Knowland Wins 2023 Skift IDEA Award
Knowland | August 10, 2023
Industry Happenings
Hyatt Herald Square New York Hosts Event With City Dignitaries And Community Members
Hyatt Herald Square | February 26, 2015
~Hotel Debuts Penthouse Suite and Other Finishing Touches~ NEW YORK CITY (February 26, 2015) - Chesapeake Lodging Trust (NYSE:CHSP) (the "Trust") and Real Hospitality Group hosted an event last night at Hyatt Herald Square New York to welcome the property to their portfolios. The more than 120 guests in attendance enjoyed an evening filled with live entertainment, flowing Champagne and cocktails, and market-fresh passed dishes prepared by the hotel's Executive Chef, Gunnar Steden. The 122-room hotel, which first opened its doors in October 2014, celebrated its final touches and updates at last night's party including the property's new...
TrustYou Partners with Egypt’s SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises to Provide Reputation Management Tools
TrustYou | February 26, 2015
SUNRISE Resorts to use TrustYou tool on path to being best brand in Egypt Munich, Germany and New York, USA - February 26, 2015 - TrustYou, the inventor of the Meta-ReviewTM and global online reputation management leader, has partnered with SUNRISE Hotels & Cruises to offer reputation management tools to their collection of Egyptian hotels. SUNRISE plans to roll out the TrustYou reputation management tool across their 11 resorts located in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. "Our goal is to be the most well-respected brand in Egypt. The highest level of reputation management is key to ensuring that we're responding consistently and consci...
Hotel Equities Names Sean McKeen General Manager for New Residence Inn Miami Beach-Surfside
Hotel Equities | February 26, 2015
Atlanta, GA – February 26, 2015 – Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (www.hotelequities.com) announced the hiring of Sean McKeen as the General Manager of the new Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Beach-Surfside. The $52 million resort-style hotel recently topped out at 92nd Street and Collins Avenue in the Surfside area of Miami Beach. Hotel Equities who has an ownership position in the project is also managing the 175-room upscale property for their JV partner Hotel Development Partners (HDP) of Atlanta. "Hotel Equities is delighted to introduce Residence Inn by Marriott to the Miami Beach market," said Brad Rahinsky, President and COO of...
Chatham Lodging Trust Acquires the 240-room Residence Inn San Diego Downtown-Gaslamp for $90 Million
Chatham Lodging Trust | February 26, 2015
PALM BEACH, Fla., February 26, 2015 - Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels, today announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the 240-room Residence Inn San Diego Downtown-Gaslamp Quarter for $90 million, or approximately $375,000 per room. "Having invested approximately $500 million into new hotel investments in 2014, our outlook on the industry remains bullish, and we expect to continue acquiring hotels in 2015 that meet our strict underwriting criteria," said Jeffrey H...
Owned by Gateway Hotel One, the 186-key Sheraton McKinney Hotel and Conference Center Opens in Texas
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | February 26, 2015
February 26, 2015 - MCKINNEY, Texas - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE:HOT), today announced the opening of the Sheraton McKinney Hotel and Conference Center in McKinney, Texas. Owned by Gateway Hotel One, Ltd., the hotel offers 186 guest rooms and suites, ample meeting facilities and all of Sheraton's signature services and amenities. The property will celebrate its opening today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and private reception attended by McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller and members of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce. Sheraton McKinney is located 30 miles northeast of downtown Dallas and a short drive from Dalla...
Operated by Pyramid Hotel Group, the 348-key Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing Opens in PA
Keating | February 26, 2015
February 26, 2015 - PHILADELPHIA and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, a 348-room hotel located in downtown Philadelphia. "Hilton continues to grow in the City of Brotherly Love and is proud to welcome Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing to our growing portfolio of more than 550 hotels worldwide," said Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. "With breathtaking views, modern amenities and large meeting and event spaces, this property provides the style, comfort and convenience that today's traveler desires." As one of the only hotel...
Edward Villafane Appointed General Manager, The Inn at Windmill Lane, Amagansett, N.Y.
The Inn at Windmill Lane | February 26, 2015
Amagansett, N.Y., February 26, 2015 – Edward Villafane has been appointed General Manager, The Inn at Windmill Lane, an exclusive boutique hotel in the Hamptons' tranquil Amagansett. A veteran of the luxury hospitality industry, Villafane has 30 years of international hotel experience and has played an integral role in opening six resorts. He most recently served as Resort Manager of Ocean House, an award-winning property in Watch Hill, R.I., a position he held for the last five years. In this role, he led all aspects of hotel operations and was instrumental in implementing policies and procedures that resulted in the hotel's many acc...
Hilton Kansas City Airport Caps $12M Renovation with Flyte Systems Real-Time Airport Information
Flyte Systems | February 26, 2015
Guests Confirm Travel Plans at Busy Airport Hotel with Latest Amenity to Make Travel Easier; FlyteBoard Provides Airline, Gate and Departure Information with Live Doppler Radar CHICAGO, IL - February 26, 2015 - The newly renovated Hilton Kansas City Airport hotel included the latest in travel amenities from Flyte Systems in its recent $12M renovation. The busy business hotel will install a FlyteBoard real-time airline information display in its lobby to help guests plan their travel more confidently. Flyte Systems is the leading provider of cost effective airport travel information displays and digital signage content for the hospitali...
Owner, Stephen Nalley & General Manager, Jay A. Ulshafer Open the Radisson Hotel North Baltimore
February 26, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (February 26, 2015) - Radisson®, one of the best-recognized hotel brands, today announced the opening of Radisson Hotel North Baltimore located just off I-83 and the Baltimore Beltway at 2004 Greenspring Drive in Timonium, MD. "The opening of this hotel illustrates our momentum as we expand the Radisson brand in key U.S. markets," said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas. "We look forward to serving both leisure and business guests with our signature Yes I Can!SM service spirit that promises an extraordinary experience." Radisson Hotel North Baltimore offers 249 guest rooms and s...
Explosive Speaker Lineup Revealed for 3rd Annual Travel & Technology Conference/TNT
Hospitality Upgrade | February 26, 2015
It's three weeks to the TNT! If you are responsible for revenue, profitability or operations, or are simply interested in future tech and how it will affect your job-come network with peers, startups, investment community leaders, and C-levels of hospitality technology companies. Plus, see entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technologies seeking funding in the travel, hotel and foodservice business sectors take the stage in a pitching competition--with one winner taking home a $10,000 prize package. The 3rd annual Travel & Technology Conference/TNT: Connecting Concepts with Cash, being produced for the first time by Hospitality Upgrade,...
hotel SystemsPro Welcomes 2015 with New Leadership, Re-Energized Focus on Client Success
hotel SystemsPro | February 26, 2015
Dedicated Team of Hotel Professionals Launch High-Performance Solutions Backed by Personal Service Atlanta - February 26, 2015 - hotel SystemsPro, a provider of high performance business solutions for hotels and hotel company owners, announced a re-energized company launch for 2015. The company, founded in 1994 will emphasize strongly-focused customer service teams and product innovations guided by Lana Perkins, CHA, hotel SystemsPro founder. Click here for more information on hotel SystemsPro products. Personal Service and Solutions for Sales and Revenue, Facilities Management, and Guest Service. "Client success is our inspiration and ...
Located in Two Circa 1880s Buildings, the 45-key, $14M Hotel on North to Open in Pittsfield, MA
Main Street Hospitality Group | February 26, 2015
PITTSFIELD, MA (February 26, 2015) - Downtown Pittsfield, in the heart of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, welcomes its first boutique hotel with the opening of Hotel on North in May 2015. The 45-room, $14 million hotel is located in a pair of buildings that date from the 1880s and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hotel on North will celebrate the building's heritage with an eclectic and creative mix of furnishings and decor, much from the workshops of local artisans and craftspeople. Key design elements include preserved and restored architectural features such as columns, brick walls, tin ceilings, and ...
Average Daily Rate Continues to Propel Hotel Performance in Early 2015
TravelClick, Inc. | February 26, 2015
Hotels See Decline in Group Pace but RevPAR Performance Remains Strong NEW YORK - February 26, 2015 - Hotels in major North American markets continued to maintain positive growth in rate across all travel segments according to data from the February 2015 TravelClick North American Hospitality Review (NAHR). Overall, average daily rate (ADR) growth continues to be the metric for growth, requiring hotels to be vigilant in monitoring their local markets. "As travelers deal with the deep freeze of the winter months hoteliers come to rely on ADR to drive hotel performance and sustain positive revenue per available room (RevPAR)," said John H...
Chase Hospitality Nears Opening of the 152-suite SpringHill Suites Dallas Plano/Frisco in Texas
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | February 26, 2015
Plano, Texas - February 26, 2015 - The 152-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Plano, Texas is scheduled to open this Monday, March 2, 2015. Located at 8401 Angels Drive, the SpringHill Suites Dallas Plano/Frisco will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Chase Hospitality, LLC of Irving, Texas. Located 21 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the hotel offers guests convenient access to Legacy Office Park, Stonebriar Centre Mall, Toyota Stadium, Dr. Pepper Ballpark and The Shops at Legacy. "We're delighted that the SpringHill Suites Dallas Plano/Frisco is the latest addition to our growing number of pro...
Kokua Hospitality Appoints Garry Cox as GM of the Axiom Hotel Opening in San Francisco in Q3 2015
Axiom Hotel | February 25, 2015
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA; February 25, 2015) - Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Kokua Hospitality, LLC are pleased to announce the appointment of Garry Cox as General Manager of the Axiom Hotel (28 Cyril Magnin St.), opening in the heart of San Francisco's Union Square in the former Powell Hotel space in fall 2015. With over three decades of experience in hospitality management, Cox brings a diverse operational expertise from all facets of the hotel industry to his new role. "It is an absolute pleasure to introduce this new property to the tech-forward San Francisco Bay Area," says Cox. "We are looking forward to offering our guests an exp...
The New-Build 188-room Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Aguascalientes Opens in Mexico
Hampton Hotels | February 25, 2015
AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico and MCLEAN, Va. - February 25, 2015 - Hampton by Hilton continues its expansion in Mexico by announcing the opening of Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Aguascalientes. The new-build, 188-room hotel managed by Hilton Worldwide joins the global brand of more than 2,000 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton hotels. It is the first Hampton property in Aguascalientes and the 18th in the country. "We are pleased to bring Hamptonality to Aguascalientes and proud the Hampton brand is initiating Hilton's presence in this historical, recreational and industrial city," said Phil Cordell, Glob...
Hilton London Docklands Riverside to Undergo Refurbishment and Open as DoubleTree by Hilton in 2015
DoubleTree By Hilton | February 25, 2015
February 25, 2015 - LONDON and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide has announced plans to redevelop and reflag Hilton London Docklands Riverside as DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands hotel in 2015. The hotel will continue to operate under a Hilton Worldwide management agreement with owner H.I.G. Capital and joins 10 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in Greater London. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, "The property's recent sale and lease agreement's conclusion has created a unique opportunity to redevelop and transition the hotel under our upscale DoubleTree by Hilton brand. Bu...
Tera Sahara, Inc. to Convert Redding, CA Property to Red Lion Inn & Suites Redding
RLHC | February 25, 2015
Spokane, Wash., Feb. 25, 2015 – RLHC (Red Lion Hotels Corporation, NYSE: RLH) announced today that the company signed a franchise license agreement for a hotel in Redding, California. Following an extensive renovation, the hotel is expected to convert to Red Lion Inn & Suites Redding this summer. The property is owned by Tera Sahara, Inc., Mike Bath, principal, who also owns three full-service RLHC properties including the Red Lion Hotel Pendleton in Oregon; the Red Lion Hotel Kelso/Longview in Washington; and the Red Lion Hotel Yakima in Washington. "We appreciate the support of our owners and their increasing commitment to our b...
Rebranding Complete, the 271-room Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa Opens on Denarau Island
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | February 25, 2015
February 25, 2015 - FIJI and MCLEAN, Va. - Fiji Beach Resort and Spa Managed by Hilton has today officially been rebranded as Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa. The resort will join Hilton Worldwide's existing portfolio of 21 hotels in Australasia and is an important step towards many exciting new changes to come for Hilton Worldwide in Fiji. Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa is located on Denarau Island just 20 minutes from Nadi Airport. The resort is easily accessible from major international cities and in close proximity to Fiji's most popular attractions. The 271-room resort boasts an absolute beachfront location and includes thre...
Hard Rock International Appoints Jon Lucas as Executive Vice President of Hotel & Casino Operations
Hard Rock International | February 25, 2015
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 25, 2015 - Hard Rock International – owner of one of the world's most-recognizable and iconic brands – announces the appointment of 30-year hospitality veteran, Jon Lucas, as EVP of Hotel & Casino Operations. In this new position, Lucas will be instrumental in further igniting the brand's transition into a world-class, full-service hotel and casino management company. Lucas originally joined Hard Rock in 2013 as the president of the Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield Park, where he managed everything from site design and construction to the hiring and onboarding of key executives. During his tenure at the Rocks...
Noted New Orleans Chef Tom Wolfe Joins Rib Room at Omni Royal Orleans
Omni Royal Orleans | February 25, 2015
NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 25, 2015)—Omni Royal Orleans is pleased to announce Tom Wolfe as newly appointed executive chef of its Rib Room restaurant. An award-winning chef who fine-tuned his culinary abilities at some of New Orleans' most esteemed restaurants, Wolfe will add an exciting new dimension to the hotel's Zagat-rated restaurant, banquet and private party facilities through his innovative take on contemporary dining and traditional New Orleans cuisine. Wolfe brings more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of the restaurant world to the Rib Room, including apprenticeships at distinguished restaurants such as the Brennans' famil...
HSMAI’S 58th Annual Adrian Awards Gala Celebrates Best in the Hospitality Industry for 2014
the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) | February 25, 2015
Geoffrey Weill Recognized for Lifetime Achievement McLEAN, VA (Feb. 25, 2015) - The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has celebrated the 58th annual Adrian Awards at the New York Marriott Marquis. HSMAI honored 2014's outstanding hospitality advertising, public relations and digital marketing campaigns before nearly 1,000 attendees. "It was a great night to gather and honor the creativity in our industry and the people behind the work," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. "The greatness we honored tonight spans the spectrum, from digital marketing, PR and advertising to e-ma...
Digicel and Marriott Open the Long Awaited Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel
Marriott International | February 25, 2015
Port-au-Prince Hotel Gives Boost to Business Travel, Tourism and Local Economy Port-au-Prince, Haiti – February 24, 2015 – The new Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel today checked in its first guests. Among the 200 new Haitian hotel workers who welcomed them were young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Haitian-Americans who want to share their hospitality skills to help boost Haiti's tourism economy. The stories of these new associates include Luccardo, who was recruited to work at the hotel's front desk from the Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs orphanage, and Hermine, who was part of the hotel's intern program and will be an entry-...
HeBS Digital and Google Co-Host a Luncheon Workshop on Engaging and Converting the Traveler
HeBS Digital | February 25, 2015
NEW YORK, NY February 25, 2015 - HeBS Digital, the leading hotel digital technology, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm co-hosted a Google Partners Luncheon at the Google Headquarters in New York City this week on Monday, February 23rd. The event brought together over 100 hospitality guests and a panel of industry experts to discuss the technologies to invest in, the strategies to employ to drive revenue to their hotel, and how to stay on top of their customers' minds throughout the traveler consumer's path to purchase. Representatives from Major Hotel Companies, Google Experts, and Industry ...
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