News Top: March
Construction to Begin on The Brenton Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island
March 20, 2019
NEWPORT, RI (March 20, 2019) – The first major milestone in the construction of Newport's newest luxury boutique hotel, the Brenton Hotel, took place yesterday as demolition began of the current two-story building at 31 America's Cup Avenue. Construction of the new 57-room hotel will begin upon completion of the demolition. The Brenton Hotel will debut in spring 2020 at the prime location along the waterfront on the corner of America's Cup Avenue and Long Wharf, adjacent to the Newport Visitor Information Center and the Newport Marriott Hotel. Owned by LWH, LLC, a locally based investment group, and operated by White Horse Hospita...
Stonehouse Capital, New Owners of Maine’s Iconic Spruce Point Inn, to Honor and Celebrate Historic Asset
Spruce Point Inn | March 1, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 1, 2019 … A landmark and a legend for more than a century, the historic Spruce Point Inn resort in Boothbay Harbor has reigned for years as the choice of discerning travelers and is independently ranked as one of the "best resorts in New England." New ownership and management aim to extend that legacy. The owners of Spruce Point Inn have concluded the sale of the property to Stonehouse Capital; and after careful consideration, Stonehouse Capital has engaged BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, to operate Spruce Point Inn as part of their Gemstone Collection. "Stonehouse Capital is ho...
Eight Technology Trends to Watch Out for in the Travel and Tourism Industry in 2019
Kacey Bradley | March 6, 2019
In the digital age, travel and tourism have taken on new traits. Technology has given the industry new ways to communicate with customers, smoother internal operations and more possibilities for growth. As these innovations have come on the scene, the needs of guests have also evolved. While 2019 unfolds, you can look out for several technology shifts that coincide with your hotel, resort or tourist destination. Check out these eight technology trends affecting travel and tourism to stay informed. Range of WiFi Spreads While WiFi in hotels became an essential, ample internet connectivity on flights lagged. Now that in-flight WiFi has ...
Encore Boston Harbor Appoints Robert DeSalvio as President
Encore Boston Harbor | March 6, 2019
EVERETT, MA (MARCH 5, 2019) – Encore Boston Harbor, a Five-Star, $2.6 billion gaming resort, is planning to open this summer, led by industry veteran Robert DeSalvio. The most anticipated resort opening in New England this year, Encore Boston Harbor will feature 671 hotel rooms, a 210,000-square-foot casino, state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces, an ultra-premium spa, and 15 dining and lounge venues, including award-winning food and beverage experiences, and new, innovative concepts. Mr. DeSalvio joined Wynn Resorts Development in 2014, with 40 years of hotel experience. He helped to bring the proposed project to life in Evere...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 210: Hotel History: John Q. Hammons (1919-2013)
Stanley Turkel | March 12, 2019
By Stanley Turkel, CMHS John Q. Hammons: Master Hotel Developer and Builder One of the great hotelier/developers of our time. John Q. Hammons developed 200 hotel properties in 40 states. But mere statistics hide the essence of Mr. Hammons special development techniques. He disdained the standard feasibility studies when assessing potential sites for hotel development and instead relied on his own experience, knowledge and intuition. Here are some reflections by John Q. Hammons on being an exceptional hotel developer: Be in Tune With Change: Have a Plan of Action. People do not stop to think what change means. That's the thing about su...
Sage Hospitality Completes Sale of Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek to Rockbridge Capital
Sage Hospitality | March 11, 2019
Denver, Colo. – (March 11, 2019) – Sage Hospitality, one of the nation's leading hotel investment, development and management companies, along with Denver-based developer BMC Investments, announced today the sale of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek to Rockbridge Capital. Dallas-based Makeready will take over management of the property. In addition to the 154-key hotel, Rockbridge has acquired the Halcyon and B&GC brands, which were developed and trademarked by Sage Hospitality. "It is a tremendous success for Sage Hospitality to sell this hotel and two of the associated brands. Our teams put hard work into developing and...
Grupo Therrestra Developing 957-Room Ocean Coral Spring by H10 Hotels in Jamaica
March 26, 2019
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 26, 2019 -- Grupo Therrestra, under the leadership of Engineer Hugo Pérez Ovalles, continues to intensify its presence throughout the entire Caribbean region with the execution of the new project "Ocean Coral Spring by H10 Hotels". This project represents a new sign of success for the group which specializes in Design, Construction and Supervision, recognized in the region for executing tourism projects of the most demanding and high end hotel chains in the world with quality and within a short period of time. For the New Ocean Coral Spring, Therrestra will employ values that cha...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: RevPAR vs. GOPPAR and Why We Need a New Champ
David Lund | March 25, 2019
David Lund I have been around awhile and it's not like I'm ancient or anything, but I have seen some BIG changes in how we as an industry look at numbers and what numbers we focus on. What's important and what people are talking about for metrics is always changing—albeit slowly. Inside the current look is the driver for how we operate. For the longest time RevPAR has been the king. However, it was not always that way and I think it's time for the king to move on. I can remember when we didn't even use RevPAR; it was only occupancy and rate. Long gone are those days. I can also remember when we didn't have anything more complex th...
Canadian Hotel Development Cost Survey 2018
Carrie Russell | March 19, 2019
By Carrie Russell, Tom Beckett, Lily Li Introduction In 2018, the Canadian lodging market reached a new record high for RevPAR. Although regional performance differed widely, more developments are in the pipeline in 2018 that any year since 2013. After the global financial crisis hit the Canadian lodging market in 2009, causing a 12.3% contraction in RevPAR, the industry in general has been on an upward trajectory. In fact, RevPAR growth for the country has been registered for 106 consecutive months—the longest period of sustained growth on record. Strong metrics in many hotel markets, availability of competitive debt financing, a...
Makeready Appoints Jason Delcamp as General Manager for Denver’s HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek
HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek | March 20, 2019
DENVER, Colo. (March 20, 2019) – HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek is proud to announce the appointment of Jason Delcamp as General Manager of the 154-room hotel that captures the spirit of the elevated Colorado lifestyle in one of Denver's most chic neighborhoods. Delcamp, an invaluable addition to the Halcyon team, brings a wealth of hospitality experience to his new role and will be responsible for the overall operations, performance and strategic direction while leading Halcyon into a new chapter with hotel operator Makeready. The award-winning destination is known for its refined sophistication, exclusive amenities, and unmatc...
CIM Group Acquires the 254-Room the Crowne Plaza Hotel Alexandria in Alexandria, Virginia
CIM Group | March 6, 2019
March 06, 2019--ALEXANDRIA, Va.--CIM Group announced today that it has acquired the Crowne Plaza Hotel Alexandria, a 254-room, 12-story hotel located at 901 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town Alexandria. CIM acquired the hotel with Carr Companies. The hotel is situated on the Potomac River and boasts panoramic views of the Potomac River and Montgomery Park. The hotel also sits adjacent to the Mount Vernon Trail to the east, a popular walking and biking trail that connects George Washington's Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island, and is another outdoor amenity bordering the property. The property is located just a few blocks from King St...
Margaritaville Holdings Breaks Ground on Flagship 123-Room COMPASS by Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts Slated for 2020
Margaritaville | March 19, 2019
Orlando, Fla. – March 19, 2019 – Margaritaville Holdings celebrated the groundbreaking of its first COMPASS by Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts property, sharing details on the next two hotels to open under its new select-service boutique hotel brand. With a prime location on Anna Maria Sound in Bradenton, Florida, the first COMPASS will open early next year. The brand's two newest signings will bring COMPASS to the picturesque waterfront town of Beaufort, North Carolina and the lively southern hub of Louisville, Kentucky. "We're charting new coordinates with the groundbreaking of our first COMPASS and look forward t...
The Kessler Collection Celebrates Topping Out of Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte
The Kessler Collection | March 21, 2019
ORLANDO, Fla., March 21, 2019 -- On Tuesday, March 19 at 11:00 a.m., The Kessler Collection, a portfolio of nine passionately created and artistically inspired boutique hotels and restaurants, held a topping out ceremony to celebrate a major construction milestone in the highly-anticipated Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte development. Local dignitaries, development partners and executives from The Kessler Collection recognized the efforts and commitment of each individual who played a role in the construction process. "On behalf of The Kessler Collection, I'd like to personally thank JE Dunn Construction's team of experts for...
The Wayfarer DTLA Appoints Jessica Rincon as General Manager
March 13, 2019
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 13, 2019) - Today, The Wayfarer DTLA is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Rincon as General Manager. Representing an innovative outlook for the millennial traveler, Jessica Rincon brings 15 years of hospitality experience as General Manager to the soon-to-open hotel, The Wayfarer DTLA. Rincon will oversee all aspects of the community-focused boutique property, which showcases 156 rooms and suites, including a handful of shared rooms, as well as four distinct beverage, dining and entertainment experiences; The Kitchen, Lilly Rose, The Rooftop and The Gaslighter Social Club. Rincon most recently joi...
New Hotel Trend Survey Reveals Major Advancements Across the Industry
AHLA | March 15, 2019
Hotels Target Millennials, Prioritize Green Sustainable Initiatives, Advance Technology Washington, D.C. – March 15, 2019 – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today released the results of a comprehensive Lodging Survey, a detailed assessment of advancements in amenities, guest services, sustainability and technology, in addition to other industry trends. This recent survey underscores how hotels advance, accommodate and innovate the guest experience. Consumers can expect seamless transitions between their everyday lives and their lives on the road thanks to increased mobile compatibility, flexible dining op...
Auberge Resorts Collection Appoints Edward Linsley as General Manager of Mayflower Inn & Spa and Regional Vice President
Auberge Resorts Collection | March 25, 2019
MILL VALLEY, CALIF. (March 25, 2019) – Auberge Resorts Collection, a portfolio of award-winning hotels, resorts and residences, announced today that Edward Linsley has joined the company as General Manager of Mayflower Inn & Spa and Regional Vice President. A hotelier with a distinguished career honed at marquee properties around the globe, Linsley will provide regional leadership for Auberge's three Northeast properties: Mayflower Inn & Spa, Washington, Conn., the Vanderbilt, Newport, R.I., and the White Barn Inn, Kennebunk, Maine. "Ed Linsley has an extraordinary reputation as an experienced leader with rich talents, whi...
Hotel CEO Turnover 2018: A Study of the Top 50 Largest Hotel Management Companies
Chris Mumford | March 4, 2019
By Chris Mumford, Thomas Mielke, and Dominic Maurer Turnover of Chief Executives at the world's 50 largest hotel groups (as per HOTELS 325 2018 Listing) remained flat for 2018, with new faces appearing at the head of four companies, the same number as for the prior year. Changes in CEO positions were seen at G6 Hospitality, Extended Stay, Millennium & Copthorne and B&B Hotels. Of these, three were planned moves. Jennifer Fox's three-month stint at Millennium & Copthorne, though, can only be assumed to have been anything but planned. A sector turnover rate of 8% is well under the average for the general industry and speaks to...
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort Appoints Andreas Schatzschneider as New Executive Chef
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort | March 21, 2019
BAL HARBOUR, Fla. (March 21, 2019) - The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, a AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star resort, today announced the appointment of Andreas Schatzschneider as executive chef. Schatzschneider will oversee all culinary operations including the luxury resort's four distinct dining venues, in addition to Rosé Sundays, the resort's award-wining Sunday Brunch offering. The German chef brings more than 25 years of industry experience with him to The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. "We are thrilled to welcome Chef Schatzschneider's vibrant energy and passion for sophisticated cuisine to our resort," said John Rolfs, G...
Revisiting the Public Ownership of Convention Hotels
the authors | March 29, 2019
By Gregg Rockett and Jeff Sachs Part One: Despite evoking controversy at many levels, the wheels are still firmly on the rails as it relates to public ownership of hotels Introduction The legacy of public sector whole-ownership of convention hotels extends several decades but became more prevalent in connection with provisions of the 1997 U.S. tax code (Revenue Procedure 97-13). These revisions facilitated clarity on the safe harbor status of management agreements related to facility operations financed by tax-exempt bonds. The first convention hotel to open following the revised provisions was Chicago's Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, d...
Why You Should Fire Most Hospitality Employees the First Week
Don Kermath | March 12, 2019
Don Kermath Have you ever dated the wrong person? You likely dated that person longer than either of you wished. What if you had set that person free after the first five dates? You probably knew it wasn't going to work out after the first date. Wouldn't it have saved you money, heartache, and time? Exactly. That's why I propose adopting a five-workday probation period for all new hospitality employees. You will save money on training, it's the most ethical thing to do, and you can get back to work immediately finding the right employee. You're going to spend about $2,500 in the United States to train your hourly hospitality employee, i...
Nantucket’s Hotel Pippa Appoints Leigh Anne McDonald as General Manager
March 14, 2019
Nantucket, MA, March 14, 2019 – As Nantucket prepares for high season, Leigh Anne McDonald has been appointed General Manager of Hotel Pippa, a stylish luxury boutique hotel located steps from downtown. A passion for the service industry led Leigh Anne to UNH where she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Tourism Planning & Development. During her undergrad, she studied abroad in Switzerland at Glion, one of the top hospitality management schools in the world. Following her graduation, her love of the beach, nature, and history brought her to Nantucket where she started her hospitality career in 2011. Since then, she has gai...
The Employee Benefit Hotel Businesses Can’t Afford Not to Offer
Andrew Hazelton | March 5, 2019
by Andrew Hazelton and Matt Peterson Hotel organizations in today's global marketplace compete heavily, not just among one another but also with other service-focused verticals and customer-facing businesses, in attracting and retaining top talent. Robust compensation and benefits packages certainly help meet candidates' conditions of satisfaction, but these are not enough anymore for retention in the absence of one specific benefit – namely, a company culture devoted to "employee engagement." Defining Employee Engagement Employee engagement is a very old premise, but it has become an increasingly hot topic for our industry over t...
Grand Hyatt at SFO Appoints General Manager Henning Nopper and Director of Sales & Marketing David Lambert
Grand Hyatt at SFO | March 28, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO (March 27, 2019) – Grand Hyatt at SFO proudly announces the appointment of two seasoned hospitality leaders to its executive leadership team: General Manager Henning Nopper and Director of Sales & Marketing David Lambert. The 351-room Grand Hyatt at SFO is expected to open in summer 2019, and will be the only hotel on airport grounds. Nopper brings more than 25 years of diverse hospitality experience and most recently served as general manager of Andaz West Hollywood, where he oversaw a $4 million renovation and continually improved guest satisfaction scores while increasing hotel occupancy and RevPAR index to th...
Cambridge Landmark Acquires Former Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia From The Blackstone Group
Cambridge Landmark | March 13, 2019
MIAMI, March 13, 2019 -- Cambridge Landmark, a hotel-focused private equity company, recently announced that it has closed on the acquisition of the former Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia, a 757-room full service hotel located in Center City and two blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The hotel currently operates as the Philadelphia 201 Hotel under the Marriott reservation system. With the closing of this transaction, a new franchise agreement has been signed with Marriott International for the property to regain the Sheraton brand upon completion of a $28-million renovation focused on upgrading the rooms, creating new suites...
Oxygen Hospitality to Launch Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation and Rebranding Ivy Palm Resort in Downtown Palm Springs, California
Ivy Palm Resort | March 11, 2019
Palm Springs, CA., March 11, 2019 -- Ivy Palm Resort today unveiled plans for a transformational two-phase renovation updating guest rooms, lobby, outdoor pool area and restaurant into a modern, upscale hotel inspired by the resort's heritage in downtown Palm Springs. The renovation follows the change in hotel ownership, sold in May 2018 to owner-operator hospitality management company, Oxygen Hospitality. In addition to physical asset renovations, Oxygen Hospitality, which owns and operates a portfolio of branded and independent hotels, will rebrand the Ivy Palm Resort with a new hotel name, identity and amenities. Phase One of the ren...
