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.. Hotel Developers Take Note; Heads in the Sand?; A Great New Source of Business; Boutique Hotel Bandwagon; Impertinent Questions |
By Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC
June 2008 1. A Landmark Hotel is Saved -
The final Belleview Biltmore renovation plans proposed by the new owner,
Legg Mason were unanimously approved (with some minor changes) by Bellaire
town officials on May 20, 2008. The project will include replacing
the Japanese pagoda-like entrance to more of its original Victorian look;
a new East wing separate hotel will be three stories instead of four but
extended by 30 feet wide; more meeting, convention and ballroom space;
a new poolside café, a new spa and a new underground parking garage.
Congratulations to Diane Hein and all the �Save-the-Biltmore� preservationists.
Rendering of Restored Belleview Biltmore Resort 25 Belleview Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida 33756 http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com/restoration 2. Hotel Developers Take Note - There is a section of a major United States city which has more than 1.5 million residents. According to the AAA 2008 tour book, there is only one hotel that is recommended. I�m talking about the borough of the Bronx in New York City (my hometown). It happens to be the borough of universities and parks. It is the home of Yankee Stadium, Fordham University, Manhattan College, the Bronx Zoo and the Bronx Botanical Gardens. The Bronx is home to three of New York City�s most elite private schools: Fieldston, Horace Mann and Riverdale Country; as well the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a division of Yeshiva University. The lone hotel in the AAA guide is a clean and well appointed 45-room Howard Johnson Motor Lodge. By itself, the Bronx would be the fifth largest city in the United States. 3. Heads in the Sand? In a recent issue of Hotel Business magazine (June 7-20, 2008), large ads appear by the following major franchise companies soliciting new franchisees:
Two other ads by smaller franchise companies also appear in this same issue of Hotel Business. They are:
QUESTION:
4. A Great New Source of Business - Starting on June 17, 2008, Chinese citizens are to be allowed to apply for United States-destined travel in groups. Within six months, travel agencies in nine Chinese cities will be able to organize local residents for group travel to the U.S. Are you ready? 5. Boutique Hotel Bandwagon:
The boutique concept has taken the industry by storm. It seems that
hotel companies are rushing new brands into the marketplace just as occupancies
are softening. Is it proliferation or overkill?
6. Impertinent Questions in Search of Pertinent Answers
Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC operates his hotel consulting office as a sole practitioner specializing in franchising issues, asset management and litigation support services. Turkel�s clients are hotel owners and franchisees, investors and lending institutions. Turkel serves on the Board of Advisors and lectures at the NYU Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. He is a member of the prestigious International Society of Hospitality Consultants. His provocative articles on various hotels subjects have been published in the Cornell Quarterly, Lodging Hospitality, Hotel Interactive, Hotel Online, AAHOA Lodging Business, etc. If you need help in negotiating a franchise agreement or with a problem such as encroachment/impact, termination/liquidated damages or litigation support, call Stanley at 917-628-8549 or email [email protected]. |
Contact:
Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC
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