News Archive: June
Early Check In: What Does It Really Deliver?
Mario Bellinzona | June 13, 2016
Whether guests check in remotely before arrival or show up way before check-in time – room availability makes everyone toe the line By Mario Bellinzona Lately I've been wondering if mobile check-in is all that it's cracked up to be. Sure, it's supposed to zip me from the front door to my room, but depending on the hotel I choose, the time of day, whether I arrive earlier or later than planned, and many other factors, the direct-to-your-room experience doesn't always deliver on its promises. As a frequent traveler myself, I often wonder if other travelers feel as I do about mobile check in. Not only am I unsure if I like it, but I...
Made Hotel to Make Fall Debut in New York City’s NoMad Neighborhood
June 10, 2016
JUNE 2016, NEW YORK, NY – Opening in Fall 2016, Made comes to life as the inaugural hotel project from hospitality entrepreneur Sam Gelin. Spread across 18 stories with 108 guest rooms at the intersection of 29th and Broadway in the NoMad neighborhood, Made takes a reinvented approach towards the guest experience where visitors can spend an entire day and evening comfortably. Treating experience as the new luxury, Gelin's thoughtful approach is seen in the rich, yet conscious, materials used throughout Made's crafted environment, the food and beverage offerings and striking public and private areas, which will include a communal c...
Airbnb vs. Hotels: Study Reveals Consumer Preferences Behind Explosive Growth
iModerate | June 22, 2016
Qualitative study finds boutique properties could help hotels chains bridge the gap with Airbnb DENVER – June 22, 2016 – Airbnb is growing at an explosive rate and gunning to become a full-blown hospitality brand, putting even more pressure on large hotel chains to hold onto their customer base. A new research study by iModerate, a progressive insights firm, reveals the consumer preferences behind this growth and details the personas and different expectations of guests who stay at each type of property. Airbnb Guests Seen as Risk-Taking Extroverts, Hotel Guests as Conservative Introverts iModerate asked 1,500 consumers nati...
A Brief History of Boutique Hotels
BLLA | June 30, 2016
Provided Courtesy of BLLA Hotels haven't changed too much since Joseph and Mary arrived at the inn in Bethlehem and the clerk told them that their reservation had been lost. The hotel industry, of which started with boutique hotels, is closely linked to civilizations, periods, and nowadays, generations. The first wave of facilities offering guests accommodations are evident through biblical and medieval times. Enterprising Greeks developed thermal baths in villages designed for rest and recuperation. Not to be outdone, the imaginative Romans built mansions to provide accommodation for travelers going away for religious retreats. The cre...
Thayer Lodging Embarks on $100 Million Transformation of the Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, FL
Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood | June 8, 2016
HOLLYWOOD, FL – June 8, 2016 – The iconic Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton announces the next chapter of the resort's notable legacy. In late 2014, Thayer Lodging Group, a Brookfield affiliated company, acquired the property, announcing conversion plans inclusive of a $100 million make over and rebranding strategy. Multiple companies, together with the property's leadership team, will spearhead the hotel's evolution, inclusive of new room product, development of more than nine restaurants and bars, complete lobby and public space refurbishment, and new programming designed for guests looking to...
U.S. Hoteliers on Alert After First Quarter Occupancy Decline
CBRE Group, Inc. | June 6, 2016
U.S. Lodging Market Forecast To Grow, But At Slower Pace Atlanta – June 6, 2016 – The U.S. hotel market suffered a 0.5 percent decline in occupancy during the first quarter of 2016. This is the first year-over-year decline in occupancy since the fourth quarter of 2009 according to STR. Based upon the recently released June 2016 edition of Hotel Horizons®, the annual occupancy rate for U.S. hotels is forecast to decline in both 2016 and 2017, the result of supply increases outpacing growth in demand. U.S. occupancy levels will persist above the 65 percent mark, thus providing pricing leverage for hotel operators. For 2016...
Why You May Need to Change Your “Competitive Set” Now; STR Adopts New Guidelines
Jim Butler | June 14, 2016
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com To maintain the confidentiality of hotel data, STR imposes certain restrictions on the hotels for which it will provide competitive set data. The Marriott-Starwood merger is shaking up the world of competitive sets with the result that many owners will need to revise the competitive sets specified in their hotel management agreements. As Bob Braun explains in the article below, considering the need to identify appropriate hotels for new competitive sets, and negotiation of amendments to hotel management agreements, it would probably be wis...
Mr. Jason Leung Appointed General Manager of Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa
Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts | June 14, 2016
SINGAPORE -14 JUNE 2016- Le Meridien Singapore, Sentosa is delighted to announce the appointment of its General Manager, Mr. Jason Leung whose extensive experience as a consummate hotelier stretches over 14 years. Jason was previously with The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali for a total for 7 years where he held various key management roles as Hotel Manager for 3 years, Executive Assistant Manager and the Director of Sales & Marketing where he was responsible for strengthening its position as a world-class family leisure and MICE resort. Jason was also a part of the team overseeing the renovation of the award-winning Bali International...
