How Technology Is Making De-Flagging Easier and Levels the Playing Field for Going Independent
Aaron Shepherd | October 31st, 2023
AHLA Partners With IncentiFind to Identify Sustainability-Related Savings for Owners, Operators
AHLA | October 30th, 2023
News Top: October
Hotel del Coronado Plans More Than $160 Million Restoration and Revitalization of Historic Victorian Building
Hilton | October 16, 2023
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The legendary Hotel del Coronado, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, has announced plans to restore and revitalize the hotel’s historic Victorian building with a more than $160 million investment, marking the next and final phase of Blackstone Real Estate’s more than $550 million development plan to preserve and enhance the National Historic Landmark property for the enjoyment of guests, visitors and the community alike. The upgrades will encompass all Victorian guest rooms, suites and event spaces such as the iconic Crown Room, with a targeted completion date of Spring 2025. "We are thrilled to embark on t...
LTI Announces the World’s Best Luxury Hotel Brands 2023
LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence | October 25, 2023
Mandarin Oriental takes top spot for first time New entries - Peninsula and Raffles October 25, 2023: Welcome to our annual World’s Best Luxury Hotel Brands report. This is not just another World's Best list. LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence – has used the past 12 months to apply the perfect assessment process: a rigorously defined algorithm that measures the performance and values of luxury hotel brands. This year, our algorithm has 130 touchpoints relevant to the luxury hotel sector. Each has its own weighted score value with a total maximum accumulative score of 4663. The touch points relate to overall br...
Q3 2023 Major U.S. Hotel Sales Survey
Daniel Lesser | October 26, 2023
By Daniel Lesser Notwithstanding a persistent jittery economic environment and rising global geopolitical concerns, market conditions in the U.S. appear simultaneously shaky and resilient. National lodging sector metrics, particularly average room rates and RevPAR, continue to achieve exceptional results as demand for travel and lodging remains robust. Although overall leisure patronage is trailing off from pandemic highs, due in part to Americans opting for international travel, domestic corporate individual and group meeting business continues to rebound to pre Covid-19 levels. Additionally, inbound international travel to the U.S. conti...
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort Welcomes New General Manager, Stephen Power
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort | October 24, 2023
MIAMI, FL – October 24, 2023 – The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Power as the new General Manager. Power brings two decades of hospitality experience to his new role. Prior to joining The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Power served as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, where he led the hotel in exceeding top line and GOP to budget in 2022, as well as saw the property achieve #1 hotel rankings in San Francisco within several coveted travel publications. His extensive background in hospitality has also seen him serve in numerous other hotel management positions within the ...
Aloft Hotels at Fort Lauderdale Airport/Port Everglades Cruise Terminals to Open in November
Aloft Hotels | October 9, 2023
Fort Lauderdale, FL – October 2023 - Starting November 10, 2023, travelers visiting the Fort Lauderdale area will be able to enjoy a convenient stay at the new Aloft Hotel at Fort Lauderdale Airport by Marriott. The 138-room, 14-floor property is located at 501 SE 24th Street, Fort Lauderdale, just 3 ½ miles from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and 1 ½ miles from the Port Everglades cruise terminals. This new Aloft property has a long list of impressive on-site amenities, including an 800-square-foot, premium fitness center, and a serene yoga terrace. It also features a covered deck on the 14th floor, with a 540-squ...
One&Only Resorts Appoints Executive Leadership in North America – Mexico and Montana, United States
One&Only | October 18, 2023
(18 October 2023 – Dubai, UAE) Kerzner International Holdings Limited (“Kerzner”), the owner of the iconic Atlantis Resort and Residences, the ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts, Rare Find, a diverse collection of unique resorts in captivating destinations, and new fitness lifestyle brand SIRO, focusing on holistic health and wellbeing, have announced new executive appointments in North America for One&Only as the brand continues to grow and develop in new sought after destinations in one-of-a-kind natural locations throughout the world. These appointments underscore the brand’s commitment to strategic growth, while highlighting th...
Hawkeye Hotels Exits Moxy Omaha at Opening
Hawkeye Hotels | October 4, 2023
Moxy Hotel Celebrates Hotel Completion in Omaha's Vibrant Historic Old Market District Omaha, NE – Despite the challenging financing landscape and concerns about rising interest rates, Hawkeye Hotels not only built the hotel but also sold it at over $200,000 per room. This achievement underscores the resilience of the hotel industry, as well as the presence of eager buyers who are willing to transact. Hawkeye Hotels is proud to announce the highly-anticipated completion of the Moxy Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska's Historic Old Market District. This stylish and innovative addition to the hospitality scene in Omaha promises to redefine the ci...
Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
Embassy Suites by Hilton | October 10, 2023
Altamonte Springs, Florida – October 9, 2023 Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is pleased to announce the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation to its 277 All-Suite Hotel. The Fourteen-month extensive renovation project includes fresh and modern chic updates to all guest suites, lobby, atrium area, Omaha Steakhouse and more than 7,200 square feet of event spaces. Located at 225 Shorecrest Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL on beautiful Cranes Roost Lake, Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is just 8-miles north of Downtown Orlando. Conveniently close to major Orlando venues, such as the RDV Sportsplex, Maitland Art Museum, Orlan...
2024 Emerging Travel Trends: Marriott International Study Reveals Venue Customization, Flexibility Options, and Immersive Experiences Critical for Gro
Marriott International | October 27, 2023
New Meeting Planner Survey from Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America Reveals Forecasted 2024 Travel Trends, Including the Most Desired Destinations for Groups, Work and Play Plantation, FL – October 27, 2023 – Today, Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) revealed its 2024 Travel Trends Forecast, providing a comprehensive look at how event planning, business travel, and priorities are expected to evolve in the coming year. According to a national survey commissioned by Marriott International and conducted by 72Point, key findings reveal shifts in venue site selection, group travel experien...
Radical Innovation Competition, Produced by The Hardy Group Announces the 2023 Finalists – Vote Now
Radical Innovation | October 6, 2023
ATLANTA, GA, October 6, 2023 – Radical Innovation, conceptualized in 2006 by The Hardy Group, is an annual award competition that has been shifting the norm in the global hospitality industry, by recognizing excellence in design, architecture, travel, and products. The initiative challenges creative thinkers and design visionaries at the professional and student level to pioneer compelling innovations that fuel the future of hospitality. Radical Innovation is pleased to announce that voting is officially open for the 17th annual competition. Radical Innovation collected over 100 entries split amongst the four categories: Professional Pro...
Historic Murrieta Hot Springs Resort to Reopen in February 2024 Following Thirty Years of Public Closure
MURRIETA HOT SPRINGS RESORT | October 23, 2023
MURRIETA, CA – [October 23, 2023] – For more than a century, the cultural heritage of Southern California has been enriched by the therapeutic mineral springs nestled within a historic 1902 site known as Murrieta Hot Springs Resort. Over the past 30 years, the property has been inaccessible to the public. This will soon change as the team behind The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, CO, announces today that in February 2024, Murrieta Hot Springs Resort will reopen, newly reimagined and ready to welcome guests and the surrounding community. First reservations are now being accepted at murrieta-hotsprings.com. "We are dedicated t...
Charlestowne Hotels to Manage The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan
Charlestowne Hotels | October 2, 2023
Charleston, SC – October 2, 2023 – Charlestowne Hotels, a leading hospitality management company, today announces its continued expansion in the Midwest with the management takeover of The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan—its first property in the state and seventh in the region. As The H Hotel transitions from a Dolce by Wyndham to an independent property, Charlestowne’s specialized expertise in managing lifestyle hotels will ensure The H Hotel maintains its exemplary service and commitment to excellence while remaining a point of pride within Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region. The 139-room award-winning hotel, which has been a A...
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Breaks Ground on New Boutique Hotel in Pacific Grove, California
IHG | October 2, 2023
ATLANTA (Oct. 2, 2023) - Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio, breaks ground today for a new, boutique hotel in the Northern California coastal community of Pacific Grove, on the storied Monterey Peninsula. Marking the boutique hotel brand’s first property in the market, Kimpton Pacific Grove Hotel will exude elevated, laid-back vibes one can only find on the Central Coast of the Golden State and serve as a premier destination featuring locally inspired restaurant and bar concepts. The property is expected to open in late 2025. Owned and developed by Cypress 16, LLC in c...
Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Debuts After a Multimillion-Dollar Comprehensive Renovation
Marriott International | October 11, 2023
Chantilly, VA – October 11, 2023 – Marriott International, Inc. is pleased to announce the completion of a comprehensive property renovation to the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles. The four-story hotel, located at 14750 Conference Center Drive in Chantilly, Virginia has a new look and offers a refreshed aesthetic, upgraded amenities, and enhanced meeting and event spaces. This includes the total renovation of all guest rooms and suites, 21 event rooms, all public spaces, Westfields Lounge and lobby, and the addition of six pickleball courts and six tennis courts. The 336-room full-service property is owned by an affiliate of Lone St...
Do Your Hotel Leaders Truly Understand the Difference Between “Hospitality” and “Guest Service?”
Doug Kennedy | October 11, 2023
By Doug Kennedy My job as a hospitality industry conference speaker and training facilitator affords opportunities to speak with lodging industry leaders from a broad spectrum of management companies, brands, and independents. Based on my observations, I think there are a lot of leaders, including some with decades of experience who work at top-tier companies, who do not fully understand the difference between “hospitality” and “guest service.” I often hear these terms used interchangeably, yet while they are related, and while guest satisfaction requires both, they are fundamentally different concepts. Understanding the differe...
Wyndham Board of Directors Rejects Unsolicited Proposal From Choice
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | October 17, 2023
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 17, 2023 -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) ("Wyndham" or the "Company"), the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,100 hotels spanning more than 95 countries, announced that its Board of Directors unanimously rejected a highly conditional, unsolicited stock-and-cash proposal by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) ("Choice") to acquire all outstanding shares of Wyndham. Wyndham's Board of Directors, together with its financial and legal advisors, closely reviewed Choice's latest proposal with a nominal value of $90 per share, comprised of 45 percent in stock and 55 percent...
Courtyard by Marriott New Castle Opens in Delaware
Courtyard by Marriott | October 11, 2023
New Castle, DE -October 11th, 2023- The newly developed 125-room well-appointed Courtyard by Marriott in New Castle DE, is now open to welcome guests! The hotel features upscale, stylish décor that offers a fresh take on mixing business with pleasure, while creating a unique environment for an enjoyable and relaxing time away from home. Located just off I-295 at 2180 New Castle Ave, the Courtyard is operated by Titan Hotel Group. Courtyard by Marriott New Castle is a short drive to all New Castle and Wilmington area have to offer. You will find premier dining, local breweries, and tax-free shopping all at your fingertips. Battery Park, Ch...
2023 HVS Lodging Tax Report – USA
Thomas A. Hazinski | October 2, 2023
By Thomas Hazinski, Michael Ferguson Since room sales generate lodging tax revenues, an overview of hotel market trends provides a perspective on the industry's current and future fiscal impacts. While the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were unprecedented, as documented in our 2022 HVS Lodging Tax Study, nearly all lodging markets have reached or exceeded pre-COVID levels of revenue generation. Revenue per available room (“RevPAR”), the product of average daily room rate and occupancy rate, is a standard industry metric that combines the effects of occupancy and average daily room rate changes on hotel revenue performance. ...
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco Appoints Johan Monterrat as New Director of Food and Beverage
Four Seasons San Francisco | October 6, 2023
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2023) - Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has announced today the appointment of Johan Monterrat to director of food and beverage of the iconic San Francisco hotel, home to 231 guest rooms and 46 suites, and all-day dining at its award-winning restaurant, MKT Restaurant & Bar. Bringing a successful track record of culinary leadership to the team, Monterrat will hone and direct the sophisticated property’s esteemed food and beverage program inclusive of MKT, in-room dining and banquets. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Johan to this new leadership position, where his creativity and hands-on approach to hos...
Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta Appoints Devraj Gorsia as General Manager
Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta | October 10, 2023
ATLANTA, GA – October 10, 2023 –– Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta, the premier upscale boutique hotel nestled just moments away from Buckhead's vibrant dining, nightlife, and entertainment scene, is thrilled to introduce Devraj Gorsia as its newly appointed General Manager. In his new role, Gorsia will take the helm in overseeing the hotel's multifaceted operations, with a strong focus on enhancing guest satisfaction, fostering community engagement, nurturing colleague development, and spearheading strategic initiatives. Devraj Gorsia offers over 17 years of experience with the Hyatt brand, working across the globe in London, Thailan...
Hotel Financial Performance Influenced by Changes in Hotel Food and Beverage Offerings
Robert Mandelbaum, Ed Stacy | October 30, 2023
By Robert Mandelbaum and Ed Stacy The 2020 COVID-influenced lodging industry recession resulted in some noticeable changes to the way hotels provide food and beverage (F&B) service. • Social distancing regulations forced operators to be creative in the way they served food and beverages to guests. • Rising wage rates and sharp increases in the cost of food and beverage products compelled hotel managers to find ways to control costs. • The inability of hotels to attract employees to fill the positions eliminated during the recession required creative solutions to improve productivity and offer more with less. These facto...
Stephen Husbands Named General Manager for The Harbor Club, Curio Collection by Hilton in St. Lucia
The Harbor Club | October 4, 2023
GROS ISLET, ST. LUCIA – October 2023 – The Harbor Club, Curio Collection by Hilton is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Stephen Husbands as General Manager. Stephen joins The Harbor Club, bringing with him an impressive track record of success in the hospitality industry. With thirty years’ experience in diverse positions including International Director of Finance of the Golden Tulip Hotel group, Vice President for Operations and Finance at Louvre Hotels, Financial Controller for the Intercontinental Hotel Group in London, he more recently, as General Manager, led success for iconic properties such as Body Holiday Sain...
How Technology Is Making De-Flagging Easier and Levels the Playing Field for Going Independent
Aaron Shepherd | October 31, 2023
By Aaron Shepherd, the CEO and Co-Founder of APS (Above Property Services) For many of us, entrepreneurship is a terrifying pursuit. Breaking away from the traditional mold to create something new or different is, admittedly, the path of more resistance. It takes courage, innovative thinking and creativity, agility, relentless execution and unflappable commitment to make it work – and even then, many ventures will fail. But those ventures that do find success act as a beacon to anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit; a sign that big dreams can, sometimes, glean even bigger results. Within the world of entrepreneurship, however, exists ...
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa Appoints Geoff Pearson as New General Manager
Outrigger | October 2, 2023
OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Geoff Pearson as the new General Manager of OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa on Hawaii Island. In this role, Pearson will assume the responsibility of overseeing the daily operations and management of the resort. His duties will encompass the integration of cultural elements into exceptional guest experiences, the cultivation of a positive work environment for employees and active engagement with the Kailua-Kona community, all while striving to achieve the resort’s financial objectives. Pearson joined OUTRIGGER earlier this year as the Director of Sales and Market...
Mews Appoints Davin Fan as General Manager, North America
MEWS | October 10, 2023
[NORTH AMERICA – October 10, 2023] Mews, the innovative hospitality cloud, today announced that Davin Fan has joined the company in the new role of General Manager, North America, as it experiences significant growth in the region. Mews has acquired two hospitality companies in North America this year, Hotello and Nomi, which has seen the company triple its presence in North America. Fan, who is based in San Francisco, will support the continued expansion of Mews across the United States and Canada. The team in North America has grown by 118% in the last 12 months. Mews also works with some of the most innovative brands in North America,...
