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Industry Happenings
Premier Inn Appoints V.V. Giri as Regional Director, Operations (South Asia)
Premier Inn | April 7, 2014
New Delhi, India - April 7, 2014 - Premier Inn, the UK's largest budget hotel chain and part of Whitbread Plc, announced the appointment of V.V. Giri as Regional Director, Operations (South Asia). With industry experience of nearly 30 years, Mr. Giri brings on board deep understanding of Operations, client/owner relationships, team and talent management and training and development initiatives. He has extensive experience in leading large teams with hands on exposure and has been successful in building strong operational functions. As Regional Director, Operations for South Asia, Mr. Giri will be responsible for providing direction to f...
Amanda Tokarski Named as Manager for Rhode Island’s Watch Hill Inn
Watch Hill Inn | April 7, 2014
WATCH HILL, RI (April 7, 2014) - Ocean House Management, LLC (OHM), operators of the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island; Weekapaug Inn in Weekapaug, Rhode Island; and Watch Hill Inn in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, today announced Amanda Tokarski will be overseeing the daily operations of the Watch Hill Inn as its new manager. In February, OHM and Watch Hill Properties (WHP), announced the formation of a joint endeavor to renovate and reposition the Watch Hill Inn into a luxury, all-suite boutique property managed by and affiliated with the Ocean House and Relais & Châteaux. "Amanda is someone...
Room Renovations Complete for 316-suite Hyatt Dulles at Dulles International Airport
Hyatt Dulles at Dulles International Airport | April 7, 2014
Herndon, VA (April 7, 2014) - In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Hyatt Dulles at Dulles International Airport, the 316 all-suite hotel adjacent to Washington Dulles International Airport, today announced the completion of its $3.2 million renovation. The renovation was designed by architecture and design firm Baskervill of Richmond, Virginia. "We are excited to welcome guests to a completely transformed world-class hotel that reflects the unique culture of the DC area," said Michael Session, general manager, Hyatt Dulles at Dulles International Airport. "With a fantastic location that is a gateway to the downtown DC, and Northern V...
Travel Outlook Premium Reservations Call Center™ Contracts with Wild Dunes® Resort in Charleston, SC
Travel Outlook | April 7, 2014
Travel Outlook Premium Hotel Call Center™ has signed an agreement to provide overflow reservations call services for Wild Dunes® Resort, by Destination Hotels & Resorts in Charleston, South Carolina. Travel Outlook will provide professional back up reservations services for Wild Dunes' existing reservations team. Travel Outlook's advance team has visited the property, and its Quality Assurance team is working to develop a detailed training program that will be constantly updated to educate Travel Outlook agents about the variety of wonderful accommodations available at Wild Dunes, which includes the four star Boardwalk Inn, The V...
Napa Valley, CA’s Silverado Resort and Spa Completes Renovation of Conference Center and Guest Rooms
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | April 7, 2014
Napa, CA (April 7, 2014) - A California landmark for more than 140 years, Silverado Resort and Spa is pleased to announce the completion of its renovations to their 12,000 square-foot conference center, managed by Backen, Gillam & Kroeger Architects, and SWA Group, and its renovations to the 380 guest rooms, by AMB Designs. Inspired by the 19th century colonial design of Silverado Resort and Spa's historic mansion, the conference center brings out the rustic, agrarian culture of wine country by using rich materials, including custom carpet bordered by white oak hardwood, oil-rubbed bronze, aged brick, and linen. The center now featu...
The 260-key New-Build Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe Opens in Mexico
Dr. Peter E. Tarlow | April 7, 2014
SANTA FE, Mexico and MCLEAN, Va. - April 7, 2014 - Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe, a 260-room new-build Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Santa Fe, Mexico City. The property forms part of Samara - one of the five largest mixed-use complexes in Mexico. "We are excited to open our seventh Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Mexico, as we continue our brand's expansion throughout Latin America," said Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "The stylish Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe will welcome travelers with Hilton hospitality and introduce our signature brand elements in thi...
Grand Pacific Resort Management Continues Growth Surge
Fibra Inn | April 7, 2014
Meadow Lake Resort Brings Resort Portfolio to Twenty CARLSBAD, CA (April 7, 2014) - Grand Pacific Resort Management (GPRM) of Carlsbad, has added Meadow Lake Resort to its portfolio of quality timeshare resorts, bringing the number of resorts managed to 20. Meadow Lake is GPRM's first addition of 2014, adding to the four resorts GPRM welcomed into its family of managed resorts in 2013. Meadow Lake, the premier Montana Golf and Ski Resort is located just minutes from Big Mountain at Whitefish, Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake. This 330-acre RCI Gold Crown resort features 114 timeshare condominiums, 24 hotel rooms, an on-site resta...
Japan’s Newly Built 150-room Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station Opens
Intelity | April 7, 2014
Tokoyo, Japan, April 7, 2014 – Marriott International, Inc. announces the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station. Located in the Kyobashi commercial district, the 150-room hotel is just four minutes on foot from the bullet-train-serviced Yaesu side of Tokyo Station. It occupies the first four floors of the newly built Kyobashi Trust Tower, a 21-storey building conveniently situated on the Chuo-dori thoroughfare between Ginza and Nihonbashi, both renowned for their flagship boutiques and centuries-old shops. The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line is one minute from the front door. Commenting on the occasion, Simon Cooper, Marriott Inte...
Meru Announces Two New 2×2 802.11ac Access Points, Including World’s First Gigabit Wi-Fi Wall Plate
April 7, 2014
Wi-Fi leader's expanded 802.11ac portfolio sets new industry benchmarks for deployment flexibility and price/performance SUNNYVALE, Calif. - April 7, 2014 - Meru Networks® (NASDAQ:MERU), a leader in intelligent Wi-Fi solutions, today announced significant expansion of its 802.11ac portfolio with two new dual-radio, dual-stream (2X2) access points - the industry's first 802.11ac wall plate access point, the AP122, and a new general purpose access point, the AP822. The new products extend the benefits of gigabit Wi-Fi to broader markets at lower price points and with higher performance than competitive offerings. Both of the new access p...
The 89-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Urbandale is Set to Open in Iowa
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | April 7, 2014
Urbandale, Iowa - April 7, 2014 - The 89-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Urbandale, Iowa is scheduled to open on Thursday, April 10, 2014. Located at 8661 Plum Drive, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Urbandale will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Hotel Development Corp. Located 18 miles from Des Moines International Airport and 10 minutes from downtown, the hotel offers guests convenient access to Valley West Mall, Jordan Creek Mall, Drake University and Wells Fargo Arena. Rates begin at $119 per night. "We are pleased to introduce Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels in the Urbandale area," sa...
Centara Hotels & Resorts to Debut in Laos with a 2017 Opening of Centara Grand Hotel Vientiane
LodgeWorks Partners, L.P. | April 7, 2014
BANGKOK, April 7, 2014 - Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand's leading operator of hotels, is opening five-star luxurious Centara Grand Hotel Vientiane, its first hotel in Laos in 2017. Located in the downtown district of Vientiane, the Laotian capital, the 200 room hotel will be designed in the French colonial style and feature Centara's five-star facilities, including two restaurants, a Spa Cenvaree, a Kids'Club, swimming pool, fitness center and meeting facilities including a ballroom. Centara will manage the new property under a contract with Simuong Group Co., Ltd, a well-known Laotian company that is developing this 46.2 millio...
Under Development by McKibbon Hotel Group, the 144-key Aloft Greenville to Open in Early 2015 in SC
Vizergy | April 7, 2014
April 07, 2014 - STAMFORD, Conn. - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its fast-growing Aloft brand will soon debut in Greenville, South Carolina. Aloft Greenville will open in early 2015 in a prime downtown location, featuring 144 spacious, loft-like rooms, leading-edge technology and a lively, social atmosphere. It will be the brand's second hotel in South Carolina and the third Aloft hotel developed by McKibbon Hotel Group, joining Aloft Asheville Downtown and Aloft Tallahassee. "We expect Aloft Greenville will emerge as a hotspot for savvy travelers and local professionals looking for a de...
The Plasencia Group Announces the Sale of The Bilmar Beach Resort
The Plasencia Group | April 7, 2014
Tampa, Fla. (April 7, 2014) - The Plasencia Group is pleased to announce the sale of the Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island, FL. The Plasencia Group exclusively represented an affiliate of Burton Carol Management, LLC, the owner of the 165-room property. A partnership between the Chicago-based real estate investment group, WHI Real Estate Partners, and Clearview Hotel Capital purchased the hotel. Forbes Hamilton Management will continue to manage the property. According to Rich Conti, Senior Managing Director of The Plasencia Group, "The transaction was complex, featuring a complicated "condo-hotel" component. The sellers have spent...
New Owner and Property Manager for Georgian Terrace Hotel
BuildCentral | April 7, 2014
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Have Updated 232 Hotels in the Last Two Weeks with Changes in Personnel, Property Management or Ownership Chicago, IL. April 7, 2014 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have reported 232 changes in personnel, property management and ownership in the Hotel Profiles database over the last two weeks. Many hotels are getting a fresh start with a new Owner, Property Manager or General Manager. Recommend your product or service to someone who might be looking for a change. Hotels Under New Management: Hampton Inn & Suites Boerne (Boerne, TX) Hilton Branson Convention Center (Branson, MO) La Posada De Santa Fe...
Delaware North Companies Completes $10 million Renovation of Yosemite Lodge at the Falls
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts | April 4, 2014
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif., April, 2014 - Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, operated by Delaware North Companies (DNC) Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., announces the completion of a $10 million dollar multi-phased refurbishment of the hotel's guest rooms and lobby in addition to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) updates to accessible paths of travel. Reflective of DNC's award-winning environmental stewardship platform GreenPath®, the hotel's guest rooms were remodeled using eco-friendly materials. Yosemite Lodge at the Falls guest rooms were designed with a soothing, neutral palette featuring Yosemite-themed artwork by local p...
Washington, D.C’s The Embassy Row Hotel Begins Phase One of a $15-Million Dollar Renovation
The Embassy Row Hotel, by Destination Hotels & Resorts | April 4, 2014
Washington, D.C. April, 2014 – Once a prime spot for politicians and influencers in Washington, D.C. in the 1970's, The Embassy Row Hotel, by Destination Hotels & Resorts, embarks on a $15-million renovation. This week, the hotel launches phase one in the multi-million dollar renovation, which will transform the hotel's rooftop terrace and pool – in time for summer. The Embassy Row Hotel offers the only outdoor rooftop terrace in Dupont Circle with astonishing views of the city, including a picturesque view of the Washington Monument. The rooftop terrace and pool, located on the 9th floor, will be completely renovated in less th...
Hotel Angeleno Amplifies Social Reach by 75K People in Q1 with Flip.to
Flip.to | April 4, 2014
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 4, 2013 - Los Angeles-based Hotel Angeleno is using Flip.to, the brand advocate platform for hotels, to amplify their social network strategy. Since going live in January, the hotel has reached more than 75,000 friends, relatives and colleagues of current guests. Flip.to helps turn the hotel's guests into advocates right at the point of booking. Those advocates share with their social networks about their upcoming trip and that they'll be staying at Hotel Angeleno. This generates exposure to a huge pool of people in a trusted, branded way that the hotel could never reach on its own. Flip.to then works to convert that...
Etkin Johnson Real Estate & White Lodging Open the 215-room Denver Marriott Westminster
White Lodging Services Corporation | April 4, 2014
WESTMINSTER, Colo., April , 2014 -- Etkin Johnson Real Estate Partners and White Lodging Services today announced the opening of the 215-room Denver Marriott Westminster full service hotel and Tiller's Kitchen & Bar restaurant in Westminster, Colo. "I am excited for the hotel opening and to represent the Marriott brand here in Colorado," said General Manager Dave Kennedy. "We are looking forward to welcoming guests and providing a quality experience for both visitors and those that live in the local community." Previously, Kennedy was the general manager at the Renaissance Flatiron Hotel in Broomfield, Colo. Kennedy joined White Lod...
LaSalle Hotel Properties Acquires Hotel Vitale In San Francisco For $130.0 Million
LaSalle Hotel Properties | April 4, 2014
BETHESDA, MD, April 4, 2014 -- LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO) today announced that it acquired Hotel Vitale in San Francisco, CA for $130.0 million. The Company funded the acquisition with borrowings from its Senior Unsecured Credit Facility. The 200-room hotel is located at 8 Mission Street at the intersection of the Embarcadero Waterfront and the Financial District, across from the historic Ferry Building Marketplace. Its waterfront location provides striking bay and skyline views. The hotel is within short walking distance of San Francisco's office towers in the Financial District and South of Market ("SoMa") area. There is 21 ...
Fibra Inn Acquires the Aloft® Guadalajara Las Americas Hotel
Fibra Inn | April 4, 2014
MONTERREY, Mexico--Deutsche Bank Mexico, S.A., Banking Institution, Trust Division F/1616 or Fibra Inn (BMV:FINN13) ("Fibra Inn" or "the Company"), a Mexican real estate investment trust specializing in the hotel industry serving the business traveler, announced that it acquired the Aloft Guadalajara Las Americas hotel, which is a select service hotel with 142 rooms. The acquisition price, excluding taxes and acquisition expenses, was Ps. 220 million. The acquisition was paid using Ps. 41.2 million in cash from the remaining proceeds of the initial public offering that took place on March 13, 2013, and the balance was paid with a tempor...
A.F.N.S. Condado Investment & IHG Open First Holiday Inn Express in San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 4, 2014
MIAMI--InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) (LON:IHG) (NYSE:IHG) (ADRs), today announced the opening of the first Holiday Inn Express® hotel in the Condado district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This 115 room hotel opening brings IHG's hotels in Puerto Rico to four including the recently renovated InterContinental® San Juan, Holiday Inn® Mayaguez & Tropical Casino and the Holiday Inn® Ponce & Tropical Casino hotels. With hotels situated in almost every key market throughout the region, IHG has over 80 hotels in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. "Holiday Inn Express is one of the fastest-growing hotel brands in the...
Wyoming’s OTA Sales & Lodging Tax Ruling Levels Playing Field Between Hoteliers & Online Competitors
American Hotel & Lodging Association | April 4, 2014
Washington, D.C. - April 3, 2014 - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry, applauds today's ruling by the Wyoming Supreme Court that online travel companies (OTCs) should remit sales and lodging tax on the full booking price of hotel rooms and issued the following statement: "For many years, hotels across the country have been at a competitive disadvantage with their out-of-state competitors due to the lack of a system in place to provide tax parity, essentially subjecting them to a higher effective tax rate," said AH&...
TrustYou & JackRabbit to Give Destinations Increased Search Options for Higher On-Site Conversion
TrustYou | April 4, 2014
New Data & Filtering Options Enable Travelers to Search for Hotels Based on Guest Reviews Dallas, Texas and Munich, Germany - April 4, 2014 TrustYou, the market leader in online reputation management for the hospitality and travel industry, has just launched a collaborative effort with JackRabbit Systems, Inc., one of the top choices for developing custom travel booking search and direct referral engines (Book Direct) for City, County, State, Provincial and National Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) across North America and the Caribbean. This partnership provides search with aggregated global user reviews and sentiment ana...
Lodging Insights Video: PKF Discusses Indicators Pointing to Sustained Recovery
PKF Hospitality Research | April 4, 2014
ATLANTA, Ga., April 3, 2014 - Mark Woodworth and Jack Corgel report from the Johnson School at Cornell University. They discuss recent lodging results and new economic indicators that point to confidence in a sustained recovery. ...
