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Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
Reconfiguring Meeting Facilities to Meet the Growing Demand for Non-Traditional Spaces
September 20, 2019
By Allison Handy How do you go about finding innovative ways to create the unique environments and memorable experiences that today's meeting attendees are seeking? How do you reposition, reconfigure, and reinvent a meeting or event space to create something new and different? If your property already benefits from a distinctive meeting space, how do you leverage that space to make the most of a great opportunity and elevate your facilities to the point where they become a popular and profitable resource and a sought-after destination for businesses and organizations? Understanding both the general best practices and the specific str...
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces the Death of Barron Hilton
September 20, 2019
Chairman Emeritus of the Hilton Foundation, Retired Chairman, President & CEO of Hilton Hotels Corporation Dies at age 91 Hotelier and philanthropist Barron Hilton died on Thursday, September 19, 2019, of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles. He was 91. He succeeded his father, Conrad Hilton, as chairman, president & CEO of Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1966, and dramatically expanded his domestic hotel empire. He was also the founding owner of the Chargers of the American Football League, and helped forge the merger with the National Football League that created the Super Bowl. Hunting, fishing and flying were Hilton’s fa...
HVS Market Pulse: Columbia, South Carolina
McKenna Luke | September 20, 2019
By McKenna Luke Columbia, the state capital of South Carolina and the home of the University of South Carolina (USC), is a growing metroplex. Not only is the city expanding with notably annual population growth, the MSA population is expected to increase from roughly 800,000 to over 1,200,000 by 2045. The recent and current growth within the hospitality industry has been driven by growing population, visitation, new and expanding companies, and a pro-business environment. Fort Jackson remains a strong presence in the market, and over 100,000 family members attend basic-training graduation annually; several hoteliers in multiple submarkets ...
Aimbridge Hospitality Opens The Resort at Coco Beach Following Renovation and Rebranding
The Resort at Coco Beach | September 20, 2019
RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO (September 20, 2019) - The new Resort at Coco Beach, a Hyatt affiliated hotel and one-of-a-kind premium wellness experience, is now open in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The 579-all suite oceanfront property on the island’s serene northeast coast is situated on a secluded 1,000-acre peninsula within a private development. The resort is managed by an affiliate of Aimbridge Hospitality, LLC, North America’s largest independent hotel management and investment firm. The hotel is expected to be rebranded as Hyatt Regency Coco Beach Resort later this year, following the completion of brand enhancements and updates. Forme...
The Kahala Hotel & Resort Appoints Joe Ibarra as General Manager
The Kahala Hotel & Resort | September 20, 2019
HONOLULU — The Kahala Hotel & Resort has promoted Joe Ibarra to general manager of the 338-room luxury resort on Oahu’s Kahala coast. In his new role, Ibarra will oversee the strategic direction, operations and financial performance of the iconic hotel. Ibarra, who was most recently resort manager for The Kahala, joined the resort in 2014 as the director of front office and later served as director of rooms. Ibarra brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience to his role, serving in a number of key management positions including front office and event manager at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. “Joe’s appoint...
Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre to Undergo $8 Million Renovation Under New Management and Ownership
GF Management | September 20, 2019
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20, 2019 -- GF Management, a leading national hotel ownership and management company, announces that, through its affiliate (collectively, the “Company”), has acquired the Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre, marking the Company’s fourth ownership venture in Orlando, Florida. The acquisition of the Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre continues to align with GF Management’s growth objectives and marks the fourth Marriott branded hotel owned by the Company. The Company now owns and/or manages 12 hotels and resorts within the Marriott portfolio, consisting of nearly 3,500 gue...
Rubicon Companies Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation of New York’s Tarrytown House Estate
Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson | September 20, 2019
Tarrytown, New York – (September 20, 2019) Tarrytown House Estate – an elegant, historic 214 room resort-style hotel, destination restaurant, special event venue and conference center nestled in a fairy-tale setting with views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline – today announced an approximately $15-million property-wide refresh, which concluded with the opening of a new restaurant, Goosefeather, by Celebrity Chef Dale Talde. “We are excited to bring the magic and uniqueness of Tarrytown House Estate to the present-day,” said Marc Gordon, Founder and Principal of Rubicon Company, owner of the storied resort. “The r...
RAR Hospitality Completes Phase One of Renovation to Carlsbad by the Sea
RAR Hospitality | September 20, 2019
San Diego–September 20, 2019— RAR Hospitality, a full-spectrum hospitality management firm based in Southern California managed the renovation and re-brand of coastal independent property, Carlsbad by the Sea. The $2 million renovations began in the fall of 2017 and phase one is now complete with elevated hotel and room accommodations, improved guest experiences and new dining offerings in partnership with Windmill Food Hall. “The debut of this property is exciting for our team and the community partners we will be engaging in the months ahead,” said Vikram Sood, senior vice president of operations. “We look forward to offering our...
The Biltmore Mayfair Opens as Europe’s First LXR Hotels & Resorts Property
LXR Hotels & Resorts | September 20, 2019
LONDON, UK – 20 SEPTEMBER 2019 - The Biltmore Mayfair opens its doors today as Europe’s first LXR Hotels & Resorts property - Hilton’s collection of luxury hotels. The 307-room hotel combines exquisite contemporary accommodation, stunning views across the gardens of Grosvenor Square, and innovative culinary concepts by Michelin Star restaurateur, Jason Atherton, creating the ultimate urban sanctuary in the heart of Mayfair. A new jewel in the prestigious neighbourhood, the hotel unites 20th century grandeur with modern architectural details.Guests looking for an elegant escape can book into one of the 57 beautifully designed su...
Nashville’s Hutton Hotel Appoints Dale McCarty as General Manager
September 20, 2019
September 20, 2019 (Nashville, TN) -- Hutton Hotel is proud to announce the appointment of Dale McCarty as General Manager. In his new role, he will guide the hotel’s strategic vision including Analog, the hotel’s renowned 5,000 square foot music venue; the recent launch of the hotel’s new restaurant, Mane & Rye Dinerant; and the Writers Studios creative spaces for musicians. “I am excited to join Hutton Hotel, which has been a beloved and dynamic independent boutique property in Nashville for over ten years. I look forward to directing the vision for the Hotel’s next ten years of success,” stated McCarty of his hiring. ...
Social Media News: Facebook’s Clear History Tool Is Officially Here
September 20, 2019
As we all start the month of September off strong, it’s important to remember that keeping up with all the new social media updates will help us keep the momentum going. And this month, we definitely got some big updates. Let’s take a look at all the new changes that impact hotels and resorts and what they mean for businesses in the hospitality industry. Facebook’s Clear History Tool is Here Facebook’s Clear History Tool is officially here, rolling out to audiences quickly. Users will now be able to clear their off-Facebook activity from being stored in the platform’s database, which includes what Facebook’s conversion p...
Matthew Cappellini Appointed Executive Chef at SOPHY® Hyde Park
SOPHY® Hyde Park | September 19, 2019
September 20, 2019. Chicago, IL – Matthew Cappellini has been appointed the Executive Chef of Mesler Kitchen | Bar | Lounge at SOPHY® Hyde Park. Chef Cappellini was formerly the Executive Chef at Le Meridien Oak Brook and previously worked at the two Michelin star Sixteen restaurant at Trump International Hotel in Chicago. He also did stints at the University of Notre Dame’s Morris Inn and Harrah’s Joliet Chicago Hotel and Casino. A graduate of the culinary arts program at Joliet Junior College, Chef Cappellini is a member of the American Culinary Federation and is an active participant in ACF approved competitions. Chef ...
Marriott International Signs Agreement to Introduce The Ritz-Carlton Brand to Montenegro
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC | September 19, 2019
BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 19, 2019 -- Marriott International, Inc., today announced the signing of a milestone agreement with Northstar D.O.O. to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Montenegro. Under the plan funded by Al Yasra, The Ritz-Carlton, Montenegro and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Montenegro are scheduled to bring the brand's unrivalled elegance and legendary service to the country in 2023. "With its striking views of the Adriatic coast, Montenegro has quickly become a favourite Mediterranean destination for global travellers," said Carlton Ervin, Chief Development Officer – Europe, Marriott International. "The signing of The Ritz-Carlt...
A&M Hotels and Strand Hospitality Open Aloft Dallas Euless
Aloft Hotels | September 19, 2019
Euless, TX – September 19, 2019 – Aloft Hotels, Marriott International’s innovation incubator brand, built with a forward-looking lens and the infrastructure to experiment with emerging technologies, announced the opening of the Aloft Dallas Euless. The 132-room hotel located at 1301 Chisholm Trail will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by A&M Hotels and managed by Strand Hospitality of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. General Manager Curtis Reitz leads the management team at the property for Strand Hospitality. Located in the center of Glade Parks Town Center, eight miles from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Aloft ...
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Appoints Chef Loren Lawe as Executive Chef
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa | September 19, 2019
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (September 19, 2019) – Riverside’s landmark hotel, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, is pleased to announce the appointment of Loren Lawe as its new Executive Chef. A California native, Chef Lawe returns to the award-winning hotel to oversee culinary operations across all five of its notable dining establishments. In his role, Chef Lawe will create new menus with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, lead and manage the culinary team and partner and maintain relationships with local vendors. “We are happy to welcome Chef Lawe back to The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa,” stated co-owner Kelly Roberts of The Mission In...
JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort Appoints New Executive Team to Lead Theme Park Property Through 2020 Opening
JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort | September 19, 2019
Anaheim, CA (September 19, 2019) – Orange County’s highly-anticipated luxury travel destination, the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort announces Nusrat Mirza as its General Manager and Maribel Denner as its Director of Sales and Marketing. The new executive team will lead the resort through its grand opening on April 2020, and serve as strategic leaders and visionaries for the new build hotel. The JW Marriott Anaheim Resort, owned by a joint venture between Prospera Hotels, Inc. and O’Connell Hotel Group, is located at the Anaheim GardenWalk, just steps from the Disneyland Resort®, Anaheim Convention Center and all the other attractions o...
Wymara Resort & Villas Appoints Jorge Collazo as Director of Sales & Marketing
Wymara Resort & Villas | September 19, 2019
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS + CAICOS – September 19, 2019 – As Wymara Resort & Villas enters it diamond anniversary year, Jorge Collazo has been tapped to take the reins as Director of Sales and Marketing. A bit of a homecoming for the industry pro who worked with the hotel from 2012-2014, he returns to Turks & Caicos after five years away, largely spent in Miami in various roles and most recently as part of the opening team at the Silversands Grenada. “I am thrilled to return to Turks and Caicos. The transformation that is underway at Wymara Resort and Villas will have the travel industry abuzz. From the intense service traini...
Avoiding ADA Non-Compliance Issues in Commercial Renovations
Cicero's Development Corporation | September 19, 2019
PLAINFIELD, IL, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 -- Today, 28 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed, a surprising number of commercial properties remain non-accessible for the 50 million Americans – 18% of our population — with physical disabilities. In 2016 alone, more than 6,500 ADA lawsuits were filed in federal court relating to commercial properties which were deemed “disability unfriendly”. These lawsuits can cause headaches... and plenty of money, such as attorney fees and civil penalties as well as lost business due to negative publicity. In this article, I review how to ensure renovating your commercial building lea...
Global CRM Study Preview: The Top Challenges When It Comes to CRM
Nicki Graham | September 19, 2019
This is the first article in a preview series of H2C’s Global CRM Study, a collaborative report that leverages interviews and a global survey to explore the current state of CRM in the hospitality industry. The importance of a single source of truth as the centerpiece of a profitable customer relationship management strategy is one of the key takeaways from H2C’s Global CRM Study. The vendor-agnostic study combined findings from an online survey of 62 executives of both global and regional hotel chains and interviews with 25 hotel executives and 11 technology providers. Here are the first set of takeaways from H2C’s far-reaching re...
Maverick Hotels and Restaurants to Manage Delta by Marriott in Racine, Wisconsin
Maverick Hotels & Restaurants | September 19, 2019
Chicago, Illinois, September 19, 2019 – Maverick Hotels and Restaurants, a full-service third-party hotel management company, announced today that it has been awarded the management contract for the Delta by Marriott Racine hotel in Racine, WI. Robert Habeeb, Founder and CEO of Maverick, made the announcement. Located at 7111 Washington Avenue, the newly Delta by Marriott features 222 modern guest rooms complete with premium bedding, blackout drapes, 43-inch LCD televisions with premium channels, large desks with ergonomic chairs and free Wi-Fi internet access. Other highlights include the hotel’s popular Sip & Savor restaurant ...
Bracing for the Boom: Are Hoteliers Missing Out on the Most Profitable Guests?
Alan Young | September 19, 2019
By Alan E. Young Over the past few years, millennials (individuals born between 1982 and 2000) have received special attention, as leaders across industries speak to their growing presence, impressive buying power, and unique buying behaviors. However, while millennials may be the future, the decision to turn our sights away from the baby boom generation would be irrevocably ill-advised. Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are the wealthiest age group of the century, represent an audience of 74.9 million, and in the past decade, they spent more than any other generation. In 2016, nearly three in 10 U.S. leisure travelers were baby...
Today’s Guests Have an Appetite for Mobile and They’re Willing to Pay for It
Nicole Dehler, Vice President of Product Management StayNTouch, A Shiji Group Brand | September 19, 2019
By Nicki Dehler, VP of Product Management, StayNTouch, A Shiji Group Brand One of the top priorities for hoteliers, according to a recent travel trends report, is a renewed focus on the “battle for the Phono-sapien.” This term was first coined by The Economist to describe the next stage of human evolution, to a mobile-first consumer who looks at their phone every 12 minutes and checks it within five minutes of waking up. In fact, according to a survey by Hotels.com, 81% of travelers say their top travel accessory is their smartphone, which is more than those who said they’d like to bring a camera or even a loved one. Around the gl...
The DAYTONA Opens With the Full INTELITY Platform
INTELITY | September 19, 2019
The motorsports-themed hotel takes the lead by integrating the hospitality technology platform into its operations Los Angeles, California (September 19, 2019) – INTELITY®, provider of the broadest enterprise guest engagement and staff management platform for hospitality, is pleased to announce it now powers The DAYTONA’s mobile app and in-room tablets, giving guests access to hotel amenities and services on demand. The DAYTONA is located adjacent to the Daytona International Speedway and anchors ONE DAYTONA, the brand new retail, dining, and entertainment district. The hotel pays homage to Daytona’s rich racing history and feat...
The Growth of Micro Hotels in North America
Sirinthorn Ramchandani | September 18, 2019
By Sirinthorn Ramchandani The pod hotel concept that originated in Japan in the 1970s has evolved and become one of the latest innovative trends in hotel development and design. Pod-sized accommodation was initially intended for short-stay business travellers who required a private space with basic amenities. Fast forward to today and we see that the pod hotel idea has evolved to meet the growing demands of the mid-scale and millennial travel markets with the introduction of the “micro hotel.” In this article, HVS defines what a micro hotel is, describes how room characteristics differ across brands, and identifies the markets that t...
