The St. Joe Company Bringing New Hotel and Restaurant to Panama City’s Downtown Waterfront District
The St. Joe Company | August 28th, 2020
Hotel Carmichael, an Autograph Collection Hotel Opens in Carmel, Indiana
Hotel Carmichael | August 27th, 2020
News Top: August
The Most Expensive Summer Destinations in the United States
August 6, 2020
Montauk, New York, an upscale village in Town of East Hampton, is the most expensive summer destination in the United States, according to the latest survey conducted by CheapHotels.org. The survey compared U.S. destinations based on the cost of lodging during August 2020. Only hotels or inns rated at least 3 stars and located close to the beach or in the city center were considered. Montauk topped the rankings at an average rate of $348 per night for the least expensive double room. Nantucket, a tiny island 30 miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts that is famous for lighthouses and dune-backed beaches, ranks second; and Long Beach Isl...
Four Technologies That Can Help Hotels Augment COVID-19 Safety Procedures
Tom Riccio | August 5, 2020
By Tom Riccio While America slowly but cautiously reopens amidst the pandemic, businesses – including hotels – can expect to see an increase in guest traffic. With this uptick, it is imperative for hotels to keep infectious disease control and prevention strategies in place. Establishments with a clear and effective COVID-19 prevention plan will be in a stronger position to differentiate their brands, rising to the top as industry leaders. Even as vaccines and more treatments become available, the hotel industry – and many other sectors – will need to maintain safety measures to meet customers’ expectations, cultivate ongoing tru...
Your COVID-19 Recovery Plan Should Include These 5 Marketing Strategies
Amadeus Hospitality | August 20, 2020
Hoteliers have reopened their doors to a more competitive market than ever before. Travelers are spoiled for choice as every property (no matter what audience they previously catered to) is looking to win their business and keep revenue on the books. It will take a thoughtful approach to your hotel’s marketing plan to entice weary travelers in the era of COVID-19. With their heightened expectations for cleanliness, service, and a good deal in an uncertain economy, is your marketing strategy positioned to succeed? Here is your new 5 step action plan to marketing during a pandemic. Make decisions based on your market This may seem ...
Wild Dunes Resort Plans Spring 2021 Opening of Sweetgrass Inn
Wild Dunes Resort, A Destination Hotel | August 18, 2020
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. – August 18, 2020 – Wild Dunes Resort has announced that its newest hotel, currently under construction and set to open in Spring 2021, will be named Sweetgrass Inn. Rooted in culture and intrinsically tied to Wild Dunes Resort's island setting, the Sweetgrass Inn is inspired by the native sweetgrass that peppers the Lowcountry’s barrier islands. “We were inspired by the sweetgrass that anchors the dunes of the Lowcountry’s barrier islands, including the Isle of Palms,” says Frank Fredericks, managing director at Wild Dunes Resort. “Sweetgrass provides stability, preserves history and fosters life. The Swe...
Omni Hotels & Resorts Plans to Sell Five Hotels in Texas and Florida
Omni Hotels & Resorts | August 20, 2020
DALLAS, Texas (August 18, 2020) – Omni Hotels & Resorts today announced its strategic plan to enhance and continue its growth and brand offerings in the resort and convention center markets. In an effort to deliver a consistent product and guest experience across its portfolio of more than 50 properties, Omni shared its intent to run a thorough review and potential sale process of five hotels including Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West, Omni Jacksonville Hotel, Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark, Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade and Omni Houston Hotel at Westside. The process is being led by Hodges Ward Elliot based out of Atlanta. ...
Why Midscale and Economy Hotels Are Leading the Current Recovery
Michael Driedger | August 24, 2020
By Michael Driedger Whatever your occupancy is right now, you know that one day it's sure to go up. The hotel industry is currently experiencing something never seen before, and with this also will come pent up travel demand. When the recovery begins and we are all more confident about traveling internationally again, have you thought about where you want your hotel to be strategically? Early signs of what recovery in travel will look like is coming from countries like China where tourism has started again in earnest. According to a McKinsey study this recovery is being led heavily by midscale and economy hotels. The rise in populari...
The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel Set to Open in Early 2021 in Atlanta’s Buckhead Neighborhood
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | August 20, 2020
ATLANTA (August 20, 2020) – Set to open in early 2021 in Atlanta’s posh Buckhead neighborhood, Kimpton’s much-anticipated hotel announces its name, Kimpton Sylvan Hotel, and appoints its leader, General Manager Tristan Haas. An adaptive reuse of a 1950s-era residential property, the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel will embrace the mid-century modern design scheme of the original exterior adding a splash of understated sophistication and heartfelt Southern hospitality. The reimagined hotel will include 216 guest rooms and suites, a vibrant living room lobby, a refreshing private pool and over 4,000 square feet of meetings and events space. Guest...
Franchised On-Site Hotel Medical Clinics: A New Competitive Advantage for Lodging Operations With Hotels Bridging Healthcare (H2H)
Adel Eldin | August 31, 2020
By Adel Eldin, Frederick DeMicco Introduction With an aging society, and travel and tourism likely to increase post covid-19, would a hotel or resort partnering with an onsite medical clinic (franchise) benefit and provide a competitive advantage to the owners? A case for an Innovative onsite hotel clinic as a potential franchise model in medical travel/tourism for lodging operations could be made. There are some lodging and medical clinic models that already exist. One is RosenCare® and another is ProntoCare. Described below, RosenCare® and ProntoCare may provide a template for onsite medical clinics at hotels and resorts and m...
ALICE Releases Free Hotel Preventative Maintenance Checklist
ALICE | August 25, 2020
New York, NY - ALICE, the hospitality industry’s leading hotel management and operations platform, has just published a free hotel preventative maintenance checklist for hoteliers. With more than 15 checklists in the downloadable document, hoteliers can easily print and start using them today. The comprehensive document, the second in a series of hotel checklists, includes preventative maintenance checklists for daily walk-throughs, guest rooms, public areas, and large pieces of equipment (elevators, HVAC systems, fitness equipment, etc.). As hotels resume operations after periods of low occupancy or temporary closures, saving on capital...
JC Hospitality LLC Appoints Chad Brown as Vice President of Marketing
JC Hospitality, LLC | August 20, 2020
LAS VEGAS –JC Hospitality LLC, owner of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton™, has added Chad Brown as Vice President of Marketing for JC Hospitality LLC to further expand its corporate leadership team. “Chad is a tremendous addition to our executive team. He brings a vast amount of knowledge and industry experience specific to the city of Las Vegas,” said Richard “Boz” Bosworth, President and CEO of JC Hospitality LLC. “He will play a vital role as we work together to open the re-imagined Las Vegas lifestyle casino resort, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.” Chad Brown brings over 20 years of hospitalit...
Mergers Ahead for the Post-Pandemic Hotel Industry
Larry Mogelonsky | August 26, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Our industry is hurting. While we’re optimists, totally convinced that we can beat the two-year recovery our financial protagonists are forecasting, the world of Wall Street may soon see things very differently. I’m not a betting man, but I’ve got a hunch that mergers are in the offing and may even be essential to keep our industry afloat. Before we look at our near-future state of affairs, let’s backtrack to the largest hospitality M&A deal in the century so far. When announced in the spring of 2016, Marriott’s merger with Starwood was controversial. Would it be appro...
To Capitalize or Expense? The Answer Isn’t Always Clear
Arlene Ramirez | August 6, 2020
By Arlene Ramirez A quote in the 2008 novel “Paper Towns” by John Green reads: “The rules of capitalization are so unfair to words in the middle of a sentence.” This droll observation is not at the crux of this blog — well, not that kind of capitalization — but it may be similarly comic for those in financial accounting within the hospitality industry. Many times, what to capitalize and what to expense in the hospitality industry is unclear: The rules can seem as complicated as a student’s first grammar course. As it turns out, it does not have to be this way. Though there are no special rhymes or mnemonics like there a...
Aimbridge Hospitality Portfolio Expansion Continues
Aimbridge Hospitality LLC | August 18, 2020
DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2020 - Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company with more than 1,400 branded and independent properties across 49 states and 20 countries, is continuing to expand with new additions to its portfolio across all verticals. Since March 2020, Aimbridge Hospitality has added more than 40 properties with over 5,000 guest rooms to its portfolio in addition to over 30 properties in the pipeline as of August 15, 2020. CEO Dave Johnson said, "We are excited about our robust portfolio growth and look forward to a continued positive trajectory." The new additions to Aimbridge's managed po...
Shangri-La Hotels in Hong Kong Appoint Two New General Managers
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts | August 11, 2020
Hong Kong, August 10, 2020 – Shangri-La Hotels in Hong Kong are pleased to announce two new general manager appointments at Island Shangri-La and Kowloon Shangri-La in Hong Kong, effective August 1, 2020. Juergen Doerr has been appointed as the general manager of Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, while continuing his role as vice president, operations (Hong Kong & Taiwan). Doerr has been with the group for over 21 years, previously holding the title of general manager at Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong. In his new capacity, Doerr will oversee the daily operation of Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong including an extensive asset enhancement of th...
IHG Signs With LQ Retail Sdn Bhd to Open Malaysia’s First Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant
IHG | August 10, 2020
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with LQ Retail Sdn Bhd to open Malaysia’s first Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants in 2023 at The Exchange TRX – a new experience-led lifestyle destination. Kimpton now operates in more than 70 hotels and 85 restaurants, bars and lounges across urban locations, resort destinations around the world. From its playful and sophisticated design to award-winning restaurants and bars, Kimpton is known for creating immersive guest moments that are all about genuine human connections. The 471-room design-led Kimpton Kuala Lum...
LNW Hospitality Celebrates Topping Out of Dual-Branded Courtyard by Marriott & Residence Inn by Marriott on Jekyll Island, GA
LNW Hospitality | August 14, 2020
August 14, 2020 - LNW Hospitality and New Castle Hotels, the developers of the new dual-branded Courtyard/Residence Inn coming to Jekyll Island, announced the formal topping out of the building. This important construction milestone, the completion of the support structure of the roof, was marked by a ceremony on site. The 209-key property, scheduled to open in the spring of 2021, features 120 Courtyard by Marriott rooms and 89 Residence Inn by Marriott rooms. Sitting on 5.8 acres of oceanfront land, this hotel will provide an exceptional guest experience. Amenities include the largest pool on Jekyll Island, a large hot tub, a splash pad ...
How F&B Service Will Change Post-COVID
HotStats | August 4, 2020
As COVID-19 plows through the hospitality industry, it’s carving new paths to profit along the way. Moving forward, hotel food and beverage (F&B) services will be among the most transformed departments in the post-COVID-19 world. Already, the virus has changed how F&B services attract customers, and it’s altering the habits of guests. (In a prior post, we presented how social distancing could transform F&B operations.) Wondering how F&B services will change for hotels post-COVID-19? In this article, we’ll dig into the answer. What’s the State of Hotel F&B Services Now? Unfortunately, many business owners wi...
Hotels to Dorms: Converting Hotels to College Housing During the COVID19 Pandemic
Fred DeMicco | August 19, 2020
By Frederick DeMicco, Jackie Guzman Abstract As colleges start classes up in for the fall 2020 semester, many students are moving back to their college towns. Many undergraduate students have guaranteed housing from their universities, but to help with social distancing measures, universities are dispersing their students more than usual. To do this, universities are looking to hotels to house students for the school year. Introduction During the early months of 2020, once it was apparent that the novel coronavirus (COVID19) was a global pandemic, people everywhere started to think of creative solutions to help ease the probl...
Opening New Revenue Streams in the Hospitality Sector
Mandeep S Lamba | August 10, 2020
By Mandeep S. Lamba, Dipti Mohan Innovation and creativity are often the by-products of a crisis. This pandemic is no different. The current crisis has forced the hospitality sector globally to come up with innovative and indigenous ways to utilize their assets to stay afloat, in the process opening newer revenue streams. From food delivery, laundry, housekeeping, and facility management to warehousing and more, hotels need to reimagine ‘hospitality’ by extending their services to guests in the comfort of their offices and homes. Most hotel chains have already ventured into food delivery and laundry services to entice customers in t...
Radisson Debuts in the Maldives With Opening of Radisson Blu Resort Maldives
Radisson Hotel Group | August 4, 2020
Singapore - August 4, 2020 - Radisson Blu, the upper-upscale brand that delivers personalized service in stylish spaces, has opened Radisson Blu Resort Maldives – a private island retreat in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll which becomes Radisson Hotel Group’s first property in the Maldives. Nestled on Huruelhi Island and one other pristine islet, only 105 kilometers from Malé’s Velana International Airport, Radisson Blu Resort Maldives makes this dream destination more accessible than ever before. Guests can take a scenic 30-minute seaplane direct to the resort or a 20-minute domestic flight from Malé to Maamigili Airport followed by a 15-mi...
Ten Ways to Boost Guest Confidence and Increase Loyalty Amid COVID-19
Amadeus Hospitality | August 12, 2020
Rethinking the guest experience, creating new standards, and committing to those standards will be vital in building future loyalists. COVID-19 has caused many to reflect upon the fundamental operations of our global society and our day-to-day lives, including the way we travel. In hospitality, many are wondering how an industry that is so reliant on personal interactions can recover from the crisis and earn back guest confidence. Moving forward, hotels that integrate the newest stringent standards into their operations – while also rethinking the guest experience – will be the first to see a positive revenue impact. Further emb...
Mar Monte Hotel Debuts in Santa Barbara, California and Joins The Unbound Collection by Hyatt Brand
Mar Monte Hotel | August 17, 2020
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (August 17, 2020) – The new Mar Monte Hotel, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, emerges as Santa Barbara’s newest lifestyle boutique hotel with reimagined guest rooms, two new food and beverage concepts, and programming that reflects the distinct rhythm of the California coast. The 200-room hotel serves as a gateway to the American Riviera and is situated across the street from East Beach, just minutes from downtown Santa Barbara and the famed Funk Zone. With the addition of Mar Monte, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand – which was launched in 2016 and is known for experiences that inspire guests to ...
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Appoints Carla Puverel as General Manager
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island | August 17, 2020
MALDIVES – 17 August 2020 – Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is pleased to announce the appointment of Carla Puverel as the new general manager of the stunning twin island resort featuring 151 luxury beach and over water villas. The property is part of Conrad Hotels & Resorts, one of Hilton’s (NYSE:HLT) global luxury hotel brands. Carla most recently served as general manager of the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort in Sri Lanka. “We are delighted to welcome Carla Puverel to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Her impressive background managing a number of luxury properties and expertise in delivering exceptional resort experienc...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs Radisson Hotel Miami Beach
Radisson Hotel Group | August 25, 2020
Minneapolis - August 25, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group today announced the signing of Radisson Hotel Miami Beach. The hotel will offer 216 guest rooms and suites. With its exceptional oceanfront location, guests will have endless opportunities to relax in the outdoor pool or walk around the beautiful butterfly garden. Those looking for more entertainment can visit the sundeck, which will host special events and poolside barbeques. Prior to opening its doors in Q4 of this year, the property is undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation to further enhance the guest experience with state-of-the-art amenities and services. “This hotel is a phe...
Hotel Carmichael, an Autograph Collection Hotel Opens in Carmel, Indiana
Hotel Carmichael | August 27, 2020
Carmel, IN – August 27, 2020 – Hotel Carmichael has officially opened its doors joining Autograph Collection. The 122-room, six-story luxurious hotel located at 1 Carmichael Square, is owned by CCC Boutique Hotel, LLC and managed by Coury Hospitality of Kansas City, Missouri. Situated next to The Palladium, one of the greatest concert halls of its time and along the Monon Trail, the downtown Carmel hotel offers guests convenient access to Midtown Plaza, the Center for Performing Arts, Clay Terrace, Peace Water Winery and Sugar Creek Vineyard & Winery. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the stunning hotel is just a short dr...
