The Tricycle of Guest Service Excellence: A Perfect Model For Remarkable Experiences
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Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
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Pyramid Hotel Group Completes $30 Million Renovation of Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf | June 27, 2019
June 27, 2019 (SAN FRANCISCO) — Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, a reimagined destination hotel offering outstanding service and inspired amenities, is pleased to announce the completion of its $30 million property redesign which includes a reconfigured lobby and bar, upgrades to all 531 guest rooms and suites, and the addition of a Sheraton Club Lounge. Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf is the first and only Marriott property in the area to offer a Club Lounge experience and combined lobby and bar concept to guests. Also part of the renovation is the opening of Northpoint Bar & Restaurant, an extension of the hotel’s redesigned lobby experie...
Just Like Hotels, Not All Property Management Systems Are Created Equal
Nicole Dehler, Vice President of Product Management | June 27, 2019
The hospitality industry finds itself in a number of technological transformations. From guest-facing solutions to operational platforms, the legacy technology which once ruled our sector is slowly being replaced by modern, more agile solutions. Once slow to adopt new technology, the hospitality industry is now turning to mobile-friendly, cloud-based platforms to provide a more personalized and streamlined guest experience But in spite of their promise, hoteliers are realizing that not all PMS platforms are created equal 一 requiring new vetting process to separate the technological wheat from the chaff. Legacy PMS - not designed for m...
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club Welcomes Two New Vice Presidents
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club | June 27, 2019
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – (June 27, 2019) – Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, Colorado Springs’ luxury resort and private club, today announces the appointment of hospitality veterans Daniel Daughtry as vice president of restaurants, bars and events and Les Pedersen as vice president of sales and marketing. “Due to the recent expansions at the resort and a drive to enhance service levels, we’re thrilled to be adding two newly established vice president roles. Daniel and Les have been hand-selected to join our growing team,” said James Gibson, president and CEO of Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. Daughtry began his caree...
Sheraton Grand Chicago Names Marcus Cornelious Director of Sales and Marketing
The Sheraton Grand Chicago | June 27, 2019
Chicago, IL – June 26, 2019 – Sheraton Grand Chicago has appointed Marcus Cornelious as the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. Cornelious comes to the riverfront property at an exciting time as a renovation of its Club Rooms has just been unveiled and its seasonal favorite, Chicago Burger Company, celebrated its grand reopening this month. In his new role Cornelious will be responsible for the strategy and implementation of all sales and marketing activations, while overseeing a team of more than two dozen directors, managers and associates. Boasting the largest ballroom in the Midwest, Sheraton Grand Chicago is known to host many...
The Wayfarer DTLA Opening Fall Appoints Francis Dimitrius as Executive Chef
The Wayfarer DTLA | June 27, 2019
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 27, 2019) - The Wayfarer DTLA today announced the appointment of Francis Dimitrius as executive chef. Dimitrius brings more than 14 years of culinary experience to The Wayfarer DTLA, where he will oversee all food and beverage operations and develop seasonal menus for the 156-room boutique hotel and its culinary experiences, set to open Fall 2019. The Wayfarer DTLA will bring a variety of socially-driven and distinctive dining and entertainment experiences to Downtown L.A.’s vibrant culinary landscape, including The Kitchen - a communal guest-hosted cooking and dining space; The Rooftop bar; Gaslighter Social Cl...
McKibbon Hospitality Appoints Two Executives to Aloft Tallahassee Downtown Management Team
Aloft Hotels | June 27, 2019
Tallahassee, Fla. (June 27, 2019) - Aloft Tallahassee Downtown, located in the heart of the state’s capital, recently appointed a new general manager and operations manager. Brandon Miller, Aloft Tallahassee Downtown’s new general manager, was promoted from his position as assistant general manager, a post he took over in May 2017 after arriving from the Nashville Airport Marriott. During his 11-year tenure there, Brandon rose through the ranks, holding such posts as restaurant supervisor, front office manager, and senior room operations manager. He played a key role in the Nashville Airport Marriott’s burgeoning success — it r...
TravelNet Solutions Celebrates 20th Anniversary by Releasing Its First Commercial “Transformation”
TravelNet Solutions | June 27, 2019
(Minneapolis, Minn.) June 27, 2019 -- TRAVELNET SOLUTIONS (TNS), a leading hospitality industry provider of integrated Hospitality CRM, Vacation Rental PMS Software and Digital Marketing Solutions is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Company’s founding and announces the release of their first commercial “Transformation” Following the successful rebrand to TravelNet Solutions at the beginning of 2019, TravelNet further clarifies its mission of Transforming How Hospitality Works with a commercial that positions the 20 year old technology Company as a guide for those seeking growth and transformation in an ever changing, hyper com...
Avison Young Announces Recent Closings
Avison Young | June 27, 2019
ATLANTA – June 27, 2019 – Avison Young Hospitality Group announced that over the last several weeks the firm has closed a Marriott hotel in Pennsylvania, a select service hotel in DC and a resort hotel with golf in the northeast. The firm has 28 hotels under sale agreement with closings scheduled over the coming months and has closed 392 hotels since 2013....
Mainsail Appoints Bob Megazzini as General Manager for Fort Myers’ Luminary Hotel & Co. Opening Late 2020
Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC | June 27, 2019
FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 27, 2019) – Luminary Hotel & Co. announced today the appointment of Bob Megazzini as general manager of the 243-room hotel that will light up downtown Fort Myers in late 2020. Megazzini will oversee the hiring of new staff, day-to-day operations, and guest and employee satisfaction at Luminary Hotel, along with the remodeled Harborside Event Center, which will be rebranded, and the planned amphitheater in Centennial Park. “With his hospitality background and flair for outstanding service, Bob is the perfect person to assemble and lead our team as we look ahead to the opening of Luminary Hotel & Co. next y...
Hotel Industry Unites on New Campaign to Fight Human Trafficking
AHLA | June 26, 2019
AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers is Joined by Dozens of Key Stakeholders and Industry Partners to Launch the No Room for Trafficking Campaign ‘No Room for Trafficking’ Aims to Train Every Employee in the Industry WASHINGTON (June 26, 2019) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today launched a new national campaign to unite the industry around a single, comprehensive approach to fight human trafficking. The No Room for Trafficking campaign builds on the hotel industry’s long-standing legacy and commitment to combat human trafficking. Already each year, thousands of hotel employees are trained. With this campaign...
AHLA Submits Comments on Joint Employer Rule
AHLA | June 26, 2019
Proposed Rule Would Provide Clarity, Certainty to Businesses WASHINGTON (June 26, 2019) – The American & Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA) today commended the U.S. Department of Labor for its efforts to provide clarity and certainty to employers in comments submitted to the Department for its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Joint Employer Status. “The hotel industry is a major economic driver, supporting millions of jobs and offering opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Brian Crawford, executive vice president of government affairs at AHLA. “In fact, three out of five hotels are small business—many o...
Simon and Norwich Partners Breaks Ground on AC Hotel by Marriott at South Florida’s Sawgrass Mills
Sawgrass Mills | June 26, 2019
SUNRISE, Fla., June 26, 2019 -- Simon®, a global leader in premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations today announced it has commenced construction to bring the AC Hotel by Marriott brand to Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the United States. The 174-room hotel is expected to open in late 2020 – a timeframe that would coincide with the shopping center's 30th anniversary. Plans for the eight-story hotel, which is being developed with Norwich Partners, call for modern guest rooms and public spaces designed with sleek furnishings, an open closet system, and elegant art and ...
New 126-Room Hyatt Place Fresno Opens in Heart of Central Valley Led by General Manager Raymond Canal
Hyatt Place Fresno Leadership | June 26, 2019
FRESNO, Calif. (June 26, 2019) – Hyatt Place Fresno, the first Hyatt Place hotel in Fresno, Calif., is officially open. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. The hotel is a joint venture led by Fresno Lodging, Inc. and operated by Sethi Management, Inc. Located off Highway 41, the hotel is walking distance from River Park Outside Shopping Center, Edwards Movie Theater and more than 50 dining options. Additionally, the hotel is less than 10 miles from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), and is centrally located f...
Dan Carlino Named General Manager of Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | June 26, 2019
DES MOINES, Iowa - Hilton Des Moines Downtown, owned by IEC Hotel Corporation and managed by Hilton Management Services, announced the appointment of Dan Carlino as general manager. In his new role, Carlino is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the only hotel connected to the Iowa Events Center with its 330 rooms and 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space. A 32-year hospitality veteran, Carlino began his career as a corporate property systems trainer for Ramada, before joining Red Lion Hotels as front office director, now Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa. Carlino worked his way through the company, as rooms direc...
Urban Commons Unveils World’s Largest Holiday Inn Resort With $27.5 Million Renovation Investment
Urban Commons | June 26, 2019
ORLANDO, Fla., June 26, 2019 -- Urban Commons, a Los Angeles-based real estate investment and development firm, has announced the successful rebranding of the former Nickelodeon Suites Resort to the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites and Waterpark with a completed $27.5 million renovation. As part of a vision to broaden the hotel's seasonality and guest profile, the full-scale transformation extends across the waterpark and food and beverage spaces, introducing the world's largest Holiday Inn-branded resort to Orlando. Urban Commons acquired the Holiday Inn Orlando Suites and Waterpark in 2014 and with renovations now completed, revenue is an...
Dimension Development Appoints John D’Angelo as General Manager of Grand Hyatt Nashville
Dimension Development Co. | June 26, 2019
NASHVILLE, TN. – Dimension Development, operator of the highly-anticipated Grand Hyatt Nashville, today announced the appointment of John D’Angelo as the luxury hotel’s general manager. D’Angelo brings two decades of Hyatt experience to Nashville, having most recently served as the resort manager of the 1,800-room Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas. “From the moment I arrived in Nashville, this special city has felt like home. I am constantly charmed by the enduring hospitality, history, and rich culture that runs so abundantly through this community,” said D’Angelo. “It is an honor and a privilege to lead the launch o...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Leadership Team for The Williams Inn Opening August in Massachusetts
Williams College | June 26, 2019
Williamstown, MA (June 26, 2019) - Waterford Hotel Group is pleased to announce three appointments at The Williams Inn. Mr. Kevin Hurley has been appointed as the inn’s General Manager; Mr. Kevin DeMarco, the inn’s Executive Chef; and, Ms. Darcy Lyle as the inn’s Director of Sales. The new Williams Inn, located at the corner of Latham and Spring streets in Williamstown, will open on August 15. Owned by Williams College, the inn will replace the current Williams Inn, which will continue to operate through July 31. Inspired by the architecture of local area farms, the new 58,000-square-foot inn is built of stone and wood, with inter...
Three Reasons Why Training in Hospitality Matters
Jochen de Peuter | June 26, 2019
How two consecutive audits as "mystery shopper" for a hotel company unveiled striking differences in staff performance... and the need to focus on training. By Jochen de Peuter Recently I was assigned to perform quality audits “mystery shopping” for a hotel company. What struck me was how within one company, standards could be exactly similar, yet at the same time very different. If the similarities were mainly in the look and feel of the experience, the differences mainly came from how the staff performed at actually delivering that experience. The need for training in hospitality Research show numerous advantages to invest in ...
MCR Acquires Residence Inn By Marriott Albuquerque Airport
MCR | June 26, 2019
NEW YORK / JUNE 26, 2019 - Hot! Hot! Hot! MCR, the sixth-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, has acquired the 110-room Residence Inn by Marriott Albuquerque Airport. Just 5 miles southeast of downtown, the property is close to many of the city’s sizzling destinations for work and play. New Mexico is known for its Hatch chiles: the carne adovada, a slow-cooked pork dish in red chile sauce, is legendary at Albuquerque’s Mary & Tito’s Café, though you’ll even find green chiles at McDonald’s! Yet these days what’s heating up the Duke City is the arrival of tech companies. Netflix recently purchased ABQ Studios, ...
Radisson Hotel Group Partners With One Pro Investments for Restoration of Australia’s Imperial Hotel
Radisson Hotel Group | June 26, 2019
Radisson Hotel Group™ is proud to announce the signing of the Asia Pacific region’s inaugural Radisson Collection hotel, to be located in Australia’s alluring Blue Mountains. Scheduled to open in 2023, Imperial Hotel, A Radisson Collection Hotel will mark the rebirth of one of Australia’s first great “tourist hotels”, which opened in 1878 and has hosted Prime Ministers and royalty, including King George V and George VI. It remains an iconic building today and the symbol of a prosperous era in Mount Victoria. The original Imperial Hotel building will now be restored to its former glory and a collection of stylish chalets will...
Rainmaker Announces New Website Launch
Rainmaker | June 26, 2019
ALPHARETTA, GA. — June 26, 2019 — - The Rainmaker Group (Rainmaker), a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue and profit optimization software, is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website at letitrain.com The new comprehensive website brings together the Rainmaker platform of solutions into a more visual experience while providing customers and site visitors access to a wealth of content, webinars and learning resources. "We are excited to debut our new company website,” says Mike Cowles, Rainmaker CEO. “The new design and improved readability will be a much more enjoyable viewing experience ...
ProfitSword Unveils Superior Data Management and Business Planning Efficiency With New User Interface
ProfitSword | June 26, 2019
User-friendly interface accessible on any device while providing even greater data and reporting customization abilities that increase operational efficiency and the potential for additional revenue. ORLANDO, Fla. (June 26, 2019) – ProfitSword, hospitality’s premier developer of business intelligence and data integration software, has announced the release of a new user interface for its industry-leading suite of data management and business intelligence solutions. Recently showcased by ProfitSword during HITEC Minneapolis, the new user interface is recognized for its ability to provide full integration with disparate property systems ...
Innisfree Hotels Opens SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Panama City Beach, Florida
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | June 25, 2019
Panama City Beach, FL – June 25, 2019 – Marriott International announced that the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Panama City Beach, Florida is now open. The 200-suite beachfront hotel, located at 12513 Front Beach Road, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by SSPCB LLC and managed by Innisfree Hotels, Inc. of Gulf Breeze, Florida. The SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach Beachfront is situated just 17 miles from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, and offers guests convenient access to M.B. Miller County Pier, Shipwreck Island Waterpark and Goofy Mini-Golf. The hotel is also located near Ripley’s Believe It or N...
Five Food and Beverage Personalization Trends to Watch
William-Alexandre François | June 25, 2019
From DNA-based beer and wine, to 3D-printed food and coffee with high-quality images, these five trends are bringing a taste of personalization into the food and beverage industry. By William-Alexandre François There is currently a growing demand from customers for customization in various aspects of the food and beverage industry. Not only the product or service offered, but also the customer experience needs to be unique and feel personal. Personalized customer experience has always been important in the luxury world and this trend is now spreading to more common products as well. Often linked to craftsmanship, personalization mea...
