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Industry Happenings
Tessa Kienow Named as Spa Director for St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder, Colorado
St Julien Hotel & Spa | August 29, 2013
BOULDER, Colo. - August 29, 2013 - Today, Spa at St Julien, located inside St Julien Hotel & Spa, a distinguished member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts, a AAA Four-Diamond Property and a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Hotel, announces the selection of Tessa Kienow as spa director. Kienow joins Spa at St Julien with nearly a decade of experience overseeing and managing luxury spas across the country, and an impressive record of exceeding revenue goals and raising profit, implementing innovative beauty and wellness programs and leading large staffs of spa professionals to provide superior service. "I am happy to be joining the talente...
Nevada’s Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa Makes Two Key Sales & Marketing Appointments
The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa | August 29, 2013
Henderson, NV - (August 29, 2013) - The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa has put new emphasis on its sales and marketing operations with the appointments of Michael Pramshafer as Resort Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Matt Boland as Director of Marketing. The appointments bring a breath of fresh talent to "The Other Vegas"SM in Henderson, Nevada, with focus on increasing revenues from leisure, business and group travelers alike. "We're thrilled to welcome Michael and Matt to The Westin Lake Las Vegas team," said Greg Gooding, General Manager. "They bring a comprehensive knowledge of the area, passion for the surroundin...
U.S. Lodging Tax Study: Nearly Half of Cities Analyzed Have Reached Prerecession Revenue Levels
HVS | August 29, 2013
The HVS annual lodging tax study tracks lodging tax rates and revenue in all 50 states and in the 150 largest cities in the United States. Tax revenue trends indicate the strength of hotel industry in these markets. HVS Convention, Sports, & Entertainment Facilities Consulting (HVS CSE) is pleased to announce the release of its second annual U.S. Lodging Tax Study which explores the current status and historical trends in the imposition of lodging taxes in the United States. This updated version expands the HVS U.S. Lodging Tax Study to provide information on lodging tax rates and collections in all 50 states and in the 150 largest ...
A Decade in the Making, the 168-key Salamander Resort & Spa Opens in Middleburg, Virginia
Salamander Hotels & Resorts | August 29, 2013
MIDDLEBURG, VA (August 29, 2013) – With a simple snip of her scissors, Sheila C. Johnson cut through the equestrian-inspired ribbon before her and consigned a decade of planning into memory. Salamander Resort & Spa was open, and one of the most anticipated hospitality projects of recent memory had become reality. "I am so extraordinarily thankful for everyone's patience, perseverance, and fortitude," said Johnson, the resort's owner, and Founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts. "In addition to its courageous traits, the salamander serves as a symbol of renewal, which is especially meaningful to me today." The only new l...
Inland American Real Estate Trust Acquires Two Westin Hotels in Houston for $220 Million
Inland American Lodging Advisor, Inc. | August 29, 2013
Oak Brook, Illinois - August 29, 2013 - Inland American Lodging Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc., announced today that it has acquired two Westin hotels located in Houston's Galleria District, for approximately $220 million. The 24-story Westin Galleria includes 487 rooms and over 71,000 square feet of meeting space. The Westin Oaks Houston at the Galleria offers 406 rooms on 21 floors as well as 23,500 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,500-square-foot banquet space overlooking the Houston skyline. "The acquisition of these outstanding properties, the only hotels connected to th...
New Study Of Traveler Eating Interests Shows Promoting Culinary Activities Can Pay Off
Mandala Research | August 29, 2013
Almost A Third of Travelers Choose Destinations Based on Eating Opportunities WASHINGTON -- A new study of traveler behavior reveals that the way to tourists' wallets may be through their stomachs. Conducted by the travel market research firm Mandala Research and sponsored by the World Food Travel Association and other tourism organizations, the study shows that almost a third (30%) deliberately choose destinations based on the availability of activities related to local food and drink, whether it's a beer or wine festival, a farmers market, or a farm to table experience. "For 'deliberate' culinary travelers, the availability culinary a...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Acquires the 174-room Hotel Modera in Portland, Oregon for $47.5 Million
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | August 29, 2013
BETHESDA, Md. - August 29, 2013 - Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the "Company") today announced that it has acquired the Hotel Modera for $47.5 million. The 174-room, urban, boutique, upper upscale, full service hotel is located in downtown Portland, Oregon. The property will be managed by OLS Hotels and Resorts ("OLS"). As a part of this transaction, the Company is assuming a $23.7 million secured, non-recourse loan, with the balance of the purchase price being funded by the Company with available cash. "We're thrilled to acquire the Hotel Modera in the west coast gateway city of Portland and expand our presence in the highly des...
Calabar Hospitality House Earns Distinction as First Certified Guest Service Property in Nigeria
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute | August 29, 2013
Orlando, Florida, August 2013 -The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) has awarded the Certified Guest Service Property designation to Calabar Hospitality House in Nigeria. Calabar Hospitality House is a newly-created training company aimed at addressing the absence of adequate and quality customer service in the Nigerian hospitality industry. The company's staff members who have direct contact with guests and customers all passed their Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®) exam, qualifying the property for the property-level designation. Calabar Hospitality House, under the leadership of Justina Ovat, CHT, w...
The 433-room International Plaza Hotel + Conference Centre Toronto Airport Opens in Toronto, Canada
| August 29, 2013
TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2013 - International Plaza Hotel + Conference Centre Toronto Airport, a member of Preferred Hotel Group's Sterling Hotels brand, opened today. The 433-room hotel in Canada's largest city is the newest addition to the collection's global portfolio of independent luxury hotels. As part of its commitment to maintaining International Plaza Hotel in a competitive condition, product improvements which are being planned for, and its Guests and Clients can look forward to, include: -- Refreshed building exterior aesthetics -- Newly appointed Lobby and Reception, featuring a Starbucks café and lounge -- Re-appointed Suites and...
Midas Hospitality Appoints Janna Sartini as Director of Sales for Candlewood Suites in Champaign, IL
Midas Hospitality, LLC | August 29, 2013
SAINT LOUIS, MO, August 29, 2013 - St. Louis-based hotel owner, operator and developer, Midas Hospitality announces the hiring of Janna Sartini, Director of Sales - Candlewood Suites - Champaign, IL. With a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Illinois, Janna has spent her professional career with I Operations, LLC where she held positions as Director of Sales, Assistant General Manager and most recently General Manager of the Houlihan's at the I Hotel - Champaign, IL. Midas EVP & Principal - Sales & Marketing, Kurt Furlong, states "We are extremely pleased to add Janna Sartini to the Candlewood Suites - Champai...
Ernie Arias Named Area Director of Sales and Marketing for the 210-room Park Hyatt New York
Park Hyatt New York | August 29, 2013
NEW YORK (AUGUST 29, 2013) - Ernie Arias has been named Area Director of Sales and Marketing of the highly anticipated Park Hyatt New York, which is expected to open in mid-2014 and serve as the brand's luxury flagship property. In this role, Arias is responsible for sales strategy, marketing, public relations and managing the hotel's luxury brand positioning with local, national and international markets. Arias reports to Walter Brindell, General Manager and Area Vice President, Park Hyatt New York. Arias has been an ambassador for the Park Hyatt brand since he joined Hyatt in 2005. Arias served as the Director of Sales and Marketing o...
The 123-room W Hotel Verbier to Open in Switzerland in December 2013
Verbier | August 29, 2013
Verbier, Switzerland - August 29, 2013 – Starwood Hotel & Resorts will debut the W brand in Switzerland with the opening of W Verbier and The Residences at W Verbier. Slated to open in December 2013, W Verbier will be W's first alpine and ski resort and will mark the entrance of W Hotels into Switzerland, further strengthening its position as a global lifestyle brand. Located at the base of the mountain in the 'Medran' area of Verbier, W Verbier and The Residences at W Verbier are part of a multi-component luxury development project owned by Les Trois Rocs. "We are delighted to be working with Les Trois Rocs on this spectacular de...
Valencia Group Launches New Website – Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza
Valencia Group | August 29, 2013
Vizergy® Builds Conversion Focused Digital Presence for Valencia's Hotel Sorella Brand Jacksonville, FL (August 29, 2013) - Vizergy - Digital Travel Marketing continues its partnership with Valencia Group, to create a new website using the latest standards and best practices for Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza, the newest addition to the award-winning hotel collection. Valencia Group selected Vizergy as their digital marketing provider to provide a powerful online presence and increase profits for their unique portfolio of hotels. In addition to website designs, Valencia is receiving search marketing, mobile marketing, booking solutio...
Thompson Hotels Names Steve Shern as General Manager for the 247-room Thompson Chicago
Thompson Chicago | August 29, 2013
CHICAGO (August 29, 2013) - Thompson Hotels announced today the appointment of Steve Shern as general manager of the highly-anticipated Thompson Chicago, slated to open fall 2013. Shern, a hospitality industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, will oversee the general operations of the 247-room lifestyle hotel. Shern joins the Thompson team from Hotel 71 in downtown Chicago, then part of the Capella Hotels & Resorts luxury hotel group, where he served as general manager for the 356-room property since 2006. Throughout his seven year tenure, he was responsible for overall operations, finance, human resources, and sales a...
Miraval Heading East to Transform Circa 1912 Mansion in New Jersey State Park to Miraval at Natirar
Bernard Burt | August 29, 2013
by Bernard Burt, Spa Management Journal Steve Case plans to create an East Coast version of Miraval Resort & Spa in a nature preserve close to Manhattan. Arizona-based Miraval will offer signature spa services and wellness lifestyle programs at an historic estate within the 500-acre Natirar State Park in Somerset County, NJ. Tucked away in lush hills, the property features a 1912 mansion and award-winning culinary arts center, currently open for dinner, meetings, and events. When complete in 2015, Miraval at Natirar will boast a wellness pavilion, yoga center, and a 16,000 square foot spa, as well as a restaurant featuring Miraval s...
McKibbon Hotel Group Opens the 106-suite Springhill Suites Hotel in Pensacola, Florida
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | August 29, 2013
Pensacola, Florida - August 29, 2013 - The 106-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Pensacola, Florida is scheduled to open today. Located at 487 Creighton Road, the SpringHill Suites Pensacola will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc. and managed by McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc. of Tampa, Florida. Located within walking distance to University Town Plaza and three miles from Pensacola International Airport, the hotel offers guests convenient access to the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College and Pensacola Beach. "We're delighted that the SpringHill Suites Pensacola is the latest additio...
FelCor Sells the 223-room Embassy Suites Baton Rouge in Louisiana
FelCor | August 29, 2013
IRVING, Texas, August 29, 2013 - FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE: FCH) today announced that it has sold the 223-room Embassy Suites hotel in Baton Rouge for $20 million. FelCor will use the proceeds to repay outstanding debt. With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this news release include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws that are qualified by cautionary statements herein and in FelCor's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or c...
Spanish Hotel Major Selects eRevMax to Optimize Online Sales Potential
H 10 Hotels | August 28, 2013
Two H10 Properties Select RateTiger for Managing Third Party Channels London, 28 August, 2013: H10 Hotels, one of the largest hotel groups in Spain, has selected eRevMax to increase their online business and distribution exposure. Two new properties have been using RateTiger to accurately distribute inventory from a single image of pooled inventory across all connected sales channels. The real-time connectivity with OTAs has helped H10 to push sales for the last minute availability, resulting in a positive impact on their over-all online booking. H10's Urquinaona Plaza and Port Vell hotels have been using RateTiger Channel Manager to ce...
Jennifer Byerly Hired as Director of Sales for the 104-room Residence Inn – Columbus/Worthington, OH
Midas Hospitality | August 28, 2013
SAINT LOUIS, MO, August 28, 2013 - St. Louis-based hotel owner, operator and developer, Midas Hospitality announces the hiring of Jennifer Byerly, Director of Sales - Residence Inn by Marriott - Columbus / Worthington, OH. Known for their recent portfolio growth and successful asset repositioning, Midas Hospitality recently announced the addition of the Residence Inn by Marriott - Columbus / Worthington, OH and now appoints Jennifer Byerly Director of Sales. Midas EVP & Principal - Sales & Marketing, Kurt Furlong, states "We are extremely pleased to add Jennifer Byerly to the Residence Inn by Marriott - Columbus / Worthington, O...
Nicole Heaney Appointed Chef of Mii Amo, A Destination Spa in Sedona, Arizona
Mii amo | August 28, 2013
SEDONA, Arizona (August 28, 2013) -- Mii amo, which was named #1 Destination Spa in North America in the 2013 Readers' Choice survey of Top Spas by Condé Nast Traveler, has announced the appointment of Nicole Heaney as Chef. With a lifelong passion for seasonal, fresh and sustainable ingredients, Heaney oversees all culinary operations at the spa, including menu creation for Mii amo Café and the Juice Bar, as well as for in-suite dining and special events. "Nicole is a generous and nurturing talent who creates a personalized culinary experience for the benefit of every guest," said Chris Bird, General Manager at Mii amo. "We are excit...
Owner, Big Red Hotel II, Opens the 104-room Hilton Garden Inn Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket in Nebraska
Hilton Garden Inn | August 28, 2013
LINCOLN, Neb. - August 28, 2013 - Hilton Garden Inn® the award-winning brand of upscale, yet affordable hotels, announced the opening of the 104 room Hilton Garden Inn Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket, representing an addition to the brand's growing portfolio of more than 570 hotels worldwide. The new Hilton Garden Inn Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket is owned by Big Red Hotel II LLC. and managed by Lincoln Hotel Group LLC. Situated just minutes from the Pinnacle Bank Arena, the University of Nebraska and Memorial Stadium, and the State Capitol/Governor's Mansion, Hilton Garden Inn Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket provides the amenities to ensure guests...
Lorenzo Chan Named as General Manager for the 200-key Royal Hideaway Playacar in Riviera Maya, MX
Royal Hideaway Playacar | August 28, 2013
Madrid, August 28, 2013 - Occidental Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the appointment of Lorenzo Chan as the General Manager of the original adults-only all-inclusive luxury resort Royal Hideaway Playacar, located in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Mr. Chan has been a valued member of the Occidental Hotels & Resorts team for the past 11 years, previously managing a variety of esteemed properties throughout Mexico. A seasoned hospitality professional, Mr. Chan worked with The Royal Resorts Group for ten years before joining Occidental Hotels & Resorts in 2002. During his time with the brand, he has served as the Executive Assistan...
Hersha Hospitality Trust Names Sandra Cardona as Vice President of Development & Capital Planning
Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) | August 28, 2013
Philadelphia - August 28, 2013 - Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT), owner of upscale hotels in urban gateway markets, announced today that Sandra Cardona was named Vice President of Development & Capital Planning. Cardona is responsible for overseeing development, construction and complex renovation projects for the Hersha Trust portfolio. "Sandra has truly been integral in the growth of Hersha over the past 11 years. She was involved in our first high rise hotel in New York City, then our first boutique properties, and now she heads up the company's capital planning team," said HT President and COO Neil H. Shah. "Her superior fundament...
Minnesota’s 265-room Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown is Set to Open on September 1, 2013
Courtyard by Marriott | August 28, 2013
Minneapolis, Minnesota - August 28, 2013 - Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its innovative lobby and room design in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is the newest Courtyard in the area featuring the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space. Along with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. Scheduled to open on Sunday, September 1, 2013, the 265-room Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown also offers a refreshing and stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thou...
