Why Select Service Hotels Are Coming to the City Center
JLL | July 29th, 2019
NexGen Hotels & Genuine Hospitality Break Ground on New TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Waukegan, Illinois
Genuine Hospitality LLC. | July 29th, 2019
News Top: July
Gold Key | PHR’s Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, VA to Launch Early 2020
Gold Key | PHR | July 19, 2019
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (July 19, 2019) - Gold Key | PHR’s $125M oceanfront hotel, the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront in Coastal Virginia, is now taking reservations in advance of its early 2020 projected opening. The Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront is the second phase in a three-phase $350M masterplan, which includes The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, The Cavalier Residences, 42 Ocean luxury condominiums, the new Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and a phase three which will include an additional hotel. The three phases will create an all-in-one resort experience for locals and visitors, offering a unique collection of unpa...
JW Marriott Coming to Orange County With 2020 Opening of 466-Room JW Marriott Anaheim Resort
JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort | July 1, 2019
Anaheim, CA (July 1, 2019) – JW Marriott, a member of Marriott International’s family of luxury brands, brings its first hotel to Orange County, CA with the opening of JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort. Set to become a centerpiece of the city and epitome of style and sophistication, the property will be the only luxury hotel outside the theme park and Anaheim Convention Center district. Scheduled to open in early 2020, the ground up build, owned by a joint venture between Prospera Hotels, Inc. and O’Connell Hotel Group, is located at the Anaheim GardenWalk, and just steps from the Disneyland Resort®, Anaheim Convention Center and all the ...
The Rise and Fall of OTAs
Rob Sudakow | July 24, 2019
Is Expedia Destined for Disruption? By Rob Sudakow Travel and Tourism accounted for approximately $8 Trillion of the world economy in 2018 and 10% of the world’s work force - a 6% increase from 2017 and no foreseeable signs of slowing. The travel industry is directly tied to global consumption growth and as wealth and populations continue to grow, demand for travel products will continue to expand. With statistics like this it should come as no surprise that there is a rush to jump into the market. The industry has a long history of failing to drive change and transform internally. “The travel and hospitality industry as a whole has ...
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Makes Its Return Following $100 Million Renovation
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company | July 19, 2019
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (July 19, 2019) – Marking a new era in its legacy, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is reopening its doors December 2019, following a period of extensive enhancements. The all-encompassing $100 million project includes fully reimagined and redesigned public spaces, rooms and suites, event and meeting space, and dining venues inclusive of a new culinary concept. Situated on 30 acres of cascading grounds, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas will have a refreshed look and feel, introducing a pristine white palette with splashes of color inspired by the sparkling sea and a renovated landscape filled with lush tropical pl...
Renaissance New York Chelsea Coming to Manhattan Fall 2019
Renaissance Hotels | July 1, 2019
NEW YORK (July 1, 2019) - Come Fall 2019, Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel will officially open its doors as one of the tallest properties in Manhattan’s enchanting Flower District rising 430-feet-high. Located on the site of the former Antique Garage, a beloved indoor flea market, the impeccably appointed hotel is set to become the Chelsea neighborhood’s prime address. “This project brings together the past and present of Chelsea,” said General Manager of Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel Chris Rynkar. “Not only will guests experience the heart of the neighborhood, from the ground level to the skyline, every detail intentiona...
Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London Appoints Kurt Macher as General Manager
Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London | July 17, 2019
London, July 17, 2019 – Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, a leading luxury hotel in the city, is delighted to announce the appointment of Kurt Macher as General Manager of the hotel. Kurt moves to London after securing multiple awards and accolades for The Temple House, Chengdu, China, a luxury Swire Hotel. As an international hotelier with over 28 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Kurt has worked for some of the world’s leading hotel brands as general manager and within senior management roles including Wharf Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and The Peninsula Group. Kurt has led high performing hotel...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 217, Hotel History: Catskill Mountain Resort Hotels
Stanley Turkel | July 30, 2019
By Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: Catskill Mountain Resort Hotels This is the story of an area of 250 square miles, approximately an hour and a half drive northwest of New York City, which over the course of last century became a resort phenomenon unlike any other. The area had attracted tourists since the post-Civil War years because of its visual appeal and accessibility via two railroad lines, the Ontario & Western and the Ulster & Delaware. The new arrivals came up to the Catskill Mountains to settle, to farm, and to escape the unhealthy environment of urban tenement life. The message came back to New York’s lower Ea...
Two Sister Bosses to Develop Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel in Sedona, Arizona
Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel | July 9, 2019
SEDONA, Ariz. (July 9, 2019) – Travelers from around the world will have a new reason to visit the soaring, majestic red rocks of Sedona, Ariz. when Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel opens in late 2020 as the first of its kind in North America. Developed, owned and managed by Two Sister Bosses, a Sedona family-owned and -operated company, Ambiente is uniquely designed to blend in with the surrounding geological wonderland and gives guests the opportunity to experience and embrace the natural beauty that surrounds them in what USA Today named among the “Most Beautiful Places in America”. Ambiente is comprised of 40 cubed-shaped, guest At...
Storytelling in 2019: The Power of Content Marketing
Hospitality Upgrade | July 31, 2019
Content distribution aims to build relationships and increase loyalty By Fran Worrall, Hospitality Upgrade Editor Building a unique identity is no easy task In today’s highly competitive market. In fact, effective differentiation is one of the main challenges facing hospitality providers — hotels and vendors alike. “It’s hard to stand out from the crowd in a fast-paced and constantly changing landscape,” says Lyn Graft, founder of Storytelling for Entrepreneurs in Austin, Texas, and author of the bestselling book Start with Story. “Consumers are inundated with so much information that they actively seek to ignore marketin...
Sustainability in Hotels Explores Growing Emphasis on Green Building Practices in the Hospitality Industry
The Urban Land Institute | July 16, 2019
WASHINGTON (July 16, 2019) -- A new report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) suggests that sustainable building practices, including those involving energy and water conservation as well as waste reduction, are increasingly being incorporated throughout the hotel sector to add value and provide a competitive edge to properties. Sustainability in Hotels: Opportunities and Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality assesses the state of sustainability in the hotel sector by identifying best practices, highlighting industry trends in sustainability, and offering solutions to sustainability-related obstacles. The report, published by ULI’s G...
Generation Z: What Do They Want From Their Hotel Stay Experience?
Court Williams | July 1, 2019
By Court Williams "The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority, they show disrespect to their elders. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and are tyrants over their teachers." Attributed to Socrates in 470 BC, this popular quote sums up how humanity has felt about its younger generation since the beginning of time. Generation Z is no exception. Born between 1995 and 2010, these digital natives have become an important influence on people of all ages and incomes, according to a McKinsey report...
Resort Fee Litigation Advisory Group: Attorney General for DC Sues Marriott International Over Hotel “Resort Fees”
Jim Butler | July 16, 2019
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Authors ofwww.HotelLawBlog.com 16 July 2019 Note: If you are a consumer with a Resort Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers with complaints against hotels. We are part of the fabric of the hotel industry and are committed to informing, educating and assisting players in the hotel industry. Hotel Lawyer: We hate to say “we told you so” on Resort Fee litigation We have been watching the Resort Fee issue for several years. We have advised clients on litigation, compliance and risk mitigation strategies. We have provided counsel on Attorney General inv...
Le Méridien New York, Central Park Reopens Following Conversion of Former Viceroy Hotel
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts | July 23, 2019
Bethesda, MD - July 23, 2019 – Paris-born Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, along with Arden Group, is excited to announce the opening of Le Méridien New York, Central Park, a 240-room hotel that offers breathtaking views of Central Park and Manhattan skyline. The former Viceroy hotel was converted to showcase Le Méridien’s heritage and mid-century design. With a nostalgic nod to the glamour of the French Riviera in the 1960s, Le Méridien inspires travellers to explore the world in style, savour the good life and enjoy experiences that offer something more than meets the eye. This marks the...
How Grab-and-Go Markets Became Profit Centers for Hotels
Cicero's Development Corporation | July 15, 2019
PLAINFIELD, IL, JULY 15, 2019 -- Hotel pantries have long been discounted by owner/operators as oversized vending machines, essentially a guest amenity that they had neither the time nor the expertise to do right. All that changed during the Great Recession when RevPAR plunged and owners sought new cash flows. At the same time, budget-conscious business travelers were spending less money on room service and fancy restaurant dining. Seeing an opportunity, astute hotel owners quickly recognized that a lobby "grab-and-go" market could generate profits while improving guest satisfaction. "Hotel owners today understand that every square foot...
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Plans October 2019 Opening in San José del Cabo, Baja California
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC | July 19, 2019
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the latest bespoke resort in the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, is excited to announce that reservations are open for stays beginning October 15, 2019. The name Zadún is inspired by the Spanish word “dunas” and the dunes the resort is nestled amidst. Set along the dramatic coastline of San José del Cabo, Mexico, in the coastal haven of Puerto Los Cabos, Zadún will offer panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. This much-anticipated new resort marks the fourth extraordinary property in the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio. Created to offer the ultimate in luxury, the striking design of Zadu...
NewcrestImage Set to Open Dual-Branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn in Frisco, Texas
AC Hotels by Marriott | July 30, 2019
Frisco, TX – July 30, 2019 – Marriott International, Inc. announced today that a dual-branded 150-room AC Hotel and 150-suite Residence Inn property will open in Frisco, Texas on Friday, August 2, 2019. Located at 4343 Frisco Green Avenue, the hotels are owned and managed by NewcrestImage of Lewisville, Texas. The properties will share some amenities, including an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center and 3,068 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 200 people. Each hotel will feature its own lobby, lounge, dining area and business center. Located in Frisco Station, within walking distance to The Star in Frisco a...
Pendry Hotels & Resorts to Begin Construction of Pendry Washington D.C. – The Wharf
Pendry Hotels & Resorts | July 25, 2019
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. (July 25, 2019) – Pendry Hotels & Resorts, today announced its further expansion into the Mid-Atlantic with Pendry Washington D.C. – The Wharf. The 140,000-square-foot hospitality development located within Phase 2 of The Wharf, is set to begin construction this summer. This new addition to The Wharf will bring the Pendry Hotels & Resorts refined sense of modern-day luxury hospitality to the waterfront neighborhood in 2022. Pendry Washington D.C. – The Wharf represents the expanding hospitality brand’s first property in the nation’s capital, featuring 131 guestrooms, including 34 suites; three food a...
Six Senses Signs With RoundShield Partners for Loire Valley Resort Development in the ‘Garden of France’
IHG | July 10, 2019
Just over a 90-minute drive south of Paris is the breathtaking Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region renowned for historic chateaux, medieval towns, fine wines, great food and unspoiled landscape. At the heart of the region sits the village of Saint-Laurent-Nouan, which will be home to Six Senses Loire Valley. Developed to embrace the environmental and community values that are core to Six Senses, the resort sits within the Les Bordes Estate, a 1,400-acre (560-hectare) site in the Sologne forest, home to Les Bordes Golf Club, one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the world. The development will incorporate equestrian and tennis ...
The Hotel Services Americans Think Will Be Made Easier Through Technology
July 11, 2019
• Americans would most like to access a map of their respective hotel and the surrounding area (63%) via a mobile phone • Thereafter, 58% are keen on using a mobile device to book a hotel restaurant reservation as opposed to doing it in-person • Interestingly, 38% are in favor of a mobile phone application that would enable them to monitor as well as pay for purchases around the hotel • Majority of holidaymakers would happily pay more for the option of flexible check-in/check-out times (74%) • Subsequently, 47% don’t mind splashing out a premium to access a 24-hour digital concierge The summer is finally here and for many t...
Park City Marriott Becomes Sheraton Park City Following Renovation
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | July 10, 2019
Park City, Utah – July 10, 2019 – The Park City Marriott is now the Sheraton Park City, effective today. Leveraging the experience and prestige of Marriott International’s most global brand, the hotel will continue to serve as the ideal year-round home base for leisure and business travelers. “2019 marks a new chapter for our hotel. New guest rooms, new meeting spaces, a new restaurant concept and now, a new relationship with Marriott International as we transition to the Sheraton Park City,” said Jason Ford, the hotel’s general manager. “While much is new – one thing remains the same. Our team members will continue to pro...
Helix Hospitality Acquires Two Columbus, Ohio Marriott Hotels
Helix Hospitality | July 17, 2019
July 17, 2019 (CHICAGO, IL) - Helix Hospitality, a Chicago-based hotel group with properties throughout the United States, is pleased to announce the acquisition of two properties in Columbus, Ohio: SpringHill Suites, an 80-suite hotel, located at 665 Taylor Road TownePlace Suites, a 94-suite hotel, located at 695 Taylor Road These mark the tenth and eleventh properties in the Helix Hospitality portfolio and the first two in the state of Ohio. Both properties are located near the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and offer complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and accessible fitness centers. Built in 1998, the pro...
Waramaug Acquires 279-Key Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas, Texas
Waramaug Hospitality | July 24, 2019
July 24, 2019, Boca Raton, FL — Waramaug Hospitality, a private investment group focused on acquiring legacy branded assets throughout the United States, announced today the acquisition of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Park Central Area located in Dallas, Texas. The 279-suite hotel features spacious two-room suites with separate living and sleeping areas, free Wi-Fi, fitness and business center, indoor pool along with complimentary breakfast and nightly manager’s receptions. With approximately 7,800 square feet of flexible meeting space, the property is perfectly positioned to host corporate and social events. Its 4,300 Metroplex...
GDPR Comes to California. Is Your Hotel Compliant?
Tambourine | July 18, 2019
By Tambourine GDPR: One Year Later It all started across the pond, when the European Union’s 2018 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect on May 25, 2018. It mandated that companies do more to protect the personal data of consumers. In short—if hoteliers marketed to European Union citizens without the proper permission, then they were in violation and could be fined. How that might have looked in practice: If a hotel captured the email of an EU citizen using the wifi on property. And then sent an email to them without having captured the proper consent, they would be in violation. Initially, the new law made...
Hotel Equities Tapped to Manage Four Points by Sheraton Charlotte Lake Norman in Huntersville, NC
Hotel Equities | July 16, 2019
Atlanta, GA – July 16, 2019 – Today, Atlanta-based hotel owner, operator and developer, Hotel Equities (HE) announced their appointment as the 3rd party operator for the Four Points by Sheraton Charlotte Lake Norman. The recently purchased 101-room hotel is owned by Lake Norman NIA, LLC, a joint venture between Virginia-based TLTsolutions and North Carolina-based Second Line Investments (in association with The Calhoun Group Realty). The hotel offers over 2,000 square feet of state-of-the-art, flexible meeting space able to accommodate 100+ guests. The Four Points Charlotte Lake Norman is Hotel Equities’ tenth Four Points by Sherat...
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa Appoints Keith Hill as General Manager and David Corke as National Sales Manager
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa | July 17, 2019
Moab, Utah, July 2019: Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa – a riverside oasis situated on the bank of the Colorado River, just on the edge of Arches National Park in Moab, Utah – is pleased to announce that Keith Hill has been appointed as General Manager, and David Corke as National Sales Manager. With more than 25 years combined, both Hill and Corke will bring incomparable leadership experience and exceptional management to the ranch. "The team at Sorrel River Ranch has welcomed me with open arms and I could not have asked for a better start to my new role" says Keith Hill. "I look forward to bringing my experience and knowledge of ...
