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Industry Happenings
Marriott Partners with Owner/Developer Jinshan Investment Group to Debut Le Méridien Brand in Melbourne
Marriott International, Inc. | February 16, 2018
Marriott International today announced the signing of Le Méridien Melbourne, in partnership with owner and developer Jinshan Investment Group. Slated to open in 2020, the 235-room hotel will boast the brand's distinct mid-century modern approach to design and bold 'Destination Unlocked' positioning. This signing reinforces Le Méridien's dynamic global growth, following recent openings in Italy, South Korea, China and the United States, all within the last 12 months. ...
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley Concludes $9 Million Renovation Led by General Manager Justin Gammon
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley | February 16, 2018
(SAN DIEGO) – San Diego Marriott Mission Valley has completed an expansive $9 million property renovation encompassing an upgraded wedding and events lawn with a stunning new fire feature and decorative fencing, totally reimagined meeting space, an elevated lobby experience including lobby bar, and the introduction of the first signature M Club Lounge in San Diego. "We are thrilled to offer our loyal guests an elevated hotel experience in Mission Valley," said General Manager Justin Gammon. "Our modern design aesthetic feels timeless and is in keeping with the casual San Diego culture. Our renovation touches on nearly every aspect...
Ashford Prime to Acquire Florida’s Ritz-Carlton Sarasota for $171 Million or $643K per Room
Ashford Hospitality Prime | February 16, 2018
Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. (NYSE: AHP) ("Ashford Prime" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the 266-room Ritz-Carlton Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida (the "Ritz Sarasota" or the "Property") for $171 million ($643,000 per key). To fund the acquisition, the Company plans to use cash on its balance sheet as well as either drawing on its revolving credit line or securing a non-recourse mortgage loan on the property. As part of the transaction, the seller has agreed to provide a $5.5 million income guaranty to cover any decrease from 2017 hote...
Choice Hotels and HOS Management Break Ground on Cambria Hotel Savannah Historic District in Georgia
Cambria Hotels | February 16, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 16, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, in collaboration with HOS Management, broke ground yesterday afternoon at the future home of the Cambria Hotel Savannah Historic District. Located at 321 Montgomery St., the 103-room, six-story property is slated to open in 2019. Situated in the heart of the city, the Cambria Hotel Savannah Historic District will feature a rooftop bar, locally-inspired interior and exterior designs, local art, multi-function meeting space, a business center, and state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel will also have contempo...
NOVUM Hospitality Partners with LILIHILL Capital Group to Develop Select Hotel in Austria’s Historic Hotel Moser Verdino
NOVUM Hospitality | February 16, 2018
NOVUM Hospitality continues to develop its up-scale brand of Select Hotels internationally and is targeting Austria first. The Hamburg-based hotel group has already secured the historic Hotel Moser Verdino in Domgasse 2 right in the centre of Klagenfurt, the capital of the state of Carinthia. "Besides expanding our midscale niu brand, we also want to grow our premium Select brand and, while doing so, are really looking forward to working at this new and lucrative location in Carinthia," states David Etmenan, Chief Executive Officer & Owner of NOVUM Hospitality. Strategic partner for the development is the LILIHILL Capital ...
Hard Rock International in Partnership with Kailas Companies to Bring Brand to French Quarter with Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans Spring 2019
Hard Rock International | February 16, 2018
Orlando, Fla. – February 16, 2018 – With a presence in more than 75 countries across the globe, Hard Rock International is expanding its hotel portfolio into the historic French Quarter and New Orleans Theater District with plans to open Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans and the Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans. Working in collaboration with local developer, Kailas Companies, Hard Rock will amplify The Big Easy with the addition of an 18-story building scheduled to open in the spring of 2019. Located on a landmark corner in the heart of New Orleans, blocks from the sixth largest convention center in the country, the p...
Prince Resorts Hawaii Appoints Kisan Jo as President to Succeed Donn J. Takahashi Retiring at the End of March
Prince Resorts Hawaii | February 16, 2018
O'AHU, Hawaii (February 16, 2018) – Prince Resorts Hawaii, hotel operator of three luxury properties in the Aloha State, today announced that Donn J. Takahashi has elected to retire as president of Prince Resorts Hawaii on March 31, 2018. Kisan Jo, the vice president of finance and administration at Prince Resorts Hawaii, will assume the role of president upon Takahashi's departure. To aid in the transition, Takahashi will stay on in a senior advisory role through March 2019. Takahashi's retirement marks the end of a 25-year run with Prince Resorts Hawaii and an illustrious 46-year career that distinguishes the hotelier as an extr...
Arbor Lodging Partners Acquires 90-Room Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Northwest in Indiana
Arbor Lodging | February 16, 2018
(CHICAGO; February 16, 2018)–Arbor Lodging Partners, the Chicago-based, leading hotel investment and management company, announces their second acquisition in two weeks, the Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Northwest. The hotel, located at 7226 Woodland Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana, marks Arbor Lodging's sixth property in the Indianapolis market and will be managed by Arbor Lodging Partners' affiliate Arbor Lodging Management. The acquisition also represents the sixth hotel in the Marriott family to be owned and managed by Arbor Lodging, with such other affiliations consisting of Marriott, Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, and Towneplac...
Egypt’s Legendary Mena House Rebrands as Marriott Mena House, Cairo Offering 331 Guestrooms Close to Great Pyramids of Giza
Marriott Hotels | February 16, 2018
Marriott Hotels, part of Marriott International, makes a landmark debut steps away from the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The company announced the rebranding of the legendary Mena House, a historic palace which has played host to Kings and Emperors, Heads of State and celebrities for over 130 years, further enhancing Marriott International's formidable presence in Egypt. "This is a significant moment and a milestone in our journey, a milestone that I am personally very excited about," said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. "With our long hi...
Knowland Acquires Strategic Data Resources (SDR), Producers of the TAP Report
Knowland | February 16, 2018
Rosslyn, VA February 16, 2018 —Knowland announced today that it has acquired Strategic Data Resources (SDR), effective February 15, 2018. Knowland is a globally recognized provider of meeting and group data that offers extensive insight into market analytics, group industry trends, and powerful benchmarking tools. The company is headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia, right outside the nation's capital. SDR was founded in 2004 by Jeff Eastman. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, SDR provides reports to convention and visitors bureaus and hotel sales teams who use their self-reported future looking booked meeting data to benchmark ...
A Hotelier’s Guide to the Top Social Platforms in Asia-Pacific
Cendyn | February 16, 2018
The Asia-Pacific region, not including South Asia, already boasts over two billion mobile users, with China accounting for just under half of that. These countries have an average mobile phone penetration rate of 62 percent, with that number expected to climb to 69 percent in the next few years. An effective marketing strategy for hotels must include mobile – if customers are willing to respond to it. Because of the level of mobile penetration, social media as a platform plays a critical role for engagement with both business and leisure travelers in Asia, and as such, are part of the complete travel journey. Facebook, Instagram, ...
Hotel Transactions in India: What Will Move the Needle?
Hotelivate Private Limited | February 16, 2018
Hotel Transactions Earlier this year, two portfolio deals shaped the hotel transactions market of India with a consolidated transaction value of approximately US$85 million. This is no mean feat for a country where buying or selling of hotel assets has historically been as rare as sighting a snow leopard! Sarovar Hotel Group's acquisition by Louvre Hotels Group was primarily a non-asset deal aimed at gaining the scale and distribution of a management vehicle, with management income from over 70 hotels. In addition, Whitbread PLC from the UK exited India and sold their hotel real estate of five assets. However, other than these, the tran...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Announces New Inner Circle Club Members Who Have Joined for 2018
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | February 15, 2018
The "Club" members represent major supply networks and hospitality organizations owning and operating some of the world's finest boutique & lifestyle hotels Los Angeles, February 15, 2018 - It is with extreme pride that BLLA announces its newest Inner Circle Club (ICC) members. They join the association in a much-esteemed Club that already contains some of the nations top organizations. They have proven to be a force in the boutique sector and a supporter of the association. This year, they'll be joined by brands we hold in the same regard. 2018 is poised to be a historic year for BLLA as we have grown our network and reach like nev...
Wyndham Worldwide to Sell Its European Vacation Rental Business to Platinum Equity for $1.3 Billion
Platinum Equity | February 15, 2018
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 15, 2018 -- Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its European vacation rental business to Platinum Equity for approximately $1.3 billion. In conjunction with the sale, the European vacation rental business has entered into a 20-year agreement under which it will pay a royalty fee of 1% of net revenue to Wyndham's hotel business for the right to use the by Wyndham Vacation Rentals® endorser brand. The European vacation rentals operations will also participate as a redemption partner in the award-winning Wyndham Rewards®...
IntercityHotel Partners with Patrizier Beteiligungs AG to Debut Brand in Switzerland with 2020 Opening of IntercityHotel Zurich Airport
IntercityHotel | February 15, 2018
Frankfurt am Main, 15 February 2018 IntercityHotel is continuing its course of international expansion. Following the recent signing of an agreement for the IntercityHotel Riyadh Malaz in Saudi Arabia, the brand is now also planning to strengthen its presence in Europe further. A lease agreement has been concluded for the IntercityHotel Zurich Airport with Patrizier Beteiligungs AG, which will act as investor and developer, and more joint projects are in the pipeline. This will be the first hotel to operate under the IntercityHotel brand in Switzerland and is scheduled to open in 2020. The new IntercityHotel Zurich Airport will have aro...
Blue Lagoon Iceland Plans Spring 2018 Opening for The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland
Blue Lagoon Iceland | February 15, 2018
(Grindavik, Iceland; February 15, 2018) – Blue Lagoon Iceland, one of the 25 Wonders of the World, is proud to announce the spring 2018 opening of its first luxury offering, the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland. Debuting on a private inlet of the UNESCO Global Geopark, the 62-suite Retreat will also invite guests to experience the Retreat Spa, the Retreat Lagoon, and Moss Restaurant. A longtime vision realized, the Retreat will be brought to life by those who originally developed the Blue Lagoon—Dr. Grímur Sæmundsen, founder & CEO of Blue Lagoon Iceland; Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir of...
Jumeirah Group to Operate Two Hotels Under Its Zabeel House by Jumeirah Brand at Al Seef Opening Spring 2018
Jumeirah Group | February 15, 2018
Dubai, UAE, 15 February 2018: Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, today announced that it has signed a management agreement to operate two hotels under its Zabeel House by JumeirahTM brand at Al Seef, a bustling destination by Meraas on the south bank of Dubai's much-loved creek. The two hotels will open Spring 2018 with booking channels already open, including www.zabeelhouse.com The two properties will be located within the contemporary area of Al Seef, comprising a total of 350 room-keys. The hotels will be the first to open under the Zabeel House by JumeirahTM brand, launched in January 201...
Historic Harrison’s Chesapeake House Reborn as Wylder Hotel Tilghman Island Following Renovation and Rebranding
Wylder Hotels | February 15, 2018
Tilghman Island, MD, February 15, 2018 – For over a century Harrison's Chesapeake House, an iconic hotel on Maryland's Tilghman Island, served as a refuge for politicians, U.S. senators, governors and sports figures from the nation's capital. Despite its storied past, the once glorious Chesapeake House fell into despair with the 2008 financial downturn. Now, Harrison's Chesapeake House is completely renovated and reborn as Wylder Hotel Tilghman Island, making it a destination unto itself as the newest lifestyle resort in the Chesapeake Bay. Debuting April 2018, Wylder Hotel Tilghman Island invites guests to a true waterfront haven...
IBC Webinar Talks ‘Driving Direct Bookings with Google’
IBC Hospitality | February 15, 2018
Google's Pablo Ruiz will discuss the evolution of travel at Google and why more than 170,000 hotels globally are using Google Hotel Ads (GHA) to own their relationships with travelers Phoenix (February 15, 2018) – ILES: A Year of Learning Webinar Series is quickly gaining traction in the independent hotel space. Developed and hosted by IBC Hospitality Technologies, the next event, titled "Driving Direct Booking with Google," will be held February 21 at 11:00 a.m. Led by Pablo Ruiz, Google travel vertical search specialist, the webinar will identify new ways hotels can be profitable through driving direct reservations. Ruiz will un...
AHLA Praises U.S. House of Representatives for Vote to Strengthen ADA
the American Hotel & Lodging Association | February 15, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 15, 2018 – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Representatives Ted Poe (R-Texas 2) and Scott Peters (D-California 52), strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by ensuring compliance and providing businesses a defined timeframe to identify and correct potential violations. The following is a statement from Brian Crawford, Senior Vice President and head of government affairs at AHLA. "As hoteliers, our mission is to make every...
There’s Hidden Money in Your Operation – and It Is Affecting Your Guest’s Satisfaction Too!
Pierre Boettner, Founder and CEO, hospitalityPulse | February 15, 2018
By Pierre Boettner CEO and Founder hospitalityPulse I remember when I started my career in the early 90's. As the Sales & Marketing Manager for an Airport Hotel in Europe, I had been tasked to figure out what this GDS business really was – High yield, and some 20% of our bookings, and we had no idea! I had just finished hacking into Fidelio's database, so we could build better reports on what our business actually was, where it was coming from, and maybe figure out how we could improve on it. With some seven years of data, even for that relatively small hotel with just under 230 rooms, the way we needed to connect to the PMS w...
Trilogy Spa Holdings Appoints Rose Brenkus as Spa Director, Bamford Haybarn Spa at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Trilogy Spa Holdings | February 15, 2018
Brooklyn, NY– February 15, 2018 – Trilogy Spa Holdings announces the appointment of Rose Brenkus as spa director of Bamford Haybarn Spa at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. With more than a decade of experience in the spa industry, Brenkus will implement business-driving initiatives and marketing strategies to grow Bamford's presence in North America, while transforming the second Bamford Haybarn Spa in the US into Brooklyn's top wellness retreat for New York City locals and visiting tourists. In this position, Brenkus' responsibilities will include increasing revenue and building guest loyalty at the 5,000-square foot spa, renowned ...
Concord Hospitality Appoints Senior Leadership Team for Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami Opening March 2018
Hyatt Centric Experience | February 15, 2018
MIAMI – February 14, 2018 – Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami today announces the appointments of two executives who will help lead the operations and sales divisions for the new Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami hotel, slated to open in March 2018. Ricardo Mendes has been named General Manager and Alex Alvarez has been brought on as Director of Sales and Marketing for the second Hyatt Centric-branded hotel in Miami, which will join Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami. Situated in the Panorama Tower, Florida's tallest building, the soon-to-open hotel is owned by Concord Aztec Brickell, LLC, a joint venture comprised of Aztec Group and Con...
Midas Hospitality Names Morgan Bilek as Director of Revenue Management
Midas Hospitality | February 15, 2018
(St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 15, 2018) Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently hired Morgan Bilek as Director of Revenue Management. In this position, Bilek will implement and execute the company-wide revenue management culture and philosophy. Her responsibilities include handling transient and group pricing strategies, creating a proper segmentation mix, and overseeing revenue management objectives and strategies in order to maximize hotel room revenue at all Midas properties. Bilek has more than 12 years of hospitality experience. Prior to joining Midas Hospitality, she worked as the Director of Revenue Management for a...
