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
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $23M Financing for The Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach, Oregon
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company | September 11, 2013
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - Tuesday, September 11, 2013 - Sonnenblick-Eichner Company announced today that it has arranged $23,000,000 of first mortgage financing for the Surfsand Resort, Cannon Beach's premier full service resort located on the beach along Oregon's northern coast. Proceeds from the loan will be used to pay off an existing interim loan previously placed by Sonnenblick-Eichner Company in 2010. The new 10-year fixed rate loan is non-recourse to the borrower and carries an interest rate of less than 4.5% with 30 years amortization. The 97-room resort offers 3,600 square feet of meeting and banquet space, a restaurant with a lounge...
Gemstone Hotels & Resorts to Manage Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort to Open in Pigeon Forge, TN in 2015
The Dollywood Company | September 11, 2013
PARK CITY, Utah/PIGEON FORGE, Tenn., September 11, 2013 - Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, a full-service hotel management company that specializes in owning and operating luxury and upscale urban hotels and resorts, today announced the company has been awarded the prestigious management partner designation for Dollywood's DreamMore Resort, located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The resort is projected to open in the summer of 2015 adjacent to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood's Splash Country water park. The 300-room resort hotel will be situated on a hilltop with views of the majestic Smoky Mountains, with 20 acres of grounds loaded with activ...
The Stories Of The Men And Women Lost On September 11 / John Hogan
Dr. John Hogan | September 11, 2013
Recommended Reading from HospitalityEducators.com By Dr. John Hogan, CHA CMHS CHE CHO September 11, 2013 American Lives: The Stories Of The Men And Women Lost On September 11 I have had this book for about two years now - I found it at a used book sale. I almost passed it by, but was genuinely moved by the collection of personal stories complied by the staff of Newsday and the Tribune Company. If you choose to pass on the book, I understand - it is not easy to keep returning to such a memory, but I strongly recommend you read the brief collection of thoughts below. This is a mini-biography of some of the women and men who lost their liv...
Rim Hospitality to Serve as Development and Hotel Managers for Yosemite Gardens Park Project in CA
Rim Hospitality | September 11, 2013
Newport Beach, Calif. - (Sept 11, 2013) - The Yosemite Gardens Park development team has selected Rim Hospitality, one of the leading hotel management companies in North America, as the exclusive hospitality development and management company. With a projected ground breaking date as early as 2014, Rim Hospitality is currently considering and selecting hotel brands for the property's new accommodations. The Yosemite Gardens Park will be located on a 782-acre site in Jamestown, CA only 45 miles from Yosemite National Park, and will serve as both an additional attraction and a stand-alone destination for the 6 million tourists that visit ...
Kimpton to Convert Circa 1903 Pittsburgh, PA Building into 247-room Hotel Monaco; Opening in Q4 2014
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | September 11, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 11, 2013) - Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today it will expand into Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with the conversion of an historic, Beaux Arts-style building into a new Hotel Monaco. An adaptive reuse of the city's iconic James H. Reed Building, originally built in 1903, the new Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh will feature 247 rooms, nearly 9,000 square feet of meeting and event space and a chef-driven, 120-seat restaurant with a prominent corner entrance. Slated for a late 2014 opening, the nine story property is located at the intersection of 6th Avenue and William Penn Way, across from prestigious Mellon Square...
IHG Partners with Nor1, Inc. for Multi-Brand, Multi-hotel Implementation of Upsell Solutions
eStandby Upgrade | September 11, 2013
September 11, 2013 - Atlanta, GA and Santa Clara, CA - Silicon Valley's Nor1, Inc. and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have strengthened their strategic partnership with the global rollout of Nor1's pre-arrival upsell solution, eStandby Upgrade®, making it available across the hospitality giant's family of nine brands, over 4,600 hotels and in almost 100 countries and territories worldwide. Expanding the collaboration with Nor1 will enable IHG, one of the world's leading hotel companies, to resolve perishable inventory and optimize incremental revenue opportunities, as well as enhance the guest experiences at the hotel. The initial...
Louvre Hotels Group Enters Partnership Agreement with ARCUS to Develop 26 Co-Branded Hotels
Louvre Hotels Group | September 10, 2013
Louvre Hotels Group announces the signing of a strategic partnership with ARCUS Bauerrichtung GmbH, a German real estate construction group and Redserve, an Austrian consulting firm specialised in the development of international real estate projects. The partnership aims to build a portfolio of 26 hotels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by 2020 for a total investment of about €160 million. The first development phase will place priority on locations in major regional cities such as Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, Basle and Zurich. Louvre Hotels Group and ARCUS plan to pursue a dynamic development strategy over the next seven years with ...
Starwood Hotels Names Dawn Parisi as DOSM for Westin St. John Resort & Villas and Caribbean Cluster
The Westin St. John Resort & Villas | September 10, 2013
St. John, USVI (Sept. 10, 2013) - Starwood Caribbean Hotels & Resorts strengthens its sales team with the appointment of Dawn Parisi as area director of sales and marketing and director of sales and marketing for The Westin St. John Resort & Villas. Having 18 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience in leading, developing and creating top notch sales talent, Parisi is an ideal fit for the Caribbean-focused role. "We're proud to have Dawn grow within the Starwood family as her strategic know-how and track record of success is a huge asset to our team," said Dan Surette, regional vice president of sales and marketing f...
Carlos Bueno Appointed Director of Operations at the Boston Harbor Hotel
the Boston Harbor Hotel | September 10, 2013
BOSTON, September 10, 2013 - The Boston Harbor Hotel is pleased to announce that Carlos Bueno has been appointed Director of Operations. In this new role, Mr. Bueno will be responsible for driving operational excellence and ensuring implementation and execution of hotel programs and initiatives. He will continue to oversee the Food and Beverage operation while taking on the responsibilities for the Health Club & Spa, Security and Engineering departments. Carlos Bueno joined the Pyramid Hotel Group and the Boston Harbor Hotel in January 2012 as Director of Food and Beverage, and has been instrumental in energizing the food and bevera...
Gerard Denneny Named as General Manager for the 240-room Viceroy New York to Open in October 2013
Viceroy New York | September 10, 2013
NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2013 -- Viceroy Hotel Group is pleased to announce Gerard Denneny as General Manager of the brand new property Viceroy New York, slated to open in October on the iconic West 57th Street. Mr. Denneny, a luxury hotel veteran with over 20 years of management experience, began his position in April and is responsible for overseeing the successful launch of the 29-story hotel. In his role as General Manager, Mr. Denneny will oversee Viceroy New York's operations, as well as lead the New York team in delivering Viceroy Hotel Group's premier standards of service. The hotel – the group's first Viceroy branded property in N...
Wanda Hotels & Resorts Achieves Critical Success with Integrated Newmarket Solutions
Newmarket International, Inc. | September 10, 2013
September 10, 2013 - Portsmouth, NH - Wanda Hotels & Resorts Co Ltd ("Wanda"), a leading global operator of luxury Chinese hospitality brands as well as one of the world's outstanding hotel ownership and management companies, selected an integrated solution from Newmarket International, Inc. ("Newmarket") to improve their operations. In use for over one year, Wanda has seen significant improvement in its operations and grown its business by utilizing Delphi Global and Delphi Multi-Property Edition, MeetingBroker, and Delphi Diagrams. "We chose Newmarket because the integrated solution provided us with what we needed to improve our d...
Hampton by Hilton Debuts in Russia with the Opening of the 148-room Hampton by Hilton Voronezh
Hilton Worldwide | September 10, 2013
VORONEZH, Russia and MCLEAN, Va. - September 10, 2013 - Hampton by Hilton today announced the opening of its first hotel in Russia, Hampton by Hilton Voronezh. The opening marks the introduction of the mid-priced brand to Russia, and becomes the 21st Hampton by Hilton welcoming guests in Europe. Hampton by Hilton is one of Hilton Worldwide's ten global hotel brands, providing value and a consistent experience with its comfortable accommodation and friendly 'Hamptonality' service culture. Guests can enjoy all of the signature brand features including complimentary Wi-Fi, a hot breakfast, and on-site fitness centre as well as Hampton by H...
The Langham, Chicago Opens; The 316-room Hotel Resides in Iconic Mies van der Rohe Building
Langham Hospitality Group | September 10, 2013
CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2013 -- Langham Hospitality Group's fourth U.S. property — The Langham, Chicago — officially opens today on September 10, 2013. Located in the last office building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, known for developing the modern skyscraper, the 316-room hotel resides within the 52-story landmarked riverfront property at 330 N. Wabash in the heart of downtown Chicago just minutes from the loop business district and Michigan Avenue. Reflecting Langham's signature style and commitment to personalized, attentive service, this is the company's first purpose-built hotel in the United States. "After more than four y...
Dual-Hotel Development Underway to Open Four Points by Sheraton and Element in Queens, NY in Q3 2015
Four Points by Sheraton | September 10, 2013
STAMFORD, Conn. - September 10, 2013 - The New York City borough of Queens will soon be home to a dual-hotel development featuring two popular Starwood brands. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced plans to open Four Points by Sheraton Flushing and Element Flushing in September 2015. Owned by Century Construction Group, the hotels will boast a convenient location, just ten minutes from LaGuardia Airport (LGA). "This exciting, new project will combine our affordable and stylish Four Points brand with our eco-wise Element brand in one location within the vibrant borough of Queens," said Brian McGuinness...
Report Shows Trust in Hotel Online Reviews is On the Rise
Lodging Interactive | September 10, 2013
Lodging Interactive's Online Guest Review System is ideal for independent hotels struggling with limited financial and human resources to manage feedback PARSIPPANY, N.J. - SEPT. 10, 2013 - A June 2013 Local Consumer Review Study reveals that 79 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Findings from the study suggest "more consumers are reading reviews as part of their pre-purchase research before selecting a local business to use. They are forming opinions faster and needing to read fewer reviews before they trust (or don't trust) a local business. This puts increased emphasis on local businesses ...
Starwood Hotels Signs Deal with Demsa Group to Debut St. Regis in Turkey with The St. Regis Istanbul
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | September 10, 2013
ISTANBUL - September 10, 2013 - St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), has signed an agreement with Nisantasi Konaklama ve Otel Hizmetleri A.S. (Demsa Group) to open a St. Regis hotel in Istanbul. Set to open in the first half of 2014, The St. Regis Istanbul will mark the debut of the luxury brand in Turkey and extend Starwood's presence in the country. "We look forward to a long-term collaboration with Demsa Group starting with the launch of our St. Regis brand in Istanbul, a thriving historical city that is becoming a major player in global travel," said Michael Wale, Presiden...
The 110-room Renaissance Izmir Hotel Opens in Turkey
Renaissance Hotels | September 10, 2013
September 10, 2013 - LONDON – Renaissance Hotels, the signature lifestyle brand of Marriott International, announced today the opening of the new Renaissance Izmir Hotel in Turkey. With its chic design and architecture, the new hotel is ideally located minutes from the city centre and sea front promenade. "We are thrilled to grow our portfolio in Turkey to ten hotels with this unique property as well as introduce the Renaissance Hotels brand to Izmir," said Amy McPherson, President and Managing Director for Marriott International in Europe. "With its sophisticated ambience and signature Renaissance Hotels programmes including NAVIGATO...
Autograph Collection Expands Portfolio with The Lexington NYC Along with New Hotels in FL and NC
Autograph Collection | September 10, 2013
BETHESDA, MD - September 10, 2013 - The Autograph Collection, an exclusive portfolio of passionately independent hotels, continues to grow with the inauguration of four new distinct travel experiences this Fall. Nearing its 50th hotel milestone, the collection proudly introduces its third hotel in New York City, The Lexington New York City, the luxurious Siena Hotel in North Carolina and the boutique Castle Hotel in Florida. Most recently Autograph Collection made entrée into the United Kingdom with the induction of the majestic St. Ermin's Hotel in London. Exactly like nothing else, the Autograph Collection is an upscale portfolio of ...
Brian DePalma Named President/CEO of DePalma Hotel Corporation
DePalma Hotel Corporation | September 10, 2013
Joseph DePalma Sr. to Maintain an Active Role as Chairman Arlington, TX, September 10, 2013 - Joseph DePalma, Sr., Founder & Chairman of DePalma Hotel Corporation, announced today the promotion of Brian DePalma to the role of President & CEO of the company founded in 1983. "The DePalma organization has always been a family company with a focus on engaged relationships with our hotel owners. Brian has spent the past ten years directing various aspects of our company from hotel General Manager, to Regional Director and Project Manager, to Chief Operating Officer. Most importantly, I'm confident he will continue to ensure financial...
hotel SystemsPro Strengthens Client Services, Appoints Greg Woodliff Director of Technical Support
hotel SystemsPro | September 10, 2013
Woodliff Brings 20 Years of Professional Technical Support and Management Experience to Serve hotel SystemsPro Clients Atlanta, Georgia - September 10, 2013 - hotel SystemsPro, a leading provider of ASP-based, enterprise hotel sales software announced it appointed Greg Woodliff as director of technical support. Woodliff will supervise the support of all hotel SystemsPro products to maintain the highest service standards. He comes to the company with more than 20 years of hospitality technology support experience. Click here for more information on hotel SystemsPro products. hotel SystemsPro provides ASP-based enterprise hotel sales soft...
TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION Appoints Shafi Syed as VP of Hotel Development and Acquisitions for IMEA
September 10, 2013
NEW YORK, NY - Sep 10, 2013 - Shafi Syed has joined TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION™ as vice president of development and acquisitions for India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA). An industry veteran with more than 20 years of related experience, Syed will steer expansion efforts from TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION's new regional headquarters in Dubai -- a strategic hub in a region crucial to achieving the brand's goal of 30 hotels by the year 2020. Syed will target key developing markets in the region identifying and cultivating relationships with highly select investors and hotel developers who seek a globally recognized luxury brand that can open ...
HMC Assumes Management of 118-room Best Western Garden Oasis in Odessa, Texas
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | September 10, 2013
Dallas, TX, September 10, 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 that HMC has taken over management of the Best Western Garden Oasis Odessa, Texas adding to HMC's growing portfolio of managed properties. The Best Western Garden Oasis offers 118 guest rooms including two large suites, business plus rooms, complimentary breakfast, indoor heated pool, business center, fitness room, meeting facilit...
The Hotel Yearbook Launches First-Ever Special Edition on Hotel Technology
The Hotel Yearbook | September 10, 2013
Published exclusively as an e-book, the new publication features contributions from over 30 opinion leaders around the world on the outlook for technological innovation in several key areas affecting the future success of a hotel enterprise LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - 10 September 2013 - Wade & Co. SA, the Swiss-based publisher of The Hotel Yearbook, an annual compendium of expert opinion and insights on the future of the hotel industry, announces the launch of The Hotel Yearbook 2014 - Technology, its first Special Edition. The 80-page publication examines the changing technology landscape in the world of hospitality. "Since its incept...
Quadriga Formally Launches in the Middle East and Announces New Contract Signings in Muscat and Doha
Quadriga | September 10, 2013
Industry veteran Prem Kumar is appointed to lead the new operation September 10th, 2013: Quadriga, the leading global provider of guest-facing technology solutions for the hospitality industry, has established a new subsidiary based in Dubai, to support the growing business needs of its customers. Dubai provides an important regional hub for global hotel brands, seeking to expand across the Middle East region, Africa and Asia, and Quadriga's international expansion responds to their growing need for a single partner to help them deliver a consistent guest connectivity and entertainment experience across multiple continents. In addition ...
