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Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
Virgin Hotels Dallas Opens Its Doors in Texas
Virgin Hotels | December 16, 2019
The 268-chamber Virgin Hotels Dallas is the first hotel in the booming Design District. The highly anticipated third Virgin Hotels property is located in the Dallas Design District on 1445 Turtle Creek Boulevard. It features 268 Chambers, including two penthouse suites, The Pool Club – a fourth-floor rooftop terrace with pool – as well as multiple dining and drinking outlets. “I’ve always had so much fun visiting Dallas, so I’m thrilled that Virgin will have a home in this exciting city. Our hotel in the Dallas Design District will have all the signature features of a Virgin Hotels including the Commons Club, our beautiful Cha...
Marriott International Signs Agreement With Landmark Sabbour to Open W Hotel in Cairo, Egypt
W Hotels Worldwide | December 16, 2019
Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has entered into an agreement with Landmark Sabbour to bring the W Brand’s bold design, signature Whatever/Whenever® service and innovative programming to Cairo, underscoring the growing demand for luxury in Egypt. Expected to open in 2024, W Cairo will be situated in 1-Ninety - a 300,000 sqm mixed-use development in the emerging New Cairo district featuring retail space, commercial and residential components. To be located just 25 kilometres from Cairo International Airport, the new hotel will add its own vibrant W experience to the ultra-modern urban landscape of New Cairo. Known for see...
Delray Beach Marriott Launches Renovation and Rebranding to Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa
Opal Collection | December 16, 2019
The newest property to join the Opal Collection, Opal Grand is perfectly poised in the heart of Delray Beach offering 277 guestrooms including 89 suites. The iconic Delray Beach Marriott announces the transformation to the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa. Delray’s premiere oceanfront resort has been redesigned as a new contemporary hotel with spectacular ocean views, huge suites, more function space and parking. Opal Grand brings a new standard of luxury to Delray Beach’s premier location on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and the Ocean. The hotel creates a new paradigm of opulence in the reinvention of a beloved icon of modern...
MCR Acquires Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown, Ohio, Near A Christmas Story House
MCR | December 16, 2019
Leg lamps for every guestroom! MCR, the fifth-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, has acquired the 240-room Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown in Cleveland, Ohio. The Hilton Garden Inn — we triple dog dare you to find a better place to stay — lies just a short drive from the home where the 1983 yuletide classic A Christmas Story was filmed. In case you’re not one of the millions who tune in to TNT or TBS annually for the film’s 24-hour Christmas Eve marathon, a quick primer: The 1940s-set tale follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to obtain a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa and survive the school bullies ...
What Existing Hotel Sales & Marketing Materials Are Lacking to Attract Luxury Weddings & Events
Lauren Grech | December 16, 2019
If a hotel wants to be considered a top event space, then at a minimum, they should have five pieces of criteria showcased on their website and within their sales materials. By Lauren Grech I first began writing an article that was supposed to be titled "The Top New U.S. Hotels For Your Destination Wedding." I thought it would be easy to find newly opened United States hotels to recommend for luxury weddings. My plan was to take five key points from the “LLG Standard,” an event evaluation that I developed over the past several years, and have applied to numerous hotels through onsite visits. This Standard resulted in me building and...
5 Easy Ways to Add a Holiday Touch to Your Hotel’s Social Media
Pipeline Social Media | December 16, 2019
By: Maiya Wall / Pipeline Social Media Have you been sharing your hotel’s holiday cheer on social media? We know it’s a busy season and social media may not be front of mind! However, we don’t want you to miss out on delivering your message and growing your audience. If you are struggling to add a holiday touch to your content, here are simple things that you can do to shift your social media efforts during this season and keep up the engagement with fans that you’ve built throughout the year. 1. Shift Your Language Instead of simply saying “Book now” in your social media captions, say “Book your holiday getaway” to ...
Access Point Financial Names New Financial Executive Appointments Ahead of 2020
Access Point Financial | December 16, 2019
Leader in hospitality-focused lending announces key appointments, including Angelo Stambules as VP of Capital Markets and Loan Syndications, and Keith Avant as Chief Credit Officer Access Point Financial, LLC (APF), a leading direct lender and specialty finance company focused exclusively on the hospitality industry, revealed two new key appointments to its leadership team, with Angelo Stambules signing on as VP of Capital Markets and Loan Syndications, and Keith Avant joining as Chief Credit Officer. Both appointments were made as part of Access Point Financial’s aggressive growth strategy going into 2020. Angelo Stambules is a 25-ye...
Auberge Resorts Collection Plans Spring 2020 Opening of Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Texas
Commodore Perry Estate | December 13, 2019
Auberge Resorts Collection, a portfolio of award-winning hotels, resorts and residences, today announced that it plans a Spring 2020 opening for its first urban retreat in the dynamic destination of Austin, Texas. Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection will be a modern interpretation of a residential estate from yesteryear, where guests are invited to sit back, celebrate and inspire thoughtful conversation. Designed by internationally known designer Ken Fulk, the resort will bring a new level of contemporary glamour, whimsical soul and effortless luxury representative of Austin’s uniqueness. The intimate 10-acre resort offers a...
Study Reveals 77% of Travelers More Likely to Book When Business Owners Respond to Reviews
TripAdvisor | December 13, 2019
Ipsos MORI Survey Shows 79% travelers said Personalized Responses from Owners Make Reviews More Useful, Highlighting the Importance of Management Responses 89% of Travelers Said a Thoughtful Response to a Negative Review Improved Their Impression of a Business, Showing the Effectiveness of Owners Responding to All Types of Reviews 84% of Travellers Said Polite and Respectful Response from Business Owners is Important to Them When Reading Reviews, and as a Result, They Plan a Better Trip NEEDHAM, Mass., Dec. 13, 2019 -- New research released today from Ipsos MORI in partnership with TripAdvisor has revealed that customers are mo...
4 Useful Positioning Strategies for Your Independent Hotel
Kacey Bradley | December 13, 2019
By Kacey Bradley People at the head of hospitality management know that work never seems to slow down. There are always things happening during the day to day activities, plus events to plan for and business decisions to be made. No one can do everything at one time, which is why sometimes management may forget to watch the market. Keeping an eye on the market is crucial. It dictates how a hotel is doing, who their guests are and how they should market themselves. In order to place your independent hotel in a more advantageous position, try these four useful positioning strategies. They'll help your business compete with other hotels...
Pan Pacific Hotels Group Enters Tokyo, Japan in 2020 With Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, a Pan Pacific Partner Hotel
Pan Pacific Hotel Group | December 13, 2019
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has signed an agreement to enter Tokyo, Japan to market the five-star Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel as a Pan Pacific Partner Hotel through its distribution channels and its loyalty programme, Pan Pacific DISCOVERY. Mr Choe Peng Sum, Chief Executive Officer, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, said, “We are proud to partner the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel as a Pan Pacific Partner Hotel as an international presence. Through our loyalty programme Pan Pacific DISCOVERY, the hotel will have access to 15.6 million members worldwide.” “We have a long-standing relationship with Pan Pacific Hotels Group. Over the years, we have ...
Mainland Europe Hotels Enter Q4 With Positive GOPPAR Growth
HotStats | December 13, 2019
Mainland Europe hoteliers celebrated a positive start to the last quarter of 2019. October marked the second consecutive month—and third month of the year—of growth in profit per available room compared to the same period last year, according to HotStats data. A strong top line drove the 1.2% YOY increase in GOPPAR. In the rooms department, a combination of occupancy (up 1.0 percentage points YOY) and average rate (up 0.1% YOY) led to a 1.5% increase in revenue per available room. This positive trend was replicated across other revenue centres. Specifically, F&B revenue, which achieved 1.0% YOY growth on a per-available-room bas...
20 Ways to Create an Amazing Customer Service Experience in 2020 (Part One)
Shep Hyken | December 13, 2019
By Shep Hyken With all the focus on how technology—including AI, data, personalization and more—can drive a better customer experience, I wanted to shift my focus back to basics. To this end, I recently published an article in Forbes about ways to create an amazing customer experience in 2020, and I thought it would be enjoyed by our Shepard Letter subscribers as well. It was quite long, so I decided to split it into two parts. If you want to read all twenty right away, you can do so here. Here are the first ten of twenty ideas as to how you can up your customer service game in 2020. Stay in touch. Too often companies focus all t...
Pan Pacific Hotels Group Opens PanPacific Toronto Following Rebranding
Pan Pacific Hotels Group | December 13, 2019
The former Westin Prince Hotel offers 409 guestrooms and suites located in North East Toronto Pan Pacific Hotels Group puts another footprint in North America with the rebranding of The Westin Prince Hotel to Pan Pacific Toronto. Pan Pacific Toronto will be the fifth hotel for Pan Pacific Hotels Group in North America, joining other hotels in Vancouver, Whistler in British Columbia and Seattle. Mr Choe Peng Sum, Chief Executive Officer, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, said, “We are delighted to fly the Pan Pacific flag in Toronto. As an international brand, Pan Pacific will bring to the hotel not only its guests from North America where we hav...
In Focus – Skiathos
Manos Tavladorakis | December 13, 2019
By Manos Tavladorakis, Pavlos Papadimitriou Introduction The Sporades are an island complex along the east coast of Central Greece, northeast of the island of Euboea, in the Aegean Sea. They consist of 24 islands, four of which are permanently inhabited, namely Alonnisos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros. Skiathos is the westernmost island in the Sporades group, east of the Pelion peninsula in Magnesia on the mainland, and west of the island of Skopelos. Skiathos Map Source: Greecetravel.com Island of Skiathos The island has an area of 49,90 km² and a permanent population of 6.088 (2011) inhabitants, with the majority living in Skiath...
Teaching Sustainability in STEM and Hospitality Programs: Different Approaches…. Same World!
Laura Zizka | December 13, 2019
Sustainability is increasingly present in everyday life: what is the best way to include it in university courses to properly prepare students for the real world. By Laura Zizka It’s curious to write an article on two seemingly diametrically opposed educational programs. On the one hand, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM); on the other hand, hospitality. At first glance, there seems to be nothing in common with these studies. STEM students are scientists, engineers, techies, and mathematicians who base their decisions on facts and rigor; hospitality students ooze ‘people’ skills and find practical solutions to imme...
ONOMO Hotels Acquires BON Hotels, Creating a Powerful Pan-African Hospitality Player
ONOMO Hotels | December 13, 2019
ONOMO Hotels has acquired a 60.1% controlling stake in BON Hotels With the announcement, today of the acquisition of BON Hotels by ONOMO Hotels (www.OnomoHotel.com), the hospitality industry on the African continent is set for a major shake-up. ONOMO Hotels has acquired a 60.1% controlling stake in BON Hotels. “ONOMO is consolidating the African hospitality market and will continue to strengthen its pan-African presence. The acquisition deal establishes ONOMO as a key player in the Nigerian market and will reinforce our presence in Southern Africa,” says ONOMO Chairman, Julien Ruggieri. “The deal positions ONOMO as the leading ...
sbe’s Iconic Hudson Hotel to Make First International Debut With 2024 Opening In Toronto
sbe | December 13, 2019
TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2019 - sbe, the leading international hospitality group that develops, manages and operates award-winning brands, today announced it is bringing one of the hotel industry's most influential hotels, New York's iconic Hudson, to Toronto, Canada. Set to debut in 2024, the proposed 75,000 square foot project will be developed in partnership with Lamb Development Corp and IE Hospitality, featuring 146 rooms. Hudson Toronto will be a marquee addition to Toronto's bustling King West community, the city's vibrant entertainment and creative district. Surrounded by a lively art scene, glowing nightlife and buzzing entertainmen...
Nexus Development Opens Cambria’s Largest Hotel in Anaheim, California
Cambria® Hotels | December 13, 2019
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 13, 2019 - Cambria Hotels, an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), welcomes the 50th and largest property to the brand in Anaheim, California. The 12-story, 352-room Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area sets a new record as the brand's 11th location to open this year and is the latest sign of success in Choice Hotels' upscale expansion strategy. "It's been a phenomenal year for Cambria Hotels — in addition to expanding in city centers nationwide and achieving our 50th hotel milestone, the brand received top ratings from guests and corporate travel buyers alike, all wh...
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto Appoints Chris Suarez as New Director of Sales & Marketing
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto | December 13, 2019
PALO ALTO, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2019) – Nobu Hotel Palo Alto has announced Chris Suarez, as Director of Sales & Marketing of the newly renovated property. In this role, Suarez will focus on driving sales and marketing efforts for the property, including the newly transformed guest room level dedicated entirely to Ryokan suites and private events. “We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Nobu Hotel Palo Alto team,” said Andrew Tilley, Vice President of Hotel Openings at Nobu Hospitality. “His expertise in the hospitality industry and in-depth knowledge of Silicon Valley are an asset to our team as we continue to establish our pr...
Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions Adds Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton and Hampton Inn & Suites Mahwah to Management Portfolio
Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions | December 13, 2019
David Fincannon, chief operating officer, Blue Sky Hospitality (BSHS), one of the leading and fastest growing hotel owner/operators in the United States, today announced the completion of two separate hotel transactions: the 236-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton in Fla., and the 111-room Hampton Inn & Suites Mahwah in N.J. The company plans to invest $10 million to upgrade both hotels. “While both hotels enjoy enviable locations in markets with numerous demand generators, we believe the properties will experience a noticeable improvement to both guest scores and overall revenues following the multi-million dollar renovation pla...
McKibbon Hospitality Announces Promotions and Appointments of Four Seasoned Sales Leaders
McKibbon Hospitality | December 13, 2019
TAMPA, FL (December 13, 2019) - McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning industry leader in hotel management, is pleased to announce the promotions and appointments of four seasoned sales leaders. Kelly Schlitter was promoted to Director of Sales from Group Sales Manager at Aloft Greenville Downtown. In her new role, Kelly will be responsible for managing all sales and marketing efforts for the lifestyle hotel located on ONE City Plaza in downtown Greenville. A 15-year hospitality veteran, Kelly began her career as a conference services manager at The Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island. She honed her sales expertise with management positi...
Makeready Appoints Leadership for New Emeline Hotel Opening in Charleston
Emeline | December 13, 2019
Charleston, S.C., December 13, 2019 – Makeready, a hotel, restaurant and retail operator and management company, together with Rockbridge, designs and delivers experiences with a particular point-of-view: creating a true sense of community led by people that believe in the mission of making personal connections. As the collection introduces Emeline, a brand new concept opening Spring of 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina, two key personnel have been added to the team to lead the launch. Brad Harvey, General Manager at Emeline An innovative and forward-thinking hospitality executive, Brad Harvey brings diverse expertise and contagi...
Crescent Heights Sells 50% of Mondrian South Beach to Investor Michael S. Liebowitz
Mondrian Hotel South Beach | December 13, 2019
Crescent Heights, the real estate development company behind some of the nation’s most notable residential and mixed-use properties, office buildings and hotels, announced today that it has sold 50 percent of the Mondrian South Beach hotel to investor Michael S. Liebowitz for an undisclosed amount. Russell Galbut, Managing Principal of Crescent Heights, will retain 50 percent ownership of the Mondrian South Beach, and Menin Hospitality will continue to manage and operate the property. The sale will see Galbut and Liebowitz as managing members of the hotel and introduce new opportunities for the property in 2020. Together, Galbut and Lieb...
