Hotel Online Special Report
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Los Angeles CVB Report: 
Hotel Occupancy At 
Highest Level in Decade
 
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9, 1998 -  Thanks to a revived visitor product and an improved economy, the world is beating a path to Los Angeles. Hotel occupancy is at its highest levels in more than a decade, and the average room rate has steadily increased every year since 1992. Yet the best news is that when forecasters look to the future, they predict Los Angeles' upward travel swing to continue. Hotel developers are taking notes, and action.

Throughout Los Angeles, millions of dollars are being invested into the creation of new properties, as well as multi-million dollar renovations and refurbishments.

Hotel occupancies in LA are rising across commercial, leisure and group meeting market segments. As a result, new and renovated hotel properties run the gamut in terms of style and budget. In addition to the deluxe accommodations and amenities long associated with LA, alternative properties such as extended-stay hotels and limited service hotels are being designed to accommodate ever-changing travel needs.

Marking the first new full-service hotel in Los Angeles since the Hotel Inter-Continental finished construction in late 1992, Hyatt recently opened a 244-room, Spanish-styled property in Valencia. In addition, the La Quinta Valencia (140 rooms) and Extended Stay America Valencia (120 rooms) are scheduled to open in 1999.

In the beachfront community of Santa Monica, the plush Le Merigot (175 rooms) will open early in 1999. Just a couple of sand castles away, the luxurious Casa del Mar is scheduled to open in 2000.

Moving further south along California's coast line, Homestead Village El Segundo (150 rooms) debuted this fall, with Homestead Village Torrance (175 rooms) opening early next year. Extended Stay America (170 rooms) recently opened as did the Beach House Hermosa (60 rooms).

In Long Beach, an all-suite (160 suites) Boutique on Promenade will debut in 2001, with a Marriott (430 rooms) opening next to the Long Beach Convention Center in 2001. The Extended Stay America (134 rooms) opened earlier this year, and AmeriSuites (128 rooms) will open near the airport in February 1999. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the five busiest airports in the world. As part of the "Pacific Coast Hotels" located conveniently near this transportation hub, the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Airport recently underwent a $15 million renovation, while the Los Angeles Airport Marriott is in the midst of remodeling its guest rooms and ballroom.

Downtown hotel occupancies have grown dramatically since the expansion of the high-tech Los Angeles Convention Center in 1992. The Omni Los Angeles Hotel Centre is completing a $10 million renovation that has included the creation of two of LA's most acclaimed restaurants, Seoul Jung and Kyoto. Next to the new California Science Center and the University of Southern California, the Radisson Hotel underwent a $4 million interior and exterior refurbishment, with additional renovations planned for the hotel's restaurant and meeting facilities. The fully restored, historic Regal Biltmore shows that $40 million really can buy elegance, while a $12 million make-over at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites significantly enhanced its guest rooms, restaurants and lobbies.

Increasing numbers of visitors are flocking to trendy West Hollywood, where the swank L'Ermitage has re-opened following a $60 million remodeling venture. Le Montrose recently underwent a $1 million renovation that included the addition of Nintendo video games in all rooms, while the Hyatt West Hollywood's $3.5 million guest room make-over added fish tanks to select junior suites. The opening of The Standard in January '99 will add an additional 138 rooms to the area.

On the Westside, at the foot of Rodeo Drive, the Regent Beverly Wilshire is re-introducing 100 completely refurbished rooms. In 1995, the landmark Beverly Hills Hotel re-opened following a $100 million renovation. At the Century Plaza Hotel Tower, $1.1 million has bought advanced technologies to meeting areas. The Miramar Sheraton Hotel and Bungalows recently completed a $33 million renovation project sure to impress event its celebrity clientele, and the Residence Inn will add 188 rooms when it opens in December.

In one of Pasadena's most popular dining and shopping districts, a $45 million hotel and retail complex will include a 200-room Renaissance Hotel by Marriott International, Inc. when complete in 2000. Not too far away in Old Pasadena, a Courtyard by Marriott (300 rooms) is scheduled to open the same year, while Homestead Village Pasadena (97 rooms) will open in 1999. The luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel recently completed a $2 million expansion and renovation that introduced a world-class spa and fitness center. Neighboring Arcadia is preparing for the construction of the Hilton Garden Inn (125 rooms) and Marriott Fairfield Inn (85 rooms), while the Homestead Village Monrovia (122 rooms) opened in May.

A Wyndham Hotel (350 rooms) has been proposed at Glendale Town Center in the San Fernando Valley for 2001, and the Homestead Village Burbank will open in 1999.

Throughout the city, major as well as independent hotel developers are conducting feasibility studies, and it is expected that new properties will continue to be announced. Getting there may be half the fun, but for travelers to Los Angeles, finding the right accommodations is only the beginning of an exciting, and rewarding, travel experience.

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Contact:
Peggy Fort, 
213-236-2390, fax: 213-236-2395, [email protected]
or Carol Martinez, 
213-236-2357, fax: 213-236-2395, [email protected] 
both of 
Los Angeles Convention Visitors Bureau Web site: http://www.lacvb.com
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Also See: Long Beach Convention and Tourism Sales Figures Reach Record Highs / Nov 1998 

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