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7Pines Resort Ibiza Part of the Destination by Hyatt Brand Opens
Destination by Hyatt | June 8, 2021
CHICAGO – June 8, 2021 –Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced today the opening of 7Pines Resort Ibiza, part of Destination by Hyatt. The 185-all-suite luxury clifftop resort welcomes guests to one of the most popular spots on the island and offers amenities fit for any occasion. The Destination by Hyatt brand is a diverse collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences that are all individual at heart, yet connected by a commitment to embody the true spirit of each location. Every property is purposefully crafted to be a place of discovery through immersive experiences, authentic design and genuin...
Out & About at The Hunter Conference: Hospitality’s Open House
Shawn Bolivar | June 8, 2021
By Shawn Bolivar, Jennifer Chesek Is the hospitality industry still breathing after Covid? Definitely. It has now been three weeks since the 32nd Hunter Hotel Investment Conference in Atlanta, and good vibes remain from this first major hospitality industry event held since the onset of the pandemic. We could see the momentum building in the final weeks before the event as the number of registered attendees more than doubled. From our perspective, we were eager to meet our industry peers in person, as vaccines became more widely distributed and people began to cautiously ease back into the “old way” of living. The Hunter family...
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Opens in Chicago’s Chinatown Neighborhood
SpringHill Suites Chicago Chinatown | June 8, 2021
CHICAGO – June 8, 2021 – SpringHill Suites Chicago Chinatown, the first hotel of its kind to hit Chicago’s Chinatown, has officially opened its doors at 2357 S. Wentworth Ave. The latest development to hit this century-old neighborhood, located in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant Chinatown community, offers guests a sensory-overload of history and culture as soon as guests enter through the community’s iconic red “Welcome Gate”. Pioneered, owned and developed by T2 Properties, patrons looking to sleep, work and relax now have the opportunity to do so while enjoying access to 148 comfortable suites, a fitness studio, and a compli...
Mansion on Forsyth Park Appoints Jeff DeBoissiere as Director of Food and Beverage
The Mansion on Forsyth Park | June 8, 2021
The Mansion on Forsyth Park – Savannah’s most elegant destination – is pleased to welcome hospitality industry veteran Jeff DeBoissiere as the hotel’s new Director of Food and Beverage. In his new position, DeBoissiere oversees all food and beverage operations at 700 Drayton restaurant, 700 Kitchen Cooking School and Bösendorfer Lounge as well as banquets, catering, afternoon tea and special events at the popular Kessler Collection property. “We’re delighted to welcome Jeff to The Mansion on Forsyth Park and know he shares our commitment to upholding the Kessler Collection’s luxury service standards,” said The Mansion on Fo...
Embassy Suites by Hilton Alpharetta North – Halcyon Appoints Courtney Major as New Director of Sales
Sun Development | June 8, 2021
Courtney Major brings more than 19 years of industry experience to the position ALPHARETTA, Ga. – June 8, 2021 – Courtney Major has been named the new director of sales at the 160-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Alpharetta North - Halcyon, which is expected to open in December 2021. Major will lead all strategic sales and marketing endeavors while supporting the hotel's mission to provide outstanding service to guests. Located at the intersection of McFarland Parkway and Georgia State Highway 400 (exit 12) in Northwest Alpharetta, the hotel is owned by Heritage Hospitality Group and managed by SUN Development & Management Cor...
Manor Vail Lodge Selects Agilysys Solutions to Improve Operations & Enhance Guest Experience
Agilysys | June 8, 2021
Resort Selects Industry-Leading Agilysys InfoGenesis® Point-Of-Sale (POS) SaaS, IG Flex, IG OnDemand and Agilysys Pay Connect ALPHARETTA, GA. — June 8, 2021 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation cloud-native SaaS and on-premise hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that Manor Vail Lodge in Vail, CO has selected the award-winning innovative InfoGenesis POS solution, as well as IG Flex for Mobile POS, its modern cloud-native SaaS IG OnDemand for self-service F&B ordering and payment, and Agilysys Pay Connect for secure payment processing. Located at the base of Vail...
Shephard’s Beach Resort Adopts BeyondTV’s myRemote for Contactless Compatibility With All Guestroom Television Models
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | June 8, 2021
Fully booked Florida resort leverages advanced virtual remote design and flexibility to minimize shared surface contact regardless of existing TV hardware. CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — June 8, 2021 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the successful implementation of the BeyondTV virtualized remote feature, myRemote, at Shephard’s Beach Resort in Clearwater, Florida. A first-class resort destination previously equipped with BeyondTV to provide guests with the latest in personalized entertainment and in-room service, Shephard’s Beach Resort...
The Elephant in the Room: Guest Review Responses
Lodging Interactive | June 8, 2021
As consumers begin to travel in larger numbers, hotels are facing a new challenge: responding to guest reviews in a timely manner. This is an increasingly important task as social media platforms and consumer review sites like Google My Business, TripAdvisor and Yelp have made it easier for customers to share their experiences with others. The vast majority of consumers turn first to online reviews before making any decisions about where they want to stay when traveling. “As the hospitality industry continues to recover from the Global Pandemic, responding to guest reviews has become an essential part of keeping guests happy and key to a...
Bartech’s Customized In-Room Minibar POS Solutions Lead to Increased Hotel Guest Satisfaction
Bartech | June 8, 2021
Las Vegas — June 8, 2021 — Bartech, the leader in automatic minibar solutions for the global hospitality industry, has been recognized by its hotel clients around the world for increasing guest satisfaction with its extensive line of minibars and in-room point-of-sale (POS) solutions. Along with providing an alternate source of revenue and meeting guest needs, Bartech’s flexible and innovative solutions are designed to maximize guest satisfaction with the following methods: Convenience With one-third of guests consuming from the minibar, the convenience of minibars makes it an essential amenity for hoteliers seeking to provide a h...
4 Culture Attributes a PMS Technology Company Must Possess to Help Ensure Your Property’s Success
Warren Dehan | June 8, 2021
By Warren Dehan Hospitality is built on the development and nurturing of personal relationships, extending beyond interactions with guests to include other hoteliers and even vendor partners. Hotel and resort owners and operators know that it’s not always enough to deliver positive results to customers, sometimes it’s more important to develop a connection with guests when providing service. This mentality can be a challenge for technology partners who have been conditioned by other industries to deliver results without emotion. However, company culture defines the way partners work together, and technology companies can learn a great ...
STR: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 29 May
STR | June 7, 2021
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee — June 7, 2021 — Boosted by the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, U.S. weekly hotel occupancy reached its highest level since late-February 2020, according to STR‘s latest data through 29 May. 23-29 May 2021 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019*): Occupancy: 61.8% (-4.2%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$122.06 (-1.6%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$75.42 (-5.7%) Percentage changes were skewed more to the positive because the 2019 comparable was the week after Memorial Day. Regardless, this past Saturday’s 83.0% occupancy level was the country’...
Bally’s Corporation Completes Acquisition of Tropicana Evansville Casino for $140 Million
Bally's Corporation | June 7, 2021
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - June 7, 2021 - Bally's Corporation, a leading U.S. omnichannel provider of land-based gaming and interactive entertainment, today announced that it completed its acquisition of the Tropicana Evansville casino operations from Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR). As part of the transaction, Bally's also acquired the unencumbered rights to the Evansville operations' sports betting and iGaming skins, which will provide the Company with greater access to the growing Indiana gaming market. George Papanier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bally's Corporation, said, "The Tropicana Evansville acquisition...
The Curtis Appoints New General Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing
THE CURTIS | June 7, 2021
DENVER, CO — June 7, 2021 — The Curtis, a Doubletree by Hilton located in downtown Denver, announced today the appointment of Lizzie Raudenbush as general manager and Megan Pierce as director of sales and marketing. Both Raudenbush and Pierce are promoted from within and have been employed with the company for eight collective years. In her new role, Raudenbush is responsible for overseeing business operation, strategy and long-term success. Most recently, she served as the property’s director of sales and marketing since January 2019, garnering sales leadership experience and property knowledge leading her to the general m...
Lore Group Set for Fall Debut of One Hundred Shoreditch in London
June 7, 2021
This Autumn, One Hundred Shoreditch, a new independent hotel from Lore Group, will open in one of London’s most vibrant and creative areas. From the company behind Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Riggs Washington DC and newly opened Lyle Washington DC; One Hundred Shoreditch sits within the building once home to Ace Hotel London Shoreditch. David Taylor, Lore Group’s Chief Operating Officer, having previously opened the original Hoxton in 2006 said: “The opening of our new hotel in Shoreditch reflects the growth and evolution that have taken place over the last 15 years in the area. We will offer something for everyon...
The Middle East’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Shows Decline at the End of Q1‘21
Lodging Econometrics | June 7, 2021
PORTSMOUTH, NH – June 7, 2021 – According to the Lodging Econometrics’ (LE) Q1‘21 Construction Pipeline Trend Report for the Middle East, the hotel construction pipeline in the region dropped to 534 projects/153,225 rooms, down 12% by projects and 11% by rooms year-over-year (YOY). Hotel development throughout the Middle East has slowed over recent years, largely due to the lack of tourism in the region. Repeated crises related to political unrest, civil war, and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic have been major factors in the number of visitors traveling to and from Middle Eastern countries. While this is the seventh conse...
OTO Development Acquires South Bay Inn & Suites in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
OTO Development | June 7, 2021
SPARTANBURG, SC – June 7, 2021 – OTO Development is growing once again with its fifth waterfront location, the purchase of the South Bay Inn & Suites in Myrtle Beach. “We have been watching for an opportunity to have a presence in Myrtle Beach for some time,” says Corry Oakes, CEO of OTO Development. “The oceanfront location and the quality of this newer hotel, with an indoor waterpark, makes this a perfect vacation destination year-round. While OTO has built its reputation by developing new hotels in high-barrier-to-entry markets, the company’s growth strategy also includes purchasing – and re-purposing – existing a...
Meliá Koh Samui Welcomes Ting Yueh Hu (Yolande) as Director of Food and Beverage
Meliá Hotels & Resorts | June 7, 2021
KOH SAMUI, Thailand – June 7, 2021 – A Taiwanese national with 15 years of hospitality experience in Asia, the Middle East and Europe has been named Meliá Koh Samui’s director of food and beverage. Ting Yueh Hu (Yolande) has joined the 159-room and 41-suite beachfront resort on Koh Samui’s north-east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, with ambitions to work in tandem with award-winning executive chef Azizskandar Awang to establish the island’s leading fine dining restaurant. Before joining Meliá Koh Samui, Hu was executive assistant manager at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence in Cambodia and F&B director at both Conrad Ko...
Peachtree Hotel Group Opens Dual-Branded Hilton Garden Inn and Home2 Suites by Hilton in Orlando, Florida
Hilton Garden Inn | June 7, 2021
ATLANTA and ORLANDO, Fla. – June 7, 2021 – Peachtree Hotel Group ("Peachtree") announced the grand opening of its newest hotels, the dual-flag Hilton Garden Inn Orlando Downtown and Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown. The property is located in Orlando's downtown central business district across from the Orange County Courthouse and close to all major downtown attractions: Amway Center, Camping World Stadium and Exploria Stadium. The eight-story property, operated by Peachtree Hospitality Management ("PHM"), a division of Peachtree, is located at 401 North Magnolia Avenue and includes 224 rooms – 123 Hilton Garden Inn guest ro...
ICHRIE Announces New Executive Director
The International Council on Hotel and Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) | June 7, 2021
Richmond, VA - June 7, 2021 - The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) has announced the association’s new Executive Director. Fran Brasseux, CHSE, CHBA, CTTA, will assume the top leadership role for the organization effective June 16. Brasseux joins the ICHRIE organization with a depth and wealth of knowledge and experience in both the hospitality and tourism industry as well as association leadership. In the first chapter of her career, she worked extensively in the areas of conference planning and then hotel sales. Thereafter, she moved into the next chapter, where she was employed by ...
Resort at Squaw Creek Appoints David Lockard as General Manager
Resort at Squaw Creek | June 7, 2021
Olympic Valley, Calif. – June 7, 2021 – Resort at Squaw Creek, a luxury Lake Tahoe resort based in California’s Olympic Valley, announces David Lockard as general manager. Lockard joins the property from Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine in San Diego. “I am thrilled to join the amazing team at Resort at Squaw Creek and to being a part of a very dynamic resort where we create unforgettable experiences for our guests,” said David Lockard, general manager at Resort at Squaw Creek. “As general manager, it is my job to create an environment of care and support so my team has everything they need to be successful. I also look ...
Hospitality Financial Leadership – Moving Part 3
David Lund | June 7, 2021
By David Lund In the hotel business if you want to get ahead you better be ready to move. It’s the way in which you can multiply your opportunities and increase your chance for greater personal prosperity. That’s the way it was explained to me many years ago and it has certainly been my experience. On the flip side, moving is not easy and it can take its toll on you and the people in your relationships. One aspect of moving is the accumulated experience it allows you to gain. The work exposure as well as life itself. Learning how to survive and excel in different work environments and locations is seducing and intoxicating. Once you...
How to Keep Hotel Expenses Down? Ask an Asset Manager.
HotStats | June 7, 2021
It doesn’t sound right to talk about the “benefits” of COVID-19, but if there’s any upside to the pandemic, it’s that massive disruption to business has forced hotels to find operational efficiencies—resulting in lower costs—without damaging the guest experience. That’s critical in this environment, where occupancy is slowly increasing as costs are, too. According to HotStats data for North America, occupancy was 32.1% in the first quarter and hit 39.8% in April, while total overhead costs PAR in Q1 2021 were $32.98 and $36.68 in April. Meanwhile, in China, occupancy was 45.8% in Q1, but climbed to 68.6% in April. Total ...
Siegel Sez: Biometrics
June 4, 2021
Siegel Sez June 4, 2021 Last week I went to the HFTP Club Summit in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I had never been to this event before, but I went this year for the sole reason of the experience. For the 150 attendees and myself it was the first live event most of us had been to in 14 months. I wondered how attendees would react. How would the issue of vaccines be dealt with? Next week our own event, the Executive Vendor Summit, has 102 attendees gathering in Nashville, and it motivated me to go to the HFTP Club Summit. I was curious -- would they wear masks? Would they be OK being close to each other or was social distancing going to be the no...
Proper Hospitality Set for July Opening of Downtown L.A. Proper
Proper Hospitality | June 3, 2021
LOS ANGELES - June 3, 2021 - Today, Proper Hospitality announces the opening of Downtown L.A. Proper. Set in a reimagined landmark building in the heart of Downtown’s South Park District adjacent to the Fashion District, the 148-room destination showcases the vision of internationally acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler through a design narrative that blends vintage elements from the property’s historic roots with modern influences to create a hub for local creatives. James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne bring the culinary program to life in three distinct spaces with signature restaurant C...
