HFTP Announces 2021 Paragon Award Recipients – Tanya Venegas and Sanjay Nadkarni
HFTP | May 27th, 2021
Selecting the Right Call Center
Travel Outlook | May 27th, 2021
News Top: May
Hilton Signs 11 New Hotels for Tempo by Hilton and Motto by Hilton
Hilton | May 17, 2021
MCLEAN, Va. - Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced 11 new hotel signings for Tempo by Hilton and Motto by Hilton, representing nearly 20% of the global hospitality company’s lifestyle pipeline. The new properties will be located in the United States, Latin America and Europe, with key signings in New York City, Rotterdam, Tulum, Boston, Mexico City and Seattle. With these newly signed properties, Hilton’s lifestyle category supply is expected to double within the next five years as well as expand to an additional 17 countries/territories over the next 10 years including the first lifestyle property in Africa. While relatively new t...
The Emerging Market for Health and Wellness Tourism
The Authors | May 14, 2021
By Gregg Rockett and Samantha Amus Part I: Background and a Focus on the Asia Pacific Region Contributing to the research were students of The George Washington University – School of Business: Arianna Fisher, Yuting Ni and Jiahui Lin. The authors acknowledge contributions from Mia Kyricos, an industry thought leader on health and wellness tourism. Background This is a two part-article addressing the health and wellness tourism eco-system, comprising a focus on three regions where this travel submarket is growing: Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa. The research was undertaken by graduate students of th...
Oakmont Corporation Breaks Ground on Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol
Cove Club at Cabo Del Sol | May 24, 2021
CABO SAN LUCAS, MX (May 24, 2021) – California-based Oakmont Corporation and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, an international leader in luxury hospitality, celebrates two major milestones for the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol. The prominent oceanfront development along the famed Los Cabos Corridor has secured more than $100 million in reservations from its initial, private pre-sale launch of the residences, and just began construction on site. “It is an honor to be in partnership with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, an iconic brand we know will bring an unparalleled level of luxury to the Golde...
Ballyfin Demesne Appoints Peter White as General Manager
Ballyfin | May 17, 2021
County Laois, Ireland (Ballyfin), May 17, 2021– Ballyfin is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter White as General Manager. White’s career spans 30 years of experience in hospitality management at 5-star hotels around the world. Ballyfin will reopen June 2, 2021, after an extended closure due to pandemic restrictions in Ireland. "I’m delighted to soon welcome back our first guests to Ballyfin and to continue the tradition of exceptional Irish hospitality that has been created here over the past ten years. This is the pinnacle and highlight of my 30-year career, and to achieve that in my favourite hotel makes me very excited ...
Hotel Greystone From Salt Hotels and B Group Capital to Debut in September 2021
SALT HOTELS | May 25, 2021
Miami Beach, FL (April 2021) - Situated in the heart of the cultural crossroads that is Miami Beach, the historic and iconic, art deco Hotel Greystone revives innovative hospitality on Collins Avenue. Led by the award-winning Salt Hotels in partnership with B Group Capital, the boutique Hotel Greystone opens in September 21, 2021 and will meld art and design with exceptional personalized service. Located in the historic Collins Park neighborhood, Hotel Greystone fuses intimate spaces, innovative cuisine and a hyperlocal ethos. The curated atmosphere creates the perfect conditions for people, art, music and fine dining to transcend the pred...
The 133-Room Radisson Blu Aruba Opens in the Island’s Palm Beach Area
Radisson Blu | May 11, 2021
Oranjestad, Aruba – May 11, 2021 – Radisson Blu, an upper upscale hotel brand delivering positive and personalized service in stylish spaces, announced the opening of its brand new property Radisson Blu Aruba. The one-of-a-kind new hotel is located in Palm Beach, the ideal setting for a memorable Caribbean adventure. Located just 20 minutes from Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), the sprawling 133-room Radisson Blu Aruba is as spacious as it is stylish. The hotel offers two- and three-bedroom suites with separate living areas and fully equipped kitchens with unbeatable views. The hotel’s chic lobby leads to an amazing outdoo...
Mary Rogers Appointed General Manager of Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach | May 24, 2021
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (May 24, 2021) – Montage Laguna Beach is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Rogers as general manager. With two decades of luxury hospitality industry experience, Rogers will oversee all day-to-day operations of the 30-acre beachfront sanctuary perched on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. “I am delighted to welcome Mary Rogers to Montage Laguna Beach,” said Jason Herthel, president and chief operating officer of Montage International. “Mary’s extensive, ground-breaking background is nothing short of impressive, and we are honored to have her dynamic leadership at the helm of the resort...
Marriott Debuts in Belize With Opening of Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection
ALAIA BELIZE | May 6, 2021
AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE – May 6, 2021 – Calling all those looking to discover the outdoors and live with purpose, as owner and developer, Andrew Ashcroft, in partnership with Autograph Collection Hotels, announces the grand opening of the highly anticipated boutique resort – Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection. Spanning over 20+ acres and the first in San Pedro Town to sit on more than 1,000 feet of beachfront access, Alaia Belize is a 155-unit complex operating as the first true four diamond resort on Ambergris Caye. The eco-luxury development will be the first-ever Marriott International property in the country, upholding the high...
Jenny Piccione is Appointed as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples in Florida
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples | May 10, 2021
NAPLES, FL – May 10, 2021 – The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples has welcomed Jenny Piccione as General Manager, overseeing operations of the iconic Southwest Florida resort. A seasoned industry professional with over eighteen years of luxury hospitality experience within The Ritz-Carlton, Jenny brings her passion for the brand’s gold standard of excellence and outstanding service to the iconic Naples resort. Jenny will lead the Ladies & Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples through the resort’s exciting next chapter, ‘Tide of Transformation,’ which brings a new immersive pool experience, The Reservoir, and dining ...
Lake Placid’s Grand Adirondack Hotel Set to Make a Fall Debut
Wright Investments | May 25, 2021
May 25, 2021 – (Lake Placid, NY) – Situated in a coveted space on Lake Placid’s Main Street, the historic Hotel North Woods will reopen this fall after a major renovation, unveiling a fresh look under a new name: Grand Adirondack Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Conceptualized, managed and capitalized by the team at Wright Investments, the Grand Adirondack Hotel will embody the spirit and soul of Lake Placid and the natural environment that surrounds the town. The hotel joins Tribute Portfolio, Marriott International’s growing global family of characterful, independent hotels drawn together by their passion for captivating design and...
NOUN Hotel Breaks Ground in Norman, Oklahoma
NOUN HOTEL | May 5, 2021
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA – May 5, 2021 – Managing partner Scott Lambert is pleased to announce NOUN Hotel, a premiere four-story boutique hotel, has broken ground and is expected to welcome its first guests in summer 2022. Located in downtown Norman at 542 South University Boulevard on Campus Corner next to the University of Oklahoma, NOUN Hotel will feature 92 modern guest rooms, including two luxurious 900-square-foot suites, a signature restaurant and bar, an intimate speakeasy bar, a banquet room for up to 150, boardroom, an outdoor/indoor bar, and on-site parking. NOUN Hotel will be managed by Lambert, who will drive the hotel’s develop...
The Claremont to Reopen in Maine Following Acquisition and Renovation
The Claremont | May 24, 2021
SOUTHWEST HARBOR, ME (May 2021) — A New England grande dame ideally situated at the mouth of Somes Sound with easy access to Acadia National Park, The Claremont will welcome guests once again in May 2021 following an extensive transformation and under new ownership. One of Mount Desert Island’s most historic hotels, the six-acre shorefront property has provided a classic summer refuge to visitors seeking a quiet coastal respite dating back to 1884. The reimagined hotel will boast a total of 51 accommodations, including 12 cottages, four suites, a secluded three-bedroom waterfront haven and 34 guestrooms, an intimate spa, a heated swimming...
Pyramid Hotel Group Breaks Ground on Cambria Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina
Cambria Hotels® | May 27, 2021
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 27, 2021 -- Cambria Hotels, an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), continues to rapidly expand around the country with the official start of construction on a Cambria hotel in Columbia, South Carolina. The four-story, 144-room upscale hotel is expected to open in Spring 2022, joining six other properties around the state in Charleston, Fort Mill, Greenville, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill and Summerville. Situated at 1000 Lady Street, the Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown is in the heart of the Vista, Columbia's premier arts and entertainment district, which features museums, local shops...
More Tech Needed for Managing Group Contracts
Larry and Adam Mogelonsky | May 26, 2021
By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky The rumors are true…groups are already starting to rebound. You may not be seeing that in the form of RFPs and spikes in search traffic. Rather, it’s happenings amongst friends and corporate executives. “Hey, we’re all vaccinated now, and the government is saying we’ll be able to gather soon, so let’s start planning something for this fall because we all haven’t seen each other in a long time,” said the CEO to the CFO during their latest fireside Zoom chat. True, large-scale conventions with thousands of attendees intermingling will be the last segment to return, but smaller meetings and regi...
The End of Third-Party Cookies and What It Means for Your Hotel
Tina Markowitz | May 17, 2021
By Tina Markowitz Digital marketers are currently being faced with a once-unimaginable shift: the end of third-party cookies. Over the past few years, users have become more aware of how companies track their data, and they’ve started pushing back on an increasingly intrusive online experience. Regulators have even stepped in and enacted laws to protect users, including GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California. At the same time, the rise of mobile has decreased the value of browser-based, desktop-focused cookies. As a result, marketers are scratching their heads as to how they will proceed. Meanwhile, experts are predicting that U....
Tallahassee, Florida Welcomes the Opening of the 154-key AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol
ROBERT FINVARB COMPANIES | May 12, 2021
Tallahassee, FL — May 12, 2021 — Downtown Tallahassee will welcome a new hotel as the AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol opens this week, it was announced today by Keith Hoogerheyde, General Manager. Unlike anything Tallahassee has seen before — and considered by many to be the centerpiece of the brand-new entertainment district known as Cascades Park — the AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol is the city's new “must stay” hotel. The all-new Cascades Park is a 24-acre park featuring an amphitheater, shopping, dining, recreational activities, and more. CONSTRUCTION DURING COVID COVID-19 str...
The Emerging Market for Health and Wellness Tourism – Part II
Gregg Rockett | May 27, 2021
Part II: Focus on Africa and the Latin America and Caribbean region Gregg Rockett, Lecturer in Management and Tourism Studies, The George Washington University - School of Business. David Nitkiewicz, Graduate Student, The George Washington University – School of Business, Masters in Tourism Administration Program. Melina Economos, Graduate Student, The George Washington University – School of Business, Masters in Tourism Administration Program. Contributing to the research were students of The George Washington University – School of Business: Manahil Alkhatrawi, Emily Baxter, Hiroshi Kandori, Aswathi Krishnan and Yusuke Tsu...
Historic Narragansett Inn, The Shore House, Unveils Details of Its Refurbishment
The Shore House | May 4, 2021
Narragansett, Rhode Island — May 4, 2021 — The Shore House - a historic, boutique inn situated directly on the beach in Narragansett, Rhode Island — has announced its soon-to-be completed property-wide refresh, set to open on May 1, 2021. Formerly the Ocean Rose Inn, The Shore House will debut with a new name and updated look that instantly transports guests to a modern, nautically inspired “home away from home,” that still pays homage to the rich history of the destination. Located beachside and inspired by its New England setting, The Shore House received a thorough makeover, with its existing main inn and hall...
Linchris Capital Opportunity Fund, LP Acquires the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, New York
Linchris Hotel Corp. | May 10, 2021
PLYMOUTH, MA – May 10, 2021 – Linchris Capital Opportunity Fund, LP (including its affiliates, the “Fund”), which is managed by an affiliate of Linchris Hotel Corp., today announced the acquisition of the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, NY, the eighth investment by the Fund. The Fund makes investments in hotel properties in the midscale to upper-upscale tiers located in the United States. The 156-room, waterfront hotel is being acquired at a substantial discount to new construction cost and is the only full-service hotel in the market with diverse demand drivers and extremely high barriers to entry for future development. Located ...
How to Promote Empowerment in Hospitality Through Servant Leadership
Dr. Steffen Raub | May 28, 2021
By Dr. Steffen Raub Putting people ahead of power is not the usual leadership paradigm most of us are accustomed to, and yet, research is beginning to show that amazing things can happen when leaders decide to make serving their team a priority. Traditional power leadership models turned upside down When we think about leaders, the idea of “serving” others is usually the last that comes to our mind. Leaders are depicted as those who drive, who give orders, directions and whose instructions need to be followed. Subordinates serve leaders, not the other way round, right? Is “servant leadership” nothing more than an oxymoron? W...
NexGen Hotels Acquires SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bolingbrook, Illinois
NexGen Hotels | May 11, 2021
Itasca, IL – May 11, 2021 – NexGen Hotels, a hotel development and management company based in Itasca, Illinois, today announced the acquisition of the 82-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Bolingbrook. The new owners plan a multimillion-dollar renovation to upgrade the interior and exterior starting in December 2021. General Manager Felecia Collier leads the management team at the property for NexGen Hotels. Located at 125 Remington Boulevard in Bolingbrook a suburb of Chicago, the three-story SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Bolingbrook offers guests convenient access to Chicagoland Speedway, Harrah’s Casino, The Promen...
The St. Regis Bermuda Resort Debuts in Historic Town of St. George’s
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | May 24, 2021
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort. Extending the legacy of St. Regis from New York’s finest address of 55th and Fifth, the resort blends the timelessness of a bygone era with avant-garde Bermudian design and cultural influences. Situated in the historic Town of St. George’s, an UNESCO World Heritage site, and nestled among the soft sands and turquoise water of St. Catherine’s Beach, the resort is the first Marriott International luxury brand property to debut on the island. Drawing upon the celebrated spirit of leisure travel, The St. Regis Bermuda Resort seamlessly brings togethe...
The Hotel Industry Has a Labor Problem. Here’s How to Solve It.
HotStats | May 13, 2021
If you hadn’t heard, hotels are facing a labor crisis. After major furloughs and layoffs last year due to the pandemic, properties now need to staff up to be prepared for the return of business. But they are facing a drought of workers, which some call the worst recruiting climate in the industry’s history. Making conditions even more challenging is the fact that the dearth of prospective employees could be attributed to several factors, and it’s unclear which ones are the biggest obstacles. These include immigration issues, specifically over H-2B visas, which, in the U.S., the Biden Administration is addressing, unemployment insura...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Arranges the Sale of the DoubleTree by Hilton St. Louis Airport Hotel
Paramount Lodging Advisors | May 25, 2021
St. Louis, MO—Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) has successfully sold the DoubleTree St. Louis Airport located at 4505 Woodson Rd. PLA Associates Beau Mullenix and Lora Simpson, and Senior Managing Director Adam Montufar represented the seller in this transaction. The sale of the 158-room hotel is the second property transacted by PLA in the St. Louis market to close this month. The DoubleTree by Hilton STL Airport recently underwent a comprehensive $5.5MM renovation and is ideally located directly South of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. "Selling a privately owned, full-service airport hotel during COVID is not an easy assign...
Urgo Hotels & Resorts Assumes Management of MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma, California
Urgo Hotels & Resorts | May 20, 2021
BETHESDA, Md./SONOMA, Calif., May 20, 2021—Officials of Urgo Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel company that operates, develops, invests and owns hotels and resorts throughout North America, announced that it has taken over operations of the 64-room MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma, Calif. The property is a Forbes Four-Star hotel on five acres of land in downtown Sonoma with luxury guestrooms and amenities. The hotel also features a variety of upscale, world-class dining options designed to appeal to both guests and locals alike. “We continue to grow our portfolio of boutique, independent and lifestyle hotels througho...
