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Industry Happenings
New Owner for LeMeridien Dallas North; Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Have Updated 168 Hotel Profiles
BuildCentral | August 5, 2013
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Have Updated 168 Hotels in the Last Two Weeks with Changes in Personnel, Property Management or Ownership Chicago, IL. August 5, 2013 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have reported 168 changes in personnel, property management and ownership in the Hotel Profiles database over the last two weeks. Many hotels are getting a fresh start with a new Owner, Property Manager or General Manager. Recommend your product or service to someone who might be looking for a change. Hotels Under New Management: Holiday Inn Pittsburgh-Monroeville (Monroeville, PA) Paramount Hotel New York (New York, NY) Ramada Inn Janesvi...
Mexico’s 700-room ClubHotel Riu Jalisco to Close at the End of August for a Complete Renovation
RIU Hotels & Resorts | August 5, 2013
Palma de Mallorca, August 5th 2013 - RIU Hotels & Resorts has announced the renovation of the ClubHotel Riu Jalisco, work for which is planned to start on 24 August 2013. This resort, located in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, was the hotel chain's first property on the Pacific Coast of Mexico and, since 2002, has been a favourite for families, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world. RIU will invest 12 million dollars into a complete renovation of its facilities with the new décor style which RIU is rolling out in all its new projects. The ClubHotel Riu Jalisco enjoys a seafront location on Playa Flamingos beach ...
Hotel Equities and Hotel Development Partners to Develop a Hampton Inn & Suites in Dunwoody, Georgia
Hotel Equities (HE) | August 5, 2013
Atlanta, GA-August 05, 2013 - Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (www.hotelequities.com) and its joint venture partner, Hotel Development Partners (HDP), recently gained City of Dunwoody approval to develop a mixed-use project in the Dunwoody/Perimeter Center area of Atlanta. This project will include a seven-story, 132-room Hampton Inn & Suites at the corner of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Center North, just outside I-285 across from the highly popular Perimeter Center Mall in Dunwoody, Georgia. The location is approximately 12 miles from downtown Atlanta and 22 miles north of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. It stands wi...
Felcor Agrees to Sell the 223-room Embassy Suites in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for $20 Million
FelCor | August 5, 2013
IRVING, Texas, August 5, 2013 - FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE: FCH) today announced that it has agreed to sell the 223-room Embassy Suites in Baton Rouge for $20 million. The purchaser has paid a $2.0 million non-refundable deposit toward the purchase price. FelCor expects the sale to close in August and will use all of 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 a...
Robanda International Launching New Amenities Division
Robanda International | August 5, 2013
Stock programs as well as custom options for any size business San Diego, Calif. (August 5, 2013)- Robanda International, a diversified beauty products manufacturer, is venturing into the hotel amenity supply market with their new division, Robanda Amenities. The focus of this new division is to supply quality formulations, attractive packaging, and affordable prices for the hotel and hospitality industry. There will initially be three stock collections customers may choose from, as well as the ability to create an entirely custom range. "For someone like myself with a background in the amenities business, Robanda International's histo...
Crestron Introduces New Battery-Powered 2-Button Wireless Keypad
Crestron | August 5, 2013
HTT-B2EX-BATT provides simple control from the bedside in the home to the luxury hotel room Rockleigh, NJ, August 5, 2013 - Crestron today announced its new 2-Button Wireless Keypad (HTT-B2EX-BATT), the latest addition to its line of infiNET EX® wireless lighting control products. Available in black or white, the HTT-B2EX-BATT is battery-powered, portable and designed to control a wide range of applications, including as a bedside controller in homes and hotels, a personal workspace controller, or a conference room presenter selector. The new wireless keypad is sleek, lightweight, and elegantly contoured to fit comfortably in hand. Whe...
Host Hotels Reports Q2 2013 Net Income of $121 million, a 92.1% Increase; RevPAR up 6.1%
Host Hotels & Resorts | August 2, 2013
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 2, 2013 -- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), the nation's largest lodging real estate investment trust ("REIT"), today announced results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. On an "As Adjusted" basis, as described herein, net income for the second quarter increased $58 million, or 92.1%, and Adjusted EBITDA increased $81 million, or 23.1%, when compared to 2012. The improvements in the Company's results were driven by a 6.1% increase in comparable hotel RevPAR and strong margin growth for the second quarter. View the full press release and supporting tables As of January 1, 2013, the ...
Renaissance Seoul Hotel Deploys Motorola Digital Radios with Guestware Services
Guestware | August 2, 2013
Provider of mission-critical communication services, Motorola Solutions has announced that Renaissance Seoul Hotel has adopted Motorola Solutions MOTOTRBO SL1K digital radios and hotel guest response application, Guestware services. As part of an upgrade from its analogue-based communication system to a digital system, hotel staff communications and task management are enhanced for consistent customer service quality. Lotte Data Communications Company, the distributor of Motorola Solutions digital radio solutions, was responsible for the design and implementation of the system. Working with the MOTOTRBO radios, the Guestware service all...
It’s Time to Burst the Hotel SEO Bubble: What Hotels Really Need to Know / Vikram Singh
Vikram Singh | August 2, 2013
by Vikram Singh Hotel search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most debated online marketing techniques in our industry. That's because its efficacy is hard to prove, and techniques have to constantly change to outmaneuver Google's updates. Google maintains strict control and secrecy about how they manage and update their search engine results pages. Of course, there are guidelines posted on their Webmaster Central product, and a few utterances here and there. This leaves the floor open for some serious speculation... Cue in the SEO "experts." I am not an SEO expert, nor have I played one on TV. But I am definitely a trained SEO o...
Sunview Companies and HES Group Open the Aloft Miami-Brickell in Florida
Aloft Hotels | August 2, 2013
STAMFORD, Conn. - August 2, 2013 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its rapidly expanding Aloft brand has debuted in the heart of downtown Miami with the opening of Aloft Miami-Brickell. Owned and managed by a joint venture between Sunview Companies and HES Group, Aloft Miami-Brickell caters to the next generation of travelers with 160 spacious, loft-like rooms, latest technology and a buzzing, social atmosphere. It is the second Aloft hotel to open in the Miami metropolitan area following the opening of Aloft Miami Doral in March. "With its leading-edge design and social vibe, the Aloft br...
Tony Pedroni Appointed General Manager of Outrigger® Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand
Outrigger Enterprises Group | August 2, 2013
PHUKET, THAILAND - August 2, 2013 - Darren Edmonstone, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Pedroni as general manager of the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand, effective August 1, 2013. Pedroni, an Irish national with 23 years' experience in hospitality, will report to William Visser, Vice President Operations, Asia-Pacific, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. Before joining Outrigger, Pedroni was with Marriott International, most recently as general manager of the JW Marriott Resort, Phuket. Prior to that he was with The Renai...
Pineapple Hospitality Purchases Portland, Oregon’s Hotel Fifty, Rebrands as Hotel Rose
Pineapple Hospitality | August 2, 2013
BELLEVUE, WA--(August 02, 2013) - Pineapple Hospitality announces its acquisition of Hotel Fifty in downtown Portland. The 140-room boutique hotel will remain open during the transition, and will be renamed and operate as Hotel Rose effective today, Aug. 1, 2013. "This is an amazing time of growth for our company," said Michelle Foreman Barnet, president of Pineapple Hospitality. "We're thrilled to bring our brand to the Portland area and look forward to introducing Pineapple Hospitality to a new audience. Additionally, we're excited for opportunities to expand our brand along the West Coast." Pineapple Hospitality purchased Hotel Fifty...
LaSalle Hotel Properties Acquires Two San Francisco Hotels for Total Purchase Price of $47.8 Million
LaSalle Hotel Properties | August 2, 2013
BETHESDA, Md.- August 02, 2013 - LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO) today announced that it acquired the Harbor Court Hotel and Hotel Triton, both located in San Francisco, CA for $47.8 million. The Company funded the transaction with borrowings from its Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. Harbor Court Hotel The 131-room, Harbor Court Hotel is located at 165 Steuart Street in San Francisco's financial district on the Embarcadero and offers stunning views of the San Francisco Bay. The hotel is proximate to many downtown attractions including the Ferry Building, Embarcadero Center, AT&T Park and the Moscone Convention Center. The pro...
Hotel & Resort Digital Marketing Budgets: Avoid the Headaches & Get it Right! – A Three Part Series
August 2, 2013
By: William Bellis III, Senior Corporate Marketing Manager at Vizergy®, with contributions from Joe Hyman, President & CEO, and Paul Fraser, Director of Product Management August 2, 2013 Part one of this series helps you get confidently set up for your 2014 digital marketing budget planning. It sheds light on key issues that you must consider. Part two will delve into hot topics (aka online channels) that you should heavily focus on, while part three will recommend dollar percentage allocations for said channels. Altogether, this series will provide your property's team a valuable roadmap for planning an exceptional budget. Part On...
VirtualHotel by Cardola Boosting Mobile App Engagement with Mobile Key by OpenWays
Cardola | August 2, 2013
With Mobile Key by OpenWays© now a part of the VirtualHotel mobile concierge, hotel app usage rates will soar, as guests interact with Mobile Key multiple times during the day to securely access their rooms; Joint technology will drive revenues, satisfaction, loyalty and more [SANTA ANA, CALIF.- AUGUST 2, 2013] - Cardola and OpenWays have joined forces following HITEC in an effort to ensure that hotels' guest-facing mobile apps are being used and subsequent revenues are being realized. With Mobile Key by OpenWays now part of the VirtualHotel by Cardola mobile concierge toolkit, guests will have even more reasons to engage with the hot...
Waterford Hotel Group Names Lori Woll Director of Sales at Connecticut’s Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa | August 2, 2013
Groton, CT (August 2, 2013) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Lori Woll to the Director of Sales position for the renowned 285-room Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, located in Groton, CT. Woll previously served as Director of Catering for the Mystic Marriott from 2006 to 2009. The Mystic Marriott is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm. "We are delighted to welcome Lori back to the Mystic Marriott," said Brien Fox, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Waterford Hotel Group. "Lori's prior experience with the award-winning Mystic Marriott, coupled with her ext...
Detroit’s Royal Park Hotel Becomes Worldhotels’ Latest Deluxe Affiliate
Worldhotels | August 1, 2013
DETROIT, Aug. 2, 2013 -- Worldhotels today announced that the Royal Park Hotel is the newest member of its Deluxe Collection. Ideally located in the suburb of Rochester, Mich., the Royal Park Hotel is one of Detroit's most iconic hotels and is the premier choice for both business and leisure travelers. Worldhotels is one of the leading groups for independent hotels. "It is our pleasure to welcome the Royal Park Hotel into our Deluxe Collection," said Tom Griffiths, vice president, Worldhotels-The Americas. "The authentic hospitality provided by the staff at this one-of-a-kind hotel is a welcome addition for Worldhotels guests who apprec...
Palace Resorts Names New Business Development Managers of Canadian Field Sales
Palace Resorts | August 1, 2013
Diana Winters and Julie Golding Join Peter Tran in the Role MIAMI, Fla. - August 1, 2013 - Palace Resorts - the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations - proudly announces the addition of Diana Winters and Julie Golding as Business Development Managers of Canadian Field Sales. The team is strategically placed among the travel agency community in key markets throughout the country and will focus on developing, expanding and generating new business opportunities for the brand throughout Canada with Golding overseeing Quebec and Atlantic Canada and Winters covering Ontario and Manitoba. Also Peter T...
Landmark Hotels Group Names New Executive Team at The Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii
The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu | August 1, 2013
Appoints Carmine Iommazzo as General Manager and Ryan Fitzgerald as Hotel Manager HONOLULU, August 1, 2013 -- Shawn Sweeney, President of The Landmark Hotels Group, management company of The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu and Makena Beach & Golf Resort, Maui has announced the promotion of Carmine Iommazzo to General Manager and the appointment of Ryan Fitzgerald to Hotel Manager of the legendary resort. Mr. Iommazzo returned to The Kahala in March this year to manage the operations of the hotel, where he was previously Director of Food and Beverage before being assigned to Makena Beach & Golf Resort in 2011. At Makena, he w...
James Horsman Named as Managing Director for the 310-key Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia
Lansdowne Resort | August 1, 2013
LEESBURG, Va., Aug. 1, 2013 -- James Horsman, an accomplished hospitality industry veteran with more than three decades of luxury resort and hotel experience at several notable properties worldwide, has been named Managing Director at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Va., resort representatives announced today. Horsman joins Lansdowne Resort after serving as the Managing Director and Vice President, Operations at the Madison Hotel in Washington, DC. The resort is managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts. "My goal is to build upon the rich history of Lansdowne and position it as the preeminent resort & club experience in Northern Vir...
Ashford Trust Reports Q2 2013 Net Loss of $1.4 M, Total Portfolio RevPAR Up 4.2%
Ashford Hospitality Trust | August 1, 2013
DALLAS, July 31, 2013 -- Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) ("the Company" or "Ashford Trust") today reported the following results and performance measures for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. The performance measurements for Occupancy, Average Daily Rate (ADR), Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR), and Hotel Operating Profit (or Hotel EBITDA) are proforma. Unless otherwise stated, all reported results compare the second quarter ended June 30, 2013, with the second quarter ended June 30, 2012 (see discussion below). The reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is included in the financial tables accompanying this pr...
The 115-room DoubleTree by Hilton Pune – Chinchwad Opens in India
DoubleTree By Hilton | August 1, 2013
PUNE, India - August 1, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide today announced the launch of DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad, the first international hotel brand to open in Chinchwad - Pimpri. Located in the heart of the Pune district's information technology and industrial belt, the 115-room property boasts upscale accommodations and amenities, including four food and beverage venues, an executive lounge, 24-hour business centre, versatile meeting and events spaces, pool, fitness centre and spa. DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad is conveniently located near more than 8,000 of the area's key businesses and manufacturers, including Hyundai, F...
The 167-room Courtyard New York Manhattan/Herald Square Celebrates Grand Opening
Courtyard by Marriott | August 1, 2013
August 1, 2013 - New York, NY – Courtyard by Marriott rolled out its innovative lobby and room design in the heart of Herald Square in midtown Manhattan at the grand opening celebration of the Courtyard New York Manhattan/Herald Square on July 30, 2013. The hotel's official ribbon cutting was led by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York; David Marriott, COO – The Americas, Eastern Region, Marriott International; the hotel's owner, Jack Hidary, CEO – Hidrock Realty, and George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, the city's marketing and tourism organization. Courtyard Herald Square - LobbyThis is the latest Cour...
Marriott Reports Q2 2013 Net Income of $179 M, Systemwide RevPAR Up 4.7%
Marriott International, Inc. | August 1, 2013
BETHESDA, Md., July 31, 2013 - View the full press release with supporting tables. SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS Second quarter diluted EPS totaled $0.57, a 36 percent increase over prior year results. Operating income increased $36 million in the second quarter to $279 million, including an estimated $20 million increase relating to the change in the fiscal calendar; North American comparable company-operated REVPAR rose 5.3 percent in the second quarter with average daily rate up 4.3 percent; On a constant dollar basis, worldwide comparable systemwide REVPAR rose 4.7 percent in the second quarter, including a 3.2 percent increase in ...
