The Tricycle of Guest Service Excellence: A Perfect Model For Remarkable Experiences
Doug Kennedy | October 4th, 2024
Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
2021 Top Hospitality Industry Trends
EHL Insights | January 7, 2021
What are the latest trends in the hospitality industry? Well, it goes without saying that the coronavirus outbreak and ensuing safety measures have had a significant impact on hospitality throughout 2020 and will no doubt spill over into 2021 and beyond. Some responses to this extraordinary situation, attempting to entice patrons back into food and beverage outlets and assure holidaygoers that it is indeed safe to enjoy a hotel stay, have accelerated existing hospitality industry trends and triggered lasting change. Meanwhile, evolution at the societal level - consequence in part of shifted values in the aftermath of the pandemic’s...
Pacific Reach Properties Rebrands Former Westin Grand Hotel to Hilton Vancouver Downtown
Pacific Reach Properties | January 7, 2021
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - January 6, 2021 - Today, Pacific Reach Properties announces the rebranding of the former Westin Grand Hotel to Hilton Vancouver Downtown. Owned and operated by Pacific Reach Properties, the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in downtown Vancouver will leverage Hilton’s brand equity to drive awareness in the marketplace, increase marketing efficiency across the global portfolio and offer the more than 110 million Hilton Honors members a new option for accommodations. “Since opening in 1999, the hotel has garnered many accolades and with over 20 years of operational excellence, our dedicated staff...
IHG Signs With Conygar to Bring Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites to Nottingham’s Island Quarter
IHG | January 7, 2021
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has committed to bring two of its world-renowned brands to Nottingham (UK) after signing a management agreement with Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter development. IHG will be bringing its upscale boutique hotel brand Hotel Indigo as well as its extended stay offering, Staybridge Suites to the city as part of the multi-million-pound scheme that will transform this gateway area of Nottingham. The 17-storey hotel will comprise 223-bedrooms and suites – 155 located within Hotel Indigo and a further 68 aimed at multi-night business and l...
Marriott International Signs Milestone Branded Residential/Officetel Project in Vietnam
Marriott International | January 7, 2021
JANUARY 7, 2021 - Marriott International, Inc. today announced a milestone agreement with Vietnam-based real estate firm Masterise Homes to develop a dual-branded residential and officetel project in Ho Chi Minh City. According to the Savills International Development Consultancy, the agreement marks the largest hotel-branded residential project announced to date worldwide, with close to 4,200 residential and officetel units. The project is anticipated to include branded units from two Marriott International brands – JW Marriott and Marriott Hotels. Expected to open in late 2024, the project will play a key part of an integrated mixed-use ...
2021 Hotel Financing Predictions
Brian Holstein | January 7, 2021
By Brian Holstein Positive Big Picture It is obvious that hotel operating performance will be much better in 2021 than 2020. It is, perhaps, less obvious that hotel lending has already begun staging a comeback that will accelerate throughout the year while continuing to stay ahead of actual hotel performance. Hotel CMBS Lending Rebounds Prior to Hotel Performance Leverage for hotel CMBS loans is currently available in the 55% +/- LTV range as lenders are beginning to close hospitality loans prior to the full return of cash flow. They are using the same forward-looking underwriting tactics that were prevalent in The Great Recession...
Zoox Deploys Targeted Direct Advertising Channel Abilities for Zoox Media Platform
Zoox Smart Data | January 7, 2021
Innovator of big data customer profile technology integrates with telecommunications providers for even greater efficiency and profitability in creating personalized marketing campaigns. Alpharetta, GA — January 7, 2021 — Zoox Smart Data (“Zoox”), an international provider of technological solutions that harnesses big data to build customer profiles from existing Wi-Fi networks, has announced the enhancing of its Zoox Media solution to provide businesses with direct advertising capabilities. Via collaboration with major telecommunications providers, Zoox Media can now eliminate the costly need to contract third-party advertising cont...
Silicon Valley’s Grand Hotel Sunnyvale Announces $25 Million Dollar Addition
January 6, 2021
60,000 Sq. Ft. Annex Features 51 New Rooms, 2 Meeting Spaces & More, Opening June 2021 SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 -- The Grand Hotel Sunnyvale, Silicon Valley's #1 boutique hotel on TripAdvisor, announces its upcoming $25 million dollar annex will be completed June 1, 2021. A 60,000 sq. ft. addition will span 4 floors with 51 new rooms, two state-of-the-art meeting spaces, and a new gym. In total, the hotel will offer 155 rooms and private villas, three indoor meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 80, an outdoor events space for up to 150, outdoor heated pool, and more for business and leisure travelers to Silicon Valley....
Wyndham Destinations Acquires Travel + Leisure Brand From Meredith Corporation in Strategic Alliance for $100M
Wyndham Destinations | January 6, 2021
Wyndham Destinations to Be Renamed Travel + Leisure Co. Leading leisure travel company has acquired the iconic, trusted travel brand to accelerate its strategic plan to broaden reach with launch of new travel services, expand its membership travel business, and amplify the global visibility of its leisure travel products The new Travel + Leisure Co. will trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol TNL in mid-February 2021 Travel + Leisure’s successful multi-platform media assets, renowned for journalistic excellence, will continue to be operated by Meredith Corporation to serve clients and consumers This strategic alliance...
MGM Resorts International Names Jonathan Halkyard as Chief Financial Officer
MGM Resorts International | January 6, 2021
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2021 -- MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) ("MGM Resorts" or "the Company") today announced Jonathan Halkyard will become Chief Financial Officer for the global gaming, hospitality and entertainment organization. Halkyard is a senior corporate executive who spent 13 years in leadership roles at Caesars Entertainment and was more recently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Extended Stay America, Inc. and ESH Hospitality, its paired-share REIT. He will report to Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO, and succeeds Corey Sanders, who was recently appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company. "Jonathan brings th...
Inherit Hotel Group Opens the Colton House Hotel in Austin, Texas
Inherit Hotel Group | January 6, 2021
Austin, Texas (January 6, 2021) – Today, Colton House Hotel, an 80-suite luxury property opens its doors on Austin’s hip South Congress Avenue. Drawing inspiration from its distinctive surroundings, the property showcases the captivating spirit of the Lone Star State and pays due respect to Texas’s rich history through locally handpicked art and design features. Pioneering the suite-based hotel concept at The Guesthouse Hotel in Chicago, Inherit Hotel Group brings the same approach to Colton House Hotel, combining residential luxuries with upscale boutique hotel amenities and staff that invites guests to “wander home” in a modern...
The St. Regis Cairo Opens on the Banks of the River Nile
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | January 6, 2021
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, today announced the highly-anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cairo. Rising tall on the banks of the River Nile, The St. Regis Cairo is an illustrious icon weaving a powerful story of luxury in the region. Located at the North end of the Corniche, in the heart of Egypt’s bustling metropolis, the 39-story hotel offers easy access to the magnificent monuments of a city steeped in history. “Egypt has historically been one of our key markets and strategically significant to our growth in the region,” said Satya Anand, President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott ...
Travel & Tourism Sector Witnessed 9% Decline in Deal Activity During December 2020
GlobalData | January 6, 2021
A total of 81 deals were announced in the global travel and tourism sector during December 2020, which is a decrease of 9% over 89 deals announced during the previous month, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The travel and tourism sector remains one of the worst affected industries due to the COVID-19 pandemic and now fears of second wave appear to be taking a toll on deal activity within the sector. After showcasing some improvement during October, deal activity in the sector plummeted in November and December.” The announcement of key deal types su...
Q&A: Chris Nassetta Reflects on a Challenging 2020 and His Optimism for the Return of the Golden Age of Travel
Hilton | January 6, 2021
The turmoil of 2020 has affected all of us – every person, company and industry – many in profound and even tragic ways. The hospitality sector is no exception and in fact has endured one of the most harrowing challenges in its history. But amid that challenge came an opportunity for resilience, along with important lessons and insights for the future. Hilton President & CEO Chris Nassetta, a 37-year industry veteran, shared his perspective on this unprecedented year – what he experienced, what he learned and what he’s most looking forward to in the new year. What was your biggest challenge of 2020? It’s so hard to pi...
Reexamining the Communications Hierarchy for Centennial Guests
Larry Mogelonsky | January 6, 2021
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) It seems like just yesterday we were talking about how to adjust your method of communications to better appeal to millennial guests. Now that the first of this cohort is about to turn 40, it’s time to turn over a fresh leaf and look at the next rising star in spending power. When discussing a ‘communications hierarchy’, what we are first trying to do is rank all forms of communication from most to least influential. Even with special considerations for COVID-19 safety, it’s nevertheless a matter of guiding potential customers up this ladder, knowing that the more influentia...
Mondrian South Beach Selects Advantage Reserve to Optimize Reservations Sales, Deliver Visibility Into Guest Data
Advantage Reserve | January 6, 2021
Fort Lauderdale, FL, January 6, 2020 — Advantage Reserve, the leading provider of high-quality central reservations services to the hospitality industry, has announced that Mondrian South Beach, a newly renovated, 220-room waterfront property on Miami Beach’s Biscayne Bay, has selected its services to enhance the guest experience, increase reservations conversions, and gain deeper insights into guest data. Located on Miami Beach’s West Avenue, Mondrian South Beach recently experienced a $20-million property-wide transformation, introducing a completely refreshed design throughout the hotel. A sophisticated casual elegance ties togeth...
Stonebridge Companies Names Aly-khan S. Merali President and Managing Partner
Stonebridge Companies | January 6, 2021
DENVER — Stonebridge Companies — a Denver-based, privately owned, innovative hotel owner, operator and developer — has named Aly-khan S. Merali as its new president and managing partner. Founder Navin C. Dimond will remain CEO and will assume chairman duties for the company. Merali joins Stonebridge Companies after most recently serving as president and chief financial officer of Turnberry Associates, overseeing the company’s Finance, Asset Management, Accounting, Legal, Human Resources and Information Services departments. “I have known Aly-khan for many years and have the utmost respect for him and his ability to lead Stone...
Donohoe Hospitality Services Selected to Manage Courtyard by Marriott Bethesda Chevy Chase, MD
The Courtyard Bethesda Chevy Chase | January 6, 2021
BETHESDA, MD – Jan. 6, 2021 – Thomas Penny, III, President of Donohoe Hospitality Services, a division of Donohoe, today announced the addition of the Courtyard by Marriott Bethesda Chevy Chase to its growing portfolio. The 226 guestroom hotel is conveniently located near the National Institutes Health, American University, and vibrant downtown Bethesda. “The Courtyard Bethesda Chevy Chase is the fifth property we have added to our growing management portfolio in 2020 despite the unprecedented challenges,” said Penny. Our vision remains focused on the long-term strength of our development and brand partners as w...
Quirk Charlottesville Appoints Hector Pabon as New Executive Chef
Quirk Hotel Charlottesville | January 6, 2021
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Jan. 6, 2021) – Quirk Hotel Charlottesville, the first boutique art hotel in the city’s historic downtown, announces the appointment of Hector Pabon to Executive Chef. Pabon brings an impressive culinary background to the hotel, having worked nearly 20 years in the foodservice industry and extensively for Hyatt in Tampa Bay, Clearwater Beach, Atlanta, and most recently Santa Clara. In his new role, Pabon is responsible for overseeing and directing the hotel’s food service operations. A native to Puerto Rico, Pabon moved to Orlando, Florida to start his culinary training at the Le Cordon Bleu Academy in 2001. H...
Remington Hotels Appoints Raul Moronta as Chief Commerical Officer
Remington Hotels | January 6, 2021
DALLAS (Jan. 6, 2021) – Remington Hotels announced today the appointment of Raul Moronta as Chief Commercial Officer, an entirely new position for the brand. In this new role, Moronta will align three commercial strategy functions for Remington, with direct oversight of sales, revenue management and digital marketing for the portfolio of 77 properties. Moronta will also work closely with Remington’s CEO + President, Sloan Dean to collaborate over the accounting, development, human resources, legal and operations departments. “When we started our search for the newly created CCO position, our one requirement was to find the very best co...
Marin Management, Inc. Adds Three Properties to Hotel Management Portfolio
Marin Management, Inc. | January 6, 2021
SAUSALITO, California (Jan. 6, 2021) — Marin Management, Inc., a California-based hotel management company, has added three hotel management contracts to its growing portfolio of properties. The historic Callahan’s Mountain Lodge nestled alongside the Siskiyou Mountains expands Marin Management’s presence in Oregon, with California’s Motel 6 Hayward East Bay and Villa Franca Inn Monterey topping off new management contracts totaling over 200 rooms. “We’re pleased to continue our momentum and rapid expansion despite the pandemic’s disruption to the travel industry,” said Gary Hogan, CEO of Hogan Hospitality, parent company of...
Aimbridge Hospitality Adds Twenty-Five Extended Stay America Properties to Portfolio
Aimbridge Hospitality | January 6, 2021
Plano, TX – January 6, 2021 – Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company, announced it has added 25 Extended Stay America properties to its growing portfolio. With the addition of these new properties, all situated in prime locations throughout Texas and the Midwestern region, Aimbridge has become the largest third-party manager of Extended Stay America hotels. This is another milestone for the partnership between Aimbridge and owners Three Wall Capital, who have now selected Aimbridge to manage over 50 of its extended stay, full service, and economy properties. Founded by Alan Kanders, Three Wall ...
First Hospitality Appoints Jordan Bernstein to Vice President of Business Development
First Hospitality | January 6, 2021
CHICAGO; January 6, 2021 —First Hospitality, a hotel management, acquisition, development, and consulting company, announces the appointment of Jordan Bernstein to vice president of business development. Bernstein brings over 15 years of hospitality experience with a focus on company growth to his new role. “We created this new position with First Hospitality’s next phase of growth in mind,” says David Duncan, president and CEO of First Hospitality. “Jordan has a wealth of experience across the industry working with diverse clientele. He has an understanding of large-scale brands as well as the entrepreneurial mindset of developers...
BeyondTV and LG Business Solutions Partner to Provide Italian Hotel Market With Advanced Content Casting Technology
BeyondTV | January 6, 2021
Collaboration will offer regional LG customers access to user-friendly BeyondTV GuestCast™ solution designed specifically for hotel environments. MILAN — January 6, 2021 — BeyondTV (BTV), a full-service provider of guestroom entertainment services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has launched a certification program in Italy that will provide the county’s LG Business Solutions dealership network with the ability to offer BeyondTV GuestCast™ to hotel customers. As part of BeyondTV’s ongoing rapid expansion into hospitality markets around the world, the certification program now available to LG Business solutions will en...
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Implements Latest in Door Lock Security and Contactless Digital Key Convenience at Hilton Surfer’s Paradise Hotel &#
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions | January 6, 2021
Iconic Australian Gold Coast property upgrades to VingCard Signature RFID with Mobile Access and leverages integration with guestroom lights and thermostats for enhanced guest comfort. Stockholm – January 6, 2021 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions as a leading innovator of security and guest experience-enhancing technology for hotels, has successfully upgraded the room access abilities of Hilton Surfer’s Paradise Hotel & Residences with VingCard Signature RFID door locks equipped with Mobile Access. Following a swift and seamless upgrade process, the 178-guestroom property can now ensure the safety of guests using advanced encryption te...
