainment and other uses -- and the multiple uses enhance each other...
Emergence of Adventure Parks & Resorts; 6 Secrets to Adding WOW at Your Resort in 2014
Jeff Coy | January 20, 2014
By Jeff Coy, ISHC January 20, 2014 --- Successful resort development has evolved over the decades through a series of strategies that added WOW to the guest experience. Today's hotel guest is looking for an experience, not just the same old amenities. Meeting planners are looking for resorts that offer a unique on-site experience so they can avoid the hassle and cost of arranging vans to transport attendees to off-site locations. A growing number of resort owners "get it" and are leading the way. And now we are seeing another major trend in resort development --- the emergence of Adventure Parks & Resorts. Innovators, sporting enthu...
DSE ‘14 To Offer Digital Signage Seminars for Hotel Operators, System Administrators & Technologists
Digital Signage Expo | January 20, 2014
January 20, 2014 - Atlanta - Digital Signage Expo® (DSE), the world's largest and longest running International Tradeshow and Conference dedicated to digital signage, interactive technology and digital out-of-home networks (DOOH), will present four new digital signage educational opportunities designed specifically for hotel operators, system administrators and technologists February 11-13, 2014, at the Sand Expo & Convention Center. The seminar programs are part of DSE's Educational Conference designed to help attendees learn how and when to take advantage of the newest technologies available, how successful digital sig...
Hotel Equities Adds 13 Hotels in 4th Quarter, Re-Organizes Firm for Growth
Hotel Equities | January 17, 2014
Atlanta, GA-January 17, 2014- In a surge of unprecedented growth, Hotel Equities (www.hotelequities.com), an Atlanta-based hotel management and development company, added thirteen hotels to its portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2013. Beginning in early October with the addition of the boutique 4-star Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda, Florida, the firm made steady gains that included five La Quinta properties, a Courtyard and six additional hotels from Pennsylvania to Florida. "We are encouraged by the solid year-end growth we have achieved as well as the development projects that are underway for 2014," said Joe Reardon, Vice President of M...
The Vines Resort & Spa Opens in Mendoza, Argentina
The Vines Resort & Spa | January 17, 2014
MENDOZA, Argentina (January 17, 2014) - The Vines Resort & Spa, a new luxury boutique resort in Mendoza, Argentina, announces its grand opening. Situated at the base of the Andes in the heart of the Uco Valley, Argentina's premier winemaking region, The Vines Resort & Spa is the ultimate retreat for wine lovers and outdoor adventurers and offers a culinary program from acclaimed Argentine Chef Francis Mallmann. Now accepting reservations, The Vines Resort & Spa is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the largest luxury hospitality organization in the world, and is the only resort in the Mendoza region to be a part of...
Fibra Inn Acquires Two Mexico Plaza Hotels in Guanajuato, Mexico; Both to Convert to Wyndham Garden
Fibra Inn | January 17, 2014
January 17, 2014 - MONTERREY, Mexico - Deutsche Bank Mexico, S.A., Banking Institution, Trust Division F/1616 or Fibra Inn (BMV:FINN13) ("Fibra Inn" or "the Company"), a Mexican real estate investment trust specializing in the hotel industry serving the business traveler, announced the acquisition of Mexico Plaza Leon Centro Max Hotel and Hotel México Plaza Celaya, both located in the state of Guanajuato. The hotels will be converted to the Wyndham Garden brand. Acquisition of Mexico Plaza Leon Centro Max Hotel This is the third hotel acquired from Grupo Mexico Plaza, which is a regional hotel chain primarily present in central Mexico....
Mike Blake, CIO at Commune Hotels Joins the StayNTouch Board of Directors
StayNTouch | January 17, 2014
Bethesda, MD - January 17, 2014 - StayNTouch Inc., a developer of next-generation cloud-based staff & guest mobility solutions for hotels, is pleased to announce that Mike Blake, CIO at Commune Hotels + Resorts has joined the StayNTouch Board of Directors. With more than 20 years of experience in finance and technology, Mike is currently CIO at Commune Hotels where he provides strategic leadership and perspective contributing to the ongoing evolution of Commune's global IT functions for the brands Joie De Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels and Tommie Hotels. Prior, Mike served as CIO at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, as Senior Vice Presid...
