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Operations
Dennis Meroney Joins Hotel Equities as Chief Investment Officer
Hotel Equities (HE) | April 28, 2014
Atlanta, GA - April 28, 2014 - Hotel Equities (HE), an Atlanta-based hotel management, ownership and development company, has recently appointed Dennis Meroney as its new Chief Investment Officer. Meroney, a 25-year veteran of the financial industry, has served on the Hotel Equities Board of Directors since 2007. As CIO, Meroney will join HE's day-to-day operation and assume the responsibility for financial planning, strategic fund raising and working with existing ownership groups on financial options. "I'm not only excited about Hotel Equities' owned assets but the fund raising of our second fund as well," said Meroney. "I look forwar...
Accor & Moorfield Group to Add 3 MGallery Collection Hotels & Create 6 Mercure Flagship Hotels in UK
Accor | April 24, 2014
London, 24th April 2014 - Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, and Moorfield Group (Moorfield), one of the UK's leading real estate and real estate-related private equity fund manager, are pleased to announce the addition of three hotels to the MGallery Collection and the creation of six flagship hotels for the Mercure brand in the UK. Located in Windsor, Cheltenham and Aberdeen, the three new members for the MGallery Collection have been carefully handpicked as prime examples of the upscale brand. They will strengthen the presence of the boutique brand across the UK and join the stunning Francis Hotel ...
Hard Rock International Names Marco Roca Executive Vice President/Chief Development Officer, Hotels
Hard Rock International | April 22, 2014
ORLANDO, Fla., April 22, 2014 -- Hard Rock – one of the world's most-recognizable and iconic brands – announces Marco Roca as EVP of Hotel Development for Hard Rock International worldwide. Roca's appointment is a strategic move designed to further fuel the brand's aggressive development activity and expansion prospects. "Hard Rock International's expansion strategy is of utmost priority, the dividends of these efforts are on display today as we have hotels currently under construction in Ibiza, Abu Dhabi, Shenzhen and Haikou. Continuing this growth course demands a dynamic and knowledgeable individual who can help drive the momentu...
Benchmark Hospitality Names Billy Alberigi Director of Operations for Bardessono, Napa Valley, CA
April 22, 2014
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 22, 2014 - Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Billy Alberigi director of operations for Bardessono, California's first and only LEED Platinum Certified hotel. Bardessono is located in Yountville, Napa Valley, and is part of Benchmark Hospitality's Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels® collection. Jim Treadway, Benchmark's general manager at the hotel, made the announcement. "This promotion is well-deserved recognition of Billy's legacy here at Bardessono," said Mr. Treadway. "Getting things done in a quality fashion, and demonstrati...
Choice Hotels and Boli Hotel Management Enter Agreement to Develop Clarion & Quality Brands in China
Choice Hotels | April 22, 2014
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 22, 2014 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, is pleased to announce today the signing of a development agreement for Choice's Quality Hotel and Clarion Hotel brands with Boli Hotel Management Company Ltd. The deal marks the launch of the first Clarion and Quality Hotels in China, and the continual expansion of its international business. The development will begin in Hangzhou, one of China's most popular tourist destinations, with plans to expand across the region. Known for its historic relics and natural beauty, Hangzhou provides a scenic backdrop for the ...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints New Management Team at Fairfield Inn Marriott Boca Raton in Florida
Fairfield Inn Marriott Boca Raton | April 21, 2014
BOCA RATON, FL (April 21, 2014) --- Waterford Hotel Group recently announced the appointments of two key management positions at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Boca Raton, FL. Crystal Winter, General Manager, and Cristina Goncear, Sales Manager will lead the operations and sales teams of the 119-room hotel, located at the Boca Raton Airport in the Palm Beach County area of South Florida. Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm based in Southeastern Connecticut, assumed management of the Fairfield Inn Boca Raton in November 2013. As General Manager, Winter will be responsible for all phases of the ...
New Owner and Property Manager for The Cliff House Resort & Spa in Maine
BuildCentral | April 21, 2014
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Have Updated 205 Hotels in the Last Two Weeks with Changes in Personnel, Property Management or Ownership Chicago, IL. April 21, 2014 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have reported 205 changes in personnel, property management and ownership in the Hotel Profiles database over the last two weeks. Many hotels are getting a fresh start with a new Owner, Property Manager or General Manager. Recommend your product or service to someone who might be looking for a change. Hotels Under New Management: Wingate by Wyndham Slidell/New Orleans East Area (Slidell, LA) Best Western Black Rock Inn (Fairfield, CT) Red ...
Benchmark Hospitality International Announces The “Top Travel Trends for 2014”
Benchmark Hospitality International | April 21, 2014
As Seen Through the Eyes of Travel Professionals The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 2014 ... Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, announces the "Top Ten Travel Trends for 2014" as observed through a survey of the company's extensive database of professional travel agents. In a Benchmark-commissioned study, over 20,000 travel professionals were provided a comprehensive survey on consumer and business travel in 2014, for review and submission to an independent market research firm for compilation and analysis. Hospitality industry experts domestically and internationally, Benchmar...
Concord Hospitality Sells 13-Hotel Portfolio for $240M; Retains Management Under Long-term Agreement
Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company | April 21, 2014
RALEIGH, N.C., April 21, 2014 - - Concord Hospitality Enterprises today announced the sale of a portfolio of 13 premium-branded, select-service hotels to companies owned by a global investment fund for approximately $240 million in an all-cash transaction. Concord will continue to operate the hotels under a long-term management agreement. The portfolio is comprised of a total of 1650 rooms representing 11 Marriott and two Hilton-branded hotels. "This sale is a continuation of our on-going plan to strategically sell stabilized assets while retaining management," said Mark Laport, president and CEO of Concord Hospitality. "This gives our ...
TripAdvisor Names 10 Highest-Rated Green Hotels in U.S.; Releases Annual Eco-Travel Survey Results
TripAdvisor | April 16, 2014
25% of Respondents Made a Green Travel Choice in the Past Year NEWTON, Mass. – April 16, 2014 – TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced the 10 highest-rated TripAdvisor GreenLeaders™ hotels(1) in the U.S. and the results of its eco-travel survey of more than 2,100 U.S. respondents. According to the survey, 23 percent of respondents have consciously made an eco-friendly travel choice in the past year, and 85 percent said doing so made them feel more positive about their trip. The top five most common ways U.S. respondents travel green: Ensured the lights were turned off when not in hotel room – 96% Par...
John Lee Appointed Food & Beverage Director of California’s 173-key Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa | April 16, 2014
April 16, 2014 (Lake Arrowhead, California) - Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts and part of Marriott International's exclusive Autograph Collection of upscale independent hotels, has announced the appointment of John Lee as Food & Beverage Director. Drawing on a decade of management experience with hotel-based food and beverage operations throughout Southern California, Lee is responsible for the success of the resort's distinctive dining experience at the AAA Four Diamond-rated BIN189, as well as in-room dining and banqueting for special events. Most significantly, Lee will work closely with ...
Prime Hospitality & Shaner Hotels Break Ground on 154-key Playa Largo Resort & Spa in Key Largo, FL
Prime Hospitality Group | April 16, 2014
Part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, the Hotel will Open in Summer 2015 KEY LARGO, FL - April 16, 2014 - Playa Largo Resort & Spa, the newest addition to Marriott's Autograph Collection, is set to open on Key Largo, Florida in the summer of 2015. The construction, which began in early 2014, marks the first new full-service resort to be built on Key Largo in 20 years. Prime Hospitality Group (PHG), a recognized developer in Florida, and Shaner Hotels, one of the foremost owner-operator companies in the hospitality industry, have come together to bring a new level of luxury accommodations to the area. Inspired by Key Largo's rich ...
Independent Hotels Leverage Maestro PMS Yield Management and Big Data BI to Increase Revenue
Maestro Property Management Solution | April 16, 2014
How Do Independent Operators Use Business Intelligence and Yield Management? For More Effective Marketing, Optimized Rates, and Solid Occupancy Markham, ON - April 16, 2014 - Independent operators have to work harder and smarter than their franchised comp set. One of their secret weapons is NORTHWIND-Maestro PMS technology solutions that help independents increase revenue with more effective marketing and revenue management. The Maestro™ Enterprise Property Management hotel software suite is the industry's leading solution for independent hotels, resorts, and multi-property groups. Click here to learn more about Maestro's solutions fo...
A Conversation with Chris Nassetta, CEO of Hilton Worldwide, as Part of Hunter Investment Conference
Hunter Hotel Advisors | April 15, 2014
Teague Hunter, President Hunter Hotel Advisors Returning Hilton from a lackluster to a leading performer Hilton has a different perspective about millennials than their peers The time is now to push ADR I had the honor of interviewing Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, as part of the Hunter Conference keynote address. Chris was at ease speaking to an audience of close to 1,000 industry executives made up of 40 percent hotel owners. For those of you who missed it, here are a few condensed highlights from our conversation: ON HILTON'S NEW IPO: Chris noted that the transformation undertaken in the last six years ha...
Carlson Rezidor Signs Two Radisson Blu Hotels in Sousse, Tunisia
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | April 15, 2014
The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Sousse and the Radisson Blu Pearl Resort, Sousse will Open Q2 2016 Following Full Renovation and Conversion of Existing Hotels April 15, 2014 - Brussels - Carlson Rezidor, one of the most dynamic and largest hotel groups worldwide, reinforces its presence in Tunisia with the signing of two hotels, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Sousse and the Radisson Blu Pearl Resort, Sousse. Both are existing properties now undergoing full renovation and transformation before re-opening under the Radisson Blu flag second quarter, 2016. "We are delighted to further strengthen our portfolio in Tunisia where we are ...
John Ozinga Appointed as COO of HotelInvest
Accor | April 15, 2014
April 15, 2014 - John Ozinga joins Accor as COO of HotelInvest. He will be a member of the Group's Executive Committee and his appointment will be effective as of June 18th, 2014. Reacting to this appointment, Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor declared: "I am very happy that John has agreed to join Accor. He brings 20 years of experience in real estate as well as in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry in general and of Accor in particular, since he spent 10 years with the Group. These will be valuable skills for the rapid deployment of Accor's new real estate roadmap. With HotelInvest, Accor has clearly chosen to reinf...
Best Western Integrates Google Wallet into Booking Process
Best Western | April 14, 2014
PHOENIX (April 11, 2014) – Best Western International today announced that it is streamlining the hotel booking process by working with Google to allow guests to pay for their stay using Google Wallet. The brand will integrate Google Wallet within the Android version of its popular "Best Western To Go®" application and mobile website viewed through a browser on any device, allowing customers to seamlessly complete their reservation through this safe and secure platform. By adopting Google Wallet, Best Western is reducing the amount of steps consumers need to take to complete a mobile reservation. Once a customer selects their hotel w...
Michelle Baca Named Senior Sales Manager at Oxford Hotel & Crawford Hotel at Denver Union Station
The Oxford Hotel | April 14, 2014
Denver, Colo. (April 14, 2014) - Sage Hospitality, one of the nation's top hotel investment and management companies, has named Michelle Baca a Senior Sales Manager at Denver's Oxford Hotel and the new Crawford Hotel, an independent hotel opening in Denver Union Station this July. With a decade of hospitality experience, Baca started her career with Marriott International before joining Sage in 2008 as a Total Account Manager at The Oxford. She has also served as an Area Sales Manager overseeing several of Sage's select service Marriott properties and most recently as a Business Travel Sales Manager at The Westin Westminster. Situated i...
Sports Complex & Hotel for Greenwood Indiana is Moving Forward Since Announced in 2007
BuildCentral | April 14, 2014
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Add/Update 175 Hotel Projects to the New Hotel Construction Projects Database Chicago, IL. April 14, 2014 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have added or updated 175 hotel projects in the last two weeks to Hotel Construction, a nationwide database of hotel construction projects, openings, and key decision makers (Owner/Developers, Architects and Contractors). These proposed hotels are still in the planning stages. Now is the perfect time to have your product drawn into plans, or offer construction services: Ybor City Hotel (Tampa, FL) Country Inn and Suites (Charlottesville, VA) Hotel and Conference Cent...
4 Multi-Faceted Ways That Meta-Search Can, and Must, Help Hotels Take On the OTAs
April 11, 2014
Meta-search is maturing and has a huge impact on how consumers purchase travel today. It should also have a big impact on how hotels market and price their product. Max Starkov, president and founder of HeBS digital, who will be speaking in Miami, tells us why meta-search is not a distribution channel and why it should not be a 'set-and-forget' initiative. 1. Meta-search drastically improves the value proposition to online travel consumers Meta-search marketing's value proposition to travel consumers is undeniable: by adding real-time availability and pricing and enabling rate shopping, travel planners are now provided with everything t...
Bulk TV & Internet Chosen as a Strategic Free-to-Guest Supplier for Hilton Worldwide
Bulk TV & Internet | April 11, 2014
Bulk TV & Internet (Bulk TV), a leading provider of DIRECTV services for hotels, announces their strategic supplier agreement with Hilton Worldwide to provide individual hotel owners with an option for in-room entertainment services across the company's hotels in the U.S. This agreement marks the first comprehensive and strategic relationship between a hospitality company and a TV programming provider. Bulk TV is a preferred partner to provide these services to Hilton hotels, and currently provides services to upwards of 300,000 rooms nationwide. "We're looking forward to expanding our partnership with Hilton Worldwide and to provid...
Benchmark Hospitality Names Jarrad Evans Vice President of Business Development & Strategy
Benchmark Hospitality International | April 10, 2014
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 2014 ... Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Jarrad Evans vice president of business development & strategy. Mr. Evans will be based in Benchmark's Home Office in The Woodlands, Texas, north of Houston. Alex Cabañas, Benchmark's president & CEO, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Jarrad to Benchmark Hospitality," said Mr. Cabañas. "As I reflect on the past eight years of business development initiatives by our company, I am so excited to have Jarrad join us, bringing new relationships and experiences as...
Waterford Hotel Group Names Sherri Mancini as Assistant Director of Sales for Hartford Sales Cluster
Waterford Hotel Group | April 10, 2014
HARTFORD, CT (April 10, 2014) --- Sherri Mancini has been promoted to Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing for Waterford Hotel Group's full-service Hartford portfolio. In her new role, Mancini will provide additional leadership support and sales revenue generation to the current Hartford sales team. Mancini joins the Hartford team from her most recent position as Director of Business Development for Waterford, a position she had held since 2007. Previously, she had served as Group Sales Manager for the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, CT, and Catering Sales Manager and Senior Group Sales Manager for Omni Hotels and Starwo...
White Lodging Names Six New General Managers in Q1 2014
White Lodging Services Corporation | April 10, 2014
MERRILLVILLE, Ind., April 10, 2014 -- White Lodging is pleased to announce the following individuals have been named general managers within the last month across the company. Brandon Maynard has been promoted to be the general manager at the Homewood Suites Milford in Milford, Ohio. Maynard started his career in White Lodging in 2008 as an operations supervisor at the SpringHill Suites Louisville before being promoted to the cluster sales coordinator for outside sales at the Residence Inn, Courtyard and SpringHill Suites in 2010. Later that year, he became the front office manager at the Courtyard Louisville before being named the assi...
