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Industry Happenings
Travel Employment Sets Another Record High; Outpaces Other Sectors by 49%
The U.S. Travel Association | May 5, 2014
WASHINGTON (May 5, 2014) - David Huether, senior vice president for research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association, commented on the April jobs data released Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor: "While the jobs news overall is very good, travel continued to outperform the rest of the economy, setting its seventh consecutive employment record. Travel employment added 2,100 jobs for the month, and now stands at close to eight million jobs. "The travel industry is a leading force in getting Americans back to work. Since losing close to half a million jobs in the Great Recession, the travel industry has added 697,000 jobs and has ...
The 165-key Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle/Lynnwood Opens in Washington
Homewood Suites by Hilton | May 5, 2014
May 05, 2014 - SEATTLE and MCLEAN, Va. - Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide's international brand of upscale, all-suite, extended-stay hotels, announced today the opening of its newest property, Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle/Lynnwood, WA. The six-story hotel is the fourth Homewood Suites property in the Seattle area. The hotel features 165 suites, and is owned by Legacy Lynnwood Development, LLC, and managed by Legacy Hospitality. General Manager Jamie Randall and Director of Sales & Marketing Elizabeth Cadez-Olsen have been in the hotel industry for a combined 38 years. "The growth of the Homewood Suites brand in the S...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 124; Hotel History: The Cliff House Resort & Spa, Ogunquit, Maine
Stanley Turkel, CMHS | May 5, 2014
Quote of the Month; My New Book By Stanley Turkel, CMHS 1. Hotel History: The Cliff House Resort & Spa* On April 14, 2014, it was announced that fourth-generation owner Kathryn Weare sold the historic Cliff House Resort & Spa to the Rockbridge hotel investment firm. Sometimes the history of a place and of a family extend so far across time that their identities intertwine and become one. Such a place is The Cliff House, and such a family is Weare. The story begins in 1866. The Civil War had just ended, and the nation turned its attention to reconstruction and rebuilding its spirit. One of the North's military necessities durin...
Anne-Juliette Maurice Appointed General Manager of Hotel Plaza Athénée New York
May 5, 2014
New York, New York - May 5, 2014 - The Hotel Plaza Athénée New York has named Anne-Juliette Maurice its new General Manager. "I am joining a very professional team of women and men who have served the loyal guests of the hotel Plaza Athénée with the highest dedication for years," Anne-Juliette Maurice said. "I look forward to leading the hotel into its fourth decade while enhancing the services and amenities offered at this142-room jewel located on one of Manhattan's most breathtaking streets." With more than 20 years of experience in hotel management, Anne-Juliette's prior roles include the position of Director of Sales and Marketi...
Jim Cihak Named CFO for Woodbine Development as Greg Mowatt Retires
Woodbine Development | May 5, 2014
John Davis Named VP of Asset Management DALLAS, Texas (May 5, 2014) - Woodbine Development Corporation announces several changes to its management team, including the retirement of veteran Greg Mowatt as chief financial officer and promotion of Jim Cihak to that position. Additionally, Woodbine has hired John Davis to serve as vice president of asset management, a role previously held by Cihak. "Greg's stability and depth of experience will be missed," said John Scovell, Woodbine president and CEO. "I'm comforted in knowing that he has groomed Jim for the CFO position. Both Woodbine officers have played a large part in Woodbine's succes...
Sage Hospitality Names Frederick J. Kleisner II Area Managing Director Overseeing Two Denver Hotels
The Oxford Hotel | May 5, 2014
The Oxford Hotel & The Crawford Hotel at Denver Union Station Denver, Colo. (May 5, 2014) - Denver's Sage Hospitality, one of the nation's top hotel investment and management companies, has named Frederick J. Kleisner II as the Area Managing Director overseeing The Oxford Hotel and the new 112-room Crawford Hotel, an independent hotel opening in Denver's revitalized Union Station this July. The Crawford Hotel - opening on July 12th - is also now taking reservations at www.thecrawfordhotel.com. The Crawford's Pullman-style rooms, are designed to reflect a modern take on the glamorous private sleeping cars. Other room types include Cl...
Marcus Hotels Names Kevin Karau General Manager of Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark in Lake Geneva, WI
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark | May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014 - MILWAUKEE - Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced that Kevin Karau has been appointed general manager of Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark in Lake Geneva, Wis. In his new role, Karau will oversee the operations of the only all-suite destination of its kind in the Midwest offering year-round family-fun featuring Moose Mountain Falls, the 50,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor waterpark, 225 suites, meeting spaces and family barbeque restaurant. Karau joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2013 as director of operations for Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark's sister prop...
Widely Adopted and Internationally Acclaimed FCS i-Guest V3 Consolidates Guest Service
FCS | May 5, 2014
New version of the popular i-Guest hotel service mobile app is now General Available (GA) with exciting new features Atlanta, USA - May 5, 2014 - FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, is pleased to announce the General Availability (GA) of i-Guest V3 to users on iOS and Android mobile devices, boosting functionality for both hoteliers and guests. FCS i-Guest has fast become a favorite guest-service application since being released to the hospitality market in 2011. Continuing to stay on the leading edge of technology, FCS has made significant enhancements in subsequent releases ...
Opening this Week is the 131-suite Residence Inn Pullman at Washington State University
Residence Inn by Marriott | May 5, 2014
Owned and Managed by Stonebridge Companies Pullman, Washington - May 5, 2014 - The 131-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Pullman, Washington is scheduled to open on Friday, May 9, 2014 and will feature the brand's innovative, new design. Located at 1255 NE North Fairway Road, the all-suite Residence Inn Pullman at Washington State University will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Stonebridge Companies of Denver, Colorado. Adjacent to the recreation center on the Washington State University campus, Residence Inn Pullman at Washington State University offers its guests convenient access to Martin Stadium, Beasley Coli...
Owned by Patrimar Engenharia S.A., the 216-room Holiday Inn® Belo Horizonte Savassi Opens in Brazil
May 5, 2014
MIAMI (May 5, 2014) - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], today announced the opening of the new Holiday Inn® Belo Horizonte Savassi hotel. Located in one of Brazil's largest cities and also one of the host cities for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this opening marks IHG's debut into Belo Horizonte. "Belo Horizonte is a renowned business metropolis and industrial sector boasting an active cultural calendar of festivals, shows and museums," said Alvaro Diago, chief operating officer, Latin America and the Caribbean, IHG. "The opening of our first Holiday Inn hotel here aligns with the region's development strategy...
Louisiana Welcomes New-Build 83-room Hampton Inn & Suites Harvey
Hampton Hotels | May 5, 2014
Owned by Harvey Hotel Investments and Managed by BN Management HARVEY, La. and MCLEAN, Va. - May 5, 2014 - Hampton Hotels, Hilton Worldwide's global brand of more than 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Hampton by Hilton hotels, today announced the official opening of its newest property, the 83-room Hampton Inn & Suites Harvey, located at 1651 5th Street in Harvey, La. "Hampton Hotels combines quality, innovation and comfort to offer guests a first-class experience," said Allan Rajack, general manager. "The friendly and modern Hampton Inn & Suites Harvey is particularly exciting because it brings the Ha...
The Newly Built 154-key Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown Opens in South Carolina
Hilton Garden Inn | May 5, 2014
Owned by BCH Lockwood and Managed by LBA Hospitality May 05, 2014 - CHARLESTON, S.C. and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide's award-winning brand of upscale yet affordable hotels, announced the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown, representing an addition to the brand's growing portfolio of more than 580 hotels worldwide. The Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown offers 141 beautiful guestrooms with 13 suites, including a two-bedroom Presidential Suite with private balcony. "Located in a centralized location to many of the area's attractions and businesses, Hilton Garden Inn Charlest...
Hospitality 3 to Develop 212-room Study at University City Hotel on the Campus of Drexel University
Hospitality 3 | May 5, 2014
NEW YORK, May 5, 2014 -- Study Hotels, the unique lifestyle concept developed by Paul McGowan of Hospitality 3 to deliver high-quality, full-service lodging to university markets, is expanding to Philadelphia's dynamic University City district. Following the success of The Study at Yale, the brand's first hotel located in New Haven, Connecticut, Hospitality 3 has signed an agreement to enter into a long-term ground lease with Drexel University. The Study at University City, to be built on the corner of 33rd and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia, will be developed and owned by Hospitality 3 and operated by its subsidiary, Study Hotel...
Owned & Managed by Alliance Hospitality, 80-key Residence Inn Akron South/Green Nears Opening in OH
Residence Inn | May 5, 2014
Akron, Ohio - May 5, 2014 - The 80-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Akron, Ohio is scheduled to open in early June and will feature the brand's innovative, new design. Located at 897 Arlington Ridge East, the Residence Inn Akron South/Green will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Alliance Hospitality, Inc. of Lewis Center, Ohio. Located 15 minutes from downtown and seven miles from Akron-Canton Airport, the Residence Inn Akron South/Green offers its guests convenient access to the National Football League Hall of Fame, the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Rates vary depending on ...
BLLA (Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association) 2nd Annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | May 2, 2014
Speaker Line-up Revealed Being held June 4th at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Auditorium on Broadway Los Angeles, CA, May 2, 2014 - BLLA announces its' Boutique Hotel Investment Conference line-up of hospitality industry speakers for the 2014 event which is organized to gather the boutique and lifestyle investment and development community in an intimate setting focused on this micro-targeted hospitality niche. This conference, organized and powered by BLLA, was established to focus squarely on the capital investment and financing side of the boutique lifestyle hotel sector. The program includes a keynote from industry ico...
Benchmark Hospitality Bids Farewell to Retiring James Simkins, COO, Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels
Benchmark Hospitality International | May 2, 2014
Epilogue to a Landmark Career The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2, 2014 ... Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has announced the retirement of James Simkins, Chief Operating Officer, Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels® collection. Mr. Simkins made the announcement himself. "Following 42 years in the world that we refer to as hospitality, my active participation has come to an end," said Mr. Simkins. "I welcome the opportunity to move on to attend to many areas of interest which have been in the background for a long time. This move has been motivated some years earlier than I...
Technology Alone is not a Revenue Generation Strategy
Aspire Marketing | May 2, 2014
by Renie Cavallari for Hotel Online Technology is the future. Technology is our backbone. Technology makes things easier. And technology without the human element actively engaged is limited in both its application and ROI. There is no doubt. Technology continues to change and reshape the hospitality industry. From distribution and search to the way hotels are run, technology is making tangible and profitable improvements. Technology is a critical part of your organization's efficiency as well as your revenue capture. We all love technology and yet as they say, technology is only as good as its user. The key to successful technology is ...
CSM Lodging Appoints Shelly Sutton Director of Sales for the Residence Inn Lake Oswego, Oregon
CSM Lodging | May 2, 2014
Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 2, 2014 - CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, has named Shelly Sutton director of sales and marketing for the Residence Inn Lake Oswego, Oregon. Robert Payne, CSM Lodging's regional director of sales and marketing, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Shelly to this new assignment," said Mr. Payne. "She brings a strong background in hotel sales and relationship marketing, as well as convention services, to her new role, which will serve the property and her team well." Shelly Sutton was previously director of sales for Homewood Suites by Hilton, located in Yuma, Arizona. She served as ...
Apollo Global Management Affiliated Fund Acquires Ivanhoé Cambridge’s 18 European Hotel Portfolio
Apollo Global Management | May 2, 2014
May 2, 2014 - NEW YORK & MONTREAL - Apollo European Principal Finance Fund II ("Apollo EPF II"), a fund affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC (NYSE:APO) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "Apollo") today announced the successful completion of the acquisition of a portfolio of 18 European hotels from Ivanhoé Cambridge. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "This transaction is in line with our strategy of rationalizing our overall hotel exposure and reinvesting our capital in our core asset classes and in key markets globally" The investment includes hotels located in Austria (1), Belgium (1), France (1), G...
Hersha Hospitality Trust Acquires 148-room Parrot Key Hotel & Resort in Florida Keys for $100 M
Hersha Hospitality Trust | May 2, 2014
May 02, 2014 - PHILADELPHIA - Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) ("Hersha" or the "Company"), owner of upscale hotels in urban gateway markets, today announced that the Company has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the 148-room Parrot Key Hotel & Resort ("Parrot Key") in Key West, FL for $100 million. "The acquisition of Parrot Key further demonstrates our commitment to recycle capital from the sale of stabilized assets into higher growth opportunities," stated Mr. Jay H. Shah, Hersha's Chief Executive Officer. "Parrot Key and the Key West market possess very attractive investment characteristics. The hotel is a high ...
Marriott Homecoming, the $520-Million Marriott Marquis Washington, DC Opens; Company’s 4000th Hotel
Marriott Hotels | May 2, 2014
Opens Near the Original Root Beer Stand May 2, 2014 - Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International Inc., (NASDAQ: MAR) announces today the opening of the company's 4,000th hotel: Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. A remarkable milestone, this hotel–the capital's largest–also signifies a homecoming for the Marriott family. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC opens today, 87 years after J. Willard Marriott and Alice S. Marriott opened a nine-seat root beer stand up the street from the hotel. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is owned by Quadrangle Development, along with its partner Capstone, and is operated by Marriott Inter...
MGM Resorts & Morgans Hotel Group to Open Delano Las Vegas in September 2014, Converting THEhotel
Mandalay Bay | May 2, 2014
LAS VEGAS, April 30, 2014 -- Fusing the chic style of the iconic South Beach brand with the vibrant energy of the Las Vegas Strip, Delano Las Vegas will come to life at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino later this year and is now accepting room reservations for stays beginning Sept. 1 via delanolasvegas.com or 877-632-5400. Anchored by intimate yet energetic public spaces and sophisticated accommodations, the non-smoking, all-suite boutique hotel will appeal to the most discerning travelers from around the globe. At Delano Las Vegas, guests will discover a blend of personalized service and effortless luxury coupled with unexpected elements...
Newly Built 119-room Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg Opens in Florida
Staybridge Suites Hotels | May 2, 2014
May 2, 2014 - St. Petersburg, Fla. — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) today celebrates the grand opening of the Staybridge Suites® St. Petersburg hotel. The new 119-room property is the first Staybridge Suites hotel in the city of St. Petersburg, and the second for the brand in the greater Tampa Bay Area. "The Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg is the first new build hotel to open in the downtown St. Petersburg area in over a decade, so today's grand opening celebration is exciting not just for us, but for the entire community," said Robert Radomski, vice president, Brand Management, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® bra...
Undergoing Renovation & Re-Flagging, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg to Open Q3 2014
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | May 2, 2014
JOHANNESBURG, May 2, 2014 -- Twenty years after the historic first universal elections in South Africa, the country's largest city is experiencing its own rebirth as an important business centre and a cosmopolitan destination with a wealth of leisure opportunities, and the new Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg is at the heart of it all. "This is a really exciting time in Jo'burg – you can feel the energy and excitement," says Sebastien Carre, who travelled the world before settling in South Africa as the Hotel's new General Manager. "Even if you think you know the city, it's changing so fast that it's definitely worth anot...
