News Top: May
Texting Guests Is About to Be a HUGE Legal Liability That Can Cost a Hotel 4% of Its Annual Revenue
Einar Rosenberg | May 4, 2018
By Einar Rosenberg Every GM knows the equation for implementing new hotel services. Benefit must be greater than the cost. In 2017, the most popular new craze for hotels was text messaging guests. The cost was low and the benefits were high. But in 2018, that cost is going to sky rocket, thanks to the GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation. If your hotel hasn't heard of the GDPR yet, you better learn fast, because it's going to change how nearly every hotel around the world does business. At its core, the GDPR is the strongest consumer privacy and protection laws in history. Though the GDPR was created by the EU, it's no...
Karma Group Acquires Historic Borgo do Colleoli Estate in Tuscany, Italy
Karma Group | May 15, 2018
Karma Group has announced the acquisition of Borgo di Colleoli, a historical estate in Tuscany, Italy. The sprawling estate is nestled in the stunning Tuscan hills, representing the latest in Karma's stable of spectacular European estates alongside Le Preverger on the French Riviera, Pelikanos on the Greek island of Mykonos and the soon to open Chateau de Samary in Carcassonne, France. Over the years, the original medieval castle evolved to become an aristocratic villa and estate. During the 17th and 18th centuries much renovation work was carried out to the frescoes and delicate mouldings, transforming the Borgo into an elegant country...
How Much of a Threat to Hotels Is Airbnb?
May 3, 2018
By Dr. Inès Blal with Co-Authors Dr. Manisha Singal and Dr. Jonathan Templin Since the entry of Airbnb into the hospitality industry in 2008, media attention has largely focused on the disruptive nature of the service. Industry reports, as well as lively debates at hotel, travel and tourism conferences, have kept the spotlight on Airbnb's growth and success. But despite all this attention, we still know little about its real impact on hotel sales. In our recent publication in the International Journal of Hospitality Management, we examined how Airbnb supply, price, and perceived quality affect the sales performance of incumbent h...
2018 Compilation: Best Hotel Management School Rankings
EHL | May 22, 2018
When you are deciding which undergraduate or graduate hospitality degree program to attend, rankings can help you compare different programs that have caught your eye. We compiled the best hotel management school rankings out there. So, what are best universities for hospitality and tourism management in the world? The ranking methodologies vary, but EHL is the only university present in the top 5 across all rankings. Eduniversal Best Masters Ranking 2017 Eduniversal classifies and highlights Masters programs which prepare and graduate the most competent students into the global workforce based on the following criteria: The reputati...
Ryan Matthew Littman Appointed Director of Food and Beverage for 1840-Room Sheraton Dallas Hotel
Sheraton Dallas | May 23, 2018
DALLAS – Sheraton Dallas Hotel, part of Marriott International, announces it has hired a new Director of Food and Beverage. Ryan Matthew Littman will serve as Director of Food and Beverage of the 1840-room hotel, which features three dining outlets. Littman brings to Sheraton Dallas more than 28 years of experience in the restaurant industry with 27 years spent at Marriott International. Most recently, Littman served as Director of Food and Beverage at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa where he managed a team of eight chefs and seven restaurant managers. Littman previously held both director and chef positions at...
Anne-Marie Houston Appointed as General Manager of Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach | May 9, 2018
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (May 9, 2018) - Montage Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Anne-Marie Houston as general manager of Montage Laguna Beach. As the previous resort manager of Montage Laguna Beach, and with international hospitality experience across four continents, in her new role Houston will continue to oversee all daily operations at Montage Laguna Beach. "We are thrilled to be appointing Anne-Marie to the helm of Montage Laguna Beach," said Jason Herthel, president and chief operating officer of Montage International. "Her breadth of experience and exceptional leadership will not only support the...
3 Misguided Trends in the Hotel Industry Today
Dean Minett | May 17, 2018
By Dean Minett The world of hotels is a lot like the world of fashion. Every year, new trends and styles come sashaying down the catwalk. Some are eye-catching, some are puzzling, and some are downright ridiculous – depending on who you ask. This constant drive to innovate is one of the things that makes our profession so dynamic. Hoteliers and their stakeholders are always looking for the next original combination of styles and concepts. Sometimes it even pays off. Multi-functional common spaces are a good example. A decade ago, this concept was akin to one of those outlandish puffy gowns with a matching headpiece. In 2018, breez...
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Receives Notice of Termination for Management of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group | May 14, 2018
14th May 2018 - Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has received notice of termination of its management agreement for Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and will cease managing the hotel with effect from 30 August 2018. The termination is consequent to the sale of the hotel by CityCenter Holdings, LLC, a joint venture between MGM Resorts and Infinity World Development Corp. Mandarin Oriental launched the property in 2009 and established it as a market leader in the city. The hotel is one of only 13 properties around the world to have received the Triple Forbes Five Star Award – three five stars for the hotel, the spa and signature restaurant...
LaSalle Hotel Properties to Be Acquired by Blackstone for $33.50 per Share in $4.8 Billion Transaction
LaSalle Hotel Properties | May 21, 2018
BETHESDA, Md., May 21, 2018 – LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO) ("LaSalle" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with affiliates of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VIII, under which Blackstone, a leading global asset manager, will acquire all outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of LaSalle for $33.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $4.8 billion. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by LaSalle's Board of Trustees (the "Board"), represents a premium of approximately 35 percent over LaSalle's unaffected share price of $24.84 as of March ...
John Dewberry Assembles New Executive Management Team for The Dewberry Charleston
The Dewberry | May 18, 2018
Charleston, S.C. – The Dewberry hotel is pleased to announce a new management team. Atlanta real estate magnate, John Dewberry, has assembled a talented, energetic and experienced group of hospitality experts and industry leaders to further elevate the hotel's reputation as a premier luxury hotel. Appointments include new General Manager and Managing Director Joseph Polito; Director of Food & Beverage and Executive Chef Michael Tuohy; Director of Finance Derek Burke; and returning to The Dewberry, Director of Revenue & Guest Operations Kristie Rasheed. In the first quarter of 2018, the hotel saw dynamic growth and amassed ...
Q1 2018 US Lodging Market Update, Strong Fundamentals
May 4, 2018
The US lodging industry continues to enjoy the benefits of strong economic fundamentals as metrics on spending, global trade, and various manufacturing indices signal that America's economy is poised for further growth. The US labor market continues to generate new jobs and further optimism is evident given the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. US demand for leisure and business (transient, group meeting, and convention) travel accommodations has continued to rise with growth in demand outpacing supply through the first quarter of 2018. Demand for transient accommodations in several markets (such as Houston and South Florida) has b...
Condé Nast Traveler Unveils 2018 Hot List Awards
May 1, 2018
NEW YORK, May 1, 2018 -- Condé Nast Traveler today announced the winners of its 2018 Hot List, recognizing 102 properties around the world as the hottest hotel openings of the last year. For the 22nd edition of the Hot List, the magazine's editors, reporters, and photographers spent thousands of hours flying tens of thousands of miles to experience and review more than 400 recently-opened properties firsthand. The widely anticipated list uncovers the top trends inspiring modern travelers. The full list of properties recognized on this year's list can be found here. The 2018 Hot List identifies big brands breaking out of t...
The Lismore Hotel Appoints Joseph ‘Joey’ Sieg as Executive Chef
The Lismore Hotel | May 22, 2018
Eau Claire, WI (May 2018) – The Informalist, 205 South Barstow Street, Eau Claire, located at The Lismore Hotel, announced today the restaurant's new Executive Chef, Chef Joseph 'Joey' Sieg. Joining the restaurant with 16 years of industry experience, Sieg will oversee and manage all kitchen operations and will work to expand the culinary staff's skills and creativity through innovative strategies and imaginative recipes. Sieg aims to provide a relaxed yet innovative culinary experience for the community while driving profits for the restaurant and hotel. "We are thrilled to have Chef Sieg join and lead our amazing team here at th...
A Comprehensive Approach to Hotel Channel Distribution
the Author | May 29, 2018
By Ellis Connolly Over the past decade, the hotel industry has experienced dramatic changes, particularly in the area of hotel channel distribution. Big brands, online travel agencies (OTAs), global distribution systems (GDS's), and metasearch websites are all vying for customer attention, and it's all affecting hotel margins. In order for hotels to navigate this shifting distribution paradigm, and optimize their channel mix, they must take an in-depth look at the costs and benefits of their channels: direct, indirect, online, and offline. By analyzing these channels, hotels can develop a holistic strategy that creates revenue and profi...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: The General Manager’s Yardstick
David Lund | May 29, 2018
By David Lund I have seen a lot of different management styles over my 35 years in hospitality. The one I am going to write about in this piece was not the typical General Manager. This is clearly an opinion piece and it is also what I think is a best practice for a top down governance of a business. It is also easily adaptable for just about anyone especially if they like a bit of control. Before I get into describing this one particular GM's management style I am going to outline what I would say is the "typical GM" and what their modus operandi is. The typical GM I have seen, worked with, and gotten to know over the last three and a ...
Pebblebrook Responds to LaSalle – Blackstone Merger
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | May 21, 2018
BETHESDA, Md--Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the "Company") today responded to LaSalle Hotel Properties' ("LaSalle") announcement that it has entered into a merger agreement with Blackstone at a price of $33.50 per share, a significantly lower price than Pebblebrook has been willing to pay. Pebblebrook is proposing to merge with LaSalle at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.9200 Pebblebrook common share for each LaSalle common share, with the option for LaSalle shareholders to elect to receive cash up to a maximum of 20% in the aggregate (subject to pro rata cutbacks). Based on Pebblebrook's closing share price on May 18, 2018, this impl...
New Owner, the Shinn Family, Unveils Plans for The Lancaster Hotel’s Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation
The Lancaster Hotel | May 23, 2018
Houston, TX –The Lancaster Hotel has unveiled plans for the iconic hotel's multi-million-dollar renovation, taking place under new owners, the Shinn family of Dallas. The redesigned hotel will place a new focus on the visual arts, complementing the property's location in Houston's vibrant theater and performing arts district, while acknowledging its legacy as a Texas Historic Landmark. In July 2017, the group of second and third-generation hoteliers purchased The Lancaster Hotel from the Lusk family, longtime owners and descendants of the 1926 hotel's owner, Michele DeGeorge. With initial plans to renovate the hotel over a two-yea...
The State of SEO in 2018: What Hotels Need to Know
Matt Tutt | May 17, 2018
By Matt Tutt Organic search is a field that is constantly evolving—and quickly too. The speed at which Google and other search engines roll out and test new search features can make it difficult to plan your hotel's search strategy for the next few months, let alone the entire year. This post highlights the state of organic search for 2018, looking at some of the impacts of the biggest recent changes by Google, both algorithmic and feature specific. We'll also try to estimate what's in store for hotel SEO throughout the rest of the year and beyond. The current organic search environment for hotels It's probably easiest to summariz...
Palace Hotel San Francisco Appoints Clif Clark as General Manager
the Palace Hotel | May 31, 2018
San Francisco, CA - The Palace Hotel is pleased to welcome Clif Clark as general manager of the historic hotel in San Francisco. Clark comes to the Palace from the Marriott San Francisco Airport Waterfront in Burlingame, California. As general manager, he led his team to achieve consistent revenue growth and record breaking years of profitability and guest satisfaction. Clark recently oversaw a complete renovation of the property. It was his focus on team work and quality service that produced outstanding results during his time at the hotel. Clark brings a lifelong commitment of hard work, unwavering determination and a strategic visio...
Coming Soon to Your Hotel: The Integrated Revenue Generation Team
HEBS Digital | May 21, 2018
By Max Starkov and Scott Dahl Background: The hospitality industry is enjoying its longest expansion and healthiest growth in decades, yet there are some troubling trends beginning to surface that threaten profitability and overall performance. One of these trends is that net room revenue—i.e., revenue that remains with the hotel after accounting for distribution costs (OTA commissions, traditional agency commissions, and other distribution expenses)—has been declining steadily over the past several years. For example, U.S. hotels earned roughly $155.2 billion in guest-paid revenue in 2017 but paid an estimated $25.2 billion...
Proposition 65 Defense Lawyer: Is Your Hotel Ready for the New Prop 65 Regulation Deadline? / Jim Butler
Jim Butler | May 14, 2018
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 07 May 2018 Advice from a Proposition 65 Compliance & Defense lawyer for hotels. For many years, businesses operating in California have been plagued by "bounty hunter" and government lawsuits brought under Proposition 65 — the California law that requires warnings about hazardous substances. The technical disclosure requirements have bedeviled many legitimate businesses for some time. From our continuous interaction with members of the hotel industry, it appears to us that many are not aware of new requirements they must meet b...
Denver’s The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop Welcomes Ann Sutherland Lynch as Director of Sales and Marketing
The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop | May 31, 2018
DENVER – (June 5, 2018) – The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop, opening Summer 2018, today announces the appointment of seasoned hospitality veteran Ann Sutherland Lynch as director of sales and marketing. In her new position, Lynch will utilize her deep experience in hospitality sales and marketing to lead her team at the new Autograph Collection hotel owned and operated by Denver-based Stonebridge Companies. Lynch, who holds a Masters Certificate in Hospitality Management from Cornell University, began her career in sales and marketing in Colorado. She was most recently the corporate director of sales and marketing at Timbers ...
The Hotel Group Selected to Asset Manage Radisson RED Downtown Portland Opening Fall 2018
The Hotel Group | May 30, 2018
Seattle, WA, May 30, 2018 — The Hotel Group (THG), a national hotel management and investment company, announced that they were selected to provide services for the Radisson RED Downtown Portland project. In its capacity as asset manager, THG will act as the owner's representative on behalf of owner and developer, Walter Bowen of BMP Real Estate Group. The property is currently under construction and is expected to open this Fall as the second Radisson RED in the United States. The 180-room and suite hotel is part of the 20-story mixed-use Broadway Tower in South West Portland's Central Business District. The Radisson RED Downtown...
Discounting Is for Dummies – Part One
Vertical Booking | May 29, 2018
Drive More Direct Bookings Without Sacrificing Your Bottom Line By Mark Lewis-Brown, CEO & President at Vertical Booking USA For many years, hoteliers have been throwing away potential revenues right-and-left, offering huge discounts to lure bookers back from the OTAs and alternative accommodation options. I'm here today to tell you something that I need you all to hear: discounting is the best way for your hotel to go from profitable with a high cost of acquisition, to a property with high occupancy, a low cost of acquisition, but (and this is a BIG but) one that is barely able to afford to stay in business. I know that if I listen...
The OTA’s Attempt at Discrediting the Value of the Hotel’s Direct Channel
HEBS Digital | May 10, 2018
By Max Starkov Background: Earlier this week, the European Technology and Travel Services Association (ETTSA) released a report called "Hotel Distribution Costs," examining the costs associated with direct and indirect distribution channels for hotels, together with the impact of channel shift. ETTSA is an organization "representing and promoting the interests of global distribution systems (GDSs) and travel distributors (read: OTAs), towards the industry, policy-makers, opinion formers, consumer groups and all other relevant European stakeholders." The report, prepared by a consultancy called Infrata, concluded that hotels that attempt...
