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
Trump® International Hotel Waikiki Appoints Patsy Narimatsu as Director of Sales and Marketing
January 15, 2019
HONOLULU (January 15, 2018) - Trump® International Hotel Waikiki has named Patsy Narimatsu as its director of sales and marketing, bringing 37 years of experience in the hospitality industry. In her role, Narimatsu will be responsible for planning and implementing the sales and marketing for the 462-room ultra-luxury hotel, developing short-and long-term goals to increase domestic and international business opportunities from existing and new source markets, and overseeing a team of six sales professionals to drive revenues. "We are excited to welcome Patsy who is a veteran in the hospitality industry in Hawaii to our team of hardw...
Developer Brothers Unveil Plans to Develop Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Marking First Ground-Up Development in Decades
Circa Resort & Casino | January 15, 2019
LAS VEGAS – Developers and brothers Derek and Greg Stevens have officially unveiled plans for Circa Resort & Casino, a brand-new integrated gaming resort in Downtown Las Vegas slated to open in December 2020. A welcome addition to the iconic Fremont Street Experience, Circa will bring a new energy to Downtown as the first ground-up resort development in the area since 1980. The innovative property will celebrate the timeless spirit of the city while leading the charge for a bold new era with game-changing guest offerings. "There is a lot of unmet demand for fun in Las Vegas," said Derek Stevens. "At Circa, our goal is to creat...
Tryp Lima Miraflores Undergoes Rebranding to INNSIDE Lima Miraflores, a Meliá Brand
January 15, 2019
Lima, Peru (January 15, 2019) – Meliá Hotels International announces today that Tryp Lima Miraflores has rebranded to INNSIDE Lima Miraflores, joining the INNSIDE by Meliá portfolio. The property has undergone renovations to update its facilities and attributions to the recently renewed standards expected of the INNSIDE by Meliá brand. The INNSIDE Lima Miraflores is now open to Lima's visitors and locals alike, making it the second INNSIDE property in the Americas region, together with the INNSIDE New York NoMad. The INNSIDE by Meliá brand currently operates 21 properties in 6 countries. The rebranded p...
Hyatt Regency Austin Appoints Jeff Ouradnik as Director of Sales and Marketing
Hyatt Regency Austin | January 15, 2019
Austin, Texas (January 15, 2019) – Hyatt Regency Austin, located on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, has named Jeff Ouradnik as director of sales and marketing. Ouradnik joins the property from Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in the Seattle area. "We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to Hyatt Regency Austin," said Dan Johnson, general manager at Hyatt Regency Austin. "Jeff brings an extensive amount of experience, excitement and talent to his work and he has a true passion for creating the best possible workplace for his colleagues. He is going to be an invaluable asset to our team." Recognizing his 10-year anniversary wi...
Greystone Hotels San Francisco Portfolio Welcomes Two New General Managers
Greystone Hotels | January 15, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 15, 2019) – Greystone Hotels announces the appointment of Michaela Winn as General Manager of the King George Hotel and the promotion of Brian Barden to Area General Manager of both the Inn at Union Square and Hotel Griffon. With over 20 years of sales and management experience in the hospitality industry, Michaela Winn takes over the recently renovated, 153-room Union Square property. Most recently, Winn held the position of General Manager at the Berkeley City Club. "The King George is a remarkable property, and I am excited to join such a talented team", said Winn. "I look forward to continuing my car...
Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown Appoints New Executive Team Members for the 889-Room Hotel
InterContinental® Los Angeles Downtown | January 15, 2019
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (January 15, 2019) – InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown is pleased to announce new executive team members for the 889-room hotel. As the tallest building west of Chicago, the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown hotel elevates the Los Angeles skyline at 1,100 feet and 73 stories. Leading the team as General Manager is Niles Harris, who oversees all aspects of the day-to-day hotel operations, from sales and marketing, revenue management, and guest experiences, to programming and food and beverage. Harris carved out an outstanding hospitality career spanning more than 30 years, holding key leadership roles in two of...
Hilton Partners With Crown Advanced Construction for Development of 308-Key Hotel Near Downtown Yangon, Myanmar
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | January 14, 2019
YANGON, Myanmar - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a management agreement with Myanmar partners Crown Advanced Construction Co. Ltd to operate a 308-key hotel near downtown Yangon, Myanmar. Set to launch under its flagship Hilton Hotels and Resorts brand, Hilton Times City Yangon marks the company's continual expansion in Myanmar and will be its first hotel in the Myanmar city when it opens in 2022. The hotel is strategically located between Yangon International Airport and the central business district: a short 20-minute drive from the airport and 15-minute drive from downtown Yangon. Part of a mixed-use development, t...
Host Hotels & Resorts Closes $302 Million Sale of the Westin New York Grand Central Hotel
Host Hotels & Resorts | January 14, 2019
BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 14, 2019 -- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), the nation's largest lodging real estate investment trust (the "Company"), today announced that it closed on the previously announced agreement to sell the Westin New York Grand Central hotel for $302 million, including approximately $20 million of FF&E funds. "We have been pleased with our continued execution of further reducing our exposure to New York, a key initiative set early on in my tenure as CEO. With the completion of this sale, we have sold 3 assets and the retail, signage, and theater condo space at the New York Marriott Marquis f...
Dream Hotel Group Signs With Cosmopolitan Group for 2021 Brand Debut in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
Dream Hotel Group | January 14, 2019
NEW YORK, NY (January 14, 2019) – Renowned hotel and brand management company Dream Hotel Group today announced plans to debut the Dream Hotels brand in Valle de Guadalupe in 2021. The latest hotel signing with Baja California-based Cosmopolitan Group represents a major milestone for Dream Hotel Group as it marks the first Dream Hotel location and third hotel deal signed in Mexico within the last 12 months, further positioning the company as international hospitality innovators and leading the way for new growth in the region. Designed by renowned Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao and located on over 35 acres in the Baja California...
Barry Dorsey Takes the Helm as General Manager for the Kimpton Goodland
The Kimpton Goodland | January 14, 2019
Goleta, Calif.—January 10, 2019—Kimpton Goodland announced today the appointment of Barry Dorsey as General Manager. In his new role, Dorsey will be responsible for day-to-day hotel operations, guest relations and business development for the 158-room boutique hotel. A seasoned hospitality professional, Dorsey brings over twenty-five years of experience to the Goodland. Most recently, Dorsey served as General Manager at Hotel Milo, a 122-room beachfront property in Santa Barbara, where he consistently controlled costs, generated profit and created outstanding guest relations. Prior to Hotel Milo, Dorsey held high-level posi...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Understanding the Importance and Use of The Reserve for Capital Replacement
David Lund | January 14, 2019
By David Lund The concept for the use of the reserve account is important to understand. It is also essential that hotel operators ensure the reserve is properly funded per the terms of the Hotel Management Agreement "HMA." The use of the reserve is an important tool to utilize to protect the operator's rights and long-term viability. Many people mistakenly think the reserve account is the owner's responsibility and therefore it's up to the owner to determine and ultimately control the funding. But not so fast, the manager has a right and a duty to ensure the proper transactions are performed on a timely basis using the clauses that are...
Fixing Las Vegas’ Millennial Problem
Tucker Johnson | January 14, 2019
By Tucker Johnson Last month I was an invited instructor for the Casino Resort Management course within the University of Houston's Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. This was one of many experiential courses offered by the college and gave me the opportunity to visit Las Vegas for five days, getting a behind-the-scenes look at high-roller suites, gaming floors, and high-tech security systems. While each casino resort had a different feel, and our hosts gave different insights, one problem was mentioned consistently across the properties: Millennials were not gaming at high levels and, although the casinos were...
How Luxury Hotels Can Co-Design for Suite Success
Karen Loynaz | January 14, 2019
By Karen Loynaz, MPS in Global Hospitality Leadership, Georgetown University Gregg Rockett, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Masters in Global Hospitality, contributed to this article Imagine walking into a hotel room designed by your favorite fashion brand, everything from the curtains to the bed linens emulates the brand perfectly. How much would you pay to sleep with your favorite brand? Leaders of luxury including Coco Chanel, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Bottega Veneta are now partnering with luxury hotels around the world to co-design fashion-forward hotel suites. Much like the hefty price-tag of a fresh-off-the runway des...
Hotel Tech Report Ranks Beekeeper Among the ‘Top 10 Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech 2019’
Beekeeper | January 14, 2019
Dedicated to improving engagement between hoteliers and their non-desk workers via its award-winning operational communication platform, Beekeeper earns high marks for its employee satisfaction and vendor culture San Francisco, Jan. 14, 2019 — Coming on the heels of a widely-successful 2018, Beekeeper was named among the "Top 10 Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech 2019" by Hotel Tech Report. The award recognizes technology companies with an exemplary vision, mission and team and that helps fast track diligence for hotel tech buyers who want to learn about the best vendors to work with. According to the ratings and reviews group, "cr...
HSMAI Reveals the 2018 Gold Adrian Awards Winners for Excellence in Travel Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations
HSMAI | January 14, 2019
(McLean, VA, January 14, 2019) The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the Gold Winners of the 2018 Adrian Awards, which honor outstanding advertising, digital marketing, and public relations in hospitality. Platinum and Best of Show winners will be unveiled at the HSMAI Adrian Awards Dinner Reception and Gala on January 22 at the New York Marriott Marquis. After receiving close to 1,200 entries, HSMAI will present Gold Awards to one of the largest groups of winners in the Awards' history, including 104 awards in Public Relations, 25 in Integrated Marketing, 89 in Digital Marketing, a...
Owned and Managed by Murphco, Courtyard by Marriott Opens in Winter Haven, Florida
Courtyard by Marriott | January 14, 2019
Winter Haven, FL – January 21, 2019 – Courtyard by Marriott Winter Haven is now open in Winter Haven, Florida. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 6225 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, the 111-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Murphco of Florida, Inc. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Winter Haven offers guests convenient access to LEGOLAND Florida and Bok Towers Gardens. The five-story hotel f...
Pivot Hotels and Resorts to Introduce BEI San Francisco Following $30 Million Renovation
BEI San Francisco | January 10, 2019
BEI San Francisco, formerly the Holiday Inn San Francisco-Civic Center, will officially reflag from the former on January 11.The top-to-bottom $30 million renovation will reveal the newest independent lifestyle hotel in the quickly growing Mid-Market neighborhood this spring. An investment by CapBEI with a sister property in Beijing, BEI offers 396 guest rooms, and will soon offer two dining options and 10,000 square feet of co-working, meeting, and event space. BEI will include 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space in addition to several intimate coworking spaces inspired by the forward-thinking offices found throughout ...
O’Reilly Hospitality Management Opens Cambria Hotel Omaha Downtown in Nebraska
Cambria Hotels | January 10, 2019
Franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), the Cambria Hotels brand continues its expansion with the opening of a hotel in Omaha, Neb. The 128-room upscale Cambria Hotel Omaha Downtown is the first Cambria hotel to open in the state of Nebraska, joining the brand's growing presence in key Midwestern cities, such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Ohio, and Madison, Wis. The Cambria brand pipeline also includes hotels in Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. The Cambria Hotel Omaha Downtown is located at 740 N.14th Street, minutes from numerous businesses and attractions. Nearby Fortune 500 companies include Mutu...
You Can’t Get Anything for Twenty Bucks These Days
Georges Panayotis | January 10, 2019
By Georges Panayotis While we've been relatively spared the hardship of winter's cold weather, 2019 has nevertheless sprung up. So what should we wish for? What do you want? Let's get to work and act, find the strength and the means to join forces, move forward and progress together. Let us not look back because what is done is done, but let us try not to repeat the same mistakes and let us try to make the most of the assets we have. But who is looking after leisure tourists? "We shall not forget that the international symbols of Paris are the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysées - not La Défense and the ...
CBRE Issues U.S. Lodging and 2019-2020 Historic Hotels Forecast at Historic Hotels of America Annual Conference
CBRE Hotels | January 10, 2019
Historic Hotels achieve a substantial premium in ADR and RevPAR over comparable contemporary hotels. RevPAR forecast to grow faster for Historic Hotels than upper upscale Hotels. WASHINGTON, DC – January 10, 2019 The outlook for the U.S. lodging industry, particularly historic hotels, continues to be extremely strong, according to CBRE Hotels' Americas Research (CBRE). For the fourth consecutive year, CBRE Hotels' Americas Researchpresented a Historic Hotels of America – CBRE five-year forecast at the Historic Hotels of America annual conference. CBRE relies on historical hotel performance data from STR, and economic forecas...
2019: The Year of Connectivity
Chamberlin Public Relations | January 10, 2019
If there's one buzzword for the hospitality industry this year, it's "connectivity." Hoteliers are helping travelers feel more connected than ever to their destination, from food and beverage programming to design to the brand itself. Here are three ways hoteliers can give their guests a truly special and authentic experience in the coming year, and beyond. Fresh & Beautiful F&B Hotel restaurant and bars have long since evolved from the bland watering holes of yore. Today, they are gathering spots for the whole community, where guests can meet one another and locals alike, forging new friendships and memories. Programming in t...
Online Ripple Effects: How Digital Tech Changes Guests’ Offline/On-Property Expectations
Jos Schaap | January 10, 2019
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch Bill Gates was famously quoted saying "We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten." Over the last decade, we have witnessed a period of rapid technological evolution. Our world is, seemingly, in a constant state of digital advancement and change. Emerging tech has entered our households, changed the way we do business, and the way brands connect with consumers and ultimately altered the way in which we live. This is exciting, in many ways — but continuous digital innovation comes with its own set of ...
Runtriz Welcomes New SVP of Sales to Expand North American Market
January 10, 2019
Sheri Bender brings travel and hotel industry experience and success to accelerate growth of leading hospitality technology leader LOS ANGELES, CA (January 9, 2019) – Runtriz™, a leading developer of innovative mobile and digital technology solutions for hotels, resorts, and casinos, today announced the addition of Sheri Bender as Senior Vice President of Sales, North America. In this role, she will oversee business development activities and be a key member of the management team, building on the company's strategic plan. Sheri has over two decades of travel industry experience in business development, operations, accou...
2019 Miami Hospitality Design Awards Call for Entries
AIA Miami | January 10, 2019
The American Institute of Architects Miami Chapter, the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association and Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations announce the call for entries for the 2019 Miami Hospitality Design Awards. Project owners and licensed architects and designers from anywhere in the world with hospitality projects located in Miami-Dade County are invited to enter through Jan. 25, 2019. Hospitality projects include hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges and bars, and for the first time this year, food halls are welcome to submit. A licensed architect must be a part of the team to qualify for entry. "In just the last...
