Lodging Daily News

Normally, this column is supposed to cover the tax changes over the prior year and how they impact the hospitality industry. Last year, we commented about how 2010 was an interesting year but little had passed in the tax field. 2010 was all about health care reform, the change in control of the House, and the rise of the Tea Party. It was a very political and partisan year. If anything, 2011 was worse. Never

The hopes of the economy turning around have many small hotel owners and operators primed for a successful year. Industry analysts such as STR are projecting increases in all three key performance metrics during 2012. This year owners and property managers are optimistic they will have the opportunities to address much-needed capital improvements, renovations, brand standard requirements, and the well-deserved employee training and pay increases. However, some costs owners will be required to invest have

Earlier this year, we told you that longtime hotel executive Paul Whetsell would become the new president and CEO for Loews Hotels, succeeding Jack Adler, who retired. Since he took the helm in mid-January, the former board member at Virgin Hotels and founder of Capstar Hotel Company has been living a whirlwind first three months, but he found time in his busy schedule to talk with Lodging Editor Len Vermillion about his plans for the

In his blog “Inn-Sane” last summer, Trevor Warner, president of Warner Consulting Group, said about DirecTV’s newest offering to hotels, “DirecTV is introducing the ‘home experience,’ which may change everything from technology to decision-making moving forward.” (Full disclosure: Warner’s blog is part of the LodgingMagazine.com community of blogs.) That was shortly after the satellite content provider announced the launch of its “Residential Experience,” a content system for hotels that allows them to offer their guests

General Manager Joe Kurth says the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee had it all: a prime downtown location, a strong local following, a rooftop bar with views of Lake Michigan, a reputation for catering memorable galas and elegant weddings. But one thing was missing. “What it didn’t have was a great cup of coffee to go,” Kurth says. The property’s Café Pfister catered to the breakfast and lunch crowds, attracting 60 percent local to 40 percent