Director Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel "The Great Gatsby" brought in a whopping $50 million at the box office during its recent opening weekend. And fans of the book and the movie are swooning over the stylish 1920s set and costume design created and brought to life by the film's co-producer and Oscar winner, Catherine Martin. Martin has recently teamed up with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts to transform a...

When you picture hotels with apiaries (bee yards), the image probably conjures up a property set on a bucolic patch of land in the country somewhere, but W Austin is proving that bees can thrive in an urban environment as well.  The 37-story hotel, located smack-dab in downtown Austin, Texas, recently renovated its barren rooftop space into a buzzing apiary, complete with ten honey-producing hives. The hotel teamed up with non-profit Cen...

Atlantic City's casino hotels haven't had a whole lot of luck in the past few years. Gaming revenue has been down for six years straight, since many neighboring states have developed new casinos, and hotel business was disrupted last year when Superstorm Sandy walloped the New Jersey coastline. And even Revel, the billion-dollar resort that many business owners and residents considered a beacon of hope for the fledgling tourist destination, is undergoing b...

In 2011 Red Roof Inn announced that it would rollout a sleek and modern NextGen room design in its properties nationwide. The $120 million redesign was meant to give travelers more technology and a fresh, residential feel. The rollouts are continuing to hit hotels and the new design is boosting business for the brand. Red Roof saw revenue increase almost 6 percent last yea...

Travel can be stressful, and keeping zen mentality while on the road for business is a difficult task. But Kimpton Hotels are attempting to help guests relax and restore with the addition of yoga mats in every room and a special "Roll-Out Service" for fitness-concious consumers. The custom-designed Gaiam yoga mats will feature a playful butterfly motif and will be available in all guestrooms beginning this week. As part of the new "Roll-Out" servi...

As part of Earth Week, we are saluting the hotels all around the world that are making changes to implement sustainable practices and tools to protect the earth and help their properties run more efficiently. But few can say that they are nearly fully powered by solar energy. However, the Turtle Island Resort in Fiji has that distinction. The luxury retreat began the installation of 968 solar panels last year, and the panels now provide ...

To celebrate Earth Month, the American Hotel and Lodging Association has announced its support of the Global Soap Project , a a nonprofit organization that works towards the goals of reducing waste and improving global health. More than 1,100 hotel properties send partially-used bars of soap to Global Soap for recycling. The group recycles up to 7,500 pounds of used soap each week to pro...

I don't think there is any hotel out there that would turn down money—especially money designed to help the hotel upgrade its offerings and improve guest satisfaction. So I think there are plenty of properties that will find this post particularly interesting. Cintas has teamed up with the "Hotel Fixer" Anthony Melchiorri  for a special contest where hotels can enter to win...

This year, Homewood Suites is launching an initiative called "Take Flight"—a program designed to retrofit existing outdated properties and bring them up to modern-day standards. The rollout is meant to be an affordable way for owners of older assets to keep their offerings fresh and current. Take Flight focuses on the functionality and ambience of shared spaces and in-suite enhancements to increase productivity and comfort for the way guests live ...

It looks like it's another feel-good Friday thanks to some folks at Wyndham Hotel Group. Through the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the company was able to donate a new multi-media Fun Center to children undergoing treatment at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J. “Wyndham Hotel Group is proud to donate a Fun Center to The Valley Hospital to help provide joy to children when they need it most,” said Jeff Wagoner, president, Wyndham H...

If hotel restaurants—especially those in city center locations—want to stay competitive, they have to offer outstanding food and service. But the design of the space is also essential, and restaurants that don't meet expectations of experience-seeking guests and locals will start to see profits shrink. The Omni Chicago knows how important revitalization is to the hotel. The property recently underwent a renovation that included public spaces, mee...

Hampton Hotels practices this little thing they call "Hamptonality," which is the brand's philosophy of offering a caring, service culture to its guests and communities. And nearly 100 Hampton team members in the Atlanta area showed off their Hamptonality by helping renovate the gymnasium at the John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club in the city, which serves more than 265 area children and teens each day during after-school hours. Since late ...

Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque, New Mexico doesn't want its guests just to experience art hanging on a lobby wall. The three-star hotel wants its guests to be immersed in it. Beginning in May, guests will have the opportunity to book one of four rooms designed by acclaimed SWAIA Native American contemporary artists . "These new artist rooms offer our...

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell stays in a lot of hotels. This week alone, he was in Korea and Las Vegas, followed by Houston, where he gave the keynote address at the Asian American Hotel Owners Association annual convention. One of the chapters in his new book, It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership , documents his travels on the road. Here are 10 suggestions he wishes hoteliers would follow: 1. In the shower, give me one h...

When it comes to professional sports, I'm a Phillies fan—through and through. I'll always root for the home team and I am not-so-secretly hoping they get themselves together and improve upon a pretty disappointing 2012 season. Needless to say, I'm not a huge fan of the San Francisco Giants. But considering the Giants are the standing World Series Champs, people out in the Golden City and surrounding areas are getting pretty excited about the start of baseb...

The U.S. economy is improving, but we’re still not cruising down an open highway. Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, said the reason we’re in this sluggish economy today is because of policy errors, and it can be easily cured. “We hear a lot of talk these days about what they call the new normal, that we have to accept an era of slow growth and higher than normal unemployment,” Forbes said. “But actually this is an era—and it’s a v...

Staying healthy and keeping up with diets while on the road is becoming more and more important to travelers. And hotels that offer healthy options or expanded fitness offerings will continue to have a leg-up on those that don't evolve and adapt. Omni Hotels and Resorts is continuing its commitment to offer healthy lifestyle choices by bringing celebrity dietitian and nutritional guru Cheryl Forberg on board as the brand's in-house nutritionist. Y...

I think we can all agree that quick, reliable Internet access is a must-have during any hotel stay. But hotels are still struggling with implementing costly, high-speed services to meet the needs of today's technology. And many brands are still charging a fee to connect—a practice that irks guests who expect to connect for free. But InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is now offering free Internet access to all loyalty-program members around the w...

If you're up on your hotel history, then you may know that Neal Prince helped put InterContinental Hotels on the map back in the 1960s. The architect and designer was the founder and director of the Department of Interior Design at Pan American World Airways, the company that founded InterContinental Hotels Corporation—what we now know as IHG— in 1946. As Pan-Am expanded their air service to new destinations and locales around the world, the comp...

We all know that social media has become a vital marketing tool for the hotel industry. It gives hotels the chance to reach guests, promote their property, and control their online reputations. But some hotels and hotel brands use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram better than others. One brand that is achieving major milestones through social media is Hilton Hotels & Resorts. The company just reached a whopping More...

As the workforce continues to evolve and become more mobile, hotels are adapting their offerings and making small-meeting venues more readily available to their guests. Last September we told you about a new concept from Marriott called Workspring at Marriott , and now it looks like Westin Hotels is rolling out a similar offering to give business travelers more flexibility and better technolo...

This month, Homewood Suites, Hilton's all-suite, upscale brand hit a pretty impressive milestone with the opening of its Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando Airport hotel. The hotel includes the brand's 35,000th suite and a number like that is cause to celebrate. To mark the event, the hotel rewarded guests with special check-in gifts, but one lucky guest was given a major reward for checking into the milestone suite. Guest Ken Pope was given a...

The city of Dubai definitely knows how to party, and its newest international hotel destination, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, showed that they could compete with all of the other city hotels by hosting a big opening bash last night. The hotel, which was officially accepted into the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's tallest hotel, rises 17 stories and comes in just just 2...

There is nothing that says luxury hospitality like an over-the-top, completely decked out hotel suite. Hotels that invest in creating one-of-a-kind suites could see big payouts from A-list guests and high rollers. The Hilton Chicago understands the importance of keeping its suites in top-notch condition and recently completed a $1.8 million overhaul of its famed Conrad Hilton Suite. The two-story suite has the distinction of being the largest hote...

These days, it is rare to find a hotel company that doesn't offer some kind of sustainability program. Hotels understand the importance of recycling, saving on energy costs, and reducing waste. And the Econo Lodge brand, franchised by Choice Hotels International, will do its part to help the environment by implementing the Room to be Green (RTBG) program across its entire portfolio in 2013. The RTBG program is available to all Choice Hotel brands ...

The emerging wellness industry has an estimated annual global value of a staggering $1.7 trillion. To give hoteliers a new way to tap into this lucrative market, a spa development and management company has introduced a customized wellness program for the hospitality industry. Trilogy Wellness LLC launched the first location of its new brand, Well & Being Intentional Living, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Jan. 11. Trilogy intends to open ...

With the addition of the recently opened Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the area has become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. And the hotels surrounding the Barclays and the Brooklyn Academy of Music—Marriott Brooklyn Bridge, Indigo Brooklyn, Nu Hotel, Aloft Brooklyn, and Sheraton Brooklyn—have been booming. But the area is still ripe for hotel development, and More...

Before starting to work for a travel industry publication, I always had the impersonation that business travelers were lonely people. I imagined that it would be a sad, solitary experience to always be on the road, away from family and friends. But since I've done a little bit of traveling for work since starting here, I'm starting to learn that that's not the case at all. Business travelers know how to make connections with people no matter where they win...

Best Western may be a brand that offers guests great amenities such as free wireless Internet, breakfast every morning, and a hotel gym at most locations, but those are not the things the it is highlighting in its new ad campaign. Instead, the Phoenix-based company is focusing on guest service with its ""Stay With People Who Care" campaign. "The Stay With People Who Care message is really about reminding people that hospitality is the essence of t...

It may be the middle of February, but that won't stop us from daydreaming about spending days lounging by the pool, soaking up some sun. And guests staying at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara can now stay connected to all of their tech gadgets while hanging out at the resort's Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club on Butterfly Beach. The hotel designed a a special “e-Connect Chair," which is a technology-enabled chaise lo...

This year, the Academy Awards will celebrate its 85th year of recognizing some of the best films, actors, and directors to hit the silver screen. Leading Hotels of the World, the luxury hospitality organization that consists of over 430 independent hotels, also happens to be commemorating 85 years in the hospitality industry during 2013. So, it makes sense that Leading Hotels would take time to recognize 85 of its properties that have graced...

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and hotels all over the country are pushing elaborate, romantic packages to attract couples. But we haven't seen anything quite as extravagant as the "Love Blossoms" suite, created by Renaissance Hotels. The suite, which will be available at participating Renaissance Hotels from February 14-16, is completely decked out from wall-to-wall, top-to-bottom with different types of flowers. In fact, the suite is compri...

To say that the opening of the world's first Nobu Hotel has been highly anticipated would be an understatement. Since it was announced, buzz has been building for the unveiling of the new Las Vegas resort, located at Caesars Palace. And yesterday, between Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Nobu Hospitality primary shareholders, actor Robert De Niro and Hollywood film producer Meir Teper, cut the ribbon and officially opened the 181-room boutiqu...

I've written about the the organization Back on My Feet  in the past and how the nonprofit helps homeless individuals change their lives and find jobs through counseling, training programs, and, of course, running. The program uses running to to create self-sufficiency and discipline in the lives of those in need. Ba...

What do you do when you want to take your hotel's branding to the next level? You commission fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, who most notably served as head designer and creative director for Chanel, to create an emblem to represent the property. That's exactly what Sofitel So Singapore has done to bring attention to the 134-room property located in the center of the bustling city. The former telecommunications and postal building, owned by Roya...

At the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles this week, we met with owners, developers, investors, lenders, management company executives, and other industry leaders to see what plans they had in store for 2013. Here are just a few highlights from our conversations: Bank on It The transformation of the 1926 Dearborn Bank Building in Chicago into Virgin Hotels’ debut property is on track to wrap up in the first quar...

In 2000, Silverbirch Hotels & Resort, a hotel management company in Canada, launched its inaugural "Friends in Need" program, which helps raise money for local charities by offering guests special holiday rates and donating $10 from each sale to a hotel's charity of choice. This year, the program exceeded expectations and the company was able to collect 15 percent more than initially anticipated. The goal set out by Silverbirch as $50,000, a s...

Temperatures this week in the Northeastern part of the United States have been brutal. We've been battling below-freezing weather for four days now, so our minds are drifting to warmer climates and destinations—like Africa. And not only are the highs near 80 degrees an attractive reason to escape to Aberdare National Park in Kenya, but a particular lodging destination called The Ark is making us even more ready to hop on a plane and take that...

If you're a Fairmont President's Club member and are staying in North America, you'll get some high-class treatment from the luxury hotel brand. One of the newly expanded perks of the program is chauffeured car service in chic BMWs. The U.S. program will be an extension of a program that was initially launched in Canada and will feature the BMW 750i Sedan. The service will be available to guests for rides around town, to meetings, or for...

The InterContinental London Park Lane sits on the site of 145 Piccadilly, the former childhood residence of Queen Elizabeth II. The hotel's historic ties have inspired a regal renovation to the property's 8th floor Royal Suite. The four interconnecting rooms have been redesigned in a matching style and can be joined to create a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom space totalling 196.7 square meters. Designed by The Gallery, the specialised studio within HBA's L...

Napa might be California's premiere wine destination, but travelers visiting Andaz San Diego won't find a shortage of fine vino to try and sample. And now, guests can get a taste of the celebrity life with the newly launched red carpet collection at the hotel's wine bar.  The Andaz Wine Bar feature a wall of 88 different types of wine all housed in temperature-controlled interactive wine machines. Guests just need to push a button to dis...

I think we can all agree that one of the benefits of staying at an extended stay property is the fact that rooms come with their own kitchens. For guests that are residing in one of these properties for a few weeks or months, the ability to make meals and prepare food is a huge benefit. But just because the rooms come with a kitchen, doesn't mean guests will always want to cook.  Extended Stay America recognized the need for a quick and conve...

At 80 years old, Bill Marriott, Jr. remains one of the most recognizable and successful figures in the hotel industry. He helmed Marriott International for 40 years and grew what started as a family-owned restaurant chain into a lodging giant that now encompasses nearly 3,800 hotels across 18 brands in more than 70 countries. And hotel junkies can now ...

Over the past few years, hotel companies have made a big effort to reduce waste and encourage the use of sustainable practices and materials in properties all over the world. Hilton Worldwide is one of the front-runners in the industry's push to "go green." The company's LightStay program calculates sustainability performance impact across its global portfolio of hotels, and is used to improve the guest experience and drive economic returns for owners...

Over the past few years, several big-brand hotel companies have launched special programs to cater specifically to Chinese guests. Hilton launched Huanying in 2011 and Marriott rolled out its Li-Yu program last year. Both programs offer tailored services and special amenities to make Chinese guests feel more welcome.  And now, Langham Hospitality Group is getting on board with a program designed for Chinese group travelers called Ying.&n...

Back in September of last year, Marriott Hotels and Resorts launched a new workplace concept called Workspring at Marriott . The concept, designed by Steelcase, hopes to bring in more small business groups to Marriott hotels. Now, Marriott International is trying out a new concept called Workspace on Demand, which allows small groups to book meeting space in h...

Admit it—you overindulged during the holidays. The supply of cookies and treats and large, multi-course meals seemed endless, and I for one, had a hard time practicing self control. If you're in the same boat and need to get back on track for the New Year, W Hotels in New York are offering a "Detox to Retox" package for guests. The hotel brand teamed up with Cooler Cleanse, a cold pressed juice and raw food cleanse co-founded by Juice Generation’s...

One of the greatest joys of traveling the world is getting the opportunity to experience the flavor of a culture through unique food offerings. And often times, the greatest portrayal of heart and innovation comes in the form of street food sampled from curb-side vendors, open-air markets, and freewheeling trucks.  But Omni Hotels & Resorts is giving guests the chance to sample some of the most authentic and delicious street foods from ar...

When the Circular Dining Room at the Hotel Hershey opened in 1933, it was an inventive take on the traditional restaurant. Milton S. Hershey, founder of the resort and chocolate tycoon, did not want the restaurant to have corners, because he said that guests placed in corners of restaurants did not tip well.  Now, the famous restaurant will undergo an extensive renovation to update its look for the New Year. The restaurant closed down on Janu...

During the holidays, plenty of hotels and corporate hospitality groups get into the spirit of season by hosting food drives, collecting for Toys for Tots, volunteering at local shelters and community organizations, and more. And the employees of Denihan Hospitality Group showed did their part to bring holiday cheer to New York-based residents by donating to the the Food Bank for NYC. After experiencing the devastating affect that Hurricane Sandy h...

The PGA National Resort & Spa, located in Palm Beach, Fla., may be a golf-centric destination as the host of the PGA Tour Honda Classic, but it appeals to all types of guests who are searching for a little bit of relaxation and luxury. Sure, the property boasts five resort and championship level golf courses, but it also has a lineup of new suites to appease every type of traveler. The resort recently revealed three types of designer suit...

Bill Marriott, executive chairman of Marriott International, was honored earlier this week by being inducted into the Business Travel Hall of Fame. The second annual award ceremony was held on December 10 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. Presented by the BTN Group, the hall of fame recognizes travel executives that influence the industry and shape today's business travel landscape. Under the leadership of Bill Marriott, ...

As the year winds down, hotel companies are taking time to recognize the accomplishments and achievements of team members with awards and accolades. And Luxe Worldwide Hotels gave special honors to Norbert Mede from the Hotel Griffon by naming him General Manager of the Year at the 2012 Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas. “Norbert is a shining example of the cal...

You may think that with over 1,000 properties across North America, the staff at Vantage Hospitality's corporate headquarters office would be a busy bunch. But in all reality, they just hang out and make parody videos of pop songs and goof off. Just kidding—we know these guys work hard. The Vantage staff let go of their inhibitions and, along with Buddy, the company mascot, got together to do a parody of Carly Rae Jepsen's radio hit "Call Me Ma...

Most of the time, when we think about a hotel room, we imagine a square room with four walls in a sky-high urban building or a sprawling resort near the ocean. But modular hotels and pop-up hotels are bucking tradition meeting certain needs for easy-to-assemble, temporary lodging. One design group is thinking outside of the box with the new More...

TMI Hospitality celebrated the grand opening of its 91-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott, located across from Sesame Place theme park in Langhorne, Pa., on Thursday. The property, which officially opened in August, is the first SpringHill Suites to feature the new interior package, which plays up bright hues like lime green, magenta, and teal in the lobby and includes an updated guestroom design. More...

Although the winter season often means a drop in incremental revenue from outdoor spaces and restaurants, the W Los Angeles - Westwood has figured out a way to keep people partying by installing its own outdoor ice skating rink. The hotel's WET pool deck was transformed into a 1,600 square feet hybrid ice skating rink and a rink-side lounge called CHILL. The space, which features winter cabanas and a skate-up bar, was designed by LA-b...

Staten Island was one of the areas his hardest when Superstorm Sandy ravaged the East Coast late last month. Area residents and business are still struggling to rebuild.  But team members from four Hilton Garden Inn properties in the Northeast are doing their parts to help with relief efforts and get much-needed supplies to the local community. Last week, HGI Brand Performance Support Director Sean Collard joined volunteers from HGI Norwalk, CT; HGI Bridgewater, NJ; HGI R...

The NYU-SCPS Preston Robert Tisch Center's Alumni Society raised over $22,000 at their annual Alumni Reception and Silent Auction, which took place on November 13 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Auction items included: hotel stays in New York, London, Fort Lauderdale, Vermont, and Miami; Field-level tickets to a New York Mets game; One noncredit NYU-SCPS course; Nat Sherman cigars; Entry tickets to any Tough Mudder event; Tickets to New York...

If there was ever a rock star in the global hotel industry, it would be Petter Stordalen, owner of Scandinavia's Nordic Choice Hotels. So far in his life, the 49-year old billionaire has completed an Iron Man race, was chained to a bridge while protesting a UK nuclear treatment plant, and did a spontaneous back flip on stage at a Prince concert. The man also knows how to make an entrance, and the openings of his hotels usually involve some sort of unforgettable show. When he opened his $200 mi...

Anyone who travels frequently and tries to keep expenses under control knows that budget hotels are a great place to check in for a cheap rate. While these types of hotels usually offer comfort and convenience, they rarely offer the innovative design associated with more expensive properties. While some small-space, creative hotels, such as the Pod hotels in New York, are catching on in the U...

Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South and Sierra Land Group, Inc. grabbed the giant scissors and took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony last night to celebrate the grand opening of the new 11-story, 300-suite hotel in Florida. Rich Maladecki, president & CEO of Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, served as master of ceremonies for the gala, which included an official ribbon cutting with ribbon dancer entertainers; ...

You would think that Kurt Ritter, the president and CEO of Rezidor Hotel Group, would be content with winning two lifetime achievement awards for his work in the hotel and hospitality industry. But, to add another feather to his cap, the European Hospitality Awards presented the industry veteran with yet another lifetime honor at a ceremony held last week in London. “I am very honoured to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award – and yet very h...

A large-scale hotel business like Marriott understands that its franchise partners make up a big portion of the company's success. So its nice to see the top executives recognize the efforts of those companies that continue to help Marriott's brands grow and develop. At Marriott's MINA Conference held last week at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort in Florida, five full service franchise partners were honored with the Partnership Circle Awa...

Visitors and locals now have a new place to kick back and indulge in Boston with the opening of The Reserve at The Langham, located in the bustling financial district of the city. The new lobby lounge and European-style champagne bar opens to the public this week following an eight month $6 million renovation to the hotel’s 6,000 square foot lobby. “The Langham, Boston is a timeless hotel with great historical significance to ...

Hilton Worldwide is continuing its committment to going green by launching a new recycling program for the mattresses in its hotels  in coordination with the installation of new Serta mattresses and box springs. In partnership with DH Hospitality, mattresses will be recycled into other products, including: steel spring for tools, automobiles, and construction materials; wood for tempered flooring, particle board shelving and a variety of p...

With travelers demanding more health and fitness-related options while they are on the road, hotels are taking measures to give guests what they want by launching new initiatives and programs. Hotels across the country have introduced fitness rooms, launched healthy menu options, and are providing programming to keep guests in shape and get them active (See " Hotels Focus on Fitness ").&nb...

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto owns successful restaurants all over the world. His spots in Philadelphia, New York, Tokyo, Mumbai, and New Delhi have won him plenty of praise and respect from the foodie community. And now the Japanese extraordinaire will open a signature restaurant in Maui as well. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort & Spa has teamed up with the former Food Network star to launch Morimoto Maui in Hawaii when the resort opens in the sp...

The Presidential Election is less than a month away, but there is still plenty of time to brush up on the candidates and do some research into how the results will affect your lodging business. To help hotel owners make informed decisions, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has launched an election resource center...

In January, Dolce Hotels and Resorts will open its 18th property in North America with The Alexander Hotel in downtown Indianapolis, and we're finally getting a glimpse of what guests can expect from the new property. The hotel was developed by Indianapolis-based Buckingham Companies and designed by the noted architecture firm, Gensler. Located in the heart of CityWay, a new 14-acre neighborhood that also includes residential, office, and ...

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the grand re-opening of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club , a historic property on Florida's west coast, the hotel is breathing new life into original murals on the property. The murals are original to the 86-year-old resort and, once redone, will be a focal po...

In 2009 Marcus Hotels and Resorts launched its Artist-in Residence program at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee to support the work of talented local artists and to make the hotel a destination for art-loving guests. Due to a positve response from guests, Marcus Hotels has decided to expand the program to other properties including More...

The hotel industry is aware that advances in technology have made the mobile booking market a very viable way to sell rooms. And mobile travelers are using the ease and convenience of mobile devices to book rooms closer to their date of travel—even waiting until the same day. Same-day booking apps are not new to the market. Hotel Tonight, Orbitz Mobile Steals, and Priceline Tonight-Only Deals all let travelers score same-day deals in certain cities. But now...

The “American Dream” can be something that people from all over the globe aspire to obtain at some point, and for others, it can be an opportunity that presents itself when you least expect it. The school and career path of Katharina Kuehnle, who now works as a consulting and valuation analyst for HVS, can give hope to any students who are in their final years of school, and still don’t know what job opportunities they would like to pursue, or even what cou...

Election Day is looming just on the horizon, and hotels in Washington D.C. are getting prepared for next month's big political event. Some are ramping up with special foodie options such as Presidential Cheese at the Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt Washington or getting ready with evenings of More...

Almost all hotels have some sort of program in place to help local communities and provide a service for residents and guests at their properties. And for over a decade, Hampton Hotels has made it a goal to aid in the refurbishment of a landmark in every single U.S. state. The brand reached that goal last week by donating $25,000 toward the restoration of the Kīlauea Lighthouse in Hawai‘i in honor of National Public Lands Day. “We are thri...

We have covered a whole lot of topics relating to hotel technology and hotel art, but this is the first time we get to put the two together and throw a robot into the mix as well. Accor's ibis hotel brand, a budget-friendly concept with primary locations in Europe, has launched an innovative new concept called Sleep Art. This is an experience where guests sleep on a special mattress that contains 80 sensors to track movement, sound, and te...

Hilton Worldwide has made a commitment to finding natural and alternative energy sources to power its hotels around the world. Since 2008, the company has achieved more than $147 million in cumulative savings through LightStay, a proprietary system developed to calculate and analyze sustainability performance. And the efforts of the hotel company are not going unrecognized. This week, Hilton Worldwide was presented with a 2012...

Bentley is a brand that has always been associated with luxury. The sleek, stylish, and powerful designs of the UK-based car manufacturer appeals to a wide audience of drivers. And now, those same aesthetics will be winning over hotel guests at the St. Regis New York. Starwood Hotels & Resorts recently teamed up with Bentley Motors, and as an offshoot of that partnership, the St. Regis New York launched the Bentley Suite— a 1,700 square foo...

Business travelers continue to be important assets to hotels in terms of generating revenue. And hotels that incorporate functional and innovative meeting spaces will undoubtedly bring in more business. Marriott Hotels & Resorts has launched a whole new concept called Workspring at Marriott that offers an on-site suite designed with today's technology-savvy traveler in mind. Workspring at Marriott is specifically designed as a collaborative...

Big plans are on the horizon for Sam Nazarian’s rapidly expanding hospitality group SBE, and you’ll be able to read all about it in Lodging’s October cover story. While on a recent business trip in China, Nazarian set aside some time to discuss his big international growth plans for SLS Hotels, the progress of the Las Vegas and New York City properties, and the performance of SLS South Beach, which opened in June. Founded in 2002, SBE now has 40 properties with an additional 31 in development. ...

As green design continues to expand in several areas of the hotel industry, more and more hotels are seeking out LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is continuing to work with developers and hotel owners to take the guesswork out of building these types of eco-friendly properties.  More...

It seems like more and more hotels are teaming up with interior designers to launch special suites and rooms with lots of style and personality. The latest property to get into the game is The Dorchester, which unveiled 22 new suites done by interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud. The suites at the Dorchester Collection hotel, located in the Mayfair section of London, maintain the hotel's classic English residential style but incorporate new contemporary ...

Now in its 18th year, the Lodging Conference brings together hotel owners, presidents, CEOs, developers, architects, designers, and other industry insiders for networking connections, educational round-table discussions, and deal-making opportunities. The conference, which will be held at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix Oct. 2-5, will focus on the improving economy and growing developm...

I had the pleasure of attending the HR & Diversity Summit in Boston last week as a member of the “young professionals” panel A View of the Industry: The Next Generation . I was very proud...

For today's business traveler, the importance of staying connected at all times cannot be overlooked. Hotels have taken steps to ensure business guests have access to high-speed Wi-Fi, meeting facilities, and printing capabilities while staying on-property. But Four Seasons is taking connectivity to a whole new level by launching initiatives to help travelers stay connected on the go.   More...

Thursday, the first day of panels and discussions at the inagural HR & Diversity Summit, was jam-packed with informative sessions and important information about cultivating a diverse culture in the hotel industry. We were snapping photos throughout the day and wanted to share some of the people and events that made the event so special. The day kicked off with a keynote address from Dr. ...

The inaugural HR & Diversity Summit , presented by Lodging Media in conjunction with the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, began on Wednesday at the Omni Parker House in Boston. The opening reception, sponsored by Wyndham Hotel Group, brought in industry icons, as well as influential leaders from other disciplines, for a night full of good food, networking, and ...

If you happened to read our July story about hotel minibars , you know that guests are still using them, and hotels are making incremental revenue off the sale of in-room snacks. Although the concept of the minibar might be considered slightly old-fashioned in today's multiple-option, grab-and-go society, hotels are still finding ways ...

Election season is underway and the big Presidential showdown will be here before you know it. Hotels across the country are getting involved with the festivities and some properties are encouraging guests to get out to the polls and vote on Election Day. Brooklyn's newest boutique property, Hotel BPM , has partnered with Spin the Vot...

Hotels located in areas that suffered severe damage when Katrina hit New Orleans seven years ago, are bracing for another hurricane as Isaac picks up strength and heads for the Gulf Coast. According to this report from NBC News , Isaac reached hurricane strength on Tuesday afternoon with sustained winds of up...

It seems that more and more hotels are doing away with staid, traditional lobby designs and incorporating more informal and interactive spaces where guests can mingle, relax, and have fun.  While we were at HITEC this summer in Baltimore, we stopped by to visit Uniguest, a hospitality technology company that focuses on improving the guest experience with interactive touch points, to see if they had any new and innovative products. Sure eno...

We've written about a whole lot of historic properties being converted into boutique hotels, but we've never covered the conversion of a 1907 ferry into a small-scale lodging property. According to this story from the NY Daily News , the Yankee, a historic boat built by Neafie, Levy & Co., bega...

Bill Duncan, global head of brand management for Homewood Suites by Hilton, knows just how difficult it can be to to keep in touch with family members—especially young children—while on the road for extended business trips. Duncan's years as a working parent on the road inspired him to create a children's book series to help guests stay connected with their kids while away from home. More...

The popularity of user review sites and social media has created a new, more public arena for guests to share feedback about the quality of their stays, bringing quality assurance efforts to the forefront of branding strategies for many hotel companies. Josh Kudisch, the young professional profiled, is the person responsible for working with top hospitality companies to maximize the quality of their products and increase brand loyalty. Qualit...

Country Inns & Suites by Carlson celebrated its 25th anniversary this week, and the upper midscale brand partied hard at a big event held at the Mall of America on Wednesday. Scott Meyer, vice president, Midscale Brands, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas and 30 Country Inns & Suites Brand Ambassadors invited shoppers to open a Country Inns & Suites guestroom door that was set up in the middle of the Rotunda. When ...

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Discovery Channel's most anticipated week of programming— Shark Week . If you've been following along with all of the underwater action this week, then you'll likely be excited about the new addition to The Seagate Hotel & Spa . To celebrate Shark Week, the 1...

If you can't get enough of IKEA's cheap, particle-board furniture at home, you might soon be able to experience it while traveling. According to this article from The Globe and MailMore...

In all industries, employee healthcare disparities have a big impact on the reputation of a company and the costs of healthcare on a national level. In the hotel industry, Wyndham Worldwide is doing its part to reduce the number of healthcare disparities by providing its employees with a comprehensive health and wellness program and recognizing the impact that this plan has on its workers. Last week, Wyndham was the only hospital...

For years, Gordon Ramsay has spent his time yelling at chefs and restaurant owners and managers on television shows such as "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares." And now, the hotel industry is about to experience some of Ramsay's signature wrath. On Monday and Tuesday, August 13 and 14, Ramsay's new reality show " Hotel Hell " will debut on Fox with a two-part series...

Hotels often make appearances in big-screen movies, and W Hotels is no stranger to the film business. The W Hotel Boston provided a backdrop for Anna Faris and Chris Evans in the movie "What's Your Number?" and Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher filmed a scene at the W Hotel Westwood for "No Strings Attached." And now, aspiring filmmakers have their chance to set the stage at a W Hotel by participating in "Four Stories: A Short Film Competiti...

A first, post-graduation, career is often accompanied by many exciting changes and equally overwhelming challenges. Receiving a full-time, “grown-up” paycheck is one of the best welcomings into the working world that a young professional can get. No more unpaid internships, no more volunteering, no more minimum-wage, entry-level jobs, no more loans from the bank of mom and dad, and no more living off of student loans. While receiving that fir...

The Ritz Paris is one of the most famous hotels in the world, with a storied history that all began when César Ritz made the dream of owning his own palace a reality in 1898. Residents and guests of the Place Vendôme property ...

Marriott International recognizes that its success is based on the hard-working team of associates it employs all over the world. And last week, the top general managers in the select service and extended stay categories received recognition at an annual award event. 26 general managers, some from as far away as China and Russia, gathered in Washington D.C. for the presentation which took place at the at the Key Bridge Marri...

If anyone followed the recent coverage of the Tour de France on television or online, you're likely aware just how grueling a lengthy bike ride can be. But a team of Starwood executives, including CEO Frits van Paasschen, are ready to take on the challenge and complete a 354-mile ride to support UNICEF. the company’s fifth annual Road to Awareness bike...

This week’s Young Professional Profile highlights a young professional that is contributing to the “family business." Mark Williams, the director of development with Coakley & Williams, grew up around hotels and had variety of roles with the properties in the Coakley & Williams portfolio from a very young age. What’s interesting about his story is that, even though his family is in the business, Mark has a degree in hospitality manage...

AmericInn announced it is a founding partner in “ Hotels For Heroes ”, a nationwide program that provides free hotel stays for wounded U.S. troops and their families while they are receiving treatment. The program, which gives frequent travelers the option to donate their hotel guest loyalty points to “Hotels For Heroes”, was launched by government, military and fo...

As I told you about as part of our July cover story , Motel 6 is celebrating its 50th anniversary by reviving three “Great American Road Trips.” Yesterday, the ho...

Wyndham Worldwide recognizes that a diverse workplace can lead to increased productivity and a global advantage. In fact, diversity is among the top five strategic focuses at the hotel company.  Wyndham has been named among the Top 25 Noteworthy Companies by DiversityInc, ranked in the top 10 for supplier diversity by DiversityInc, among the Top 50 Companies by LATINA Style, among the top 100 companies by Working M...

When was the last time you met a hotelier who was a Ph.D. statistician? To avoid data overload, more hoteliers are taking advantage of revenue management systems to solve their pricing and forecasting problems. Hotels that apply predictive analytics to their business have better insights about movements in the market and shifts in demand, are more confident about the pricing changes they m...

I have dreams about being whisked away to Paris. In those dreams, I spend my time nibbling on colorful macaroons, splurging on high-end garments from Chanel and Givenchy, sipping extremely strong espresso at a street-side cafe, and staying in a luxury hotel. And that dream hotel stay doesn't include a first-floor room the size of a closet—no, that dream hotel room looks something like the new penthouse suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Geo...

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a company that understands and recognizes the importance of luxury spa amenities to the hotel industry. Hilton has created its own successful spa brand called eforea, which is in 11 locations around the world with more than 90 eforea spas currently in development. To demonstrate the importance of spas to the hospitality industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has released a report on global spa trends. The report includes a survey of 6,000 respondents throughou...

The number of electric cars on the road is still minimal compared to gas and hybrid vehicles. But electric models may very well represent the future, and Tysons Corner Marriott is prepared to offer guests traveling with battery-powered transportation the chance to charge their cars for free. The hotel recently installed two 30-amp charging stations in the lower level of the property's parking garage. This makes Tysons Corner Marriott one of 100 charging locations in the state of Virginia.<...

Hank Thomas has fought for civil rights his entire life. He was a member of the original Freedom Riders and was arrested 22 times for his active attempts at bringing equality to African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Thomas also received a Purple Heart for his bravery in the Vietnam War and continues to be a highly regarded civil leader and diversity advocate. He also happens to be in the hotel business. ...

I've always been fascinated at the role that colors play in mood management. It's widely known that certain colors evoke specific feelings and emotions. For example, red often creates energy and stimulates an appetite and blue is often thought of as a calming color. So, it makes sense that certain hotels take colors into account when designing guestrooms and public spaces. Pod 39 Hotel, the newest Pod hotel in New York City which opened July 5, created three different "mood rooms"—RED with ligh...

Don’t get me wrong I love air travel. That’s right, I said that. (Well, mostly I like racking up frequent flier miles.) But, there’s something about the nostalgia of the Great American Road Trip that is still appealing. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a family that took their vacations by filling up the old car with six kids and two parents and headed off across the many interstate highways lining the country? Maybe it’s the memories of frien...

When it comes to developing and implementing diversity strategies on a global scale, Patricia (Pat) Harris, vice president and global chief diversity officer for McDonald's Corporation, reigns supreme. She began her career with McDonald's over 30 years ago and worked her way up the ranks from administrative assistant to her current leadership role, where she is responsible for putting diversity practices in place at the brand's 31,489 restaurants in 118 cou...

Digital and social media has created a relentless pace of change for the hospitality industry according to Laurence Geller, CEO of Strategic Hotels and Resorts. The new generation of hoteliers can capitalize on these...

Maybe it’s not just all politics that is local? Perhaps finding and building the future workforce of the hotel industry is an endeavor that has its roots in localized efforts. Today, The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) announced it is one of several organizations joining forces to launch a new workforce development program designed to prepare workers for jobs in Orlando-area hotels. While the unemployment in this country...

This week’s Young Professional Profile focuses on Erin Fitzharris and her transition from operations to the corporate side of the business. There are a multitude of growth and career progression options in the hospitality industry, however, transitioning into a corporate role with an operational background is a difficult feat to accomplish before the age of 30. Erin explains some of the challenges she has faced in her leadership roles and offers advice to o...

When listing amenities, hotels often incorporate activities specifically geared towards adults and young children. But few properties really develop programs to cater to the crowd of teen travelers. However, Omni Hotels & Resorts is putting a new emphasis on the in-between age group with its new Teen Connection program . This su...

The Lodging staff recently returned from HITEC, the industry's largest technology trade show which is presented every year by HFPT. This year, the convention was held in Baltimore. One feature that attendees had the chance to see this year was a new incarnation of Guestroom 20X More...

In September 2011, Accor announced the grouping of its economy brands under the ibis banner. And now ibis and ibis budget properties are getting completely redesigned public spaces in properties around the world. I The goal of the redesign is to offer guests “open-plan” areas where materials and colors are combined to create a warm, casual atmosphere that nurtures interaction and friendliness.

There is no denying that Chinese travelers make up a large portion of hotel guests around the world. And now, Marriott International has designed a program to make Chinese guests feel more at home in its properties worldwide.  The lodging company is in the process of rolling out the "Li Yu" welcome program , beginning with hotels in Asia. The words "Li Yu" mean "Serve with Courte...

Now that WiFi has gone from amenity to basic necessity, what type of guestroom technology impresses travelers these days? “One of the most significant technology upgrades of the decade is putting computers in hotel rooms,” says Kevin Bidner, CEO of Hotel Communication Network (HCN). As the Lodging staff gears up for HITEC next week in Baltimore, Md., ho...

There's a hip, new lodging property creating buzz on the New York hotel scene—and it goes by the name Roger. Roger New York , located in the city's NoMad district, is the new rendition of what was the Hotel Roger Williams. The property recently unveiled its new identity and showed off brand new guestrooms and public spaces. The renovation and rebranding is meant signify the concept of ...

Here at Lodging , we kind of have a thing for cute animals traipsing around hotels More...

If you've ever wanted the experience of being waited on hand and foot by a highly trained butler, you can now enjoy that luxury at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel , located on New York's Central Park. The idea of traditional Indian hospitality is something that permeates through the collection of Taj hotels—specifically showcas...

This September, Lodging Media is presenting the HR + Diversity Summit in Boston, Mass in conjunction with Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration. The three-day event, held Sept. 5-7, is chalked full of panels, workshops, and big-time speaker...

The highly anticipated Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace won't open until late 2012, but Nobu Hospitality partners including Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, along with designer David Rockwell and principals from Caesars Palace, gave the public a sneak peek at the Las Vegas property last week during an event in New York City. Rockwell Group designed the hotel space to convey an extension of the fun and energetic Nobu lifestyle,...

Longevity and success is not something that is easy to achieve in the hospitality industry, but The Alfus Group Inc., a New York-based hospitality executive search firm, is proving that it is possible to achieve both. The firm celebrated its 20-year anniversary this spring with a lavish reception at the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City. This recruiting company has placed top executives in the hotel and restaurant industry sin...

In the hospitality industry, sales is often considered one of the most difficult departments for fresh graduates to enter. Hotels typically look for sales associates with experience in preparing and negotiating contracts, a network of clients, and a proven track record for hitting and exceeding their sales goals. The first “Young Professional Profile” is dedicated to Katie Murray, small meetings manager at TradeWinds Island Resorts, who was able to not only...

Considering that the hotel industry is heavily based on the principle of hospitality, it is no surprise that so many brands and companies get involved with charitable projects and community-service activities. And Concord Hospitality , a hotel management and development company based in Raleigh, N.C., has been helping others with its Share Day program for over four years now. Share Day ...

Although the LEGOLAND Hotel in California, the nation's first of its kind, won't be ready to welcome guests until the summer of 2013, it looks like some early visitors managed to find their way onto the property to check out the progress. A family of ducks—a mother and her five ducklings—were caught on camera wandering around the construction zone. The adorable intruders tried to find their way into the building and then turned to head to the p...

Since I've lived in the City of Brotherly Love for over six years now, I would consider myself a staunch Phillies fan. But, let's face it, the Fightin' Phils are doing pretty much bupkis with their season this year and their chance of a comeback seems unlikely. So, come playoff time, I might have to change my allegiance and support the San Francisco Giants (I know—blasphemy!) due to the team's current second-place standing in the NL West and my inexplicable...

You may or may not have seen the new television commercials from Hampton Inn while watching one of your favorite programs. The ad spots hit home the message of "Hamptonality"— the brand's play on the world "hospitality." The commercials aim to attract business and leisure travelers by focusing on amenities such as free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, hot coffee, fresh bedding, and more.  And if you've ever wondered what exactly goes into creati...

As the summer heats up, more and more travelers are heading to the Jersey Shore for fun family vacations. And if those people wind up at the Concord Suites in Avalon, NJ, they will discover that the resort is in the process of making some eco-friendly changes to the property. Just last week, the hotel hosted a Solar Celebration to unveil the new $500,000 Rooftop Solar Array which w...

Earlier this week, the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration recognized one of the hotel industry's leading women with its annual Innovator Award. Kathleen Taylor, chief executive officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, was honored at the fourth annual award ceremony on Tuesday, which was held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This marks the latest accolade for Taylor, who has many achievem...

Hotel brands know that the right advertising campaign can be key in attracting business and getting people interested in what they have to offer. And it looks like the Autograph Collection , Marriott's portfolio of independent hotels, is getting pretty serious about branding and finding the right advertising agency to come up with a killer creative campaign. On Sunday's season ...

I am pleased to continue blogging with Lodging from the perspective of a “young professional” as I have graduated from the “student perspective” status and have begun my career with HVS Executive Search. At such an early stage in my career, I am fortunate to be in a position that provides me with exposure to many hospita...

If hoteliers and developers where playing the survival game a few years ago and the waiting game last year, this year, there seems to be a sense of anticipation as to when money will start flowing and deals will start happening in earnest. For the last four or five industry investment conferences I attended as a member of the press, I, like many of my colleagues, found myself struggling to scrounge up news to report. As we all know, lending was tight to non...

Most people have a distinct travel style. There are those travelers who would prefer to sprawl out on the beach and stay there for the entire trip, and then there are others who want to sightsee and take in all the cultural activities of a particular destination. And beginning Friday, IHG is giving everyone a chance to discover what category they fall into with a new poll and travel sweepstakes promotion.

Last week, I had the pleasure of touring Revel , the new Atlantic City resort and casino that is finally, officially open for business after years of development and a couple major delays. Michael Prifti, Managing Principal at BLT Architects , the executive architecture firm of the resort, led the tour and offered some major insight into the construction, operations, and amenities of the 6...

Hotels are investing in new technologies that will simplify and enhance the guest experience while driving business. For Lodging ’s June cover story, I spoke with industry members about the various technologies their hotels and brands have embraced. Pete Sears, senior vice president of North America operations for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, talked about our 24/7 digital world, and how quickly technology changes.    More...

Hotels are usually associated with happy memories—a family vacation at the beach, a destination wedding in the Caribbean, a romantic weekend for two. But one man believes they may be the ideal location for ending a marriage as well. The New York Times recently published an article about the Divorce Hotel , a concept developed by...

Miami Beach is a party town, and The Catalina Hotel , a member of South Beach Hotels Group, fits right into the landscape of beach bodies, neon-lit nightclubs, and colorful cocktail drinks. Next week, TV viewers will get a chance to experience all the drama, fun, and excitement of operating a hotel in Miami when " The Catalina " deb...

While visiting the Durkan hospitality carpet booth at HD Expo last week, I was transported to an interactive landscape, surrounded by floating poppies. American streetpainter Tracy Lee Stum, in collaboration with Durkan, pushed the limits of 3D art form to unveil this playful booth feature. Stum, who specializes in interactive 3D chalk art street paintings, used Durkan’s recently introduced Spectronics 25X digital printing technology to bring to life the 3D art form in carpet. The Spectronics 25X ...

As the summer season approaches, travelers are adding up their loyalty points and hoping to use some of those rewards for vacation stays at destinations around the world. And anyone planning to stay at a Radisson or Radisson Blu property this summer can tack on 50,000 bonus Gold Points with the brand's Big Night Giveaway <...

We recently returned from HD Expo in Las Vegas, and have to say that it was quite an impressive show. And while there were plenty of innovative and drool-worthy designs to admire from some of the leading hospitality vendors, we were pretty blown away by the new Kirk Nix-designed textile collection for Robert Allen Contract. More...

I guess I’m like a lot of Americans when it comes to food. Bring me the comfort foods I know and love and I’m a happy camper. Even better, put some of those on a stick and I’m ready to buy, consume, and savor. This week at the 58th Annual Choice Hotels International Convention in Las Vegas, the company launched a new food and beverage program for its Cambria Suites brand. And during a luncheon, I got to sample the new offerings with several ot...

Atlanta Hospitality Alliance, an organization for networking and professional development for Atlanta-area hotel owners, developers, operators, franchisors and professional service providers, marked a milestone by awarding its first scholarship to a deserving student. Ashanteh Bain, a senior majoring in Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University's Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, was honored with the newly fun...

For travelers seeking out a special wine-tasting experience, they can now test and sample some of the finest varietals at Sheraton hotels around the world.  The brand has partnered with Wine Spectator to develop and roll out new curated wine menus at Sheraton properties along with Sheraton Social Hour wine-tasting events, meant to foster guest interaction.
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Eight exceptional employees were recognized for their hard work and service to the Marriott brand at an award ceremony held in their honor. Marriott International handed out the prestigious J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Md. to employees that embody the company’s core values. The honorees were nominated by their supervisors and peers for outstanding performanc...

Everyone's favorite fiery chef, Gordon Ramsay, has joined the Las Vegas restaurant scene with the debut of his new eatery Steak, which opened at Paris Las Vegas last week. The restaurant marks the celebrity chef's first location in Las Vegas.
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Booking a room with a view is often high on the priority list for travelers. And while many beach destinations offer ocean views, rarely do they give guests the chance to look out at the ocean floor. However, the development of the Water Discus Hotel may make staying under the sea a possibility in the near future. The Water Discus Hotel, designed by Deep Ocean Technology, who have partnered with Swiss investment and technology company BIG Inves...

The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego made sure to keep the historic charm of the property while undergoing a $4 million renovation project, which began in 2010. These renovations included exposing the original 1946 terrazzo lobby floor and replacing the hotel's period-era, red-shingled roof. But the hotel also decided to incorporate modern, eco-friendly technology into the project with the installation of a ClearEdge Power fuel cell system. This sy...

The national travel and tourism strategy outlined by members of the Obama Administration today sets quite a lofty goal. During a White House call this morning, Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling, Secretary of Commerce John Bryson, and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar told reporters from around the country that the strategy has an “ambitious goal of attracting and welcoming 100 million international visitors annually to the United S...

As a way of engaging communities in South and Southeast Asia, Hilton Worldwide has announced a three-year partnership with Room to Read , a global nonprofit organization focused on improving literacy and gender equality in education. The partnership hopes to aiming to reach more than 2,000 young people in the first phase of the program, and Hilton will encourage its hotels across ...

Westin has announced a new workspace concept to meet the changing needs of today’s business traveler. After conducting in-depth guest research and monitoring business traveler trends, Westin is transforming business centers and dedicated spaces at its hotels around the world into highly functional, fully equipped workspaces. Modeled to support today’s mobile traveler, the interconnected worksp...

Marriott's Renaissance Hotels launched its first-ever global ad campaign last week with the goal of encouraging guests to "Live Life to Discover." The campaign was executed by Anomoly, an ad agency with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, and Toronto, and pushes the Renaissance brand to a world-wide audience of business travelers.

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The AAHOA ( Asian American Hotel Owners Association) 2012 convention is well under way in Atlanta, and leaders in the industry are in attendance to talk about some of the most important issues affecting property owners and hotel professionals. Although serious topics such as fair franchising and the Travel Promotion A...

On April 24, Minh Vu, AH&LA ADA counsel and a partner with Seyfarth Shaw, testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution in support of reasonable pool and spa entry requirements for travelers with disabilities and called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work for sensible measures that provide access while protecting children from harm. Following her testimony, I had the chance to discuss the ongoing issue of pool lif...

I am wrapping up my final week as a graduate student, which is great because by next Thursday, I will know everything necessary to be successful in the hospitality industry and will be significantly more competent than anyone without a Master’s Degree. Life should be smooth sailing from now on, make sure you contact me if you need any of my expertise. Once you get a degree, what else do you need to learn? I’m sorry, but I couldn’t even finish...

As I was recently reading legendary golf instructor Hank Haney’s much anticipated memoir on his time with Tiger Woods, I was struck by the book’s title, “The Big Miss” and how those three words apply to the hotel industry. One quote in Haney’s book from Hall of Fame professional golfer/instructor John Jacobs especially caught my eye: “In competitive golf, it’s not so much where the good ones go. It’s where the bad ones go. You’ve got to build ...

A multitude of hotels hosted activities and events to celebrate Earth Day 2012. Companies made donations to green charities, renovated with eco-friendly materials, and gave guests special Earth Day discounts. But the staff at the Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria, British Co...

New York City's Algonquin Hotel shared a rendering of its famed Blue Bar, which will be unveiled when the hotel re-opens later this spring. The new Blue Bar will feature an expanded space with a contemporary design. The historic venue will have new lighting and banquette seating with sparkling black, white, and navy fabrics, complemented by a jewel-toned blue carpet. More...

Somehow, I don’t think everyone’s favorite, and at the same time least favorite, ad exec Don Draper (talk about a complex character) really minded that much. Fans of “Mad Men” probably saw the Drapers’ trip to Howard Johnson in Sunday’s episode and, if you’re a hotel aficionado like I am, probably thought, “cool!” That, of course, was in between wondering what the heck is wrong with a guy who leaves his young wife alone at a roadside motor lodge—no matter how iconic it is. More...

In a little less than a month, I’ll be heading back to Las Vegas for the Annual HD Expo. One of my favorite events at this annual gathering of hospitality design professionals and FF&E vendors is the Radical Innovation in Hospitality competition. In the past, I’ve had the pleasure of touring and interviewing many of the radical designs for hotel rooms put forth by designers from top firms and start-ups alike. Today, organizers of ...

Eye-popping spectacles are not uncommon at hotel grand-opening celebrations around the world. But the Revere Hotel Boston Common  took its launch to new heights by installing a 24-story catwalk that scaled the building's facade. The gravity-defying runway served as a main focal point for the celebration, which was held on Wednesday. The date coincided with the 237-year annivers...

The opening of TRYP New York City Times Square South in February marked a key milestone in Wyndham Hotel Group’s plans to introduce the TRYP by Wyndham brand in major cities throughout the Americas. So far, Daniel del Olmo, brand senior vice president for TRYP by Wyndham, says the New York City property is exceeding expectations in terms of bottom line results. “While the property is unique in its kind against the greater New York City competition, the TRYP...

There are countless hotel companies and executives that lend support to charities all across the nation—and Marriott's David Grissen is one of those industry insiders working to make a difference. Grissen, who serves as president of the Americas for Marriott International, also spends his time as the vice chair for Back o...

It was spring, and it was a bright, sunny, and hot day in Manhattan. I’d traveled into the city from my New Jersey home to meet up with DoubleTree executives, representatives from the PR firm DalyGray, and, of course, Tom Wingham, the longtime director of global brand public relations for DoubleTree by Hilton, who was always omnipresent when I, as a reporter, did a story on DoubleTree. So, it was a sad evening last night as I communicated with several of my colleagues in the t...

The Trump family made an appearance earlier this week to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Trump International Hotel & Tower to celebrate the official grand opening of the property. More...

The Four Seasons Houston is celebrating a milestone in its hotel history by marking three decades of s...

Maybe it's time for the hotel industry to let its hair down, put on its best outfit, and head out on the town for a crazy night once in a while. Spending a weekend on a college campus—at The Hotel School at Cornell University—that's somewhat of the message distinguished alumni of the 90-year-old hospitality college received at the Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC) conference. And that message came not from students, but from some very distinguished professionals in ...

There were two main points of interest at this week’s Wyndham Hotel Group Global Business Conference at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The first was the announcement that Wyndham’s Microtel brand is undergoing a rebranding strategy that will add the “by Wyndham” designation (look for my report on the rebranding, including interviews with company executives, tomorrow here on LodgingMagazine.com). The second, and what I want to discuss in this blog, is Wyndham’s now aggressive strat...

It is sometimes difficult for hotels with tight budgets to sponsor events, but when it involves the initiative to engage students and bring them to your property, there is always an opportunity for a return on the investment. A sales blitz is a perfect example of such a situation. A sales blitz is an event where a high volume of sales calls are made in a short period of time. It is also the perfect event for hotel companies to open their doors to students who are eager to get out of the classroom and gai...

Post by Michael Palloto, Regional Controller, Hospitality Ventures Management Group Before you are able to speak to the accounting relationship between the Front and Back Office systems, it is important to understand what defines the Front and Back offices within a hotel operation.  These terms, in their simplest form, describe the part o...

While the lack of available financing and economic uncertainty has made new hotel construction sluggish in the United States, hotel renovation projects have picked up significantly. “There’s not much new-build activity today, so people are leveraging as much as possible through renovations,” says Jim Looney, owner of design firm Looney & Associates. I recently spoke to Looney for a feature I’m writing on the many reasons for hotels to renovate, which will appear in an upcoming issue of...

I’m always searching for new ways to excite the industry about eco-friendly or sustainability initiatives that will benefit not only the environment, but also the financial health of our industry.  Recently, much has been said regarding the use of amenity dispensers in hotels as a green product alternative to individualized amenity bottles.  Proponents and skeptics abound on each side of the divide, as with many other alternatives to the tried and true business metho...

It’s only March and already rising gas prices are causing motorists to roll their eyes, curse under their breaths, and lament their commutes even more. Did we skip spring? Is it summer already?  Of course, gas prices are something hoteliers always have their eyes on, especially in the midscale and limited-service markets. The conventional wisdom goes, if drivers cut back on driving, they cut back on traveling, and that potentially puts the gains made in occupancy and rate...

Special events that engage consumers and franchisees can be a fun, cost effective way for brands to give back in the major markets where they have hotels and help promote a positive brand image. To deliver and spread its brand message of goodwill and giving back, Howard Johnson launched an initiative called “The Give Happy Challenge” about three years ago, which has grown and become more successful since then. This year, the brand chose four high schools, based on their goodwill efforts in the...

Post by Michelle Davis, Director of Revenue Management, Hospitality Ventures Management Group Revenue managers are under considerable pressure to increase ADR but as we know, there are many factors that can affect rate.  For example, when occupancy starts to slip, a ‘heads in beds’ strategy can prevail.  To achieve this, we typically lower rate, offer specials tied to margins on third-party sites, run promotions on Global Distribution Systems (GDS...

It is never too early to begin preparing for summer. This is especially true if you have plans to spend time on a beach somewhere. I’ll admit that I am in no position to discuss tips for getting the perfect beach physique or fashion. However, I can give advice on something far more important: selecting the best beach reading! I have compiled some of my favorite books written about hotels from various genres that would be enjoyable for any hospital...

I had the opportunity to travel to Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas this week (I know, tough gig, huh?) for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's annual conference. It was the first conference since the two companies made a joint announcement that after years of working closely, they will go to market as one. Hence, the name change. Obviously, this was a huge topic during the conference and both Thorsten Kirschke, president of the Americas for Carlson, and Kurt Ritter, CEO of Rezid...

In the world of green hotels , clean is “king.”   It goes without saying that a problem free guest experience is greatly influenced by the cleanliness of our individual properties and facilities.   No one wants to climb into a bed with soiled sheets, walk on a stained carpet or swim in an algae-filled pool or spa. When a guest enters their room for the first time, there should never be evidence of a ...

In today’s ever-changing, online arena, hotels are often faced with bombardment by companies selling something.  Social Media Monitoring tools, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) assistance, Pay-Per-Click advertising, and the list goes on and on.  A big question that I hear lately is, “Do I need an independent website for my hotel?”  My answer to that is “yes.”  And “no”…. In my last blog (“More...

As someone with a love for the written word, when I think of The Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan, my first thought immediately turns to the fabled Algonquin Roundtable. I’m sure that’s true for many of you. The hotel, originally built in 1902 as an apartment hotel, became famous in June of 1919 when it became the site of daily meetings of some of the top journalists, authors, publicists, and actors of the time. For the better part of the next decade people such as Ruth Hale, Doro...

Post by Grace Chiao PHOTO: The Grand Gift Box of the Grand Hyatt Taipei January 23 was the Chinese New Year, the most important festival and the longest holiday for Chinese culture. This year is the year of the Dragon; the celebration was extremely significant and tremendous. While all my families were celebrating the New Year overseas, I tried to seek the familiar atmosphere to make myself feel at home. Besides the dragon parades performed in Chinatown, I finally fou...

As you probably know by now, Brand USA was created as a marketing entity to promote the United States as a travel destination for international travelers. It is the first such entity in the country’s long and proud history. The idea, of course, is to help economic growth and job creation through the important travel and tourism sector. But to promote—as any marketing professional kn...

The American Hotel & Lodging Association and STR released a special report, “Distribution Channel Analysis: a Guide for Hotels,” published by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, to assist hotels in determining their optimal channel mix. The report discusses the effects of channel mix on profitability and what the industry can expect in the near term in the distribution landscape. It reviews the size an...

There was quite a bit of anticipation during the second day of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles earlier this week. Many of the nearly 2,500 delegates on hand filed through the metal detectors at the famed Nokia Theater to hear a half-hour keynote address by Donald Trump. But if you were expecting fireworks—especially the political kind—from the normally brash-talking real estate and development mogul and star of the TV show “T...

Ian Schrager’s New York office is filled with “stuff.” Categorized stacks of papers, photos, newspaper clippings, notebooks, folders, binders, picture frames, and other little treasures line the shelves around the perimeter of the room. Photos of city buildings, interior design renderings, and portraits hang with pushpins on the white walls. Design display boards lean against an armchair, next to Post-it note-covered paperwork on the floor. It’s cluttered, ...

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Yesterday, President Obama chose “The Happiest Place on Earth” to announce a new national strategy to boost travel and tourism. Judging by the number of endorsements of the Executive Order from industry organizations and hotel companies, the location of the President’s speech was apropos, as it made a lot hoteliers very happy. More...

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Lodging is a very important part of every trip, especially when you are camping on the Inca Trail on your way to see Machu Picchu.  My boyfriend and I have just returned from a one-month backpacking in South America. The highlight of our travels was by far our 4-day/3-night trek through the Inca Trail in Peru.  After our 24-hour very windy and very nauseating bus ride from Ica, Peru we finally arrived in Cusco; the base city for all Machu Picchu excursions.  With an elevat...

When I first heard New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo discussing the plan to build the country’s largest convention center complex in Queens and to redevelop the existing Javits Center footprint on Manhattan’s West Side, I admit, I was a bit perplexed. I asked myself, “Why on earth would business travelers and conventioneers want to give up the excitement of Manhattan for one of the outer boroughs?” I’ve been attending conferences for years—decades, actually—and...

Blue skies and rolling mountains aren’t the only appealing local attractions in the great state of Tennessee.  Not only are the fields and tree-tops green, but the local options for increasing energy efficiency and introducing hotel energy savings are as well. The green movement toward environmental responsibility has spawned numerous Federal, State and local programs aimed at reducing e...

Post by Grace Chiao, Temple University; “You speak Mandarin?” “Yes?” “Oh! I am sure there will be tons of jobs waiting for you in this industry because of that." These are the most frequently asked questions and answers I have heard this semester. Whenever people had this conversation with me, I could not help but wonder the truthfulness of their saying; moreover, I was surprised that the same conversation ...

Post by Roger Miller, Vice President of Sales & Marketing , Hospitality Ventures Management Group ; During my 35 years of recruiting, interviewing, and hiring hotel sales professionals, I’ve had dozens of success stories and, of course, occasional failures. I have been acknowledged for successful hires and deservedly booed for the failures. Like everything in life, the tru...

I know it seems like we are beating a dead horse but Internet has taken such a leap forward in guest satisfaction that it’s almost something we should be discussing on a daily basis at the hotel level. Franchises are even stepping out and driving change. Hilton has forced hotels to spend tens of thousands of dollars with AT&T for new networks while both it and Marriott have released new standards pushing hotels to upgrade the bandwidth. The only problem, even the new stand...

Post originally made on January 5, 2012 It’s a new year and time to look ahead to the hotel industry’s 2012 outlook. And, trust me, there’s no shortage of data coming through my inbox these days. Like many of you, this is a time of year in which I look forward. It’s always interesting to see what prognosticators are thinking as we put last year behind us and turn optimis...

Post by Lacey Hagen ; I just completed my third semester of graduate school and, while I enjoyed a short break, I am now beginning to work on my final research project. Although I find the topic interesting, research is not my strongest skill. I decided to pursue a graduate degree in hospitality because I enjoyed being in an industry that is built on personal interactions with the purpose of designing a memorable and comfortable experience for guests while ...

There’s no doubt rooftop bars have become a huge trend in hotel design these days, especially in cities such as New York. But are they able to help hotels maximize their revenue? According to a just-released study by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), the answer is yes—at least in Manhattan. In its study, ...

Post by Matthew A. Woodruff, Vice President, Guest and Brand Excellence, Hospitality Ventures Management Group; I hope you are doing EXCELLENT!   If you recall, back in June we discussed the “ Power of the word EXCELLENT ” and the profound impact that an EXCELLENT service culture ca...

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In a suite overlooking the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas last week, there was plenty of to talk about. Gathered with other reporters at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, there was talk of the three-year-old Rush Tower, new eateries, and the resurgence of downtown Las Vegas. But what really caught my interest was what was happening 3,000 miles to the east—in Atlantic City. More...

Post by Jay Molitor, Vice President of Operations, Hospitality Ventures Management Group It’s no secret that profit essentially boils down to two things at a hotel: maximizing revenue and minimizing expenses. And while they may appear separate from each other at first glance, revenue and expenses are entwined to such an extent that they must be viewed and managed holistically.   In fact, the key to controlling your labor expenses—the larges...

Post by Megan Edelman I am an adventurer. Come along with me as I explore the world. At times my travel will veer off the beaten path, but it will always make a story worth telling. So here I am, lucky enough to combine what I love with how I plan to make my living. When I was young I liked to ride my bike around my neighborhood exploring what I thought were undiscovered...

Music has the power to increase guest satisfaction and improve staff morale. Just ask 25-year-old Bradley Newberger, president and founder of Ambiance Radio, a background music service geared toward hotels, resorts, restaurants, and spas. While a student at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, N.Y., Newberger managed the Taverna Banfi at The Statler Hotel on campus....

Last week eight hotel executives, a marketing executive, and a Nevada state assemblywoman did something that Bill Fortier, senior vice president-development, the Americas at Hilton Worldwide and chairman of the Latino Hotel Association described to those in attendance as “fun, and a bit shocking.” In the Pavilion at Tropicana in Las Vegas, the executives ditched their business suits and donned headgear and boxing gloves and promptly began pummeling each ...

Post by Lacey Hagen The title of this blog post is a fairly common reaction I get when I tell people I am currently a graduate student at Temple University pursuing a master’s degree in tourism and hospitality management. This was also the reaction I received when I told people that I had decided to go graduate school, immediately after graduating with my bachelor’s degree. More...

Sunday night was another monumental night in the history of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. As it always does during the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show (IHMRS) in New York City, the association celebrated the past year of its outgoing chair and inaugurated its incoming chair. This year that was the inauguration of Nancy Johnson, executive vice president of development for Carlson Hotels. Johnson becomes just the third woma...

Post by Robert S. Cole, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hospitality Ventures Management Group Work in the hospitality industry as long as I have (since the '80s) and you will inevitably see core principles for success come to light. Whether it’s learning from your own trials and errors or watching the fortunes of your colleagues and competitors rise and fall, I’ve found that the same basic fundamentals for success come into play time and...

Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western International, believes that relationships are the currency of life. In our fast-paced world, the Internet has changed how consumers decide what to buy. Despi...

Post by Mary Beth Cutshall, Vice President of Acquisitions & Business Development, Hospitality Ventures Management Group Take a look at accomplished professionals you respect and admire and I guarantee they have a strong ability to connect with others. Successful business people understand that one of the fundamental aspects of their success is the ability to effectively build and maintain relationships. ...

What is the role of a hotel in society? It’s a topic I had the opportunity to discuss this week with David Jerome, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at IHG, during the IHG 2011 Americas Investors and Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. “What should we be doing,” Jerome asked rhetorically. More...

Earlier this week, TravelClick released its September 2011 North American Hospitality Review with some good news for the hotel industry. The firm, which tracks hotel bookings 12 month into the future, indicated demand for the remainder of 2011 will continue to be strong. And, demand should continue to remain strong for ...

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It’s not all about the money. In order to be successful, businesses must concentrate instead on the very thing that makes the money, said hospitality industry legend Horst Schulze, the keynote speaker at the Red Roof Inn 2011 brand conference, which was held earlier this week in Orlando. The president and CEO of West Paces Hotel Group and former president and COO of Ritz-Carlton said...

Businesses have been transitioning to IP phone systems for the last 10 years. In our office we have used an IP phone system since we opened our doors in 2002. The problem in bringing IP Telephony to hotels has been the complexity of all the integrations (PMS, POS, etc.) that need to function on site. Business IP phone providers were not interested in a more complex environment and the traditional phone system providers made money off hard...

As an editor who makes his living with the written word, it should come as no surprise that I’m an avid reader. I love books, always have, always will. Bill Duncan, global head of Home2 Suites by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton, shares the same passion.   Last week at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., I had a chanc...

Post by Michelle Davis. Director of Revenue Management, Hospitality Ventures Management Group When surfing Internet consumer travel sites or trade resources, it’s easy to find Best Available Rate (BAR) essentially has replaced the RACK rate as the standard first quote by the hotel industry.   More...

Editor’s Note: A version of this blog appears in the September 2011 issue of Lodging . Normally in this space, I discuss various issues within the lodging industry, but if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to take the time to remember the nearly 3,0...

Post by Mike Stevens, Vice President, Project & Procurement, Hospitality Ventures Management Group At Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), we specialize in turning around underperforming properties and as you might suspect,...

Post by Kathryn P. Jones, Director of e-Commerce, H...

Many Americans consider breakfast the most important meal of the day, and are becoming more health conscious. For this reason, Ron Pohl, senior vice president of brand management and member services for Best Western International, says breakfast has been a key focus for many years in the hotel industry, especially in the midscale market. For an upcoming article on breakfast bars and ...

One of the notable aspects of the annual International African-American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit held by NABHOOD at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Fla., is the large contingent of our industry's future leaders. Of the approximately 300 attendees at the conference, more than 40 hospitality students from schools such as Tuskegee University, Penn State, and the College of The Bahamas, to name a few, were on hand to absorb all of the kn...

Is social media only a marketing function, or can other departments across hotels take advantage of it? When SAS Institute announced its social media analytics about a year ago, Kelly McGuire began thinking about how revenue management could use social media. McGuire, executive director of hospitality and travel global practice for SAS, says she always sees things through a revenue management lens first. To tackle this question, she got together with a g...

Post by Roger A. Miller, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Hospitality Ventures Management Group When it comes to driving revenue at a hotel, an aggressive, results-oriented director of sales & marketing is essential.  Unf...

Free to guest video has a history of being a moving target of perfection. If you have the right channel lineup it’s too expensive, if you save money, you don’t have the right channels. Finding that balance was always difficult. DirecTV is introducing the “home experience” which may change everything from technology to decision making moving forward. Under the new plan DirecTV will not require Pro:Idiom.  Instead they will use a small set top box that can go behind the TV are b...

As Motel 6 continues to grow rapidly by about 70 properties a year, the brand hopes to strike a balance between its company-owned and franchised locations. That’s why starting in September, Motel 6/Studio 6 will combine management and subsidiary training, says Dean Savas, senior vice president of franchising for Accor North America. “We realize there’s got to be a synergy between th...

While there is often a great deal of talk in the media (including this website and Lodging magazine) about hotel development in China, there hasn’t been quite the same amount of coverage about outbound travelers from the country. That’s now changing, as evidenced by two announcements tod...

For the July cover story of Lodging , I spoke with Red Roof Inn President Andrew Alexander and CEO of Accor North America, Motel 6 and Studio 6, Olivier Poirot about how ...

There’s long been an adage: “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” While that is true in many instances, when it comes to bed bugs and other pests in hotels, that sentiment couldn’t be further from the truth. For hotels, insects and other pests such as birds and rodents can cause havoc for guests and for a hotel’s bottom line. This is particularly true of bed bugs—those much publicized night stalkers that creep people out so much that some have gone as fa...

Post by Susan M. Sanders, Vice President, Strategic Planning and Human Resources, Hospitality Ventures Management Group Most companies do a fair job of creating a Strategic Plan that defines the most important objectives, initiatives and measures for the organization over a three-year outlo...

As we posted in the news section of our site on June 22, Home2 Suites by Hilton officially opened its third mid-tier extended-stay property in Baltimore, Md. Prior to the announcement, I had discussed the progress of...

After two days at HITEC 2011 in Austin, Texas, it’s clear that the hospitality industry’s top techies have a keen understanding of the direction hoteliers are seeking to take as they move on through a slow-moving economic recovery. While there isn’t much in the way of an specific theme to this year’s gathering of top technology suppliers, hotel technologists, and other assorted hoteliers, it’s easy to see that the technology on display is geared toward h...

A few weeks ago, Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced that it was making a switch to Peter Thomas Roth amenities in its bathrooms. Roth is a renowned designer of upscale skin care and bath products and his products are often seen on QVC. The products are replacing La Source amenities from Crabtree & Evelyn. Recently I caught up with Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts via e-mail and discussed why th...

Post by Matthew A. Woodruff, Vice President of Quality and Guest Satisfaction, Hospitality Ventures Management Group As Vice President, Guest a...

While at the 33rd annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference this week, I had the chance to meet with several industry executives who expressed optimistic outlooks for the future. B Hotels & Resorts announced on Monday its yet-to-be named second property, which is a conversion of the Continental Oceanfront South Beach Hotel in Miami, Fla. The property is...

I Just returned from the 33rd Annual NYU International Hospitality Investment Conference, and this year there were a number of issues on the table. Before I get into those, let me tell you, that the mood of the more than 1,800 hoteliers, developers, and other assorted attendees this year came across as much more relaxed than at this show last year. That’s to be expected as the industry as whole has started to see the light at the end of tunnel of the rec...

Post by Jay Molitor, Vice President of Operations, Hospitality Ventures Management Group There’s no denying that a great general manager can spell the difference between success and failure at a hotel.  GMs are the heart and soul of a successful hotel, setting the tone for service and performa...

While mattress encasements have become well known for their protection against bed bugs—and who wouldn’t be attracted by that fact alone—they are designed for more than keeping those pesky little critters at bay. The fact is that while they do a wonderful job of protecting mattresses from being ruined by bed bugs, they also protect expensive mattresses from people and allergens. I r...

While at the HD Expo last week in Las Vegas, I had the chance to sit down with Erin Hoover, the vice president of design for Westin and Sheraton, and discuss the new guestroom designs that are in the process of rolling out. While Westin’s design focuses on bringing the wellness concept into the guestroom, Sheraton’s look nods to the brand’s heritage and centers on the “social guest.” More...

I spent last week in Las Vegas for the annual Hospitality Design (HD) Expo. Per usual at events such as this, I met with several vendors of hospitality-centric products and services, and searched for emerging trends among the exhibitors and attendees. This year, much of the talk centered on renovations, or more precisely, the inevitable glut of hotel transformations soon to come. Whi...

Eruption is probably the wrong word because technically it means something short term.   In this case, bandwidth isn’t a short term spike, it’s a long term issue with substantial sustained growth.   So much growth, your networks are feeling and will continue to feel the significant impact. Why so many newsletters about bandwidth?   It’s an issue that won’t go away.   As a technology consulting company our number one complaint to r...

Post by Robert Cole, President & CEO, Hospitality Ventures Management Group It’s no secret that the hotel industry is an extremely people-intensive business, so it’s imperative to success as a hotel owner or operator that your team performs at a peak level. As a second-generation hotelier who has been work...

Admittedly, I’ve always been somewhat of a minimalist. I have no use for clutter, especially unnecessary items that take up space, or require being moved to make room for my laptop or to simply get into bed at night. I’ll also admit that I’m not your average traveler. I travel often for my job, as you might expect, and, also not surprisingly, I spend a great many room nights in hotels across the country. So, I’m pretty accustomed to the drill. So take al...

To strengthen AmericInn’s identity as America’s Welcoming Neighbor, owners, managers, and other attendees of the brand’s annual convention in Las Vegas filled nearly 350 care packages for American troops. The AmericInn Cares Project was a joint effort with the Blue Star Mothers of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit organization comprised primarily of mothers who have or have had children serving in the American military. “Sometimes people in our b...

What started during the days of Prohibition, before there was even a Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, has now become a traditional event that is highly anticipated by the school’s alumni and industry professionals around the country. This weekend, The Hotel Ezra Cornell was held for the 86th year, this edition of the student-run hotel conference featured some discussions on the biggest topics of the day from some of the most prominent n...

This weekend I made the four-hour drive to Ithaca, N.Y., from my home in New Jersey, for The Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC), the annual hospitality conference—now in its 86th year—organized and managed by students in Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. I came away from the conference with a great deal of confidence in our industry’s next generation of leaders. If I hadn’t...

More than 200 industry representatives spent a day on Capitol Hill on March 16 as part of this year’s American Hotel & Lodging Association Legislative Action Summit. While many of the issues the industry discussed with legislators are extensions of ongoing issues—occupancy taxes, the Employee Free Choice Act, and the Travel Promotion Act, to name some of the highlights—many of the legislators in Congress are new to some of these d...

With its announcement this week that it will make a more than $40 million investment to install 50,000 Samsung flat-screen TVs in its properties, La Quinta is taking a different approach to the traditional setup of guestroom televisions. In fact, the brand’s chief information officer Vivek Shaiva sees the initiative as a way of looking beyond today and seeing into the future—or more precisely, being prepared for what we can’t see in the future. More...

By Guest Blogger Jeff Parker, vice president of information technology, Magnolia Hotels I am thinking of changing my name, something elusive, mysterious, and misunderstood. In short, I want to be buzz-word compliant. In looking at many of the hottest technologies out there, it seems to me that they are more about marketing and re-branding then actual new technologies. Cloud computing is the hottest buzz-word of them all, but I was sitting in front of a Wise g...

It seems nearly impossible to believe, but the laptop is on pace to become the next dinosaur. How does that affect you? We all currently wrestle with expensive (and long term) free-to-guest TV agreements, aging pay-per-view agreements, guest networks, bandwidth, and on and on.  The hassle, the pain, and the guest complaints even when it works can cause even the best hotels to suffer.  With 4G in full swing, the continuing consolidation of an all-in-one device is in full swing, which will free u...

In front of a packed press conference at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in San Diego, Calif. this week, veteran hotelier and former chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association John Russell and his partners from the newly formed venture Advaya Hospitality unveiled the name and concept of its new brand. In November, Russell and Advaya announced the formation of the new company with the promise of further details concerning the brand's...

No ROI, increased monthly cost, ongoing capital expense, do you really need HD? Guestrooms are being designed to make a guest feel at home so with this comes HDTV. HD certainly fits into the equation of providing an at home experience since guests still focus in on live news, sports, and local channels as viewing priorities. However, the argument can be made that HD is not a necessity but instead a wow factor in the room. Of the seven industry professionals we asked, all seven stated inde...

Today is traditionally the biggest travel day of the year and millions of Americans will hit the road, hop on trains, and board airplanes. (I’ll refrain from any comments on the new TSA security procedures at this time.) For many, they’ll be heading to visit with family and friends, bound for feasts and good times. Many people will choose to stay the weekend at the homes of those families and friends, but maybe they shoul...

Clearwire Corp., a leader in the WiMAX (aka 4G, LTE, etc.), announced it is cutting 15 percent of its workforce and reducing its current 4G markets while suspending rollouts in new markets such as Denver and Miami. Money issues are to blame and cash flow is tight so this wireless data leader had to pull in the reigns to try and survive.  It’s not surprising to hear a company is trying to survive, but it is surprising that in a world consumed with getting more and more bandwid...

“It’s been a long summer, a very rewarding summer, but a long summer. Our team is thrilled to get the hotel opened again.” That’s one of the comments David Kloeppel, president and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, said to me in a phone conversation just a few weeks ago. Indeed, it’s been a trying summer for Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn. As you’ll recall, the property was forced to...

The Olympic flame was lit as Best Western members converged on the Vancouver Convention Centre as the hotel company took its annual convention to Western Canada. Inside, members heard more about the launch of the company’s descriptor strategy as well as updates on technology, operations, and marketing. Over the course of the convention, members even got an up close look at one of the company’s newest initiative to promote its pet-friendly hotels when Ces...

Hosted PBX systems (true Voice Over IP–VOIP) have been around for many years. In the business world companies like Warner Consulting Group have been using them since early 2000. Hosted gives the business a lower cost to entry and more flexibility in troubleshooting, product, and control of the system. Hotels were not able to adapt as many companies were not prepared for PMS or POS interfaces, call accounting, and a few other hospitality specific products. As with any technology, things ar...

Did you watch Choice Hotels’ president and CEO Steve Joyce, or should I say Jack Parker, on Undercover Boss last night? Quite interesting, and if you have it waiting on your DVR, I won’t spoil it. However, last week, I had the chance to speak with Joyce about his experience and after watching the program it’s apparent t...

It’s been more than 10 years now that we’ve had to deal with guest networks in our properties. Not quite an anniversary celebration but instead an unenvied evolution of meeting guest expectations.  Ownership felt guest networks were a one-time investment that supplied a guest service. What we have found out, some the hard way, is that we must constantly budget for upgrades and changes to our network.  Guest satisfaction scores rely heavily on the network (and bandwidth) ...

As hotel companies look to grow their portfolios, especially overseas, there has been a lot of talk about staffing.  As recently discussed on this website, major universities such as Florida International University have begun hospitality education programs to teach a new generation of hospitality workers in places such as China the western model of hotel operations (see “ More...

Yesterday, I had a follow-up phone conversation with Mike Garcia, CFO and senior vice president of acquisitions and development for Omni Hotels & Resorts, to discuss the Irving, Texas-based company’s big announcements on Tuesday. On that day, Omni made two major acquisition and development announcements. First, the company announced More...

While carriers have continued to market new services aggressively they have quietly scaled back their behind the scenes support.  Less people and less knowledge equal less expense which allows them to survive. The result has been much longer drawn out troubleshooting and billing issues that take extended billing periods to resolve. Contracts don’t allow hotels to properly recoup the lost revenue or labor involved to make things right. The only tool a hotel can use is redundancy.  Data r...

The other day American Express released the result of its Global Customer Service Barometer, which explores attitudes and preferences toward customer service. Conducted in 12 countries, including the U.S., the findings reiterate the importance of excellent service, especially in today’s economic environment. What is most notable about the survey’s results is that as American consumers need to be ever-more choosy about where they spend their dollars, they...

At the 19th Annual general managers conference held by Chesapeake Hospitality, a third-party management company based in Maryland, the company's general managers weighed in with their thoughts on the industry climate. In a survey conducted at the event, the GMs said they had a positive, but cautious, optimism regarding the outlook for the hotel industry for the remainder of the year. More than one-third of attendees said they are experiencing growth in c...

We're living in a mobile world, and travelers are, by definition, no exception. So what do travelers want from their apps?  According to a recent survey from Omni Hotels & Resorts,  business travelers ranked adjusting travel plans, making dinner reservations and checking into hotels as three of the top four “must-have” mobile applications. The survey asked road warriors about mobile and social application preferences and usage,...

At the 32nd Annual New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference this week, some investors were announcing funding and searches for acquisitions. Capital Hotel Management, a hotel investment, advisory, and asset management firm, announced that it has formed CHM Partners to acquire hotels primarily as a co-investor with other equity partners. CEO Ken Wilson said, “We believe the timing is right to return to our original stra...

While I was in New York earlier this week, I had the chance, along with some of my fellow members of the press, to take a hard-hat tour of the soon-to-open (July) Intercontinental Times Square. The hotel will have 607 keys and 29 suites, and as GM Drew Schlesinger says, “one really spectacular suite.” (See above.) First, a little about the hotel: The building is made with natural woods and marble, and each elevator has different artwork. The...

I just came back from the 32nd Annual New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. So what’s the buzz? The hotel executives on hand expressed more optimism concerning the lodging industry’s recovery as demand returns, but they also remained on the look out for when rates will begin to increase. During the opening panel, David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western International; Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt H...

There were a lot of happenings at this week’s La Quinta Global Business Conference in New Orleans. La Quinta touted several impressive numbers during its annual gathering. Its system-wide revenue grew 10 percent in 2011. Its rooms sold increased 7 percent. Its RevPAR gained 8 percent, and occupancy 5 percent. Perhaps its biggest announcement came with the introduction of its More...