News Archive: February
Hotel Development Cost Survey 2014/15
Elaine Sahlins | February 3, 2015
by Elaine Sahlins HVS has tracked hotel construction costs throughout the United States since 1976. Each year, HVS researches development costs from our database of actual hotel construction budgets, industry reports, and uniform franchise offering circulars. These sources provide the basis for our range of component costs per room. This 2014/15 survey reports updated per-room hotel development costs through the end of 2014, and considers data for six lodging types: Economy/Budget Hotels, Midscale Hotels without Food and Beverage (w/o F&B), Extended-Stay Hotels, Midscale Hotels with Food and Beverage (w F&B), Full-Service ...
Handling Customer Complaints 101
Katie Scheer | February 10, 2015
By Katie Scheer February 10, 2015 Customers come in all shapes and sizes, and we can probably all agree that the most difficult is the angry customer. This is someone who has been wronged (in his/her opinion) and is upset and emotional. We get it- mistakes happen, and you will have upset customers. Did you know that ~80% of dissatisfied customers tell 10 people and ~20% of dissatisfied customers tell 20 people? You don't want this negative publicity- NO WAY! So as soon as it is apparent that your customer is upset or that there is a problem, it is absolutely necessary to deal with the situation ASAP. Unlike the customer, you are not ang...
ReviewPro is the Fastest Growing Company in Hotel Reputation Management For the 2nd Consecutive Year
ReviewPro | February 11, 2015
Barcelona, Spain - February 11, 2015 - Of all the online reputation management providers in the hotel industry, ReviewPro was the fastest growing for the second consecutive year (in 2014). As well, ReviewPro is the world leader for independent brands, with more than 17,000 independent hotels and groups in more than 100 countries worldwide. The company's impressive growth has come from signing new clients and the migration of key clients from industry competitors. ReviewPro developed and leads the category of Guest Intelligence, the integration of Online Reputation Management (ORM) and Guest Survey Solution (GSS). The company offers ...
Expedia Acquisitions Signal Tougher Times Ahead for Hotels
Vikram Singh | February 18, 2015
by Vikram Singh Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz walk into a bar. "We do not serve second and third rate Online Travel Agents here," says the bartender. "Well, they are now with me," answers Expedia, "and the drinks are on me!" The room erupts with joy. Drinks are flowing. When Expedia bought out Orbitz within a few weeks of gobbling up Travelocity, it was great news for a lot of stakeholders. But it's probably not so great for the hotel industry, which relies heavily on online travel agents (OTA's) for their revenue and profits. Read on before you raise your glass. First, A Trip Down Memory Lane One of Expedia's greatest assets was its...
Jack Antaramian, 73-year-old Prominent Naples, Florida Developer, Found Dead
February 2, 2015
Feb. 02--Jack Antaramian, a 73-year-old prominent Naples developer, was found dead Monday, police said. Police were investigating the death at Naples Bay Resort. "Police and fire are trying to ascertain the cause of death right now," said Naples Mayor John Sorey. Officers, who were called about 1:34 p.m., arrived at the resort and found Antaramian dead, according to a police department news release. "The circumstances surrounding his death do not appear suspicious at this time," the release states. Four Naples Police Department SUVs were parked in the front of the Naples Bay Resort, near the entrance. A sign was posted noting the resort...
Hilton Worldwide Closes Sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and Acquires Five Landmark Hotels
Hilton Worldwide | February 11, 2015
February 11, 2015 - MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. ("Hilton Worldwide") today announced it closed its previously-announced sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York to Anbang Insurance Group Co. Ltd. ("Anbang") for $1.95 billion. In addition, Hilton Worldwide has signed agreements to redeploy the proceeds of the sale to add five landmark properties in strategic resort and urban locations to its owned portfolio: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL (1,001 rooms) Waldorf Astoria Orlando in Orlando, FL (498 rooms) The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Key West, FL (150 rooms) Casa Marina, A Waldorf ...
Wyndham Hotel Group Acquires Dolce Hotels and Resorts for $57 million
Dolce Hotels and Resorts | February 2, 2015
PARSIPPANY, NJ, February 2, 2015 – Wyndham Hotel Group, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), today announced it has acquired Dolce Hotels and Resorts, a leading provider and manager of group accommodations with a portfolio of 24 properties and over 5,500 guestrooms across seven countries in Europe and North America, for $57 million in cash. This acquisition is consistent with Wyndham Worldwide's core asset-light strategy, and allows Wyndham Hotel Group to expand its managed portfolio by nearly 40% with a significantly larger presence in the group and meetings segment. Dolce's exceptional brand recognition among global me...
Starwood Hotels CEO Frits van Paasschen Resigns; Director Adam Aron Appointed CEO on Interim Basis
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | February 17, 2015
STAMFORD, Conn. - February 17, 2015 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that Frits van Paasschen has resigned by mutual agreement with the Board of Directors as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director. Adam Aron , a Starwood Director since 2006, has been named Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis while the Board conducts a search for a permanent CEO that will include both internal and external candidates. van Paasschen will continue with Starwood as a consultant to assist in the transition. Bruce W. Duncan , Chairman of the Board, said, "Frits has made many important contributions ...
