News Archive: February 2019
Is Trump Organization Slowdown a Confirmation of STR’s Lower Occupancy Projections?
Tucker Johnson | February 18, 2019
By Tucker Johnson On February 12th, the Wall Street Journal published an article titled Slowing Hotel Growth Could be Worst in 10 Years. This headline was based on an STR (formerly Smith Travel Research) forecast suggesting that supply was overbuilt and hotel occupancy would level off, then decline over the next two years. On February 14th the Washington Post published an article titled Trump's Company Officially Halts Hotel Expansion. The Trump Organization cited the 'political climate' as their reason for scrapping their new American IDEA Hotels and Scion brands. As someone who follows hotel news closely this seemed like strange timin...
Evaluating Housekeeping in Minutes per Room
Larry Mogelonsky | February 20, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) While you may know your operations so thoroughly that you can trust your intuition to prudently guide your next move, we have now found ourselves in the age of measurement and analytics, letting us fall back on the data to make sound inferences to hone each and every task. Just as you would evaluate your rooms in terms of RevPAR or your guests in terms of RevPAG, there's another metric for your housekeeping department that can help give a reliable snapshot of the current state and where improvements are needed. As many executive housekeepers and management companies that already use...
Kingwood International Resorts Acquires Reunion Resort in Central Florida
February 11, 2019
ATLANTA (Feb. 11, 2019) – Kingwood International Resorts has purchased the AAA Four Diamond-rated Reunion Resort, located on 2,300 lush acres in Central Florida, just minutes from Walt Disney World theme parks. Specializing in golf-centered clubs and resorts, Atlanta-based Kingwood International currently owns and operates Kingwood Country Club & Golf Resort and Achasta Golf Resort community, both in North Georgia, and the eco-friendly Plantation on Crystal River in Central West Florida. The purchase of Reunion Resort from real estate investment firm Lubert Adler was finalized Friday, Feb. 8. "Reunion Resort is a perfect compl...
The Hotel Amenities Travelers Really Want
Kacey Bradley | February 13, 2019
By Kacey Bradley In the hospitality industry, there seems to be a disconnect between what hotels think guests want, what guests think they want and what they actually use. Because people are expecting services they're used to, some amenities aren't as novel as they once were, while others go unused. So, what makes travelers content during their stay at a hotel? Do guests need extra packaged toiletries or a pool to rave about the establishment? The following seven amenities are what guests hope for and take advantage of during their visit. 1. Outlets As travelers are stowing their electronics along for their trips, their charging...
5 Easy Ways to Reduce Turnover at the Front Desk
Cathy Cook | February 11, 2019
By Cathy Cook With one of my main roles at KTN being to conduct front desk hospitality training worldwide, one issue that always seems to surface is turnover at the front desk. Turnover everywhere in the hotel staff is a major challenge in tight labor markets most hotels operate within, however it seems to especially be an issue at the front desk. Certainly, working at the front desk can be a stressful job as we are dealing with guests who are arriving after a long day of travel disruptions and frustrations and therefore prone to over-reaction to even the smallest challenges. Also, regardless of where any gap in service occurs during a ...
Why Coworking Is Coming to Hotels
February 21, 2019
It's not just offices that are adapting to new, flexible ways of working and an increasingly mobile workforce. Growing numbers of hotels are also looking to get involved in the flexible space boom, transforming underused spaces in communal areas or outdated business centers into modern, vibrant coworking spaces. The Virgin hotel in Chicago has a monthly membership model for its coworking space, the Virgin Commons Club, which includes a bar, private meeting areas, free drinks, a library, Wi-Fi and wireless printing. The lobby of the Ace Hotel in New York attracts coworkers with its plentiful outlets, communal tables and a lobby bar that ...
The Breakers Palm Beach Promotes Tricia Taylor to Executive Vice President & General Manager
The Breakers Palm Beach | February 18, 2019
PALM BEACH, FL – The Breakers Palm Beach has promoted Tricia Taylor to hold a pivotal leadership role, as announced by Paul N. Leone, CEO of the independent, luxury hotel enterprise and Flagler System, Inc. Tricia Taylor, senior vice president & general manager, and a 23-year veteran of The Breakers, has been promoted to Executive Vice President & General Manager. Taylor's wide-ranging responsibilities for this complex, multi-faceted resort, consist of leading 1,800 associates throughout the property's four operating divisions: rooms, food & beverage, event services and recreation (spa, pool & beach, activities, go...
Excellence Group Plans Early 2020 Opening of Finest Punta Cana in Dominican Republic
Excellence Group | February 1, 2019
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, Jan. 31, 2019 -- Following the success of Finest Playa Mujeres, Excellence Group Luxury Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to open the second outpost from their Finest Resorts brand. Set to open its doors the first half of 2020, Finest Punta Cana will be set on the shores and crystal blue waters of Punta Cana and will be the third Excellence Group property in the Dominican Republic. The first of its kind in the area, Finest Punta Cana will house all of the exacting standards and personalized luxury that Excellence Group has become renowned for, with 450 suites, including 60 family suites, that will ra...
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