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Industry Happenings
Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Pontresina in Switzerland Appoints Fabrizio Piantanida as Executive Chef
Grand Hotel Kronenhof | October 28, 2013
Switzerland, October 28, 2013: Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Pontresina (www.kronenhof.com) has appointed Fabrizio Piantanida as Executive Chef, effective from 18 November. Piantanida comes directly from the five-star boutique Hotel Vitznauerhof on Switzerland's Lake Lucerne, where he was also Executive Chef and earned 14 GaultMillau Points, overseeing three restaurants. Executive Chef Fabrizio Piantanida Piantanida graduated from the Hotel Management School Mellerio Rosmini in Domodossola, Italy in 1992 and has since worked in a number of luxury hotels in Italy, Switzerland and France, including Bürgenstock Hotels & Resorts in Bürgensto...
Mashantucket Pequots and MGM Resorts Agree to End Licensing Agreement at Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino | October 28, 2013
MASHANTUCKET, Conn. - October 28, 2103 - The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino announces the conclusion of its partnership with MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). There will be a six-month transition period for Foxwoods to generally cease of MGM Grand branding. Neither party expects a material impact due to the end of the agreement. Foxwoods Resort Casino will continue to offer the same dynamic environment and deliver the same quality experience for guests, employees and partners that has made it one of the premier entertainment destinations in the Northeast. The renaming of the tower is part of an o...
Aloft Orlando Downtown Opens as Adaptive Re-Use Project by Developer GDC Properties
Aloft Hotels | October 28, 2013
Stamford, CT/Orlando, FL, October 28, 2013 -Starwood Hotels & Resorts today announced its sizzling Aloft brand has made its debut in Orlando, Florida with the opening of its third adaptive re-use hotel. Aloft Orlando Downtown, the former OUC building, sits adjacent to Orlando City Hall. Owned by GDC Properties and operated by Yedla Management Company, Aloft Orlando Downtown offers a prime location in the downtown business district, providing 118 spacious, loft-like rooms, 7,000 square feet of meeting space, re:fuel grab-and-go area, re:charge fitness facility, w xyz bar with a buzzing, social atmosphere, splash outdoor pool and vale...
Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc. Acquires the 107-room Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, VA
Inland American Lodging Advisor, Inc. | October 28, 2013
OAK BROOK, Ill. - October 28, 2013 - Inland American Lodging Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc., today announced that it has acquired the 107-room luxury boutique Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, Va., for a purchase price of approximately $45 million. "Recently recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the 'Top 100 Hotels in the World,' this boutique luxury hotel is an excellent addition to our portfolio," said Marcel Verbaas, president and CEO of Inland American Lodging Advisor, Inc. ("IALA"). "With its superior positioning in this high barrier-to-entry market, this asset provides ...
Traci Meyer Appointed as Director of Sales for 193-room One Ocean Resort & Spa in Atlantic Beach, FL
One Ocean Resort & Spa | October 28, 2013
ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. (October 28, 2013) - One Ocean Resort & Spa - Northeast Florida's chic beachfront boutique resort, located in Atlantic Beach - announces the promotion of Traci Meyer to director of sales. With more than 13 years of experience in sales and marketing, Meyer has proven herself as a rising key player in the hotel and resort industry. In her new position Meyer will be accountable for developing comprehensive sales strategies and overseeing the complete Sales, Catering & Convention Services Department's management of group business. Meyer has been on the fast track at One Ocean Resort & Spa over the past eight...
The 2nd Annual Boutique Lifestyle International Leadership Symposium Ends with Record Attendance
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association | October 28, 2013
The more than 265 attendees raved about the carefully crafted sessions and world-renowned executives who came to speak in support of the BLLA Los Angeles, CA, October 28, 2013 – Powered by BLLA (Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association), the lodging industry's top boutique, lifestyle and luxury hotel executives and numerous closely related industry professionals congregated in Hollywood, CA this week to deliberate on the hottest topics surrounding this close-knit and beloved hospitality sector. "There was certainly a lot of love flowing at this conference," remarked Frances Kiradjian, Founder and Chairwoman of the Association. "Undoubte...
John Hanrahan Named Director of Food & Beverage for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort in CA
Chaminade Resort & Spa | October 28, 2013
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 28, 2013 - Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named John Hanrahan director of food & beverage for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® situated on a Santa Cruz, California hilltop with breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Kevin Herbst, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement. "I am happy to welcome John to Chaminade," said Mr. Herbst. "He comes to us with 30 years of restaurant management experience, which will be vital in running an effective food & beverage program that is market driven. We're ...
Wolfgang Wehen Appointed as Hotel Manager for W South Beach Hotel & Residences in Miami Beach, FL
W South Beach Hotel & Residences | October 28, 2013
MIAMI BEACH, FL - October 28, 2013 - W South Beach Hotel & Residences announced today the appointment of Wolfgang Wehen as hotel manager. Wehen will leverage his more than 25 years of international hospitality and five-star hotel experience - including work in markets such as New York City, Miami, Germany and London - to lead the luxury Miami Beach hotel that has garnered international attention since opening in July 2009. Wehen joins W South Beach from his role as general manager at W New York Downtown. During his time at the property, Wehen increased RPI and market share with a focus on group production and increase of weekend bus...
Multilingual Guest Computing from Eleven a Hit at InterContinental Montreal
Eleven | October 28, 2013
French-Canadian guests are delighted by the ability to use computers in their native language 10/28/13 Portland, Ore. - This month, the InterContinental Montreal Hotel deployed Eleven's French-Canadian version of the multilingual guest computing solution known as ElevenGC. The 24/7 public-access computers allow guests to choose which language they'd like to experience while using the computer - either English or French-Canadian. The multilingual experience starts at the login screens of the two iMac computers in InterContinental Montreal Hotel's business center, conveniently located next to the lobby. The guest's language selection not ...
Hard Rock International Appoints Andrew Lee as Regional Director of Hotels and Casinos, Asia Pacific
Hard Rock International | October 28, 2013
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 28, 2013 -- Hard Rock International - one of the world's most-recognizable and iconic brands - is excited to announce the appointment of Andrew Lee as Regional Director of Hotel Operations, Asia Pacific for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos. In his new role, Lee will be responsible for overseeing the strategic operational performance and brand standards of Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos across the Asian Pacific region. A key focus will be to ensure guests experience high quality service, food, retail and entertainment offerings at each Hard Rock Hotel in Asia including Singapore, Macau, Bali, Penang, Pattaya, and new pr...
New Owner of The Southpoint Hotel in Durham, North Carolina Changes Brand
BuildCentral | October 28, 2013
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Have Updated 186 Hotels in the Last Two Weeks with Changes in Personnel, Property Management or Ownership Chicago, IL. October 28, 2013 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have reported 186 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: Homewood Suites Newtown (Newton, PA) The Talbott Hotel (Chicago, IL) Comfort Suites Burlington (Burlington, I...
Waterford Hotel Group Names Anish Patney General Manager of Connecticut’s 393-room Hilton Hartford
Hilton Hartford | October 28, 2013
Hartford, CT (October 28, 2013) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Anish Patney as General Manager of the 393-room Hilton Hartford. As general manager, Patney is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales and administration, as well as more than 200 associates employed at the property. Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. professionally manages the 393-room Hilton Hartford, a state-of-the-art, luxury hotel with all the benefits and convenience of a downtown location. With more than 15 years of hospitality experience, Patney has held numerous positions across several brands, including Marriott, Starwood and Hilton....
West Palm Beach Marriott Named Hotel of the Year by Palm Beach County Hotel & Lodging Assoc.
Palm Beach County Hotel & Lodging Association | October 28, 2013
The Palm Beach County Hotel & Lodging Association held its 19th Annual Hotel Day Celebrations on October 23, 2013 at the Hilton Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach. The day started with a Job Fair for Hotel Members, then went on to a Trade Show & Reception for the Allied Members and culminated in the President's Lunch, when scholarships and awards were presented. President William Murray welcomed the nearly 200 at the lunch and remarked that this was the also the 19th Annual Presentation of scholarships and awards to students and schools in Palm Beach County. Over the years this had amounted to nearly $180,000 bein...
Employed at CO’s C Lazy U Guest Ranch Since 1968, Bill Fisher Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
C Lazy U | October 28, 2013
Granby, Colo. - October 28, 2013 - Today, C Lazy U, Colorado's original and premier luxury guest ranch, is proud to announce the receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Head Wrangler, Bill Fisher, at the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association's (CHLA) annual "Stars of the Industry" awards banquet. A mainstay at the Ranch for decades, Fisher originally worked at C Lazy U as a teenager in 1968, and has been involved with the equestrian program at C Lazy U ever since. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those in the hospitality industry who have made a marked impact on others with an extraordinary dedication to hos...
HSMAI Foundation 2013 Scholarship Awards Given to Lindsay Frank, Michael Weber and Haiying Huang
HSMAI Foundation | October 28, 2013
McLean, Va. (Oct. 28, 2013) - The Foundation of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the selected recipients of its annual merit scholarships. The winners of this year's awards have shown exceptional promise and dedication in pursuit of higher education with a concentration in a hospitality-related field. For the past three decades, the HSMAI Foundation has awarded merit scholarships to outstanding students working toward associate, bachelor's or graduate degrees in hospitality-related fields. In addition to their studies, eligible students must demonstrate related work experience,...
The UNH Lodging Executives Sentiment Index Falls Due to Uncertainty in Nation’s Capital
The UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics | October 28, 2013
DURHAM, N.H. - Oct. 28, 2013 - The University of New Hampshire Lodging Executives Sentiment Index for September 2013 dropped to 76.8 compared with 78.1 in August 2013. Overall the lodging executives' sentiment for present and future business conditions have weakened slightly compared to last month's robust reporting. "What lodging executives are saying is the current deadlock in Washington has impacted demand as occupancy has flattened," said Nelson Barber, associate professor of hospitality management, who manages the index. Thirty-eight percent of lodging executives indicated current business conditions were good, a decrease from 44 p...
Themed “The Time Is Now” Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Set for March 26 – 28th in Atlanta
Hunter Hotel Advisors | October 28, 2013
Atlanta, GA. - October 28, 2013 - Officials of the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, one of the nation's top four hotel investment conferences, announced that it will host its 26th annual gathering on March 26 - 28, 2014, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference annually attracts a thousand participants and will feature an extensive line up of the industry's most influential leaders and innovators who will speak on an array of timely trends and topics in hotel real estate, development and financing. The conference is owner and investor-focused, with a strong emphasis on real estate and finance, and has t...
Lodging Industry Renews Call for Congressional Action on Immigration Reform
American Hotel & Lodging Association | October 28, 2013
Washington, D.C. - October 28, 2013 - In the wake of the recent government shutdown, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) today sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) to reiterate the importance of immigration reform to the lodging industry and the health of the national economy and to prompt legislative action in the House of Representatives. Recognizing that the current immigration system is broken, AH&LA encourages Congress to take steps to secure the nation's borders while at the same time allowing the United States to remain a hospitabl...
Former French Style Palace Hotel, Fallen into Disrepair, Renovated as Sofitel Montevideo in Uruguay
Sofitel | October 28, 2013
In Uruguay's capital, the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco & Spa has been restored to all its former glory after being totally refurbished. This magnificent turn of the 20th century French-style palace hotel is a legend. In its heyday it was a preferred haunt for the famous and fashionable, but then fell into oblivion. It reopened in March 2013 with its former splendor revived, its renowned restaurant "1921", an exclusive So Spa, a casino and all the lavish comfort of a grand luxury hotel. "We offer all our customers a unique gift that we call the soap ritual," explains Mario Leite, the hotel's General Manager. Guests choose their...
Concept to Re-Use Lost and Found Hotel Items Wins Cornell Students Sustainability Competition
The Center for Hospitality Research | October 28, 2013
Ithaca, NY, October 28, 2013 - "The Giving Bag," a concept to save hotels money on lost and left behind items, is the winning concept in the third annual Cornell student sustainability competition, sponsored by Schneider Electric, a partner of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research. The competition is conducted in conjunction with the annual Sustainability Roundtable at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration (SHA). The roundtable brought nearly three dozen international hotel practitioners and researchers to the school to discuss current sustainability trends and strategies. Creators of "The Giving Bag," Lilia Karimi '15 and Qu...
Dear Guest, How Did You Sleep? by Osvaldo Torres Cruz
Osvaldo Torres Cruz | October 28, 2013
Since prehistoric times human beings have moved towards other geographical areas for commercial purposes and exchange, for which they needed shelters to stay with the primary objective of resting. This need gave rise to the establishments which were the precursors of the existing hotels. Rest is a vital human need to replenish and recharge batteries. The greater effectiveness of our rest is achieved when we sleep. Sleep is a physiological state of self-regulation and uniform repose of an organism. Although sleep needs vary according to the age, for all human beings represents a vital, an essential function (human beings cannot live with...
Gulph Creek Hotels Selected to Manage the 104-suite Homewood Suites in Newtown, Pennsylvania
Gulph Creek Hotels | October 28, 2013
Wayne, PA, October 28, 2013 - Gulph Creek Hotels, a leading Mid Atlantic hotel management and development company, today announced that they have been selected to manage the 104 all-suite Homewood Suites in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The hotel is situated in the heart of historic Bucks County, within a short drive to Sesame Place. Opened in 2010, the hotel features studios and one-or two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens with a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, two-burner stove and dishwasher. Guests can enjoy perks such as hot full breakfast, complimentary WiFi and complimentary grocery shopping service. "We are excited to be b...
Value Place to Invest $65 Million in Atlanta, GA Area to Build 10 New Extended Stay Hotels
Value Place | October 28, 2013
Company Seeks Commercial Building Sites; Construction on First Hotel Begins in January ATLANTA, Oct. 28, 2013 -- Value Place — the largest economy extended-stay lodging brand in the U.S. — will invest $65 million over the next two years to buy land and build 10 new corporate-owned and operated Value Place properties in the Atlanta metro area. The company is seeking interested landowners and is prepared to acquire appropriate building sites right away. Construction on the first new 124-unit hotel — in Chamblee Tucker, Ga., at the intersection of I-85 and Chamblee Tucker Road — will begin in January. The company is working with tw...
Kym Oglesby Named Assistant General Manager at Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center
Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center | October 25, 2013
Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center general manager Kenny Lam appointed Kym Oglesby as Assistant General Manager. Prior to joining Days Inn, Kym has held several positions over a 14 years at Hilton Brand hotels. She also brings an array of experience from her work in public relations and marketing from her position as Creative Managing Partner at Raveena Media Group. As Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center plans for its expansion in 2014, the management looks forward to Kym and her team continuing to provide pleasurable experience, excellent customer service and importance of community involvement. Its through Kym's belief in tea...
