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Best Western® Hotels & Resorts Welcomes Newly Renovated Best Western Premier® Hotel in Kansas City
Best Western Hotels & Resorts | December 19, 2019
Kansas City, Missouri (December 19, 2019)—Best Western Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of its newest upscale property, the Best Western Premier Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel. The newly renovated hotel opened its doors to guests as a Best Western Premier property offering modern décor, upscale amenities and superior service travelers have come to trust from the Best Western Premier Brand. “We couldn’t be more excited to join the exclusive Best Western Premier brand,” said Dennis Hulsing, Owner of the Best Western Premier Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel. “Our newly renovated property will be a shining example of wha...
Chesapeake Hospitality Adds Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport to Management Portfolio
Chesapeake Hospitality | December 19, 2019
GREENBELT, Md., Dec. 19, 2019 – Chesapeake Hospitality, a dynamic third-party hotel management company, today announced its new role as property manager for the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport. President and CEO of Chesapeake Hospitality Chris Green made the announcement. “We’ve had an incredible year identifying great opportunities to bring our results focused management expertise to the right properties across the U.S., and we’re pleased to call Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport one of those properties,” Green said. “As our reputation for outstanding results grew in 2019, we remain committed to delivering exceptional, memorable e...
White Lodging Names AJ Buchanio Corporate Research and Development Chef
White Lodging | December 19, 2019
White Lodging is pleased to announce that AJ Buchanio has been named the company's corporate research and development chef. Chef AJ most recently served as the Chef de Cuisine at the award-winning Magee Homestead, the adults-only boutique wellness retreat that is part of Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection, which is managed by White Lodging. During his three years at Magee Homestead, Chef AJ was responsible for all aspects of the culinary program at the Relais & Chateâux property, where he had full responsibility for menu design and development, as well as guest experience. White Lodging operates more than 40 restaurants and bar...
Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center Opens as City’s First Convention Center Hotel
Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center | December 19, 2019
PORTLAND, Ore. (December 19, 2019) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, marking the opening of the city’s first convention center hotel. The hotel is located in the heart of Portland, just steps from the newly renovated Oregon Convention Center, local sport and concert arena Moda Center, and high-end eateries and breweries in the burgeoning Lloyd neighborhood. Portland’s MAX Light Rail is directly outside the hotel, offering easy transportation to downtown Portland, the quirky Eastside, and Portland International Airport (PDX). Hyatt Regency Port...
10 Ways Hoteliers Can Achieve Additional LEED Credits
Kacey Bradley | December 19, 2019
By Kacey Bradley Two-thirds of today's travelers want to stay in an eco-friendly hotel, according to a survey by TripAdvisor.com. As such, earning a LEED certification opens the door to a huge group of potential clients who want to stay in green quarters. Of course, becoming a LEED-certified hotel isn't an easy process. Normally, you have to follow three steps: registering your project, presenting your eco-friendly facets and submitting the application. Once you earn your approval, you'll fall under one of four levels to determine the standard of eco-friendliness in your accommodation: LEED-certified: 40 to 49 points Silver: 50...
Jasmin Hospitality Management Opens Fairfield by Marriott in Vero Beach, Florida
Fairfield by Marriott | December 19, 2019
Vero Beach, FL – December 19, 2019 – The 80-room Fairfield by Marriott hotel in Vero Beach, Florida is now open with a new décor that provides guests with a feeling of warmth and calm while traveling. Located at 9065 Americana Way, the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Port Vero Beach will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Jasmin Hospitality Management of Orlando, Florida. The Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Vero Beach offers guests convenient access to downtown Vero Beach, Historic Dodgertown, the Vero Beach Outlets and the pristine Atlantic Beaches. “Delivering both function and comfort, our new...
Marriott International Signs Deal With Grupo Elipse to Bring Its Moxy Brand to Mexico City
Moxy Hotels | December 19, 2019
Marriott International today announced it has signed a contract with Grupo Elise to debut the company’s millennial-focused Moxy Hotels brand in Mexico with a 120-room hotel. The property is slated to rise in stylish Chapultepec with close proximity to the Roma Norte neighborhood, characterized by a contemporary art scene, hipster culture and vibrant nightlife and Mexicos prestigious Paseo de La Reforma. Construction on the Moxy Mexico City is expected to begin in late 2020, with the opening expected in 2022. “Moxy is a great fit for Mexico City, a destination known for its vibrancy, youthful energy, and dynamic arts culture and we see ...
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts Goes ‘All In’ With Volara
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts | December 19, 2019
Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills adds Volara-powered Amazon Alexa voice assistants to every guest room as part of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts’ rollout of the powerful voice-based guest engagement solution New York — December 19, 2019 — With voice technology disrupting hotel guest engagement and redefining how services are requested, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts is expanding its relationship with Volara to power in-room smart speakers and enable automated voice services at its luxury boutique hotels. Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is the third property in the brand’s portfolio to add Amazon Alexa devices powered by Volara in...
Spirides Arranges $10 Million Hotel Construction Loan for New Holiday Inn Express in Lumberton, NC
Spirides Hospitality Finance Company | December 19, 2019
TAMPA, FL—Spirides Hospitality Finance Company has successfully arranged and the borrower has officially closed on a $10 million construction to permanent, first priority mortgage loan from a Southeast U.S. headquartered bank to finance the development of a new Holiday Inn Express in Lumberton, North Carolina. This new 95-guest room, 5-story Holiday Inn Express will be built on 2.2 acres of land located at 302 Wintergreen Drive near Interstate 95 Exit 22 in the City of Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina. Hotel amenities will include a breakfast dining area, a meeting room, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor courtyard, a fitness c...
Six Senses London to Open in the Former Art Deco Whiteleys Department Store
IHG | December 18, 2019
The brand will bring an arts, wellness and community focus to its first London home With its proximity to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, Bayswater in West London is recognized for its streets lined with grand terraces of white stucco houses and garden squares. Among them is an iconic building and former department store – Whiteleys – soon to become home to Six Senses London. The hotel, wellness club and spa mark the brand’s entry into the UK and will open with 110 guest rooms and suites, starting from 355 square feet (33 square meters) and celebrating the building’s origins, while making space for modern living. There will als...
IHG® to Bring InterContinental and Holiday Inn Hotels to Shanghai Pudong International Airport in 2024
IHG | December 18, 2019
The first international branded hotels at one of world’s busiest airports will be open in 2024 IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announced on Monday that it will bring two hotels to Shanghai Pudong International Airport’s latest Terminal Complex. This means one of the world’s busiest airports will expect its first international branded hotels for the first time. It’s also the first time that the high-profile to-be-built complex reveals its details: four companies including IHG, Shanghai Yukong Hotel Management Co. Ltd., commercial developer Excellence Group and environmental-f...
Randi Milewski Takes Helm as General Manager at Hammetts Hotel Opening Spring 2020 in Newport, Rhode Island
Main Street Hospitality Group | December 18, 2019
Most recently Milewski served as Director of Sales for the NYLO Hotels – Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Warwick, RI. Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality Group, announces the appointment of Randi Milewski as general manager of the new Hammetts Hotel in Newport, RI. Scheduled to open in spring 2020, Hammetts Hotel is Main Street Hospitality’s first management contract in Rhode Island. “We are delighted to have Randi Milewski join the leadership team of Hammetts Hotel,” said Eustis. “As an integral component of the launch and success of this property, her knowledge of Newport and broad experience in boutique hotels make...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Unveils Plans for $25 Million Renovation and Rebranding of Donovan Hotel to Hotel Zena
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | December 18, 2019
Hotel Zena is expected to open in the second quarter of 2020 in Washington, D.C. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the “Company”) today announced the planned $25 million renovation and transformation of Donovan Hotel to Hotel Zena as the newest member of the “Unofficial Z Collection,” the Company’s individually curated portfolio of urban lifestyle hotels. Hotel Zena is expected to open in the second quarter of 2020 in Washington, D.C. Well situated in Logan Circle, at the beginning of Washington, D.C.’s vibrant 14th Street corridor, the sought-after neighborhood for vibrant music venues, funky galleries and trendy boutiqu...
Is Benchmarking Really the Holy Grail of Quality Assurance in Hospitality?
Jochen Ehrhardt | December 18, 2019
By Jochen Ehrhardt Benchmarking, according to Wikipedia, “Is the practice of comparing business processes and performance metrics to industry bests and best practices from other companies. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time, and cost.” This begs the question, "What are companies using benchmarking for?" According to Bain & Company, benchmarking is used to: “Improve performance.Benchmarking identifies methods of improving operational efficiency and product design; Understand relative cost position.Benchmarking reveals a company’s relative cost position and identifies opportunities for improvement; Gai...
Understanding the Future of Alternate Accommodations
Larry Mogelonsky | December 18, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) We tend to consider the hotel industry in a traditional sense of hotels and resorts. But in case you’ve been ostrich with your head in the sand for the past few years, the term no longer really applies, replaced instead with ‘the accommodations industry’ that incorporates all the new table names that were only fringe players a decade ago. The incredible growth of Airbnb, as an example of one such entrant, has hopefully raised our collective awareness. To narrow down our market scope a bit, according to HVS services apartments in Europe are expected to outgrow traditional hotel...
Clairvoyix Promotes Lisa Phillips to Executive Vice President, COO
Clairvoyix | December 18, 2019
Promotion coincides with formal launch of new group solution business unit Clairvoyix, the leader in enterprise class, hospitality-focused marketing automation, recently announced the promotion of Lisa Phillips to executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Lisa has effectively managed the explosive year-over-year growth of our leisure marketing automation business while building a professional services team that is the envy of our industry,” said Mike Schmitt, CEO of Clairvoyix. “This promotion recognizes Lisa’s considerable achievements, while giving us the best opportunity to successfully launch the Clairvoyix Grou...
Hotel Drover Opening in 2020 Appoints Kristin Assad as VP/General Manager
Hotel Drover | December 18, 2019
Stockyards Heritage Development Co. and Hotel Drover are excited to announce Kristin Assad as the VP/General Manager of their new 4-Star property. Set to open in Fall 2020, Hotel Drover will serve as the anchor and crown jewel for the Fort Worth Stockyards and soon-to-open Mule Alley mixed use development. Part of the Marriott Autograph Collection of hotels, this stunning 6 story hotel will feature 200 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, as well as 15,000 square feet of meeting space, an elegant barn for weddings, meetings, and social events and a chef-curated restaurant, 97 West Kitchen & Bar. “We interviewed a number of candida...
Michael R. Evans Appointed President of Marcus® Hotels & Resorts
Marcus® Hotels & Resorts | December 18, 2019
The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS) today announced the appointment of Michael R. Evans as president of its Marcus® Hotels & Resorts division. Evans is a proven lodging industry executive with more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry with companies such as Marriott International, Inc. and MGM Resorts International. Evans most recently served as chief executive officer of Apex Capital Ventures LLC in Las Vegas, Nevada, a real estate company focused on the development and acquisition of hotels and resorts. His career includes nine years with MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas as chief operating officer of MGM...
Arlington Approved for $550 Million Convention Center & Hotel Addition
Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau | December 18, 2019
Construction is expected to begin in early 2020 and to be completed in 2023 connecting 888 additional hotel rooms via skybridge to the new 300-room Live! by Loews Hotel The Arlington City Council voted Tuesday evening to approve a $550 million addition to the city's booming Entertainment District. The project will include a new 888-room hotel aptly called Loews Arlington, a publicly owned convention center, and a parking facility for 1,500 vehicles. Construction is expected to begin in early 2020 and to be completed in 2023. Developed in public-private partnership with Loews, the Texas Rangers, Cordish Cos., the City of Arlington and Tarran...
Saving on Utility Bills in Hotels
Sam Reed | December 18, 2019
There are close to 50,000 hotels and motels in the United States, and they spend around 6 percent of their operating costs on energy each year, according to Energy Star. Most of that is used for lighting and climate control. Because hotels and motels operate 24 hours per day, those two things run almost constantly. Making a few energy-efficient changes can make a big difference. Energy consumption at hotels also accounts for 60 percent of its carbon footprint. Upgrade your lighting Most of the changes to lighting can be done inexpensively while cutting a hotel’s energy bill by as much as 20 percent, according to Carbon Trust. Car...
What About My Inbound Leads?
Kristi White | December 18, 2019
By Kristi White, VP of Product, Knowland In this this third and final installation of our “Playing to win” series, we take a look at inbound leads and how they should fit into your mix of business. Inbound leads are a reality and will never completely go away, even in a downturn. However, a one size fits all approach to inbound leads is often detrimental and ineffective. There are more strategic ways to respond to them. Do you have a strategic methodology on how you respond? Let me rephrase that, do you have a strategy that doesn’t involve “be first”? Perhaps it’s time to contemplate how you evaluate inbound leads and...
TraknProtect Announces New Partnership With Safety NetAccess
Safety NetAccess | December 18, 2019
TraknProtect endorses leading position in the hospitality technology industry with new Safety NetAccess partnership TraknProtect, a pioneer of real-time location-based technology purpose-built for the hotel industry, has announced a new partnership with Safety NetAccess, a leading guest internet and hospitality solutions provider. This news rounds out a year in which TraknProtect has solidified its position in hospitality technology, crafting strategic alliances with leading hospitality technology companies to create a perceptible shift in employee safety culture. The only safety button platform designed specifically for the hospitality i...
Uptown Suites Adopts Fuel’s Interactive Mobile App Across Eight-Property Hotel Portfolio
Fuel | December 18, 2019
Extended-stay hotel innovators Uptown Suites invest in Fuel’s robust mobile app solution to improve guest communication, interaction and satisfaction Fuel, the premier software provider and digital agency for the hotel industry, today announced that it has partnered with extended stay hotel brand Uptown Suites to integrate its full-featured interactive mobile app into the company’s digital ecosystem. The app was officially launched early this month and will serve all eight existing Uptown Suites properties in the U.S. Fuel’s mobile app solution will help Uptown Suites to maximize guest service and increase satisfaction through a s...
Politics to Steer Hospitality Landscape in 2020
AETHOS Consulting Group | December 17, 2019
(December 17, 2019) - AETHOS Consulting Group's UK and US Managing Directors have gathered their collective thought leadership and now share predictions, concerns and issues for the hospitality industry in 2020. For this monumental year, the issues, unsurprisingly, relate to finding labor, particularly in light of politics across the globe, and technology. Some of AETHOS's observations include: Development Programs Should Deliver More Predictable Talent Pipelines and Consistent Organizational Bench-Strength. Says AETHOS Managing Director and head of the firm's workplace psychology and 20|20 Assess survey and assessment practice, Jame...
