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
Woodbine Legacy Investments Completes $20 Million Renovation of W Atlanta-Buckhead Led by General Manager Robert Woolridge
Woodbine Legacy Investments | January 29, 2019
ATLANTA (Jan. 29, 2019) — Woodbine Legacy Investments (WLI) has completed a $20 million renovation on W Atlanta-Buckhead, a 12-story, 291-room full-service luxury hotel in Atlanta's affluent Buckhead neighborhood. Launched in May 2018, the renovation was completed just before the city will host the 2019 Super Bowl LIII. "This renovation was definitely more than a makeover—it reinstates the hip, edgy and inspiring experience guests expect from the W brand, especially with Buckhead as the backdrop," said Dupree Scovell, managing partner and chief investment officer for Woodbine. "The overhaul restored this destination's sh...
Baby Boomers vs. Millennials: How to Maximize Your Property’s Appeal
Harry Cahn | January 29, 2019
By Harry Cahn Baby Boomers versus Millennials. It's not a competition, but there is a battle for mindshare. As the wave of the internet and social media usage continues to build, a digital time stamp has been placed on our culture, effectively dividing us into "befores" and "afters." Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are older and tend to be more methodical. Millennials (those born between 1980 and 1996) are younger, and generally more technology-focused and quicker to act. A better understanding of the motivations that drive each group can help you optimize your property's appeal to each segment. Millennials are n...
Dream Hotel Group Plans Unscripted Catskills Featuring 100 Guest Rooms in Bethel, New York
Unscripted Hotels | January 29, 2019
NEW YORK, NY (January 29, 2019) – Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announced today plans to open the second U.S. location of its new lifestyle brand Unscripted Hotels in New York's picturesque Catskill Mountains in early 2020. Centrally located within the new Shops at White Lake complex in Bethel, New York, Unscripted Catskills marks the company's first ground-up build using modular construction, incorporating both hotel and retail, and will serve as a prototype for the Unscripted brand moving forward. Set to open in late 2019, The Shops at White Lake development include an additional 75,000 square fee...
Roxbury Group and Means Group Open Element Hotel in Restored Neo-Gothic Metropolitan Building Located in Detroit’s Entertainment District
January 29, 2019
Element Hotels, part of Marriott International, along with Detroit-based Roxbury Group and Means Group, announce today the opening of Element Detroit at the Metropolitan, marking the debut of the stylish and eco-focused hotel brand in Michigan. The hotel, which has been incorporated into a renovated 92-year-old neo-Gothic building in the heart of Detroit's entertainment district, aims to fuel a balanced life for travelers on the road. Designed for today's healthy, active traveler, Element Hotels has redefined the longer stay experience with a nature-inspired design philosophy that is clean, modern and bright. "We are thrilled to be brin...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs New-Build 180-Room Radisson RED Located in Miami’s Brickell Neighborhood
Radisson Hotel Group | January 29, 2019
Minneapolis - January 29, 2019 -- Radisson Hotel Group announced the signing of its second Radisson RED in Miami, Fla. The new-build hotel, located at 900 SW 2nd Avenue, will feature 180 guest rooms, along with the brand's signature amenities. Guests can unwind at the rooftop restaurant and bar, OUIBar + KTCHN, boasting panoramic views and a relaxing atmosphere. The lifestyle hotel brand inspired by art, fashion and music provides a bold take on hospitality for the connected traveler. Each Radisson RED hotel embraces its city by incorporating unique local elements to the stay experience. Located in the vibrant Brickell neighborhood, the ho...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Presents the “Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2019”
January 29, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, January 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, announces the "Top Meeting Trends for 2019" as observed by its diverse portfolio of properties. Benchmark is the leading U.S.-based global independent hospitality management company, operating 80 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centers within its Benchmark Resorts & Hotels,Gemstone Collection and etc.venues brands in locations coast to coast, off shore, and internationally. Benchmark's top meeting trends were announced by Ted Davis, Benchmark's chief sales and marketing officer. "We learn a lot from our guests,...
PNK Group Investments Begins Construction on Cambria Hotel Los Angeles - Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles
January 29, 2019
Upscale Hotel Brand Expands in Historic Core District with Adaptive Reuse Project ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 28, 2019 - Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is excited to announce that PNK Group Investments has begun construction on the Cambria Hotel Los Angeles – Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles. Slated to open in 2020, the 13-story, 180-room hotel is the adaptive reuse of a Historic Core District building built in 1927 that was once the office for the Los Angeles Police Department Vice Squad. Located at 419 S. Spring Street, the hotel will be situated along Gallery Row, one of the city's top arts attractions, and wit...
Owned by Leadon Investments, Delta Hotels Saskatoon Downtown Undergoes Transformation and Rebranding
Delta Hotels and Resorts | January 29, 2019
Saskatoon, SK – January 29, 2019 – Marriott International, Inc. today announced the rebranding and opening of the Delta Hotels Saskatoon Downtown. The reimagined property will deliver an upscale choice to the seasoned traveler. The 291-room hotel located at 405 20th Street East, is owned by Leadon Investments and managed by Marriott International, Inc. The 18-story Delta Hotels Saskatoon Downtown offers an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa, a full-service fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a large heated underground parking garage. The full-service hotel also provides 13 meeting rooms with a combined 20,881 square...
Heritage Hotels & Resorts Partners with ProfitSword to Streamline Data Management and Budgeting/Forecasting Operations
ProfitSword, LLC | January 29, 2019
New Mexico-based hotel management company adopts ProfitSage solution to automate performance data gathering, while optimizing budget and forecasting processes. Albuquerque, M.N. – January 29, 2019 –ProfitSword, hospitality's premier developer of business intelligence and data integration software, has announced the implementation of its ProfitSage operational and financial reporting solution by Heritage Hotels & Resorts, a hotel management company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Renowned for its mission to promote Southwestern, Native American and Spanish culture by partnering with non-profit organizations and individu...
HIS Introduces BeyondTV GuestCast™ Solution to Address Evolving Hotel Guest Content Streaming Preferences
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | January 29, 2019
Newly launched solution provides guests with straightforward and fully secure access to the device-to-television casting of more than 1,000 mobile apps. Clearwater, Fla.— January 29, 2019 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the launch of BeyondTV GuestCast™, an advanced casting solution that, while affordable for hoteliers to implement, provides guests with the ability to securely cast a wide range of personalized content from their own devices onto guestroom televisions. Compatible with more than 1,000 mobile-based apps...
Meliá Hotels International Selects Volara to Bring Voice-Powered Alexa Technology to Circle by Meliá
Volara | January 29, 2019
The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is the first property in the Circle by Meliá vacation experience community to enable voiced-based conversations with guests powered by Volara New York — January 29, 2019 — Volara – the voice hub for the hotel industry – has been selected by Circle by Meli , a Meliá Hotels International brand, to provide voice technology to properties within its international shared vacation membership club. The new Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, which opened its doors December 15, is the first hotel ...
Beekeeper Wins ALIS Tech Challenge; Deemed Hottest Technology for 2019
Beekeeper | January 29, 2019
Operational communication platform chosen No. 1 for its ability to help owners improve their bottom lines; Visit Beekeeper in the ALIS Tech Lounge thru Jan. 30 Los Angeles, Jan. 29, 2019 — Beekeeper continues to dominate in the hospitality technology space, this time being named "Hottest Technology 2019" during the America's Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) inaugural "ALIS Tech Challenge: What's Hot in Technology?" competition held here yesterday. Beekeeper was one of five hotel technology companies vying for this top honor (participants included 4DPresence/4Dp Live, Intelity, myDigitalOffice, Spaceez, and Travelsify). Judges were...
Choice Hotels Appoints Douglas Lisi as Vice President of Revenue Management
Choice Hotels International, | January 29, 2019
ROCKVILLE, Md. (Jan. 29, 2019) – Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel franchisors, announced Douglas Lisi has joined the company as vice president of revenue management. In this role, Lisi will lead the company's revenue management organization and functions, including trend analysis, forecasting, and price optimization, to help Choice franchisees maximize gross room revenue (GRR), manage their inventory, and increase profitability. In addition to managing Choice's proprietary revenue management tools, including SmartRates, he will also focus on growing the company's corporate and group b...
Hard Rock Daytona Beach Debuts to Nearly a Million in Milestone Opening With Flip.to Marketing Platform
Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach | January 29, 2019
Florida's newest central coast hotel launched into a new market with the help of Flip.to— marketing growth platform built for travel January 29, 2019 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach has switched on an entirely new approach to travel marketing with Flip.to, the advocacy marketing platform for hotels and travel brands. Flip.to lets guests share their Hard Rock experience worldwide, debuting the property to a massive audience by opening up an entirely new marketing channel. The platform closes the loop on these conversations sparked, delivering authentic, personal conversations to inspire & win over new...
Caesars Entertainment Plans Caesars Republic Scottsdale - First Non-Gaming Hotel in the United States
January 28, 2019
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 28, 2019 -- Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), the world's most diversified casino-entertainment company today announced plans to open Caesars Republic Scottsdale, its first non-gaming hotel in the United States, as part of its plan to expand its brands and loyalty network through its licensing strategy. Caesars Republic Scottsdale will be located adjacent to the region's premier luxury retail destination, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and will be a four-star hotel developed by HCW Development and operated by Aimbridge Hospitality. Caesars Entertainment will license its brand, advise on design elements...
White Lodging Celebrates Topping Off of New Hampton by Hilton in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hampton by Hilton | January 28, 2019
FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 28, 2019 -- White Lodging announced today the "topping off" of its new hotel in Fort Wayne, signifying that the structural framework is now complete. The new 136-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Fort Wayne Downtown, immediately adjacent to Parkview Field and the Grand Wayne Convention Center, is on schedule to open in July 2019. "The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton is going to be a tremendous addition to our downtown. We're impressed with the positive progress we're seeing with the construction of the new hotel," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "White Lodging is an outst...
Knighthead Funding, LLC Originates $36 Million Loan to Refinance Newly Constructed Luxury Hotel at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta
Knighthead Funding | January 28, 2019
Greenwich, CT (January 28, 2019) – Knighthead Funding, LLC has provided a U.S. subsidiary of Switzerland-based private real estate investment firm ACRON with $36 million in short-term first mortgage debt to refinance a newly constructed luxury destination hotel at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The financing is secured by the Kimpton Overland Hotel, formerly Solis Two Porsche Drive, a full-service, 214-key hotel with 9,500 square feet of meeting space, a high-end restaurant, rooftop and lobby lounges, indoor pool, and fitness center. Proceeds from the three-year, fixed rate loan will be used to take out the ...
AWH Partners Acquires 100-Acre Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont
AWH Partners, LLC | January 28, 2019
NEW YORK (Jan. 28, 2019) – AWH Partners, LLC, a privately held real estate investment, development and management firm, announces the acquisition of the celebrated Topnotch Resort and Spa establishing the ownership group's presence in the emerging 'East Coast Capital of Skiing.' Spire Hospitality, AWH's full-service hospitality management company, is now managing the resort and will immediately implement its repositioning strategy, leveraging Spire's experience at AWH's similarly-situated High Peaks Resort (Lake Placid, NY) to drive stronger operating revenues and profit margins. "With Vail Resorts now running the Stowe Mountain s...
Le Barthélemy Looks to Rebuild Their Operations With Knowcross
KNOWCROSS | January 28, 2019
Washington D.C., January 28 2019 - KNOWCROSS, the preferred service quality management platform of the finest hotels across the globe, has been chosen by Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa to help them enhance their service quality and enrich their service deliverance. The winner of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award for the best resort in the Caribbean has decided to utilize the power of the Knowcross platform as they rebuild in the aftermath of hurricane Irma. The property has decided to implement KNOW Service – a service request work-flow management software, KNOW Glitch – instant service recovery soft...
Pacifica Hotels Acquires Residence Inn by Marriott Anaheim Hills Yorba Linda
Pacifica Hotels | January 28, 2019
Orange County, CA (January 28, 2019) Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of independent hotels on the Pacific Coast is expanding further into the global brand select service category with the acquisition of the Residence Inn by Marriott Anaheim Hills Yorba Linda, a joint venture with Santa Barbara Capital. This latest acquisition joins Pacifica's other branded assets including Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay, Hilton Garden Inn at Port St. Lucie and Springhill Suites by Marriott Paso Robles Atascadero. The property is situated along the southern edge of California Hig...
GreenTree to Acquire Majority Stake in Argyle Hotel Management Group (Australia) Pty Ltd.
GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. | January 28, 2019
SHANGHAI, Jan. 28, 2019 -- GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. (NYSE: GHG) ("GreenTree" or the "Company"), a leading franchised and managed hotel chain in China, today announced that it has entered into a share purchase agreement to become a major shareholder of Argyle Hotel Management Group (Australia) Pty Ltd. ("Argyle"), an owner and operator of hotels in China and South East Asia. Mr. Kevin Zhang, its founder and CEO and his management team will remain one of the largest shareholders of Argyle, and become an integral part of GreenTree's management team. This transaction is subject to customary closing ...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Earned and Unearned Revenues – Understanding the Difference
David Lund | January 28, 2019
By David Lund Just like baseball has an unearned run as a scoring feature, in business we have unearned revenues. In this piece I will discuss the difference between earned and unearned revenue and how it applies to the hospitality business. First off though we need to review the American classic game of Baseball and how an unearned run works. This will be especially important for those of us who are not the sport's most avid fans. In baseball you score an unearned run when an official, the umpire, decides the player crossed home plate due to an error (mistake) by the defending team. A good example is: an outfielder drops the ball and t...
Beekeeper Reveals Game-Changing Capability at ALIS
Beekeeper | January 28, 2019
New 'Locations' features empower multi-property management companies and brand enterprises to impact employee engagement locally and scale globally; Visit Beekeeper in the ALIS Tech Lounge Jan. 28 to 30 in Los Angeles San Francisco, Jan. 28, 2019 — Just how engaged are a hotel's employees? A robust set of new features from Beekeeper will be unveiled today at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) that will make it fast and easy for multi-property management companies and global brand enterprises to better gauge and impact engagement. Called "Locations", this new feature set means that Beekeeper is the only product...
Who Will Benefit From the Digitization of the Hotel Industry?
Georges Panayotis | January 28, 2019
By Georges Panayotis We have fully entered a new era. What was once a craft industry has now become an industry that is highly specialized in many fields. These changes are exciting and gratifying. Why? Because they make the players in this business future experts in digital technology and marketing, and they push us to go ever further in product design, customer relations and the range of services we can offer them. The notions of the "money back guarantee", "exchangeable product" and sales were invented at Le Bon Marché department store. Nearly 200 years later, Black Friday has become a global institution, a...
