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
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino Completes Property Renovations
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino | March 2, 2018
PALM BEACH, ARUBA – March 2018 – Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is pleased to announce the addition of three new rooms to Tradewinds Club as well as recent renovations to its guest rooms, Tradewinds Lounge, meeting space, and Ruth's Chris. Giving a fresh new look to its accommodations, Aruba Marriott completed soft renovations of all 411 guest rooms, unveiling new bed frames, carpeting, furniture pieces, lighting fixtures, and artwork. The overall design scheme focuses on modern minimalism and an upscale, beach-chic theme with neutral and light blue tones, reflecting the refreshing aesthetic of the destination....
NewcrestImage Opens New Dual-Branded TownePlace Suites & SpringHill Suites Hotels in New Orleans
NewcrestImage | March 2, 2018
NewcrestImage has opened a new dual-branded hotel at 1600 Canal Street in New Orleans. The 13-floor building, constructed in 1960 but vacant since 2005, has undergone a major renovation to feature two Marriott brands -- a 105-room TownePlace Suites and a 74-room SpringHill Suites. The property is strategically located at the intersection of Interstate 10, just nine blocks from the historic French Quarter district. It is adjacent across the interstate highway to the city's 1,500-acre, $1.2 billion BioDistrict, which is a state-supported economic development area that serves as a model of collaboration in health care and research between ...
Noble House Hotels & Resorts Promotes Don Dennis VP of Operations, West Coast and Kelly Commerford Regional Director of Marketing, West Coast
Noble House Hotels & Resorts | March 2, 2018
SEATTLE (March 2, 2018) – Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd., a hotel ownership and management group with an upscale portfolio of 18 distinct and visually captivating properties spanning the U.S., today announced three leadership and management appointments to accommodate its impressive growth. Don Dennis has been named the new vice president of operations for the West Coast based in San Diego, Calif. and Kelly Commerford moves into a new position as the regional director of marketing for the West Coast and is also based in San Diego, Calif. The two hospitality veterans are longtime members of the Noble House team and bring tr...
The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire – A Doubletree by Hilton Approints New General Manager Pete Bauchle
The Lismore Hotel | March 2, 2018
Eau Claire, WI (March 2018) – Pete Bauchle was recently appointed general manager of The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire - a DoubleTree by Hilton, 333 Gibson St., Eau Claire, WI. A seasoned hotel veteran, Bauchle has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Here, he will be responsible for all day-to-day operations including sales and food and beverage of the only full-service hotel downtown Eau Claire. This premier property boasts 112-stylish guest rooms and suites, plus a multi-purpose convention center, making it an ideal destination for business and leisure travelers, alike. "I am delighted to be in Eau Claire an...
Auberge Resorts Collection Appoints Eliezer Quinones General Manager for Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Auberge Resorts Collection | March 2, 2018
CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO (March 2, 2018) – Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, an Auberge Resorts Collection property and Los Cabos' newest beachfront resort, announces an occasion to break out the Casamigos tequila – the appointment of Eliezer Quinones as general manager. Since opening its doors in February 2017, the contemporary resort has set itself apart by instilling a free-spirited energy throughout the quintessential luxury resort experience. Named as one of the top 52 places to visit in 2018 by The New York Times, the resort has more reason to celebrate with Quinones joining as general manager. A former professional b...
Staypineapple Opens The Alise Boston Following Rebranding of The Former Chandler Inn
Staypineapple | March 2, 2018
BOSTON – (March 2, 2018) – Staypineapple, known for its fun and thoughtful approach to hospitality, is pleased to announce a new addition to the pineapple family. Located in Boston, Mass., the hotel, formerly The Chandler Inn, became The Alise Boston on February 28, 2018. The Alise is the embodiment of Staypineapple's vision for what a refined, urban, classic yet modern hotel should be. "We are thrilled to open a new hotel in the charming, historic Back Bay neighborhood in Boston," said Michelle Barnet, CEO of Pineapple Hospitality Co. "Our pineapple family is growing, and we are excited to now have a presence on both coasts...
DiamondRock Acquires The Landing Resort & Spa in Lake Tahoe, California for $42 Million, or $545,000 Per Key
DiamondRock Hospitality | March 2, 2018
BETHESDA, Md., March 1, 2018 -- DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the "Company") (NYSE: DRH) today announced that it has acquired The Landing Resort & Spa ("The Landing" or "Resort"), a luxury resort in Lake Tahoe, California, for $42 million, or $545,000 per key. The acquisition represents a 7% yield on 2017 Hotel Adjusted EBITDA. The Landing Resort & Spa is a premier luxury resort with one of the best locations in Lake Tahoe. The Landing was ranked as a TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award Top 20 Hotel in the US and Condé Nast Readers' Choice Award #1 resort in Northern California in ...
DiamondRock Acquires the Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Phoenix, AZ for $80 Million, or $331,000 Per Key
DiamondRock Hospitality | March 2, 2018
BETHESDA, Md., March 1, 2018 -- DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the "Company") (NYSE: DRH) today announced that it has acquired the Kimpton Hotel Palomar ("Hotel Palomar" or the "Hotel"), a lifestyle boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The purchase price is $80 million, or $331,000 per key, which represents a 12.6x multiple of the forward 12 months of hotel EBITDA. The Hotel Palomar is ranked #2 of 174 Phoenix hotels on TripAdvisor. Opened in 2012, the Hotel Palomar is situated in the heart of the CityScape mixed-use project, a 1.2 million square foot urban development that is capital...
Geolo Capital and JW Capital Partners to Break Ground on Flagship Thompson Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Thompson Hotels | March 2, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO – March 2, 2018 – San Francisco-based Geolo Capital and Boston-based JW Capital Partners today announced plans for a new Thompson Hotels project in Washington, D.C. Slated to open in early 2020, the 225-room Thompson D.C. will be the first hotel development in The Yards – the city's earliest industrial neighborhood – and will boast locally-inspired design, and a variety of signature amenities for travelers and locals alike. Situated on D.C.'s scenic riverfront, within walking distance from Nationals Park, The Yards is quickly transforming into a vibrant modern hub reflective of the area's rich, mari...
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Acquires Gateway Hospitality Group Management Platform
Interstate Hotels & Resorts | March 2, 2018
ARLINGTON, Va., March 2, 2018—Interstate Hotels & Resorts - the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company - announces it has acquired the management platform from Gateway Hospitality Group. The 20-hotel portfolio will be operated under Interstate Gateway Management LLC, a subsidiary of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, with founder Bob Voelker and partner Ron Hutcheson joining Interstate in executive-level asset management and owner relations responsibilities for this portfolio. Gateway has a long track history of developing and managing high quality hotels throughout the United States. "We're delighted to be part of I...
7% Year-Over-Year Growth in the Global Construction Pipeline With 12,631 Projects in Total Pipeline
Lodging Econometrics | March 2, 2018
March 2, 2018 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – The Lodging Econometrics (LE) Global Construction Pipeline Trend Report, which compiles the construction pipeline for every country and market in the world, states that the Total Global Pipeline stands at 12,631 Projects/2,127,794 Rooms, up 7% by projects Year-Over-Year (YOY). There are 5,847 Projects/1,101,707 Rooms Under Construction, up 6% by projects YOY. Projects Scheduled to Start Construction in the Next 12 Months, at 3,744 Projects/548,876 Rooms, are up 2% while projects in Early Planning at 3,040 Projects/477,211 Rooms are up 17% YOY. The leading franchise companies in the Global Con...
European Hotel Transactions Reach Record Levels as Investors Step Up Interest in Southern Europe, Says HVS Report
HVS | March 2, 2018
2 March 2018, London: European hotel transaction volume reached €21.7 billion in 2017, up 22% on 2016 and the second largest figure ever recorded, according to the annual European Hotel Transactions report published this week by HVS and its brokerage and investment services division HVS Hodges Ward Elliott. Single asset transactions in Europe were up 16% year-on-year to a volume of €12.4 billion, continuing an upward trend and accounting for 57% of transaction volume, with some 323 hotels – 59,500 rooms - sold in 2017 for over €7.5 million. Portfolio volume showed a 29% increase in activity to €9.3 billion with...
Women on Boards in Travel and Hospitality
Frances Kiradjian | March 2, 2018
By Frances Kiradjian Women's equality has been put into the spotlight recently including the subject around the #MeToo movement, and the response has been tremendous, with an increase in the number of female-focused conferences and meetups. While the issue has been taken out of the dark and into the public eye, there is still a need for change within in the corporate setting, primarily within positions of power such as top executives and public and private boards. A lack of women in executive positions is not a new issue or area of focus for some companies. A perfect example of who has been leading the path is Women on Boards 2020; an i...
James Beard Foundation Selects Paula Wolfert as 2018 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
the James Beard Foundation (JBF) | March 2, 2018
NEW YORK, NY (March 2, 2018) – Today the James Beard Foundation announced Paula Wolfert, multiple James Beard Award–winning author, as the 2018 Lifetime Achievement honoree. Wolfert's career in food began in the 1950s, when on the advice of her mother, the newly married Columbia graduate took up cooking classes. She learned from and eventually worked for Dione Lucas, the first woman to have a TV cooking show, in addition to working for James Beard, himself. In 1959 she moved to Tangiers, where her love of Mediterranean and Moroccan cooking began and would be translated into nine books during her career. Her first book, Cousc...
To Succeed, Destination Marketing Organisations Must Publish or Perish
MyTravelResearch.com | March 2, 2018
By Bronwyn White With artificial intelligence driving sophisticated semantic search algorithms, DMOs must become publishers of content and create an emotional connection to the prospect traveller Dear DMO, your mission for the next 12 months is to establish trust, reputation, and authority with Google and the search engines, because these days, there are only two markets that matter: Google and your customers. Content should be the cornerstone of all of your tourism marketing. Publishing online content is also pretty much the only way you can build trust, reputation, and authority with the search engines. So, do or die. Publish or peris...
Evolution Tower Corp. Opens W Panama Marking Brand Debut in Central America
W Hotels Worldwide | March 1, 2018
PANAMA CITY, Panama – March 1, 2018 – Qué sopá Panama! W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), today announced the opening of W Panama, the first W in Central America. Located in one of the most cosmopolitan capitals in the region, Panama City, the new hotel towers above the heart of the business district within the ultra-modern, 50-floor Evolution Tower on Calle 50. The bold and vibrant design of W Panama, under the ownership of Evolution Tower Corp., blends centuries of history and culture with the nearby tropical paradise and trendy metropolitan spirit of Panama City. "Panama City i...
The Transformation of the Hotel Industry in the 2010s
Robert A. Rauch | March 1, 2018
By Robert A. Rauch, CHA We have officially been transformed into the John Naisbitt coined "hi tech, hi touch" world, 33 years after the release of his book. Led by revenue management but now including distribution, channel management, social media marketing, Web 2.0 and more. The industry has been permanently changed. Digital Marketing is required to both acquire and retain guests. Believe it or not, only a real quality revolution gives you the competitive edge, because brand loyalty is very limited in today's millennial dominant hospitality market. Since hospitality businesses do not hold customers captive, the only way we can prevent ...
Bringing Experiential Travel to the Americas
JLL Real Views | March 1, 2018
By Maggie Nichols From sharing a yurt with a nomadic family to sleeping among the monkeys in jungle treehouses, today's travelers are increasingly on the lookout for authentic experiences and exotic adventures. This shift has created and fueled demand for experiential travel – a form of tourism where people focus on experiencing a destination by connecting to its nature and landscapes, culture, residents and way of life. Experiential travel first took off – and is still most prevalent – in Africa. Think luxury tents on the Serengeti plains of Tanzania or a safari in the wilderness of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Now...
Is Your Marriott Hotel HSIA Brand Compliant?
Cloud5 Communications | March 1, 2018
Brand leaders have established HSIA standards and are requiring their properties to get compliant, ensuring positive stay experiences and higher guest scores. High-performing Internet access is the #1 demand/complaint from travelers. In other words, it is mission critical to your hotel's competitive performance. Brand leaders like Marriott know that when a guest selects one of its properties, they expect an optimal experience. One of these expectations is consistent, high-quality Internet service. And their satisfaction will show in your property's guest scores. Marriott developed and maintains Global Property Network Standards (GPNS) f...
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami Appoints Martin Jakubczak as Director of Sales
The Ritz- Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami | March 1, 2018
MIAMI (March 1, 2018) – Following its re-imagination last year, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami is expanding its sales team with the appointment of Martin Jakubczak as director of sales. With more than 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jakubczak brings his expertise in group sales and building strong client relationships to lead the property's sales team to success and exceed their revenue goals. Jakubczak joins The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami from his most recent position as the associate director of sales at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach and previous to that served as a senior sales manager for The...
Tru by Hilton Touches Down in Three New States; Texas, Virginia and Iowa
Hilton | March 1, 2018
MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) midscale hotel brand, Tru by Hilton, expanded its footprint to three new states with its latest property openings in Garland, Texas, Farmville, Virginia, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Since opening its first property less than a year ago, Tru by Hilton has championed a truly authentic experience for guests who share a zest-for-life mindset and desire to explore the local events and attractions around their hotel. "When we first concepted Tru by Hilton, we understood the challenge of delivering a consistent product across a franchise brand while offering that tailored experience our guests are seekin...
Hilton Recognizes Team Members with 2017 CEO Light and Warmth Award
Hilton | March 1, 2018
MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today awarded 12 Team Members with the company's most prestigious recognition: the 2017 CEO Light & Warmth Award. The annual accolade celebrates Team Members from across levels and geographies who consistently over-deliver on the job and model the company's values of Hospitality, Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, Ownership and Now. This year's recipients range from chefs and bartenders to managers and laundry attendants, and have gone beyond their job duties to provide for fellow colleagues, guests and their communities. That includes supporting colleagues and their families during the nat...
Wellness – What’s Next for Hotels?
Chamberlin | March 1, 2018
In the travel industry, wellness is more valuable than ever. People are living healthier lifestyles, and they don't want to give that up when they're on the road. According to the Global Wellness Institute, travelers are set to spend more than $800 billion on health-focused trips by 2020. Health-focused resorts around the world are finding exciting new ways to capitalize on this growing demand, and paving the way for smaller properties to enhance their own wellness offerings. The Global Wellness Summit recently released several studies including "A New Era of Transformative Wellness Travel" which reported that destinations are creating...
Vienna House Launches Vienna House R.evo A New Hotel Concept Line
Vienna House | March 1, 2018
Vienna, 1 March 2018 – Combining the individuality of a home, flexibility of a guesthouse and the stylish design of a city apartment, Vienna House introduces Vienna House R.evo. The new brand by the Vienna House hotel group brings together guest rooms, studios, friends and family rooms with modern design, laid-back common areas and high quality facilities. The tribrid concept offers innovative technology and urban design features in a convenient central location, making it the perfect accommodation to suit the needs of today's modern society. The first project will open in Munich, followed by other major cities including Bangkok a...
