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.. �Great American Hoteliers: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry�; The Stanley Hotel; Will Hotel Franchisees Remember? |
By Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC
September 24, 2009 1. �Great American Hoteliers: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry� My new book will be published and available by the end of October 2009. Stephen Rushmore writes in the Foreword: What better way to learn about the hotel industry than to experience
it through the eyes of some of the world�s greatest hoteliers. Stanley
Turkel�s book� takes an upfront and personal view of 16 leaders who shaped
the American hotel industry over the past century.
To order a copy, go to my new book website: www.greatamericanhoteliers.com and click on the Order link. My publisher AuthorHouse will handle the transaction. If you want an autographed copy, send a check for $43.00 ($39.95 plus
$3.05 for shipping and handling) along with your address to:
As the road emerges from a winding mountain pass and enters the Estes Valley, the majestic Stanley Hotel comes into view. The Stanley is a historic landmark hotel situated high in the mountains, less than six miles away from the Rocky Mountain National Park. A recent multi-million dollar renovation has restored this 138 guestroom hotel to its original grandeur in time for its 100th birthday. The Stanley Hotel, known for its architecture, magnificent setting and famous visitors, may possibly be best known for its role in Stephen King�s novel �The Shining�. The hotel was built by F. O. Stanley when he relocated to Estes Park because of poor health. Twin brothers Freelan O. Stanley and Francis E. Stanley founded the Stanley Motor Carriage Company after selling their photographic dry plate business to Eastman Kodak. From 1902 to 1924, the company�s Stanley Steamers outsold every gasoline- fueled car with sales second only to Columbia Electric automobiles. Construction of the Stanley Hotel began in 1907 with steel support beams and timber cut from the earlier Bear Lake fire which may account for the faint smell of wood smoke which is evident on summer days. Before his death in 1940, F. O. Stanley not only built the Stanley Hotel but also installed a water and power facility and Estes Park�s first bank and fairgrounds. 3. Café des Artistes Closes After 92 Years One of New York�s most historic and theatrical restaurants has closed. George and Jenifer Lang, owners since 1975, said that they had decided not to reopen after summer vacation. GM Jenifer Lang said that �George is 85, business is slow and we feel it�s time.� The café opened in 1917. The famous murals were painted by Howard Chandler Christy starting in 1934. 4. Will Franchisees Remember? Can you believe that some hotel franchisors whose agreements are usually extraordinarily one-sided, are exhibiting an unheard-of flexibility in negotiating with their franchisees? Even if the cause is the severe economic recession, it is still a rare and appreciated benefit. The concessions include:
Listen to Nancy Johnson, Carlson�s executive vice president and chief development officer, �Some reasonableness does come into play, but it�s most important for us to make sure our portfolio of brands is relevant and that standards are maintained to the expectations of our customers. So this is the time when you should invest in brand standards in order to prepare to take advantage of market opportunities when they come back. And we are telling franchisees that while we understand the economy right now, this is what you�ll have to do to maintain the brand.� Carlson�s hard line makes one wonder if they understand just how difficult it is for owners to pay debt service when their occupancies and average daily rates are dropping precipitously. Johnson�s response to the question as to how she feels about the majority of other major brands instituting extended deadlines and curtailing new standards was less than sympathetic: �My mother would ask then if everyone jumped off the bridge, would you? You cannot grow a brand and maintain brand values by doing what everyone else is doing.� When the recession ends, will franchisees remember which franchise companies
were sympathetic and helpful during the hard times?
Those who make peaceful resolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC (www.stanleyturkel.com) 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. Don�t hesitate to call 917-628-8549 or email [email protected]. |
Contact:
Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC
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