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Industry Happenings
Occidental Grand Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica to Become Adults Only Beginning November 2013
| September 5, 2013
(Madrid, Spain) - September 5, 2013 - Occidental Hotels & Resorts has announced that Occidental Grand Papagayo will convert to an Adults Only property beginning November 1, 2013. This transition will make the property, located on a quiet hillside cove overlooking the lush tropical gardens of Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, the first Adults Only hotel in the luxurious Central American destination. The decision to convert the resort to an Adults Only location grew from a number of significant factors including past guest metrics that proved a growing trend from Papagayo's clientele requesting an Adults Only experience. Occidental Hotels a...
Cheraz Ecker Named as General Manager for the 356-room Loews Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Loews Madison Hotel | September 5, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC (September 5, 2013) --- Loews Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Cheraz Ecker as General Manager of Loews Madison Hotel. With 25 years of hospitality experience, she will manage all sales, marketing and operational aspects of the hotel. Ecker was most recently the Director of Rooms Division for the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. While there, she successfully reversed declining service scores and implemented processes that significantly increased revenues without compromising quality. Previously, Ecker was Director of Operations for The Venetian Las Vegas Resort Hotel Casino and opene...
1H 2013 Total Hotel Transactions Increase Slightly (YoY); Portfolio Transactions Begin to Accelerate
Lodging Econometrics | September 5, 2013
September 5, 2013 - Lodging Econometrics' (LE's) report: For 1H 2013 Total Hotel Transactions and Property Transfers improved to 604 hotels/ 85,200 rooms, up 240 hotels over the 1H 2012 total of 364 hotels. Of the 240 hotels, 216 were for hotels sold within portfolios. Individual transactions at 334 hotels are up only 32 hotels Year over Year (YoY). M&A Property Transfers are non-existent but are expected to accelerate as the first leg of the real estate cycle is likely to draw to a close over the next 12 – 18 months. Transaction volume is a long way from the record of 3,218 hotels/ 441,617 rooms set in 2007, just as the financial...
Marriott International Appoints Dennis Whitelaw Country Manager and General Manager for Costa Rica
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose | September 5, 2013
New York (Sept. 5, 2013) - Marriott International reinforces its presence in Central America with the appointment of Dennis Whitelaw as both the Country Manager responsible for all managed properties in Costa Rica and General Manager for Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose. Dennis is an award-winning leader with more than 32 years of hospitality experience with Marriott International. "Dennis' past and present successes with our brand and his strength in connecting travelers to new destinations will heighten the brand's presence in Central America, further establishing us among Costa Rica's most celebrated accommodations" said Kevin Schw...
Benchmark Hospitality International Appoints Todd M. Felsen as Vice President of Operations
September 5, 2013
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 5, 2013 - Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Todd M. Felsen vice president of operations. Greg Champion, Benchmark's chief operating officer, made the announcement. Mr. Felsen will be based in Benchmark's Home Office in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston. "We congratulate Todd on his new appointment with Benchmark Hospitality," said Mr. Champion. "He comes to his position with significant proven experience and success with on-property leadership positions, and as well as previous corporate leadership expertise. Todd is a welcome ad...
The Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel Receives Prestigious TripAdvisor Green Leaders Award
TripAdvisor | September 5, 2013
Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 2013 ... CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, has announced that its property, the Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel, located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, has received the prestigious Bronze GreenLeaders™ Award from TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel website. The GreenLeaders program helps travelers plan greener trips by identifying environmentally-friendly lodging accommodations across the United States. TripAdvisor awards GreenLeaders status to hotels that have met a set of environmental standards developed by a leading environmental consulting firm, with input from expert partners. The...
Aqua Hospitality to Assume Management of the 216-key Pacific Monarch in Honolulu, Hawaii
September 5, 2013
Honolulu, Hawaii - September 5, 2013 - Aqua Hospitality continues to expand its Waikiki portfolio with the addition of the Pacific Monarch, a condominium resort just a block and a half to Waikiki beach. Effective October 16, 2013, the company will assume management of the property, which will be flagged under the company's Aqua Hotels and Resorts brand. "The Pacific Monarch offers the sought-after combination of spacious, comfortable rooms and a fabulous location near all Waikiki has to offer," said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua Hospitality's senior vice president of sales and marketing. "We are pleased to be able to offer our guests a styl...
Aimbridge Hospitality Chosen to Manage the 223-room Embassy Suites Baton Rouge in Louisiana
Aimbridge Hospitality | September 5, 2013
DALLAS, TEXAS (September 5, 2013) - Aimbridge Hospitality, the nation's second largest independent hotel management and investment firm, announced today that it has been chosen to manage the Embassy Suites Baton Rouge Hotel, located in the heart of Baton Rouge just minutes from Louisiana State University. The Embassy Suites Baton Rouge will soon undergo a full renovation to the property's public space, meetings and events space and all guestrooms. The hotel will remain open during renovations, and the updates and improvements are expected to be complete in summer 2014. The all-suite, 223-room hotel boasts more than 7,000 square feet of ...
Duetto Expands its Commitment to Innovation with a Newly Expanded Customer Success Team
Duetto | September 5, 2013
Revenue Management Professionals with Decades of Experience, Deliver First-Class Support for Hoteliers Who Get the Duetto Edge San Francisco, September 5, 2013 -- Duetto, the only cloud-based technology firm focused on revenue management for the hotel industry, announced the expansion of its Customer Success Team to support the accelerating adoption of Duetto Edge -- an innovative product that is helping hotels increase revenues by optimizing demand with new data sets while integrating previously unavailable operational intelligence. Duetto's Co-Founder and Chief Analytics Officer, Marco Benvenuti, said, "We are pleased to further our ...
Leading Serviced Apartment Booking Agency Selects eRevMax to Increase Online Revenue
eRevMax | September 5, 2013
Citybaseapartments.com to Use RateTiger Corp for Optimizing Rate Strategy London, 05 September 2013: UK based agency Citybase Apartments, an online sales channel catering to serviced apartments, has selected eRevMax to enforce rate parity and best rate guarantee for all connected properties, and thereby increase online revenue for their entire portfolio. Citybaseapartments.com will use RateTiger Corp, an award winning business intelligence tool, for monitoring suppliers' rates across competitor sales channels to analyse its market position and identify any discrepancies. RateTiger Corp will help Citybase Apartments to access real-time r...
Inc. Magazine Unveils Its Annual Exclusive List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Sceptre Hospitality Resources | September 5, 2013
Sceptre Hospitality Resources Ranks No. 2212 on the 2013 Inc. 500|5000 with Three-Year Sales Growth of 167% NEW YORK, September 05, 2013 -- Inc. magazine today ranked Sceptre Hospitality Resources NO. 12212 on its seventh annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy-America's independent entrepreneurs. Fuhu tops this year's list. Sceptre Hospitality Resources joins LivingSocial, Edible Arrangements, CDW and Lifelock, among other prominent brands featured on this year's list. "It has been very exci...
For Those Seeking that One-of-a-Kind Vacation: Ten Incredibly Unique Hotels around the World
September 5, 2013
SINGAPORE, Sept. 5, 2013 - From an accommodation made entirely of salt to a former prison building turned luxury abode, these incredibly quirky hotels are sure to tickle your fancy and trigger the travel bug in you. Enjoy a quest to the wackiest holiday havens with this list of the most unique hotels around the world, according to TripAdvisor editors. Seaventures Dive Resort - Off Mabul Island, Malaysia Situated about 0.7 kilometres from Mabul Island in Sabah, Seaventures is not your typical dive resort. This former exploration jack-up rig has been refashioned into a PADI 5-Star IDC Dive Resort but still maintains the charm of a working...
The 517-room Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California Launches Renovation; Will Remain Open
Pechanga Resort & Casino | September 4, 2013
TEMECULA, Calif. - (September 4, 2013) - Pechanga Resort & Casino, the largest resort/casino in the Western United States, announced that is embarking on a major renovation that changes the entire look and feel of its hotel grand entry, hotel lobby, secluded VIP check-in lounge, elevator waiting area, rooftop nightclub, as well as all of its hotel Jacuzzi® suites. In addition to these upgrades, the resort is also making over three of its existing 10 restaurants, and adding an 11th food and beverage outlet. The hotel/resort/casino that is actually larger than anything in Las Vegas, closed its lobby, two casual dining establishments ...
Renee MacDonald Appointed as Director of Events and Catering for Florida’s 1,417-room Hilton Orlando
Hilton Orlando | September 4, 2013
ORLANDO, Fla. - September 4, 2013 - Renee MacDonald has been named Hilton Orlando's director of events and catering, according to Doug Gehret, the hotel's general manager. MacDonald will lead the catering and event operations for the 1,417-room Hilton Orlando, which since opening in 2009, has three times been the winner of Hilton Worldwide's corporate "Connie Award," Hilton Worldwide's highest honor. MacDonald brings 20 years of catering and events leadership and skills. Most recently, she was the director of group events at Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek leading a team of 17 catering and events professionals. H...
Terranea Resort Names Mark Adams Director of Sales
Terranea Resort | September 4, 2013
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2013) - Mark Adams has been appointed the new director of sales at Terranea Resort, Los Angeles' premier oceanfront resort. In his new role, Adams will be responsible for leading the sales team toward creating extraordinary moments, overseeing business development and providing strategic direction for the department. "We are excited to welcome Mark to the Terranea team," said Agnelo A. Fernandes, vice president of sales and marketing. "He has a demonstrated track record in building and sustaining successful sales teams and leading them towards achieving booking goals. His experience and expertise is...
Thailand’s Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort Names Rory Campbell as Director of Sales & Marketing
Outrigger Enterprises Group | September 4, 2013
PHUKET, THAILAND - September 4, 2013 - Darren Edmonstone, Outrigger Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rory Campbell as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand. Campbell assumed the role effective September 2, 2013, and reports to General Manager Tony Pedroni. Campbell, an Australian national, has 15 years' experience of hotel sales and marketing in senior executive positions. Until recently he served as director of sales and marketing-rooms at the Hilton Barcelona. Prior to that he held director-level sales and marketin...
Karen Thomson Joins Paramount Hotel Group as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Paramount Hotel Group | September 4, 2013
FAIRFIELD, N.J., September 4, 2011-Officials of Paramount Hotel Group, an independent, hotel management and ownership company, today announced that Karen Thomson, CHME, has joined the company as vice president of sales and marketing. She will be responsible for overseeing the sales and marketing efforts for the company's hotel portfolio, to include revenue management, marketing/positioning, promotions, social media, national sales and property level support. Thomson will report to Peter Marino, Paramount senior vice president. "Paramount is on track to add 10 to 12 hotels to its portfolio in 2013, and Karen brings great depth and bench ...
Sadguru Dev LLC Opens the 42-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Monroeville in Alabama
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson | September 4, 2013
Monroeville, Ala. - September 4, 2013 - Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, a leader in the upper-midscale hotel category and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's home-grown brand, today announced the further expansion of the Country Inns & Suites By Carlson in Alabama with the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Monroeville This new property marks the brand's growth in the region as part of its Ambition 2015 strategy. "The brand is making strides in growing its footprint in the South," said Scott Meyer, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Americas. "The continued growth in this region is another step forward in our plan ...
Jonathan Halkyard Appointed as Chief Operating Officer for Extended Stay America
Extended Stay America | September 4, 2013
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - September 4, 2013 - Extended Stay America today announced that Jonathan Halkyard will join the Company as Chief Operating Officer effective September 30, 2013. Mr. Halkyard will be responsible for hotel operations, purchasing, loss prevention and facilities. "Jonathan is a seasoned executive with extensive finance, operations and hospitality industry experience and will add additional depth and vision to our Executive Leadership Team," said Jim Donald, Chief Executive Officer, Extended Stay America. "As we continue to refresh and energize this leading hospitality brand, Jonathan's background and experience will be inva...
Fibra Inn to Acquire its First Hotel in Mexico City – the 214-room Holiday Inn Mexico Coyoacan
Fibra Inn | September 4, 2013
MONTERREY, Mexico - September 04, 2013 - Deutsche Bank México, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, División Fiduciaria F/1616 o Fibra Inn (BMV:FINN13) ("Fibra Inn" or "the Company"), a Mexican real estate investment trust specializing in the hotel industry serving the business traveler, announced today the signing of a binding agreement to purchase the Holiday Inn Mexico Coyoacan hotel. The purchase price of this hotel is Ps. 468 million, plus Ps.46.6 million in taxes and acquisition expenses. The price includes a 1,500 m2 lot, which is utilized for customer parking for groups and events arriving via bus; these rooms may be used fo...
WESTIN NEW YORK GRAND CENTRAL SAYS GOODBYE TO “BRAIN DRAIN,” LAUNCHES WestinWORKOUT® MEETING BREAKS
JMCPR | September 4, 2013
NEW YORK – Frequent business meeting and conference attendees know that long, intense meeting sessions can sometimes leave attendees feeling "brain drain." The Westin New York Grand Central Hotel has launched a new program that aims to recharge meetings with a new fitness-themed WestinWORKOUT® group meeting break, featuring group stretching and exercises accompanied by healthy food and beverage selections. During the meeting breaks, attendees will power up with a 30-minute workout led by Molly Winter Fitness, including exercises designed to rejuvenate muscles and minds. Nourishing menu selections that accompany the breaks include fr...
Should The Good News Be Even Better? PKF Provides Updated City Forecasts with a Focus on Room Rates
PKF Consulting USA, LLC | September 4, 2013
September 4, 2013, Atlanta, Ga. - In the recently released September 2013 edition of Hotel Horizons®, PKF Hospitality Research, LLC (PKF-HR) affirms its forecast of strong fundamental performance for the U.S. lodging industry. The lack of meaningful increases in hotel supply, an economy that supports growth in lodging demand and market leverage that allows for real room rate growth leads to PKF-HR forecasts of healthy increases in both revenues and profits in 2013 and 2014. "It is very rare for us to say we have no concerns about the near-term outlook for the U.S. lodging industry, but that is what we see from our econometric models, a...
One&Only Resorts to Assume Management of Australia’s Hayman Great Barrier Reef After Transformation
Hayman | September 4, 2013
September 4, 2013 - Mulpha Australia has entered into an agreement with Kerzner International Holdings Limited, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury resorts, to assume management of the highly acclaimed luxury island resort Hayman, Great Barrier Reef. Hayman will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation and be re-launched as One&Only Hayman Island in April 2014 - One&Only's first resort in Australia. Mulpha continues to maintain full ownership of the island and the resort. "Hayman has long been acclaimed as an iconic Australian resort and Kerzner is the perfect partner to her...
May 2015 Opening Planned for the 317-room Four Seasons Hotel Seoul; A Debut for the Brand in Korea
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | September 4, 2013
TORONTO, Canada, Sept. 4, 2013 -- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the global leader in luxury hospitality, announces its highly anticipated entry into Korea. Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is currently under construction and projected to open in May 2015. The announcement is made in partnership with Mirae Asset Global Investments, the market leader in real estate investment in Korea. Four Seasons Hotel Seoul will open in a prime location in the Central Business District of Seoul, where major financial institutions, government offices, shopping venues, and historic sites are located. It is expected to become a landmark in Seoul for both domes...
