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Industry Happenings
Les Clefs D’or Membership Awarded to Jim Anderson, Chief Concierge, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa | January 13, 2014
JANUARY 13, 2014 - Les Clefs d 'Or USA has awarded Mr. Jim Anderson, Chief Concierge at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa membership into the elite organization. Les Clefs d'Or (pronounced "lay clay door") is French and literally translates as "keys of gold". Crossed gold keys displayed on hotel concierge lapels assure travelers they are dealing with a seasoned professional who is dedicated to serving their every need and who has fulfilled intense membership and service requirements. Mr. Anderson is amongst three concierges in Sonoma County to receive such distinction. Selected for membership based upon their training, outstandi...
Former Royal Plaza Converted to the B Resort in Lake Buena Vista
BuildCentral | January 13, 2014
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Have Updated 202 Hotels in the Last Two Weeks with Changes in Personnel, Property Management or Ownership Chicago, IL. January 13, 2014 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have reported 202 changes in personnel, property management and ownership in the Hotel Profiles database over the last two weeks. Many hotels are getting a fresh start with a new Owner, Property Manager or General Manager. Recommend your product or service to someone who might be looking for a change. Hotels Under New Management: Bernardus Lodge (Carmel Valley,CA) The Fiksdal Hotel and Suites (Rochester, MN) Inn at Wilmington (Wilmington,...
Gina Peper Promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North Point Hospitality Group
North Point Hospitality Group | January 10, 2014
Savannah, GA - January 10, 2013 - North Point Hospitality Group, Inc. is pleased to announce Gina Peper as their new Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Gina first joined the company in December of 2001 as a Sales Manager and has since worked her way up to Director of Sales, Regional Director of Sales and most recently, the Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing Gina will be responsible for the overall sales and marketing efforts for all nine North Point Hospitality Group, Inc. owned and managed hotels, as well as the pre-sales efforts for hotels under construction. In 2014 alone North P...
PKF’s Hotel Horizons® January 2014 Video Update Discussing Possible Future Supply Concerns
PKF Hospitality Research | January 10, 2014
ATLANTA,Ga., January 10, 2014 - Mark Woodworth and Jack Corgel discuss the latest Hotel Horizons® forecast update and when and where future supply increases might become a concern. ...
Viceroy Appoints Pilar Rios as Area Director of Sales and Marketing for its Mexico Resorts
Viceroy Hotel Group | January 10, 2014
January 10, 2014 - Viceroy Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Pilar Rios as the Area Director of Sales and Marketing for its two luxury Mexico resorts, Viceroy Zihuatanejo and Viceroy Riviera Maya. "Pilar comes to Viceroy with a consummate combination of experience and special skills, including an extensive sales and marketing background in Mexico with leading hotel companies," said Scott Pusillo, Vice President of Sales & Revenue for Viceroy Hotel Group. "Her proven expertise in developing successful business strategies, managing team performance and product positioning will be critical to our success at both Vic...
Travel Job Recovery Strong in 2013; Industry Nears Pre-recession Employment at Only 5,000 Jobs Short
U.S. Travel Association | January 10, 2014
Travel Industry Expanded Employment by 119,000 in 2013 WASHINGTON (January 10, 2014) - David Huether, senior vice president for economics and research at the U.S. Travel Association, reacts to Friday's Labor Department employment report: "Travel industry jobs continued their strong positive trend even as the pace of overall job growth decelerated in December. The industry added 11,000 jobs in December and accounted for an impressive 15 percent of the country's overall employment gains last month. "Looking back at 2013, while the overall economy created fewer new jobs during the past 12 months, the 119,000 jobs created by the travel i...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Mark Lombardi to Director of Sales Position
Residence Inn by Marriott Mystic | January 10, 2014
WATERFORD, CT (January 10, 2014) --- Mark Lombardi has been named Director of Sales for the Residence Inn by Marriott in Mystic, CT and the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Waterford, CT. Both properties are professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm. As Director of Sales, Lombardi will be responsible for the total sales efforts of both hotels, including developing and maintaining new accounts, supervising sales related personnel, and implementing sales and marketing strategies so as to maximize profits of the hotels while maintaining guest satisfaction. Mark brings with him a...
The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C. Strengthens Sales and Finance Teams with Three New Hires
The Omni Grove Park Inn | January 10, 2014
Jan. 10, 2014 (Asheville, N.C.) - The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., has announced three leadership appointments to strengthen its sales and finance teams. Each new executive possesses wide-ranging experience in the hospitality industry. Mariano Cainto - Director of Finance An accomplished and award-winning leader with more than 25 years in hospitality finance and accounting, Director of Finance Mariano Cainto oversees financial operations of The Omni Grove Park Inn. He arrived at the resort following a yearlong turn as controller for The Fairfax at Embassy Row, a Starwood Luxury Collection property in Washington, D.C. Previous...
Blue Sky Hospitality Names Sheri Jordan as General Manager for the Comfort Suites of Ramsey, MN
Blue Sky Hospitality, LLC. | January 10, 2014
Ramsey, MN, January 10, 2014 - Sheri Jordan was recently hired as the new General Manager for the Comfort Suites of Ramsey, MN which is managed by Blue Sky Hospitality, LLC. Elk River, MN. Jordan took control over the property on Wednesday, December 11th. Sheri Jordan received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University. While her management experience has been in retail, Jordan spent her college career working at hotels. Jordan has 16 years of management experience. Nathan Sieve, President of Blue Sky Hospitality, stated "Sheri brings a wealth of skills to our hotel with her experience in custo...
Carlson Rezidor Appoints Thomas Engelhart as Area Vice President Nordics
The Rezidor Hotel Group | January 10, 2014
Brussels | January 10, 2014 - Rezidor, one of the world's most dynamic hotel companies and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announces the appointment of Thomas Engelhart as area vice president Nordics, effective February 1, 2014. Based in Stockholm, he will be responsible for all of the group's 58 Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotels in the Nordics, and will report directly to Olivier Harnisch, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Rezidor. "We are delighted to welcome Thomas to our team. Rezidor has its strong roots in the Nordics, and the region remains one of our key European markets. With his br...
The 319-room Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah Opens in United Arab Emirates
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts | January 10, 2014
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates & MCLEAN, Va. - January 10, 2014 - Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide's luxury brand, today announced the opening of Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, continuing the brand's global expansion. With breath-taking views of the Arabian Gulf coastline and some of Dubai's famous landmarks, the 319-room Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah exudes the true luxury, world class amenities and sophistication for which the brand is known. John T.A. Vanderslice, global head of luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton Worldwide, said: "Waldorf Astoria's celebrated lineage combined with the brand's defin...
2013 Top Hotels for Food Lovers in the Best U.S. Food Cities
TrustYou | January 10, 2014
Charleston Hotels Dishing Up Best Food Say Online Hotel Reviews New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, and more recently Charleston are among the best food cities in the U.S., according to a survey of reader's polls and editor's picks. But where is a food lover to stay that will really round out the gourmet experience? TrustYou has the answer with the list of the hotels with the best food reviews in each of these top U.S. food destinations. While New York is listed as one of best U.S. food cities more often than any other destination, Charleston may be the best place for the food lover to get an all-around delicious experience; it's the ...
Hotel Equities Hires Rob Cote and Chuck Powell as Vice Presidents of Operations to Manage Growth
Hotel Equities | January 10, 2014
ATLANTA, GA (January 10, 2013) - Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) www.hotelequities.com recently added two vice presidential positions to its corporate infrastructure and brought industry veterans Rob Cote and Chuck Powell on board. Each vice president has oversight of all operations of the hotels in his division and reports directly to Brad Rahinsky, Hotel Equities' Chief Operating Officer. "Hotel Equities added 13 hotels, in both the select and full service segments, during the last quarter of 2013," said Mr. Rahinsky. "It was imperative to hire two best-in-class Vice Presidents of Operations who can sustain and continue our firm's a...
General Manager Dean Lane of Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton Named ILHA Hotelier of the Year
the IHLA | January 10, 2014
Chicago, IL - January 10, 2014 - On December 19 at the State of Illinois Hotelier of the Year Awards, the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) presented Dean Lane, General Manager of the Palmer House Hilton, with the Hotelier of the Year award for the State of Illinois. The IHLA represents over 450 hotels across Illinois, making this award highly selective and prestigious. Back in October, Lane won the regional Hotelier of the Year award for Chicago, which qualified him to compete for the state title. Lane will now move forward to represent Illinois at the national finals in April 2014. As one of the most prestigious awards i...
The 216-key Intercontinental Davos Opens in Europe’s Highest Municipality in the Swiss Alps
January 10, 2014
New York, NY (January 10, 2014) - Following five years of extensive planning, the new InterContinental Davos opened its doors just in time for the start of 2014. With its futuristic façade, the spectacular new building, situated high above Lake Davos, sets a new standard in luxury hotels for the entire Alpine region. Guests of the InterContinental Davos will enjoy accommodations in 216 individually appointed guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony, a 12,000 square foot spa, a variety of sports outfitters and activities, as well as avant-garde gastronomy and state-of-the-art conference facilities. For younger guests the prop...
FairBridge Hotels International Opens 149-room FairBridge Hotel Cleveland East in Wickliffe, Ohio
FairBridge Hotels International | January 10, 2014
WICKLIFFE, OH, January 10, 2014 - The hospitality firm headquartered in downtown Spokane, FairBridge Hotels International, today announced the opening of the FairBridge Hotel Cleveland East in Wickliffe, OH. This 149-room 3-star hotel boasts a ballroom and meeting space as well as a fitness center with a pool and Jacuzzi in addition to the FairBridge staples our guests have come to expect like free high-speed wireless, free hot breakfast. The FairBridge Hotel Cleveland East is 28 minutes from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and serves nearby attractions like Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland Zoo, and Progressive Field. To lear...
Joie de Vivre Hotels to Open 86-key Boutique, The Epiphany Hotel, in Palo Alto, CA Early in 2014
Joie de Vivre Hotels | January 10, 2014
Palo Alto, Calif. (January 10, 2014) - Joie de Vivre Hotels is pleased to announce that its newest property, The Epiphany Hotel, in downtown Palo Alto, will open early in 2014. Next door to one of Facebook's first headquarters, a few blocks from Stanford University, and surrounded by Silicon Valley's hottest VC firms, The Epiphany will welcome guests in the heart of the Valley while providing them with the tools they need to succeed and have fun. "The Epiphany Hotel is tapped into Silicon Valley, inspired by the local streets and neighboring start-up businesses," says Niki Leondakis, CEO of Commune Hotels & Resorts, Joie de Vivre's ...
Pacifica Hotels De-Flags & Closes Sunrise Hotel, Redondo Beach, CA to Begin $13 Million Renovation
Pacifica Hotels | January 10, 2014
Irvine, CA (January 10, 2014) - Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of boutique hotels on the California Coast, announced today the closing of the Sunrise Hotel in Redondo Beach, CA, as it begins a $13 million renovation. This King's Harbor hotel is scheduled to re-open in early summer 2014, as an independent property. The full renovation will include the addition of balconies on the ocean-facing guestrooms, a second level outdoor lounge with views of the ocean and marina, a completely remodeled lobby, and an expansive portico that ties in architectural elements from the city's cultural history. The Sunrise Hotel is located ...
The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel and My Hotel Rocks, LLC, Announce Strategic Partnership
My Hotel Rocks, LLC. | January 10, 2014
Now Offering Hotel Guests Access to High-quality Acoustic Guitars Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 2014 ... The landmark Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel and My Hotel Rocks, LLC, have announced a strategic partnership to offer hotel guests use of high-quality acoustic guitars for rent on-site or as part of their room package. The partnership allows The Depot Renaissance to build on the Renaissance Hotels' brand strategy, which highlights music and entertainment as part of their RLife Live events. The program officially launches this month and the cost to rent a guitar is just $25 for guests of The Depot and its Stone Arch Bar & Lo...
Bartell Hotels Completes $13 million Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside Expansion Project
Bartell Hotels | January 10, 2014
San Diego-based Bartell Hotels has completed a four-story, 44,000-square-foot, $13 million expansion of its Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside property located at 4875 N. Harbor Dr. in San Diego at the entrance to Point Loma. The hotel expansion features a new grand entrance to the hotel consisting of a Mediterranean garden, a 23-foot sculpture, and a 2,000-square-foot lobby with 18-foot teak ceilings. In addition, the expansion adds 57 guest rooms and suites with bay and marina views, a corporate boardroom complete with state-of-the-art amenities and a 5,000-square-foot pre-function area and ballroom. The hotel now totals 291guest rooms inc...
Exclusive Advice for Hotels from Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook and Twitter
Daniel Edward Craig | January 10, 2014
By Daniel Edward Craig What words of advice do senior executives from Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook and Twitter have for hoteliers for 2014? While researching ReviewPro's most recent webinar, Top Social Media Strategies for 2014, I checked in with movers and shakers at the Big Four to find out. Their responses, below, provide rare insight from people who are helping to shape the future of social travel. I asked each the following questions: What do you think are essential social media strategies for hotels in 2014? Why are they important? What should hoteliers do about them? Surprisingly, their answers contained a consistent messag...
Trigild Takes Over Five California Hotels Placed into Receivership; Adds 590 Rooms to Portfolio
Turnberry Isle Miami | January 10, 2014
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2014) - Continuing the expansion of its hospitality division, Trigild - a San Diego-based real estate firm specializing in property/asset management and fiduciary services - has taken over a portfolio of five franchised hotels in Valencia, Thousand Oaks and San Luis Obispo, Calif. According to Trigild president Judy Hoffman, Trigild, which has nearly four decades of experience in the hospitality industry, was appointed receiver of the five hotels - including three Marriotts, a Best Western and a Holiday Inn Express - by the Superior Court of California, County of Monterey. As court appointed receiver, Trigild...
Albert Cheong Appointed Group General Manager of Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Malaysia
Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa | January 9, 2014
BANDAR SUNWAY, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA: 10 January 2014.....Sunway International Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Albert Cheong as Group General Manager of Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, effective 2 January 2014. In his new capacity, Cheong will be responsible for the hotel operations, leading the teams to continually be people passionate and deliver operational efficiencies at the 1,234-room multiple hotel development, located within Sunway Resort City, in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Cheong brings with him more than 35 years of international hospitality management experience, specialising in Corporate, Oper...
Luxury Link Conducts 2014 Luxury Travel Trends Survey
Luxury Link Travel Group | January 8, 2014
Over Half of Discerning Travelers Planning Multiple Trips Abroad this Year; Croatia and Portugal are Trending Destinations LOS ANGELES (January 9, 2014) – In a survey of more than 1,600 discerning travelers conducted by leading luxury travel website Luxury Link (luxurylink.com), Croatia and Portugal were tabbed as up-and-coming destinations for 2014, while adventurous and foodie-focused vacations are being planned this year. Among global respondents - who each indicated their total annual household income is $100,000 or higher - 29.7% stated they are most interested in visiting Europe this year while 27.3% are Caribbean-bound. For...
