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OTO Development Acquires the 122-room Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Woodland Hills
Courtyard By Marriott | May 12, 2021
SPARTANBURG, SC – May 12, 2021 – OTO Development is growing once again with its sixth acquisition in just three years, the purchase of the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Woodland Hills. In the heart of the San Fernando Valley and just a short drive away from Hollywood, Los Angeles, Burbank, and Simi Valley, this hotel is well located close to Warner Center and area shopping and dining. Close to Pepperdine, CSUN, Kaiser Permanente Hospital and a short drive to Universal City, Hollywood, Downtown LA, Malibu and Santa Monica, this hotel is a perfect choice for business and leisure travelers alike. “This is an exciting addition t...
Hyatt Hotels Corporation Opens The Walper Hotel in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
The Walper Hotel | May 12, 2021
CHICAGO – May 12, 2021 – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of The Walper Hotel in Kitchener, Ontario marking the second JdV by Hyatt hotel in Canada following the opening of The Anndore House last month in Toronto. The 92-room boutique hotel caters to free-spirited guests seeking vibrant and socially inclusive stays – bringing people from all walks of life together. “We are excited to welcome guests to experience the JdV by Hyatt brand’s heartfelt commitment to inspire playful travel through neighborhood connections in the City of Kitchener,” said Ann Marie Faria, general manager, The Walper Hotel....
Think In-Room Wellness to Welcome Back Post-Pandemic Guests
Larry and Adam Mogelonsky | May 12, 2021
By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky The concept we want you to remember is ‘post-COVID stress disorder’ (PCSD), inscribing those guests who are emerging from the pandemic, and most likely vaccinated, yet still have some lingering fears about travel and their exposure to the virus. To quell these doubts, and turn a buck while at it, consider the idea of merchandising spa and wellness products within the guestroom. As background, it’s important to note that with all the lockdowns of 2020 and repeated messaging about physical distancing and self-isolation, new habits have solidified and have caused many of us to become more introspective or...
Hilton San Jose La Sabana Debuts in Costa Rica’s Tallest Building
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | May 12, 2021
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica - May 12, 2021 - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of Hilton San Jose La Sabana, a contemporary new hotel inside Costa Rica’s tallest building, Leumi Business Center. The 38-story building offers guests views of Costa Rica’s National Stadium and La Sabana Park, two of the city’s most popular tourist destinations, conveniently located across the street from the hotel. The 131-room property sits in the heart of Sabana Norte, an up-and-coming area with abundant new real estate, and is surrounded by embassies and corporate offices. Hilton San Jose La Sabana is a short drive from the Juan Santamaria In...
Tapestry Collection by Hilton Opens the 60-Room Yucatan Resort Playa del Carmen in Mexico
Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. | May 12, 2021
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico and MCLEAN, Va. - May 12, 2021 - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of The Yucatan Resort Playa del Carmen, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the first all-inclusive resort within the Tapestry Collection portfolio. Owned by FibraHotel (BMV: FIHO 12) and operated by an affiliate of Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. (NASDAQ: PLYA, “Playa”), the adults-only resort sits on Playa del Carmen's famed Fifth Avenue, just a short stroll from the local beach. “We are thrilled to introduce the first Tapestry Collection resort to this extraordinary tropical destination,” said Manuel Villalobos, g...
Kasada Capital Management to Acquire 414-key Safari Hotels & Conference Centre in Namibia
Kasada Capital Management | May 12, 2021
JOHANNESBURG & PORT LOUIS, Mauritius & WINDHOEK, Namibia - May 12, 2021 - Funds advised by Kasada Capital Management today announced the acquisition of the 414-key Safari Hotels and Conference Centre in Windhoek, Namibia. This transaction will be made through Kasada Hospitality Fund LP (“Kasada”) and remains subject to approval by the Namibian Competition Commission. The hotel complex is strategically located within ten minutes of Windhoek’s city center and adjacent to Eros Airport. It consists of the 215-key Safari Court Hotel, the 199-key Safari Hotel and Namibia’s foremost Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions ...
What’s Normal For Us Can Be Amazing To Others
Shep Hyken | May 12, 2021
By Shep Hyken During my live presentations, there is a part of my speech where I talk about Moments of Magic. These are positive experiences we create for our customers, including our internal customers, also known as our fellow employees. (If you’ve been following my work, you already knew that.) In the speech, I’ll ask audience members to share an example of when they created that experience. During a recent keynote presentation to an audience of managers of a major retail chain, an example was shared, and it was a good one. A customer had left her purse at the store. It was found by an employee who put it in the manager’s...
Survey: 71% Support Targeted Relief for the Hotel Industry
AHLA | May 12, 2021
WASHINGTON – May 12, 2021 –A recent national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows more than seven in ten Americans (71%) support the federal government providing targeted economic relief to the hotel industry as called for in the Save Hotel Jobs Act. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), will provide a lifeline to hotel employees, providing up to three months of full payroll support. Recently, AHLA and UNITE HERE, the largest hospitality workers union in North America, joined forces to call on Congress to pass t...
The 88-key Springhill Suites Slidell Opens in Slidell, Louisiana
QHotels | May 12, 2021
Slidell, LA - May 12, 2021 - Springhill Suites Slidell opened its doors today in Slidell, LA. The 88 room all-suite hotel, located at 2214 Ruth Garret Way will operate as a Marriott franchise, developed and managed by QHotels of LaPlace, Louisiana. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Slidell is situated inside Fremaux Towne Centre just off I-10 where you will find a wide variety of restaurants and shopping. This hotel offers convenient access to John C. Stennis Space Center, the Naval Research Laboratory, Department of Defense, General Dynamics, Ochsner Hospital, and CDIT. Nearby leisure guests will find local favorites such as Honey Island Swam...
Top U.S. Travel Leaders Urge White House to Reopen International Travel
U.S. Travel Association | May 12, 2021
WASHINGTON — May 12, 2021 — Leaders of 23 global travel companies sent a letter to President Biden Tuesday urging greater progress toward reopening international travel—as is successfully happening elsewhere in the world—and warning of dire economic consequences if U.S. borders remain shut. The letter notes that current science, the success of the U.S. vaccine rollout, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s own guidance allows for steps toward a safe resumption of international visitation. “While U.S. borders remain closed to much of the world, the remarkable scientific advancements to combat the COVID-19 pa...
At the Q1’21 Close, Latin America’s Hotel Construction Pipeline has 604 Projects/104,275 Rooms
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | May 12, 2021
PORTSMOUTH, NH – May 12, 2021 – According to Lodging Econometrics’ (LE’s) Construction Pipeline Trend Report for Q1 2021, the Latin America Hotel Construction Pipeline stands at 604 projects/104,275 rooms, down 14% by projects and 16% by rooms, year-over-year (YOY). These are the lowest project and room counts seen in the region since Q2 2012. Countries in Latin America continue to feel the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with many countries enduring high outbreak rates and new variants. Government organizations and health associations throughout the region are working to decrease case numbers by increasing vaccine campaign eff...
Sébastien Roelly Joins Lake Placid, New York’s 96-suite Whiteface Lodge as Executive Chef
Whiteface Lodge | May 12, 2021
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – March 12, 2021 – Sébastien Roelly has joined Lake Placid, New York’s Whiteface Lodge as executive chef. A French-trained chef, pastry chef and restaurateur, Roelly brings more than 20 years of experience in top restaurant and hotel kitchens throughout his native Canada and the U.S. to his new role. His expertise spans the classic French cuisine he embraced from childhood—working his way through the French cookbook collection of his professional chef father—to Italian and Asian fusion cuisine. “We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Sébastien to Whiteface Lodge,” said Joe Giannino, general manager of...
Sun Valley Company Names Pete Sonntag as Vice President and General Manager of Sun Valley Resort in Idaho
Sun Valley Resort | May 12, 2021
SUN VALLEY, Idaho - May, 12, 2021 - Sun Valley Company announces the appointment of Pete Sonntag as Vice President and General Manager of Sun Valley Resort, effective June 7, 2021, reporting into Bruce Fery, CEO of Grand America Hotels & Resorts. In his new role, Sonntag will be responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Resort. Current President and General Manager, Tim Silva will remain President of Sun Valley Company and transition his focus to development and planning. Sonntag's experience includes resort leadership roles at a number of acclaimed mountain destinations in North America, including Whistler Blackcomb an...
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort Completes 15-month Transformation Project to Reopen
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort | May 12, 2021
PHOENIX, Ariz. – May 12, 2021 – Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is pleased to announce its highly anticipated reopening on May 1, 2021 following a property-wide transformation, revealing a new chapter in the history of this uniquely chic resort. Born a century ago (1929) as the grandest hotel of Hollywood’s Golden Age, this 39-acre Arizona landmark remains one of the most beloved resorts in the world for its Frank Lloyd Wright and Albert Chase McArthur architectural pedigree, intuitive facilities and storied history. Virserius Studio, PHX Architecture and Jim Smith of Serving the Nation, Inc. – all of whom have deep ...
Tallahassee, Florida Welcomes the Opening of the 154-key AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol
ROBERT FINVARB COMPANIES | May 12, 2021
Tallahassee, FL — May 12, 2021 — Downtown Tallahassee will welcome a new hotel as the AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol opens this week, it was announced today by Keith Hoogerheyde, General Manager. Unlike anything Tallahassee has seen before — and considered by many to be the centerpiece of the brand-new entertainment district known as Cascades Park — the AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol is the city's new “must stay” hotel. The all-new Cascades Park is a 24-acre park featuring an amphitheater, shopping, dining, recreational activities, and more. CONSTRUCTION DURING COVID COVID-19 str...
Arlo Hotels Opens the 489-room Arlo Midtown in New York City
Arlo Hotels | May 12, 2021
NEW YORK - May 12, 2021 - Arlo Hotels, an independent, four-star lifestyle hotel brand, will celebrate the grand opening of its newest property, Arlo Midtown, on May 27, 2021. Located between bustling Times Square and up-and-coming Hudson Yards on 38th Street at Ninth Avenue, Arlo Midtown is a new and evolved hotel destination for urban explorers in search of a comfortable retreat from which they can discover New York City. Featuring 489 guest rooms and suites, Arlo Midtown debuts with thoughtfully designed accommodations, contemporary public spaces and a vibrant atmosphere that evokes a strong sense of place and community. "We ...
Hyatt Launches Development of 188-room Alila Shanghai Hotel in the Jing’an District of Shanghai, China
Alila | May 12, 2021
SHANGHAI / HONG KONG – May 12, 2021 – Hyatt announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Fungseng Prosperity Holdings Limited (“Fungseng Prosperity”) to develop a 188-room Alila hotel in the Jing’an District of Shanghai. A high-profile conversion project, Alila Shanghai is expected to debut in 2023 and will be the first Alila branded urban hotel in China, offering a relaxing and nature-infused luxury retreat in the heart of the bustling metropolis. Designed as an “urban utopia,” Alila Shanghai will offer guests an elevated retreat experience that balances the bustling spirit of ...
Associate Retention & Motivation in Hotels: Let’s Leave Pandemic Crisis Mode and Focus on Employee Satisfaction Again
Neil Flavin | May 12, 2021
By Neil J Flavin The pandemic’s negative effect on the hospitality industry, especially its ability to hire new associates, will be long felt even as we see signs of recovery. Many have left the industry for other opportunities considered more stable. The more leadership can recognize, motivate, and reward team members, the stronger the chances are of rebuilding and retaining staff for the long term. There are so many hidden and not-so hidden costs of high turnover that exploring all options to retain your valuable associates is more important than ever. New associates are excited to come to work, be productive, and help provide for t...
Hotel Sector Has Weathered the Pandemic Storm but Financing Remains Tough as Lenders Become Cautious
HVS | May 12, 2021
London - May 12, 2021 - Hotels have weathered the pandemic storm well with support from lenders, with a bounce back of trade expected, although for some this may take three to four years to achieve. This was one of the key conclusions heard at a webinar on hotel financing held yesterday [11 May 2021] attended by over 400 senior industry executives organised by global hotel consultancy HVS, legal expert Bird & Bird, publishing group EP Business in Hospitality and restructuring advisory firm AlixPartners. The webinar, moderated by Bird & Bird’s James Salford, kicked off by polling the audience, finding that most expected a 0.5% ...
Bartech Customers Experience Dramatic Rise in Minibar Operation Profits During COVID-19 Pandemic
Bartech | May 12, 2021
Hospitality’s leading provider of automated minibar technology credited with more than doubling hotel revenues from F&B services. Las Vegas — May 12, 2021 — Bartech, the leader in automatic minibar solutions for the global hospitality industry, has been recognized by its hotel clients around the world for serving as a vital source of revenue growth as operations continue evolving to minimize guest health risks. With many hotel businesses required to close or limit capacity to once profitable amenities including restaurants and bars, Bartech’s customers have since reported a surge in minibar consumption rates that have made up for...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 248: Hotel Theresa, New York, N.Y. (1913)
Stanley Turkel | May 11, 2021
by Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: Hotel Theresa, “The Waldorf of Harlem” (300 rooms) On September 18, 1960, four months before the United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba, Fidel Castro arrived in New York City for the 15th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He and his staff first checked into the Shelburne Hotel at Lexington Avenue and 37th Street. When the Shelburne demanded $10,000 for alleged damage that included cooking chickens in their rooms, the Castro entourage moved to the Hotel Theresa in Harlem. Castro’s group rented eighty rooms for a total of $800 per day. The Theresa was the beneficiar...
Travel – The Essential Commodity
Travel Outlook | May 11, 2021
Why Travelers Are Checking Off Big-Ticket Items on Their Bucket Lists In March 2020, the travel industry effectively hit pause in response to the Covid-19 pandemic spreading quickly across the globe. After a brief hibernation that may have felt like an eternity to travelers and those in the travel industry, travel is back on track. As normal slowly starts to appear on the horizon, many around the world are eager to get back out on the road. Domestic travel has already seen substantial growth since travel restrictions began relaxing in the late months of 2020, and as the Covid-19 vaccine rollout continues international travel is sure to...
Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index Rose 3.2% in April
Baird | May 11, 2021
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee, and MILWAUKEE — May 11, 2021 — The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index rose 3.2% in April to a level of 5,297. Year to date through the first four months of 2021, the stock index was up 15.8%. “Hotel stock prices increased in April, but they were relative underperformers on a monthly basis for the third time this year,” said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. “The broader reopening trade has lost some momentum recently as investors continue to rotate into more defensive and value-oriented sectors despite the progress that is being made on the vaccination front and the seque...
STR, TE Upgrade Latest U.S. Hotel Forecast
STR | May 11, 2021
ATLANTA — May 11, 2021 — Underpinned by stronger-than-expected demand during Q1, STR and Tourism Economics upgraded the latest U.S. hotel forecast just released at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. Even with 2021 projections higher, full recovery of demand remains on the same timeline for 2023, while close-to-complete recovery of revenue per available room (RevPAR) is still projected for 2024. “The next stage of the U.S. travel recovery has commenced,” said Adam Sacks, Tourism Economics president. “An effective vaccine rollout and generous fiscal stimulus will drive the fastest single-year economic expansion in nearly 40 ...
