News Top: February
Hotel Salt Water Pools – Myths Debunked!
hotels university | February 19, 2016
In recent years, salt water (Saline) pools have been growing in popularity vs their Chlorinated pool counterpart. In hotels across the US, we are seeing more and more hotel owners that are exploring salt water as an option. When most people hear 'salt water pool' they have visions of a 5-star luxury resort with water that is safer, healthier and rolls like butter across the skin. Because of this, we wanted to debunk a few of the most common myths about these types of pools. Myth #1: Salt water Pools Are Chlorine Free. 1. This is by far the most common misconception. A salt water pool and a Chlorinated pool both use Chlorine to kill bact...
Starwood CEO, Thomas Mangas, in Letter to Hotel Owners Believes Marriott to Keep Most Brands
February 9, 2016
Feb. 09--Marriott International wants to keep the large majority of brands of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT), the CEO of Stamford-based Starwood told hotel owners, following Marriott's $12.2 billion acquisition of Starwood slated to be completed mid-year. In a February 4 letter to hotel owners following January's Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles, Starwood CEO Thomas Mangas said he believes "most, if not all" Starwood brands will survive the combination. In addition to running Starwood's day-to-day business operations, Mangas said his top priority has been to "advocate for ...
Why Guests Still Call Your Voice Reservations Channel And What You Should Do About It
Doug Kennedy | February 22, 2016
By Doug Kennedy If someone would have surveyed hoteliers in the early 2000's as online bookings were growing exponentially each year, few would have predicted that by now anyone would still be calling to make a reservation. Yet here we are in 2016 with the phones still ringing; and ringing they are, with many hotels even experiencing an increase in calls as those who search on smartphones use the "click to call" feature. It is difficult to get hard industry-wide data to benchmark the contribution of voice channels as the margins vary greatly according to a number of factors such as if the hotel is branded or independent, leisure vs. bus...
Forbes Travel Guide Announces 2016 Star Rating Awards
Forbes Travel Guide | February 22, 2016
154 Hotels Across the Globe Achieve the Coveted Five-Star Award, with Forbes Travel Guide Now Rating in 29 Countries and More than 100 of the World's Top Destinations Paris Wins Nine Five-Star Hotel Awards in its First Year as a Forbes Travel Guide-Rated Destination, Joining Macau with the Most Top Hotels Four Seasons Dominates with Six New Five-Star Hotels; The Caribbean and Mexico Emerge with Distinctive Five-Star Winners, Large and Small; The Langham, Chicago Earns a "Double Five" for its Hotel and Spa ATLANTA, FEBRUARY 22, 2016 — Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its 58th list of worldwide Star Rating recipients, including...
Four Seasons, Alcion Ventures and Bald Mountain Development to Develop Luxury Resort and Residences in Napa Valley
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | February 4, 2016
TORONTO – February 4, 2016 – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality company, Alcion Ventures, and Bald Mountain Development today announced plans for a new luxury resort in Napa Valley. Slated to open in early 2018, the resort will feature 85 guest rooms and 20 Private Residence villas. Located in Calistoga, amongst the valleys, mountains and vineyards of northern Napa Valley, the resort will feature its own fully operational winery and hand-farmed vineyard, offering an unprecedented grape-to-glass experience to resort guests and owners. A limited collection of wines will be produced on-site ...
Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. Names Mickael Damelincourt Managing Director & Patricia Tang Director of Sales & Marketing
Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C | February 16, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C., (February 16, 2016) – The Trump Organization's $200 million redevelopment of the historic Old Post Office building is one of the most highly anticipated openings of the year and has brought together an all-star team – including two top Trump Hotels executives – to open the icon, set to debut September 2016. The esteemed executive team is comprised of seasoned industry veterans hailing from both the Trump Hotels and other notable luxury hotel brands. At the helm of the executive team is Managing Director Mickael Damelincourt, a dynamic Trump Hotels leader who has been with the company since 2007. H...
‘Chef’s Tables’ Driving Market Differentiation for Meyer Jabara Hotels
Meyer Jabara Hotels | February 22, 2016
Private culinary dining experiences are showcasing the talents of Celebrity Chefs and honoring local foods with tableside preparation, education and beverage pairings for VIP guests Danbury, Conn., February 22, 2016]—For Meyer Jabara Hotels, hospitality is not just defined by the 22 properties the company owns or manages, but also by the culinary excellence bestowed on guests and local patrons of its 14 restaurants on America's East Coast. To differentiate its nine award-winning full-service hotels, the company established "The Chef's Tables of Meyer Jabara Hotels." In addition to stimulating awareness of each hotel's Celebrity Ch...
Hotel Lenders Tightening the Screws
Fitch Ratings | February 8, 2016
Fitch Ratings-New York-08 February 2016: Hotel owners will encounter a more challenging debt financing environment during 2016 as lenders respond to the broad repricing of risk (higher) across most debt capital markets and new regulations, says Fitch Ratings. 'Borrowers can expect higher interest rates and tighter underwriting standards for loans backed by hotel collateral as lenders adapt to more challenging debt capital markets conditions,' said Stephen Boyd, Director of Lodging and REITs at Fitch. Sponsor quality will distinguish hotel debt capital access for the balance of this upcycle. 'Unlike loans made earlier in this...
Hersha Hospitality Trust Sells Joint-Venture Interest in 7 Manhattan Hotels for $571.4 Million
Hersha Hospitality Trust | February 4, 2016
PHILADELPHIA-- Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE:HT) ("Hersha" or the "Company"), owner of upscale hotels in urban gateway markets, announced the Company has signed definitive agreements with Cindat Capital Management Limited ("Cindat") to form a joint venture for 7 of the Company's limited service hotels in Manhattan totaling 1,087 rooms for a total purchase price, including closing costs of $571.4 million, or $526,000 per key. The proposed joint venture is structured with Cindat as the preferred joint venture partner holding a 70.0% ownership stake, while Hersha retains a 30.0% equity interest. Proceeds from Sale to Fund Share Repurcha...
R.D. Olson Breaks Ground on $120 Million Full-Service Irvine Spectrum Marriott in Orange County, California
R.D. Olson Development | February 25, 2016
Irvine, Calif. – February 24, 2016 – R.D. Olson Development broke ground yesterday on its latest hotel development, the 271-room, full-service Irvine Spectrum Marriott at 7905 Gateway in Irvine, California. Executives from R.D. Olson Development, Irvine Company, Joseph Martelli Real Estate Investments, Inc., project general contractor R.D. Olson Construction, project architect WATG, and Marriott International joined civic leaders including Irvine Mayor Steven Choi at the ceremonial groundbreaking. Located next to the Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum, which opened in 2014 and was developed by R.D. Olson in partnership wi...
Highgate Named Asset Manager for ARTIC’s U.S. And European Hotel Portfolio
Highgate | February 10, 2016
New York, NY - February 10, 2016 - Highgate, a premier hospitality investment and management company, announced today that it has been retained as asset manager for the U.S. and European hotel portfolio of Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC). A subsidiary of Al Faisal Holding, ARTIC is a leading international owner of hospitality assets with an increasing investment presence in the United States. ARTIC's current U.S. and European hospitality offerings include The St. Regis Washington D.C., The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago, The Manhattan at Times Square and the Grand Hyatt Berlin. ARTIC and Highg...
The Bricton Group Assumes Management of Chicago’s North Shore Marriott Lincolnshire Resort and Theatre
the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort and Theatre | February 11, 2016
Lincolnshire, Ill. (Feb. 11, 2016) – The Bricton Group today announced that the firm is the new management company for the iconic Marriott Lincolnshire Resort and Theatre. The team at The Bricton Group, which has partnered with Marriott on multiple properties over the past decades, is honored to be entrusted with management of the 175-acre resort which features 389 luxurious guest rooms, 40,000 square feet of stunning meeting space and outdoor venues, an 18-hole championship golf course and the multi-award winning Marriott Theatre, which has the largest subscription base of any live musical theatre in the country. "This is one of ...
Marriott and Starwood Set March 28, 2016 Date for Special Stockholder Meetings to Approve Previously Announced Combination Transactions
February 18, 2016
Bethesda, Maryland and Stamford, Connecticut, February 18, 2016 – Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that their separate stockholder meetings to approve the previously announced combination transactions have been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on March 28, 2016, with the mailing of their joint proxy statement expected to begin on or about February 19, 2016 to stockholders of record as of February 2, 2016, the record date for the meetings. The Marriott stockholder meeting will be held at its corporate headquarters at 10400 Fernwood Roa...
Google Explains Local Search Results: What Hotels Need to Know to Improve Their Rankings
TrustYou | February 18, 2016
by Margaret Ady A majority of travelers begin their travel planning on Google. Where a hotel shows up in local rankings influences its clickthrough rates and likelihood of getting booked. Last week, Google shared a blog, providing us with insights into how it calculates local search rankings, noting that local results are based primarily on a business's relevance, distance, and prominence. Here's what that means for hotels. Relevance A hotel's relevance is simply how closely its listing matches what a traveler is looking for. It is determined by the hotel's business description and reviews. TrustYou powers Google's hotel scores and prov...
Ocean Properties Set to Open New Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida
Opal Sands Resort | February 11, 2016
CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla., Feb. 11, 2016 -- Opal Sands Resort, the newest property under Ocean Properties Ltd. & Affiliates, is set to open in February 2016 in Clearwater Beach, setting the bar for luxury beachfront accommodations in Florida's No. 1 Best Beach Town, as named by USA Today. Inspired by the powdery white sands and lively atmosphere, the highly anticipated resort brings upscale accommodations with a contemporary feel to Florida's Gulf Coast. The curvature of the property, designed by Design Duncan Miller Ullmann, gives every room a clear view of the stunning gulf sunsets. All 230 guest rooms and suites offer specta...
4 Tips for Hotel Managers to Increase Efficiency in 2016
Brad Harding | February 1, 2016
By Brad Harding With 2016 underway, New Year's resolutions are in full force. While most of us are motivated for the first few weeks, it can be hard to keep long-term commitments without the proper tools. Simple technology best practices can help us maintain productivity in our everyday lives and stay on the right track. The following four tech-centric tips will help you save money and increase productivity as you embark on 2016. Clean Out Your Inbox With numerous emails facing hotel management each day, it can be overwhelming to respond to each inquiry and request. What makes it harder is the amount of spam and unwanted emails that can...
NewcrestImage Appoints Rick Crain General Manager and Brooke Danielsen Director of Sales for Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown
Hampton by Hilton | February 17, 2016
Dallas, Texas, February 17, 2016 – Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown, which is slated to open in mid-March, announces the appointment of Rick Crain as General Manager and Brooke Danielsen as Director of Sales of the 176-room hotel property in downtown Dallas. NewcrestImage, a hotel development, construction and management firm based in Lewisville, Texas, owns the hotel. Crain, who has an 11-year career with Hilton Hotels, has worked in virtually every facet of the hospitality business since he was 17 years old. Throughout his career, Crain has gone from working as a bellman, valet and front desk clerk, to opening a number o...
Hampton by Hilton Recognizes Top Performing Properties of 2015 with Connie, Lighthouse and Circle of Excellence Awards
Hampton by Hilton | February 24, 2016
MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) Hampton by Hilton brand has awarded top performing properties of 2015 with the recognition of the Connie, Lighthouse and Circle of Excellence awards. All awards are presented based on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The Connie Award is named after Hilton Worldwide's founder Conrad Hilton and winners are selected based on their Total Quality Scorecard (TQS), the hotel's loyalty score via SALT (Hilton's Satisfaction and Loyalty Tracking) and the quality assurance (QA) score. Twelve hotels were presented the Connie Award: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Chincotea...
The Kor Group to Break Ground on Austin Proper Hotel and Residences Opening Early 2018
Austin Proper Residences | February 12, 2016
AUSTIN, Texas – February 2016 – The Kor Group has purchased land located in the master redevelopment of the former Thomas C. Green Water Treatment Plant for the future home of Austin Proper Hotel and Residences. The Austin Proper Hotel and Residences will be a 32-story mixed-use building containing 99 for-sale residences, 244 hotel guest rooms, four food and beverage outlets, 11,500 square feet of meeting space, a state-of-the-art spa, a fitness center, and two outdoor swimming pools. The LEED® Gold-registered modern high-rise by award-winning Handel Architects is slated to break ground in spring 2016 and open in early 2...
Summit Hotel Properties Sells 6 Hotels for $108.3M, Reinstates Agreement for Sale of 10 Hotels for $89.1M, and Acquires 2 Hotels for $109M
Summit Hotel Properties | February 17, 2016
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 16, 2016 -- Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. (NYSE:INN) ("the Company") announced today the completion of the sale of six hotels with a total of 707 guestrooms to affiliates of American Realty Capital Hospitality Trust, Inc. ("ARCH") for an aggregate selling price of $108.3 million on February 11, 2016 (the "February Closing") as follows: LOCATION ROOMS Fairfield Inn & Suites - Spokane, WA 84 Fairfield Inn & Suites - Denver, CO 160 SpringHill Suites - Denver, CO 124 Hampton Inn - Ft. Collins, CO 75 Fairfield Inn & Suites - Bellevue, WA 144 Hilton Garden Inn - Ft. Collins, CO 120...
TRUMP HOTELS to Call Washington, D.C. Home Earlier Than Expected
Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. | February 9, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2016) – Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. will open in September 2016 dramatically ahead of schedule. With its opening, the Nation's Capital will now be home to an iconic and historic super-luxury hotel rivaling the best of other international capital cities. "For decades people have looked in wonderment at the magnificence of the Old Post Office building and structure. There is nothing like it and we are so proud to have not only brought this incredible building back to life, but also to a position far greater than it ever was at its previous zenith. It was an honor to have dealt with the p...
California’s Hotel La Jolla, La Jolla Inn and the Mission Valley Marriott Hotels Change Hands for a Total of $123.1 million
February 18, 2016
Feb. 18--Hotel La Jolla, La Jolla Inn and the Mission Valley Marriott have changed hands for a total of $123.1 million, according to the CoStar Group. The commercial real estate research firm identified the new owners but management and physical changes remain to be seen. The 110-room Hotel La Jolla at 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive sold for $40 million to Irvine-based Khanna Enterprises. The seller, Westport Capital Partners with offices in Los Angeles and Wilton, Conn., had bought the 43-year-old property in 2011 for $30 million. On hotel industry websites, President and CEO Ravi Khanna said the hotel adds to the company's plan to own...
TSA Solutions Announces Geoffroy Meyer as Director Business Development, Southwest Europe
TSA Solutions | February 25, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS — February 25, 2016 . . . Continuing its accelerated expansion worldwide, TSA Solutions, the worldwide leader in hotel upselling solutions, announced the appointment of Geoffroy Meyer as Director of Business Development for Southwest Europe. Meyer brings more than fifteen years of progressive business development experience in all aspects of the hotel industry. He has worked in hospitality technology, and spent more than a decade in management positions at Hilton properties in London, Venice and Cannes. He has a degree from the prestigious Ecole Hoteliers de Lausanne and had graduate training at the Hilton Cannes. Meye...
Boston Lodging Market Poised for Continued Growth and Investor Appeal
Sebastian J. Colella | February 22, 2016
By Sebastian J. Colella The economy in Boston and Cambridge is driven by a diverse set of growth engines which have provided it with a level of stability through multiple recessions. While the city remains reliant on its traditional industries such as financial services, education and healthcare, it has also become a hub for innovation, technology, and life sciences, all of which drive corporate travel throughout the calendar year. The city's rich history, convention centers, amenities, and ease of access contribute to its ability to attract group and leisure travel. The Boston/Cambridge lodging market has now experienced six consecutiv...
Arden Group Acquires the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, FL
Arden Group | February 12, 2016
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 11, 2016 - Arden Group, through their discretionary fund affiliate Arden Real Estate Partners II, LP, announced today that they acquired the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center. The 248 room upscale hotel includes over 25,000 square feet of indoor outdoor function and meeting space. Hilton full service amenities feature an outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, spacious courtyards, fitness center, business center, Albert's restaurant and 2-Bits lounge. Arden will be investing an additional $13.5 million in the hotel to renovate the guest rooms, public space and upgrades to the restaurant. The s...
