Five Ways Focused Service Hotels Can Increase Direct Voice Bookings
Doug Kennedy | November 11th, 2020
Resolving Covid-Related Staffing Problems With Management Software
Larry Mogelonsky | November 11th, 2020
News Top: November
Preliminary 2021 Lodging Industry Forecast
Robert Rauch | November 3, 2020
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehDvSoNCbE4&feature=youtu.be[/embed] By Robert Rauch We have made some assumptions for 2021 – first, Q4 2020 and Q1 2021 will remain flat as corporate business begins to build just as leisure business begins to decline. Second, a stimulus package is imminent right after the election, regardless who wins. The politics of this election, coupled with the divisiveness of the nation, has disrupted everything except for the stock market. Third, gross domestic product will increase about 3% after being down close to 5% in 2020. Our favorite economist, Bernard Baumohl sees a Biden victory as better fo...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 240 Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada (1893)
Stanley Turkel | November 24, 2020
by Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: The Château Frontenac (611 rooms) Listed as a National Historic Site of Canada, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is among the nation’s most celebrated historic landmarks. This spectacular retreat is located in the heart of Old Québec, which served as the seat of colonial French power in North America over the better part of two centuries. It was from this location that France presided over thousands of acres that stretched from the Great Lakes to the bayous of Louisiana. Old Québec then became the headquarters in Canada for the British when they wrestled control of the region away from Franc...
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Opens America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark Resort
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions | November 12, 2020
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Round Rock is the new home of America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark Resort with 223,000 square feet of wet-and-wild fun. The all-under-one-roof experience offers world-class dining, a luxurious spa, live entertainment, diverse shopping experiences, a thrilling indoor theme park and a state-of-the-art convention center. The Round Rock resort is Kalahari’s fourth property and the brand’s first foray into Texas and the Southwest market. The new resort created approximately 1,000 jobs in 2020 and expects to hire additional associates as demand grows in 2021. “Everything is bigger in Te...
6 Ways Hotel Benchmarking Can Help the Hotel Industry Rebound
HotStats | November 10, 2020
The hotel industry won’t emerge from the financial chasm caused by COVID-19 overnight, but recent data already points to a rebound. Benchmarking could help quicken the pace of recovery. As the hotel industry continues to thrash its way through the pandemic, hotel benchmarking has the power to not only keep hotels afloat, but also help lift the sector to solid financial ground once again. How Hotel Benchmarking Is Reviving the Hotel Industry It’s no secret that the pandemic broadsided the hotel industry. Consider U.S. hotels, which recorded a gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) of $-9.87 in the third quarter, a 110% d...
Eagle Four Partners and Lyon Living Acquire the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
Eagle Four Partners | November 9, 2020
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Nov. 6, 2020 - Eagle Four Partners, LLC and Lyon Living announce today the acquisition of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa located in Newport Center adjacent to Fashion Island. The hotel situated on 10 exceptional acres features sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Newport Harbor and the adjacent Newport Beach Country Club. Boasting 532 guestrooms, 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor venues, the hotel is ideal for corporate and social events. This leisure and group event hotel is conveniently located within Newport Center's over 3 million square feet of Class A office space and across from the 1.3 mil...
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort Welcomes Emmanuel Richardet as New General Manager
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort | November 17, 2020
Los Angeles, Calif. – November 17, 2020 – The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort announces the arrival of new General Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Richardet, to helm the team at the award-winning property in French Polynesia. Emmanuel’s career began as a bellboy in Paris over 34 years ago, where he grew to become Concierge Clef d’Or before transitioning through multiple hotel departments including sales and marketing, food and beverage, and operations before earning his first General Manager title in Algarve, Portugal in 2007. From there, Emmanuel served as the General Manager at the historic Westin Paris Vendome for four rewarding years. M...
The Outlook for Hospitality: Silver Linings in the Midst of Crisis
Fran Worrall | November 2, 2020
Vendors Address The Future of The Industry, Part 1 By Fran Worrall During the past seven months, the hospitality industry has faced the worst crisis in recent history. As COVID-19 has spread around the globe, hotels have been forced to lay off employees, curtail services and in some cases close. At some point, however, the world will regain its equilibrium. Consumers will be eager to travel again. And businesses will want to hold group meetings and conferences. What will the hotel landscape look like? Can anything positive come out of this crisis? We talked with a number of vendors for this multi-part series on the outlook for ho...
IHG Signs With Techvance Properties Management to Bring Hotel Indigo to Kuala Lumpur
IHG | November 16, 2020
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a landmark deal to bring boutique upscale brand Hotel Indigo® to Kuala Lumpur in partnership with Techvance Properties Management Sdn. Bhd. Scheduled to open in 2023, the 180-room Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park will be located at the base of the picturesque Bukit Nanas, close to KL Tower and KL Forest Eco Park, in the heart of Malaysia’s capital city. No two Hotel Indigo® properties are the same, and this stunning addition to the brand portfolio will have Kuala Lumpur’s multicultural influences embedded in its DNA through a visio...
Michigan’s Grand Hotel Welcomes Dana Orlando as New Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Grand Hotel | November 16, 2020
(Mackinac Island, Mich.) November 16, 2020 – The historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, operated by Pivot Hotels & Resorts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dana Orlando as the property’s new Vice President of Sales & Marketing. In her role, Orlando will develop strategies to establish the Grand Hotel as a leader in the marketplace through the development of future and repeat business. “Dana is an outstanding addition to the Grand Hotel team,” said Doug Dean, Executive Vice President of Operations. “Her creativity, vast knowledge and expertise in the luxury hospitality industry will elevate our already iconic p...
Historic Belmond El Encanto Appoints Janis Clapoff as New General Manager
Belmond El Encanto | November 18, 2020
(SANTA BARBARA, CA; November 18, 2020) – Belmond El Encanto, a picturesque hideaway located in the exclusive Santa Barbara Hills, is thrilled to welcome Janis Clapoff to the team as General Manager. Clapoff brings over 30 years of luxury hotel experience to the 2020 Condé Nast Traveler World’s Best-listed hotel to oversee its 92 charming cottages and suites, California Coastal cuisine concepts, tranquil destination spa, a zero-edge pool and fitness facilities, and stellar property team. Clapoff brings a strong and authentic Santa Barbara perspective to her new role, having held leadership positions at the Four Seasons Biltmore Santa B...
Ash Bhasin Appointed General Manager for Pendry Manhattan West Opening in 2021
Pendry Manhattan West | November 11, 2020
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. (NOVEMBER 11, 2020) – Pendry Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the appointment of Ash Bhasin as general manager of Pendry Manhattan West, the brand’s first New York City property and part of the eight-acre, six-building mixed-use Manhattan West development located in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards district. In this role, Bhasin will be responsible for overseeing and managing all daily operations of the hotel, slated to open in 2021. Pendry Manhattan West will feature 164 guestrooms including 30 suites; a signature restaurant; a lounge and vibrant open-air terrace bar; and meeting and event space...
Drew Hayden Named General Manager for The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel
The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel | November 24, 2020
Fort Worth, TX— (November 24, 2020)— Drew Hayden, a 30-year hospitality veteran, has recently been appointed the new General Manager for The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel. The hotel is operated by Marriott and owned by DiamondRock Hospitality Company. The four-star, 504 room Worthington Hotel in downtown Fort Worth will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary of the historic and architecturally significant building itself in Spring of 2021. “I am humbled and grateful for the honor to lead such an iconic hotel and I am so excited to be a part of the city of Fort Worth. Fort Worth encompasses all the warmth of true southern hos...
Hyatt Grows Thompson Hotels Brand With Opening of Thompson Dallas
Thompson Hotels | November 23, 2020
CHICAGO (November 23, 2020) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Thompson Dallas, which is part of the award-winning lifestyle hospitality brand Thompson Hotels. As the first Thompson Hotel property in Texas, Thompson Dallas is located at 205 N. Akard Street in the historic George-Dahl-designed building, The National, and features 219 rooms, including 52 suites, two penthouse suites and two world-class culinary destinations: Nine at The National and Catbird. The restoration of The National’s $460 million preservation, paired with the Thompson Hotels brand’s elevated culinary offerings, arts and entertai...
Whiteface Lodge Taps Joe Giannino as General Manager
Whiteface Lodge | November 5, 2020
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Nov. 5, 2020 – Whiteface Lodge is pleased to announce that Joe Giannino has been appointed general manager of the AAA Four-Diamond, luxury all-suite resort in Lake Placid, N.Y. Giannino brings a wealth of knowledge to Whiteface Lodge with 30 years of experience at both branded and boutique hotels and resorts, as well as upscale restaurant operations. Among his first leadership projects was a food donation effort at Whiteface Lodge, organized in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Farmers to Families Program, which handed out packages of fresh and dried foods to area residents in need. Refl...
How the Pandemic Will Change the Meetings and Events Industry for the Better
the Global Business Travel Association | November 10, 2020
Exciting new technologies and creative content will be key for a stronger industry Alexandria, Virginia (November 10, 2020) For this week’s Collaboratory 2020 webinar series, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the world’s largest business travel association – welcomed CEO and Founder of Cvent, Reggie Aggarwal, to share his insights on the future of meetings and events and how technology will play an even bigger role moving forward. In the week’s headliner webinar, “Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid: What’s Next for the Meetings Industry?,” GBTA Interim Executive Director Dave Hilfman engaged Aggarwal on diverse to...
Hotel Management Company RFQ for a New-Build, Branded Lifestyle Hotel in the Ohio City Neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio
NEWMARK VALUATION & ADVISORY | November 12, 2020
On behalf of and by direction of a Cleveland, Ohio-based commercial real estate development firm, Newmark Valuation & Advisory is pleased to request qualifications from experienced hotel management companies for a hotel development in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Mixed-use developments at the site are planned to include market-rate apartments, leased retail and restaurant space, and the new-build hotel. The developer is seeking an operator for the hotel component only. Within the Request for Qualifications (RFQ), we provide an overview of the developer, summarize details regarding the proposed hotel and overall projec...
Hilton Goa Resort Opens in India With 104 Guestrooms
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | November 4, 2020
GOA, India - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of Hilton Goa Resort under the hotel company’s flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. This opening marks Hilton’s third property in Goa. Located atop the scenic, terraced slopes of Saipem Hills, overlooking the Nerul River, the resort extends Hilton’s signature hospitality and tranquil retreat to leisure and business travelers. The chic full-service resort is 34 kilometers from the Goa International Airport and is ideally located 10 minutes away from the popular Candolim and Calangute beaches. The resort is operated by Hilton and owned by Soham Leisure Ventures Pvt. Ltd. ...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 239: Hotel History: The Algonquin Hotel, NY (1902)
Stanley Turkel | November 3, 2020
by Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: The Algonquin Hotel (181 rooms) The Algonquin Hotel was originally planned as an apartment hotel with the idea of renting unfurnished rooms and suites on yearly leases to permanent tenants. When few leases sold, the owner decided to turn it into a transient hotel, which he was going to name “The Puritan”. Frank Case, the first general manager, objected and told the owner “it… contradicts the spirit of innkeeping. It is cold, forbidding and grim. I don’t like it.” When the owner replied, “You think yourself so smart, suppose you find a better name,” Case went to the public library to...
Doubletree Orlando UCF Adds Pure Rooms to Promote Well-Being
Pure Wellness | November 24, 2020
Pure Rooms Offer a Hypoallergenic Environment for Wellness-Minded Travelers BUFFALO -- November 20, 2020 -- Pure Wellness, the global leader in health and wellness for the hospitality industry, announces the installation of new Pure Rooms at the Doubletree Orlando East University of Central Florida Area. The Doubletree is convenient to all attractions in the Orlando area and is the closest hotel to the University of Central Florida. Pure Rooms utilize advanced anti-viral and anti-microbial technology to eliminate contaminants and create the healthiest hotel rooms available. Purified air along with a 7-step decontamination process re...
Five Ways Focused Service Hotels Can Increase Direct Voice Bookings
Doug Kennedy | November 11, 2020
By Doug Kennedy Although they are generally outperforming other lodging segments, most if not all focused and selective service hotels are looking to build occupancy and rate. Indeed, hoteliers can and should continue to focus on digital marketing opportunities to the full extent. However, let us not forget some old-school “analog” ways to generate revenue. Here are a few ideas for training and development. • Offer a small cash incentive for every voice booking secured by the front desk. I know some leaders will say that taking voice bookings is already part of the job description, but I can tell you from experience that mon...
Mayfair Street Partners and Hotel Equities Celebrate “Topping Off” of The Hamilton in Alpharetta, Georgia
Hotel Equities | November 10, 2020
ALPHARETTA, GA., November 10, 2020 — Today, Mayfair Street Partners and Hotel Equities shared the latest news regarding Alpharetta, Georgia’s highly anticipated boutique hotel, The Hamilton. Construction on the luxury bespoke hotel in the heart of the city’s downtown has reached its topping-off milestone ahead of schedule. Hotel Equities also announced that Kenneth Washington has been named general manager of the 119-room hotel located at 21 Milton Avenue. The Hamilton is owned and developed by Mayfair Street Partners (“Mayfair”) and Hotel Equities (“HE”) will operate the hotel upon opening. Both Mayfair and HE are headquartered...
Aimbridge Hospitality Open Marriott Tacoma Downtown in Washington
Marriott Hotels | November 24, 2020
Tacoma, WA - November 24, 2020 - The 304-room Marriott Tacoma Downtown, managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company, opened its doors on November 18th in downtown Tacoma, Washington. The 22-story hotel located at 1538 Commerce Street is the latest addition to Marriott Hotels, the signature brand of Marriott International. Located in the heart of Tacoma's financial and theater districts directly off of I-705, the Marriott Tacoma Downtown connects to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on the ballroom level with a grand promenade that features large windows and views of the Tacoma Waterf...
Zoltan Payerli Appointed General Manager at Nobu Hotel Chicago
Nobu Hotel Chicago | November 23, 2020
CHICAGO, November 23, 2020 – Nobu Hotel Chicago proudly announces the appointment of Zoltan Payerli to General Manager. A Chicago native with more than 14 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Payerli is poised to lead operations at Nobu Hotel Chicago, part of the thriving global luxury brand Nobu Hospitality and the first Midwest location. As general manager, Payerli is responsible for directing hotel operations while ensuring the exceptional Nobu Hotel standard of service and guest experience is maintained throughout. Under the appointment, Payerli has led the hotel through its 2020 opening, which culminated last month...
6 Tips for Benchmarking Your Way to Success
HotStats | November 17, 2020
Like it or not, your hotel is in the middle of a race with the competition — although the current hotel climate may feel more like an obstacle course. Wouldn’t it be nice if, during this ongoing marathon, you could peek across at competitors, note their positions and analyze the techniques, equipment and other factors propelling them forward? That’s the magic of hotel benchmarking. It reveals the financial performance of the whole field, breaks down the factors contributing to each hotel’s position and highlights how your hotel can improve its financial standing. Ready to learn how to benchmark your hotel against competitors and...
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Opens in Woodbridge, Virginia Led by General Manager Joanne Ochoa
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | November 19, 2020
Woodbridge, VA – November 19, 2020 – The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Potomac Mills Woodbridge is now open for business. The new 91-suite hotel is built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Potomac Mills Mall area. Located at 14090 Shoppers Best Way, it will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Mills Group LLC and managed by Marquee Hospitality LLC. All service team members are thoroughly trained on local knowledge and look forward to connecting guests to the local area. The hotel brand’s signature floor-to-ceiling TowneMap® also helps gue...
