SALISBURY, Md., July 21, 2009�Officials of Marshall Hotels & Resorts,
Inc., a leading, Maryland-based hotel management and services company,
today announced the company has added five management contracts in the
past 120 days, and expects to add as many as four more within the next
60 days. The hotels range from upper upscale to focused-service brands
and include three newly opened properties. The company now operates
more than 50 hotels worldwide.
�We began preparing for this growth several years ago by adding bench
strength and taking the right steps to optimize profitability at our existing
hotels,� said Michael Marshall, president and CEO of Marshall Hotels &
Resorts, Inc. �The combination of superior results and planned, steady
growth has resulted in our most active pipeline in at least five years.
The difficult economy has surfaced the short-comings of less-experienced
operators who have been unable to respond.
�The key is to understand how to optimize cash flow and guest satisfaction.
Controlling margins in this environment is arguably the most difficult
it has been in a generation,� he added. �Our size gives us
significant economies of scale. For example, we expect to save one
property $300,000 annually through better purchasing practices for such
items as insurance.�
The properties include:
 The
George Washington Hotel-A Wyndham Historic Hotel
Located at 103 East Picadilly St., Winchester, Va., in the Shenandoah
Valley and hour west of Washington D.C., The George Washington Hotel-A
Wyndham Historic Hotel is near George Washington's Office Museum, the Old
Courthouse Civil War Museum, and the grounds where all three Battles of
Winchester were fought. The 90 exquisitely designed guest rooms offer
high-speed wireless Internet access and guest baths featuring European
stone flooring and vanities. The hotel has 6,600 square feet of flexible
meeting space capable of hosting groups up to 300 people, a fitness center,
indoor pool, and The Dancing Goat, one of the Shenandoah Valley�s most
highly acclaimed restaurants.
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Orlando-Maingate at Calypso
In the Calypso Cay Resort Complex, the 162-room Country Inn & Suites
by Carlson Orlando-Maingate at Calypso is located at 5001 Calypso Cay Way,
in Kissimmee, Fla., near Walt Disney World® Parks and Resorts and other
leading Orlando attractions. The property features complimentary
continental breakfast, four outdoor pools, three water slides, two hot
tubs, an 18-hole mini-golf course, and scheduled shuttle service to all
the major theme parks. The rooms, decorated in Country Inn's signature
country-style décor, offer high-speed Internet access, a microwave,
refrigerator and coffee maker.
Four Points by Sheraton Midtown-Times Square
Opened June 3, 2009, the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown-Times Square,
situated at 326 West 40th St., New York, New York, is in proximity to some
of the world�s top tourist sites, including Fifth Avenue Shopping, the
Theater District and Grand Central Station. The hotel�s 244 �traditional�
non-smoking guest rooms offer the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort
Bed�, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and many rooms offer sweeping
views of the city. The hotel features a 24-hour fitness center, flexible
meeting space, and a wide selection of award-winning beer from Best Brews(SM)
at the hotel�s signature restaurant, The Bantry Bay Grille. It is Marshall�s
6th managed property now open in metropolitan New York.
Hampton Inn Virginia Beach-Oceanfront South
The 141-rooms Hampton Inn Virginia Beach-Oceanfront South, opened May
21, 2009, is located at 1011 Atlantic Avenue, in Virginia Beach, Va.
Guest rooms offer free high-speed Internet access and �Cloud Nine, The
Hampton Bed Experience.� The hotel features a 24-hour business center,
indoor pool, fitness center, complimentary On the House® hot breakfast
and Hampton's On the Run� breakfast bags. The property is near the
Virginia Beach Boardwalk and is surrounded by world-class restaurants and
more than 198 holes of golf.
Microtel Inn and Suites Bryson City
Located in the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Smokies at 82 Songbird
Forest Rd. in Bryson City, North Carolina, the 63-room, pet-friendly Microtel
Inn and Suites Bryson City is in proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains
Railroad and the Appalachian Trail. The property, opened in May,
features high speed wireless Internet access, the onsite Blue Ridge Grille,
and �Get Up and Joe,� the hotel�s complimentary continental breakfast.
Guests of the hotel can enjoy hiking and biking trails at nearby Gateway
to the Smoky Mountains National Park; take whitewater rafting trips down
the Nantahala River; rent a boat on Fontana Lake; and shop for local heritage
crafts in historic Bryson City.
�We were referred to the owner by a client for whom we operate three hotels
in the immediate area,� he said. �This will give both owners even
greater economies of scale.�
Outlook
�We believe we are approaching the bottom of the hotel cycle in most
markets,� he noted. �We believe there is substantial pent-up demand
to acquire hotels. As the credit markets begin to thaw, we expect
to see a significant rise in the number of hotels changing hands, which
is the most likely time to change management. There are a number
of hotels that are in serious loan trouble and we are in discussions with
a number of investment funds who see acquisition opportunities ahead.�
About Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Salisbury, Md.-based Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc., founded in
1980, has special expertise in operating three- and four-star branded hotels
and resorts, averaging 100 to 500 rooms, in urban and central business
districts, suburban/drive-to and resort locations. In addition, the
company has a proven track record managing independent resort and unique
urban properties. The company has managed a wide array of leading
hotel brands, including Hilton, Starwood, InterContinental Hotel Group,
Hyatt, Choice and Wyndham. Additional information about Marshall
Management may be found at the company's Web site: www.marshallhotels.com.
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