News Archive: March
Columbus, Ohio OKs New Rules for Extended-Stay Hotels; Imposing Apartment-like Regulations
March 4, 2014
March 04--The Columbus City Council approved new rules last night for extended-stay hotels that will treat them more like apartments than hotels. The rules call for the same development standards as for apartments, including 1.5 parking spaces per unit. Hotels need only one space. Other changes include: --A 25-foot buffer between buildings and lot lines, up from zero. --No more than 37 units per acre; there is no density limit for hotels. --Complying with parkland-dedication requirements, which will cost developers $400 per unit or require them to donate land. "The problem that we're solving is, there's no code section that deals with e...
Improving Digital Customer Experience is Key to Increasing Traveler Loyalty in Hotels, Study Says
Magnani Caruso Dutton | March 5, 2014
NEW YORK - March 6, 2014 - Magnani Caruso Dutton (MCD), a digital customer experience agency for several of the world's most recognized brands, today announced results of a 1,000-consumer survey within three traveler segments - business, leisure and family - as well as travelers across these segments with the highest tendency to be loyal to a hotel brand. The report examines the needs and expectations of travelers, the types of digital offerings from hotels that are most compelling to them, and documents the importance of mobile features to make travelers' stays more convenient and informed. Respondents indicated that, in return, the ho...
Judge Upholds Decision Allowing Madera, CA Casino/Hotel Project to Proceed
March 15, 2014
March 15--Gov. Jerry Brown and the federal government acted properly last year when they approved the compact that allows North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to build an "off-reservation" casino and hotel project, a Madera County judge said. The ruling was finalized Wednesday by Judge Michael Jurkovich, who said the governor has the power to "negotiate and conclude compacts, subject to ratification by the Legislature," under the state Constitution. "To hold otherwise would make the phrase 'negotiate and conclude' compacts meaningless," Jurkovich wrote in the ruling. Opponents include Madera-area residents and Stand Up For California, a...
Turkey Creek Hospitality Plans to Develop 140-room Hilton Garden Inn in Memphis, Tennessee
March 19, 2014
March 19--Turkey Creek Hospitality this week completed its purchase of the former Greyhound bus station Downtown for its plans to build a 140-room Hilton Garden Inn there. The Knoxville-based company paid $1.67 million to Greyhound Lines for the 1.4-acre property. The development at 195 Union is to be a multifaceted structure serving both businesses and leisure travelers. The site is in the center of Downtown Memphis' sports and entertainment district, directly across from AutoZone Park. Hank Martin and Elliot Embry with NAI Saig Company represented Greyhound Lines, Inc. The developer expects to open The Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downto...
Aimbridge Hospitality Selected to Manage Three Hotels in Central Wisconsin
Aimbridge Hospitality | March 3, 2014
DALLAS, TEXAS (March 4, 2014) - Aimbridge Hospitality announces it has been awarded the management contract for three hotels in central Wisconsin - the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, both located in Stevens Point; and the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Central Wisconsin is a recreational playground offering Midwestern charm and hospitality. The area is known for its abundant outdoor life: trout fishing, nature and hiking trails, and farmers' markets. Many great local breweries and regional restaurants, and it is home of the University of Wisconsin ...
Secrets of New York City’s The Plaza Hotel, Which Opened in 1907 at Rates of $2.50 Per Night
March 18, 2014
March 18--Since The Plaza Hotel opened its doors in 1907, offering luxury rooms at a rate of just $2.50 per night, it has welcomed guests from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Frank Lloyd Wright to Marilyn Monroe and the Beatles. It has been knocked down and rebuilt, updated and restored. But through it all, its status as a New York City icon has remained constant. No matter how many times you've strolled by, stopped in for tea or even stayed the night, there are many things you probably didn't know about the landmark hotel. Humble beginnings The ultra-valuable piece of property that the Plaza stands on today was once the Fifth Avenue Pond. Duri...
Planned Renovation Closure of HI’s Princess Kaiulani Delayed; New Owner to Keep Hotel Open Longer
March 1, 2014
March 01--Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts LP, owner of the Sheraton hotels in Waikiki, has had a change of heart. After announcing just weeks ago that an ownership change would have no effect on a planned $500 million upgrade of the Princess Kaiu?lani Hotel, the company said Friday that the property will remain open through the end of the first quarter of 2015, and possibly longer, as it re-evaluates the project. The hotel was expected to close Aug. 1 for the largest ever investment in a single Waikiki property. "This is a very important decision and Kyo-ya is very committed to the community and what impact this project will have in Wai?kik...
Autopsy Results Pending in Death of Charles Denihan, Heir to Denihan Hospitality Group
March 18, 2014
March 18--Authorities were awaiting autopsy results Tuesday in the death of a charismatic hotel heir found in his Union Square apartment from an apparent drug overdose. Police responded to a 911 call around 8 p.m. Sunday and found Charles Denihan, 28, unresponsive and with no signs of trauma. Drugs, including narcotics, were recovered at the scene, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Denihan was the son of Benjamin "Patrick" Denihan and co-CEO with his sister, Patricia Barrett, of The Denihan Hospitality Group, a family business founded in 1963 that operates numerous hotels and restaurants, including The Surrey, The Affini...
