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
Southwind Hotels and Resorts Introduces Sleep Inn & Suites to Longview, Texas
Southwind Hotels & Resorts | August 3, 2015
Southwind Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of its latest managed property, the Sleep Inn & Suites in Longview, Texas. The project was developed by Hahn Hotels LLC, and opened in July 2015. The 67-room hotel incorporates the new "Designed to Dream" prototype for increased guest satisfaction. By incorporating warm, neutral environments and soothing colors, guests enjoy a competitively priced, stylish lodging option. Highlights of the all-new hotel property include guestrooms with plush bedding, high-definition televisions and Sleep Inn signature showers. Public spaces include an open floor plan with comfortable spaces fo...
Hilton Worldwide Unveils Plans to Develop 10 New Hotels with Primestar Hospitality
Hilton Worldwide | July 30, 2015
New Agreement to Accelerate Growth in Germany and Austria GERMANY and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is set to introduce 10 new hotels throughout Germany and Austria following a strategic development agreement with Primestar Hospitality (formerly Interstar Hotel GmbH). The new additions are expected to focus on the rapidly expanding Hampton by Hilton brand, and concentrate on key cities across the Central European region. The hotels will join more than 35 properties trading or in development under Hilton Worldwide brands in Germany and Austria, of which 13 are within its focused service Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden In...
Benchmark Adds Hotel Zelos San Francisco to its Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels Portfolio
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | July 30, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 30, 2015 ... Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, today added one of San Francisco's most prestigious boutique properties, Hotel Zelos San Francisco, to its Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels® brand collection. The luxury hotel is owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB) of Bethesda, Maryland. Alex Cabañas, Benchmark's president & CEO, made the announcement. "Hotel Zelos is an extraordinary addition to our Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels portfolio," said Mr. Cabañas. "Centered in the heart of downtown San Francisco, the hotel is pe...
AirBnB Could Change The World
John Hendrie | July 29, 2015
By John Hendrie Sometimes you can have a great notion, which will go nowhere due to a variety of constraints. Other times it is a "no brainer". AirBnB is already changing the face of lodging and the Visitor Experience. Now, it has that opportunity to change the world to "Green", and it would be so easy to do. Let's look at a few factors which might impact this dynamic. Firstly, their constituents, both Hosts and Guests. Opening up your home and/or your other abodes takes some courage, whereas a Guest is taking some chances, too. But, what brings them together is a feeling of adventure (and, of course, meaningful economics). So, both con...
Observing Food Trends at Festivals and Fares
Larry Mogelonsky | July 29, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Gourmet burgers are soooo 2013. Tacos? I thought they peaked last summer. What's next year's hot dish going to be? When will our current bacon craze go belly up? (pun intended) Important to us hoteliers, if we have a vague semblance of where food trends are headed, then we can plan menus accordingly and harness the 'hype' surrounding on-the-up cuisines for an extra marketing boost. Moreover, if you're only following food trends in magazines and mainstream restaurants, then you're behind the eight ball, catching trends when they are at their peaks instead of when they are in the early adopti...
Benchmark Hospitality Intl Names Jessica Milton Regional Director of Public Relations-Florida
Benchmark Hospitality International | July 29, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2015 ... Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Jessica Milton regional director of public relations-Florida. John Davies, Benchmark's vice president of marketing, made the announcement. "Jessica is an extraordinary addition to our public relations team," said Mr. Davies. "Her depth of experience in upscale and luxury travel, along with her familiarization of the Florida marketplace, will be a great asset to our overall public relations and marketing efforts." Jessica Milton comes to Benchmark Hospitality International with 12 years of publ...
Concord Hospitality to Develop and Operate First Marriott Hotel and Residence Inn Dual-Branded Hotel
Marriott Hotels | July 29, 2015
July 29, 2015 (Columbus, Ohio) - University Plaza in Columbus, Ohio, will soon welcome visitors to the first Marriott Hotel and Residence Inn shared brand hotel concept. While dual-concept hotels aren't entirely new, this is the first time Marriott International is pairing its flagship Marriott Hotels brand with another Marriott concept, a nod of confidence to developer and operator Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company. This move will enable travelers to the busy Ohio State University corridor – with the third largest university campus in the United States and vast Wexler Medical Center – myriad options for full-service meeting a...
Hotel Equities Promotes Elizabeth Derby, Jeff Shockley to Expanded Roles
Hotel Equities | July 28, 2015
ATLANTA, GA (July 28, 2015) – To support its unprecedented growth in 2015, Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) www.hotelequities.com announced promotions and the expansion of leadership roles for Elizabeth Derby and Jeff Shockley, two of its key executives. The firm promoted Elizabeth Derby to Vice President of Talent and Performance Excellence. Jeff Shockley increases his focus on owner relations and retains the title of Vice President of Acquisitions & Financial Analysis. In a role critical to the firm's growth, Ms. Derby oversees the transitioning of hotels into the portfolio through operations, onboarding and retention of talent...
Notes from the 3rd Annual Travelers Mindset Conference, Co-Hosted by HeBS Digital, Google & HSMAI
the HeBS Digital and Google Partnership | July 28, 2015
New York, NY July 28, 2015 – HeBS Digital, the leading hotel digital technology, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm co-hosted the 2015 Travelers Mindset Summer Conference along with Google and HSMAI Greater New York Chapter at the Google Headquarters last week, Wednesday, July 22nd. The conference, centered on the topic "Creating Meaningful Digital Relationships," brought over 100 hospitality guests and a line-up of industry experts to discuss the unique challenges hospitality industry faces. The mission of the conference was to discuss trending issues that impact the direct online channel ...
Choice Hotels Partners with Nevada Coal and Grain LLC to Develop New Cambria Hotel in Orlando, FL
Choice Hotels | July 27, 2015
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 27, 2015 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, announced it has signed an agreement with franchise partner Nevada Coal and Grain LLC led by Matthew Gillio and Don Fuller, to develop a new Cambria hotel & suites in Orlando, FL. The 140 room Cambria property will be located at the intersection of International Dr. and Central Florida Parkway and is expected to open in 2017. This world class location is within walking distance from three SeaWorld parks, and will provide close proximity to all the Orlando area parks and leisure attractions. The hotel will also ...
HeBS Digital’s New Rooms Showcase Module Displays Targeted, Streamlined Room Information
HeBS Digital | July 27, 2015
HeBS Digital launches its latest smartCMS innovation, the Rooms Showcase Module. This new functionality improves user experience, streamlines the path to booking, and increases online conversions. New York, NY (July 27, 2015) – HeBS Digital is excited to announce the launch of the new Rooms Showcase Module. The newest addition to the award-winning smartCMS, the module allows the hotelier to seamlessly improve the user experience and encourage conversions by creating a rich media "storefront" for the property's accommodations. The Rooms Showcase Module is an innovation meant to help hoteliers upsell rooms, speak to specific customer ...
The Resurgence of Small-Batch Liquors
Larry Mogelonsky | July 22, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Alcoholic beverages are far more than a vessel for inebriation. They are a pillar of the dining experience. While wine and beer are the two most common meal accompaniments in this category, there's something interesting happening in the world of spirits and other distilled elixirs. Much like that of microbreweries and limited-barrel wines, small batch distilleries are making a resurgence, and it's an opportunity you should seize. Why? Simple: product differentiation. Your restaurant or bar may be differentiated from your competitors by its décor, its view, its ambiance, its food menu, its ...
Fundamental Advisors, Leon Mayer & Co. and Aimbridge Hospitality Acquire El San Juan Resort & Casino
Fundamental Advisors | July 22, 2015
Revitalization to Restore Iconic Property as World-Class Destination Investor Group to Significantly Upgrade Facilities through Planned Restoration Fundamental Advisors LP ("Fundamental"), a leading alternative asset manager, today announced that along with partners León, Mayer & Co., ("León Mayer") and Aimbridge Hospitality ("Aimbridge"), it has acquired the iconic El San Juan Resort & Casino, a Hilton Hotel from an affiliate of Blackstone. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. El San Juan, established in 1957, is a landmark 387-room hotel overlooking two miles of pristine beach in the Isla Verde district of San Juan, ...
AccorHotels Names Sophie Stabile as Chief Executive Officer HotelServices France
AccorHotels | July 21, 2015
Jean-Jacques Morin Arrives as Chief Financial Officer at AccorHotels Paris, July 21, 2015 - Sophie Stabile, a member of AccorHotels' Executive Committee, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, HotelServices France, effective October 1st. She succeeds Christophe Alaux, who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, HotelServices North America, Central America and Caribbean. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Sven Boinet will act as interim CEO for France through September 30, 2015. Jean-Jacques Morin joins the hospitality group as Chief Financial Officer and will be a member of the Executive Committee. His appointment is effective as ...
Airbnb Overhauls Service for Business Travelers
July 21, 2015
The room-rental site has attracted 250 companies so far by Eric Newcomer Marc McCabe has become a familiar name among people working in human resources departments around Silicon Valley. When it's time to compile travel expenses for the month, McCabe, who runs the business travel group at Airbnb, would manually send out invoices and Excel spreadsheets breaking down how much a company's employees spent on room rentals. As the number of companies using Airbnb has ballooned to 250, McCabe's monthly e-mails and the kludgy system of creating custom coupon codes that employees must enter when booking travel have not stood the test of time. On...
RLJ Lodging Trust Completes Acquisition of 170-room Homewood Suites Seattle/Lynnwood in WA for 37.9M
RLJ Lodging Trust | July 21, 2015
July 21, 2015 - BETHESDA, Md. - RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the 170-room Homewood Suites Seattle/Lynnwood in Lynnwood, WA for $37.9 million, or approximately $223,000 per key. The Company funded the acquisition with cash available on its balance sheet. Forward Looking Statements The following information contains certain statements, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company's business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statemen...
Concord Hospitality Opens New Residence Inn by Marriott in Durham, North Carolina
Residence Inn by Marriott | July 21, 2015
Durham, North Carolina – July 21, 2015 – The 143-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Durham, North Carolina is now open for business and features the brand's innovative, new design. Located at 1180 West Main Street, the all-suite Residence Inn Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Center Area will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Concord Greenberg Durham Hotel, LLC and managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises of Raleigh, North Carolina. Located downtown, adjacent to Duke University's East campus and 15 miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the extended-stay hotel offers its guests convenient access to Duke Un...
TravelClick Expands Partnership with TripAdvisor
TravelClick | July 20, 2015
TripConnect Instant Booking Available to TravelClick's Web 3.0 Booking Engine Customers NEW YORK - July 20, 2015 - TravelClick, a global provider of innovative cloud-based solutions that enable hotels to grow revenue, today announced that it has expanded its partnership with TripAdvisor to offer TripConnect™ instant booking to their iHotelier Web 3.0 booking engine customers. TripConnect instant booking makes it possible for independent hotels to generate bookings directly on TripAdvisor. TravelClick is now a certified TripConnect Premium Partner. TripConnect instant booking is a powerful new way for independent properties to leverage...
HeBS Digital Wins Big With 8 IMA Awards, Including 3 Best-in-Class
HeBS Digital | July 20, 2015
HeBS Digital was recently acclaimed with eight Interactive Media Awards (IMA) including three Best-in-Class and five for Outstanding Achievement. New York, NY (July 20, 2015) - HeBS Digital, the industry's leading digital technology, full-service hotel marketing, web design and online channel consulting firm, received eight Interactive Media Awards (IMA). These awards recognize websites that display the highest standards of excellence in web design and development. All of the winning websites were built using HeBS Digital's proprietary content management system technology, the smartCMS. Empowering these properties to have complete contr...
White Lodging Opens The Westin Austin Downtown in the Live Music Capital of The World®
Westin Hotels & Resorts | July 17, 2015
AUSTIN, Texas--July 17, 2015-- Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT), today announced the opening of its latest Austin hotel, The Westin Austin Downtown, located in the heart of the city at the corner of San Jacinto Boulevard and Fifth Street. A joint venture among White Lodging Services Corporation, the Harry Whittington family and REI Real Estate Services, LLC., the 19-story hotel, which draws design inspiration from the local music scene, is Westin's second Austin property, and one of five new openings in North America this year. The Westin Austin Downtown used HKS Architects, Inc. and was des...
HeBS Digital’s Web App for Red Lion Hotels’ ‘Hello Rewards’ Recognizes & Inspires Loyalty Members
HeBS Digital | July 17, 2015
New York, NY (July 17, 2015) – HeBS Digital announces the launch of the new Red Lion Hotels' Hello Rewards loyalty program web application, designed to offer a personalized and inspiring experience for Red Lion 'Hello Rewards' members. The web application features responsive/adaptive design for the three screens, access to members-only unpublished rates, and past and future stay information counting down to a free night, all beautifully designed and dynamically controlled through HeBS Digital's smartCMS. This project closely follows the brand's launch of the new multi-property, destination Red Lion Hotels website. Together, the brand ...
Benchmark Names Diana Bright Director of National Accounts for Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort
July 17, 2015
A Benchmark Resort The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2015 ... Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Diana Bright director of national accounts for Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort. Darren Law, general manager of the property, which is a Benchmark Resort located oceanside on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, made the announcement. "I am so pleased to formally welcome Diana to the island and our resort," stated Mr. Law. "An exemplary and award-winning sales professional, she is a terrific addition to the property's sales and marketing team." Diana Bright was previousl...
RLJ Lodging Trust to Acquire Two Premium, Focused Service Hotels for $105.9 Million
RLJ Lodging Trust | July 16, 2015
BETHESDA, Md.--July 16, 2015--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced it has acquired the 164-room Hyatt Place DC/Downtown/K Street in Washington, D.C. and will acquire within the next few days the 170-room Homewood Suites Seattle/Lynnwood in Lynnwood, WA for a combined purchase price of $105.9 million. The Company will use the cash available on its balance sheet for both acquisitions. "We are excited to add another high quality hotel to our Washington, D.C. portfolio and expand our West Coast footprint with our first hotel in the greater Seattle area," commented Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., President and Chief Execut...
FCS Partners with USC Marshall to Offer Internship Program into Hospitality Business Industry
USC Marshall School of Business | July 16, 2015
Top performing University of Southern California students to take part in five-week program that fosters leadership abilities and provides knowledge of business on a global level Hong Kong - July 16, 2015 - FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, has announced its support and participation with the USC Marshall School of Business Global Leadership Program (GLP), an educational initiative offered to the most academically talented incoming freshmen at the University of Southern California's business school. As part of their educational experience, selected students will be rewarded ...
