MONTVALE, NEW JERSEY (August 18, 2008) � Before long-standing clients,
colleagues, members of the International Association of Conference Centers
and media, Andy Dolce, founder, chairman and managing director of Dolce
International, announced today the metamorphosis of the company to
Dolce Hotels and Resorts. The evolution more accurately reflects the breadth
and caliber of services and amenities that will soon be offered to its
meetings, leisure and individual business travel clients and guests.
Along with a new name and logo, expansion, renovation and sweeping design
and operational changes were revealed to a group of more than 60 attendees
at a luncheon at New York City�s The Modern restaurant.
New Logo
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Old Logo
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�The essence of our brand has always been to deliver exceptional meeting
and hospitality service. We are now taking our standards and expertise
to a whole new level by creating spaces and experiences that inspire our
guests and foster big ideas in a way not seen before in our industry,�
says Dolce. �We hope to further distinguish our hotels, resorts and conference
hotels by providing the most inspiring, most hospitable, most thoughtful
environments for our guests.�
Capital Improvements:
Dolce praised the 2007 partnership with Broadreach Capital as one that
will enable the company to grow significantly in the future and introduced
the segmentation of its portfolio of 24 properties into two divisions,
�Hotels and Resorts� and �Conference Hotels�. One of the most visible
aspects of Dolce�s change is the approximately $100 million investment
being made in capital improvements at several properties in the company�s
portfolio including: Dolce Valley Forge, King of Prussia, PA; Dolce
Basking Ridge, Basking Ridge, NJ; Dolce Chantilly, Chantilly, France; Dolce
Frégate, Provence, France; and The H Hotel, Midland, MI. Also,
a new spa is being added at Dolce La Hulpe in Brussels, Belgium and the
spa at Dolce Sitges, outside of Barcelona, is being expanded. These
upgrades and renovations are bringing the new Dolce vision
to life by delivering public spaces, meeting environments and guest accommodations
that are integrated, modern, comfortable and, most importantly, conducive
to inspired thinking and leisure activity.
New Look and Feel Based on Three
Realms of Service Deemed Most Important to Clients and Guests; New Services
Unveiled:
Carl Cohen, chief marketing and sales officer, referenced research
validating food, facilities and service as elements of most value to clients
and guests. He then introduced Dolce Hotels and Resorts� newly energized
look, reflecting a revitalized company and a new logo that includes an
�O� comprised of three rings. Cohen explained these inter-linked
rings represent three, distinct elements that integrate to inspire the
most thoughtful and productive meetings, events and celebrations.
Steve Giblin, president and chief operating officer, spoke of the guest
impact of the first ring, Nourishment, representing Dolce�s commitment
to nurture the spirit of body and mind of its guests. This ring includes
cuisine, spa services and guest amenities. Some of the new brand standards
that will be instituted in 2008-2009 include a new Corporate Culinary program,
new upgraded linen, and in-room amenities.
Corporate Culinary Program:
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Michelin-star Chef Alain Montingy, based at Dolce Chantilly outside of
Paris, who has served as regional Chef for Dolce Europe, will conduct annual
training with all Dolce Culinary personnel. The goal of the program is
to raise Dolce�s a la carte execution, culinary expertise and upgrade guests�
overall dining experience.
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To further support the company�s �nourishment ring�, innovation in food
presentation and selection are key elements of the corporate culinary program.
Coming soon is the �Dolce Sweet� signature dessert to be offered at all
properties. In addition, seasonal restaurant menus that leverage local
bounty are being added, an enhanced beverage initiative includes each property�s
own Certified Sommelier and serving Lavazza Italian coffee, and the famous
Dolce coffee break service is being upgraded in quality and will
include �Super Foods� to further nourish and inspire the guests.
Upgraded Linen and In- Room Amenities Program:
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Dolce properties will feature flat-panel HDTV LCDs; Sealy Encore Plush
Pillow top mattresses; luxurious Baltic bed linens and pillows; and MP3
player clocks. Bath amenities will now include Gilchrist & Soames
quality bath products.
Cohen explained the second ring, Connectivity, representing Dolce�s
commitment to deliver environments that bring people together and promote
thoughtful exchange by offering state-of-the-art technology; expansive
yet functional design and renowned, purpose-built architecture. This includes
a focus on gathering spaces such as lobby design, coffee break areas with
high top tables and communal tables in restaurants such as those at Café
Zinc at Dolce�s H Hotel in Michigan. Award-winning architects and
interior designers have been enlisted to create environments that parallel
the company�s refreshed identity.
New brand standards to support the �connectivity ring� include:
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Cyber-cafés: to be offered at break-out locations
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Executive Concierge: Business Centers will be upgraded to include a
concierge to handle each group�s business needs
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On-Demand Printing: Guests will be able to print documents from their laptops,
from anywhere in the hotel
Empowering phrases will be scattered throughout each hotel in unexpected
places from pens and pencils that say, �Big Idea,� �Idea Machine,� Think
Big,� �Instrument of Change,� �Meet with Inspiration� to Do Not Disturb
signs with �Recharging my Batteries,� and matchbooks with �Impossible?
It�s Just an Opinion� are just a sampling. A new, state of the art, user
friendly, photo rich website enabling easy research for planners and
a simple and clear reservation tool for booking individual rooms
is in the process of being launched at www.dolce.com.
Giblin then explained the third and final ring, Community, which
represents well-trained, passionate, committed associates that form a community
at the hotel to provide superior and intuitive customer service and deliver
socially responsible, wide-ranging green initiatives.
Pivotal to Dolce Hotel and Resorts� success is its five-point proprietary
Great Guest Experience program which all guest-facing associates complete.
These five points include:
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The Wow Factor (exceeding guests expectations),
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Granting A Wish (anticipating/meeting guests needs),
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The Personal Touch (personalizing each guest�s experience),
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Class Act (professionalism) and
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Second Chance (service recovery).
Dolce�s �green� standards are a core value of the community ring. Carbon
offset programs, key cards that control a guest room�s power, recycling,
towel and sheet reuse, low-flow showerheads, and aerators are a few of
the green steps Dolce is taking. Dolce�s properties aim to be �Green Certified�
and the first is the new Gold Leeds Certified conference facility, the
Dorr Hosier building at Aspen Meadows. A Dolce Green Council and property
based Green Teams work to develop on-site initiatives and community outreach
programs including buying local products, creating in-house gardens and
using EnergyStar appliances and eco-friendly furnishings.
Future Expansion and Growth:
Philip Maritz, managing director of Broadreach Capital, expressed great
optimism about the company�s future, not only based on the investments
and many initiatives, but because the company has grown in response to
its guests� needs. This philosophy has allowed the company to nearly triple
its size in the past decade and positions Dolce Hotels and Resorts for
further global growth and success. Next on the horizon is expanding its
reach by continuing to open properties in North American gateway cities
and expansion into Asia and the Middle East.
About Dolce Hotels and Resorts: Dolce Hotels and Resorts, formerly
Dolce International, is a unique global hospitality company specializing
in delivering an exceptional meetings experience by providing the most
hospitable environments for people to meet and learn. Whether for
business or leisure, distinctive elements inspire the most productive meetings,
events and celebrated experiences. Dolce integrates superior cuisine
and amenities, facilities with state-of-the-art technology, and a community
of passionate, intuitive associates to remain at the forefront of the hospitality
industry with 24 unique properties in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Dolce�s Hotel and Resort portfolio includes properties such as Lakeway
Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas; Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose, Calif.;
Dolce Chantilly in the Paris area and Dolce Sitges in the Barcelona area.
The company�s Conference Hotels feature properties such as IBM Palisades
Center in Palisades, N.Y.; American Airlines Training & Conference
Center in Fort Worth, Texas and The William F. Bolger Center in Potomac,
Md. Every property meets International Association of Conference
Centers standards and is equally lauded by organizations such as AAA, Mobil,
Michelin and Meeting Professionals International. Well-suited for
leisure travelers, many Dolce destinations offer spas, championship golf
courses and workout facilities. Founded in 1981 by Chairman &
Managing Director, Andy Dolce, the company is headquartered in Montvale,
New Jersey and Paris, France. Majority-owned by Broadreach Capital
Partners, Dolce has approximately 4,000 employees worldwide. Visit
www.dolce.com. |
