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Industry Happenings
nSight Hosts Complimentary Webinar Series For Destination Marketing Organizations
nSight | January 8, 2014
January 15th, 22nd and 29th Sessions Focus on Using Travel Intelligence to Increase Visitation NASHVILLE, TN - January 8, 2014 - nSight, the largest aggregator of global travel search and booking data, will present a series of three webinars on January 15, 22 and 29, designed to help Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) increase domestic and international visitation. Insights will be delivered by business intelligence industry expert, Jami Timmons, president and chief product officer at nSight. The DMO Webinar Series will discuss how travel search and booking data combined with traveler persona insights can be used to support real...
Driftwood Hospitality Management Names Mark Odom as Chief Financial Officer
Driftwood Hospitality Management | January 8, 2014
North Palm Beach, Fla. - January 8, 2014 - Driftwood Hospitality Management (www.TheDriftwoodDifference.com) is pleased to announce Mark Odom has been named chief financial officer for the company. An 18-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Odom is responsible for the financial planning, recording and record-keeping for the company's portfolio of properties ranging from upscale hotels to limited service. "Mark's demonstrated track record as a successful CFO and hands-on business experience made him the perfect candidate to step into this important role on our management team," said David Buddemeyer, president of Driftwood Hospitali...
A Sector Focused on Growth: Strong Performance Predicted by EY for Global Lodging Industry in 2014
EY | January 8, 2014
NEW YORK and LONDON - January 8, 2014 - Look for transaction activity and even development to pick up across the board as investors seek out new opportunities in the global hospitality sector over the next 12 months, according to EY's Global Hospitality Insights 2014. Following years of a slow and stubborn recovery and constrained capital budgets, the global hospitality sector witnessed a strong appetite for growth in 2013, a trend that is set to continue and pick up pace in 2014. Global Hospitality Insights follows 13 key trends expected to have major impacts on the hotel sector in 2014 and anticipates strengthening fundamentals provid...
Baha Mar Names Gregory Djerejian to Lead New Asia Business Development Operations
Baha Mar | January 8, 2014
NASSAU, The Bahamas, Jan. 8, 2014 -- Baha Mar Ltd., which is developing the $3.5 billion Baha Mar integrated gaming resort project in Nassau, The Bahamas, today announced that Gregory Djerejian, Executive Vice President, will head the company's new Asia business development operations to be located in Hong Kong. "Baha Mar is truly a global development, and Greg has been an integral part of the team since the project was first conceived more than 10 years ago," said Sarkis D. Izmirlian, Baha Mar's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "In his expanded role, he will oversee Baha Mar's Asia development interests, including travel and touri...
Massachusetts’ 109-suite Residence Inn Boston Westborough Completes Major Renovation
Residence Inn Boston Westborough | January 8, 2014
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 8, 2014 -- The Residence Inn Boston Westborough proudly announces the completion of major renovations to the lobby, guest suites, fitness center and outdoor area. The reinvented lobby entrance and front desk area boast new flooring, countertops, artwork and decor as well as freshly painted ceilings and updated wallpaper. The lobby bathrooms have new wallpaper and artwork that brighten up the space. Beyond the lobby, a previous meeting room has been transformed into a lounge area with comfortable new furniture, plush carpeting, a business center for added convenience and a flat-screen TV where guests can enjoy wa...
John Q. Hammons’ Courtyard Springfield Airport in Missouri Undergoing Renovations
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts | January 8, 2014
January 08, 2014 - SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A double take is in order at the Courtyard by Marriott Springfield Airport in Missouri with a more than $1.5 million renovation in progress of its guest rooms/suites, common areas and meeting space. Conveniently located just off I-44, exit 75, the 142-room/suite hotel plans to complete its capital improvements in February 2014. The Courtyard Springfield Airport is owned and operated by Springfield-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH), the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States. Enhanced Lobby Life The transformation of the hotel's new stylish lobby ...
Marriott Launches Meetings Imagined, a New Concept to Reinvent How Meetings are Planned
Marriott Hotels? | January 8, 2014
January 8, 2014 - Today, Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR), is launching Meetings Imagined, a first-of-its-kind concept that reinvents how meetings are planned, making them more visual, social, and purposeful. Featuring an online platform, MeetingsImagined.com provides expert tips, the latest meeting trends, and hundreds of inspirational images to spark creativity – all curated by the objective of the meeting. Using the website, customers can collaborate with hotels to design custom experiences or view signature experiences featured at the participating test hotels, as well as post favorites im...
CFLB Partnership to Open 290-key Conrad Fort Lauderdale, FL through $34 Million Renovation
Conrad Hotels and Resorts | January 8, 2014
January 08, 2014 - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. & MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide announced today that it has signed definitive agreements with CFLB Partnership LLC to open and operate a 290-room Conrad Hotels & Resorts branded residence and resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Currently undergoing a more than $34 million renovation and property enhancements, the 24-story oceanfront Conrad Fort Lauderdale has an anticipated opening in 2015. "We are extremely pleased to be introducing the Conrad brand's uniquely intuitive service and personalized experiences to Fort Lauderdale. This exciting project reflects the brand's intent to have a w...
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina in California Completes $1.7 Million Renovations to Dining Venues
the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina | January 8, 2014
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. (January 8, 2014) - The bayfront Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, the largest green hotel in Southern California, is refreshing its food and beverage venues in the Marina and Bay Towers. Featuring a re-design to its signature restaurant and lounge- Harbor's Edge and an expanded Tapatini Bar, the modernization will enhance the experience for its Marina Tower guests. In the bay tower, the addition of the Link@Sheraton Café and a refresh of the Bay Tower Lounge and patio double the dining options in that portion of the hotel. "The expansion and refresh taking place within our dining venues elevates our dedication to ...
Kimmy Vandervelde, Terri Ann Miller Join Sales Team for California’s Hilton Campus San Diego/Del Mar
the Hotels | January 8, 2014
January 8, 2013 - (San Diego, Del Mar, CA) - Hilton Campus, consisting of a Hilton Garden Inn and a Homewood Suites by Hilton, is pleased to announce the hiring of Kimmy Vandervelde as our Sales Manager and Terri Ann Miller as our Catering Sales Manager. Both managers are a major asset across all outlets within the property. Robert Rauch, president of R.A. Rauch and Associates, owner of Hilton Campus Properties and experienced hotelier, shares our excitement stating "Both Terri and Kimmy bring extraordinary experience and relationships to our team and growing client roster." Kimmy VanderveldeKimmy Vandervelde - As a five-year hospitalit...
Capella Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia Names Jason Kycek, Director of Sales and Marketing
Capella Hotels and Resorts | January 8, 2014
MARIGOT BAY, SAINT LUCIA - January 8, 2013 - Jason Kycek has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for Capella Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia formerly known as Discovery at Marigot Bay. Capella Hotels and Resorts which manages ultra-luxury hotels such as Capella Singapore and Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, assumed management of the resort after it was acquired by an international development group in August 2013. Capella has already started to introduce its award-winning service philosophy at the resort, which has been rebranded as Capella Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia and Kycek's immediate focus will be to position the resor...
G-LINK and LG Electronics Enhance Hotel Connectivity
G-LINK | January 8, 2014
Game-Changer G-LINK Technology Complements LG Hotel TVs Tempe, Ariz. - Wednesday, 8 January 2014 - G-LINK™, a game changer in hospitality connectivity, today announced a strategic relationship with LG Electronics designed to respond to the increasing number of hotel guests carrying their own content by providing a seamless, auto-sensing connection from G-LINK devices to LG hospitality TVs. LG Electronics USA plans to recommend G-LINK as a preferred compatible hospitality connectivity solution, as LG phases out its "Remote Jack Pack" (RJP). G-LINK's commitment to thoughtful, convenient connections complements LG's leading position in t...
Hotel Royal in Holstebro, Central Denmark Region Joins Best Western International
Best Western International, Inc | January 8, 2014
COPENHAGEN January 8th. 2014 -- Best Western International welcomes new member hotel in Holstebro, Central Denmark Region. BEST WESTERN Hotel Royal in Holstebro became, on January 1st, a new member of Best Western International and the hotel chain now counts 22 hotels in Denmark and 1 hotel in Iceland. The 3-star BEST WESTERN Hotel Royal offers all modern amenities, located in the idyllic Central Denmark in the city center of Holstebro with a great view to the "heart" of the town. The hotel offers 40 comfortable guestrooms. In addition the hotel also offers breakfast restaurant, lobby bar, free parking and free internet etc. General Man...
Hilton Curaçao Completes Renovation of its 196 Guest Rooms; Further Upgrades Planned for 2014
January 8, 2014
WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao - January 7, 2013 - Hilton Curaçao celebrates the New Year with the complete renovation of its 196 guest rooms. Accommodations at this beachfront resort include two executive suites, 10 Junior Suites and 184 island and ocean-view rooms. With this makeover, Hilton Curaçao now boasts the newest rooms on the island and is the only hotel in Curaçao to offer executive floor rooms and an executive lounge. Located on a magnificent stretch of white sand beach on the edge of the turquoise Caribbean, Hilton Curaçao resort welcomes guests to a new lodging experience built upon the hotel's history. Led by Miami-based DSI Ho...
The 289-room Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa Set to Open in Tibet in April 2014
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts | January 8, 2014
HONG KONG, Jan. 8, 2014 -- Few places in the world are as magical as Lhasa, the administrative capital of Tibet. Set on a plateau soaring 3,650 metres above sea level, the city is encircled by the fabled Himalayan mountains, glaciers and desert-like landscapes. This intriguing destination will become home to Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' newest property, the 289-room Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa, which opens on 17 April, 2014. Welcoming travellers from afar, Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will be a luxurious home base for those wishing to explore dramatic scenery and some of the world's most culturally significant Buddhist sites, including World H...
Survey Reveals Top 2014 Priorities for Independent Hoteliers to Maximize Profits, Guest Engagement
Maestro Property Management Solution | January 8, 2014
Indies Rank Personal Service, Mobile, Direct Booking, BI, Integrated Ops and Data Security at Top of List to Increase Revenue and Guest Loyalty Markham, ON - January 8, 2014 - A recent survey of independent operators revealed the top 2014 priorities for this growing hospitality segment. The survey, conducted by NORTHWIND-Maestro PMS, asked independent hotel companies to rank the trends that will most affect their business in the coming year. Operators identify top high-impact business trends in 2014 1. Guest engagement 2. Guest experience/service 3. Direct web/mobile booking 4. Big-picture data and business intelligence 5. Integrated op...
OKIDOKEYS Launches Complete Line of Smart Locks and Keys at the 2014 International CES®
OKIDOKEYS | January 8, 2014
OKIDOKEYS enables secure, simple and practical key management to - anytime, anywhere - lock and unlock doors using cell phones, smartphones and tags. Las Vegas - Jan. 8, 2014 - OKIDOKEYS, part of OpenWays Group, today announced the official launch of its line of smart locks and keys at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. OKIDOKEYS enables consumers to securely and easily manage access to all properties anytime, anywhere, through a complete line of smart devices. Users can lock and unlock any door with OKIDOKEYS - as well as garage doors and electronic gates - using smartphones, cell phones or smart tags, and still hav...
The Plasencia Group Advises on Sale of The Hilton Concord, California
The Plasencia Group | January 8, 2014
Tampa, Fla. (January 8, 2014) – The Plasencia Group is pleased to announce the sale of the Hilton Concord located in Concord, California. Waramaug Hospitality, together with Interstate Hotels & Resorts and an alternate money management firm, acquired the 329-room hotel from Interstate, which continues to remain an investor and operator of the hotel. According to Joe Corcoran, Vice President of The Plasencia Group's Southwest Region, "The Hilton is a very well-positioned hotel in San Francisco's affluent East Bay region. It allows its new owners to deploy strategic capital supported by a strong in-place yield. They now own a recen...
Petrov Commerce to Open 68-key Holiday Inn Plovdiv International Fair in Bulgaria in 2015
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | January 8, 2014
8 January, 2014 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's largest hotel companies today announced the signing of Holiday Inn® Plovdiv International Fair in Bulgaria. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2015. Holiday Inn Plovdiv International Fair will operate under a franchise agreement with new owner Petrov Commerce Ltd. The existing office building will be converted into a 68 room hotel and emerge as the first IHG hotel in Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city. The hotel will be situated at the entrance of Plovdiv City Centre close to Plovdiv fair grounds which attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually. Angel Kol...
Valencia Group Grows Portfolio with Pegasus Solutions
Pegasus Solutions | January 8, 2014
Lone Star Court and Hotel Sorella Country Club Join Pegasus Connect+ DALLAS (January 8, 2014) - Award-winning hotel operator, Valencia Group, has signed its two newest hotels with Pegasus Solutions, including Lone Star Court in Austin, TX and Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO. The hotels join the trio of Valencia Group hotels already available in the global distribution systems (GDSs) under the "UI" chain code. "With the imminent opening of both the Lone Start Court and Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza, we needed to make these hotels available quickly to a broad booking audience," said Wendy Norris, corporate director ...
Noble House Hotels & Resorts Assumes Management of 57-room Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, CA
Noble House Hotels & Resorts | January 7, 2014
January 07, 2014 - SEATTLE - Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. – a collection of luxury hotels and resorts in city and resort destinations from Seattle to Rhode Island and the Florida Keys to Colorado – has assumed management of Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, Calif. As the 19th addition to the Noble House Hotels & Resorts (NHHR) hospitality portfolio, which includes notable luxury properties such as Little Palm Island Resort & Spa and Gateway Canyons, the 57-room Bernardus Lodge offers guests an enchantingly relaxing oasis on 26 acres of sweeping grape vines and lavender in sunny California. "Already recognized as one ...
Berlin, Germany’s Historic HOTEL AM STEINPLATZ Re-Opens Following Extensive Renovation
The Autograph Collection | January 7, 2014
Berlin, Germany – January 7, 2014 – The historic HOTEL AM STEINPLATZ today celebrated its opening following an extensive restoration, representing the first Autograph Collection hotel to open in Germany. Originally designed by August Endell, architect of Berlin's celebrated Hackesche Höfe complex, HOTEL AM STEINPLATZ has captivated passers-by since its completion. With its striking olive-green facade, arched windows reminiscent of Moorish architecture and extraordinary stucco features, the building is a local landmark in the elegant residential area around Charlottenburg's Savigny-Platz. "Meeting the requirements of a distinguished...
$320 Million Combined 378-room Courtyard Hotel & 261-Suite Residence Inn Hotel Opens in Manhattan
G Holdings | January 7, 2014
Owned by G Holdings and Managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts New York – January 7, 2014 – Marriott International, Inc. and G Holdings today announced the opening of an iconic addition to the New York City skyline, a combined 378-room Courtyard hotel and 261-suite Residence Inn hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The $320 million tallest single-use hotel in North America is located at 1717 Broadway. Built and owned by G Holdings and managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the dual-branded hotel will provide employment for 160 associates in the New York area. The impressive 68-story building is just steps from Central Park and Times...
HHM Promotes Foiz Ahmed to Lead the Independent Collection Portfolio While Adding Five New Hotels
Independent Collection | January 7, 2014
(Philadelphia) - January 07, 2014... HHM's Independent Collection, commonly referred to as the iC, has doubled in size over the past 8 months, introducing properties in unique neighborhoods of gateway markets across the country, including South Beach Miami, Santa Barbara, Georgetown and Boston's West End. To lead the portfolio, HHM has identified focused, veteran leadership by promoting Foiz Ahmed to Vice President - Independent Collection, where he will oversee all marketing and branding as well as P&L for the majority of the properties. Two Autograph Collection hotels in Miami, now managed by HHM, will join the iC in early 2014. O...
