News Top: November
Kimpton Hotels Reveals First Glimpse of Seafire, Its New Grand Cayman Resort Opening in 2016
Seafire Resort & Spa, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman | November 11, 2015
Cayman Inspired Resort Represents First New Resort Development Along Famed Seven Mile Beach in 10 Years (GRAND CAYMAN) – November 11, 2015 – Kimpton Hotels introduces Seafire Resort + Spa, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman as it officially begins its one-year countdown to opening in November 2016. Seafire reflects Kimpton's first new build venture in a dedicated resort market and will be the first property outside the continental U.S. within the brand's current portfolio. It also holds the honor of being the first new development along Seven Mile Beach in more than a decade. Seafire represents Kimpton's take on what a playful ...
The Marriott-Starwood Merger’s Impact on Owners, Franchisees and Developers
Robert E. Braun | November 25, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com November 2015 As the biggest merger in the history of the hospitality industry, the Marriott-Starwood merger, is grabbing headlines worldwide. Most of the recent press has focused on the sheer size of the potential transaction. But in his article below, my partner and hotel lawyer Bob Braun, considers the practical impact of the merger on hotel owners, franchisees and developers. With the loss of the Starwood family of brands as an independent and significant competitive force in the industry, the merger will bring mixed blessings to stakeholders. The ...
Marriott CEO Says He Will ‘Cull’ Subpar Sheraton Hotels
November 18, 2015
Nov. 18--As Marriott International works to complete its $12.2 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels, its CEO said he would move aggressively to "cull the bottom end" of Starwood's Sheraton brand if hotel owners fail to maintain base standards under the Marriott flag. The acquisition of Stamford-based Starwood (NYSE: HOT) would make Marriott (Nasdaq: MAR) the world's largest hotel company with some 1.1 million rooms. With Sheraton alone having more than 137,000 rooms globally, the brand would have significant heft under Marriott, with about 13 percent of the combined company's room count. Sheraton has been saddled...
Marriott To Acquire Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Creating The World’s Largest Hotel Company
Marriott International, Inc. | November 16, 2015
BETHESDA, Md. and STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 16, 2015 -- Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will create the world's largest hotel company. The transaction combines Starwood's leading lifestyle brands and international footprint with Marriott's strong presence in the luxury and select-service tiers, as well as the convention and resort segment, creating a more comprehensive portfolio. The merged company will offer broad...
JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group Respond to Marriott Acquisition of Starwood Hotels
JLL | November 16, 2015
16 November, 2015 Commenting on the announcement that Marriott has acquired Starwood Hotels, Mark Wynne Smith, Global CEO of JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group, said: "This merger has created the world's biggest player in the hotel sector, opening a big gulf between the next largest players, Intercontinental Hotels Group and Hilton. "We will now start to see further merger activity as other hotel groups seek to match the titanic organisation that Marriott and Starwood have created. Consolidation among the major brand companies has been talked about for a number of years and boards are biting the bullet on the need to...
IHG Issues Statement Regarding Press Speculation on Potential Sale or Merger
IHG | November 6, 2015
Following recent market speculation, the Board of Directors of IHG states that it is not considering a potential sale or merger of the company. ...
Your Front Desk Team Is Key to Meeting Your ADR Goals in 2016
Doug Kennedy | November 10, 2015
By Doug Kennedy November 10, 2015 If you are like most hoteliers, chances are that this time of year you have just about completed your budget for 2016. If your owner representatives are like most investors, chances are also that despite having experienced several years of record growth, they are looking for you to increase RevPAR once again in 2016. Most market areas have already experienced a leveling off in occupancy growth here in 2015 and if your area is forecasting a growth in demand next year you can count your blessings. However, for the majority of hotels, the only way to achieve a higher RevPAR next year is going to be to achi...
Marriott’s Plan to Buy Starwood for $12.2 billion Could Trigger More Hotel Mergers
November 17, 2015
Nov. 17--Marriott International Inc.'s plan to acquire Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. will create the world's largest hotel company and could trigger more mergers as rivals jockey to compete. The deal announced Monday to unite Marriott and Starwood, valued at about $12.2 billion, would create a hotel company with 5,500 hotels and more than 1.1 million rooms in more than 100 countries. The new behemoth would own 30 hotel brands including the Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Courtyard, St. Regis, W, Sheraton and Westin. In the hotel world, "it's the biggest transaction of our lifetime," said Bjorn Hanson, a p...
Sabre to Acquire the Trust Group
Sabre | November 24, 2015
Acquisition to extend Sabre's global leadership in hospitality technology solutions SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Nov. 24, 2015 – Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Trust Group of Companies, a central reservations, revenue management and hotel marketing provider with a significant presence in EMEA and Asia Pacific. The acquisition will include Trust International, InnLink and Nexus. "Acquiring the Trust Group is consistent with our stated goal of building on Sabre Hospitality Solutions' global leadership position, and this combination will enable us to grow fa...
Matt Adams Appointed as Area Vice President and General Manager for Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | November 18, 2015
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (November 18, 2015) - Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, the tallest urban waterfront hotel on the west coast, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Adams as area vice president and general manager. In his new role, Adams will oversee Grand Hyatt San Diego's entire operation. Adams has fulfilled a variety of roles including general manager of Hyatt Regency Chicago, area vice president and general manager of Hyatt Regency San Francisco and Grand Hyatt New York, and vice president of operations for Hyatt, North America. Most recently he held the title of vice president, France for seven Hyatt properties. Adam...
Hilton Worldwide Suffers Payment Card Security Breach from Malware on Point-of-Sale Systems
Hilton Worldwide | November 25, 2015
MCLEAN, Va.--November 25, 2015--Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) has identified and taken action to eradicate unauthorized malware that targeted payment card information in some point-of-sale systems. Hilton immediately launched an investigation and has further strengthened its systems. Hilton Worldwide worked closely with third-party forensics experts, law enforcement and payment card companies on this investigation, and determined that specific payment card information was targeted by this malware. This information includes cardholder names, payment card numbers, security codes and expiration dates, but no addresses or personal identifica...
Report from NY Hotel Assoc.: Airbnb’s $2 Billion Negative Impact on Lodging Industry and NYC Economy
the Hotel Association of New York City | November 2, 2015
NEW YORK, November 2, 2015 -- Airbnb's operations had a negative impact of $2.1 billion on the lodging industry and the broader economy of New York City over the course of the last year, according to a report released today by the Hotel Association of New York City, an industry trade group that represents more than 270 of the city's hotels. The report titled "Airbnb and Impacts on the New York City Lodging Market and Economy" presents a wide range of New York City lodging industry impacts that exist due to the existence of the Airbnb lodging alternatives present in the market. It examined the direct impact of lost lodg...
J.D. Power: Marriott’s Focus on Consistency May Boost Starwood Brands
Rick Garlick | November 19, 2015
By Rick Garlick, Ph.D., Global Travel and Hospitality Practice Lead for J.D. Power Marriott's acquisition of Starwood offers a number of interesting possibilities, particularly since there is quite a bit of overlap among their respective brands within tiers. For example, Ritz-Carlton and J.W. Marriott are both counted among the 'luxury' brands by Smith Travel Research, as are Starwood's W Hotels, along with St. Regis and The Luxury Collection. Similarly, full service Marriott Hotels, Renaissance, and newly acquired Delta Hotels are upper upscale brands, as are Starwood's Westin, Sheraton, and Le Meridian hotels; and ...
The Battle Between Full-Service and Limited-Service Properties
Larry Mogelonsky | November 25, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) While travelling on business earlier this quarter, I took it upon myself to compare two outlets of a major chain (without mentioning any names in specific) – one was part of their full-service collection while the other was a member of one of their limited service brands. In both instances, I was alone and my stay was merely for a night and breakfast, arriving after dinner and departing the next morning. Accordingly, my comments relate mostly to a typical business traveler who sees the hotel as an accommodation necessity, rather than the leisure traveler who may be more inclined to in...
Carver Hotel Group Continues Expansion, Adding Directors of Talent Management & Business Development
Carver Hotel Group | November 11, 2015
CHG welcomes Jarrod Durrence and Nikki Hudson ATLANTA, GA – November 11, 2015– Carver Hotel Group, the hospitality infrastructure powerhouse, announced that Jarrod Durrence and Nikki Hudson have joined the CHG team to help springboard the growth momentum the company experienced over the past year into 2016. Durrence will serve as director of talent management for CHG. With more than 10 years in human resources within the hospitality industry, he is a multi-faceted director who offers extensive knowledge in analyzing human capital and operational needs. His vast experience covers every aspect of human resources including staf...
Average Daily Rate Growth Continues to Lag Expectations, Despite Peak Occupancy Levels, says PwC US
PwC | November 11, 2015
NEW YORK, November 11, 2015 – An updated lodging forecast released today by PwC US expects revenue per available room ("RevPAR") growth in 2015 to be driven more by occupancy than previously expected, as average daily rate ("ADR") growth continues to look for a firm footing. Recent performance of the lodging industry has surprised industry participants, as solid ADR growth has struggled despite peak occupancy levels, which was expected to have given operators the confidence to drive targeted price increases in many markets. As a result of continued pricing challenges, the outlook for 2015 is reduced moderately, to a RevPAR increas...
White Lodging Breaks Ground on Dual-Branded AC Hotels by Marriott and Le Meridien Hotel in Denver
White Lodging Services Corporation | November 18, 2015
From left to right, Bruce Etkin, Chairman, Etkin Johnson; Chris Anderson, Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer for White Lodging; David Johnson, President, Etkin Johnson; Chris Stanley, Senior Director of Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Deno Yiankes, President and CEO for White Lodging Investments and Development Division; Steve Poe, CEO, Poe Companies; Mike Wells, President, REI Real Estate Services. MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Nov. 18, 2015 -- Construction has begun on a new, dual-branded hotel development in downtown Denver. The development features an AC Hotel by Marriott hotel as well as a Le Méridien Hotel...
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Signs SLS Las Vegas to Join Newly Launched Tribute Portfolio and W Hotels
Tribute Portfolio | November 9, 2015
Owned by Las Vegas Resort Holdings; The over 1600-room three hotel tower property will be branded by year-end under Tribute Portfolio, while the 289-room "LUX Tower" will be converted to a W Hotel upon completion of a renovation in 2016 November 09, 2015 - STAMFORD, Conn. - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced its single largest addition of hotel rooms in North America since pre-recession with the signing of SLS Las Vegas on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and Sahara Boulevard. Owned by Las Vegas Resort Holdings, LLC, the three distinct hotel towers, encompassing more than 1,600 guestrooms and suites...
Hoteliers Improve Average Daily Rate Performance Despite Weakening Reservation Pace
TravelClick, Inc. | November 2, 2015
ADR Increases in 88 Percent of the Top 25 North American Markets NEW YORK – November 2, 2015 – As hoteliers prepare for the holiday season and head into the new year, hotels in major North American markets are experiencing a strong, improved ADR (average daily rate) performance, according to new data from TravelClick's October 2015 North American Hospitality Review (NAHR). Committed occupancy* for Q4 2015 – Q3 2016 is up 3.1 percent compared to a year ago. However, new commitments that have been added over the last month are down -3.5 percent. When broken down further, new group business bookings that have been added o...
Ashford Prime to Acquire Marriott-Owned Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas for $64 Million
November 25, 2015
DALLAS, Nov. 25, 2015 -- Acquisition Highlights: Premier resort in St. Thomas recently underwent comprehensive $22 million renovation supporting strong trailing 12-month RevPAR of over $430 with meaningful upside potential Resort is being acquired at a trailing 12-month NOI cap rate of 10% and a trailing 12-month EBITDA multiple of 7.2x Unmatched location on 30 fee simple, oceanfront acres along Great Bay Recognized as one of the leading hotels in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2015 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Best Hotel Rankings Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. (NYSE: AHP) ("Ashford Prime" or the "...
7 Ways to Drive Service Excellence in 7 Days
November 30, 2015
Use the following 7-day plan to reinforce your team's commitment to service excellence! Day 1: Be Consistent For many people, excellent customer service can be summed up in one word: Consistency. Consistency means repeatable. You know something's going to happen or someone's going to do something. Whether it's in the morning or afternoon or evening. Or if it's a weekend or a weekday. Or even whether it's hot or cold outside. If someone visits your business 10 times, they should get 10 similar experiences. Of course, the experiences can be consistently bad, consistently good, or consistently exceptional. The focus of this module is abou...
FCC to Fine Hilton Hotels for Failure to Comply with Wi-Fi Blocking Investigation
November 3, 2015
Company Failed to Produce Information & Documents Regarding Potential Wi-Fi Blocking at Hilton-Brand Hotels & Resorts After Consumer Complaints WASHINGTON, November 2, 2015 – The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau today proposed a $25,000 fine against Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. for its apparent obstruction of an investigation into whether Hilton engaged in the blocking of consumers' Wi-Fi devices. In today's order, the Bureau directs Hilton to immediately provide essential information and documents about its Wi-Fi management practices and warns the company that it may face a significantly highe...
Small, Yet Impactful, Changes in the 11th Edition of the USALI
November 24, 2015
Implementation of the 11th Revised Edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry The 11th revised edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) was published in the spring of 2014, with an implementation date of January 1, 2015. The responsibility for revising the USALI lies with the Financial Management Committee (FMC) of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Throughout the implementation process, the FMC has received several questions from the worldwide lodging industry. To answer these questions, the FMC has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the USA...
Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, California Sold to SCG America, for $137 Million
SCG America | November 2, 2015
Newport Beach, CA – November 2, 2015 -- Maxim Hotel Brokerage is pleased to announce the sale of the 656-room Hyatt Regency Orange County, located on Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove, California. Maxim Hotel Brokerage represented the purchaser, SCG America. The purchaser is an established and locally based subsidiary of one the largest construction companies in China and the world, with 20 years of experience in the US and significant holdings in NY and the LA area. This acquisition will be a cornerstone of their holdings in the western United States. The property sold for $137 million by United States real estate investment trust...
Cendyn® Continues Global Expansion: John Seaton Appointed Managing Director; Singapore Office Opens
November 17, 2015
Cendyn to Debut Eight Additional Offices Across Europe, Asia-Pacific Region in 2016 Boca Raton, Fla. – Nov. 17, 2015 – Cendyn®, parent company of hospitality and event industry technology leaders Cendyn/ONE™ and Cendyn Arcaneo®, is expanding its global operations and appointing London, England-based John Seaton as International Managing Director to support the continuously increasing international demand. With Cendyn's innovative, cloud-based SaaS platforms currently used by 30,000 clients in 143 countries, the company is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Singapore, with plans to debut eight a...
