News Top: December
Hospitality Trends 2018 – What’s Happening in Hospitality
Robert A. Rauch, CHA | December 6, 2017
By Robert A. Rauch Each December, we come out with my trends for the following year. Last year we led with Artifical Intelligence and Robotics. In May, 2017, we hired our first robot as Employee #25 at our Fairfield Inn & Suites. Designed by Savioke, Relay the Robot (we call him Hubert) has been a big hit! This year we are leading with the lobby design side of the business—every hotel seems to be doing something to encourage the "millennial mindset" traveler to "hang out!" So, feel free to comment, here are our picks for 2018: Hotel lobbies become the center of the hotel universe akin to those found in communal work spaces s...
Following a Year-Long Renovation, the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur Reopens
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts | December 11, 2017
New York, NY - December 11, 2017 – December 5, 2017 marked a new chapter for this shining star as it celebrated the official re-launch after a complete yearlong refurbishment of the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur. Officiating the auspicious occasion was Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Group of Companies, Dato' Mark Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Hotels and from Marriott International, Inc. - Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer and Craig Smith, President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific. The JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur opened its doors on July 12, 1997 and went on to set a new standard in ho...
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts Rebrands 24-Hotel Portfolio
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts | December 13, 2017
Brand's properties in Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Spain will be classified into four categories and segmented by experience MIAMI, Fla. (December 13, 2017) – Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts – the leader in all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, is reorganizing its 24-hotel portfolio, reclassifying properties into four categories and segmented experiences. The new categories and segments will ultimately simplify the process for consumers to identify which hotel will best fulfill their vacation goals and allow them to experience happiness. The four hotel categories include Luxury Bahia Principe, including th...
New Hotel Booking Sites Take Advantage of Industry Loopholes
Nancy Huang | December 18, 2017
By Nancy Huang Almost seven years since HotelTonight launched its tonight-only hotel booking app, the industry has been flooded with a host of ambitious startups looking to find similar success. At the recent PhocusWright Summit, almost half of the 24 startups presenting their ideas were related to hotel booking apps. However, during a rapid 3-minute question round, potential investor Chris Hemmeter questioned the sustainability of one of the startup's business models, raising concerns that it merely took advantage of industry loopholes. In the following post, we'll look at how some newer hotel booking apps are striving to find their ow...
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Executes Agreement to Acquire the Management Agreements of 83 Properties from White Lodging
Interstate Hotels & Resorts | December 6, 2017
ARLINGTON, Va., December 6, 2017—Interstate Hotels & Resorts ("Interstate" or the "Company"), the global leader in third-party hotel management, announces it has entered into an agreement to acquire the management agreements of 82 premium-branded, select- and full-service hotels, plus one restaurant, from White Lodging. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of January 2018 at which time Interstate will begin managing the hotels. "We will operate this portfolio of high quality assets under long term agreements, helping the respective owners achieve increased long term value," said Michael Deitemeyer, Interstate's p...
Dear Airbnb…
Daniel Lesser | December 5, 2017
By Daniel H. Lesser Airbnb started as an online marketplace founded by two unemployed entrepreneurs who seized upon an opportunity to earn money by renting three airbeds in their living space. Today, a significant amount of Airbnb's activity in cities such as New York and San Francisco does not originate from the listings of "regular people" who are merely renting out a spare room. Instead, professional landlords are removing multifamily stock from local markets and providing availability exclusively for tourists and business travelers. In some cases, landlords are even evicting residential tenants and jettisoning rent-controlled housin...
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Appoints Derek Ellis to Resort Manager and James Anderson to Director of Sales & Marketing
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | December 4, 2017
Phoenix, Arizona (Decmeber 4 2017) – JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has appointed Derek J. Ellis to Resort Manager and James Anderson to Director of Sales & Marketing, according to General Manager and Area General Manager Steve Hart. Prior to returning to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa where he initially opened the 950-room luxury property as Director of Rooms Operations in 2002, Ellis was most recently the General Manager of the JW Marriott Houston Galleria. Ellis brings extensive industry experience to his new position and has spent 27 years within the Marriott organization. He has held similar lead...
Best Practices in Creating and Completing Construction Knock-out Punch Lists
Cicero's Development Corporation | December 8, 2017
PLAINFIELD,IL, DECEMBER 8, 2017 -- Punch lists are a part of a construction contract that helps to meet and ensure the quality of the project. Throughout each phase of the construction process, a checklist is maintained by the contractor that details any unfinished and/or unacceptable work. Items that are found to not meet quality standards or do not conform to the scope as outlined in the contract documents are to be corrected by the contractor in a timely fashion and typically prior to receiving final payment on the project. A common practice in the construction industry is that contracts are written in such a way that allows ownershi...
These Are the Worst Restaurant and Food Trends of 2017
December 28, 2017
Dec. 28--Every year, a new food trend pops up that diners adore. And as soon as an ambitious chef or restaurant owner catches wind of these buzzy meals, it opens the floodgates for copycats. Some menu epidemics catch on and stick around. Think cupcakes, cronuts and frozen yogurt. Those trends had legs, and only the strongest have survived. But, we think some fads must go. Here's our take on what foods we'd like to see die in 2018. Mashup meals: End the madness. Unless we're at the county fair or Taco Bell, these hybrid concoctions must go. Think Spaghetti Grilled Cheese sandwiches and burger buns made of fried macaroni and c...
BENCHMARK®, a Global Hospitality Company, Sweeps HSMAI Adrian Awards
HSMAI | December 7, 2017
Brand Positioning Initiatives, Marketing Platforms Win 15 Awards The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2017 … They are the "Oscars of the Travel Industry", coveted trophies of gold, silver and bronze that showcase the creative talent of marketing teams around the globe. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's prestigious Adrian Awards set the Gold Standard for travel marketing excellence. This year, BENCHMARK®, global hospitality company, swept the Adrian's with 15 prizes for achievements in branding, web design, public relations, social media and destination marketing. The honors spanned both cor...
CEO Pay in Gaming: Founders vs Corporate Executives
Keith Kefgen | December 6, 2017
By Keith Kefgen Besides technology, the gaming industry has one of the largest percentages of entrepreneurs running their respective companies. Larger than life personalities such as Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson actually cast a shadow well beyond gaming. But that is changing as entrepreneurs are slowly being replace by corporate execs such as Keith Smith at Boyd, Jim Murren at MGM, Tim Wilmott at Penn and Mark Frissora at Caesars. It is interesting to see how CEO compensation has changed as this process has unfolded. Generally speaking, the entrepreneurs took more of the compensation in equity, while corporate executive appear to have...
Matt Jergens Joins Chicago’s The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, as Executive Chef
The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago | December 21, 2017
(CHICAGO; December 21, 2017)— Chicago's The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel is proud to welcome Matt Jergens as Executive Chef. Previously of the The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston, Chef Jergens brings over six years of luxury hotel culinary experience. Chef Jergens revamps The Gwen's food and beverage program with a modern takes on classic dishes such as the Grilled Skirt Steak with green beans, fried green plantains, chimichurri, lime crème fraiche; and the Pan Roasted Salmon with roasted mushrooms, snow peas, bok choy, warm miso vinaigrette. Additionally, Chef Jergens introduces the first weekend brunch menu ...
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena Appoints Paul Leclerc as New Managing Director
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles | December 26, 2017
PASADENA, Calif. - December 27, 2017 - The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Southern California's iconic landmark hotel, proudly announces Paul Leclerc as managing director. In his role, Leclerc will be responsible for managing the hotel's day-to-day success and overseeing all operational aspects of the 377-room property. A seasoned leader and innovator in hospitality with more than 25 years of service in the hotel industry, Leclerc joins The Langham Huntington, Pasadena after a 16-year career with Loews Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure with Loews, Leclerc spearheaded successful initiatives including the multi-faceted projec...
Kori Johnson Appointed General Manager at The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection | December 4, 2017
Washington, D.C. – Decmeber 4, 2017 – The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection is pleased to announce the appointment of seasoned hospitality executive Kori Johnson as General Manager. With an extensive background within the Marriott portfolio, Kori will bring over two decades of hotel expertise to spearhead the historic D.C. landmark. As General Manager, Kori will be responsible for all property operations, including 581 modern guestrooms & suites, over 42,000 square feet of newly restored meeting & event space, and the vibrant EDGAR Bar & Kitchen. "Kori brings an extensive resume of workforce innovation, custo...
Hilton Appoints Kellyn Smith Kenny as Chief Marketing Officer
Hilton | December 14, 2017
MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the appointment of Kellyn Smith Kenny as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Effective January 29, 2018, Kenny will oversee the enterprise marketing strategy for the world's most recognizable hospitality company and its portfolio of 14 industry-leading brands. She will also lead a high-performing team delivering creative marketing programs focusing on building meaningful relationships with guests. "The iconic Hilton brand is already recognized globally as the gold standard for hospitality," said Jon Witter, Chief Customer Officer. "With Kellyn as our new ...
American Express Travel Reveals Emerging Trends and Top Ten Destinations for 2018
American Express Travel | December 13, 2017
NEW YORK--December 13, 2017--According to a new survey conducted for American Express Travel, travelers in the United States are focused on pursuing their personal passions through the lens of travel. "For 2018, we see U.S. travelers expanding personal and global boundaries when they travel. We noted an increased interest in cultural discovery, personal connections, inspiring destinations, and premium, rejuvenating travel experiences," says Tom Stein, VP of American Express Travel. INTERNATIONAL INTEREST: DISCOVERY OF FOREIGN CULTURES & HISTORY American Express Travel's international bookings for travel in the first quarter of 2018 ...
Louis T Collection Appoints Mikael Svensson as Senior Vice President
Louis T Collection | December 20, 2017
SINGAPORE (Dec. 20, 2017) – Hospitality executive Mikael Svensson has joined hospitality management and building solutions company Louis T Collection as senior vice president. Svensson will oversee operations of the group's current hotel portfolio and work closely with its technical services team on new projects. The Swedish-native has spent the past 25 years in hospitality in locations across Asia and beyond. His most recent role was general manager of the 468 hotel rooms and 220-room luxury residence Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Beach Dubai. Prior to that he held general manager roles at Park Hyatt Canberra (Australia), Hyatt Regency H...
Using Gamification to Sell Guestroom Upgrades
Larry Mogelonsky | December 6, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Selling room upgrades is a vital tactic for generating incremental revenue and filling unused inventory. Most websites that I've visited attempt to outline the advantages of better rooms, be it through size, view, bed type, floor level, amenities or a combination of these elements. But once the consumer purchases a specific room type, how do you entice them to spend a little extra to get something even better than what they've already confirmed? While there's the age-old approach of prompting them either through a pre-arrival email or phone call, or once they are physically at the f...
Grand Hyatt Taipei Names Jan-Hendrik Meidinger New General Manager
December 20, 2017
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Dec. 20, 2017) – Grand Hyatt Taipei has tapped veteran hotelier, Jan-Hendrik Meidinger, as its new general manager. In his new role, Meidinger will lead one of the region's most iconic luxury properties and its 1,000 hotel Ambassadors. Meidinger relocates to the Taiwanese capital with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. The 47-year-old was previously the resident manager at Grand Hyatt Taipei from 2006 to 2010. Most recently he was general manager of The Excelsior, owned by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, in Hong Kong. "I'm thrilled to be returning to Taiwan and to Grand Hyatt Taipei," ...
Westmount Capital Group and EKG Acquire Charlottesville’s Historic Clifton Inn; Scout Hotel & Resort Management Tapped to Operate
Westmount Capital Group, LLC | December 8, 2017
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Dec. 8, 2017 – Washington, D.C.-based Westmount Capital Group, LLC and Richmond, Va.-based EKG, LLC have acquired the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia, and have retained Scout Hotel & Resort Management as its operator. Woodmont Lodging, LLC provided advisory services to Westmount Capital Group, LLC and will continue to have asset management responsibilities. EKG, LLC, led by the McGeorge Family, was advised by Richmond, Va.-based Canal Capital Management. The boutique inn, which opened its doors to overnight guests in 1983, occupies the historic 1799 estate of Thomas Jefferson's daughter, M...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Breaks Ground On New Chicago Office
Paramount Lodging Advisors | December 13, 2017
CHICAGO, IL – Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA), with the support of Midland States Bank is constructing its new company headquarters in the Old Town area of Chicago. PLA has partnered with Irpino Construction as the General Contractor to build the office. The building is projected to be complete by July of 2018. The new headquarters will be a sleek, three-story building equipped with a wide variety of innovative technology and accommodations. It will also tailor specifically to the needs of the PLA's Hotel Real Estate Advisory Practice - with unique gathering spaces and private offices. The third floor, uniquely will offer a stunn...
AJ Capital Partners Opens 304-Room Graduate Minneapolis Following Renovation and Rebranding
AJ Capital Partners | December 5, 2017
Minneapolis, Mn. – AJ Capital Partners is thrilled to announce that Graduate Minneapolis is officially open. The 304-room hotel, formerly The Commons Hotel, is located on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota and is the only on-campus lodging. In addition to the hotel's neighborhood gastropub, The Beacon, Graduate Minneapolis will feature food cart service in the lobby with culinary concepting lead by celebrity chef Richard Ruskell. Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels are part of a well-curated, thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic, university-an...
5 Ways Hotels Can Use Behavioral Economics to Improve Conversion Rates
Gautam Lulla | December 20, 2017
By Gautam Lulla Understanding the rationale behind consumer decision-making has long been an obsession for marketers. Popularized today as behavioral economics, brands such as Amazon and Netflix invest millions into understanding the psychology of their consumers shopping habits in order to drive purchases. In the travel industry, OTAs also build their platforms around principles of buying psychology to boost conversion rates. Yet far from being a secret or expensive investment, many of these same principles can be applied by hotels. In the following post, we'll look at 5 ways hotels can use behavioral economics with actionable examples...
How to Encourage Guests to Write Hotel Reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook
Nancy Huang | December 22, 2017
by Nancy Huang Online guest reviews are more important than ever. In researching hotels, potential customers are proactively seeking information about the experiences of previous guests. Reviews and star ratings on websites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google, and Facebook all play an extremely important role in getting new customers to book. The more reviews available, the more trustworthy a hotel will appear. Today's traveler arrives well-informed, with a huge 95% reading online reviews before they book their accommodation. Furthermore, younger generations are more communicative than their predecessors, so building a strong online reputati...
How the Composition of RevPAR Growth Impacts Changes in Profits
Robert Mandelbaum | December 18, 2017
By Robert Mandelbaum To project changes in profits we obviously need to look at the expected relative changes in revenues and expenses. Profit growth can only be realized when the dollar value of the change in revenue exceeds the dollar value of the change in expenses. Within the lodging industry, there are other metrics that have historically been reliable indicators to measure the potential for hotel profit growth. One is the change in rooms revenue, or RevPAR. Using data from our annual Trends® in the Hotel Industry, we find an 86 percent correlation between annual changes in RevPAR and Gross Operating Profit (GOP) from 1960 to 2...
