Lodging Daily News

Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations John Rees, Hard Rock International HOLLYWOOD, Florida—Hard Rock International appointed John Rees as senior vice president of hotel operations. In this role, Rees is responsible for supporting hotel operations across the Hard Rock International portfolio, including both corporate-managed and franchised locations. Rees reports directly to Jon Lucas, chief operating officer of Hard Rock International. “We’re thrilled to have John lead the Hard Rock Hotel team as we continue to

COCOA BEACH, Florida—Driftwood Capital announced the $60 million refinancing of the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Hotel, a 295-key resort in central Florida’s Space Coast. Managing Directors Michael Weinberg and Scott Wadler and Associate Director Alec Fox of Berkadia Hotels & Hospitality secured $60 million in financing through a national bank. “We are thrilled to announce the successful closure of a new loan for the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Sr., CEO of Driftwood

I manage a high-end, established luxury hotel that has been recently renovated. The product itself is wonderful, but we are having issues of high turnover. What can we do to encourage employees to stay with us long term versus one year or less? Certainly, running a high-end luxury hotel is an exciting venture, but employee turnover can be a major concern. To encourage employees to commit to your establishment long-term, there are several crucial strategies

CHICAGO—Somnium Hospitality Group announced the appointment of Raina Spasov as general manager at the Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort. In her new role, Raina will oversee all aspects of the resort’s operations. With over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Raina brings knowledge of the industry to her position, specifically to the Oak Brook Hills Resort where she began working in 2013 as an executive assistant. Over the next 10 years, she

ATLANTA—Officials of Satori Collective announced the sale of the 124-suite Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alpharetta-Windward Parkway to Bukhari Group Hospitality. Satori achieved an approximate 24 percent internal rate of return and a 2x equity multiple through the sale. “We purchased this all-suite property in 2013 and quickly conducted a comprehensive, multi-million dollar, value-add renovation to reflag the property to a Holiday Inn Express & Suites by IHG,” said Samir Yajnik, CIO, Satori Collective. “Through