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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
Former Sony Interactive CEO Andrew House Joins KEYPR’s Advisory Board
KEYPR | April 11, 2018
KEYPR®, the leading hospitality technology company whose cloud-based platform integrates an end-to-end experience for guests and staff through embedded and mobile devices, announced today that the former CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Andrew House, has joined the company's Advisory Board. House is a welcome addition to a strong group of industry leaders currently advising KEYPR's management team. During House's deep career at Sony, he was widely credited with making PlayStation a household name through global leadership and savvy marketing tactics. House's expertise was critical in developing marketing and communication ...
JVD Hotels Opens New Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Batesville, Mississippi
Fairfield Inn & Suites | April 10, 2018
Batesville, MS – April 10, 2018 – The 77-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Batesville, Mississippi will open today with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 290 Power Drive, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Batesville will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by JVD Hotels of Southaven, Mississippi. Conveniently located on I-55 and Highway 6 and just minutes away from the Batesville Civic Center, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Batesville offers guests convenient access to Sardis Lake, Enid Lake, the University of Mississippi and...
San Diego’s 462-Key Paradise Point Resort & Spa Launches $24 Million Transformation to Be Revealed Throughout 2018/2019
Paradise Point Resort & Spa | April 10, 2018
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (April 10, 2018) – Spring is ushering in a new look when Paradise Point Resort & Spa, A Destination Hotel debuts its coastal cool aesthetic, marrying modern interior design with tropical island charm for which the Mission Bay resort is celebrated. The comprehensive project, which includes all 462 California bungalow-style guestrooms, is geared toward a new wave of San Diego travelers with eco-conscious, high-tech attributes and indoor-outdoor design that embraces the eternal playground spirit of Paradise Point. Further than the highly upgraded design finishes and new stylish furnishings, bedrooms were outfitt...
Owned by Inversions Hoteleres Ebza, W Ibiza Set for Summer 2019 Debut in Spain
W Hotels Worldwide | April 10, 2018
The party is just getting started in paradise. W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, today announced plans to debut its newest hotel in Spain with the opening of W Ibiza in Summer 2019. Owned by Inversions Hoteleres Ebza S.L., W Ibiza will be located in Santa Eulalia del Río, a buzzing beachside neighborhood centrally located to Ibiza's famous beaches, nightclubs and rural-chic inland attractions. Scheduled to open in 2019, the hotel's beachfront location will provide guests with direct access to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. W Hotels Worldwide today announced plans to debut its newest hotel in Spain with the ope...
Lightstone Acquires 183-Key Hilton Garden Inn in Long Island City for $60 Million
Lightstone | April 10, 2018
NEW YORK, April 10, 2018 -- National real estate investor and developer Lightstone announced today the acquisition of the Hilton Garden Inn in Long Island City, adding to their rapidly expanding hospitality portfolio in New York City. Lightstone purchased the 183-key hotel for $60 million. The hotel, constructed in 2015, is located at 29-21 41st Ave, across from a number of large office developments and within walking distance from the recently reinvigorated Queens Plaza and surrounding transit hubs. For the immediate future, Lightstone plans to continue operation of the hotel as a Hilton Garden Inn. "We're investing in growing...
Hickory Street Capital Selects Pivot Hotels & Resorts to Manage Hotel Zachary at Gallagher Way
Davidson Hotels & Resorts | April 10, 2018
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – April 10, 2018 – Davidson Hotels & Resorts – one of the nation's leading hotel management companies for delivering hospitality and creating value – has announced the addition of Hotel Zachary at Gallagher Way, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, to its highly curated portfolio. Situated in the heart of Chicago's renowned Lakeview neighborhood, Hotel Zachary at Gallagher Way is inspired by its namesake, famed Chicago architect, Zachary Taylor Davis, who designed the esteemed Wrigley Field in 1914. Owned by Hickory Street Capital, this exciting new lifestyle hotel will be managed by Pivot Hotels &a...
F&B: Which Is More Profitable – Outsourcing or In-House?
Court Williams | April 10, 2018
By Court Williams Hotel Food and Beverage (F&B) operations increased in revenue value by 4.9% during 2017, according to a report from STR. This is clear evidence that F&B is still an important revenue stream, second to accommodation income, but it is profitable only if companies optimize the way they operate the division. Outsourcing is a popular way to take the problem off a company's plate, but is it necessarily the best option for their hotel and bottom line? At HVS, we believe that profit should not be the primary motive and that the main reason for having food and beverage facilities in a hotel is to enhance the Rooms Divis...
Andrew Simpson Appointed Executive Chef at The Westin Resort and Spa Langkawi
Westin Hotels & Resorts | April 10, 2018
KEDAH, MALAYSIA – Marriott International welcomes Andrew Simpson as the new Executive Chef at The Westin Resort and Spa Langkawi. The seasoned professional steps up to the plate with over 20 years of international culinary expertise and unrivalled creativity that is set to tantalize the taste buds of new and returning guests alike. With his heart set on the art of fine dining from the get go, Simpson began his early career in 2001 as a Chef De Partie I at Auberge du lac, Brocket Hall, UK, a modern one-Michelin star French restaurant, before steadily making his way up the ranks as Sous Chef at the West Lodge Park Hotel, Hadley, UK ...
Are We Obsolete in Our Prime?
John R. Hendrie | April 10, 2018
By John Hendrie Mick Jaggar really was right over some fifty years ago, when he trebled, "I can't get no satisfaction". And, even the satisfaction he might have received, had little value. Many consumers are no better off now. The mediocrity anticipated with products and services has created a new depth of cynicism and distrust across retail establishments, and this includes Hospitality operations. To thrive and succeed we must better engage the guest, gain their loyalty and exceed their hopes. Our passion must be seen in a new context – the commitment to transcend expectations. In order to transform your business, a leap is requi...
Marcus® Hotels & Resorts Appoints Carl Dees as Vice President of Operations
Marcus Hotels & Resorts | April 10, 2018
MILWAUKEE--Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced that Carl Dees has been named vice president of operations. A seasoned hospitality veteran, Dees joins Marcus Hotels & Resorts from Crescent Hotels & Resorts, where he most recently served as vice president of operations for the third-party hotel management company. His tenure with Crescent Hotels & Resorts began in 2006 after he joined the company as general manager of the Livonia Marriott in Livonia, Mich. He then moved on to become general manager of Th...
Emaar Hospitality Group Names Ahmed Elnawawy as General Manager for Dubai’s Manzil Downtown
Vida Hotels and Resorts | April 10, 2018
Dubai, UAE; April 10, 2018: Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, has appointed Ahmed Elnawawy as General Manager for Manzil Downtown, the upscale lifestyle hotel with a contemporary Arabesque design in Downtown Dubai, under Vida Hotels and Resorts. With 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ahmed is responsible for strengthening the distinctive positioning of the hotel while striving to further enhance service quality and brand value. He will focus on delivering creative strategies to drive higher levels of operational performance, customer satisfaction and exceptional ser...
Three Ways Hotel Maps Can Improve Guest Experience
Jon Croy | April 10, 2018
By Jon Croy NASA originally coined the term "digital twin," in reference to a virtual model of a physical product, process or service. The administration introduced the concept to solve complicated challenges they faced in the early days of space exploration. Although the digital twin concept has been around for awhile, it is gaining traction in other industries - like hospitality. For hoteliers, a digital twin of a physical building provides an opportunity to understand guest needs and improve the customer experience across all channels. The most practical way to implement an indoor map for guest use is through an existing mobile app. ...
2018 Waterpark Forecast: Expansion
David J. Sangree | April 10, 2018
By David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC Introduction The waterpark industry continues to expand in North America, with more than $1 billion in new investment in indoor and outdoor waterparks and their related resorts in 2018. Nearly 60 expansions and new facilities will open in 2018. We project 14 municipal and eight private outdoor waterparks will open, outpacing 2017's nine municipal and four private outdoor additions. We foresee increased growth in the indoor segment, where an additional 464,000 square feet of waterpark space is planned. Two of this year's most anticipated new waterparks are the SoundWaves Waterpark at Gaylord Opryland R...
Cycas Hospitality to Manage France’s First Dual-Branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Opening Late 2020
Cycas Hospitality | April 10, 2018
LONDON--Cycas Hospitality, one of the largest branded extended-stay hotel operators in the UK, is continuing its international rollout by signing its inaugural deal in France, which will see it manage the first dual-branded Hyatt property in Europe. Cycas has signed a lease agreement to operate the Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels, which are both on one site, close to Paris Charles De Gaulle airport. Cycas currently operates Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport. The 21,631 sq m, five-storey building is located in Paris Nord 2 business park at 241 rue de la Belle Etoile in Roissy. It will have a total of 430 rooms - 309 at Hyatt Place a...
Hilton and Scenic Land Company Partner for The McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain Joining Curio Collection in 2020
Curio Collection by Hilton | April 10, 2018
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. and MCLEAN, Va. - Designed as a mountaintop haven for guests looking for weekend getaways, special occasions and weekday corporate events, The McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain, Curio Collection by Hilton is the result of a partnership between Chattanooga-based Scenic Land Company and Hilton (NYSE: HLT). The upper upscale hotel, conference center and spa, set to join Curio Collection by Hilton in 2020, will offer 180 rooms and over 10,000 square feet of conference space set within a more than 800-acre mountaintop golf resort development. Sitting at over 2,000 feet above sea level, guests will enjoy dramatic, cliffsi...
Intelity to Host Voice Technology Webinar
Intelity | April 10, 2018
Session to discuss how hoteliers can benefit from Intelity's ambient technology, ICEvoice [Orlando, Fla. — April 10, 2018] — Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice command technology is infiltrating the hospitality landscape, with guests eager to enjoy its conveniences and hoteliers ready to capture new revenues and boost operational efficiencies. In two weeks, Intelity will hold a webinar titled "Say Hello to ICEvoice." Led by Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Gregg Hopkins and Chief Technology Officer Chris Grey, the online session will discuss how guests can use voice commands for requesting services and controlling the in-...
The Carver Companies Announce Carver-Wynn Workforce Development
The Carver Companies | April 10, 2018
The Training and Educational Subsidiary to Launch on May 1 ATLANTA, GA – April 10, 2018 – The Carver Companies announced the upcoming launch of their training and educational component, Carver-Wynn Workforce Development – the result of Wynn Consulting merging into the Carver Family of Brands as a majority-owned subsidiary. Denise Ware, owner of Wynn Consulting, the Washington D.C.-based training provider in the hospitality and workforce development industry, will be the managing director of Carver-Wynn Workforce Development. Ware, who brings more than 25 years of hospitality experience, also currently serves as the pr...
Infor EzRMS Mobile App Enables Revenue Management on the Go
Infor | April 10, 2018
New Application Provides Ultimate Flexibility for Hospitality Industry NEW YORK - Apr 10, 2018 - Infor, a leading provider of industry-specific cloud applications, today announced the availability of Infor EzRMS Mobile as part of the company's overall portfolio of Hospitality Revenue Management Solutions. The application, available through Google Play™ Store and Apple App Store, enables users to stay on top of their business by providing critical information on mobile devices. It provides the right information at the right time so hoteliers can analyze trends and make pricing decisions on the go. Infor EzRMS Mobile provides a ...
The Set Hotels Joins Cendyn
The Set Hotels | April 10, 2018
The Set Hotels looks to the future and implements world's leading hotel CRM platform, Cendyn eInsight, across their hotel group London, United Kingdom - Tuesday April 10, 2018 – The Set Hotels, known for their modern take on grand luxury, is leading the trend for hoteliers across Europe with their decision to partner with Cendyn, the leading hotel CRM platform. Headquartered in London, ultra-luxury hotel group The Set owns and operates three iconic properties in Europe: Hotel Café Royal in London, Conservatorium in Amsterdam and Hotel Lutetia in Paris. With a unique, grand take on each property, The Set prides themselve...
StayNTouch Partners With Juyo Hotel Analytics to Integrate Property Management and Revenue Management Systems
StayNTouch Inc. | April 10, 2018
Bethesda, MD – April 11, 2018 – StayNTouch, an innovator in mobile technology and Property Management Systems (PMS) for hotels, is pleased to announce it has partnered with Juyo Analytics, an innovative Analytics Platform that leverages machine learning to bring advanced performance analytics to hotel customers. "Today's hotels operate in a very competitive marketplace where poor decisions about marketing investment and pricing can quickly put your business at a disadvantage in your compset said Vassilis Syropoulos, Founder & CEO of Juyo Analytics, "In todays competitive market you have to manage your acquisition costs t...
KViHotel Deploys ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Mobile Access Solution for Convenient Keyless Guestroom Entry
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality | April 10, 2018
Newly opened Budapest hotel selects leading provider of hotel security technology for installation of keyless entry with advanced RFID lock technology Stockholm – April 10, 2018 – ASSA ABLOY Hospitality, innovator of security technologies for the hospitality industry, announces the successful implementation of several of its advanced security and access solutions at KViHotel in Hungary. Located in Budapest, KViHotel has implemented ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Mobile Access, VingCard Allure electronic door locks and the Visionline software platform to maximize security and enhance the overall guest experience. The new 40-room prop...
ALICE to Introduce its Suite of Guest Messaging, Staff Operations, and Concierge Technology Products to the European Market At HITEC Amsterdam
ALICE | April 9, 2018
ALICE will showcase the company's industry-leading hotel operations technology at HITEC EUROPE 2018. Stop by Stand 207 for a live demo. New York, NY -- ALICE, the hospitality industry's leading operations platform, is officially launching in Europe and will be exhibiting its complete suite of hotel management and guest engagement products at this year's HITEC Amsterdam, April 11-13, at Stand 207. Click here to schedule a meeting with our team. ALICE joins all staff departments onto a single operations platform to streamline staff operations and enhance the guest experience. ALICE's suite of products include concierge task management sof...
Manga Hotels Acquires the Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport
Manga Hotels | April 9, 2018
April 10, 2018 -- Manga Hotels is pleased to announce that is has acquired the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Buffalo Airport, further expanding the growing portfolio of hotels in both Canada and United States. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Buffalo Airport marks the 4th Hampton Inn property to be added to Manga's portfolio. This 101-room Hampton Inn and Suites is conveniently located next to the Buffalo International Airport, near Walden Galleria, Elmwood Village and a short distance to the many attractions. The hotel features Hampton's free hot breakfast buffet, served every morning, a fitness center, an indoor saltwat...
Owned by Dada Hospitality and Managed by Witness Hospitality, Residence Inn by Marriott Set to Open in Lafayette, Indiana
Residence Inn by Marriott | April 9, 2018
Lafayette, IN – April 9, 2018 – The 108-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Lafayette, Indiana is scheduled to open this Thursday, April 12, 2018. Located at 3834 Grace Lane, the all-suite Residence Inn Lafayette will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Dada Hospitality and managed by Witness Hospitality, LLC. Located off Interstate-65, six minutes from downtown Lafayette, the Residence Inn Lafayette offers its guests convenient access to Purdue University, Prophetstown State Park and Coyote Crossing Golf Course. "We are pleased to introduce Residence Inn hotels in the Lafayette area," said Diane Mayer, vice president a...
