HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
Chestnut Hotel, a Brand-New Boutique Property in Morgantown, WV Celebrates Grand Opening
The Chestnut Boutique Hotel | September 28, 2013
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – The Chestnut Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Morgantown, celebrated the official Grand Opening this week. As Morgantown's only boutique hotel, the venue has already received excellent reviews from out-of-town guests and the local community through TripAdvisor and YELP. Located at 345 Chestnut Street, the hotel is just steps away from local shopping, theatre, museums and transportation. The property features 41 oversized guest rooms and suites. Each room is uniquely decorated, and includes luxury bedding with Tivoli Elegance Pillow-Top mattresses, 42-inch LED television with DIRECTV, in-room safe, co...
Shareef Fahmy, CHAE, of Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay to be Honored as 2013 CHAE of the Year
HFTP | September 27, 2013
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) will honor Shareef Fahmy, CHAE, as the 2013 CHAE (Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive) of the Year at the HFTP Annual Convention & Tradeshow. In its 30th year, the CHAE of the Year honors the individual that scored the highest on the CHAE certification exam in a given year. The Annual Convention & Tradeshow is October 16-19 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Fahmy studied at the University of Michigan before transferring to Golden Gate University in San Francisco, where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in business. In 2003, Fahmy moved to Mon...
Flip.to and Genares Announce Seamless Integration to Turn Guests into Huge, Trusted Marketing Force
Flip.to | September 27, 2013
Orlando, FL — October 1, 2013 — Flip.to and Genares announced the beginning of a strategic partnership that includes a seamless integration between Flip.to and the Genares Central Reservation System (CRS). Flip.to is the brand advocate platform that helps hotels boost brand awareness and earn new guests with the help of their most trusted, untapped marketing source- their guests. Genares Worldwide Reservation Services is one of the premier Central Reservation Systems in the world, helping hotels drive revenue via the electronic channels. The integration means that Generas CRS customers can immediately begin turning their guests into...
Kraemer Design Group Completes Design of Holiday Inn San Antonio Riverwalk
Kraemer Design Group | September 27, 2013
DETROIT, Mich., September 27, 2013 – Detroit-based Kraemer Design Group, PLC (KDG) announced today the completion of one of its many notable hotel projects, adding to the firm's extensive hospitality design portfolio: A completely custom architectural and interior redesign of the Holiday Inn San Antonio Riverwalk. Kraemer Design Group, PLC Principal Bob Kraemer made the announcement. The 23-story, 313-room Holiday Inn San Antonio Riverwalk is the first property nationally to introduce Intercontinental Hotel Group's (IHG) "Breeze" standard room design scheme, centered on modern and open layouts with a fresh, clean aesthetic. The Holida...
The 266-room Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen Opens in China
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | September 27, 2013
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 27, 2013 -- Just minutes from Hong Kong and within hopping distance from Guangzhou and Macau is a completely different destination: Shenzhen. Already well known to the hi-tech and electronics industries and the banking and financial world, plus fans of contemporary design, gourmands and cultural explorers, this modern powerhouse city is more accessible than ever before – and more welcoming thanks to the opening of the new Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen. "Shenzhen is a fascinating city, changing by the minute," says Arthur WC Ho, General Manager of the 8th Four Seasons in China. "International business travellers kn...
Joe Miller Named Corporate Director of Sales for the Select Service Division of Sage Hospitality
Sage Hospitality | September 27, 2013
DENVER, Sept. 27, 2013 -- Sage Hospitality, one of the nation's leading hotel management and investment companies, is proud to announce the promotion of Joe Miller to Corporate Director of Sales for the Select Service Division in the Southern region. In his new position, Miller will support and drive the sales efforts for a select portfolio of Sage's Select Service hotels including sales and brand initiatives, reporting, achieving and exceeding budgeted revenues through new, resourceful and cutting edge sales initiatives. Miller has been with Sage Hospitality since 2011 at the Hilton Garden Inn – Atlanta Perimeter Center hotel, and pr...
Bill Ninivaggi Named as General Manager for Colorado’s 613-key Denver Marriott City Center
the Denver Marriott City Center | September 27, 2013
DENVER, Sept. 27, 2013 -- Big changes have been occurring at the Denver Marriott City Center. The downtown Denver hotel is proud to announce an esteemed addition to its staff and newly completed renovations. Bill Ninivaggi has been named general manager for the hotel. Ninivaggi's hospitality career, spanning more than 35 years, includes cross-discipline positions for multiple hotels around the United States and Canada. He has served as director of human resources at the Princeton Marriott, area director of loss prevention in the New York area, regional director of service development in New York and the former northeast region, resident...
Three More Holiday Inn® Brand Family Hotels Signed in the UK
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | September 27, 2013
27 September, 2013 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's largest hotel companies is delighted to announce three new additions to the Holiday Inn brand family in the UK: Holiday Inn Express® Edinburgh Airport, Holiday Inn Darlington - North A1M, Jct.59 and Holiday Inn Express London - Ealing, reflecting the company's strong position in the midscale market in Europe. Launched in 1991, the Holiday Inn Express brand is one of the largest and fastest growing brands in the hotel industry, opening hotels at a rate of two per week on average. With over 2,200~ hotels in 31 countries~ around the world; the brand is one of I...
The End of an Era: Google Says Goodbye to Keyword-Centric SEO / Max Starkov & Sue Wiker
HeBS | September 27, 2013
What is the situation? Since late 2011, Google has been moving in the direction of secure search. Put simply, this means that Google users' keyword searches are "protected" and are not disclosed to any website analytics tools, including Google Analytics, therefore showing up in analytics data as [not provided]. In other words, Google is not disclosing to website owners the keyword terms visitors use to find the site, e.g. "downtown Houston Hotels" or "Hotel near Times Square." Lately, such protected searches in the travel industry hovered just below 50 percent, meaning that almost half of all traffic from Google could not be broken dow...
Macfarlane Stonefield and Hyatt Open the 137-room Hyatt Place in Charlottesville, Virginia
Hyatt Place | September 27, 2013
CHICAGO (September 27, 2013) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Macfarlane Stonefield, LLC today announce the opening of Hyatt Place Charlottesville. This is the first Hyatt Place to open in the Charlottesville, Va. area, and is centrally located within the city in the Shops at Stonefield. "The Charlottesville area has become a destination for education, history, culture, and entertainment, and we know that travelers will appreciate the hotel's proximity to the city's dynamic mix of activity," said Sara Bishop, general manager of Hyatt Place Charlottesville. "While staying at the hotel, our guests will enjoy and appreciate the c...
First Hospitality Group Completes Renovation of Country Inn & Suites Bloomington-Normal Airport, IL
First Hospitality Group, Inc. | September 27, 2013
ROSEMONT, Ill., September 27, 2013 - Rosemont, Ill.-based First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) today announced the completion of extensive renovations at its Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Bloomington-Normal Airport hotel in Bloomington, Ill. President and COO Robert Habeeb made the announcement. Each of the freshly painted and newly carpeted 82 guest rooms in the Country Inn & Suites Bloomington-Normal Airport has been updated with modern furniture, contemporary artwork, improved lighting and new mirrors, televisions, microwaves and refrigerators. In addition, all corridors have received new wall covering and the hotel's meetin...
Benchmark Names John Annicchiarico Director of Sales & Marketing for Villas of Grand Cypress Resort
Villas of Grand Cypress Resort | September 27, 2013
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 27, 2013 - Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed John Annicchiarico director of sales and marketing for the Villas of Grand Cypress. Mark Cox, Benchmark's general manager for the Villas, Benchmark's Personal Luxury Resort® in Orlando, Florida, made the announcement. "John makes an outstanding contribution to our team at Villas of Grand Cypress Resort," said Mr. Cox. "His guest-first approach to sales and marketing is a great fit for the legendary culture and tradition of world-class service we have built over the past 30 years....
Tom Smith Appointed as the General Manager for the 1,641-room Hyatt Regency Orlando
Hyatt Regency Orlando | September 27, 2013
The Rebranded Peabody Orlando Opens Next Month with Brian Comes as Hotel Manager & Nate Hardesty as Director of Sales & Marketing ORLANDO (SEPTEMBER 27, 2013) - Three key executives appointments were announced today in preparation for Hyatt Regency Orlando's opening, which is expected to occur on October 1, 2013 upon rebranding from The Peabody Orlando: Tom Smith has been appointed Area Vice President and General Manager, Brian Comes has been appointed as Hotel Manager, and Nate Hardesty has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing. Tom Smith, Area Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando, is a 31-yea...
82% of UK Hotels Encounter Guest Complaints About In-Room Technology Says New Guest-tek Survey
Guest-tek | September 27, 2013
Hotel industry demands better broadband and entertainment technology to enhance guest satisfaction London, UK, 27 September 2013: More than four fifths of the UK's leading hotels (82%) have received guest complaints due to the lack of innovative technology on their premises. This is one of the findings from research carried out by Guest-tek™, the world's largest provider of IP-based technology solutions for the hospitality industry. "Our research reveals the vast majority of high-end UK hotels are not meeting the demands of their guests for appropriate levels of technology and internet services," says Charly Tomkys, EMEA Sales Manager...
Frederic Chretien is Appointed General Manager of the 181-room Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa
Outrigger Enterprises Group | September 27, 2013
HONOLULU, HAWAII - September 27, 2013 -- Darren Edmonstone, Outrigger® Hotels and Resorts executive vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, is pleased to announce the appointment of Frederic Chretien as general manager of the Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa, effective October 1, 2013. The property, which is currently undergoing an extensive renovation, is scheduled to open in December 2013. Chretien, a French and Mauritian national with 30 years' experience in hotel and food and beverage operations, will report to William Visser, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts vice president of operations, Asia-Pacific. Before joining Outr...
Crestline Hotels & Resorts to Manage Detroit Marriott Southfield and the Atlanta Marriott Norcross
Crestline Hotels & Resorts LLC | September 27, 2013
FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 27, 2013 -- Crestline Hotels & Resorts LLC today announced it has assumed management of the Detroit Marriott Southfield in Michigan and the Atlanta Marriott Norcross in Georgia. The two full-service hotels were recently purchased by ASAP International Holdings, Inc. (OTC:ASAE) and will undergo product renovations and improvements in the coming months. "We interviewed many hotel management companies and are delighted to have selected Crestline as our third party manager for these properties. We are confident that Crestline will help us protect and increase our investments. As we acquire more hotels in the future, ...
Lodging Interactive Earns ‘Travel Weekly’ Gold Magellan Award
Lodging Interactive | September 27, 2013
Hospitality's leading interactive and social media marketing agency was recognized once again by Travel Weekly for its website design and development work in hospitality; Lodging Interactive continues to add services to enhance its digital marketing portfolio PARSIPPANY, N.J. - SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 - Lodging Interactive, a full-service digital marketing and social media engagement agency exclusively servicing the hospitality industry, has once again earned a coveted Magellan Award from Travel Weekly in the Hospitality Website Category. This year, the company was selected as a 2013 Gold Magellan Award Winner for its "outstanding" design an...
The 112-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Opens in Champaign, Illinois
Marriott International, Inc. | September 27, 2013
Champaign, Illinois - September 27, 2013 - The 112-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Champaign, Illinois is scheduled to open today and will be the first to feature the brand's innovative new room design. Located at 502 West Marketview Drive, the Residence Inn Champaign will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Hawkeye Hotels of Burlington, Iowa. Located five minutes from downtown and eight miles from University of Illinois Willard Airport, the Residence Inn Champaign offers its guests convenient access to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Assembly Hall and Alto Vineyards. Rates vary depending on length of st...
Slated for 2016 Completion, Renovations Begin for 393-room Hilton Charlotte University Place in NC
| September 27, 2013
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 27, 2013 -- The most recognized name in the industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader of hospitality. The Hilton Charlotte University Place is committed to an innovative approach to products, amenities and service, and has begun a $4 million renovation, which will be completed in 2016. The hotel aims to surpass the list of standard hotel amenities through offering the latest technology to make guests' stay even more pleasant. The Hilton Charlotte University Place is a Charlotte University lakeside hotel, ideal for both business and leisure travelers. With a 24-hour...
Development Begins in China on the 300-room Fairmont Hangzhou Slated to Open in 2017
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts | September 27, 2013
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Sept. 28, 2013) - FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI), the parent company of luxury hotel brand Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Hengli Management Co., Ltd, the subsidiary of Zhong An Real Estate Limited (672.hk) today announced Fairmont Hangzhou, a new luxury hotel development in the capital city of Zhejiang province in the heart of Yangtze River Delta region, Eastern China. Expected to open in 2017, Fairmont Hangzhou will feature 300 rooms, five diverse dining outlets, a health club and swimming pool, a Willow Steam Spa, and more than 32,000 square feet (3,000 square meters) of meeting and banquet space. The project ...
Rethink and Reinvent Hospitality Marketing
Full Lock Media | September 26, 2013
Full Lock Media, a boutique media and production company, invites you to reimagine the way you reach your current and potential clientele. We invite you to experience your market through our eyes. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to showcase some of the most beautiful properties both near and far. By combining our cinematic approach, aerial capabilities and unique editing we capture the emotional appeal your property and message wish to convey. For a more complete and thorough experience of our work, which is over 100 properties deep at this point and growing, visit www.fulllock.com . There you will find a glimpse into our fi...
New Travel Company Offers Untapped Ancillary Revenue to Hotel Companies
The Founders | September 26, 2013
Weston, Fla. (September 26, 2013) -- A new travel partner for the lodging industry, TourSales.com, brings untapped ancillary revenue to hotel companies through commissionable, online bookings of day tours and activities. Hotel guests can now book day tours and activities through hotel-branded websites which integrate the ecommerce booking engine of TourSales.com. Guests can book tours and activities prior to arriving in their destination, allowing hotels to capture revenue before guests purchase elsewhere upon arrival. TourSales.com's vast collection of 2,500 popular and special interest tours can also be marketed to guests during their...
Cannon Corporate UK Ltd and IHG to Open the Crowne Plaza® London – Albert Embankment in Spring 2015
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | September 25, 2013
25 September, 2013 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) one of the world's largest hotel companies today announced the signing of Crowne Plaza® London – Albert Embankment, a first for the brand in London's Embankment. The hotel is due to open in the spring of 2015. Operating under a franchise agreement with Cannon Corporate UK Ltd, the upscale hotel is a new build property featuring in excess of 130 guest rooms and a restaurant overlooking the River Thames. Albert Embankment is undergoing significant regeneration and due to its close proximity to Lambeth Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the corporate centres of Waterloo and We...
Sofitel Appoints Stephanie Segoura and Jean-Christophe Gras as GMs in Montreal and Washington, DC
Sofitel | September 25, 2013
Paris, September 25, 2013 - Sofitel, the symbol of French elegance and paragon of luxury hospitality around the world, has announced top appointments at two of its North American properties: Jean-Christophe Gras as General Manager of Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, and Stephanie Segoura as General Manager of Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile. Befitting their leadership roles, both are responsible for all operations at their respective addresses, including guiding sales and marketing initiatives and assuring that Sofitel's unique personality of art de vivre shines through all aspects of their hotels' guest experiences. Segoura's appoi...
