Operations
Is Your Hotel Addictive?
Larry Mogelonsky | December 16, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) To give you a new perspective on your guest service operations, let's reframe a person's hotel experience in terms of chemicals – specifically, how a brain responds to micro- and macro-interactions by releasing certain neurotransmitters. For those of us lacking a medical degree, neurotransmitters are the molecules your nervous system releases to dictate further bodily actions and emotional states of mind. (If you want to learn some more about how and where they work, consult a Wikipedia page near you.) Although there are dozens of these brain chemicals that have been identified, we're...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Arranges Sale of Hilton Garden Inn Lake Oswego/ Portland OR
Paramount Lodging Advisors | December 15, 2015
Paramount Lodging Advisors Arranges the Sale of MLCFC 2007-9 Western Lodging Limited Partnership Interest in Lake Oswego, Oregon OSWEGO, OR—Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) has completed the sale of MLCFC 2007-9 Western Lodging Limited Partnership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn to Lake Oswego Hotel LLC for $33.5 million/$187,000 per room to InterWest Capital Corporation. Senior Managing Director of the Western U.S., Scott Griemsmann, represented the owners in the transaction. "Lake Oswego and the overall Portland area are on pace for another solid year of RevPAR growth for the 4th straight year, the region's lodging market con...
Menin Hospitality Once Again Turns to RoamBOOST for Cell Signal Amplification
RoamBOOST | December 15, 2015
The Red Ginger restaurant, part of a mixed-use development project in Miami, has eradicated all issues with poor cellular reception thanks to the RoamBOOST Distributed Antenna System Boston, Mass. — December 15, 2015 — For Menin Hospitality, the unique location of each of its hotels and restaurants is key to making them sought-out destinations in the Miami market. These sites are known for their lifestyle and character appeal, yet structural interference and other factors in the surrounding area can make it impossible for customers and staff to get good cell reception. Such was the case in May, when development crews and sta...
Hard Rock International and Centerplan Companies Partner to Develop Hard Rock Hotel Hartford
Hard Rock International | December 14, 2015
Orlando, Fla. – December 14, 2015 – Hard Rock International – owner of one of the world's most iconic and recognized brands – announces plans for Hard Rock Hotel Hartford, a new-build 170-room property set to open fall 2018 in the Connecticut Capital City's fast evolving Downtown North ("DoNo") neighborhood. Developed in collaboration with Centerplan Companies and managed by Hard Rock International, the hotel will be situated at the meeting of Main and Trumbull Streets. Welcoming locals and visitors alike, Hard Rock Hotel Hartford will serve as a top regional attraction and complement the city's new minor lea...
Carlson Rezidor and Mushtaq Group Sign Portfolio Agreement to Open Seven Hotels in Jammu and Kashmir
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | December 14, 2015
NEW DELHI, India, Dec. 14, 2015 -- Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the signing of a portfolio agreement with Mushtaq Group of Hotels to open seven hotels comprising 817-rooms under the Radisson Blu®, Radisson® and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM brands, in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The seven hotels will be located in the main gateway markets throughout the state and will position Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group as the largest international hotel operator in Jammu and Kashmir. The first hotel is expected to open in the fourth quart...
Fitch: Accor Deal Mild Positive, More Hotel Consolidation Likely
Fitch Ratings | December 11, 2015
Fitch Ratings-London-11 December 2015: AccorHotels' acquisition of FRHI Holdings will improve the group's business profile by increasing its international diversification and will not affect its key financial metrics, Fitch Ratings says. The deal reinforces our expectation for further hospitality and travel industry consolidation as competition is rapidly increasing. The three brands AccorHotels is acquiring, Raffles, Fairmont, Swissotel, have hotels in 34 countries, but their biggest presence is in North America, which currently represents just 1% of Accor's hotel portfolio. It will only make up a small proportion of the gr...
2016 Checklist to Maximize Revenues from Online Media and Display Ads
the Author and HeBS Digital | December 10, 2015
By Patrick Merryman With the digital landscape constantly growing and the hospitality industry transforming to make room for new technology, running successful, revenue focused digital campaigns is becoming even more of a key to success in hotel marketing. Traditionally hoteliers have considered online media a branding initiative – one that could only be supported with major budgets. Today, online media can be used as a direct response initiative to generate bookings by utilizing Dynamic Rate Marketing and tying campaigns to concrete packages and promotions. Online media is a major revenue driver for HeBS Digital clients, with mor...
Waterford Hotel Group Promotes Tina Fleming to General Manager of Doubletree Little Rock in Arkansas
DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock | December 10, 2015
WATERFORD, CT (December 10, 2015) --- Waterford Hotel Group recently appointed Tina Fleming as the General Manager for the 288-room DoubleTree by Hilton in Little Rock, AR. As general manager, Fleming is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales, and administration, as well as the almost 100 associates employed at the property. Waterford Hotel Group professionally manages the hotel. Fleming, a hospitality industry veteran who has been with Waterford Hotel Group since 2002, joins the DoubleTree team from her most recent position as Director of Operations at the Hilton Hartford in Hartford, CT. Prior to that, Fleming was th...
SHR’s WindsurferCRS Sees Increased Innovation in 2015 – New Features & Integrations
SHR | December 10, 2015
HOUSTON, TX, December 10, 2015– SHR, an innovative provider of advanced distribution technology and services for the hospitality industry, reported significant innovation efforts towards the continued success of their WindsurferCRS distribution platform. The Central Reservations System received many enhancements in 2015 to better serve the growing distribution needs of hotels and resorts. The team at SHR recognized the need for blended rate functionality within WindsurferCRS in order for hoteliers to offer more flexible promotions, show true availability to guests, and decrease booking abandonment. The new functionality enables ho...
AccorHotels to Acquire Three Iconic Hotel Brands – Fairmont, Raffles, Swissôtel
AccorHotels | December 9, 2015
An unrivalled collection of iconic hotel assets with 155 hotels and resorts, of which 40 are under development Acquisition to provide AccorHotels with robust and global leadership in luxury hotels, a key segment in terms of geographic reach, growth potential and profitability, for long-term value creation FRHI's unrivalled hotel portfolio, expertise in marketing luxury hotels and sizeable footprint in North America, provide a stronger platform to continue aggressive worldwide expansion. AccorHotels will pay for the acquisition by issuing 46.7 million new Accor shares and a cash payment of $840 million (€768 million) – Qa...
For a Local Experience, Look to Brooklyn
Larry Mogelonsky | December 9, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Buzz terms and urbane business jargon are all the rage these days. More specific to hotels, we are also living in an age of embracing the trending phrase that is the 'local authentic experience' and all that that infers. To this end, we arrive at the word 'Brooklynization' which has recently been making waves in the more erudite presses. This catch-all can mean a lot of different things depending on the context, so let's make sure we are on the same page with regard to its meaning for hospitality. To start, why Brooklyn? It's less about the historical relevance of this two-and-a-half-millio...
Your Data is Your Business, What Does It Tell You About Next Year?
Maestro PMS | December 9, 2015
Independent Operators See the Future with Accurate Flexible Maestro Analytics Forecasts December 9, 2015 – Markham, ON – Operational reporting is important for daily property management. Housekeeping status, due-outs, expected arrivals, guest folios are reports that hoteliers use every day. Valuable tools, but they don't make the hotel money. What does, are analytics reports that forecast revenue, demand and expenses for next month and next year. "Independent operators have to rely on their own experience and skill to operate profitably," said Maestro PMS President Warren Dehan. "Maestro's responsibility as a solution provid...
Twinpalms Phuket Migrates to SHR’s WindsurferCRS Distribution Platform
SHR | December 9, 2015
HOUSTON, TX, December 9, 2015– SHR, an innovative provider of advanced distribution technology and services for the hospitality industry, today announce the migration of Twinpalms Phuket to SHR's WindsurferCRS distribution platform. "We look forward to working with Twinpalms Phuket to improve the online booking experience for their guests with our TopSail™ booking engine," says Drew Rosser, VP of Sales for SHR. Twinpalms Phuket offers the comfort of a luxury resort, combined with the relaxing tranquility of a secluded getaway. There are only 97 luxurious and spacious Suites and Rooms, each surrounded by palms and featuring p...
BN Management and Hotel Equities Open New 123-Room Courtyard by Marriott in Gretna, Louisiana
Courtyard by Marriott | December 8, 2015
Gretna, Louisiana – December 8, 2015 – Courtyard by Marriott New Orleans Westbank/Gretna is scheduled to open its doors today. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 5 Westbank Expressway, the 123-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by BN Management, LLC and managed by Hotel Equities of Atlanta, Georgia. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard New Orleans Westbank/Gretna offers guests convenient access to downtown...
Hard Rock International and the Trockland Group to Develop First Hard Rock Hotel in Germany
Hard Rock International | December 8, 2015
Orlando, Fla. – December 8, 2015 – Hard Rock International – with hotel locations from Bali to Orlando and Palm Springs to Ibiza – reveals plans for Hard Rock Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie, a 372-room city hotel reflective of the area's musical past and spirited present, set to open in 2020. Developed in collaboration with Trockland Development Group, the property will be centrally located adjacent to the renowned Checkpoint Charlie, one of the city's most significant tourist attractions in the Mitte district. Hard Rock Hotel Berlin is set to rise on a site where the Berlin Wall once stood. "Hard Rock is please...
Best Western Hotels & Resorts Opens Eleven Properties in November 2015
Best Western Hotels & Resorts | December 7, 2015
PHOENIX (December 7, 2015) — Property name Property location # of rooms BW PLUS Elmendorf Hotel Elmendorf, TX 63 New Build Property name Property location # of rooms BW London Airport Hotel & Suites London, ON 99 Conversion Property name Property location # of rooms BW PLUS Omaha Airport Inn Carter Lake, IA 89 Conversion Property name Property location # of rooms BW PLUS Spring Inn & Suites Spring, TX 69 New Build Property name Property location # of rooms BW PLUS Laredo Inn Laredo, TX 95 New Build Property name Property location # of rooms BW PLUS Technology Park Inn & Suites Cedar Falls, IA 66 Conversion Property nam...
Embassy Suites by Hilton Jacksonville Baymeadows Completes Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
Aimbridge Hospitality | December 7, 2015
Dallas, Texas (December 7, 2015) —The Embassy Suites by Hilton Jacksonville Baymeadows proudly announces it has completed a nearly $13 million renovation of the entire hotel. The complete renovation included updating all 277 of the hotel's two-room suites, redesigning and rebuilding the lobby and atrium, and enhancing more than 7,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space. Additionally, a new full-service restaurant concept, Chelsea's, was introduced to the hotel offering a wide lunch and dinner menu featuring American cuisine with a southern flair. "We are overjoyed with the complete transformation of this hotel," said Steven Q...
Hotel Equities Celebrates Opening of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Buford, GA
Hotel Equities | December 3, 2015
Atlanta, GA–December 3, 2015 – Atlanta-based Hotel Equities recently held a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the 96-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott hotel at 1355 Mall of Georgia Boulevard in Buford, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Lauren Cato serves as General Manager and Malinda Foster is Director of Sales. Hotel Equities has an ownership position in the hotel and helped direct the property's multi-million dollar conversion/renovation to the latest generation of Marriott's highly successful Fairfield Inn & Suites brand. Hotel Equities is also an investor in the Courtyard by Marriott Buford, located just ...
Independent Hotelier’s Big Data vs. Real-Time Data Conundrum
the Author and HeBS Digital | December 3, 2015
By Max Starkov The following are highlights from Max Starkov's article Independent hotelier's Big Data vs. real-time data conundrum for the latest edition of HOTEL Yearbook 2016 – Technology, which tackles the big question of how independent hotels can level the playing field against the OTAs by leveraging real-time data in efficient ways. In the new environment of OTA consolidation and rate parity removal in Europe, the market share dominance of the OTAs can seem like a colossal problem with no real solution. However, independent properties have a wealth of digital technology and data tools already available to them that gives th...
Destination Hotels Shares 2016 Trend Forecast in 4th Annual ‘State of the Meetings Industry’ Survey
Destination Hotels | December 3, 2015
Englewood, Colo. – Dec. 3, 2015 – Destination Hotels, the largest operator of independent hotels, resorts and residences across the US, releases key findings on 2016 meetings trends today from its fourth annual "State of the Meetings Industry" survey. Nearly 300 meeting planners* across North America – of which 53.5 percent control more than $100,000 per year in direct meeting spend for their organizations – were surveyed on how their planning duties and their meetings are changing for 2016. The following is a summary of the most significant survey results, plus front-line insight from meetings-focused executives...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Jean Macomber as General Manager of Courtyard Warwick, Rhode Island
Waterford Hotel Group | December 2, 2015
WATERFORD, CT (December 2, 2015) --- Waterford Hotel Group recently appointed Jean Macomber as the General Manager for the 92-room Courtyard by Marriott in Warwick, RI. As general manager, Macomber is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales, and administration, as well as the associates employed at the property. Waterford Hotel Group professionally manages the hotel. Macomber joins the Courtyard Warwick team from her most recent position on a task force assignment at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Warwick, RI. Prior to that, she was the General Manager at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Tewksbury, MA, Assistant General M...
Housekeeping Excellence at the Luxury Level
Larry Mogelonsky | December 2, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Upon completing an intensive, three-week Pacific hotel tour filled with fine wine and beachfront dawdling (pouvre moi!), my report to hoteliers is this: no matter what your brand or luxury status, housekeeping remains a prickly beast and a constant challenge. Eighteen nights on the road in luxury hotels and one would think that the results are all coming up like daisies. Well, I wish I could report perfection but alas this is not so! In all five properties that I surveyed, housekeeping errors topped the list. Where others see shortcomings, however, I see opportunities for growth. While my a...
SiteMinder and Innsoft Partner to Increase Integrated Online Distribution Solutions in the US
SiteMinder | December 2, 2015
Dallas, US – SiteMinder and one of the US's leading property management software providers, Innsoft, have today announced a partnership to offer a new wholly-integrated online distribution solution for hotels. The partnership addresses a key finding in Phocuswright and h2c's Independent Lodging Market Report, co-sponsored by SiteMinder, that independent accommodation providers in the US use technology more for transactional purposes rather than managing their online marketing and distribution. Innsoft's Operations Specialist, Chloe Peddicord, says, "We are very excited to partner with SiteMinder, the recognised leader in hotel onl...
nSight Welcomes sbe’s Portfolio of Award-Winning Hotels to its List of Independent Hotel Groups
sbe | December 2, 2015
Predictive consumer analytics give boutique properties a digital marketing and revenue management advantage by anticipating buyer behavior NASHVILLE, TN (December 2, 2015) nSight, the leader in online consumer shopping intelligence for hotels and destinations, today announced that sbe, a global hospitality and entertainment company, is using nSight's predictive marketing and revenue management intelligence platform across its portfolio. Known as an innovative lifestyle brand, sbe leverages nSight's forward-looking consumer shopping data to improve digital ROI and support business development initiatives. "nSight's ability to show us ho...