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Centara Hotels & Resorts Plans Q3 2021 Launch of Centara Mirage in Vietnam
Centara Hotels & Resorts | June 15, 2021
Bangkok, Thailand – June 15, 2021 – Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading international hotel operator, has revealed plans to launch its family-centric brand, Centara Mirage, in Vietnam with the opening of a fully-integrated adventure-themed leisure resort just a few hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Scheduled to start welcoming guests in the third quarter of 2021, Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne will mark the return of Centara Hotels & Resorts to Vietnam, one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations. It will also become only the second Centara Mirage resort worldwide, following the popular Lost World-themed Centara...
The Westin Nashville Names Mark Vuckovich as Executive Chef
The Westin Nashville | June 15, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – June 15, 2021 – The Westin Nashville is proud to announce that Mark Vuckovich has been named Executive Chef of the 456-room hotel overseeing the property’s multiple food & beverage concepts including the popular L27 Rooftop Lounge, the highest bar and restaurant in Nashville. Vuckovich is not new to The Westin Nashville team, having been the Executive Sous Chef since the property opened in 2016 and working alongside Area Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Jake Strang. Previous to this role, Vuckovich worked at four- and five-star hotels and resorts around the world, including The Ritz-Carlton Naples and Monta...
Patti Hunt Appointed General Manager of The Westin Tempe Ahead of August Opening
The Westin Tempe | June 15, 2021
Tempe, Ariz. – June 15, 2021 – The Westin Tempe, the largest new hotel to debut in Tempe, Ariz. in nearly four decades, has appointed Patti Hunt as the general manager ahead of their late summer opening. As the general manager of The Westin Tempe, Patti Hunt is a veteran of the hospitality industry with over three decades of experience successfully launching and managing luxury hotels within the portfolios of some of the world’s leading hotel brands. Hunt comes to The Westin Tempe after illustrious tenures with the likes of Marriott Hotels International, Hilton Hotels, Starwood Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, Carlson Hospitality, and ...
Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels & Resorts Develop New Boutique Resort Collection, St. Somewhere
Karisma Hotels & Resorts | June 15, 2021
MIAMI - June 15, 2021 - Karisma Hotels & Resorts, the award-winning portfolio of luxury resort properties across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, and Margaritaville, the global lifestyle brand synonymous with fun and escapism, have announced plans to launch their newest boutique hotel collection: St. Somewhere. This latest addition marks the second elevated concept developed by Karisma Hotels & Resorts and Margaritaville, complementing the Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort brand, which debuted in Riviera Cancun in 2020. The first St. Somewhere resort is slated to launch in fall 2021, with additional properties to be ann...
The Westin Tempe Nears Completion, Sets Sights on Late Summer 2021 Opening
The Westin Tempe | June 15, 2021
Tempe, Ariz. – June 15, 2021 – The seasoned hospitality team behind the highly anticipated hotel The Westin Tempe announced today that the property is nearing completion and is expected to make its debut this August, marking the city’s largest new hotel opening in nearly four decades. Centrally located within Tempe, Ariz.’s downtown district, the full-service hotel will offer 290 spacious guest rooms and suites as well as a sophisticated ambience that is infused into every aspect of the hotel’s design, services and amenities. Envisioned as the quintessential destination for the modern, wellness-focused traveler, the hotel will...
SMERF Booking Opportunities Are Back
Lodging Interactive | June 15, 2021
As the hospitality industry continues to rebound and business travel begins to recover, smart hoteliers should now be thinking about how to maximize SMERF booking opportunities for the fall and winter seasons. Thinking outside the box and leveraging new and innovative technologies can make all the difference between a successful SMERF marketing campaign and empty event spaces. First introduced as a micro-wedding RFP lead generation service in 2020, RFPAssist leverages the ubiquity of Facebook’s Messenger service and enables properties to deliver sales materials to prospects while capturing SMERF business leads 24/7 and 365 days a year....
Tharaldson Hospitality Management Appoints Justin Nicholls as General Manager for Dual-Branded Hilton in Broomfield, CO
THM | June 15, 2021
Broomfield, CO — June 15, 2021 — Tharaldson Hospitality Management is excited to welcome Justin Nicholls as the new General Manager at the Homewood Suites/Hilton Garden Inn Broomfield/Boulder, a brand new dual property owned and operated by THM, set to open this summer. Justin Nicholls started in his new position on May 23rd, 2021. The responsibilities of the role include managing hotel staff, guest room cleanliness, company policy compliance, and much more. Nicholls comes to THM with a hospitality background of about 20 years. After obtaining his Communications degree from San Diego State University and a Hospitality Management deg...
Atlantis Paradise Island Appoints Tamir Shanel as Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage Operations
Atlantis Paradise Island | June 15, 2021
PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS – June 15, 2021 – Tamir Shanel has been named Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage Operations of Atlantis Paradise Island. Shanel’s hospitality career spans the globe with notable positions as Executive Vice President, Food & Beverage for The Stronach Group Racing and Gaming; Vice President of Food & Beverage at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore where he oversaw a team of 1,800 employees and earned recognition for his outstanding leadership; and Executive Director of Food & Beverage for The Venetian and Palazzo Resorts in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his new role as Senior Vice President, Food & Bev...
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo Partners With INTELITY to Deliver Mobile-First Guest Experience
INTELITY | June 15, 2021
The Forbes Travel Guide star-award property will provide guests with personalized, contactless service through an INTELITY-powered mobile app Los Angeles, CA - June 15, 2021 - INTELITY®, the developer of hospitality’s most comprehensive guest experience and staff management platform, announced today a new deal with Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo in Monaco. The renowned Mediterranean property will deliver contactless service for guests through a branded mobile app with robust capabilities including mobile check-in, that adds another layer of convenience and safety for guests and team members. Built on land once owned by Pope Leon XI...
ProfitSword Reaffirms Commitment to Business Intelligence Innovation With Appointment of Jason Wallace as Vice President of Engineering
ProfitSword, LLC | June 15, 2021
Business intelligence provider for hotels taps IT and software development veteran to maintain industry-leading presence in addressing the latest business performance analysis needs. ORLANDO, Fla. – June 15, 2021 – ProfitSword, a premier developer of business intelligence and data integration software, has announced the appointment of Jason Wallace as Vice President of Engineering. Following ProfitSword’s continuing rapid market expansion due to the industry’s increasing need for solutions that can instantly determine real-time business performance, Wallace will play a central role in ensuring that ProfitSword customers con...
Jeff Bzdawka Joins Knowland as CEO Positioning Company as Critical Partner for Hotel Recovery
Knowland | June 15, 2021
Former Hyatt SVP of global hotel technology brings proven technology experience from a leading brand as in-person meetings and events ramp up ARLINGTON, Va. — June 15, 2021 — Today, Knowland, the leader in AI-powered meetings and events data for the hospitality industry, announced it has appointed Jeff Bzdawka, former SVP of global hotel technology for Hyatt Hotels, as its chief executive officer. Lance Fenton, partner at Serent Capital, said: “Jeff is an exceptional technology leader, and we’re excited to bring his knowledge and leadership to Knowland. His track record of building customer-focused solutions, scaling teams, a...
Hotel Lawyer: 5 Tips for Your Next Hotel Management Agreement (HMA)
Bob Braun | June 14, 2021
By Jim Butler, Bob Braun Is it time to re-think your management agreement? As the hospitality industry moves toward recovery, many hotel owners are re-evaluating the management of their properties. A good manager can bring great value to a property; a poor manager can reduce its value. Some studies have concluded that a good management agreement – one that provides for meaningful accountability, transparency and performance – can add or subtract 50% to the value of a hotel. The next normal will likely require rethinking how to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, rather than simply riding post-recession...
HVS Market Pulse – South Dallas, Texas
Niraj Bhavsar | June 14, 2021
By Niraj Bhavsar, Kathleen Donahue The industrial sector is a key player within southern Dallas County and northern Ellis County, which are part of the Best Southwest Partnership. A vast network of roads in the greater Metroplex provide direct access to other parts of the region and country. South Dallas is home to the International Inland Port of Dallas (IIPOD), an intermodal and logistics district that encompasses 7,500 acres and five municipalities. This area hosts over 17,000 workers, and major manufacturing tenants include American Textile Company, Pioneer Frozen Foods, Niagara Bottling, and Serta Dormae. Corporations with logi...
Harrah’s Las Vegas Unveils a $200 Million Renovation, Including Enhanced Accommodations, Casino Floor and More
Harrah's Las Vegas | June 14, 2021
LAS VEGAS - June 14, 2021 - Following a completed investment of more than $200 million, Harrah's Las Vegas now features 2,542 redesigned guest rooms, a complete casino floor remodel and two new LED marquees at the north and south entrances. Guests can also enjoy a variety of hotel, dining and entertainment offerings including The Spa at Harrah's Las Vegas, PizzaCake by Buddy Valastro and Donny Osmond's first-ever solo residency. Additionally, the center-Strip resort provides convenient, direct access to CAESARS FORUM Conference Center. To commemorate the resort's recent enhancements, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ha...
MCR Acquires Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Mall of St. Matthews
MCR | June 14, 2021
NEW YORK - June 14, 2021 - MCR takes the lead! The country’s 4th-largest hotel owner-operator has acquired the 150-room Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Mall of St. Matthews in the heart of Kentucky. The hotel is 10 minutes from Louisville International Airport and 15 minutes to downtown Louisville. But the real attraction is just a short drive away at the legendary Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, the first race in the coveted thoroughbred Triple Crown. While the world waits with unbridled enthusiasm to find out whether this year’s winning colt, Medina Spirit, will keep his title, there’s plenty of action in town for ho...
Midas Hospitality Promotes Two Key Executives
Midas Hospitality | June 14, 2021
St. Louis, Mo. - June 14, 2021 - After recently celebrating its 15th anniversary, hospitality industry specialist Midas Hospitality has restructured its operational direction to embrace an inclusive team-based management approach. Two prominent company executives were promoted to lead this forward-looking evolution. Hotel management firm Midas Hospitality named Linda Emmenegger as President and Linda Eigelberger as Senior Vice President of Operations & Marketing. [caption id="attachment_269062" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Linda Emmenegger[/caption] Emmenegger will create a synergistic plan that embodies all ...
Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba Opens in Saudi Arabia
Radisson Hotel Group | June 14, 2021
Brussels/Riyadh - June 14, 2021 - Located within the new upscale Al Jadah mixed-use development, Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba, is the newest addition within the group’s portfolio. The hotel boasts a mix of suites and private villas as well as various dining options and flexible meeting room space, which will cover over 600 square meters. The opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development in Saudi Arabia, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s leading expansion across the Kingdom. Located in the north of Riyadh, withi...
IHG Signs With Samplast Resorts to Develop Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jalandhar GT Road
IHG Hotels & Resorts | June 14, 2021
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Samplast Resorts to develop Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jalandhar GT Road. The new-build hotel featuring 110 keys is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2024. With an existing portfolio of hotels from the Holiday Inn brand family across key cities in Punjab, the new development will further strengthen the brand’s presence in the country and the state, in line with market demand. Strategically located on the Grand Trunk Road, also known as NH1 which connects the country’s capital city of Delhi to Amritsar, t...
Five Senses Hospitality Acquires Former Baymont Inn & Suites in Frisco, Colorado
June 14, 2021
DENVER — June 14, 2021 — Denver-based hotel company Five Senses Hospitality has announced the acquisition of the former Baymont Inn & Suites in Frisco, Colorado. The deal is part of a joint venture with Bedford Lodging, a Dallas-based hotel development company founded by Jeff Blackman, with which Five Senses has an exclusive partnership to manage the day-to-day operations of its assets. The hotel will operate independently as the Summit Suites while undergoing an extensive renovation before joining the major hotel brand which will enhance their guest experience. “This is a very exciting opportunity to add a property at an attract...
Encourage Productivity
Renie | June 14, 2021
By Renie Cavallari I recently witnessed a conversation that was unraveling. It was interesting to watch how the person who was holding another person accountable became the bad guy. No one won. It is true that how we say and do things is more impactful than what we actually accomplish in most people’s eyes. Aggressive leadership, though in the short term may feel powerful, is actually destructive. It shuts down the desire to participate in a solution and get to the goal at hand. It is frustrating to everyone involved. So, how do you get the productivity you need when nothing seems to light the fire? All of us make excuses when...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Modern Hotel Financial Statement Features – Part 1
David Lund | June 14, 2021
By David Lund Do your hotel financial statements give you the information you need to effectively run your business? Are you able to see if your profits are where they should be in an enhanced top-line statement? Do your statements measure flow thru? Do you record your room’s business by proper segments and track the rooms occupied, rate and revenue in each segment? Do you record customers served in F&B and do you separate meal periods? Do you record liquor, beer, wine, and mineral sales on your financials separately? Do you measure labor productivity in your financials? Do you record hours of work in your financials? Do you have pay...
Gulph Creek Hotels Names Ronald Balle as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Gulph Creek Hotels | June 11, 2021
WAYNE, Pa. – June 11, 2021 – Gulph Creek Hotels, a Pennsylvania-based hotel management and ownership group, has named Ronald Balle as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Mr. Balle, who rejoins the company, will work closely with on-property and corporate sales and marketing teams to develop market strategies, synergies across regions, and act as a resource to help assist hotels achieve continued success. Additionally, he will provide guidance and direction for company sales strategies as the company continues to expand into full-service hotels and outside their Mid Atlantic geographic base. Ronald started his ho...
R.A. Rauch & Associates, Inc. Promotes Dallas King to Area General Manager Overseeing Three San Diego Hotels
R.A. Rauch & Associates, Inc. | June 11, 2021
SAN DIEGO, CA — June 10, 2021 — R.A. Rauch & Associates, Inc. (formerly RAR Hospitality), a San Diego-based hotel management and consulting firm, is proud to promote Dallas King who will lead as Area General Manager of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego-San Marcos, Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego-Del Mar, and Hilton Garden Inn San Diego-Del Mar. King’s extended expertise, collaborative capabilities and drive for excellence led to his new role as Area General Manager. This promotion comes as hospitality demand is seeing an increase in the post-COVID era. We are proud to announce Dallas King’s new leadersh...
The Monsaraz San Diego, Tapestry Collection by Hilton Now Open
The Monsaraz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton | June 11, 2021
Point Loma, Calif. – June 11, 2021 – Today Point Loma welcomed its first new hotel in over a decade with the grand opening of The Monsaraz San Diego, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Developed by Lamming Co. in partnership with Alliance Development, KNA Design, R&R Construction and JWDA architects, The Monsaraz celebrates Point Loma, often referred to as the place “where California began,” through its design, amenities and guest experience, offering a sea-centric haven—and an escape from day-to-day life—in the heart of one of San Diego’s iconic coastal towns. “We developed The Monsaraz with one goal in mind: ‘Creat...
