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
Don’t Pluck the Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs!
Georges Panayotis | August 30, 2018
By Georges Panayotis France's tourism performances are mostly positive, and so much the better! After many lean months, tourism and hotel professionals are back to smiling. Driven by ever-increasing international demand, tourist arrivals are on the rise and remain strong. Let's ride the wave and acquire market shares. Because while France has a long tradition of hospitality with an attractive cultural and geographical heritage, many destinations have followed in the same path. European performances are also positive and France is not alone in boasting results that are more than encouraging. Our sector has become prosperous again...
McKibbon Hospitality Celebrates Opening of Its AC Hotel and Residence Inn Charlotte City Center
McKibbon Hospitality | August 30, 2018
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 30, 2018) – McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning leader in the hotel development and management industry, today announced that the AC Hotel and Residence Inn Charlotte City Center has officially opened its doors to the public. The 22-story, dual-branded hotel tower brings 300 rooms to Uptown Charlotte and features amenities including the AC Lounge, modern meeting space, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a collection of artwork by more than 20 local artists. McKibbon Hospitality partnered with Charlotte-based Vision Ventures on the development, and Cleveland Construction served as the general contract...
HFTP Announces 2018 CHAE of the Year Recipient: Elijah Spiritoso, CHAE
HFTP | August 30, 2018
Spiritoso will be honored at HFTP's upcoming 2018 Annual Convention in October Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) will honor Elijah Spiritoso, CHAE as the 2018 Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE®) of the Year at its upcoming Annual Convention this October. The CHAE of the Year award honors the individual that scored the highest on the CHAE certification exam within a given year. HFTP's Annual Convention will be held from October 24-26, 2018 at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky USA - online registration is open now. Spiritoso started in hospitality as a busboy for a local ...
RAR Hospitality Appoints and Promotes Leaders to Hotel Executive and Leadership Team
RAR Hospitality | August 30, 2018
San Diego– August 30, 2018— San Diego-based hotel management company RAR Hospitality is proud to announce the hotel executive promotion of Cameron Lamming to Chief Development Officer and President and addition of Cindy Wu-Park as the new Corporate Director of Finance, Hallie Leitter as Director of Sales at The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, and Kim Acosta as General Manager of Rio Del Sol Inn. "Our robust operating performance and strategic growth relies on our employees and to see members of the RAR team continue to push forward in their careers inspires our expansion as a company and team," said Robert Rauch,...
Geraldine Zaragoza Named Hotel Manager at Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Casa Velas | August 30, 2018
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (August 30, 2018) - Geraldine Zaragoza has been named hotel manager of Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In her new role, she is responsible for the adults-only hotel's 80 designer suites with luxury amenities, celebrated cuisine and special gourmet happenings. A member of SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World), Casa Velas is the only boutique hotel on the Mexican Pacific coast to hold Four Stars from Forbes Travel Guide. The appointment is effective immediately. A member of the Velas Resorts' team since 2010, Geraldine Zaragoza most recently served as Director of Groups and Conventions at Grand Velas Rivier...
How America’s Motels Became Hipster Havens
JLL Real Views | August 30, 2018
In the heart of Palm Springs, a once nondescript Howard Johnson motel with an on-site Denny's restaurant is now the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, replete with outdoor fireplaces, live music by the pool, a vintage photo booth and Middle East-meets-California fusion dining. The Drifter, once a rundown, dodgy edifice in New Orleans, now offers specialty coffees from La Colombe and poolside craft cocktails for guests staying in minimalist-style rooms. The Vagabond in Miami, a former dive motel built in 1953, today has rooms with hypo-allergenic Italian bedspreads and stenciled geometric wall art. Across the United States, hoteliers and develop...
Karisma Hotels & Resorts to Manage Irotama Resort in Colombia
Karisma Hotels & Resorts | August 30, 2018
MIAMI (August 30, 2018) - Karisma Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with the Irotama Resort on Rodadero Beach in Santa Marta, Colombia. Under Karisma's management, the beloved Irotama Resort will become the destination's most luxurious offering, featuring an upscale all-inclusive experience, renovated rooms and restaurants, and a superior level of service. "We are proud to continue growing Karisma Hotels & Resorts and to strengthen our presence in Colombia with this new project in...
Traveler Sentiment and Intentions Are Down but Spend per Trip Is up From 2017
MMGY Global | August 30, 2018
Orlando, Fla. (August 30, 2018) – Following two record years for the travel industry, Traveler Sentiment and Intentions are beginning to taper off. Traveler Sentiment displayed a 6 point decrease from this time last year while travel intentions also displayed a 6 point decrease, according to the latest travelhorizons™ survey of 2,303 U.S. adults conducted by marketing services firm MMGY Global. Traveler Sentiment and Intentions Tapering Off The overall Traveler Sentiment Index™ (TSI), which measures U.S. adults' interest in travel, time available for travel, personal finances available for travel, perceived affordabil...
Guestline, Duetto Announce Technology Partnership
Guestline | August 30, 2018
Cloud-based IT solutions providers complete real-time integration to bring benefits to hospitality users wanting to boost revenue, personalise offers and streamline operations. San Francisco, August 30, 2018 — Duetto, the hospitality industry's only Revenue Strategy Platform, has entered into a technology partnership with Guestline, provider of hotel IT solutions, with the launch of a two-way integration between Duetto and Guestline's Rezlynx property management system (PMS). Both Guestline and Duetto provide fully native cloud solutions. The seamless integration enables users of both solutions to optimise on pricing, better manag...
Century Group Aus to Debut St. Regis Hotels & Resort Brand in 2022 in Melbourne, Australia
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | August 30, 2018
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts today announced the signing of The St. Regis Melbourne, marking the first hotel in Australia for the renowned luxury brand. Owned by Century Group Aus, this new-build hotel is slated to open in 2022 and will be located in the heart of Melbourne amidst distinct architecture and a dynamic arts scene. "Melbourne's vibrant mix of world-class dining, art galleries and rich history makes it an ideal destination for the debut of the iconic St. Regis brand in Australia," said Lisa Holladay, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. "We are delighted to be working with Century Group Aus to open The St. R...
How Concierge Patrick Trevor Turns Dream NYC Trips into Reality for His Guests
ALICE | August 29, 2018
ALICE interviews concierge Patrick Trevor on his thoughts on technology in the hospitality industry, providing the best recommendations, and how he creates everlasting memories for guests staying at Mr. C Seaport. How did you get into the concierge profession? I started doing concierge work before I even knew what a concierge was. When I was 12, I began volunteering at the local high school and cultural center, providing different recommendations to visitors who came through. After school, I started in the service industry in restaurants, working my way up from dishwasher, to line cook, to kitchen manager. From there, I decided to make ...
NewcrestImage Opens New 94-Room Tru by Hilton in Amarillo, Texas
NewcrestImage | August 29, 2018
NewcrestImage has expanded its portfolio with the opening of a 94-room, 4-floor Tru by Hilton in western Amarillo. It is the first property of a three-hotel, 300-room "hotel campus" located on a five-acre site at the intersection of I-40 frontage Road and South Soucy Road -- an intersection that is among the city's busiest, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. "Our appeal is to travelers with a millennial mindset – tech-savvy, design-conscious, contemporary in spirit, and on a budget," explains Mehul Patel, Chairman and CEO of NewcrestImage. "It's a hotel that is a game-changer for the area's mid-scale category." F...
Shaner Hotels Opens 123-Room Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg in Pennsylvania
Shaner Hotels | August 29, 2018
Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 29, 2018—Officials of Shaner Hotels, an award winning, international hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced the opening of the 123-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg. Owned and operated by Shaner Hotels, the hotel is located on land leased from the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA), a joint-municipal authority that operates four regional airports. "With the opening of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg, arriving and departing Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) travelers now have convenient, brand new accommodations adjacent to the gates," said Timothy Edwards...
Samuel Kelly Named New General Manager for The Murieta Inn and Spa in Rancho Murieta, Calif.
The Murieta Inn and Spa | August 29, 2018
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 29, 2018 -- The Murieta Inn and Spa, managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced the appointment of Samuel Kelly as the new general manager of the 83-room luxury hotel located in Rancho Murieta, Calif. Kelly brings with him more than 30 years of management experience in the hospitality industry including a comprehensive background in hotel and food and beverage management. Prior to joining The Murieta Inn and Spa, Kelly served as general manager of the Marriott St. Louis West and has held various general manager positions throughout the last three decades at multiple properties. His extensive re...
Renovating Your Commercial Property? Don’t Forget the Parking Lot!
Cicero's Development Corporation | August 29, 2018
PLAINFIELD, IL, AUGUST 29, 2018 -- Whether you run a retail mall, office building or a hotel franchise, parking lots greet your guests before you do. They are the first chance for your guests to experience your brand of hospitality, and they are your last chance to leave a lasting impression as they head home. So if you are planning a renovation of your property don't forget to include your parking lot. Parking lots receive their fair share of traffic. It is inevitable that these lots will endure wear and tear as time progresses. Here are four very common problems that occur: Potholes: Potholes are a common type of damage. They are ...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Tyler Wilson Director of Finance for Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, West Virginia
Stonewall Resort | August 29, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, August 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Tyler Wilson director of finance for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. André D'Amour, general manager, made the announcement. "It is with great pleasure that I welcome Tyler to our resort," stated Mr. D'Amour. "He comes to us with extensive experience in financial management and an important understanding of the West Virginia market. We look forward to his leadership as part of our executive team." Tyler Wilson brings several years of progressive experience in fi...
21c Museum Hotels Appoints Sarah Robbins as Chief Operating Officer
21c Museum Hotels | August 29, 2018
Louisville, KY (August 29, 2018) 21c Museum Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Robbins to the position of Chief Operating Officer. A founding partner of 21c Museum Hotels, Robbins has been with 21c Museum Hotels since 2005 having previously served as Chief Hospitality Officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing all hotel operations, in addition to food and beverage operations and human resources. "Sarah has been a key member of our team since before we opened 21c and Proof on Main in 2006," said 21c Museum Hotels President and CEO, Craig Greenberg. "For over a decade, Sarah has provided strong le...
Kokua Hospitality Appoints Candice Cancino as General Manager for Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Mission Inn | August 29, 2018
(SAN FRANCISCO; August 29, 2018) – Kokua Hospitality, LLC, an independent hotel management company based in San Francisco, announces the appointment of Candice Cancino as general manager (GM) at Carmel Mission Inn (3665 Rio Road, Carmel, CA). Since joining y's West Coast portfolio in early 2017, the members of this team at the coastal boutique property have dedicated themselves to the vision of the hotel and continue to add expert team members aligned with that vision. Located just off the West Coast's iconic Highway 1, in the heart of Carmel, California, the hotel features 165 guestrooms, over 4,500 square feet of meeting space, ...
First Opened in 1847, Alabama’s Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa Completes Three-Year Transformation and Joins Autograph Collection Hotels
Autograph Collection Hotels | August 29, 2018
Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., together with the Resort Collection on Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail today announced the rebranding of the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, an iconic Southern resort in Point Clear, Alabama. The Grand Hotel joins the brand's diverse portfolio of more than 150 one-of-a-kind hotels that champion visionary owners, thoughtful design and craft. First opened in 1847, the Grand Hotel has been known as the Queen of Southern Resorts for generations. The charming, 405-room resort is known for exceptional service, Southern charm, majestic oaks and beautiful sunsets over...
HR Group and Hyatt Enter Agreement for New Build Hyatt House Frankfurt/City Goetheplatz in Frankfurt, Germany
Hyatt House | August 29, 2018
CHICAGO (August 29, 2018) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with HR Group for a Hyatt House hotel in Frankfurt, Germany. The hotel will be integrated into FOUR Frankfurt, a large mixed use development in the center of the city by Groß & Partner, that will be comprised of four towers and will include residential and office facilities, as well as retail spaces and hotels. Expected to open in 2023, Hyatt House Frankfurt/City Goetheplatz will mark the second Hyatt House hotel in Frankfurt, joining Hyatt House Frankfurt/Eschborn. The Hyatt House ...
Chatham Lodging Acquires New Residence Inn Charleston Summerville, S.C. for $20.8 Million (or $217K per Room)
Chatham Lodging Trust | August 29, 2018
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., August 29, 2018—Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels, today announced that it has acquired the 96-room Residence Inn by Marriott Charleston Summerville, S.C., for $20.8 million, or approximately $217,000 per room. "This is a beautiful, brand new, superior-quality hotel located in Nexton, a rapidly expanding area just outside of Charleston which sits in the direct path of metro Charleston's most energetic growth," said Jeffrey H. Fisher, Chatham's chief executive officer ...
Mario Thompson Appointed as Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Three San Diego Area Hilton Hotels
Hilton San Diego Bayfront | August 29, 2018
SAN DIEGO - Hilton San Diego Sales Complex has appointed Mario Thompson to the position of area director of sales and marketing for Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines and DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego - Mission Valley. Thompson most recently served as the director of sales and marketing at the 757-room Hilton Baltimore. Mario joined Hilton in 2009 as a senior sales manager for the corporate and pharmaceutical markets at the 1249-room Hilton Atlanta. During his tenure at the downtown hotel, Thompson was promoted to assistant director of sales in 2011, and then to the director of sales position in 2012. In 2013, Mari...
Hotel Construction Pipeline in Europe Shows Double-Digit Growth
Lodging Econometrics | August 29, 2018
Lodging Econometrics' (LE) analysts report another year of accelerating growth for Europe's hotel construction pipeline which is at the highest level since LE began recording in 2007. The total pipeline stands at 1,388 projects/219,251 rooms for the second quarter of 2018. It is an impressive 18% increase year-over-year (YOY). There are 693 projects/112,580 rooms currently under construction, 403 projects/62,538 rooms planning to start construction in the next 12 months, and 292 projects/44,133 rooms in the early planning stage. Projects currently under construction and those in early planning are also at their highest since 200...
What’s Wrong With Your Hotel Website? Ask Your Call Center Team
Doug Kennedy | August 29, 2018
By Doug Kennedy, KTN and Dave Spector, Tambourine Hotel and resort marketers have a powerful secret weapon, which in many cases is grossly underutilized: their call center reservations team. Even for hoteliers with a robust direct website, call centers remain a vital link in the booking and communications chain, and are a near boundless source of guest information and insight. Hotel and resort websites are great for showcasing amenities, telling a story and providing fundamental property info to a wide array of visitors, but it's crucial for hotel marketers to tap their call center teams for acute feedback about what inbound callers tru...
