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Industry Happenings
David Sher Named Director of Food and Beverage at the 687-room Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park | October 2, 2013
CHICAGO, Ill., October 2, 2013 - David Sher was named the Director of Food and Beverage at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, announced General Manager and Regional Vice President, Mark Huntley. As Director of Food and Beverage, Sher oversees all food and beverage operations at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, including the hotel's two restaurants, 16,000-square-foot meeting space and 24-hour room service operations. "David's unique international experiences bring a wealth of expertise to Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park and we are excited to welcome him to our team," said Huntley. A 15-year hospitality indu...
Craig Reaume Appointed as General Manager of the 150-room Fairmont Battery Wharf Boston
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts | October 2, 2013
Boston, Massachusetts, October 2, 2013 - Paul S. Tormey, regional vice president, North East United States and Bermuda and general manager of The Fairmont Copley Plaza, is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Reaume to general manager of Fairmont Battery Wharf, Boston's premier waterfront retreat located along the Boston Harbor Walk. As general manager, Mr. Reaume will manage the operation of this 150-room hotel, which features Aragosta Bar & Bistro, Battery Lounge, Fairmont Gold and 6,000 square feet of meeting space. "Craig will be an outstanding leader for our talented colleagues at Fairmont Battery Wharf," said Mr. Torme...
First Hospitality Group Hires Jeff Fiorito & April Trudell as General Managers in Chicago & Indiana
First Hospitality Group, Inc. | October 2, 2013
ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct 2, 2013 - Rosemont, Ill.-based First Hospitality Group, Inc., (FHG) announced today the hiring of Jeff Fiorito as General Manager at StayBridge Suites in Oak Brook Terrace, Ill. and April Trudell as General Manager at TownePlace Suites in Bloomington, Ind. President and COO Robert Habeeb made the announcement. "We are happy to welcome Jeff and April to our award-winning management company," said Habeeb. "The experience and superior service and management background they have fits in perfectly with our high-caliber of professionals that have continued to play a large role in our growth and leadership in the hospitalit...
Nobody Asked Me, But…No. 111; Hotel History: The McAlpin Hotel; What Makes a City Great?
Stanley Turkel, CMHS, ISHC | October 2, 2013
Quote of the Month; My New Book By Stanley Turkel, CMHS, ISHC 1. Hotel History: The McAlpin Hotel General Edwin Angustus McAlpin (1848-1917) was a successful business man and president of the D.H. McAlpin & Co. tobacco company. He owned several large tracts of real estate in Manhattan, including one on 34th Street and Broadway which he developed into the McAlpin Hotel. When it opened in 1912 it was the largest hotel in the world. The New York Times commented that it was so tall at 25 floors that it "seems isolated from other buildings." With a staff of 1,500 it could accommodate 2,500 guests. The 1500-room McAlpin Hotel was designed...
HMC to Manage New-build 83-room Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Opening in Kenedy, TX in Q1 2014
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | October 2, 2013
Dallas, TX, October 2, 2013: Leo Spriggs, President/CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), one of the country's largest third-party privately held hotel management companies ranked in the top 40 (of all third party and owner operated) largest independent U.S. Hotel Operators is pleased to announce the signing of a property management agreement for a new build Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, located in Kenedy, Texas adding to HMC's growing portfolio of managed properties. The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham will have a total of 83 guest rooms and is to be completed by early February 2014. Some of the Hotel amenities ...
NYLO Hotels Opens the 285-room NYLO New York City; Second NYLO to Open in Nyack, NY in Late 2014
NYLO Hotels | October 2, 2013
DALLAS, TEXAS (October 2, 2013): NYLO Hotels LLC, the Dallas-based lifestyle hotel chain known for its urban loft decor and uniquely designed and highly social bars and restaurants, has opened its fifth hotel location in New York City. NYLO New York City is the boutique brand's first New York property, located on Manhattan's Upper West Side at Broadway & 77th Street. NYLO Hotels has plans to expand further in New York State with a second location in Nyack, NY which is slated to open in the Hudson River Valley in late 2014. NYLO New York City features good sized, fully renovated guest rooms, outstanding food and beverage venues, and ...
Vision Hospitality Group, Inc. Opens Three New Hotels in the Southeast and Midwest
Vision Hospitality Group, Inc. | October 1, 2013
CHATTANOOGA, TENN., OCT. 2, 2013 — Vision Hospitality Group, Inc. recently opened three new hotels in the Southeast and Midwest: the Residence Inn Atlanta NE/Duluth Sugarloaf, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Knoxville West and the Hampton Inn & Suites – Schererville, IN. The 112-suite Residence Inn Atlanta NE/Duluth Sugarloaf features spacious studios, and one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with modern working areas and fully-equipped kitchens. Other amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, fireplace and water fountain with fire facet. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Knoxville West represents a new Fairfield Inn & Suite...
Melissa Price Belluomini Named as Director of Sales and Marketing for Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, CA
Hyatt Regency Santa Clara | October 1, 2013
October 1, 2013 - San Francisco, CA --- As the area's best in class hotel, the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara has just appointed Melissa Price Belluomini as the new Director of Sales and Marketing, according to General Manager Dania Duke. In her new role, Belluomini will manage a team of eleven in the hotel's sales and marketing department. She is responsible for the overall sales and marketing efforts for the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. Belluomini's hospitality career spans twenty years, with her most recent position as Director of Sales at Oakland Marriott City Center and Oakland Convention Center. Other industry jobs include director-level...
Island Investment Opens the 69-room BEST WESTERN PLUS Spirit Mountain Duluth in Minnesota
Best Western International, Inc. | October 1, 2013
PROCTOR, Minn., October 1, 2013 - Best Western International announces the unveiling of the all new BEST WESTERN PLUS Spirit Mountain Duluth, located at 9330 W. Skyline Pkwy., Proctor. Owned by Island Investment, Inc., the former Country Inn & Suites underwent a renovation of all areas of the hotel to qualify for Best Western's PLUS status. The 100% smoke free hotel features 69 guest rooms, including 32 suites. Hotel amenities include a complimentary hot deluxe breakfast, indoor heated pool, hot tub and a 24-hour fitness center. Each room is equipped with a 37" flat screen television, mini-refrigerator, microwave and free wireless I...
protel Integrates with eRevMax for Seamless Online Booking Connectivity
protel | October 1, 2013
Offers expanded distribution and automated booking delivery to hotel users London / Dortmund, 1 October 2013 - protel hotelsoftware and eRevMax today announced the successful integration of eRevMax's two-way XML gateway Connect with protel's property management system (PMS) offering hotel end-users a wider distribution platform to help increase online exposure and bookings. The strategic partnership between the two leading hospitality software specialists will help hotels streamline their sales by using only one application for revenue and distribution management. Hotels using protel's PMS product range including SPE (Single Property Ed...
The 173-room Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa in CA Completes Renovation and Joins Autograph Collection
Carey Watermark Investors | October 1, 2013
NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2013 -- Carey Watermark Investors Incorporated (CWI) announced today that Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, which was acquired by CWI in July 2012, has officially joined the Autograph Collection, part of the Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) global portfolio. The 173-room resort, located in Lake Arrowhead, California, has just completed a $4.6 million renovation of its guest rooms, suites, public areas, function spaces, recreation facilities and spa. Drawing on its world-renowned experience designing iconic destination resorts, the WATG/Wimberly Interiors design team created a fresh visual identity, inspired by a...
Wyndham Hotel Group & Grand City Hotels Expand Alliance, Signing 17 Hotels in Germany & Austria
Wyndham Hotel Group | October 1, 2013
BERLIN (October 1, 2013) – Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with approximately 7,410 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the signing of 17 hotels representing over 2,300 rooms across Germany and Austria in association with Grand City Hotels. Adding to the agreement signed by the two companies in February this year to rebrand 43 hotels, the strategic alliance now extends to 60 hotels and over 7,500 rooms across four countries under the Wyndham Grand® (seven properties), Wyndham® (six), Wyndham Garden® (17), TRYP by Wyndham® (21) and Days Inn® (nine) flags. The latest ...
ZDirect and Sabre Perfecting eMarketing, Communications for Vantage Hospitality Group Hotels
ZDirect | October 1, 2013
Via a new interface between ZDirect's ZMail® electronic communication platform and Sabre's SynXis central reservation system, travelers will enjoy a convenient and personal booking experience and easy online/mobile two-way communications with hotels [HALLANDALE BEACH, FL- OCTOBER 1, 2013] - A new relationship between the hospitality industry's hotel marketing automation provider ZDirect and global travel technology company Sabre Hospitality Solutions is helping to make eMarketing as simple as possible for Vantage Hospitality Group. The 8th largest hotel company in the world with more than 1,000 locations has relied on ZDirect and its Z...
Kempinski Hotels and Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts Mutually Agree to End Their Alliance
Kempinski Hotels | October 1, 2013
Effective today, Kempinski Hotels and Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts have mutually agreed to bring the companies' fruitful 25-year relationship to a close. Following a progressive phase out which began in 2012, both parties will from now on promote their businesses separately. This will allow Leela to further consolidate its sales and marketing network independently, while facilitating Kempinski Hotels' direct penetration into the important Indian market. Reto Wittwer, President & CEO of Kempinski Hotels, said: "We are proud of the rewarding relationship which Kempinski Hotels and The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts have enjo...
Stories of Genuine and Authentic Hospitality From The Choice Hotels 2013 Regional Conferences
Doug Kennedy | October 1, 2013
by Doug Kennedy As a conference speaker and hotel industry trainer, I spend a lot of time on the other side of the front desk and know all too well the many situations, circumstances and downright quandaries business travelers can find themselves facing from lost luggage, forgotten items, and challenges en route. As a father of two now teenage children, I also understand the challenges that even leisure travelers can come across when staying at hotel. Over the many years I've worked in the hotel business I have grown to better-understand the "stories" our guests are living out every day on the other side of the front desk, at the other ...
IHG ANA to Open ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky in Japan, Completing the Conversion by Spring 2014
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | October 1, 2013
Tokyo, 1 October 2013 - IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and Kanazawa Sky Hotel today announced the agreement for ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky. Currently the Kanazawa Sky Hotel, the 100-room hotel sits in the centre of Kanazawa city on the Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan. It is due to be refurbished and rebranded by the spring of 2014. Kanazawa is a popular tourist destination renowned as one of most beautiful 'Castle City (Jyoka-machi)' in Japan, as well as a Michelin two-star travel destination. Conveniently located near Kanazawa's central commercial district of Musashigatsuji, ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky will be walking distance to and from ...
InnLink CRS Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness Month
InnLink | October 1, 2013
Hendersonville, TN - October 1, 2013 - Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness month, InnLink Central Reservation Services (CRS) will donate $100 for each standard service enrollment executed in October to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The InnLink donations will honor the brave women and men who battle this disease every year. Donations to the Susan G. Komen foundation will be made in the customer's name or a designated individual of their choice. The theme for the InnLink campaign is "Until there is a cure, there is hope!" InnLink will also raise company awareness with a month-long education initiative that gives employees the ...
Marriott Tops Across the Board in Hotel Brand Satisfaction Study From ACSI
ACSI | October 1, 2013
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (October 1, 2013) - Marriott International demonstrates customer satisfaction leadership across its entire portfolio in a hotel brand study released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The new study provides 2013 customer satisfaction benchmarks for 24 lodging chains serving business and leisure travelers in the United States. The study includes a diverse array of hotel properties-from luxury, upper-upscale and upscale to midscale and economy offerings. Guests who choose luxury accommodations show a strong preference for Marriott's signature JW Marriott hotels (83 on a 0 to 100 scale) over Hyatt Ho...
Manuel Avila Named as GM of the 220-room Hilton Villahermosa & Conference Center in Tabasco, Mexico
Hilton Worldwide | October 1, 2013
MCLEAN, Va. - October 1, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide today announced the appointment of Manuel Avila as general manager of the 220-room Hilton Villahermosa & Conference Center. Avila joins the team in Villahermosa after managing the successful opening of Hilton Baku in Azerbaijan. As general manager of Hilton Baku, Avila oversaw all preopening activities and opened the hotel ahead of schedule in 2011. He then led the team in exceeding the financial forecast for the hotel's first quarter in operation. Both a hospitality and Hilton Worldwide veteran, Avila started his career with Hilton as assistant controller at Hilton Caracas Residencia...
Hotel AG Closes 5 Hotel Transactions in September
Hotel AG | October 1, 2013
ATLANTA - October 1, 2013 - Hotel AG announced today the firm closed 5 hotel transactions in the month of September. The hotels sold consisted of a large Hampton Inn & Suites in the Northeast, a 12-story Fairfield Inn & Suites located in a top 25 CBD market, a Sleep Inn in Florida, a university-owned boutique asset in the Southeast and a high-end independent hotel located in an affluent beach resort. Keith Thompson, principal of Hotel AG, commented, "These recent transactions represent a fairly broad ownership base and continue to demonstrate the strength of today's hotel transaction market." ...
Hilton Worldwide Names Jerome Luciani as GM of 260-room Hilton Santa Fe Mexico City To Open in 2014
Hilton Worldwide | October 1, 2013
MCLEAN, Va. - October 1, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide today announced the appointment of Jerome Luciani as general manager of the 260-room Hilton Santa Fe Mexico City, scheduled to open early next year. Luciani most recently served as general manager, Hilton Villahermosa & Conference Center. During his nearly three years as general manager of this 220-room conference hotel, Luciani led the team in successfully improving results and securing a number of Hilton Worldwide awards, including the 2011 Americas Full-Service Hotel of the Year Award. With more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, Luciani began his career in service training...
Hotel Equities Appoints Joe Reardon as Vice President of Business Development
Hotel Equities (HE) | October 1, 2013
ATLANTA, GA (October 1, 2013) -Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) www.hotelequities.com recently named Joe Reardon to the position of Vice President of Business Development. He oversees the development team, negotiates management contracts and evaluates the financial feasibility of the firm's acquisition opportunities. His responsibilities include utilizing the existing portfolio of 50+ hotel assets as a platform for rapid growth with current and potential owners. "Joe has a proven track record as a highly-skilled and capable leader who understands both hospitality and real estate and knows how to put together a deal," said HE Chief Oper...
Jonathan Tisch to Deliver Keynote Address at IHMRS Hospitality Leadership Forum
October 1, 2013
NEW YORK, NY, October 1, 2013 - Jonathan Tisch, co-chairman of the board and a member of the office of the president, Loews Corporation and chairman, Loews Hotels & Resorts, will lead the Hospitality Leadership Forum Keynote discussion on Saturday, November 9, 2013, preceding the 98th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS). The keynote presentation, "Leadership, Lodging, and the Active Citizen", will focus on the importance of building a corporate culture that places a high value on partnerships that empowers employees, satisfies customers, contributes to communities, and improves the bottom line. Tisch will h...
CBRE Hotels Arranges the Sale of the Hilton Garden Inn in Rancho Mirage, California
CBRE Group, Inc. | October 1, 2013
Rancho Mirage, CA - October 1, 2013 - CBRE Hotels is pleased to announce that Treasure Mountain Holdings LLC, a consortium of American and Chinese investors, has successfully acquired the 120-room Hilton Garden Inn located on Highway 111 - the market's main commercial route - in the prestigious Coachella Valley community of Rancho Mirage. The sales price was not disclosed. Built in 2002 and situated on over 3.3 acres, the hotel is just a short walking distance to The River in Rancho Mirage, a 245,000 square foot open-air lifestyle center offering upscale retail, dining and entertainment. The property was widely marketed by CBRE Hotels a...
