HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25th, 2024
Why World Class Independent Luxury Operators Prefer Maestro PMS Technology for Personalized Service and High-Touch Guest Engagement
Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel | April 2, 2019
Top 100 Spa Destination, Sparkling Hill Resort Relies on Maestro to Support a Truly 'Extraordinary' Guest Wellness Experience April 2, 2019 – Luxury property operators know more about the importance of personalized guest service, guest recognition, and high-touch guest engagement than anyone else in hospitality. They understand that supporting their efforts takes the right technology partners. This is the reason hundreds rely on Maestro PMS' suite of 20+ fully integrated modules and their network of over 600 3rd party integrations to help them meet their objectives. Maestro PMS is the preferred cloud and on-premise hotel software ...
Park Hotels & Resorts Plans May Debut of $100+ Million Restoration of Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico
Caribe Hilton | April 1, 2019
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Caribe Hilton, one of Puerto Rico's most beloved beachfront hotels, announces it's now taking reservations for stays beginning May 15th, unveiling a more than $100 million restoration – a major milestone as the property celebrates its 70th year of operation and as Hilton marks its 100th anniversary. Just in time for summer, the iconic beach resort is coming back stronger than ever with a top-to-bottom makeover inclusive of contemporary guest room and suite renovations; reimagined F&B concepts; fitness center, spa, tennis center and landscaping re-designs; and 65,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor ...
Directing The Spotlight On ‘Big Data’, Technology And Sustainability
Thomas Mielke | April 1, 2019
Thomas Mielke This year's European Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) will be held April 9-11 in Palma de Mallorca, welcoming industry experts and delegates to inform and educate them on best practices and the latest trends that shape the community. On the agenda are topics that touch on digital transformation, integration as well as big data, data analytics, security and GDPR. Other sessions will be held on guest recognition and interaction as well as improving the employee technology experience. In essence, commerciality and business strategy are at the forefront of what will be discussed – no doub...
From Coffee Grounds on Toast to House Plants as Main Courses, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Reveals the Culinary + Cocktail Trends of Spring 2019
Kimpton Restaurants | April 1, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2019 – Will the real foodies please stand up? According to Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants' Spring 2019 Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast, butter is best in more than just coffee, juicy succulents are the new cauliflower steaks, and the whole plate (and cutlery) movement is taking sustainability to the next level. With regards to the bar scene, expect to see an increase in drinks where size doesn't matter, municipal grass-infused beverages, and cocktails actually made in bathtubs. "As a company that's always been at the forefront of major food trends and innovations, it was our duty to uncover additi...
YHS Employer Rankings: 2019 Key Insights
YHS | April 1, 2019
As an integral component of the Young Hoteliers Summit (YHS), the YHS Employer Rankings report seeks to improve opportunities for young talent by putting global hotel companies in the spotlight. The report aggregates the results obtained from the YHS Employer Rankings survey; it puts into perspective the expectations of hospitality students and alumni and offers insights into how employers may attract and retain talent. Completed by over 1,219 participants from more than 285 different hospitality schools across 100 nationalities, the survey investigated factors such as respondents' future employment preferences and career aspirations. T...
The Wigwam Resort Promotes Archie Von Wigwam to General Manager
The Wigwam | April 1, 2019
April 1, 2019 (Litchfield, Arizona) – The Wigwam, a historic Southwestern oasis resort in Phoenix's West Valley, announces the promotion of longest standing pet-ployee Archie Von Wigwam to General Manager. After two years of ensuring canine guests feel at home at the iconic property, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, Von Wigwam will expand his services to guests of all species. In his new role, overseeing all operations of the resort, as well as day-to-day management to ensure remarkable guest experiences. "I am thrilled to pass on the title of General Manager to Archie, who has proved himself to be energetic an...
RAR Hospitality Breaks Ground on The Monsaraz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in San Diego, California
RAR Hospitality | April 1, 2019
San Diego – April 1, 2019 – Southern California based RAR Hospitality, a full-spectrum hospitality management firm, has recently broken ground on the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton property in San Diego, The Monsaraz – set to open in summer 2020. Tapestry Collection by Hilton added 14 hotels to its portfolio of modern, stylish hotels in 2018 and has another 45 in its global pipeline (as of Q4 2018), including eight additional California properties. The development is a partnership with local development firm Alliance Development, who brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. "Welcoming The Monsaraz property to the...
U.S. Army and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Partner to Help Provide Veterans With More Job Opportunities
TJM Communications, Inc. | April 1, 2019
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – April 1, 2019 – The U.S. Army and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort signed a partnership agreement today as part of the U.S. Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program, which guarantees soldiers job interviews and possible employment after their service in the Army. The resort, which employs more than 2,000 cast members, is the first Marriott hotel to join the PaYS program and one of the first in Central Florida. Marriott International has more than 6,700 hotels in more than 129 countries. The signing ceremony featured a full color guard presentation, remarks from Army and hotel leader...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Hotel Finances for Dummies
David Lund | April 1, 2019
David Lund My primary responsibility as the head of the finance and accounting departments in the hotel was to ensure the books were clean and balanced. What I really got paid for was serving as the "chief financial information officer." The reality was the financial information I had to work with stunk! In every business, communication is important, but especially around the financial piece of the business. Communication is key. Great communication can make the business successful, help it grow, cause it to take on a life of its own. Poor communication can make the business die either a long, lingering death or a swift, unexpected deat...
Newmark Hotels Joins With Pegasus/Travel Tripper for Comprehensive CRS Solutions
Pegasus | April 1, 2019
Deal brings an expanding hospitality group of more than 16 properties in Africa to the newly combined Pegasus & Travel Tripper, which offers a complete suite of industry-leading reservations, distribution, business intelligence, and e-commerce solutions. New York, NY – April 1, 2019 – The newly merged Pegasus/Travel Tripper announced that Cape Town-based Newmark Hotels, Residences, Reserves & Lodges has signed on for a comprehensive suite of CRS solutions, including GDS, Booking Engine, Digital Marketing, CMS, Corporate Sales Representation, and Lanyon, the company's proprietary event management software. The agreeme...
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Opens in Greensboro, North Carolina With General Manager Tricia Southard at the Helm
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | April 1, 2019
Greensboro, NC – April 2, 2019 – Marriott International announced today that the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Greensboro Airport opened on Saturday, March 30, 2019. The 103-suite hotel, located at 505 Hickory Branch Road, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Guilford Hotel, Inc. and managed by CN Hotels Inc. of Greensboro, NC. General Manager Tricia Southard and Director of Sales Judy Thomas lead the management team at the property for CN Hotels. Just six miles from Piedmont Triad International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown. The hotel offers guests convenient access to Wet n' Wild Emerald Pointe, the Greens...
Hotel Booking Engine Launched by Bedvine
Bedvine | April 1, 2019
Bedvine today announces the launch of the company's new booking engine platform, suitable for all categories of accommodation: hotels, hostels, B&Bs, apartments and villas. The new offering allows potential accommodation providers to register and operate a fully featured booking engine at no monthly cost and no commission fees. Developed entirely in-house, the platform gives accommodation owners access to an on-line account where they can centrally set up and manage all of their properties. Other than the multi-property support, the platform also supports multiple currencies, multiple languages and unlimited rooms and room rates...
Shougang and Shangri-La Sign Cooperation on Shougang Park Hotel in Beijing
Shougang Group | March 29, 2019
Beijing China, March 29, 2019 – Shougang Group and Shangri-La Group today announced the cooperation on a new hotel project at Shougang Park in Beijing. This is a strategic venture between two established and highly regarded companies to develop an international luxury hotel at the Shougang industrial site. Attending the signing ceremony were Zhang Gongyan, chairman and general manager of Shougang Group, Hui Kuok, chairman of Shangri-La Group, Guo Huaigang, director of general administration of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Wang Yue, deputy chief of Beijing Culture & Tourism Bureau, and Ke ...
Florida International University Gets Green Light to Build Alumni, Conference Center and Hotel
FIU | March 29, 2019
MIAMI (March 29, 2019) – Today the Florida Board of Governors approved a public-private partnership to establish an alumni, conference center and hotel on FIU's main campus, right on Tamiami Trail. The $66 million project is privately funded and will include a 13,700 square-foot alumni center, approximately 33,000 square feet of meeting space and a 150-bed hotel. South Florida's first university-affiliated conference center and hotel is expected to open by the fall of 2021. This kind of facility, which is common in large research universities, is part of a larger vision for development in the area that includes several stude...
Hilton Signs With GRANVISTA Hotels & Resorts to Open Hilton Sapporo Park in 2023
Hilton | March 29, 2019
TOKYO - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced that the company entered into a franchise agreement with GRANVISTA Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd. to open Hilton Sapporo Park in 2023 as a part of reconstruction project for the current Sapporo Park Hotel. This is the second Hilton property in Hokkaido, following Hilton Niseko Village. The hotel will be managed by GRANVISTA Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd. Sapporo is the largest city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, where people can enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons throughout the year. The number of inbound travellers visiting Sapporo has been growing and hit a record high in ...
Two IntercityHotels in Germany Appoint New General Managers
IntercityHotel | March 29, 2019
Frankfurt am Main, 29. March 2019 Stefan Henseling, who is currently Deputy Director of the IntercityHotel Mainz, will take over the reins at the IntercityHotel Ulm on 1 April 2019. Stefan joined Steigenberger Hotels AG in 2006 and began his career with the group as a receptionist at the Steigenberger Hotel Frankfurt Langen. He took on a number of different roles at the same hotel before moving to IntercityHotel in 2011 to help establish a new hotel in Mainz, capital of the State of Rhineland Palatinate. Stefan Henseling succeeds the outgoing General Manager Katrin Schißler. There will also be a change at the helm at the Intercity...
Twin River Completes Dover Downs Acquisition and NYSE Listing
Twin River | March 29, 2019
LINCOLN, R.I., March 29, 2019 -- Twin River Worldwide Holdings (NYSE: TRWH) announced today that it completed its acquisition of Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment and listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Twin River Executive Chairman John E. Taylor, Jr. said, "Our management team has done a great job diversifying our revenue base and creating sustainable growth. The Dover Downs acquisition and New York Stock Exchange listing mark the beginning of a new chapter for us by adding to our geographic base, providing us currency for strategic steps and eventually leading to liquidity for stockholders." George Papanier, Twin R...
NOPSI Hotel Appoints Neal Swidler as Executive Chef
NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans | March 29, 2019
NEW ORLEANS – NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans, a luxury hotel and community gathering place located in the heart of the Central Business District, is pleased to announce the appointment of Neal Swidler as its new executive chef. In this role, Swidler will be responsible for overseeing the hotel's entire culinary operation, including all food and beverage outlets, in-room dining, catering and banquet offerings. A longtime New Orleans chef, Swidler draws from an impressive career spanning more than 20 years of executive-level experience at some of the most acclaimed kitchens in the area, including 10 years with Emeril Lagasse's New Orleans...
Hyatt Regency Deerfield Undergoes Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
Hyatt Regency | March 29, 2019
DEERFIELD, Ill. (MARCH 29, 2019) – Hyatt Regency Deerfield, a full-service luxury hotel in Chicago's northern suburbs, is currently undergoing a full-scale, multi-million dollar renovation. The renovation includes a complete revamp of guestrooms and suites, refreshed meeting spaces and updated common areas including the lobby, guestroom hallways and Jaxx Bistro and Jaxx Lounge, the hotel's signature restaurant and bar, respectively. Conveniently located just a short drive away from both Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Downtown Chicago, the hotel is an inviting, affordable choice for business trips, vacations and weeke...
Revisiting the Public Ownership of Convention Hotels
the authors | March 29, 2019
By Gregg Rockett and Jeff Sachs Part One: Despite evoking controversy at many levels, the wheels are still firmly on the rails as it relates to public ownership of hotels Introduction The legacy of public sector whole-ownership of convention hotels extends several decades but became more prevalent in connection with provisions of the 1997 U.S. tax code (Revenue Procedure 97-13). These revisions facilitated clarity on the safe harbor status of management agreements related to facility operations financed by tax-exempt bonds. The first convention hotel to open following the revised provisions was Chicago's Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, d...
Hotel and Restaurant Society Gala to Honor National Restaurant Association CEO
PSHRS | March 29, 2019
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society Hospitality Executive of the Year event will be held on April 3 at the Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus. The event will include the presentation of the Hospitality Executive of the Year Award, to be presented to Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Sponsors of the gala event, based on level of financial participation include: Nittany Lion Sponsor Marriott International PepsiCo Blue Sponsors First American Title Insurance Company Hilton PSAV The Nittany Lion Inn PSAV White Sponsors Ecolab Four Seasons ...
The Top 5 Things You Need to Know Now in Hotel Digital Marketing: March Edition
HEBS Digital | March 29, 2019
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, EVP Strategy This month, the latest digital innovations include Google algorithm updates, new e-commerce and influencer features on Instagram, and video rolling out to Google responsive display ads. From SEO to design, find out the top five things you need to know now in hotel digital marketing. 1. SEO: The Google March 2019 Core Algorithm Update and new measurements in Google Lighthouse. On March 12, Google announced what the SEO community is now calling The Google March 2019 Core Update, which Google is being very elusive in regards to the changes that can be expected in SERPs. The changes from this update...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, and Scheid Family Wines Form Partnership to Create New Signature Brand, “Mō zāik”
Scheid Family Wines | March 29, 2019
Collection of Four Monterey County Wines Debut in Benchmark's US Hotels, Resorts The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 28, 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, and Scheid Family Wines of Monterey, California, have forged a new partnership to create Mō zāik, a premier collection of fine wines, made exclusively for Benchmark. Beginning in May, the new vintages will be available at all Benchmark properties in the United States, including those in the company's Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection. Scheid Family Wines is one of California's largest producers of wine and a leader in t...
Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. Completes Sale of the Hilton Nuremberg for $17.5 Million
Park Hotels & Resorts | March 28, 2019
TYSONS, Va.--March 28, 2019 --Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. ("Park") (NYSE:PK) today announced that it has closed on the sale of the 152-room Hilton Nuremberg hotel (the "Hotel") located in Nuremberg, Germany for gross proceeds of $17.5 million, or $115,000 per key. When adjusted for Park's anticipated capital expenditures ("capex") of $10.1 million for the Hotel, the sale price represents a 3.5% capitalization rate on the Hotel's 2018 net operating income (5.6% excluding capex), or 21.2x (13.4x excluding capex) the Hotel's 2018 EBITDA. Proceeds from the sale will be used for general business purposes, which may include funding future ...
