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Las Vegas’ Palace Station Debuts Its $192 Million Modernization
Palace Station | October 19, 2018
LAS VEGAS, NV (October 19, 2018) – Las Vegas' historic Palace Station , Station Casinos' iconic and first casino in its family of 20 entertainment destinations that first opened its doors July 1, 1976, has debuted its $192 million-dollar modernization. Located minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip, guests checking into the 42-year legacy destination will now be able to enjoy many of its new amenities and offerings. The two-year revamp includes a renovation of its entire casino floor as well as its hotel guest rooms and suites, and the addition of a new resort-style pool area, a luxury nine-screen movieplex and new restaurants such...
Equity Yield Rates on the Decline
J. Carter Allen | October 19, 2018
by J. Carter Allen, Rodney G. Clough HVS continually tracks the rates of return on the assets that we consult on. In our most recent review, we found that equity yield rates, on average, have been declining, due in part to the expectation of slowing EBITDA Less Replacement Reserve growth. The sample size of available data is also a contributing factor. Equity yield rates were notably lower for full-service and luxury hotels, averaging 16.8% for the year-to-date 2018 period (below the 17.7% level recorded for 2017), driven largely by a lower number of total transactions of this asset type, coupled with an increase in full-service sales o...
HES Group and Sunview Companies Together Open the Aloft Coral Gables
HES Group | October 19, 2018
ORAL GABLES, FL (October 19, 2018) -- Aloft Coral Gables — the creation of HES Group and Sunview Companies — is now open and slated to become one of Coral Gables' top hotels, it was announced today by Allan Neira, General Manager of the hotel. The visionary HES Group and Sunview Companies joined together to create a hotel product which would offer the savvy-traveler a design-forward haven in the heart of Coral Gables' shopping and dining district. The project was led by Francisco Arocha, Founder of HES Group, and Pedro Villar, Founder of Sunview Companies. Highlights of the new hotel include: Mediterranean-style de...
Ways To Improve Business Travelers’ Guest Experience
October 19, 2018
by Emilia Jaakkola The hospitality industry is constantly exposed to new demands from business travelers, particularly as tech-savvy Millennials have grown up into that customer segment. New technologies - like artificial intelligence and IoT - are revolutionizing hotel guest experience permanently. This brings us to a question many hoteliers are pondering: how have business travelers needs changed and how to update the hotel for them to maximize guest experience? To help you do this, we've compiled some of the most relevant needs and ways to satisfy them: 1. Streamline the check-in process. Upon arrival business travelers value a fast...
Disney World will open new nature-inspired resort
October 19, 2018
Oct. 19--Calling all Disney-loving treehuggers. The company behind Mickey Mouse will open a new nature-inspired, mixed-use resort in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. It'll be located along Bay Lake between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The upcoming not-yet-named deluxe resort will be designed to complement its natural surroundings. Expect more than 900 hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, the company's version of time-sharing. "This resort experience will be a celebration of Walt Disney's lifelong love and respect for nature, with some fun and eve...
Crestpoint Companies plans new 100-room limited-service or extended-stay hotel in Monroe, Ohio
October 19, 2018
Oct. 19--MONROE -- A new 100-room hotel and retail center are the first phase of a firm's plans to develop 40 acres for commercial use just off of Interstate 75's Monroe exit. Cincinnati Commercial Contracting plans to bring a new, limited-service or extended-stay hotel to the area just north of the corner of Ohio 63 and Senate Drive in Monroe, about a half-mile from Cincinnati Premium Outlets. The hotel, which will be either a Hilton, Marriott or a Holiday Inn Express, will be located behind CCC's 11,000-square-foot retail strip center Retail 63, which broke ground earlier this year. The hotel is expected to open by spring ...
Houston, Orlando hotel markets shows post-hurricane drops in September
October 19, 2018
Oct. 19--Houston's hotel market showed the biggest year-over-year drop among large U.S. cities in three metrics in September as activity levels retreated from last year's highs after Hurricane Harvey, a new report showed. Occupancy fell 30.8 percent to 59.1 percent, average daily room rates dropped 7.7 percent to $105.75 and revenue per available room dropped 36.2 percent to $62.48 in September, according to a monthly report by research firm STR. Orlando was the only other city to post a double-digit decline in occupancy. Orlando's occupancy there dropped 11.6 percent to 67.2 percent, STR said, while revenue per available ro...
Staybridge Suites hotel in Lafayette, LA to be auctioned by court order
October 19, 2018
Oct. 19--The Staybridge Suites hotel on Kaliste Saloom Road is going up for auction by court order after the owners failed to make payments on a multimillion-dollar mortgage. The owners, Lafayette attorneys Rickey Miniex and Clyde Simien, started construction on a 220-unit multifamily housing complex as the hotel mortgage went into default, according to public records. Miniex and Simien owe $15 million to a mortgage securities corporation through their business entity, The O'Brien Group SPE LLC, according to a petition filed by U.S. Bank on behalf of the note holder. About 95 percent of the $13,900,000 principal amount remains outst...
Volo Hospitality Systems Enters North America Markets
Volo Hospitality Systems | October 18, 2018
Austin, TX (October 22, 2018) -- Volo Hospitality Systems is bringing their in-room tablet system to the top 30 North American markets - and if you are a "top 30 under 30", meaning your property meets Volo's quality standards and is a small boutique hotel in the neighborhood of 30 rooms or less, you have a chance to win big. Volo is offering their Digital Hotel Directory™ service on customized Apple iPads for free for life to one of their favorite small boutique hotels in each market - first come, first serve. Each week Volo will showcase a handful of select properties from a North American market, and the offer stands to the firs...
Silver Reef Casino to Implement KEYPR’s Guest Experience and Management Platform
October 18, 2018
The upscale Northwestern hotel and casino will bring the latest guest experience technology and a fully integrated management system to its guests and staff Los Angeles, CA (October 18th, 2018) — KEYPR®, the technology company whose enterprise cloud platform is the leader in guest experience and hospitality management, announced today that its system will soon deploy at Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale, Washington. The casino chose KEYPR's full cloud-based platform during a rebranding and technology upgrade. "We are not far from the technology-focused Vancouver market and it's important we stay up with and even ahead of expectat...
Bahia Principe’s Parent Company, Grupo Piñero, Invests $30 Million to Revamp Punta Cana’s Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar
October 18, 2018
MIAMI, FL (October 18, 2018) – Grupo Piñero, the parent company of Bahia Principe – the leader in all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, is making a major USD 30 million investment to revamp Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar. Located in Punta Cana, the 528-room oceanfront property will reopen in November becoming an adults-only vacation haven with updated accommodations and new facilities for guests to enjoy. Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar's makeover began in June with hotel rooms and common areas receiving updates. The property incorporated 144 swim-up suites that give guests access to a newly-built private pool surrounded b...
McWHINNEY Purchases California’s 149-Room Hyatt House Irvine/John Wayne Airport
McWHINNEY | October 18, 2018
DENVER, COLO. – Oct. 18, 2018 - McWHINNEY – a Colorado-based premier real estate investor and developer with expertise in hospitality, mixed-use, commercial and multi-family assets – has purchased the Hyatt House Irvine/John Wayne Airport in Irvine, California. The seven-story hotel features 149 spacious, residential-style guest rooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play and 1,160 square feet of meeting space. Amenities at the Hyatt House Irvine include a modern Fitness Center, the H Bar bistro & lobby bar, a 24-hour market and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Guests enjoy free daily breakfast and the outdo...
André Garrett to Join Corinthia Hotel London as Executive Chef
Corinthia Hotel London | October 18, 2018
(London, England, October 18, 2018) Corinthia Hotel London is pleased to announce that André Garrett will join as Executive Chef of the hotel in January 2019. André's responsibilities will include the entire hotel, overseeing banqueting events, room service, afternoon tea, breakfast, Spa and Garden Lounge, and all bar food menus, as well as The Northall restaurant. André has been Executive Chef for the past five years at Cliveden House in Taplow, Berkshire. Previously he worked in London with the Michelin-starred Galvin brothers, at both Galvin at Windows atop the Hilton on Park Lane, and prior to that at Orrery in ...
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa Welcomes Lisa Weir Vines as Director of Revenue Management
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa | October 18, 2018
October 2018 - Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa announces the newest addition to the hotel's executive team: Lisa Weir Vines, Director of Revenue Management. As the property's new Director of Revenue Management, Lisa Weir Vines brings 30 years of experience and a passion for service to the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa's executive team. Previously the Assistant Director of Brands Revenue at Aqua-Aston Hospitality, Vines has held a host of impressive, revenue-focused roles at brands including Destination Hotels & Resorts, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and Sun Stream Hotels & Resorts. In her spare time, V...
AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore Appoints David Belk as General Manager and Mike Carvelo as Director of Sales & Marketing
Azul Hospitality Group | October 18, 2018
Phoenix, AZ – October 2018 – The recently opened AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore, part of the design-led European lifestyle Marriott hotel brand, announces the appointment of David Belk as General Manager and Mike Carvelo as Director of Sales & Marketing. Located in the upscale Biltmore area, the new hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Phoenix's bustling Camelback Corridor, the premier office, retail, and entertainment destination in the city. With more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, David Belk joins AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore as its General Manager by way of the AC Hotel Tempe where he served ...
Emily Wilson Receives 4th Annual ISHC Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting
ISHC | October 18, 2018
MIAMI, October 18, 2018: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) announced Emily Wilson as the recipient of the fourth annual Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Wilson was honored at the ISHC annual conference, held this year in Miami Beach, Fla. The guest of honor received a complimentary registration and travel allowance to attend the three-day event, including access to global hospitality experts featured throughout the conference program and exclusive ISHC member networking events. Wilson also was awarded a complimentary one-year Associate Membership to the ISHC to further profe...
The Innovative Hotels That Are Making Travel Better in 2019
Alan Young | October 18, 2018
By Alan Young Witnessing the gradual advancement and disruption of technology and services is an exciting, and sometimes industry-altering concept, as our world continues to evolve at a seemingly rapid pace to meet modern demands. Generations today know (and love) the likes of Netflix and Crave TV, for example, but many of us also remember the popularity of Blockbuster video — a formerly successful business model which now, doesn't even exist. And those of us who used to cling enthusiastically to our flip phones whilst playing 'Brick Breaker', likely upgraded to iPhones with their robust connectivity capabilities and e...
Hilton Signs Management Agreement With Kitz Immobilieninvest to Open Grand Tirolia Hotel Kitzbuhel, Curio Collection by Hilton
Curio Collection by Hilton | October 18, 2018
KITZBUHEL, Austria and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a management agreement with Kitz Immobilieninvest GmbH to open Grand Tirolia Hotel Kitzbuhel, Curio Collection by Hilton. The 81-guest room hotel will be Hilton's first hotel in the resort town of Kitzbuhel. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, Hilton said: "Kitzbuhel is one of the leading Alpine resorts. A renowned sporting and year-round destination, Kitzbuhel hosts a number of high profile events, including the famous Hahnenkammrennen ski race and the Austrian Tennis Open. We look forward to officially welcoming guests to G...
True North Studio Breaks Ground on New Cambria Hotel in the Roosevelt Row Arts District in Downtown Phoenix
Cambria Hotels | October 18, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 18, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) and an affiliate of True North Studio, LLC announced construction has begun on the new Cambria hotel in downtown Phoenix in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Slated to open ahead of schedule in late 2019, the seven-story, 127-room hotel will be the third Cambria property to enter the growing Phoenix area, joining the Cambria Hotel Phoenix Chandler-Fashion Center and Cambria Hotel North Scottsdale Desert Ridge. Situated within a blossoming arts and culture borough in the heart of the city, the hotel offers guests convenient access to the Sky Harbor Internationa...
IHG Relaunches Regent® Hotels & Resorts Brand and Signs With Formosa International Hotels for First Property Since Acquisition
IHG | October 18, 2018
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) has today announced a signing for its Regent® Hotels & Resorts brand in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, alongside its relaunch of the brand that set the standard for luxury hotels. IHG announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts in March, bringing the much-loved brand into the top end of its portfolio, and increasing IHG's presence in a fast-growing luxury segment worth $60bn. IHG has worked quickly to combine its expertise in luxury with Regent's deep heritage and revered legacy, and through consumer research and feedback from owners and industry experts, has evo...
The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts Assumes Management of The Westin Sydney, Re-Brands to The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts | October 18, 2018
SINGAPORE, Oct. 18, 2018 -- The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts has today announced that as of 18 October 2019, The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts will be responsible for the management of the hotel located at 1 Martin Place, currently The Westin Sydney. The hotel will be re-branded The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. 1 Martin Place forms the southern face of Martin Place, a bustling pedestrian boulevard and public gathering place located in the civic heart of Sydney's CBD. The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts presently owns and operates two award-winning hotels in Singapore: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (opened in 2001) and The Fullerton Bay Hotel...
Five Tips for a Successful Cyber Monday Campaign
HEBS Digital | October 18, 2018
By Victoria Hsia It's no secret: Cyber Monday is a huge opportunity for hoteliers to drive bookings. What began as a one-day online shopping holiday has, over the years, extended into Black Friday and Thanksgiving, with some brands promoting deals even earlier. As a result, consumers aren't just searching for deals earlier, they're also making more purchases over a longer period of time. According to Adobe Analytics, American consumers spent $19.62 billion online between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday in 2017, a 15% increase year over year. With the heavy saturation of Cyber Monday deals online, the market has inevitably become more comp...
Driftwood Acquisitions & Development Acquires Florida’s 290-Room Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
Driftwood Acquisitions & Development | October 18, 2018
Melbourne, Fla. (October 18, 2018) – Driftwood Acquisitions and Development (DAD) – a privately held investment firm specializing in the acquisition and development of quality hotel assets – today announced its purchase of the 290-room Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront in Melbourne, Florida. The hotel recently completed a full renovation that addressed areas impacted by Hurricane Irma. The hotel will be managed by Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM). "This is the 15th acquisition made by Driftwood Acquisitions & Development, and we are excited about the potential this property has, with an idyllic location and a...
Gehr Hospitality Acquires Two Marriott Hotels Located in Nashville, Tennessee
Gehr Hospitality | October 18, 2018
LOS ANGELES—October 18, 2018—Gehr Hospitality, a division of The Gehr Group (www.gehr.com), announced the acquisition of the 94-room Courtyard Nashville at Opryland and 109-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Nashville at Opryland. The acquisition was financed by BMO Harris Bank, and the Plascencia Group represented the seller. Ms. Thuong Luong and Ms. Molly Caccamo of Gehr Hospitality led the transaction on behalf of the Company. "We like the Nashville market, and in particular the Opryland Submarket," said David Lifschitz, President and CEO of The Gehr Group, "and we are pleased to expand our affiliation with the Marriott bran...
