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Operations
RoomKeyPMS Powers Pacifica Hotels with Cloud-based Property Management System
RoomKeyPMS | February 24, 2015
Properties across California coast to benefit from RoomKey's user-friendly PMS February 24th, 2015, Vancouver, BC: RoomKeyPMS, a leading cloud-based Hotel Property Management system is excited to announce their newest partnership with Pacifica Hotels. RoomKeyPMS is a powerful cloud-based PMS that is easy to implement and scalable for any size independent hotel or multi-property. With easy anytime, anywhere access to your hotel, RoomKeyPMS was built by hoteliers for hoteliers. The Pacifica Hotels properties span the Pacific Coast from San Diego to Half Moon Bay, as well as Florida and Hawaii. Over the past two years, Pacifica Hotels has ...
San Antonio’s La Cantera Hill Country Resort Set to Reopen Following Renovation
La Cantera Hill Country Resort | February 23, 2015
SAN ANTONIO – La Cantera Hill Country Resort, managed by Destination Hotels, is readying for reopening after its multi-million dollar transformation. The 550-acre resort, which suspended overnight guest accommodations in November of 2014, will welcome back guests in April, with dramatic enhancements throughout the resort. "All elements of the resort's transformation have been carefully designed to elevate guest experiences and position the property as the preeminent resort in Texas," said John Spomer, vice president and managing director, La Cantera Hill Country Resort. "Throughout this process, we are holding true to our commitment t...
Accor Sells Zurich MGallery for $62.6 Million, Retains Management; Buyer Plans $26 M Renovation
Accor | February 19, 2015
Paris – February 19, 2015 - Accor announces the signing of a sale and management-back agreement for the Zurich MGallery with a private investor, already an Accor franchisee, for a total of €55 million (€355K per room). This amount includes the sale price of €32 million and a commitment from the buyer to carry out €23 million worth of renovations as soon as the transaction is finalized. Ideally located close to the main railway station and the old town, and offering 138 rooms and suites, the hotel will continue to be operated by Accor under a long-term management contract. The asset was part of the acquisition of a portfolio fr...
Hilton Worldwide Appoints Tom Potter as Senior Vice President for the Caribbean and Latin America
Hilton Worldwide | February 19, 2015
Potter to Lead Operations at Nearly 40 Properties and Oversee Development Pipeline MCLEAN, Va. – Feb. 19, 2015 – Hilton Worldwide announced the appointment of Tom Potter as senior vice president, Caribbean and Latin America. Potter takes the helm of the region's owned and managed portfolio, while playing a key role in the company's ambitious expansion plans throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. With more than 35 years with Hilton, Potter has had a front row seat to the company's impressive growth in Latin America. In his new role, he is focused on continuing this effort and being a driving force in the region's success. "Expan...
Alisa Faulk Named Greater Pittsburgh Hotel Association General Manager of the Year
Concord Hospitality | February 19, 2015
RALEIGH, N.C., (February 19, 2015) - Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation's top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, announced that Alisa Faulk of the company's Courtyard by Marriott, Settlers Ridge was named General Manager of the Year by the Greater Pittsburgh Hotel Association (GPHA) at the organization's annual meeting and gala. The General Manager of the Year award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated professionalism in operating a property and taken a leadership role in the industry by actively participating in association, community or industry programs. "Both Concord Hospitality and Marriott Internationa...
Shortcuts that Kill Revenue: Using the “DIY” or “Build It Quick & Cheap” Approach for Hotel Websites
the Author and HeBS Digital | February 19, 2015
By Max Starkov Recently, a major player in the industry announced the launch of their new $399/month service for "DIY" hotel websites. In the past, there have been many attempts to help hoteliers create a quick and cheap website presence, dating back to 1997 and GoDaddy. The main premise of this approach is that all hoteliers need is a website, and that any website would do: choose from a few design templates, slap some photos, add thin, unappetizing descriptions and textual content with no SEO value, add a booking engine widget, and voila! There you have it! This is exactly what $399/month buys these days. Unfortunately, in this multi...
A Checklist for Your USP
Larry Mogelonsky | February 18, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Central to building your property's awareness and sales generation, is its 'voice' or unique selling proposition (USP). Specific to the hospitality industry, a USP is defined as the single most identifiable benefit a property can give to consumers. In this day and age of endless distractions and screen bombardment, you have at best five to ten seconds, or one short phrase, to impress a prospective guest - not much time to communicate the full extent of your brand value. But this should be enough for you to get across one clear idea or selling point. From a marketer's point of view, an ironc...
Hotel Equities Names Amanda Michael as General Manager for New Home2 Suites by Hilton St. Louis
Hotel Equities (HE) | February 18, 2015
Atlanta, GA–February 18, 2015 – Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (www.hotelequities.com) announced the hiring of Amanda Michael as the General Manager of the Home2 Suites by Hilton Forest Park, the hotel nearing completion in St. Louis, Missouri. Hotel Equities is managing the 107-room hotel for Above All Development, LLC of St. Louis. "Hotel Equities is delighted to introduce Home2 Suites by Hilton to the St. Louis market," said Joe Reardon, VP of Business Development and Marketing. "This is our first hotel in the all-suites brand and its innovative approach is sure to appeal to our guests whether they are business travelers or extende...
Maestro PMS Announces New GEM Highlights Guest Response Solution to Increase Loyalty
Maestro Property Management Solution | February 18, 2015
GEM Highlights is a Streamlined Online Guest Comment Solution to Give Mobile Users a Fast Channel to Provide Hotels with Real Time Feedback February 18, 2015 - Maestro PMS™ announced the launch of GEM Highlights, its newest solution to strengthen guest loyalty. GEM (Guest Experience Measurement) Highlights is a streamlined, web-based guest response tool that automates guest perception gathering and monitors responses for prompt property action. The GEM Highlights solution is available to hoteliers now from Maestro. Maestro PMS Enterprise Property Management provides more than 20 hotel software and reservation software solutions for th...
Welcome to the New SHR – Sceptre Hospitality Resources Reveals New Branding and Corporate Website
SHR | February 18, 2015
HOUSTON, TX, February 18, 2015- SHR, an innovative provider of advanced distribution technology and services for the hospitality industry, today revealed their refreshed image, branding, and corporate website, www.shr.global. SHR will be the trade name for Sceptre Hospitality Resources, LLC, reflecting a simplified value proposition and sharpened focus. "Our company's culture revolves around values that include integrity, service, creativity, and teamwork. As we planned our move to a new space designed to reflect our culture and values, we decided to also redesign our logo and express our brand promise in a simpler more focused way", sa...
Hospitality Technology Expert Pam Angelucci Joins RoamingAround to Spearhead Growth of RoamBoost
RoamingAround | February 17, 2015
Former Ritz Carlton CIO recruited to continue exponential growth of RoamBoost DAS division BOSTON, MASS. - FEBRUARY 17, 2015 - With demand for access to cellular networks for 3G voice and 4G data at an all-time high, the hospitality industry's mobile engagement expert, RoamingAround, has recruited distinguished hospitality veteran and former Ritz Carlton Hotel Company CIO Pam Angelucci to head its RoamBoost division as Senior Vice President of Operations. RoamBoost is a scalable Distributed Antenna System (DAS) solution for hotels that solves in-building cellular coverage problems throughout a property or in targeted areas, such as th...
White Lodging Appoints Jason Kreul as Senior Vice President of Full Service Operations
White Lodging Services Corporation | February 12, 2015
MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Feb. 12, 2015 -- White Lodging is pleased to announce Jason Kreul has been hired as Senior Vice President of Full Service Operations. "I'm excited to welcome Jason to White Lodging and this new position as our company continues to grow," said Keith Daub, Chief Operating Officer for the company's full service portfolio. "Jason comes to us with a vast background of knowledge and experience, as well as successful leadership in the hospitality industry. I'm looking forward to the impact he will make within our organization." Kreul brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to White Lodging. Most recently, he was...
White Lodging to Build a Dual-Branded AC Hotel and Le Meridien Hotel in Denver, Colorado
White Lodging Services Corporation | February 12, 2015
Le Meridien Denver and AC Denver are Slated to Break Ground in Late Spring 2015 and Open in Early 2017 MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Feb. 12, 2015 -- White Lodging is pleased to announce it will build a dual-branded hotel development in downtown Denver, featuring AC Hotels by Marriott hotel as well as a Starwood-branded Le Meridien Hotel. Construction on the 18-story development will begin in Spring 2015 with an opening scheduled for early 2017. The two hotels will add 491 rooms to the heart of the city at 15th Street and California, just one block from the Colorado Convention Center. Le Meridien Denver and AC Denver will be located at the center...
Hilton Worldwide Closes Sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and Acquires Five Landmark Hotels
Hilton Worldwide | February 11, 2015
February 11, 2015 - MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. ("Hilton Worldwide") today announced it closed its previously-announced sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York to Anbang Insurance Group Co. Ltd. ("Anbang") for $1.95 billion. In addition, Hilton Worldwide has signed agreements to redeploy the proceeds of the sale to add five landmark properties in strategic resort and urban locations to its owned portfolio: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL (1,001 rooms) Waldorf Astoria Orlando in Orlando, FL (498 rooms) The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Key West, FL (150 rooms) Casa Marina, A Waldorf ...
Understanding Your Hotel’s Glanceability
Larry Mogelonsky | February 11, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Is your hotel glanceable? I know that's a made up word, but that doesn't diminish its importance. What I mean by 'glanceability' as it relates to hospitality is how noticeable or different a property is with respect to the average guest's preconceived notions. When consumers research hotels online - whether for business or leisure - statistics indicate that typically browse twenty different sites. Glancing through so many properties, what makes yours pop? It's interesting to note how this harks back to the neuroscience concept of Pre-Attentive Processing, whereby most stimuli to reach our b...
Accor Appoints Marc Sternagel as Vice President of Operations for Midscale Brands
Accor | February 10, 2015
(February 10, 2015) - Accor North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NCAC) region has announced the promotion of Marc Sternagel to vice president of operations for all midscale brands in the region. The segment encompasses all Novotel hotels in the United States and Canada, as well as Novotel properties in Panama and Mexico, and Mercure Guatemala. Marc will also contribute to development projects in the region within this segment. This is the second promotion this year for Sternagel who became vice president operations of HotelServices Novotel North America in February 2014. "Marc continues to serve as a vital part of our Accor...
Aimbridge Hospitality Selected to Manage the Soon to Open Sheraton Four Points in Bentonville, AR
Aimbridge Hospitality | February 9, 2015
Dallas, Texas (February 9, 2015) — Aimbridge Hospitality announces its management contract for the much anticipated Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas, scheduled for opening in March 19th , 2015 . The property's premier location at 211 SE Walton Boulevard is minutes from Wal-Mart's Corporate Headquarters and will also capture room demand for visitors to the renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The extensive renovation of the 105-room hotel by new owners, Little Rock-based Reimagine Hospitality, encompasses virtually every area of the original property. Project highlights include new lobby, lounge and bar d...
Waterford Hotel Group Promotes Ron Wichowski to General Manager of Hilton Hartford
Hilton Hartford | February 9, 2015
Waterford, CT (February 5, 2015) --- Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. has announced the promotion of Ron Wichowski to General Manager of the 393-room Hilton Hotel in Hartford, CT. As General Manager, Wichowski is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales and administration, as well as the more than 200 associates employed at the property. Waterford Hotel Group professionally manages the Hilton Hartford, a state-of-the-art, luxury hotel with all the benefits and convenience of a downtown location. A 21-year hospitality industry veteran, Wichowski most recently served as the Director of Operations at the Marriott Hartford Downtown i...
FCS Interview by Donald Trump Jr. on Bloomberg Corporate Review Awarded Additional Global Airing
FCS | February 9, 2015
Guest host Donald Trump Jr. interview with FCS' Akina Ho on latest innovations in hospitality operations software and mobile technologies to be re-aired on the Fox Business Network, Bloomberg EMEA and Bloomberg Asia Pacific Boca Raton - February 9, 2015 - FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading global provider of comprehensive hospitality solutions and services, recently shared details of its unique expertise in hospitality operations and mobile applications management during an interview with MMP (USA), Inc.'s the Corporate Review. As a segment that provides the industry with valuable insight into current trends along with advice on how ...
Front Desk Training Can Help Secure More Direct Bookings
Doug Kennedy | February 4, 2015
By Doug Kennedy February 4, 2015 As hotel managers look to reduce the costs of customer acquisition by focusing on direct bookings, one often overlooked resource is the front desk team working in your lobby right now. The frontline colleagues staffing the reception desk are interacting with guests every day and have numerous opportunities to help lock-in more direct bookings. Here are some suggestions and training techniques. As a starting place, make sure the frontline colleagues understand the costs of various distribution channels. Those I talk to in my workshops tend to grossly underestimate the distribution costs their hotel is p...
HeBS Digital Invites Hoteliers to Be Their Guest at the HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference
HeBS Digital | February 4, 2015
Conference to be Held in New York City HeBS Digital, the award winning hotel digital technology, website design, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, is offering complimentary HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy conference passes for hoteliers who partner with the firm prior to the conference. NEW YORK, NY February 4, 2015 - HeBS Digital, the industry's leading digital technology, full-service hotel digital marketing, website design and direct online channel consulting firm, is offering a limited number of guest passes to the HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference in New York City where HeB...
From Slowtelier to Intrapreneur
Larry Mogelonsky | February 4, 2015
by Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) The hotel industry isn't exactly known for operating faster than a speeding bullet. Even in independent properties, there are many layers of management to funnel change and multiple operational departments that must be coordinated to make any transition effective. In other words, when it comes to executing a strategic plan, many hoteliers might as well be known as slowteliers. Pardon the cheesy portmanteau. Don't let this be you! With the current pace of new initiatives, hotel organizations (independent as well as chain) must learn to mimic the agility of a tech startup or an entrepreneuria...
Concord Hospitality Completes $7M Renovation of Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, Rutherford, N.J.
Rockbridge | February 3, 2015
RUTHERFORD, N.J. - February 3, 2015 - Concord Hospitality, one of the top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators in North America, today announced the completion of a $7 million renovation of the 167-room (including five suites) Renaissance Meadowlands in Rutherford, N.J. The hotel is owned in a joint venture between Rockbridge, a private equity firm that invests in hotels, and Concord. The five-month project involved a complete rejuvenation of all guest rooms, guest bathrooms, and public spaces. This included a rebranding of the hotel's restaurant, Finch's, and reconfiguration of the lounge and lobby creating more of a "great room" sty...
Hilton Worldwide Partners with CIMC to Develop its First Modular Hotel at Bristol Airport in the UK
Hampton Hotels | February 3, 2015
Construction Model to Facilitate Growth in Mature and Emerging Markets February 03, 2015 - Bristol, UK and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide has reached an agreement with modular building provider CIMC to develop the first hotel at Bristol Airport under its economy Hampton by Hilton brand. Financed and owned by CIMC, the hotel will be managed by Hilton Worldwide, drawing on its extensive experience of operating airport hotels at many of the world's top transport hubs. Today's announcement marks a strategic partnership between Hilton Worldwide and CIMC. CIMC's innovative modular technique significantly reduces the time taken for constructio...