Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2, 2024
Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable
John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook | September 17, 2024
Operations
Mobile Simple Makes ABreez Minibar Management App More Effective, Efficient
Mobile Simple | September 17, 2015
Hospitality's first cloud-based in-room amenities and mobile minibar management solution just got better with full inventory management, instant messaging and automated email reports now included [LAS VEGAS—September 17, 2015] — This month Mobile Simple is releasing a new upgrade of its ABreez mobile minibar management solution that simplifies and optimizes minibar and in-room amenities operations. The mobile app communicates via the cloud with the ABreez Management System and posts charges on the guest's folio via a property-management system interface. Based on customer feedback, the award-winning, in-demand solution now features ...
Cyber Monday: Is Your Hotel Taking Advantage of the Largest Online Shopping Day of the Year?
the Author and HeBS Digital | September 17, 2015
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo As hoteliers prepare for the Holiday Season and Q4 occupancy needs, there's a one-day event that has become a holiday all on its own that hoteliers simply can no longer ignore: Cyber Monday. This year Cyber Monday falls on November 30, which is perfect for generating last-minute holiday bookings, but most importantly, secure business for the dreadful Q1 2016. Is your Holiday Season strategy ready? In 2014, Cyber Monday sales exceeded $2 billion, making it the biggest online shopping day of the year. So what does this mean for hotel brands? According to Google, an astounding 40% of these online shoppers are inte...
Hyatt Signs with SECO Development for Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport
Hyatt Regency | September 16, 2015
CHICAGO (September 16, 2015) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate entered into a management agreement with SECO Development for a Hyatt Regency hotel in Renton, Washington. Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2017. "We are proud to announce that we are bringing the Hyatt Regency brand to Southport. Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport is a hotel experience being designed to cultivate connections and offer memorable dining experiences, stimulating recreational facilities, and inspirational meeting services,...
Some Advice for Enhancing Wine Sales
Larry Mogelonsky | September 16, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Discussing wine at dinner with friends and colleagues over the years, what becomes quite apparent is that those who work in the restaurant or hotel business have vastly superior wine knowledge than the layman. In fact, most people couldn't tell you the difference in taste between a cabernet sauvignon and a merlot. For them, it's just red or white, or on special occasions, a sparkling white. How then do you get the upsell? How do you convince a patron to go from drinking by the glass to purchasing a bottle for a table? How do you get someone to opt for one of the more expensive listings inst...
AccorHotels Partners with Aria Ziggurat to Manage Two Inaugural Properties in Tehran
AccorHotels | September 15, 2015
AccorHotels, the world's leading hotel operator, today announced that it has signed a management agreement with Aria Ziggurat for its two inaugural properties in Tehran. The new hotels – Novotel IKIA and ibis IKIA – are connected to the main terminal of Imam Khomeini International Airport and scheduled to open in October 2015. AccorHotels is the first international hotel group to launch its brands in Iran. Sébastien Bazin, AccorHotels' Chairman and CEO, said at a press conference in Tehran today: "We are very excited about signing this partnership with Aria Ziggurat in Iran. We are certain that Novotel and ibis will fit perfectly i...
Denver Marriott Tech Center to Begin Major Transformation this Fall Including Guest Room Overhaul
Sage Hospitality | September 14, 2015
Hotel will remain open as it undergoes the refresh to offer guests more meeting space, new luxury Extended Stay Executive Accommodations and a Marriott M Club lounge Denver, Colo. (Sept. 14, 2015) - The Denver Marriott Tech Center will launch a massive property transformation this fall, elevating the hotel to be one of Colorado's top destinations for both leisure and business travelers. The major renovation scheduled to kick off this fall and be completed by next September will include a complete overhaul of the hotel's lobby, 605 guest rooms and more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel's two towers of guest rooms will u...
Hospitality Management Corporation to Manage Newly Rebranded Wyndham Garden Hotel in Lafayette LA
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | September 14, 2015
Dallas, TX – Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) is pleased to share the opening of this newly branded and fully renovated 290-room Wyndham Garden hotel in Lafayette, LA near Lafayette Regional Airport. HMC is one of the country's largest U.S. third-party privately held hotel management companies, ranked in the top 40 of all third party and owner operated hotel management corporations. The property offers a complimentary shuttle service to local areas of interest including the historic village of Vermilionville and is also minutes away from area businesses including WH Energy, Marathon Oil, Conoc...
Terranea Resort Unveils Summer 2015 Property Enhancements
Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel | September 11, 2015
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (September 11, 2015) – Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel, is pleased to announce $9 million of capital enhancements, completed summer 2015. The 102-acre property added a fourth guest pool, as well as a VIP lounge and other aesthetic improvements. Terranea Resort's new Vista Pool that opened August 14, joins three existing guest pools at Terranea Resort. Located adjacent to Terranea's signature restaurant mar'sel, the Vista Pool is open to guests ages 13 and older, and offers magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean as well as food and beverage services and a relaxing atmosphere. The saltwater pool and Jacu...
HeBS Digital Wins 5 WebAwards, Including Best Hotel and Lodging Website
HeBS Digital | September 11, 2015
Summary: HeBS Digital, the hospitality industry's leading digital technology, marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, earned five WebAwards, including the Best Hotel and Lodging Website Award for RedLion.com. New York, NY (September 11, 2015) – HeBS Digital, the leading hotel digital technology, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, is proud to announce the receipt of five WebAwards from the Web Marketing Association in the Hotel and Lodging category, including the Association's top award, the Best Hotel and Lodging Website designation for RedLion.com, along with three...
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel Reopens Following $10M Renovation
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel | September 10, 2015
Scottsdale, Ariz. – Sept. 10, 2015 – The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel reopens following a massive renovation that took place this summer, transforming the independent resort and revitalizing its amenities. As part of the $10 million renovation, the resort boasts two new restaurants and a bar, a transformed main pool, a significant addition of outdoor meeting and event space, enhanced guest rooms, and a more open, welcoming feel throughout The Scottsdale. Formerly Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center, the charming property designed by legendary Scottsdale architect Bennie Gonzales opened 39 years ago...
Choice Hotels’ Comfort Inn Brand to Implement Nationwide Smoke-Free Policy Effective July 2016
Choice Hotels | September 10, 2015
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 10, 2015 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announced today that Comfort Inn will join Comfort Suites in implementing a 100-percent smoke-free policy beginning July 1, 2016, making Comfort the largest hotel brand in the United States to do so with more than 1,700 properties across the country. Becoming the largest hotel brand to provide a smoke-free environment reinforces the Comfort brand's commitment to wellness and helping travelers feel refreshed while on the road. "This smoke-free initiative is the latest in a series of bold steps the Comfort brand is ...
Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca (Chicago), Illinois Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
Eaglewood Resort & Spa | September 10, 2015
Itasca, Illinois, September 2015 ... Eaglewood Resort & Spa, located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, has recently completed a $7.5 million renovation of its AAA Four Diamond Resort. The makeover encompassed a redesign of all 295 guest rooms and suites, resurfaced balconies and patios, a full build-out of three fitness studios, refurbished 6-lane bowling alley, and the addition of a high-end "Grab & Go" Market. The Resort's guest rooms and suites, featuring warm and inviting earth tones and geometric furnishings, fall in line with Eaglewood's traditional Prairie-style design – a staple throughout the entire resort - in hom...
SiteMinder Partners with HotelTonight to Enhance Global Mobile Booking Reach for Hotels
SiteMinder | September 10, 2015
Dallas, US – The hotel industry's leading cloud platform, SiteMinder, has today partnered with HotelTonight, the leading last-minute hotel booking app, to provide hotels with prime access to global travellers 'on the go and in the moment'. HotelTonight now joins SiteMinder's more than 250 distribution channels offering reach to both local and global travellers for hoteliers, who can now distribute their real-time rates and availability to the app via SiteMinder's Channel Manager and have bookings automatically delivered back to their property management system. With mobile bookings forecast to account for 18 percent of all online trav...
Notes from HeBS Digital’s Webinar: Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2016 Digital Marketing Budget Planning
the Author and HeBS Digital | September 10, 2015
By Jennifer Alberts HeBS Digital, the leading hotel digital technology, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm hosted a webinar reviewing the 10th annual 'Smart Hotelier's Guide to 2016 Digital Marketing Budget Planning' whitepaper, bringing the article to life. The webinar focused on key influences shaping digital marketing strategies for 2016. From important factors affecting the hospitality industry as a whole, to how much to spend on digital marketing and each core initiative, to case studies and information about budgeting recommendations, the webinar gave hoteliers the insights and tools ne...
Carlson Rezidor to Open New Radisson Red Hotel in Glasgow, UK
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | September 9, 2015
Carlson Rezidor, one of the most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, has signed Europe's first new-build Radisson Red, and announces the Radisson Red Hotel Glasgow (UK). The lifestyle select property, which will be located adjacent to Scotland's largest exhibition centre, will feature 176 rooms and will welcome its first guests in 2017. It ideally complements Carlson Rezidor's existing portfolio in Glasgow: the group already operates a Radisson Blu and a Park Inn by Radisson in the city. "Following the recent Carlson Rezidor signings of Radisson Red hotels in Asia (Shenyang Hunan; China) and Africa (Cape Town; South Africa), we are proud to...
Tips for Bathroom Renovations
Larry Mogelonsky | September 9, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) The washroom is such a personal, private space that any minor annoyances are especially hard to forgive because of their heightened impact on one's emotional state of being. You simply need to browse through TripAdvisor or other third-party review site comments to see how vital it is to provide for a superior washroom experience. Before diving into a batch of more specific grievances, let's address those flaws which are readily apparent and should already be on your mind: Bathroom not properly cleaned Not enough towels, floor mats or hand towels Not enough hygiene products Mold, rust, ...
Bamboo Beach Club Rated as the Number One Small Inn on Clearwater Beach by TripAdvisor®
Global Connections, Inc. | September 9, 2015
OVERLAND PARK, KS—(September 9, 2015) – Global Connections, Inc., the highly respected travel club developer, fulfillment and service provider, has announced that the Bamboo Beach Club in Clearwater Beach, FL has been named the Number One Small Inn on Clearwater Beach by TripAdvisor®. Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) began management of the popular resort in early 2015. The two-story recently renovated "all-suite resort" is located in a quiet area of the beachfront community within walking distance to the ocean and the white sands of what the Travel Channel calls America's Best Family Beach. The beach resort offers a mix of accommoda...
Is Hospitality Ready for the Post-Rate Parity Era?
the Author and HeBS Digital | September 9, 2015
By Max Starkov Background There has been a lot of talk in the press and discussion forums about the "fall" of rate parity in Europe and its implications. Most of the new rules and proclamations in Europe thus far concern Most Favorite Nation (MFN) clauses in the hotel-OTA agreements. In the case of France, a new "rate parity" law was adopted in August, which directly affected the rate parity clauses in the hotel-OTA agreements in this country, and most probably will have Pan-European repercussions as well. I believe one of the reason for the confusion about what exactly is happening and has happened in Europe is that the analysts and ed...
Hilton Worldwide Unveils Industry-Leading Parental Leave Policies
Hilton Worldwide | September 4, 2015
Benefits Will Cover All New Parents MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced parental leave policies that will be the best offered by any major global hospitality company in the United States and Puerto Rico. The benefits will be available to Team Members at owned and managed hotels and corporate offices¹ with one year of service or greater. Beginning on January 1, 2016, the benefits will include: All new parents - including fathers and adoptive parents - will receive two weeks of fully paid parental leave. New mothers who give birth will receive an additional eight weeks of maternity leave, for a total of 10 weeks...
Waterford Hotel Group Adds Five Hotels to Growing Portfolio
Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. | September 3, 2015
Waterford, CT (September 4, 2015) --- Waterford Hotel Group, one of the nation's leading hospitality companies, has added five hotels to its portfolio year-to-date. The addition of the five hotels brings the firm's portfolio to 28 properties and more than 3,800 rooms, representing a diverse portfolio ranging from independent inns to full-service hotels and convention centers. "We have successfully executed our 2015 growth strategy to date and anticipate continued progress in the coming months," said Rob Winchester, President and COO. "We are honored that the varied ownership groups have chosen Waterford as a partner and look forward to ...
HRI Lodging Selected to Manage Daddy-O Hotel in Bay Harbor Islands, Miami
HRI Lodging | September 3, 2015
MIAMI BEACH – September 3, 2015 – HRI Lodging announced today that they have been selected to manage the Daddy-O Hotel in Bay Harbor Islands, Miami, Florida. The independent boutique hotel underwent a comprehensive $4 million renovation in 2009 giving the property a chic and contemporary make-over. Located on picturesque Bay Harbor Islands, the Daddy-O offers 46 well-appointed rooms as well as acclaimed restaurant The Palm, Miami's distinguished steakhouse. Hotel amenities include complimentary breakfast, dry cleaning and laundry, complimentary Wi-Fi, valet, room service, a beer and wine lounge and a complimentary off-site fitness c...
RLHC RedLion.com Website Earns Top Honors
HeBS Digital | September 3, 2015
Web Marketing Association Awards RedLion.com Top Hotel and Lodging Website Spokane, Wash., Sept. 3, 2015 – RLHC (Red Lion Hotels Corporation) (NYSE: RLH) today announced the company and HeBS Digital were awarded Best Hotel and Lodging Website for redlion.com, earning a perfect score in the WebAwards 2015 from the Web Marketing Association. "Stunning visuals, modern design, clear calls to action, original content, and a bit of innovation," were the comments received from the WebAwards 2015 judges. "This is what an award-winning web site should be. Well done!" "We knew the website was achieving what we set out to accomplish, which was t...
The Four Horsemen of the Hotel Apocalypse
Larry Mogelonsky | September 2, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) We survived Y2K. We outlived the end of the Mayan calendar. But are you ready for the total annihilation of everything your property holds sacred? These four ever-present issues are what I see have the four largest problems that we hoteliers will need to confront within the next decade. As I present the hypothetical 'Four Horsemen of the Hotel Apocalypse', let's keep in mind that not only has the idea of the biblical four horsemen changed over time, but so too will the four main detractors to our industry's current practices. PLAGUE (red horse) – The OTAs This one is like beating a dead h...
Lisa Borromeo Checchio Appointed Vice President, Brand Marketing for Wyndham Hotel Group
Wyndham Hotel Group | September 1, 2015
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (September 1, 2015) – Reinforcing its strong commitment and focus on building enhanced brands, Wyndham Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Lisa Borromeo Checchio as vice president, brand marketing. Checchio joins the world's largest hotel company from JetBlue Airways where she helped lead JetBlue's marketing and advertising including the launch of its award-winning "Air on the Side of Humanity" campaign and the airline's premium product, Mint. "Across all of our brands we are seeing tremendous growth, and it's paramount that our franchisees, hotel owners, and guests understand and experience each brand's un...
