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
Jean-Claude Plihon Announced as New Director of Culinary and Food & Beverage Operations for Park Hyatt Washington, D.C.
Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. | December 4, 2019
Washington, D.C. (December 4, 2019) – Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. General Manager Terry Dunbar is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean-Claude Plihon as the hotel’s new director of culinary and food & beverage operations. Plihon will oversee all culinary operations for the award-winning Blue Duck Tavern, 24-hour room service, and banquet operations of the landmark award-winning hotel, which is situated in the heart of the nation’s capital. Plihon joins the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. team from Dallas where he served for 10 years as executive chef of the AAA four-diamond Grand Hyatt DFW. Under his leadership, Grand Hyatt ...
Pestana Park Avenue Appoints Key Management Roles Ahead of January Opening
Pestana Park Avenue | December 4, 2019
NEW YORK, December 4, 2019 – Pestana Park Avenue, set to open this January as Pestana Hotel Group’s 100th property in the world and its first location in New York City, is pleased to announce several key management appointments in preparation for the brand’s highly anticipated Manhattan debut. The role of General Manager will be held by José Carlos Fernandes, and Esther Barbosa has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing. “I am excited to have talented and committed people lead the way for the opening of such a dynamic property,” said Dionosio Pestana, Owner and Chairman of Pestana Hotel Group. “José Carlos and Est...
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Set for Late 2020 Opening in Downtown New Orleans’ Historic World Trade Center
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | December 4, 2019
TORONTO, Dec. 4, 2019 -- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality company, together with developers Carpenter & Company Inc. and Woodward Interests, LLC, experts in residential, hospitality, and mixed-use real estate development, will open a luxury hotel and Private Residences in downtown New Orleans in late 2020. The property is owned by Two Canal Owner LLC, in which both developers are partners. The first Four Seasons in New Orleans, the property will debut in the heart of the city as Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans. Within the World Trade Center, the new Four Seasons will be locat...
Tourism Tidbits: “Tidbits” for December – The Gift of Travel
Dr. Peter Tarlow | December 4, 2019
By Dr. Peter Tarlow December is a month for the giving of gifts. It is also a time to motivate employees during a season not only of joy but also for many a time of great frustrations. For those employed in the tourism industry December often means large crowds and challenging weather situations. It is a time when those who work in the travel industry not only suffer from personal exhaustion but also from a low level of ésprit de corps. December’s difficulties are a perpetual challenge for any tourism administrator. When we add to this situation the fact that the long cold and often dark winter months add to ...
What Ever Happened to Real Hotel Marketing?
Larry Mogelonsky | December 4, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Marketing for hotels used to be a far simpler art. Define a budget, review media pricing then assign monthly figures to each chosen publication and design your ads. Nowadays, in the era of revenue managers, the director of marketing position is often not necessarily as important the aforementioned master of yield-managing inventory. Indeed, the executive housekeeper may be considered more important because if the guestrooms aren’t cleaned properly then your all-too-critical TripAdvisor scores may suffer. Nowadays, marketing has been basically limited to: Keeping the website f...
CBRE Issues U.S. Lodging and 2020-2021 Historic Hotels Forecast at Historic Hotels of America Annual Conference
Historic Hotels of America® | December 4, 2019
Historic Hotels forecast 1.2% advance in market RevPAR is better than the national projection of 0.8% increase for Upper-Upscale and Luxury Hotels. WASHINGTON, DC – December 4, 2019 The outlook for the U.S. lodging industry continues to be less strong than prior years, according to CBRE Hotels Research (CBRE), but Historic Hotels RevPAR will be impacted less and be relatively stronger than other segments of the industry over the next two years. For the sixth consecutive year, CBRE Hotels Research presented a Historic Hotels of America – CBRE two-year forecast at the Historic Hotels of America annual conference. CBRE relies on histor...
Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando Near University of Central Florida Opens
Home2 Suites by Hilton | December 4, 2019
ORLANDO, Fla. – Dec. 4, 2019 – Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando Near University of Central Florida. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. The five-story, 124-suite hotel, is one mile south of the University of Central Florida and near a number of retail outlets and dining establishments. “We are pleased to welcome this exciting new property to our portfolio of hotels,” said Jeff Dougan, president, Buffalo Lodging Assoc...
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club Appoints Thomas Hartwell as Executive Chef
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club | December 4, 2019
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – DECEMBER 3, 2019 – Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, Colorado Springs’ luxury resort, club and spa, announces the appointment of Thomas Hartwell as Executive Chef. Hartwell brings a distinguished career spanning the globe within the hospitality and culinary arts fields. Most recently, Hartwell served as Chef de Cuisine at Edgewood Tahoe Resort following culinary appointments at Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa, The Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder, ZuZu Napa and The Meritage Resort and Spa among others. He is also a gold-medal accoladed American Culinary Federation (ACF) competitor. As Executive Chef, Hartwel...
Azerai Plans Early 2020 Opening of Azerai Ke Ga Bay in Vietnam
Azerai | December 4, 2019
KE GA BAY, Vietnam (Dec. 4, 2019) - Azerai Ke Ga Bay, a luxurious and secluded oceanfront retreat in southeastern Vietnam, is set to launch in early 2020 as the third property in Azerai Resorts’ growing portfolio. The property is scheduled to open April 1, 2020, with first bookings available online early in the New Year. The 55-room resort, which will succeed Princess D’Annam Resort & Spa on the same site following a six-month renovation, is located 180km east of Saigon on a sweeping five-kilometer white sand beach on the South China Sea. Framed to the north by Hon Ba Island, with its historic 1899-built colonial French ligh...
Hotel 101: What Is GOPPAR and Why Does It Matter?
David Eisen | December 4, 2019
By David Eisen The hotel industry has long been obsessed with revenue. But if you care about a hotel’s operational health, relying on revenue alone only tells one chapter of the whole story. Imagine walking into a doctor’s office for your yearly checkup. She asks you to step on the scale and... you’re done. The doctor marks down your weight, compares it to what your weight was the previous year, and sends you on your way. That doesn’t make much sense, does it? Changes in your body weight may give the doctor clues, but they won’t offer much insight into the true state of your health. And the same goes fo...
Industry Experts at Preferred Hotels & Resorts Reveal Top Travel Trends and Hot Destinations for 2020
Preferred Hotels & Resorts | December 4, 2019
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA – December 4, 2019: Travel and hospitality professionals across the globe are preparing to usher in a new decade of travel, focusing on up-and-coming destinations, increasingly popular lodging trends, and fresh ways to experience travel in a meaningful way that impacts the way people view the world. With more than 50 years of industry experience, the experts at Preferred Hotels & Resorts – the world’s largest independent hotel brand with more than 750 properties in 85 countries – are sharing their insights and tips for the year ahead. · CONSCIOUS TRAVEL – According to the Sustainab...
Greenwood Hospitality Inks Management Deal with Inns of Monterey for Five Boutique Hotels in Coastal Monterey, California
Greenwood Hospitality | December 4, 2019
Monterey, CA, December 3, 2019 – Greenwood Hospitality Group, a full-service third party hotel management company, has assumed management of five hotels in Monterey, California: the Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, the Spindrift Inn, the Wave Street Inn, the Victorian Inn, and the Monterey Bay Inn. All five properties are owned by boutique hotel collection Inns of Monterey. “These five properties represent some of the most vibrant and expressive hotels in the Monterey hotel market, and we are honored to add them to our portfolio,” said Bill Kohl, Principal at Greenwood Hospitality Group. “We are excited for the future of this fa...
Bleisure, a New Target Market for Hotels: the 5-Step Plan for Success
Patrick Landman | December 4, 2019
By Patrick Landman Bleisure has become a booming customer segment for hotels. “Bleisure” is a portmanteau of the words business and leisure, and refers to corporate travellers which also add leisure activities into their stay. It is also known as “bizcation” or “workcation”. The typical question that guests are asked, “Are you traveling for business or leisure?” will likely soon require the third option of bleisure. Discover how to attract bleisure guests to your hotel in this brief 5-step guide for hotel operation, revenue management, and hotel marketing professionals. What Type of Guest Profile Does Bleisure Travelers In...
Green Park Management Set to Open TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Port St. Lucie, Florida
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | December 4, 2019
Port St. Lucie, FL – December 4, 2019 – Marriott International’s TownePlace Suites by Marriott Port St. Lucie I-95 is scheduled to open for business this Thursday, December 5. The new 128-suite hotel is built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Port St. Lucie area. Located at 10460 SW Village Parkway, it will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Green Park Management of Boynton Beach, Florida. “We are excited to introduce the TownePlace Suites brand to the Port St. Lucie area,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Bra...
Natalie Wise Appointed Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami
The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami | December 4, 2019
MIAMI, FL. December 2019— Natalie Wise has been appointed hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami where she will oversee all resort operations. As part of the leadership team who assisted in the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, Wise looks forward to returning to the recently redesigned property in a full-time capacity. Wise brings her experienced skills in leadership development, strategic business planning to further support the property’s rooms division, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, retail operations, poolside and recreation operations and Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment programming. Wis...
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino Appoints Ashlee Barton as Director of Sales and Marketing
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino | December 4, 2019
Incline Village, Nevada (December 3, 2019) – Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a scenic lakefront resort located on the shores of North Lake Tahoe, announces Ashlee Barton as director of sales and marketing. She joins the resort from Hyatt Regency San Francisco where she served as associate director of sales. “We are thrilled to welcome Ashlee Barton to the team at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe,” said Michael Murphy, general manager at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “Ashlee brings an immense about of experience and expertise working in sales and the hospitality industry. Her background paired with ...
ResortPass Sees Record Growth Fueled by Experience Economy and Redefines Guest Revenue Opportunities for Hotels & Resorts
ResortPass | December 4, 2019
The gold standard in hotel and resort guest day passes enters 2020 with the momentum of expanded partnerships, investment rounds, and record sales performance Santa Monica, California (December 4, 2019) - ResortPass, the leading day-guest program for US-based luxury hotels and resorts today announced that 2019 was a record-breaking year of growth and 2020 is continuing on this wave. The Santa Monica-based company that offers day passes to hotels and resorts recently raised Series A funding from top-tier Silicon Valley venture firms who have backed tech companies such as Uber and Doordash. They have also expanded partnerships with Kimp...
Northwood Hospitality, Implements the Entire BirchStreet Systems Procure-to-Pay Automation Portfolio – Including New BirchStreet Pay – to
BirchStreet Systems, Inc. | December 4, 2019
NEWPORT BEACH, California - BirchStreet Systems, the market leader in procure-to-pay software for the hospitality industry, announces today that Northwood Hospitality has implemented BirchStreet’s full suite of modules, including new BirchStreet Pay. Northwood Hospitality already leveraged BirchStreet’s eProcurement and AP Automation modules. By adding Invoice Management, Capital Projects Management, Labor Management, and Recipe & Menu Management, Northwood Hospitality will have an end-to-end solution that improves spend compliance, drives back office efficiencies, expands food and beverage margins, and more. The company anticipate...
The Giving Season Is Year-Round at The Alfond Inn at Rollins
The Alfond Inn at Rollins | December 4, 2019
The Alfond Inn at Rollins has provided more than $16.6 million in Scholarships to Incoming Freshman at Rollins College since opening in 2013 Winter Park, Florida – Philanthropy is at the heart of The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning Florida hotel that was named one of the Top 5 Hotels in Florida by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2019. What distinguishes The Alfond Inn at Rollins is that it was created to endow scholarships. Owned by Rollins College, all net profits from The Alfond Inn are directed to the Alfond Scholars Program, the College’s premier scholarship fund. These full-ride, four-year scholarships in...
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Appoints Michele Allen as Chief Financial Officer
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | December 3, 2019
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – December 3, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced that David B. Wyshner has decided to step down as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, and move into a senior advisory role reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Geoff Ballotti until March 1, 2020. “As the CFO of Wyndham Worldwide and later Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, David was absolutely instrumental in the divestiture of our European Vacation Rentals Business, the acquisition of La Quinta Holdings, our spin-off from our parent company, establishing a new Finance leadership team and setting us up for the future. ...
Radisson Hotel Group Announces Leadership Departure in the Americas
Radisson Hotel Group | December 3, 2019
Minneapolis - December 3, 2019 - Radisson Hotel Group today announced that Ken Greene, President, Americas has resigned from his position with the company for personal reasons effective December 2, 2019. The company has embarked on a search for his replacement. “I want to thank Ken for his contributions to Radisson Hotel Group,” said Federico J. González, Chair, Global Steering Committee for Radisson Hotel Group. “Growth of our brands in the Americas continues to be a key component of our five-year strategic plan and I look forward to building on the strong foundation and owner centric culture we have established.”...
A Make-or-Break Issue for Hotels: Guests Want Cybersecurity
Margaret Ady | December 3, 2019
By Margaret Ady These days, we tend talk about cybersecurity far less than we talk about melting icebergs or political problems or plastic straws. And, of course. Those are things we can do a little something about; we can make our own tiny dent in the environmental crisis or get out the vote, but cybersecurity is one of those problems that feel far out of most our hands. Yet, we all have important, essential, identifying information flying around the web, apps, stores, airlines, and—hotels. Consumers are relying on businesses to be transparent and secure, and hotels are one of the most targeted industries (just behind retailers) by cybe...
U.S. GOPPAR Turns Negative After Recent Gains
HotStats | December 3, 2019
Two consecutive months of profit gain were spoiled as the start of the fourth quarter brought with it a year-over-year downturn in GOPPAR for U.S. hotels. According to HotStats data, GOPPAR in October was down 2.8% versus the same month last year, a symptom of expense creep and a dive in top-line revenue. The negative turn comes on the heels of two months of positive YOY profit gains. Year-to-date GOPPAR is down 0.3% and down 0.7% on a rolling 12 months. RevPAR for the month was down 2.1% YOY, the result of a 1.8% YOY drop in average room rate and a 0.3-percentage-point dip in occupancy. The decrease in rooms revenue, along with a...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 223: Hotel History: The Wales Hotel (1902)
Stanley Turkel | December 3, 2019
By Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: The Wales Hotel One of the most charming historic hotels in New York, the Wales Hotel is closing its doors in 2020. It opened in 1902 as the 92-room Hotel Chastaignery on 92nd Street and Madison Avenue in the neighborhood called Carnegie Hill. After four name changes over one hundred years it became the Hotel Wales in 2000. Its earlier names after Chastaignery were Hotel Bibo, Hotel Bon Ray, the Carnegie Hill Hotel and the Wales Hotel. An original 1902 hotel brochure described the opening of the Hotel Chastaignery as follows: A new fireproof family hotel and public restaurant just opened by Mr....
