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Industry Happenings
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts with China Resources Property to Bring Brand to Hong Kong in Early 2019
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | January 8, 2018
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts today announced a collaboration with China Resources Property which is slated to bring the legendary St. Regis brand to Hong Kong by early 2019. Marriott International has nine properties in Hong Kong, but this will be the first property for the St. Regis brand in the city. "Hong Kong is a bustling center of commerce with an incredible mix of glamour, culture, history and tradition. This vibrancy makes it an ideal destination for St. Regis," said Lisa Holladay, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. "With its excellent location, impeccable service, and refined elegance, we ...
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) Sells 261-Suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta – Galleria
HVMG | January 8, 2018
ATLANTA (January 8, 2018) – Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, today announced it has sold the 261-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta – Galleria to an unaffiliated third party and retained management of the property. "Having owned and operated the Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta – Galleria for the past three years along with several other Embassy Suites hotels, we are intimately familiar with both the marketplace and the brand and how to maximize its value," said Robert S. Cole, president and CEO, HVMG. "With our home base and...
Henan Longzhu Hotel Management Co. and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Enter Agreement for New Build Radisson Zhengzhou, China
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | January 8, 2018
Singapore - January 8, 2018 - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announces the signing of a management agreement for Radisson Zhengzhou with Henan Longzhu Hotel Management Co., Ltd. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2022, the 210-key property is located at Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou city in China. A capital city of Henan province, Zhengzhou is an emerging tier-one city that serves as a hub for the nation's railroad, aviation, highway, electric power, post and telecommunications. "Zhengzhou is an important economic epicenter in central China. Zhengdong New District ...
Carver Companies Became the Largest, Hospitality Facing Human Capital Organization in North America in 2017
The Carver Companies | January 8, 2018
Happy New Year to you, your families and your teams! As always this time of year, we all take the time to reflect on the previous year and look forward to the future. 2017 was an amazing year for The Carver Companies, and if early activity is any indication, 2018 will be nothing short of game changing! To keep you in the loop, I'd like to share some of our successes from 2017 and give you a glimpse into our growth plans for 2018 for each division of our organization. From a Task Force perspective, we now have over 600 Consultants available across all disciplines. This means whatever your need or location, we can often have a hospita...
Chengdu Baicheng Investment Opens DoubleTree by Hilton Chengdu – Longquanyi in China
DoubleTree by Hilton | January 8, 2018
CHENGDU, China and MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 8, 2018 -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Chengdu – Longquanyi, the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Chengdu. DoubleTree by Hilton Chengdu – Longquanyi is owned by Chengdu Baicheng Investment Co. Ltd. and managed by Hilton. DoubleTree by Hilton Chengdu – Longquanyi meets the growing demand for premium, international accommodations in eastern Chengdu. Located in the heart of a nationally designated economic and technological development zone, the hotel offers easy access to the Chengdu Longquan Automobile City and other important business an...
Archipelago International Signs 700-Room Management Contract Under Quest Hotel Brand in Malaysia
Archipelago International | January 8, 2018
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jan. 8, 2018 -- Archipelago International (A.I.), Indonesia's largest hotel group, announced today further expansion into Asia will be taken place with the signing of a 700-room management contract under the Quest Hotel brand. The Port Dickson project will include the city's largest convention center and will be home to a 30,000-square meter water park. The project is scheduled to open mid-2019. With Kuala Lumpur just a short distance away, pristine coastal properties, and 5-star marinas like The Admiral Marina & Leisure Club, Port Dickson has continued to gain notoriety as a business hub and vacation des...
PeachState Hospitality Opens New 80-Key TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Albany, Georgia
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | January 8, 2018
Albany, GA – January 8, 2018 – Get ready to be real and be you on long stays. Marriott International's TownePlace Suites by Marriott Albany, Georgia is scheduled to open for business today. On average, a TownePlace Suites opens every six days. Built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Albany area. The new TownePlace Suites Albany located at 3014 Kensington Court, continues to exemplify the brand's rapid growth. The new hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by PeachState Hospitality LLC of Warner Robins, Georg...
HEDNA Tackles Costly Payment Challenges at January 2018 Global Distribution Conference in Austin
Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) | January 8, 2018
Industry leaders and experts present trends, insights, innovations and best practices to help hoteliers optimize payments, security, privacy, data and distribution strategies Washington, DC (January 8, 2018) – The upcoming HEDNA (Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association) Global Distribution Conference has become the go-to place for hotel industry payment insights, education and best practices. The nearly sold-out event will deliver the most comprehensive information, resources, and dialogue to help hoteliers gain control of the complexities associated with regulations, virtual payments, data security, GDPR and guest deman...
Q4 2017 U.S. Lodging Market Update
Daniel Lesser | January 8, 2018
By Daniel Lesser Driven by robust business and leisure travel, the U.S. hotel industry completed another year of record setting metrics including: Occupancy, Average Daily Rate, RevPAR, Available Rooms, Occupied Rooms, and Rooms Revenue. An extremely active and ferocious hurricane season during the summer months provided a boost to the extended-stay hotel segment but disrupted operations at many properties throughout Florida and Texas. While exacerbated in several submarkets, generally, the nation's new hotel supply pipeline is fairly muted with an annual rise of approximately 2 percent, which is similar to the corresponding increases i...
ONYX Hospitality Group and Sincere Holdings Group Partner to Develop Shama Service Apartments in 12 Cities Across China
ONYX | January 8, 2018
Hong Kong. 8 January 2018 – Thailand-based ONYX Hospitality Group and Sincere Holdings Group, one of the top real estate enterprises in China, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership, aiming to boost the serviced apartments market across key Chinese cities. Under this strategic partnership, Sincere Holdings Group will receive exclusivity rights from ONYX Hospitality Group to develop and open Shama serviced apartments, including those bearing the Shama Luxe and Shama Hub sub-brand names, in 12 key cities across China, namely Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Tian...
TripAdvisor and Google Going Opposite Directions?
Swell Hotel Marketing | January 8, 2018
Metasearch has been a trendy topic lately in one way or another. First, with the constant reports of TripAdvisor's Instant book disaster or that Google wants to take over the travel industry with their recent changes or even Booking.com shifting their budget from performance marketing (Google Ads and mainly metasearch) towards TV ads. TripAdvisor, as you all know, is the biggest travel website there is, with over 450 million monthly visitors. A few years back, TripAdvisor decided to become a price comparison website – displaying prices for individual hotels from online travel agencies, hotel chains and even independent hotels. For...
Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport Opens in Germany with General Manager Inew Bruenn at the Helm
Hyatt Place | January 5, 2018
CHICAGO--January 5, 2018--Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport, marking the introduction of the Hyatt Place brand to Germany. Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport joins six Hyatt Place hotels across Europe, including Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport, Hyatt Place West London/Hayes, Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport, Hyatt Place Jermuk, and Hyatt Place Yerevan. The growth of the Hyatt Place brand in Europe highlights the growing importance of Hyatt's select service properties across the region. The Hyatt Place brand is rooted in extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek styl...
Aloft Corpus Christie by Starwood Specifies Teledex E Series Micro-Footprint Hotel Phones
Cetis | January 5, 2018
Different by design, Aloft Corpus Christie, located at 5117 Embassy Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas, has purchased 200 Teledex E Series hotel phones through Cetis channel partner Active Telephones. Active Telephones is a leader in hospitality communication solutions, including complete telephone systems, and wireless high-speed internet access products. Aloft Corpus Christie features modern guest rooms and 2,000 square feet of event space, conveniently located near military bases, energy companies, and popular beaches. Click here to book reservations at Aloft Corpus Christie, or call +1-361-852-0020. ...
RLJ Lodging Trust Names Ryan Meliker Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations
RLJ Lodging Trust | January 5, 2018
BETHESDA, Md.--January 5, 2018--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that Ryan Meliker will be joining the Company as Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, effective January 17, 2018. Mr. Meliker will report to Leslie D. Hale, the Company's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. "We are excited for Ryan to join the RLJ team. With more than 15 years of experience as a lodging and real estate research analyst, Ryan is well-known and highly regarded by the investment community," commented Ms. Hale. "Not only does he possess significant lodging industry experience, he also c...
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson Opens a Refreshed Hotel Near Sears Centre Arena
Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM | January 5, 2018
MINNEAPOLIS - January 5, 2018 - Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM, a leading upper midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Hoffman Estates, IL. Located at 2280 Barrington Road, the hotel adds ease for visitors flying into the area with its convenient location near Chicago O'Hare International Airport and the hotel's airport shuttle. It is also within four miles of Sears Centre Arena, where guests can attend concerts, sporting events and festivals. The hotel recently completed an extensive $2.2 million renovation which included upgrades to the guest rooms, business center, fitness ce...
The Allison Inn & Spa Appoints Kenny Giambalvo as Executive Chef
The Allison Inn & Spa | January 5, 2018
Willamette Valley, Oregon – January 5, 2018 – The award-winning Allison Inn & Spa welcomes Kenny Giambalvo as Executive Chef. In his new role, Chef Giambalvo will take the helm of all culinary operations at the 85-room destination resort including the signature restaurant JORY, celebrated for its seasonal Oregon Wine Country cuisine. With over 26 years of Executive Chef experience under his belt, Chef Giambalvo brings extensive knowledge and understanding of the culinary world to The Allison. His early career achievements range from New York fine dining experience at The Rainbow Room, Le Cygne, La Cote Basque, The Polo a...
Florida’s Iconic Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda Appoints New Executive Team
| January 5, 2018
PUNTA GORDA, Florida – (Jan. 5, 2018) An iconic fixture in downtown Punta Gorda for the last nine years with its breathtaking rooftop view of Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor, The Wyvern Hotel is celebrating a new chapter in its history. Now independently owned and managed by Sunbelt Asset Management, an affiliate of The Edgewater Group of Paoli, PA, the luxury lifestyle hotel has a brand new team of top notch executives including General Manager Deanne Gabel, Director of Sales & Marketing Mary Keller, Executive Chef Josh Booze, and Director of Food and Beverage Ryan Henyecz. Gabel has more than 40 years of hospitality and lux...
Loews Hotels & Co Appoints Elizabeth Norberg as Chief Human Resources Officer
Loews Hotels & Co | January 5, 2018
NEW YORK (January 5, 2018) – Elizabeth Norberg is Chief Human Resources Officer, Executive Vice President for Loews Hotels & Co. Bringing vast experience to her role, including leadership positions in human resources at major national and international hotel groups, Norberg oversees all aspects of human resources and people strategy for Loews Hotels & Co, with an eye toward filling the company's properties and corporate office with high-energy, determined and reliable world-class talent. "We're thrilled to have Elizabeth on our executive leadership team and look forward to her contributions as we focus on the continued gro...
Highgate Appoints Brent McNally General Manager for The Gates Hotel South
Highgate | January 5, 2018
Miami Beach, Fla. (January 5, 2018) – The Gates Hotel South Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton announces the appointment of Brent McNally as General Manager. In this role, McNally will be responsible for driving overall operations and guest satisfaction of the lifestyle hotel's 235-rooms, signature restaurant Agaveros Cantina, and 3,000-sq-ft of meeting space. "We're thrilled to have Brent McNally join the Highgate team," said Jeff Toscano, SVP of Lifestyle Hotels at Highgate. "With his extensive background in lifestyle hospitality and guest experience, we look forward to Brent furthering the success The Gates South Beach alread...
HSMAI Announces Robust Calendar of 2018 Events
HSMAI | January 5, 2018
(McLean, VA, January 5, 2018) The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce its full schedule of events for 2018. The events to be offered to hotel professionals and their partners through HSMAI Americas in 2018 will feature educational opportunities such as conferences and roundtables in addition to multifaceted-events recognizing noteworthy achievements in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization within the hospitality industry. HSMAI Americas will host the following events in 2018: January 8–10 – Executive THINK at CES, Las Vegas, NV February 20 – Chief Marketing Offi...
Poseidon Hotel Ventures and Strand Hospitality Services Set to Open SpringHill Suites by Marriott in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | January 5, 2018
New Smyrna Beach, FL – January 5, 2018 – Marriott International announced today that the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in New Smyrna Beach, Florida is scheduled to open this Tuesday, January 9, 2018. The 114-suite hotel, located at 512 Flagler Avenue, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Poseidon Hotel Ventures, LLC and managed by Strand Hospitality Services of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. SpringHill Suites New Smyrna Beach sits right on the beach, providing guests with beautiful views and sandy beaches, and is located just 20 miles from Daytona Beach International Airport. The hotel offers guests convenient acces...
HFTP Releases Sample Hospitality Job Descriptions for Industry Professionals’ Use
HFTP | January 5, 2018
Effective templates for industry department leaders Discover example job description templates produced by international nonprofit Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and the HFTP Americas Research Center. The organizations compiled information into standardized descriptions for accounting and IT positions in the lodging industry, as well as descriptions for accounting positions in clubs. Available now via the HFTP website as well as its hospitality-specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com®. The HFTP Hotel Finance Advisory Council and HFTP Club Advisory Council provided guidance for the development of t...
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Selects KEYPR as Exclusive Guest Experience Technology Partner
KEYPR | January 4, 2018
KEYPR®, the leading cloud-based technology platform for the hospitality industry providing an integrated end-to-end experience for guests and staff through embedded and mobile devices, announced today that Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has deployed its expansive hospitality platform. "We pride ourselves on providing a luxury experience that is efficient and unobtrusive, and as our guest demographics diversify, we must find ways to cater to growing technological needs while maintaining the service we are known for," said Matthew Lehman, Fairmont Miramar's General Manager. "KEYPR addresses all of those needs in one neat packa...
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel Celebrates Completion of $7.5 Million Renovation
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel | January 4, 2018
PORTLAND, Ore. – Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, the flagship property at Portland International Airport (PDX), announces the completion of a multi-phase $7.5 milliondollar renovation. The aesthetic of the property was designed to reflect a true sense of place, as displayed by the new lobby centerpiece depicting northwest imagery including wine glasses, pioneers, bicycles and Portland's famed bridges. "We are thrilled to significantly enhance our guest experience and offer the most modern accommodations near PDX," said Mike Daley, General Manager. "The goal of the renovation was to dramatically transform the lobby, guestrooms and...
