News Top: June
Newmarket Releases Enhanced Functionality to Delphi.fdc
Newmarket | June 10, 2015
Sales, Catering and Event Software Includes Industry Leading Packages Functionality and Enhanced Integration to Opera PMS June 10, 2015 – Portsmouth, NH – Newmarket® International, Inc. ("Newmarket"), an Amadeus company, today announced the Athens edition of Delphi.fdc, a cloud based product for Sales, Catering, and Event management. Delphi.fdc is an end-to-end sales and catering solution designed for organizations that sell and manage meeting and event space. Whether a hotel, stadium, restaurant, or convention center, Delphi.fdc assists sales teams to close more group meeting business, and catering teams to successfully execute o...
Treatment of Service Charge for Revenue and Expense Reporting in the Hospitality Industry
Christopher Garland | June 29, 2015
Implementation of the11th 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 USAL...
Baha Mar, the $3.6 billion Bahamian Resort, Files for Bankruptcy Protection
June 30, 2015
By Mimi Whitefield mwhitefield@MiamiHerald.com Troubled by construction delays, the developer of Baha Mar — the Bahamian luxury resort being built with the help of Chinese financing and labor — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware. The $3.6 billion resort, which was supposed to revitalize Nassau's Cable Beach area, was initially scheduled to open in December 2014. Since then, the opening has been pushed back several times, sparking the ire of customers who had made reservations. Sarkis Izmirlian, chairman and chief executive of developer Baha Mar Ltd., said Monday that the board had determined that because of t...
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Unveils New Vision for Sheraton Brand
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | June 1, 2015
NEW YORK-- From the 37th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today introduced Sheraton 2020, a comprehensive 10-point plan designed to put Sheraton Hotels and Resorts firmly back into the global spotlight. Sheraton 2020, a nod to the plan's clear five year vision, includes a new $100 million Sheraton-focused marketing campaign; the launch of the new premier tier, Sheraton Grand; continuous innovation of the Sheraton guest experience; an unwavering commitment to service excellence; the implementation of revenue and profit-driving initiatives to ben...
Quirk Hotel Appoints New General Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing
Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel | June 4, 2015
Richmond, Va. – June 4, 2015 – Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel, hires dynamic hospitality experts Sherry Abedi and Kate McDonald Brown as their new General Manager and Area Director of Sales and Marketing. Sherry comes to Quirk Hotel with more than 16 years of hotel and restaurant management experience, of which four of those years were with Destination Hotels. Likewise, Kate comes to Richmond's first ever design-driven boutique hotel with more than 15 years of hotel sales experience and has worked with Destination Hotels for the past year. "We are proud to welcome two remarkable hospitality veterans to the Quirk Hotel team," said ...
Conrad Hilton Arrested on Suspicion of Breaking into Ex-Girlfriend’s Home
June 22, 2015
June 23--Conrad Hilton, the younger brother of Paris Hilton, was arrested Monday on suspicion of violating a restraining order taken out by his ex-girlfriend, authorities said. Officers responded to a reported restraining order violation about 4 p.m. in the 2300 block of Jupiter Drive in the Hollywood Hills, said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Officer Mike Lopez. Officers found Hilton inside his ex-girlfriend's home and took him into custody, Lopez said. The arrest is the latest legal woe for Hilton, the great-grandson of hotel magnate Conrad Hilton. In May, he turned himself in to Riverside County authorities in connection wit...
The Gettys Group Completes Renaissance Chicago Downtown Renovation
The Gettys Group | June 1, 2015
CHICAGO (June 1, 2015) – Set against the dramatic skyline on the banks of the Chicago River, Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel unveiled its much-buzzed-about $27 million lobby and guestroom transformation last month. The 560-room hotel was designed by Chicago-based The Gettys Group. The firm was brought into this project from the outset to leverage their past knowledge of the property and completely re-imagine the guest experience while at the same time incorporating the enhanced Renaissance brand pillars. With the completion of the renovations to the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel's guest rooms, suites, and lobby area, The G...
HVS Releases 2015 U.S. Hotel Valuation Index
June 2, 2015
HVS, the world's leading hospitality consulting and valuation firm, in collaboration with Smith Travel Research, is pleased to deliver the 2015 U.S. Hotel Valuation Index (HVI). Mineola, New York: HVS, the world's leading hospitality consulting and valuation firm, in collaboration with Smith Travel Research, is pleased to deliver the 2015 U.S. Hotel Valuation Index (HVI). The HVI offers critical information on 65 U.S. hotel markets and the nation, including: Hotel value changes and projections through 2018 Intelligence on market dynamics for primary, secondary, and tertiary hotel markets Each year, more than 200 HVS hotel experts c...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Hotel Values and Brand Proliferation
Jim Butler | June 25, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Stephen Rushmore, Jr., President and CEO of HVS, speaks in the video about hotel values in the next few years, new development, and brand proliferation. Stephen spoke with David Sudeck, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015. David Sudeck: We are at the 25th Annual Meet the Money® Conference 2015. I am happy to be here with Stephen Rushmore, President and CEO of HVS. Welcome, Stephen. Stephen Rushmore, Jr.: Good to be here. Thanks. David S...
Quantifying Cost Saving Potentials for Mobile Room Key Deployments in the Hotel Industry
LEGIC Identsystems Ltd | June 5, 2015
This article provides facts and figures to understand and calculate potential cost savings for the hotel industry. Where are we with mobile room key deployments today? Smartphones have entered most businesses across regions and markets. In the hotel industry, smartphone usage started with loyalty apps. It was a welcomed device to reach out to guests, get closer to them and improve the overall experience for a stay. Whether browsing hotel photos, maps, city guides or making special requests for early check-in or a different pillow, apps entered the hotel market already and are used by guests today. Guest convenience, branding and potenti...
As Four Seasons Philadelphia Closes for Conversion, One Last Gathering of its ‘Family’
June 7, 2015
June 07--As Realtor Laurie Phillips paused in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia -- her refuge, clubhouse and second home for 32 years -- Carol Tamburino approached her mournfully. "We need a new hangout. Where are we going to go?" Tamburino lamented. "I've been crying. I'm really depressed over this." The hotel that redefined luxury in Philadelphia when it opened on Logan Square on July 31, 1983, closed Saturday, checking out its final guests and serving its last power breakfasts even as staff quietly whisked paintings off the walls. The Four Seasons will return in 2018, reconstituted within the 59-story Comcast Innovatio...
2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities:“Where are we in the current hospitality cycle?”
Jim Butler | June 17, 2015
Mike Cahill of HREC sheds light on the question By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com June 2015 Mike Cahill, CEO and Founder of Hospitality Real Estate Counselors and co-chairman of the Lodging Industry Investment Council, speaks in the video about activity in the 2015 hospitality market, the current cycle and where we may be headed next, distressed hotel sales from lenders, and interest rates and other potential disruptors to the hotel industry. Mike's conversation with Bob Braun, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, is part of our video interview series on hotel finance and...
Hilton Worldwide Announces Five New Signings for Curio – A Collection by Hilton
Curio | June 2, 2015
MCLEAN, Va.--June 2, 2015-- Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced the addition of five new property signings to the development pipeline of Curio - A Collection by Hilton. They will join the eight hotels that have opened as part of the collection since it launched at the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference just one year ago on June 2, 2014. The five additions to the Curio collection pipeline include: The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton The Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton The Partridge Inn Augusta, Curio Collection by Hilton ...
StepStone Hospitality Leads Twin Cities Hotel from Foreclosure to Top of the Marriott Brand
Minneapolis Marriott Northwest | June 2, 2015
Minneapolis Marriott Northwest Named Hotel of the Year MINNEAPOLIS (June 2, 2015) - The Minneapolis Marriott Northwest has been named "Hotel of the Year" for the Americas by Marriott International, continuing its strong run under the Marriott brand. The recent recognition is a crowning achievement in a turnaround that began nearly five years ago. StepStone Hospitality took over management of the hotel in October 2010 after it went into foreclosure a year earlier. Formerly known as the Northland Inn, the hotel completed an extensive $24 million renovation prior to converting to the Marriott brand in July 2012. At the time, StepStone com...
New $5 Hotel Fee for State of Georgia ‘Huge Shock’ for Middle Georgia Hoteliers
June 28, 2015
June 28--A new fee that will be tacked onto the cost of renting a hotel room in Georgia -- every room, every night -- has hoteliers and visitors bureaus concerned. Georgia lawmakers added the $5 hotel-motel fee late in the session to a transportation funding measure known as House Bill 170. Gov. Nathan Deal signed it in May, and it becomes effective Wednesday. "There was an assumption made that 80 percent of the folks staying in a hotel room in Georgia are out-of-state visitors," said Monica Smith, president and CEO of the Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "That is actually true for Atlanta, but it's not true for the r...
Noble House Hotels & Resorts Acquires Teton Mountain Lodge and Hotel Terra in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Noble House Hotels & Resorts | June 15, 2015
SEATTLE, June 15, 2015 -- Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. – a collection of luxury hotels and resorts – has acquired Teton Mountain Lodge and Hotel Terra and will immediately assume management of both properties, located in Teton Village, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The resorts bring the Noble House Hotels & Resorts (NHHR) distinctive hospitality portfolio to 16 properties, and represent the brand's ongoing growth in the adventure and ski-focused space. "These two resorts, known for their upscale, rugged luxury, are a perfect complement to our portfolio of true-to-place lifestyle hotels," said Pat Colee, Noble House Founder an...
New Features from iRiS Enable Hotels to Offer Low-Cost Mobile Check-in and Door Entry
iRiS Software Systems | June 8, 2015
iRiS Software Systems, the leading provider of guest-facing technology for the hospitality industry, is pleased to announce the launch of two new and highly innovative features: iRiS Check-in & iRiS Mobile Room Key. Both will be unveiled at HITEC, the world's largest hospitality technology show, taking place in Austin, TX, from June 15th to June 18th. A lot of announcements regarding this new technology have been released in the past couple of months, however only focusing on backend technology or developed in-house by specific hotel group. iRiS Software Systems have expanded this proposition by productising it, therefore making...
Sage Hospitality and Host Hotels & Resorts Unveil Plans for the Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel
Sage Hospitality | June 9, 2015
The Former Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia will Reopen in Fall 2015 as Part of Curio – A Collection by Hilton PHILADELPHIA, June 9, 2015 -- Sage Hospitality, one of the nation's leading hotel development and management companies is proud to unveil the plans for the Logan, Philadelphia's Hotel. The highly anticipated project has officially begun its transformation and is slated to debut this fall, 2015 and will be part of Curio – A collection by Hilton. The Logan will reopen its doors and introduce an art inspired interpretation on Modern Luxury, a contrast to the traditional decor associated with its predecessor, the former Four Sea...
DoubleTree San Diego-Del Mar Sold
CBRE Group, Inc. | June 26, 2015
Newport Beach, California – June 26, 2015 – CBRE Hotels has arranged the sale of the 224-room DoubleTree San Diego Del Mar. CBRE Hotels represented the seller, PHF Ruby LLC an affiliate of Fillmore Capital. The buyer is San Diego based Southwest Value Partners. Southwest Value Partners has retained Dimension Development Company as the new operating manager of the hotel, which will continue to operate under the "DoubleTree by Hilton" license. The firm will also improve the asset through targeted capital investment and a focus on providing premium hospitality services to hotel guests. The 5-story hotel property originally opened in 19...
Lotte Group Seals Deal to Acquire the New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan for $805 million
June 1, 2015
June 01--SEOUL (The Korea Herald/ANN) -- Lotte Group said Sunday that it has sealed a deal to buy the New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan for $805 million from US real estate management firm Northwood Investors. Hotel Lotte, one of the group's core business units, plans to set up a new company in the United States to operate the hotel and complete the takeover by August. The deal, signed on Friday, marks the first time for Lotte to run a hotel in the heart of New York City. The New York Palace Hotel is a luxury hotel located in Midtown Manhattan. It consists of the famed Villard Mansion -- a 133- year-old New York City landmark -- and a ...
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa Names New Leadership in Culinary & Management
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa | June 24, 2015
SAN ANTONIO (June 24, 2015) – The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa is pleased to announce the promotions of Scott Siebert from director of food and beverage to resort manager and Ryan Littman from executive chef to director of food and beverage. Both have been an integral part of the success of the food and beverage operations of the resort since prior to opening in 2010. The culinary team also welcomed a new member to the team, Executive Pastry Chef Marcos Gonzalez. Siebert was named the director of food and beverage for the property in 2009, joining the team prior to the resort's opening. He consistently led the f...
PKF Hospitality Research Issues Consistent U.S. Lodging Forecast
PKF Consulting, USA | June 4, 2015
Industry Participants Gain Confidence Operating In a Predictable Environment June 4, 2015, Atlanta, Ga. – The outlook for the U.S. lodging industry continues to be extremely strong, according to the recently released June 2015 edition of PKF Hospitality Research's (PKF-HR) Hotel Horizons® (PKF-HR is a CBRE company). The report forecasts that U.S. hotels will continue to enjoy revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth more than twice the long-run average (7.2 percent increase in 2015 and 6.8 percent in 2016). The slowdown in 2016 should not worry hoteliers because the growth in average daily room rate (ADR) will drive the increase in...
Host Hotels & Resorts Acquires the 643-room Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, for $400 Million
Host Hotels & Resorts | June 9, 2015
Company Announces Asset Sales, Stock Repurchases and Other Strategic Initiatives BETHESDA, Md., June 9, 2015 -- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST) today announces the progress on various corporate strategic initiatives. On June 8, 2015, the Company acquired the 643-room Phoenician, a Luxury Collection resort, for $400 million. The hotel boasts a scenic 300-acre setting at the base of Camelback Mountain with outstanding views of the local natural landmark. The AAA Five-Diamond, Forbes Four-Star rated property is ideally located in one of the premium resort markets in the southwest, within close proximity of the nightlife, galle...
Six Guidelines for Managing Guest Conflict and Preventing Bad Online Reviews
RJ Friedlander | June 23, 2015
By RJ Friedlander Dealing with guest conflict is one the hardest things employees face in the service industry. If poorly managed, an on-property complaint can escalate to a bad online review. Negative reviews can frighten prospective guests away and put a permanent scar on the reputation and revenue of your business. When guests take the time to bring an issue to your attention, consider it a gift. They're giving you the opportunity to make things right. The way you respond will have a decisive impact on the outcome. Here are six guidelines for managing guest conflict in a way that prevents negative reviews and leaves guests feeling po...
A Readers Response to Rich Siegel’s Siegel Sez Airbnb Commentary: Rich is Completely Wrong
Randy Hulce | June 11, 2015
by Randy Hulce Rich, first, let me remind you that I am a big fan of yours and always find your Siegel Sez observations, musings and expert commentary enlightening and entertaining. However, I would like to address your recent comments regarding Airbnb, the porn filming (which happens every day in hotels) and the destruction of a home by Airbnb "guests." While you do fairly point out that such incidents are "isolated" when compared to the millions who successfully utilize Airbnb, you may have unintentionally spotlighted and therefore exaggerated a fear that most hotel investors, owners and operators are happy to believe in – that Airb...
