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Industry Happenings
Resort Fee Litigation Advisory Group: How to Avoid Litigation on Resort Fees and Other Mandatory Hotel Charges
Jim Butler | October 19, 2017
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 19 October 2017 Note: If you are a consumer with a Resort Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers with complaints against hotels. We are part of the fabric of the hotel industry and are committed to informing, educating and assisting players in the hotel industry. What does the FTC say is your potential liability for mandatory hotel charges? In evaluating what you should do about the new furor over mandatory hotel charges, it would be helpful to have a clearer understanding of what the FTC seems to be saying on...
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas to Develop Resort and Spa in the Austrian Alps
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas | October 19, 2017
BANGKOK – October 19, 2017 – Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is set to add yet another extraordinary destination to its portfolio of properties in some of the world's most beautiful and inspiring locations. Set in the breathtakingly picturesque Austrian Alps, Six Senses Kitzbühel Alps showcases its stunning environment through all seasons: from winter's snow covered terrain with high-end ski activities, to spectacular summers when the landscape is vibrant with nature's verdant palette of colors. Featuring some of the finest cross-country skiing and downhill slopes in the world, Kitzbühel has been named a winne...
Rainmaker and StayNTouch Partner to Help Hotels Increase Bookings, Optimize Revenue and Boost Profitability
Rainmaker | October 19, 2017
Rainmaker's groundbreaking guestrev® solution now integrates with StayNTouch's Rover™ PMS ALPHARETTA, GA. and BETHESDA, MD. — Oct. 19, 2017 — The Rainmaker Group (Rainmaker), a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue management software solutions, and StayNTouch, an innovator in mobile technology and property management systems for hotels, today announced a partnership agreement whereby Rainmaker's guestrev® solution is integrated with StayNTouch's Rover™ cloud-based property management system. The integration will help hotels increase bookings, optimize revenue and boost profitability. An ear...
BENCHMARK Adds High Hampton Inn & Country Club in Cashiers, North Carolina to Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Portfolio
High Hampton | October 19, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has added High Hampton Inn & Country Club to its Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio. The historic and storied property is located in Cashiers, North Carolina, nestled in the foothills of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas said, "We are very excited to welcome High Hampton Inn to the Benchmark Hotels & Resorts brand portfolio. This scenic North Carolina property is one of America's most prestigious, historic resorts, with its rich history of hospitality extending back to the ni...
Address Hotels + Resorts Appoints David Simon General Manager of Palace Downtown
| October 19, 2017
Dubai, UAE; October 19, 2017: David Simon has been appointed as the new General Manager of Palace Downtown, a palatial destination managed by Address Hotels + Resorts. Formerly the Hotel Manager, David will play a key role in driving the hotel's ongoing growth strategy as well as staff leadership, recruitment, and management. He will continue to direct all aspects of daily operations, revenue generation and guest retention. With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, he has worked in the USA, India, South Korea, Hong Kong and Dubai, among others, with renowned hotel brands in a variety of managerial capacities. David has demonstr...
Business Travelers Are Still Going Rogue With Hotel Bookings
Egencia | October 19, 2017
The 4th edition Egencia Business Travel and Technology Survey reveals what leads business travelers astray Bellevue, Wash., October 19 - A recent study* by Egencia®, the business travel arm of the Expedia group, found that despite the wide use of travel policies worldwide, "rogue booking", the practice of business travelers booking outside of their travel program, is still an issue for corporate travel programs, especially when it comes to hotel stays. While 60 percent of companies have a travel policy in place, more than half of the business travelers surveyed are still allowed to book travel using any method they choose, and a ful...
W South Beach Appoints Dean Peters as Director of Sales and Marketing
W South Beach | October 19, 2017
MIAMI BEACH, FL (OCTOBER 2017) – W South Beach announces new additions in sales leadership with the appointment of Dean Peters as director of sales and marketing of the iconic 408-room luxury lifestyle hotel. Peters brings more than 28 years of leading hospitality experience to W South Beach. In his new role, Peters oversees all sales and marketing efforts, including leisure, entertainment and business travel, catering and group sales, digital and creative marketing efforts, branding initiatives, strategic partnerships, advertising, and media efforts. Most recently, Peters served as area sales leader for 15 Marriott managed proper...
Premier Capital Associates Secures Refinance for Quality Inn and Suites in Sequim, WA
Premier Capital Associates | October 19, 2017
BELLEVUE, Wash., October 19, 2017 – Premier Capital Associates, LLC, a national, full-service real estate investment company specializing in debt and advisory services for hospitality real estate, announced today that they secured refinancing for the Quality Inn and Suites at Olympic National Park in Sequim, WA. The total loan amount was approximately $4,600,000. "Giving our clients the financial agility that comes from making use of available equity is the most rewarding part of our relationships. For the Quality Inn and Suites at in Sequim, that meant working closely with our funding sources to get the property the cash they wan...
How Much Should I Spend on Paid Search for My Hotel?
Lisa McCreary | October 19, 2017
Lisa McCreary | GCommerce Solutions | Search Marketing Manager We get this question all the time from prospective clients and new clients and it's also something we revisit at least once (or more) every year for current clients. The truth is, there's a lot more to it than picking a number based on the hotel's location. It's a complex answer that can only be determined by deep discovery and understanding of the hotel and its goals, the market the property is located within and historical data from the hotel. At GCommerce, every client's budget recommendations are customized based on the hotel's specific goals, historical performance and ...
The Westin Nashville Appoints Mark Burkhalter as Director of Food and Beverage
The Westin Nashville | October 18, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 18, 2017) The Westin Nashville announces today the appointment of Mark Burkhalter as Director of Food and Beverage. With over two decades of experience working for marquee properties across Alabama and Tennessee, most recently as Director of Food and Beverage for the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown, Burkhalter will conceive and spearhead a new direction for The Westin Nashville's food and beverage program. "Mark's distinguished military experience infuses his work, adding a refined precision and team-building mentality that I find remarkable," says General Manager Hugh Templeman. "His proven expertise with al...
DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse Promotes Kevin Connolly to Director of Sales and Marketing
DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse | October 18, 2017
SYRACUSE, N.Y. October 18, 2017—DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse, a 250-room hotel in Carrier Circle, announced that Kevin Connolly has been promoted to director of sales and marketing. DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse General Manager Thomas Olsen made the announcement. In this role, Connolly will work closely with the finance, sales and revenue management teams, and be responsible for developing and implementing procedures and strategies that support the hotel's guest relations and profitability goals. "Kevin has the drive and industry experience that we were looking for when vetting individuals for this management position," said Olse...
JQH Advances Michael Rowley to Director of Sales at Newly Renovated Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Allen
Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center | October 18, 2017
DALLAS & ALLEN, Texas & SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- October 18, 2017 --John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced Michael Rowley's advancement to director of sales at the company's Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center in Texas. Located in a thriving suburb north of Dallas, this newly renovated, 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence hotel is in a prime location near the Allen Event Center and The Village of Allen. Rowley has 10 years of hospitality experience in the Dallas-area market, including with the 228-room/suite Courtyard Dallas Allen, which is owned and operated by Springfield, Miss...
Aimbridge Hospitality Appoints Harold Mirambell General Manager of DoubleTree Evansville
Aimbridge Hospitality | October 18, 2017
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA (October 18 2017) — Aimbridge Hospitality, the nation's largest and most recognized independent hotel investment and management firm, named Harold Mirambell the new General Manager for the DoubleTree Evansville. Mirambell brings to his new role nearly 20 years of hotel operations experience. He joins the Doubletree Evansville from Éilan Hotel & Spa in San Antonio, TX, where he was the Director of Operations. In that role, Mirambell was responsible for managing all of the Four Diamond hotel's internal operations, including an award-winning restaurant and a 10,000 square foot spa. Before that, Mirambel...
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa Welcomes New Executive Chef Larry Eells
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa | October 18, 2017
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (October 17, 2017) – Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa is pleased to introduce Executive Chef Larry Eells as taking over the helm of the renowned resort's culinary operations. Eells joined the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa team on October 1st with forty years of culinary experience and thirty as executive chef. In his new position, Eells will manage the operations of the resort's Lantana Restaurant, Agave Sunset Lobby Bar, Oasis Pool Bar and Roadrunner Café as well as in-room dining and all catering services. Eells feels strongly that regardless of the establishment, whether casu...
Crescent Hotels & Resorts to Manage the Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbus/OSU
Crescent Hotels & Resorts | October 18, 2017
Columbus, OH (October 18, 2017) – Crescent Hotels & Resorts has been selected to manage the Homewood Suites by Hilton® Columbus/OSU. Crescent, based in Fairfax, Virginia, is a nationally recognized elite operator of hotels and resorts throughout the United States and Canada. The newly built, upper upscale, extended-stay all-suite hotel is located in Upper Arlington entertainment district of Columbus, next to The Ohio State University and The Jerome Schottenstein Center and close to downtown Columbus. "The Crescent team is excited to add the Homewood Suites Columbus/OSU to our portfolio because it aligns well with our exper...
Janet Fioriti Appointed Vice President of Operations for Twenty Four Seven Hotels
Twenty Four Seven Hotels | October 18, 2017
Newport Beach, CA, October 2017 - Twenty Four Seven Hotels (www.247hotels.com), established leaders in hotel management, investment and development, today announced the appointment of Janet Fioriti as Vice President of Operations. In her new role, Fioriti will provide high-impact strategic direction and leadership for the entire portfolio, which includes overseeing all aspects of hotel operations and guest services. With a team of regional operations leaders and property-based general managers, Fioriti will interface with owners to ensure the company exceeds investment objectives on hotel assets throughout the portfolio. She will report...
Krish Hospitality to Debut Best Western’s GLo Brand in Summer 2018 in Ashveille, North Carolina
October 18, 2017
PHOENIX (October 18, 2017) - Best Western Hotels & Resorts' suburban boutique hotel brand – GLō – will soon make its debut in Asheville, North Carolina. Construction of GLō Asheville is officially underway, and upon completion, the hotel will be the first of its kind to open in North Carolina and will be a reflection of Best Western's reimagined brand identity – providing a stylish, convenient space designed for the way people travel today. "When we reimagined Best Western's brand identity and set out to broaden our appeal with a contemporary, energetic and relevant look, we knew the future would be an exciting o...
Using Agile Marketing in 2018 to Maximize Results, While Minimizing Risk
Alan E. Young | October 18, 2017
How hotel and travel companies can experience ROI uplift of 20% to 40% with micro-marketing practices By Alan Young It's no secret — the process of building out your 2018 business plan and marketing strategy can, more often than not, feel like gambling. Are you going to wager all your chips (marketing dollars) on black or red, odd or even? Should you make a high bet, or an inside bet? What happens if your bet is a bust? Did you just gamble away the potential success of your business or product? What if we told you that you could minimize that perceived risk, while maximizing results? Typically, the missteps experienced in marketin...
Landmark Hotel Reopening Early 2018 in Poland as Raffles Europejski Warsaw Following Restoration
Raffles Hotels & Resorts | October 18, 2017
Warsaw October 18, 2017 - Early 2018, Raffles Europejski Warsaw will open its doors to welcome a new chapter in the property's rich history spanning 160 years. Situated along the Royal Route next to the Presidential Palace in Old Town, the historic building has been an icon since its inception. Through its thoughtful restoration project, rich blend of Polish heritage, skilled local craftsmanship and contemporary art on display, the Raffles Europejski Warsaw reflects the narrative of the nation's history. The property will feature 106 elegant suites featuring carefully curated Polish art by Anda Rottenberg and Barbara Piwowarska;...
Blackstone Acquires Hotel Investment Partners and its Portfolio of 14 Coastal Resorts from Banco Sabadell in Spain
Blackstone Real Estate | October 18, 2017
October 18, 2017 - Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe V ("Blackstone") announces that it has agreed to acquire Hotel Investment Partners ("HI Partners"), a leading Spanish hospitality company, from Banco Sabadell. HI Partners owns a portfolio of 14 primarily coastal hotels with over 3,700 rooms in Spain's most popular tourism destinations. Anthony Myers, Head of Real Estate Europe at Blackstone, said: "We are delighted to make another substantial investment in Spain and to have the opportunity to partner with the HI Partners management team, working with them to continue to execute their strategy of growing HI Partners into Spain's ...
Coastal Hospitality Plans $24 Million Residence Inn by Marriott at Town Center of Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development | October 18, 2017
Linkhorn Associates, LLC, d.b.a. Coastal Hospitality, announced plans for a $24 million Residence Inn by Marriott to be located at 4401 Bonney Road in the Town Center of Virginia Beach. The 100,000-square-foot building will be located on a two-acre site with 120 hotel rooms when complete in October 2018. "This is a substantial investment in Town Center and adds another high-quality project to this thriving area," said Virginia Beach Economic Development Director Warren Harris. "We thank Coastal Hospitality for their continued investment and confidence in Virginia Beach." Coastal Hospitality is a full-service hotel management company wit...
The Cordish Companies Celebrate “Topping Off” of Flagship Live! Hotel, Scheduled To Open In Early 2018
Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland | October 18, 2017
HANOVER, Md., Oct. 18, 2017 - The Cordish Companies today completed the exterior phase of construction on the FLAGSHIP LIVE! HOTEL with the placement of the final steel beam in a traditional "Topping Off" ceremony. The 350,000-square-foot luxury hotel, located adjacent to LIVE! CASINO, features a 17-story hotel tower, 310 guest rooms, an event center, meeting spaces, a day spa/salon, and David's Café, a 24/7 dining establishment. It is the first hotel in the country to carry the Live! brand, world renowned for its spirit of fun and spontaneity. Located within the Arundel Mills Commercial District next to Arundel Mil...
IHG Signs Three Management Contracts to Introduce Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants to Asia
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | October 18, 2017
ATLANTA, Oct. 18, 2017 -- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's leading hotel companies, today signed three management contracts to introduce its luxury boutique hotel brand, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, to Asia. The first Kimpton properties in the region will be located in prime markets in Southeast Asia and Greater China, further solidifying Kimpton's appeal to global audiences. Elie Maalouf, CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group, The Americas said: "Our Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand is iconic for its unconventional approach to boutique hospitality and we're thrilled to introduce it...
Caribbean Hotel Profits Suffer In 2016
CBRE Group, Inc. | October 18, 2017
Zika, Exchange Rates and New Supply Impact Performance October 18, 2017, Atlanta, Ga. – CBRE Hotels Americas Research announced that the average Caribbean hotel in its survey sample suffered a 4.7 percent decrease in gross operating profit (GOP) during 2016, according to its newly released twelfth edition of Caribbean Trends® in the Hotel Industry. This decline in profitability follows four consecutive years of double-digit increases in GOP. The decline in the bottom-line starts with the falloff in top line revenue. During 2016, occupancy for the Trends® sample declined by 2.8 percent, along with a 0.2 percent decrease in ...
