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
The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami to Undergo Guestroom Renovation Led by General Manager Sase Gjorsovski
The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami | June 28, 2018
MIAMI, FL – June 28, 2018 – Further defining this beachfront hotel as a premiere, luxury property, The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami announces plans to elevate the guest experience through new, curated guestroom and suite designs. Evoking the essence of the sea with a lighter, brighter feel, the transformation will begin in mid-August and will culminate in November of this year. "With guests craving an authentic sense of place when traveling now more than ever, we're thrilled to see this reimagination take place as our hotel continues to evolve and stay relevant," said Sase Gjorsovski, General Manager. "The new room design...
Canyon Ranch Appoints David Varley as Vice President of Food & Beverage
Canyon Ranch | June 28, 2018
Fort Worth, TX – June 28, 2018 – Canyon Ranch, the integrative wellness industry leader of nearly 40 years, today announced the appointment of David Varley, Vice President of Food & Beverage. Varley will play an integral part in moving the brand and its culinary philosophies forward. "Food and nutrition are among the key pillars at Canyon Ranch, supporting our mission of providing holistic wellness to the daily lives of our guests," said Thomas Klein, President and Chief Operating Officer of Canyon Ranch. "We are proud to announce the addition of David Varley to our senior leadership team to further our commitment to del...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Karolina Nemchek to General Manager and Karen Finkler to Director of Sales at Hilton Garden Inn Danbury
Hilton Garden Inn Danbury | June 28, 2018
WATERFORD, CT (June 28, 2018) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the promotion of Karolina Nemchek as General Manager and the appointment of Karen Finkler as Director of Sales at the Hilton Garden Inn Danbury. Hilton Garden Inn Danbury is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm. As General Manager, Nemchek is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales, and administration, as well as the associates employed at the property. She started her career with Waterford Hotel Group in 2016 as a Task Force General Manager, where she helped manage several properties within Waterford's gr...
IHG Signs With Hotel Marina Agra for Holiday Inn Agra MG Road in India
June 28, 2018
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of world's leading hotel companies has signed a management agreement with Hotel Marina Agra for Holiday Inn Agra MG Road. The 150-room hotel is expected to be rebranded and operational in 2018. The signing marks the company's debut in Agra and also completes IHG's presence in the Delhi-Jaipur-Agra Golden Triangle tourist circuit. A great destination for leisure travelers, Holiday Inn Agra MG Road is a 15 minutes' drive from popular UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Agra Fort and Taj Mahal, both key tourist attractions of the city. On opening, the hotel will offer stunning views of the iconic mo...
Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel Reopens Following Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
Renaissance Hotels | June 28, 2018
Renaissance Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., together with The Buccini/Pollin Group, today announced the opening of Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel following a multi-million dollar renovation. This anticipated opening further reinforces the brand's significant growth momentum around the world with upcoming openings planned in neighborhoods from Harlem to Hangzhou, and from Chelsea to Taipei. "We are thrilled to introduce Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, offering guests a sense of clever theatricality and an invitation to experience this historic neighborhood in a modern and unexpected way," said George Fleck...
4 Themes From HITEC Houston 2018
Linchi Kwok | June 28, 2018
By Linchi Kwok Were you in Houston last week for HITEC 2018? The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC) is hosted and organized by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), and has become the world's largest hospitality technology event. I spent a day walking through the exposition, where I experienced the latest tech products available in the hospitality industry. Through my observations, I was able to identify four themes from this year's trade show. 1. Tech products that enhance the guest experience The phrases of "guest-centric," "guest experience," "guest sa...
The National Conference Center Wins Two Prestigious Awards
The National Conference Center | June 28, 2018
Distinguished Partner of the Year, Best of the Best Conference Center Leesburg, Virginia, June 2018 … The National Conference Center, the award-winning property in Leesburg, Virginia, recently won the "Distinguished Partner of the Year Award" presented by Visit Loudoun, the destination marketing organization for Loudoun County, Virginia, and the "Best of the Best Reader's Choice Award for Brilliant Places for Conference Centers", also known as the Smart Stars award from Smart Meetings magazine. Distinguished Partner of the Year Award The National Conference Center received the Distinguished Partner of the Year award during the Vi...
Summit Hotel Properties Opens New Build Hyatt House Hotel Across From Orlando Universal Resort™
Summit Hotel Properties | June 28, 2018
AUSTIN, Texas, June 28, 2018 -- Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. (NYSE: INN) (the "Company"), today announced the grand opening of the 168-guestroom Hyatt House Across From Orlando Universal Resort™. The newly constructed upscale, extended stay hotel is located adjacent to the Company's existing Hyatt Place hotel and conveniently situated within walking distance of Universal Orlando Resort™ and a short shuttle ride from the new Volcano Bay™ water park. Other nearby entertainment venues include Walt Disney World® Resort, SeaWorld® Orlando, ICON Orlando 360™, and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. Major ...
Ithaca Capital, Hotel ToC and Marriott Enter Agreement to Rebrand the Bahia Grand Panama Hotel in Panama City as a JW Marriott
Ithaca Capital | June 28, 2018
PANAMA CITY, June 28, 2018 -- Ithaca Capital today announced that the iconic Bahia Grand Panama Hotel in Panama City, housed in the tallest building in Panama and Central America, is set to become a JW Marriott® hotel. The hotel, which originally opened in 2011, has been operating as an independent property since March 2018. Ithaca Capital, Hotel ToC and Marriott International signed agreements to rebrand the hotel as a JW Marriott, under a long-term management contract with Marriott International. "We are thrilled that our hotel will operate as a JW Marriott and we believe that this partnership, together with a talented team a...
Mobile Connectivity Crucial for Hotel Guests and Staff
Jeffrey Gudewicz | June 28, 2018
By Jeff Gudewicz The hospitality industry is changing; clean sheets and friendly personnel are no longer enough to satisfy the average guest anymore. Fast Wi-Fi and strong cell signal are the new necessities strongly impacting customer care and guests' overall experiences. Unfortunately, due to their vast size and construction materials, hotels can often have inadequate, spotty cell phone service that can vary from floor to floor, and even room to room. Compounding this problem, many hotel chains have also removed in-room landline phones from their rooms due to low usage as guests increasingly rely on their mobile phones. Excellent cell...
Vision Hospitality Appoints Greg Bradley as General Manager of The Edwin Hotel
The Edwin | June 28, 2018
Chattanooga, TN (June 28, 2018) –The Edwin, an unrivaled, design-driven boutique property slated to open in the heart of Chattanooga's downtown arts district in late summer 2018, has appointed Greg Bradley as general manager. A senior hospitality professional with more than 15 years of experience working with celebrated properties spanning the Southern United States, Bradley will be responsible for all operations at the city's newest property. "Greg's unmatched experience at various luxury hotels paired with his deep knowledge of the region will shepherd The Edwin through a successful launch," said Vision Hospitality Group Preside...
Napa Valley’s New Vista Collina Resort Appoints Three Key Executive Members
Vista Collina Resort | June 28, 2018
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (June 28, 2018) – Napa Valley's most anticipated opening set to debut this July, Vista Collina Resort, a Meritage Collection property, welcomes three new hospitality executives to its leadership team with General Manager Dave Elcon, Managing Director Shashi Poudyal and Spa Director Kathleen McNichols. With notable years of experience in the luxury hospitality and wellness industries, Elcon, Poudyal and McNichols bring enthusiasm and dedicated efforts to the overall quality of hotel operations and curated spa and wellness programming at Vista Collina Resort. Bringing more than 15 years of luxury hospitality expe...
RLH Corporation to Debut Hotel RL in California With Development of Hotel RL Salinas
RLH Corporation | June 28, 2018
DENVER (June 28, 2018) — RLH Corporation (NYSE:RLH) announced today that the company signed a franchise license agreement for a new Hotel RL in Salinas, CA. Hotel RL Salinas is a new build hotel anticipated to open in 2020, featuring 95 guest rooms and The Living Stage, Hotel RL's signature platform for local talent where musicians, poets, authors, public speakers, artists, activists and more can all be found, designed to inspire creativity. Additional Signature Moments will include award-winning Victrola Coffee; mobile check-in and keys; free Wi-Fi; bikes to borrow and more. "Hotel RL is designed for the modern day traveler, offe...
Two Roads Hospitality and Finvarb Group to Re-Introduce Thompson Hotels to Miami With 2020 Opening of Thompson South Beach
Finvarb Group | June 28, 2018
Denver, Colo., June 28, 2018 - International lifestyle company Two Roads Hospitality announces the development of its newest property in Miami Beach, Florida, as part of the Thompson Hotels brand. The project marks the return of Thompson Hotels to the desired destination, and will be one of the few new-build properties in the core of the South Beach district. Projected to open in 2020, Thompson South Beach will be conceptualized by famed French architect Rudy Ricciotti, who will design the building in harmony with the surrounding landscape of SoundScape Park featuring a dynamic, undulating exterior. Developed and owned by Miami-based Fi...
TLG Investment Partners and Concord Wilshire Acquire Sheraton Grand Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona for $257.6 Million
TLG Investment Partners | June 28, 2018
Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 28, 2018—TLG Investment Partners and Concord Wilshire Capital announced today the acquisition of the Sheraton Grand Hotel located in Phoenix, Arizona for $255.0 million through an affiliate of TLG Phoenix, LLC. Marriott International is the majority capital partner with TLG and Concord Wilshire and will be managing the asset. TLG Investment Partners is a Fort Lauderdale based real estate investment firm headed by Leland Pillsbury and Christopher Nieberding, which invests in multiple classes of real estate including recreation, residential and commercial properties. Concord Wilshire Capital is a joint vent...
Transformational Real Estate Development Across New York Has a Major Influence on Lodging
JLL | June 28, 2018
Optimistic outlook for further growth in 2018 and 2019 NEW YORK, June 28, 2018 – New York is a hot spot of major transformational real estate development that is rapidly changing the city's landscape and lodging environment, according to JLL's 2018 New York Hotel Market Report. Hudson Yards, situated in the Midtown West submarket, currently represents the largest private real estate development in the history of the United States and the largest development in New York since the Rockefeller Center. The Manhattan West District and Moynihan Station developments will also grace the Midtown West submarket and are targeted for deliver...
Increasing Hotel Operations and Guest Engagement – The Brooklyn Way
ALICE | June 27, 2018
The Williamsburg Hotel has selected ALICE to sync together their interdepartmental communication to increase operational efficiencies and employee accountability. ALICE is the hospitality industry's leading operations technology, connecting every department of the hotel with one platform for all staff communication and guest requests. ALICE recently acquired concierge software provider GoConcierge to augment its technology and customer service offering. Located in New York's trendy North Brooklyn borough, The Williamsburg Hotel opened last spring and initially used excel sheets and head of department meetings to discuss their hotel oper...
St Julien Hotel & Spa Appoints Eric Daviau as Director Of Revenue Management
St Julien Hotel & Spa | June 27, 2018
BOULDER, Colo. – June 27, 2018 – St Julien Hotel & Spa announces the appointment of Eric Daviau as director of revenue management. Daviau brings more than 15 years of experience in revenue management and hospitality to the award-winning, 201-room St Julien Hotel & Spa. "I am pleased to join the team of professional at St Julien Hotel & Spa," said Daviau. "As an alumnus of the University of Colorado at Boulder, I'm looking forward to not only returning to my college hometown, but to working with one of Boulder's – and the nation's – most respected hotels." Prior to joining the St Julien team, Daviau wa...
Sirenis Hotels & Resorts Plans December Launch of Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Following $30 Million Renovation
Sirenis Hotels & Resorts | June 27, 2018
MIAMI, Fla. – June 27, 2018 – Sirenis Hotels and Resorts announced that its Sirenis Punta Cana Resort Casino & Aquagames in the Dominican Republic is set to rebrand as Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort, following completion of a $30M renovation. Just in time for the winter holiday break, the resort will re-open mid-December 2018, welcoming guests to experience the newly transformed and improved hotel offerings. "In order to stay relevant, it is very important to provide our guests with top-quality product and service and we are very excited to introduce the new and enhanced Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort," commented Sonia...
Nine New Hotels Answer Rising Demand in Philadelphia
VISIT PHILADELPHIA | June 27, 2018
Major Brands & Boutique Properties Pop Up While Existing Hotels Receive Exciting Renovations PHILADELPHIA, June 27, 2018 – Big-name hotels are opening new properties in Philadelphia—Cambria, W, Element—while just-in-Philly properties are strengthening the city's boutique cred. Altogether, the nine new hotels are unlocking 1,902 new rooms to meet visitor demand, which has increased at a rate of 86% over the past 20 years. So, what's coming? A sky-high Four Seasons, a dual-hotel complex housing a W and an Element, an extended-stay property (ROOST Apartment Hotel) and an "invisible service" model (Lokal Fishtown), plu...
Noble Investment Group Completes Comprehensive Renovation of Embassy Suites by Hilton Tysons Corner in Virginia
Embassy Suites by Hilton | June 27, 2018
Atlanta, GA – June 27, 2018 - Noble Investment Group ("Noble") today announced the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tysons Corner has completed a comprehensive enhancement and upgrade of all guest suites, public spaces and meeting rooms. In addition, E'terie, an Embassy Suites by Hilton restaurant concept, was added during the transformation. Tysons Corner is Virginia's largest office market and one of the leading business centers in the nation. Located equal distance from Washington, D.C. and Dulles International Airport, the area is home to a wide range of corporate and regional headquarters who occupy more than 28 million squ...
Ashford Trust to Acquire the Hilton Alexandria Old Town for $111 Million and Introduces New Funding Program With Ashford Inc.
| June 27, 2018
DALLAS, June 27, 2018 -- Highlights: Ashford Inc. to provide Ashford Trust with funding of a maximum of $50 million in connection with up to $500 million of future Ashford Trust hotel acquisitions Designed to enhance Ashford Trust shareholder returns Estimated to increase asset level internal rates of return by 700 - 1,200 basis points1 Programmatic commitment effectively reduces amount of equity funding by Ashford Trust on investments Ashford Trust currently holds $286 million in excess corporate cash Ashford Inc. to commit $11.1 million to Ashford Trust in connection with the expected $111 million acquisition of the Hilton A...
Hay Creek Hotels Appoints Glen Sanokklis as General Manager of Chebeague Island Inn
Chebeague Island Inn | June 27, 2018
June 27, 2018 (Chebeague Island, Maine) – Chebeague Island Inn located in scenic Casco Bay off the coast of Portland, Maine announces the appointment of Glen Sanokklis as General Manager effective immediately. Tapping strong leadership and managerial skills honed over 25 years at luxury and premier properties throughout New England, Sanokklis oversees all operations at the Inn including sales & marketing, food & beverage, accommodations, onsite activities, and ensuring a pleasant, memorable stay for guests and group clientele. "With his long history of success in luxury hospitality in Maine and heartfelt appreciation of th...
Alexa for Hotels – The Good, The Bad and The Creepy
Alan E. Young | June 27, 2018
By Alan E. Young This past week marked another successful HITEC, the culmination of which left hospitality experts with a lot to think about as it relates to industry-wide innovations positioned to make major waves in 2018. One of the more notable discussion points is the mainstream integration of voice-powered assistants (AI technology) into hotels. In fact, Amazon.com Inc recently announced that it has partnered with Marriott International Inc to help increase guest access to amenities with Alexa, through its voice-controlled device Echo, in an attempt to expand its presence in the hospitality industry. This is an exciting prospect fo...
