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
HEBS Digital’s Sister Company, Serenata IntraWare, Voted World’s Leading Hotel CRM Technology Provider by the World Travel Awards 2017
Serenata IntraWare | December 28, 2017
Summary: HEBS Digital's sister company, Serenata IntraWare, has been voted the World's Leading Hotel CRM Technology Provider by the World Travel Awards as part of the 2017 competition. The World Travel Awards honors global leaders and innovators in the travel and hospitality industry. New York, NY (December 28, 2017) – Serenata IntraWare, sister company to HEBS Digital and expert in CRM solutions, has been voted the World's Leading Hotel CRM Technology Provider by the World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year. This award is voted on by industry experts and peers and recognizes Serenata as one of the foremost authorities o...
AccorHotels Working to Sell Part of AccorInvest’s Share Capital
AccorHotels | December 28, 2017
Following the creation of AccorInvest as a separate legal entity gathering its real estate activities, AccorHotels has been negotiating with a group of French and International investors, in order to sell part of AccorInvest's share capital. The Group announces today having received several detailed confirmations of interest. Discussions with these investors are engaged in order to reach a final agreement soon, to create value for all stakeholders. ...
NewcrestImage Opens New AC Hotel in Oklahoma City Using Modular Construction
December 28, 2017
NewcrestImage has opened an AC Hotel in the historic Bricktown neighborhood of Oklahoma City that becomes the company's first property using modular construction and the city's first hotel with this building technique. The five-floor, 142-room hotel features traditional construction for the ground floor, then has 81 modules that form the remaining four floors. In addition to its special form of construction, the AC Hotel is distinctive in its blend of the latest technology conveniences with clean, contemporary European design. Examples of the vibrant design include "floating" furniture in guest rooms and specially-commissioned local art...
Time To Line Up Your 2018 Goals
Larry Mogelonsky | December 27, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Occupancies and rates have been steady if not growing throughout the calendar year of 2017. The 'natural' calamites (hurricanes, earthquakes, wild fires and the like) are regional anomalies, hopefully with rather short-term impacts and adequately mitigated by viable insurance policies. Before you pop a few magnums of Krug or Dom, let's pause for a moment. Hotels are not flash-in-the-pan operations. Physical structures are built with multi-generational use in mind. A good year or even a fantastic year does not mean that you are impervious to downturns. Hence, as we move towards the i...
Aimbridge Hospitality Opens New Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West – Katy in Houston, Texas
Embassy Suites by Hilton | December 27, 2017
HOUSTON, TX. and MCLEAN, Va. - Embassy Suites by Hilton, a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton (NYSE: HLT), announced today the opening of the 208-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West - Katy. The Hotel is owned by Mac Haik Hospitality and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality. Embassy Suites by Hilton prides itself on providing guests an approachable and stress-free experience at each of its spacious, all-suites hotel properties. Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West - Katy is situated about 30 miles from both of Houston's main airports, convenient for business and leisure travelers. This upscale, full-service al...
Ames Boston Hotel Earns “Conversion of the Year” Award From Hilton’s Curio Collection
Ames Boston Hotel | December 27, 2017
BOSTON, MA (December 27, 2017) - The historic Ames Boston Hotel, a member of the Curio Collection by Hilton™ and of Gemstone Collection by BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, today announces that it has received the coveted "Conversion of the Year" award from Hilton. Earlier this year, the 15-story Ames Boston Hotel completed a $6 million renovation, which saw a redesign of the hotel's public spaces, including the Lobby, whose tiled mosaic arched ceiling was preserved, and The Library, which serves as new communal workspace for guests. With the addition of the Ames and Oliver & Oakes meeting rooms and their pre-funct...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Michael Stocker as General Manager at DoubleTree Little Rock
DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock | December 22, 2017
LITTLE ROCK, AR (December 22, 2017) – Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Michael Stocker as General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Little Rock, Arkansas. The 288-room DoubleTree is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., a national hotel and convention center management firm. In his new role as General Manager, Stocker is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales, administration, and human resources. Stocker joins the DoubleTree team with a depth of industry knowledge. He began his hospitality career in the kitchen holding various positions and working his way up to Executive C...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Deon Weathers as General Manager at Fairfield Inn & Suites Boca Raton
Fairfield Inn & Suites Boca Raton | December 22, 2017
BOCA RATON, FL (December 22, 2017) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Deon Weathers to General Manager of the 119-room Fairfield Inn & Suites in Boca Raton, FL. Fairfield Inn & Suites Boca is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm located in Waterford, CT. In his new role as General Manager, Weathers is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales, administration, and human resources. Weathers comes to Waterford Hotel Group with more than 10 years of experience. Previously, he served as Business Development Manager for Marriott International where he...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Appoints Jay Rocha Vice President of Operations
December 21, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Jay Rocha vice president of operations. Greg Champion, president and COO, made the announcement. "It is with great pleasure that I formally announce Jay's promotion within our company," said Mr. Champion. "His on-property operational experience will be invaluable in his new role working with multiple hotels and resorts. Jay is a great example of how Benchmark helps build careers." Jay Rocha was previously general manager of Cheyenne Mountain Resort, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to this he held senior leadership ...
Hotel Equities to Operate Fairfield Inn & Suites Tulsa SE, Oklahoma
Hotel Equities | December 21, 2017
ATLANTA–December 21, 2017–Atlanta-based Hotel Equities recently announced its selection as the management firm for the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tulsa SE/Crossroads Village in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Robert Patel and Sonny Patel serve as owners of the hotel. The 99-room hotel is conveniently located two miles south of Woodland Hills Mall and close to upscale shopping and dining. Local businesses in the adjacent area include Kimberly Clark, Hillcrest Hospital South, St. Francis Hospital South, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Rhema Bible College and more. "We are excited to expand our portfolio in the Oklahoma marke...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Michael Heaton as President
Waterford Hotel Group | December 21, 2017
Waterford, CT, Dec. 21, 2017-- Waterford Hotel Group's Chairman and CEO Len Wolman announced the appointment of Michael Heaton as President effective January 1, 2018. Heaton will succeed Waterford's long-serving President, Robert Winchester, who recently announced plans to hand over the reins in preparation for his upcoming retirement. Winchester will continue in his role through year-end, assisting with the transition of roles, before assuming a part-time advisory position with Waterford for an indefinite period. "Rob's contributions to our organization for nearly 30 years have been significant," said Len Wolman, Chairman and CEO of Wa...
Owned and Managed by Midas Hospitality, Dual Branded Fairfield Inn & Suites and Residence Inn Opens in St. Louis, Missouri
Midas Hospitality | December 21, 2017
ST. LOUIS – December 21, 2017 – Marriott International, Inc. announced that a dual-branded 88-room Fairfield Inn & Suites and 96-suite Residence Inn property will open today in St. Louis / Maryland Heights, Missouri. Located at 11918 Westline Industrial Boulevard, the hotel is owned and managed by Midas Hospitality of St. Louis, Missouri. The hotel will share an indoor swimming pool, a modern fitness center, an outdoor patio with a fire pit and barbecue grill, 1,114 square feet of meeting space, and offer a complimentary breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi. Located 15 minutes from Lambert International Airport and 25 minut...
The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels Following Renovation
Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort | December 20, 2017
Rio Hato, Panama – (December 20, 2018) – The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, the centerpiece of the destination's family-friendly Buenaventura resort community, joins Marriott International's distinctive portfolio of one-of-a-kind Autograph Collection Hotels. The announcement comes as the resort completes a renovation to enhance its guestrooms, restaurants and meeting spaces, as well as the addition of the Buenaventura Zoo. Autograph Collection Hotels celebrate the independence and individually of each location, incorporating the personality of the destination. The Buenaventura fits perfectly into the collection with i...
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP Completes Rebranding of 46 Rail Hotels to Various Wyndham Brands
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP | December 20, 2017
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP ("AHIP") (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U, and HOT.DB.U) is pleased to confirm that its previously announced agreement with Wyndham Hotel Group to convert 46 hotels – including all of the hotels in its Rail Hotel portfolio – to Wyndham hotel brands, has now been completed. In total, 28 hotels have converted to Travelodge® hotels, 15 hotels have become Baymont Inn & Suites®, two properties are now Super 8® hotels, and one hotel will remain a Days Inn®. Each of these hotels can now be booked through Wyndham's worldwide reservation network, and all converted hotels now provide the...
Aimbridge Hospitality Adds 13 Courtyard by Marriott Hotels to Management Portfolio
Aimbridge Hospitality | December 20, 2017
DALLAS, TEXAS (Dec. 20, 2017) Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the United States, announces it has been chosen to manage a portfolio of 13 Courtyard by Marriott properties owned by Canada-based Skyline Investments ("Skyline"). The portfolio includes 13 Courtyard by Marriott locations across the U.S., including: Courtyard Birmingham Hoover, AL: 153 rooms Courtyard Chicago Arlington Heights S., IL: 147 rooms Courtyard Chicago Deerfield, IL: 131 rooms Courtyard Dayton Mall Miamisburg, Ohio: 146 rooms Courtyard Fort Myers Cape Coral, FL: 149 rooms Courtyard Huntsville University Drive, AL: 14...
Analyzing the Relationship Between Serviced Residences and Hybrid Travel
Larry Mogelonsky | December 20, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Both traditional hotels and any form of alternate lodging provider share a common pool of potential customers, consisting primarily of those individuals looking for short-term accommodations away from home. Typically, those stays are measured in days, and rarely in weeks or months. The length of stay is often one of the critical differences that defines serviced residences such as apartment rentals from both the hotel and sharing economy products. Ascott Limited is a subsidiary of CapitaLand, one of Asia's largest real-estate companies. Through rapid growth over the past three d...
Hard Rock International Partners with Singha Estate for Hard Rock Hotel Maldives Slated to Open October 2018
Hard Rock International | December 19, 2017
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 19, 2017 -- Globally recognized as a world-class entertainment and lifestyle brand, Hard Rock International announces plans to expand its portfolio with Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and Hard Rock Cafe Maldives, slated to open October 1, 2018. As part of the Emboodhoo Lagoon project, the first integrated resort destination in the Maldives, the brand will work in collaboration with Singha Estate Public Company Limited, a leading Thailand-based development company, to provide travelers with the ultimate, family-friendly Maldivian experience. The highly anticipated property will be located within one of the Maldives' lar...
BENCHMARK Names Tom Cupo Area General Manager for The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center | December 19, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 19, 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Tom Cupo area general manager for The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Greg Champion, Benchmark's president & COO, made the announcement. "It is with pleasure that I welcome Tom to his new role with our company," said Mr. Champion. "Not only is he an extremely experienced leader, he knows The Inn at Virginia Tech and the Virginia market intimately, having overseen the property for many years. We look forward to his active ...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Dustin Kovats to General Manager of Marriott Hartford Downtown
Marriott Hartford Downtown | December 18, 2017
HARTFORD, CT (December 18, 2017) – Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Dustin Kovats to General Manager of Marriott Hartford Downtown. As General Manager, Kovats is responsible for all aspects of the hotel's operations. Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm, manages the 409-room hotel. Kovats started his hospitality journey in New England, receiving his degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has since traveled around the country working for prominent Marriott brands in various management positions. Most recently, Dusti...
IACC Meeting Room of the Future™ Shows Shift in Meeting Planner Objectives
December 18, 2017
Ground-Breaking Project of BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, and IACC Tracks Trends in Technology, Design, ROI, Impactful Experience The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2017 … Like the quest for the Holy Grail, the search to find the Meeting Room of the Future may never end. The latest report from the ground-breaking IACC Meeting Room of the Future™, shows that yesterday's breakthroughs are today's technology and that meeting planners and conferees now have specific, rapidly evolving goals and great expectations. Technology has greatly expanded and redefined the definition of what a meeting room is and can ...
RLJ Lodging Trust Completes Sale of Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston for $170 Million ($444K Per Key)
RLJ | December 18, 2017
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that the Company has sold the 383-room Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, MA (the "Boston Copley") for $170.0 million or approximately $444,000 per key. "We are pleased by the execution of the sale of this iconic asset at a very attractive valuation that is significantly accretive to our shareholders across a number of metrics. The disposition of this asset is consistent with our objectives of selling non-core assets and unlocking shareholder value," commented Ross H. Bierkan, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our ability to sell this asset shortly after cl...
Hyatt Increases Share Repurchase Authorization by $750 Million; Sold Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa; Received $217 Million in Connection with Sale
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | December 18, 2017
CHICAGO--Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $750 million of the Company's common stock. The authorization is consistent with Hyatt's ongoing commitment to return meaningful capital to stockholders while continuing to invest in growth opportunities. Year-to-date through November 15, 2017, the Company repurchased over $700 million of common stock. As of December 14, 2017, the Company had approximately $864 million available under its share repurchase authorization (including the $750 million authorized on December 14, 2017). On November 9, 201...
UniFocus’s Tip Pool Feature Provides Simple Solutions to Changing Federal Tip Regulations
UniFocus | December 18, 2017
DALLAS – Dec. 18, 2017 – UniFocus, the service industry's leading and most comprehensive provider of workforce management systems, offers a simple solution to the challenges that employees and employers could face due to the U.S. Department of Labor's newly proposed tip law. Tip Pool, a seamlessly integrated feature within the Dallas-based organization's robust Time & Attendance system, streamlines tip management and distribution, minimizes workload, and ultimately reduces labor costs while maximizing productivity. "Splitting gratuities between tipped and traditionally non-tipped workers stirs up a lot of questions: How ...
New TownePlace Suites Tacoma Lakewood Opens in Washington Led by General Manager Carrie Wells
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | December 15, 2017
Lakewood, WA – December 19, 2017 – Get ready to be real and be you on long stays. Marriott International's TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tacoma Lakewood is scheduled to open for business today. On average, a TownePlace Suites opens every six days. Built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Lakewood area. The new TownePlace Suites Tacoma Lakewood located at 11725 Pacific Highway SW, continues to exemplify the brand's rapid growth. The new hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by InterMountain Management, LLC of...
