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Knowland to Acquire Meeting Intelligence from Amadeus

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Washington D.C., June 21 at 11 a.m.—Knowland announces today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Meeting Intelligence (formerly known as HIS), incorporating both the product and employees, from Newmarket International Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Amadeus, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry.

This acquisition, which is subject to closing conditions, enables Knowland to offer the most robust platform of meetings market intelligence for the hospitality industry. The addition of Amadeus’ database of meeting activity will improve Knowland’s available data on groups and meetings to provide a more comprehensive and solid foundation for group lead-generation and market intelligence.

In a separate agreement, Amadeus will also partner with Knowland to use its best-of-breed meeting intelligence product to enable Amadeus’ Delphi sales and catering customers to tap into the most extensive groups and meetings intelligence available to enhance their group business.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Meeting Intelligence customers and employees into our company and community,” stated Tim Hart, Chief Executive Officer of Knowland. “By combining our extensive data, Knowland will be able to increase the effectiveness of its offerings as we continue building our next generation of products.”

“In addition to the acquisition agreement, we are very happy to continue working with Knowland to integrate its extensive database of group and meeting intelligence into Amadeus solutions,” said Lee Horgan, CEO of Amadeus Hospitality. “Our sales and catering customers will benefit from having a richer database of meeting intelligence that will allow them to get a better understanding of their group business.”

“We’re excited to join Knowland to bring leading-edge solutions to our combined customer base,” commented Steve Reiser, the founder of HIS who will become Knowland’s Chief Product Officer upon closing of the transaction. “We’ve both strived to provide our customers with high quality products and service, and now together, we can focus on advancing state-of-art meeting intelligence.” 


SiteMinder Launches ‘Prophet’, Real-Time Hotel Pricing Intelligence for the Modern Age

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Dallas, US – SiteMinder, the global hotel industry’s leading cloud platform, today launches ‘Prophet’, a real-time market intelligence solution that takes the guesswork out of pricing hotel rooms and brings hotel software to the modern age. Prophet is being unveiled at HITEC and forms the latest addition to SiteMinder’s award-winning suite of smart and simple technology for hoteliers who are looking to attract, reach and convert guests globally online.

SiteMinder’s managing director, Mike Ford, says, “Prophet is about empowering the world’s hoteliers who know revenue management is critical but don’t have the time, budget or expertise to harness the rapidly-changing rate and market data available to them and use it to their advantage. Prophet purposefully breaks market rate and demand intelligence down into consumable and meaningful insights that matter, so hoteliers can optimize room rates, maximise profitability, and stay ahead of competition easily and at an affordable cost.”

Providing continually up-to-date, aggregated market data that is refreshed daily or live on request by hoteliers through the system, users of Prophet will be able to analyze their competitor set in one consolidated screen and respond to demand up to a year in advance. Through the product’s unique notifications feature, users will receive email alerts based on their pre-defined rules on market fluctuations, so they can say goodbye to manual forecasting and react quicker with strategic pricing decisions.

Prophet will appeal to a broad spectrum of accommodation providers, from the smallest hotels up to mid-sized chains, with pricing plans that start free at the entry level and are available at a low monthly fee for more advanced users, to cater for different needs and levels of sophistication.

Mr Ford says, importantly, Prophet embodies SiteMinder’s design-led philosophy of allowing hotels to sign up instantly, set themselves up within minutes and enjoy the user experience.

“The simplicity of Prophet is intentional. As an industry, hoteliers have historically been exposed to clunky, slow and often unappealing software – and they’ve had no choice but to get used to that. It’s meant that our industry has been left behind from a software modernization perspective. Through solutions like Prophet, SiteMinder shows that software can still serve a function effectively while looking beautiful and being a pleasure to use.

“As with the beginnings of our established products, we did want to start small with Prophet and allow our early adopters to not only be a part of the experience but to shape its future. It’s our belief that partnering with hotels is the only way to create truly market-leading technology, as opposed to building in isolation and hoping hotels will see its value.”

One of those early adopters is Quest Southbank – Melbourne. The property’s general manager, Jeremy Longstaff, says, “Being a property of nearly 90 rooms, we find that even half a dozen rooms moving on any single date can result in major changes to occupancy percentage, and ultimately result in lots of changes to how we manage our revenue overall. So, speedy and visually easy-to-read data is vital – and SiteMinder's Prophet provides that to us.”

Prophet now complements SiteMinder’s channel management, booking engine and website product solutions, to further empower hoteliers in competing for the online consumer.

Club Quarters Hotels Embraces Mobile Property Management System

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Chain Deploys Springer-Miller’s SMS|Host Anywhere Mobile Capabilities to 16 Hotels

Stowe, VT — (June 21, 2016) — Springer-Miller Systems (SMS), the leading technology provider of global Hospitality Management systems, today announces that Club Quarters Hotels is implementing their SMS|Host Anywhere mobile property management solution across its 16 hotels.

Designed for the modern business traveler, Club Quarters Hotels prides itself on providing well-priced rooms located in the prime business areas of the top cities in the United States and United Kingdom. These business travelers value a fast and easy check-in and check-out process. Club Quarters led the industry in adoption and use of guest self-service technologies and now they will extend their guest service with the use of the iPad-based SMS|Host Anywhere mobile property management solution.

Staff-facing, the mobile app provides an intuitive and user-friendly solution for providing on-the-go guest services. Business travelers are looking for a fast and trouble-free check-in, available with the flexible SMS|Host Anywhere solution.

Designed to provide flexibility and scalability to front office operations, SMS|Host Anywhere provides mobile access to Springer-Miller’s signature property management system, the SMS|Host Hospitality Management System.  SMS|Host Anywhere allows Club Quarters Hotels to utilize an iPad to:

  • Perform mobile guest check-ins / check-outs
     
  • Process secure electronic payments leveraging P2PE technology
     
  • Search guests and reservations
     
  • Modify guests and reservations
     
  • View, print and email guest folios
     
  • Drive electronic key cutting
     
  • Capture electronic signatures or print registration cards
     
  • View guest messages, traces & notes
     
  •  Upsell and upgrade guestrooms
     

“Club Quarters Hotels have long been an innovative user of Springer-Miller’s solutions and we’re excited to see them embrace the guest-service opportunities available with our mobile PMS. This solution gives Club Quarters the opportunity to service guests as they arrive for check-in in the lobby, increasing guest satisfaction.” commented Michelle Young, Senior Director of Major Accounts.

Hotel Internet Services Showcases Best Practices for Data Security and Guest Wi-Fi Network Solutions at HITEC 2016

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Hospitality’s leading provider of secured online services to present attendees with demonstrations of advanced security protocol for guestroom Internet

New Orleans — June 21, 2016 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of Internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, will provide HITEC 2016 attendees with critical insight into one of the industry’s most critical challenges, which is safeguarding sensitive guest data in today’s increasingly digital hotel environment. With proven expertise on data security, having helped its clients circumvent effects from the growing number and severity of data breaches worldwide, HIS will share its best practices and steps that can be taken to prevent lapses in online security through the use of state-of-the-art technology solutions. With continuous demonstrations at booth #927, Hotel Internet Services will showcase how its proprietary Wi-Fi solutions can help properties satisfy increasing guest expectations of Internet accessibility, while also ensuring peace-of-mind, via highly effective and reliable data security protocols.  

With record numbers of guests traveling with at least one smart device and expecting to find the same high standard of Internet connectivity that they do at home, hotel management and IT professionals have a need to understand the systems and features that must be provided, in order to guarantee consistent guest satisfaction. Attendees visiting the HIS HITEC booth will learn why implementing functions such as closed-source SSL, as opposed to open-source platforms, is critical in order to segregate guest traffic and prevent the sort of security breaches that have continued to dominate hospitality news headlines.

“As hotels come to terms with the fact that their reputation in providing effective Internet services is now often pivotal in a guest’s booking decision-making process, many are no doubt seeking answers on how to upgrade their offerings without incurring large expenses,” said Gary Patrick, CEO for Hotel Internet Services. “We are proud to stand out at this year’s HITEC as a unique resource, offering valuable advice on what is perhaps one of the most controversial topics affecting the global hospitality market. By speaking with one of our representatives, hoteliers will gain firsthand knowledge on how they can modernize their Internet offering and data protection abilities in a way that is affordable and that caters to virtually any guest need.”

Along with welcoming attendees during exhibition hours, HIS will also be hosting a press conference at its booth on June 22nd at 10 a.m., providing insight and answering questions on how properties can leverage advanced technology and proprietary Wi-Fi protocol to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated network attacks. There will also be a presentation of HIS’ secure BeyondTV wireless streaming guestroom entertainment solution, including the latest developments and features. In addition, attendees will be provided with copies of two newly released white papers on Wi-Fi management and the BYOD trend. After the conference, attendees are also welcome to join HIS for a special “Jazz Up Your HITEC” brunch event, featuring freshly made beignets, roasted French coffee and live New Orleans jazz music.  

For more information about the full range of technology solutions available from Hotel Internet Services, please contact Larry Jaffe at 866-265-7575 Ext. 720 or email marketing@hotelwifi.com

Boston Park Plaza Completes Multi-Year $100 Million Renovation and Restoration

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BOSTON, June 21, 2016 -- Boston Park Plaza is pleased to announce the completion of a comprehensive, multi-year, $100 million renovation and restoration project. The extensive transformation includes the complete overhaul of the hotel's 1,060 guestrooms and corridors, main entrances and lobby, meeting spaces, mezzanine levels, the addition of an all-new library room, and the replacement of all furniture and fixtures.

"This rejuvenation project has completely transformed Boston Park Plaza into a self-contained nucleus that pairs top-notch hospitality, world-class dining and high-end fitness amenities with the modern comforts and conveniences that today's travelers have come to expect, all the while offering a uniquely Boston feel," said Jon Crellin, managing director, Boston Park Plaza. "Boston Park Plaza was thoughtfully redesigned with today's modern travelers and executives in mind, and the hotel now truly reflects the city of Boston's standing as a world-class destination known for its rich history and modern innovations."

New high-end amenities include STRIP by Strega, a 5,700-square–foot, high-energy steakhouse concept by Boston-based restaurateur Nick Varano; DavidBartonGym and Cyc Fitness Boston - a 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center that includes complimentary gym access for hotel guests, plus an array of paid fitness classes; and an on-site FedEx Business Center offering guests the convenience of premium printing, packing and shipping from the hotel's Mezzanine Level. Additionally, in late 2016, Starbucks will open a signature 2,500 square-foot store, and Leica Camera will occupy over 3,000 square feet with a Leica Store and a Leica Gallery, both within the hotel lobby. Through the renovation, Boston Park Plaza has also gained an additional 6,000 square feet of fully-renovated professional meeting and pre-function space, bringing its grand total to 50,480 square feet. Boston Park Plaza's storied ballroom has also been fully updated to feature a stunning new charcoal and ivory palette.

Designed by Sudbury, Mass.-based Parker Torres Design, Inc., Boston Park Plaza now evokes a youthful, innovative and international vibe that complements the hotel's iconic architectural elements. The new lobby of the Boston Park Plaza boasts a sophisticated gray and white color palette, dramatic floor-to-ceiling columns encased in ceramic, new flooring, adjustable LED lighting, and sleek guest check-in stations designed to create a more intimate experience between hotel staff and guests. Located within the renovated lobby area is Off The Common, Boston Park Plaza's new restaurant and lounge, which offers a sophisticated and contemporary setting to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, light bites and hand-crafted libations. Designed to satisfy the needs of many, Boston Park Plaza's newly added library room can act as the ideal shared workspace and reading area, or simply serve as an inviting place to visit with friends.

As guests enter the hotel's revitalized guestrooms and suites, which boast all-new lighting and much-improved acoustics, they'll be welcomed by a handsome, tailored and chic palate of charcoal, caramel and camel tones that complement all-new stone-topped wooden cabinetry, custom upholstered headboards, and warmly-hued carpeting. Adding a crisp, fresh touch to the highly-appointed guestrooms are completely renovated bathrooms featuring white tile surrounds, custom vanities, over-sized mirrors and large porcelain tile flooring. As a nod to Boston Park Plaza's iconic design details, each room's crown molding has been fully refinished in order to preserve signature elements that pair with the hotel's new smart and sophisticated appearance. Additional technology enhancements to each guestroom include the addition of Smart TVs with streaming capabilities via SoniCast (powered by Chromecast), which allows guests to sync their mobile devices to the TV and customize their video content.

Since purchasing the property, Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. has performed a series of renovations to repair and restore all structural elements, which includes replacing the hotel's roof; repairing the exterior façade; replacing sidewalk surrounds; replacing the hotel's signature two-story decorative windows; modernization of the elevator systems; and the installation of a state-of-the-art HVAC system that provides individual climate control for every guestroom, meeting space and common area.

Boston Park Plaza has also been hand-selected by Preferred Hotels & Resorts to be the newest experience available within its Lifestyle collection. Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest independent hotel brand that represents more than 650 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. The Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection represents premier global properties that offer engaging stays and memorable moments.

Boston Park Plaza is managed by Highgate, a premier hospitality investment and management company whose growing portfolio includes more than 100 properties in gateway cities worldwide.

Global Connections, Inc. Receives Five TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence Awards

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OVERLAND PARK, KS – June 21, 2016– Travel industry leader Global Connections, Inc. (GCI), has announced that five of its resorts have received TripAdvisor’s® Certificate of Excellence.

Beso del Sol (Dunedin, FL), Lodge by The Blue (Breckenridge, CO), Sea Shells Beach Club (Daytona Beach, FL) and White Oak Lodge and Resort (Gatlinburg, TN), all owned by GCI, are recipients of the prestigious award.  Bamboo Beach Club (Clearwater Beach, FL) which is managed by the GCI property management division, received the coveted Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence as well.

Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience. 

Dave Dawson, Vice President Acquisitions and Development of GCI said “as a developer we couldn’t be more proud that four of our wholly owned properties and one that we manage earned such accolades.  The resorts themselves are wonderful vacation spots and the hospitality and service that our members and guests receive is always top notch.  Awards such as these reinforce that we are doing our utmost in providing excellent vacation experiences.”

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and timeliness of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

Elavon and Ariane Systems Now Offer a Fast, Secure Check-in/Check-out Experience for Guests

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Elavon’s Simplify security software to integrate with Ariane’s kiosk and online hotel services

Atlanta – June 21, 2016 Elavon, a leading global payments provider and subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), has been chosen by Ariane Systems, a world leader in self-service check-in/out technology for the hospitality industry, to provide its Simplify security solution to Ariane’s more than 3,000 hotel customers in 25 countries.

“Adding integration with Elavon for our online and kiosk check-in is an innovative addition to our self-service solutions, and our U.S.-based customers are demanding more security,” said Jeff Councilman, COO of Ariane Systems in North America.


Elavon’s Simplify payment software allows the hotel property management system (PMS) to securely accept EMV cards, contactless payments such as Apple Pay™ and other forms of electronic payments. At the same time, Elavon’s solution keeps card information safe with layers of security technology via EMV card acceptance, encryption and tokenization.

For in-person, kiosk card acceptance, Simplify encrypts and isolates card data, protecting consumers and hotel owners alike. Simplify has the ability to accept EMV chip cards from all major brands, mobile wallets (including Apple Pay, Android Pay™ and Samsung Pay) and traditional magnetic stripe cards, providing guests with a full range of payment options.

Ariane Systems also will make use of Elavon’s Fusebox gateway, which supports integrated token technology for Ariane’s customers who offer eCommerce and mCommerce transactions. This means that guests paying with their smart phones or online will be protected with multiple layers of security.


“Today, consumers are accustomed to paying and reserving hotel stays in ways that fit their preferences,” said Simon James, senior vice president of strategic customer solutions for Elavon. “Working with Ariane Systems allows us to offer hotel guests a unique payment experience, while ensuring customer cardholder data is secure.”

To learn more about Elavon, visit www.elavon.com or @elavon. To learn more about Ariane Systems please visit www.ariane.com.

Eleven Enhances Central Authentication Wi-Fi Platform to Further Engage and Reward Guests

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Flexible authentication includes integrations with brand loyalty CRM systems, property management systems, and social databases to help hotel brands deliver seamless connectivity and engaging, branded Wi-Fi experiences.

6/21/16, Portland, Ore. – At HITEC 2016, Eleven, the industry’s pioneer in cloud-based guest Wi-Fi management software, announced new features and integrations for its ElevenOS central authentication platform. With central authentication becoming a key component of every hotel brand’s Wi-Fi strategy, ElevenOS is the trusted hospitality guest Wi-Fi management platform delivering flexible authentication options and pre-built integrations with leading network hardware and hospitality guest information systems for over 14 years.

Identify and Reward Loyal Guests
ElevenOS sets the standard for central guest Wi-Fi authentication across devices and properties within a hotel brand. Flexible and secure sign-on options include name/room number, group or conference codes, and now social credentials like Facebook and LinkedIn to make it easy for guests to get connected. Hotel brands can now link Wi-Fi analytics with social profiles and valuable property management system (PMS) data to recognize loyalty members and understand their preferences to reward them with free or premium Wi-Fi and engaging content.

Deliver Seamless Wi-Fi Connectivity with HotSpot 2.0
The most significant trend in hotel guest Wi-Fi is the shift to delivering secure, automatic connectivity without captive portal pages. Major hotel brands want to reward loyalty members with a consistent and seamless Wi-Fi experience across all their properties in the world. This shift presents substantial challenges as hotel brands grapple to create consistency across disparate systems, providers, and locations. The ElevenOS platform integrates with leading network hardware and leverages the Wi-Fi Alliance Passpoint™ HotSpot 2.0 specification to deliver once-in-a-lifetime authentication and fully-encrypted connectivity for a great guest Wi-Fi experience.

“Today’s connected guest wants an effortless, automatic connection to Wi-Fi every time they interact with a hotel brand anywhere in the world,” commented Andrew Yorra, chief strategy officer at Eleven. “Eleven has been providing guest Wi-Fi management software built for the hospitality industry for nearly 15 years. We understand how critical central authentication is to the brand’s Wi-Fi strategy. With guests spending less time interacting with hotel staff and more time connecting with the brand via their mobile devices, effortless and secure connectivity is quickly emerging as an invaluable member benefit of brand loyalty programs to drive guest satisfaction and future bookings.”

Monetize Wi-Fi—Even When It’s Free
Multi-lingual, engaging brand portals can be easily created in the ElevenOS content management system. The user-friendly interface enables brands to define templates for each of their flags, while providing designated areas for property personnel to connect with guests to promote onsite amenities and local services – creating revenue opportunities while adding value to the overall guest experience. While basic Wi-Fi is becoming a must-have free amenity, ElevenOS makes it easy for brands to offer tiered Internet plans to upsell to faster speeds or add more devices. Secure payment can be made via bill to room or credit card with ElevenOS’ integration with over 100 credit card gateways worldwide.

Transform How Groups and Families Collaborate
ElevenOS Conference Manager enables event planners to manage the conference or group Wi-Fi experience through a simple web interface to create custom network names, private networks and guaranteed bandwidth for large and small meeting groups. ElevenOS personal network (PAN) capabilities makes it easy for groups or families to securely connect their devices to each other while remaining private from other guests. Through secure 802.1x authentication, hotels can easily allow servers, printers and other devices onto the network to enable video conferencing, printer sharing and connection to other IP enabled devices.

“Wi-Fi isn’t just about connecting devices anymore. It’s about connecting people to your brand. Global central authentication creates a simple way to identify loyalty members and connect them effortlessly to the network to engage them with free or premium Wi-Fi plus other onsite and local services,” said Don Semmler, former EVP of Global Brands at Marriott and currently owner, developer and operator of Marriott affiliated Boutique Hotels. “I am pleased to see Eleven take the lead in helping major brands evolve their Wi-Fi strategies to include effortless connectivity to create rewarding guest Wi-Fi experiences at every interaction with the brand.”

Leverage Existing Infrastructure to Support Front and Back of House Operations
As a pure cloud platform, ElevenOS integrates seamlessly with properties’ existing network hardware to deliver robust guest W-Fi without replacing onsite hardware. The ElevenOS platform has pre-built integrations with leading network hardware from Nomadix, Cisco (Meraki and Aironet), Ruckus, HP and RGNets, and more. ElevenOS also integrates with property management systems such as Oracle OPERA, Oracle FIDELITY Cruise, Galaxy, and others. Through these integrations and partnerships with leading network integrators, Eleven makes it easy for hotel brands to deliver consistent, reliable and compelling guest Wi-Fi across all of their properties.


Concord Hospitality Opens Newly Built Hampton Inn & Suites in Pittsburgh Suburb of Robinson Township

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) Hampton by Hilton brand, the global mid-priced hotel that serves value-conscious and quality-driven travelers around the world, today announced the opening of its newest property, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport South-Settlers Ridge. The 100-room hotel joins the Hampton by Hilton family of Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton hotels. Located at 5000 Campbell's Run Road, the hotel is managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport South-Settlers Ridge is nearby popular area attractions including Pittsburgh International Airport and one of city's premier shopping outlets, The Mall at Robinson. Visitors can also catch a Pittsburgh Steelers or Panthers football game at Heinz Field, a hockey match at CONSOL Energy Center or a live concert at First Niagara Pavilion. A complimentary shuttle provides service within a three-mile radius.

"We are very happy to spread Hamptonality to such a lively area as Settlers Ridge," said Ashlee Kleber, general manager. "With our comfortable guest rooms and hot breakfast, guests will be able to have a relaxing place to stay and a lot less to worry about while they enjoy shopping and dining or local popular sports and concert attractions."

The hotel provides guests a fresh start to each day with On the House hot breakfast, which includes eggs, oatmeal and waffles. In addition, the hotel provides Hampton's On the RunTM Breakfast Bags filled with a multi-grain bar, an apple, an artisan breakfast bread loaf and a bottle of water with a flavor packet for those guests on the go, available Monday through Friday.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport South-Settler's Ridge also offers amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center with complimentary printing, a 792 square foot meeting space that can accommodate up to 50 people, a heated indoor pool and a fitness center. Each guestroom includes high-quality amenities including the brand's signature Clean and fresh Hampton bed®, LCD TV and coffeemaker. Inviting suites are also available, offering additional space, a wet bar and a comfortable sleeper sofa.

Designed as an extension of the guestroom with a variety of seating and lighting options for both leisure and business travelers, the new hotel features the Perfect Mix Lobby. Within the lobby guests can find Suite Shop, a food and beverage shop filled with snacks, toiletries, local merchandise and drinks for purchase. Each guest is guaranteed to be satisfied with every stay, or they don't pay, and that's the 100% Hampton Guarantee®.

"We look forward to providing an exceptional experience to each of the guests of Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport South-Settlers Ridge, and we are proud to welcome Pittsburgh's newest hotel into the Concord family," said Mark Laport, Concord's President & CEO.

Hampton by Hilton team members proudly exhibit a unique culture described as Hamptonality. This term describes each hotel's approach to friendly customer service and anticipation of guests' needs and providing travelers with helpful suggestions about area attractions, historical facts and fun things to do around town. Hampton by Hilton hotels are infused with local photography and artwork, highlighting each property's connection and support to its own community.

For more information or to make reservations, please visit Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport South-Settlers Ridge or call +1 412 788 4440. 

Read more about Hampton by Hilton at www.hampton.com and news.hampton.com.

Royal Lodging Set to Open New 96-Room Fairfield Inn & Suites in Alexandria, Louisiana

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Alexandria, LA – July 15, 2016 – The 96-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Alexandria, Louisiana is scheduled to open this Monday, July 18, 2016 with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 2830 South MacArthur Drive, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Alexandria will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Royal Lodging, LLC of Alexandria, Louisiana. This is the first Fairfield Inn & Suites in the area to feature the brand’s new design and décor, which enhance the guest experience through flexible features, and a warm and welcoming environment.

Located three miles from the Alexandria Zoo and eight miles from Alexandria International Airport, the hotel offers guests convenient access to the Alexandria Museum of Art and Kent Plantation. 

“Delivering both function and comfort, our new design and décor elevate the Fairfield brand, setting a new standard in the moderate tier category,” said Shruti Buckley, vice president and global brand manager, Fairfield Inn & Suites. “At Fairfield Inn & Suites, we provide an easy, positive and productive travel experience, as well as the promise of consistent and reliable service at an exceptional value. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Alexandria is a truly stunning example of the brand’s contemporary new look and feel, and we are pleased to introduce Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels in the Alexandria area.”

From the moment they arrive, guests are welcomed by the hotel’s modern, bright new design features, including an updated exterior with a signature tower, a curved porte-cochere and an inviting glass entrance that ushers them into the hotel. Once inside, guests experience the hotel’s open public space featuring natural light and views throughout the lobby to connect the indoors with the outdoors. Consistent with the Fairfield brand’s heritage of great service and a warm welcome, guests are greeted by associates who can easily move from behind the angled front desk to interact and answer questions.

In the lobby area, guests can choose to be productive, relax or enjoy breakfast or a snack in a modern and flexible environment featuring a vibrant, natural color palette of greens, blues and oranges. The spacious lobby gives guests ample connectivity options, as well as a “connect and print” area that offers both standing and seated Internet stations. Guests can also unwind in the lobby’s inviting living area ― whose focal points include a natural stone hearth, organic-shaped sofa and lounge chair, and unique local features — or they can grab a drink or snack item from the 24/7 Corner Market.

The breakfast area’s signature farm table provides a central gathering place where guests can watch television, meet up with colleagues or get work done. In the morning, guests can enjoy complimentary hot breakfast, choosing from oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes and other healthy items, such as fruit, yogurt, and whole grain cereals and breads.

The signature “smart” room décor warmly welcomes guests into a comfortable, productive and restful environment. Flexible and functional, the guest room includes a well-designed work area, an ergonomic chair, task lighting and electrical outlets where guests need them. A curved, mobile desk enables guests to create their own work space, while also optimizing their television viewing.

Inspired by nature, the hotel’s thoughtfully designed rooms and suites place the living and working area near the window to allow for more natural light and views. Building on this natural design, the room décor features organic patterns and fresh colors, blending wood tones with bright pops of color. The new design also places the sleeping area toward the middle of the room, helping to give guests a better night’s sleep on plush mattresses, as well as easier access to the bathroom and wardrobe. The bright, spacious living area also offers a comfortable couch, refrigerator, coffeemaker and microwave.

Additional hotel amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, an exercise room, valet laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as fax and copy services. The hotel also offers 1,100 square feet of space to accommodate functions of up to 70 people.

Downingtown, Pennsylvania Welcomes New 115-Key Home2 Suites by Hilton Downingtown-Route 30

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DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. - Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) industry-first All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Downingtown-Route 30. Offering 115 new suites, the hotel is designed for travelers looking for a fresh, new stay experience.

"We are proud to open our 8th hotel in the Philadelphia suburbs. Our new hotel offers guests spacious suites in a convenient location that will appeal to travelers who want to be comfortable and cost-conscious," said Clarke Blynn, Gulph Creek Development. "From our value-added amenities like complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi, to personalized service, guests will find our hotel to be a perfect choice whether they are with us for a night or extended stay.

Owned by Gulph Creek Development and managed by Gulph Creek Hotels, Home2 Suites by Hilton Downingtown-Route 30 provides all-suite accommodations featuring fully-equipped kitchens and modular furniture allowing for guests to personalize their room. The hotel also features easy access to technology with complimentary Internet, inviting community spaces, and trademark Home2 Suites amenities such as Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area and Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items.

Guests can enjoy the Inspired Table, a complimentary breakfast that includes more than 400 potential combinations. The property also has an indoor saline pool and outdoor grill and patio area. Most Home2 Suites properties are also pet-friendly.

Conveniently located at 975 East Lancaster Avenue in Ashbridge Commons, Home2 Suites by Hilton Downingtown-Route 30 is within walking distance of Palace Bowling & Entertainment, Urban Air Trampoline Park, P.J. Whelihan's Pub and Restaurant and several shopping and dining options.  Guests can also explore Longwood Gardens, Ice Line and the United Sports Training Center within a short drive from the hotel.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Downingtown-Route 30 participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® on the same stay and No Blackout Dates on reward stays. HHonors members always get our lowest price with our Best Price Guarantee, along with HHonors Points, digital check-in and no booking fees only when they book directly through Hilton. For more information or to make reservations, please visit Home2 Suites by Hilton Downingtown-Route 30 or call +1 610 873 1200.

Read more about Home2 Suites by Hilton at www.home2suites.com and news.home2suites.com.

Travel Stock Slump Deepens as France Suffers Another Attack

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Investors are dumping travel and tourism stocks again as yet another terror attack on a popular European destination threatens to deter visitors.

French hotel chain Accor (ACRFF), discount airline easyJet (ESYJY) and tour operator Thomas Cook all fell by more than 3% on Friday as investors hit the sell button again following an attack in Nice, France, that killed 84 people.

It was the third major terrorist attack in France -- which earns more tourist dollars than any other European country -- in the last 18 months.

U.S. stock markets have been hitting new record highs this week, and European indexes have rallied this month, but shares in the majority of big airline and travel companies are deeply in the red for the year. 

For the rest of the story please visit:
http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/15/news/companies/france-nice-attack-travel-stocks-flights/ 

Secluded Island Resort to Undergo Renovations and Reopen as Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island in Late 2017

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Desroches Island Developments Limited and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, today announced that Four Seasons will manage the only resort offering on the remote tropical island of Desroches in the Seychelles. After undergoing extensive renovations, the existing property will re-open in 2017 as Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island.

On the outer edge of the Indian Ocean’s archipelago, Desroches Island is located among the Amirantes Islands, a 35 minute flight (240 kilometres/150 miles) southwest of Mahé, the capital and largest island in the Seychelles. Boasting 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) of pristine white-sand beaches, lush coconut groves, crystal clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, the island is a remote and tranquil oasis just five degrees south of the equator.

Featuring 40 exclusive beach suites and 11 private residence villas, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island will be one of the company’s most intimate properties. With direct access to unspoiled beaches and the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the Resort’s suites will also feature private plunge pools, tropical gardens and luxurious outdoor living spaces.

Says Ali Albwardy, Chairman and Founder of Albwardy Investment and Chairman of Desroches Island Developments Limited, “The Seychelles has always held a special place in my heart and has been a favourite holiday destination for our family for many years. I fell in love with Desroches from the first moment that I set foot on the remote, unspoiled and beautiful island, and knew immediately that Desroches would perfectly complement Four Seasons Resort Seychelles in Mahé. Bringing Four Seasons to an outer island is a culmination of my own dreams, as well as a great legacy and accolade to the Islands Development Company (IDC), who are entrusted with preserving and promoting this piece of paradise. We look forward to many years of sunshine and success as we partner with the IDC to create something magical on an already magnificent island.”

“This is an exciting opportunity to extend our presence in the Seychelles and build on our successful partnership with Albwardy Investment, the owner of several Four Seasons properties around the world,” says J. Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles in Mahé is one of the most desirable resorts in our global portfolio, and we look forward to deepening our commitment to this important destination with the addition of a second property,” continues Smith. “Together with Desroches Island Developments Limited we are creating something unique and special on Desroches Island, a true island hideaway that delivers the highest standards of quality and the most genuine and personal service - the markers of a Four Seasons stay the world over.”

The Resort will feature two restaurants and a lounge bar, providing an array of exciting food and beverage offerings in a casual, beachfront setting. For guests looking to relax and rejuvenate in the island’s untouched tranquillity, the Resort will also feature an expanded six-suite spa offering locally-inspired treatments and wellness classes. The glass-like waters of the Indian Ocean and surrounding reefs also make for world-class diving, fishing, snorkelling and water sports, while the inland forests and coconut trees provide picturesque paths for cycling and hiking. For guests looking to explore the many natural wonders of the Indian Ocean, the island will also include a Marine Conservation Discovery Centre and Giant Tortoise Sanctuary.    

The second Four Seasons property to open in the Seychelles, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island will join the company’s exclusive collection of island resorts in destinations including the Maldives, Mauritius, Koh Samui, Hawaii, Bali, and Bora Bora.

Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate Promotes Robert Stanfield to Managing Director

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ORLANDO, Fla. (July 15, 2016)– Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Stanfield to managing director. Stanfield possesses an extensive hospitality background and unparalleled knowledge of the industry. His promotion comes at a momentous time in the resort’s 12-year history as it undergoes significant enhancements. As managing director of Omni Orlando Resort, Stanfield will be responsible for the strategic direction of the luxury resort, managing the resort’s day-to-day success, overseeing all operational aspects of the 720-room property, and ushering in an exciting new era in the resort’s history.

 Stanfield joined Omni Hotels & Resorts in 2013 as director of operations for Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate and shortly after was appointed to resort manager. Stanfield advanced to general manager in 2014, a position he held until this recent promotion. “Robert’s outstanding record of management success and strong knowledge of the brand make him the ideal choice for this position,” said Stephen Rosenstock, executive vice president of operations of Omni Hotels & Resorts. “We are pleased to wish him much success in his newest role with the company.”

 An experienced hospitality veteran boasting more than 25 years of hotel management experience, Stanfield has achieved great success as an established leader in the industry. Stanfield joined Omni Orlando Resort from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. and Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. where he severed as vice president of food & beverage, lowering employee turnover by 50 percent and growing guest service and employee satisfaction scores over a three-year period. Since joining Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Stanfield’s leadership skills and tactics have directly resulted in consistent high guest satisfaction ratings.

He also worked at several Hyatt properties, holding a number of positions including director of operations at Hyatt Regency Coral Gables in Miami, Fla., food & beverage director at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport and senior food & beverage director at Grand Hyatt Washington, D.C., among others.

Stanfield will oversee a new chapter in the resort’s 12-year heritage, as Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate breaks ground for an extensive $40 million enhancement project. The luxury golf resort and spa’s significant expansion includes: 10,000 square feet of additional pool deck and recreational space, installation of Orlando’s only resort wave pool, a new property villa building and a redesign of Trevi’s Restaurant that will include an outdoor garden terrace and bar. The project will also include the addition of 81,000 square feet of expanded event lawn and conference center space, a destination-wedding venue and Marketplace Restaurant in the Osceola County Conference Center, as well as enhancements to the resort’s two Greg Norman-designed International and National golf courses. Upgrades further establish the resort as an all-in-one luxury reprieve for families and groups alike, bringing unprecedented resort amenities to the ChampionsGate area.

An upscale, yet relaxed AAA four-diamond golf resort and spa, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate reflects understated elegance, sensible luxury and natural beauty. The resorts boasts two championship Greg Norman-designed golf courses, the world headquarters of the Leadbetter Golf Academy, three outdoor heated pools, an 850-foot lazy river, a full-service Mokara spa, eight regulation soccer fields and more. The resort also features seven diverse, taste-tempting dining experiences, from savory sushi and sake at Zen, to divine bourbon, crafts and cuts at David’s Club.

Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate consistently delivers a sophisticated, individualized luxury experience that discerning travelers have come to expect from Omni Hotels & Resorts. A departure from the fast-paced life, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate offers a remedy for vacation fatigue and “tourist overdose” – relaxation. For more information on Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, call (407) 390-6664 and visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/orlando-championsgate.

Kirk Jones Promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Benchmark Hospitality International

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The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 15, 2016 … Alex Cabañas, chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality International®, has announced that Kirk Jones has been promoted to chief financial officer of the recognized global leader in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers.  The company’s Benchmark Resorts & Hotels-brand portfolio merged with Gemstone Hotels & Resorts this past Monday, bringing the total number of properties managed to 58.  Mr. Jones was previously senior vice president of finance for Benchmark Hospitality.

"On behalf of our newly joined management team, I congratulate Kirk on this well-deserved promotion to lead the finance and accounting functions of our growing company,” said Mr. Cabañas.  “Kirk was instrumental in the merger of Gemstone and Benchmark, and will lead the integration of our finance teams with a keen focus on business intelligence and improving the financial skills of all managers and department heads.”

“The merger of Benchmark’s and Gemstone’s portfolios represents an enormous professional opportunity for our combined management team,” stated Mr. Jones.  “My promotion is a harbinger of wonderful opportunities to come for many of our employees.  At 8000 rooms and 10,000 employees, we are in an important space for internal professional development and advancement as we integrate the two leadership and employee teams together, and move toward future growth.”

Kirk Jones joined Benchmark Hospitality International in the spring of 2015.  He brought with him an extensive professional background in international hospitality financial management.  He has previously held positions such as executive vice president of finance for Capella Hotel Group, a company with a portfolio of independent and branded properties across the globe.   He has also held property and regional financial leadership positions within several branded hotel companies, including Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites.

This past May, Kirk Jones was honored with the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award, presented by the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.  He earned his Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Cleveland State University.  Mr. Jones resides in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston. 


Interstate Hotels & Resorts Appoints Three Key Sales Executive Positions

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ARLINGTON, Va., July 15, 2016 -- Interstate Hotels & Resorts – the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company – is proud to announce the promotions of Emily Lynn as senior vice president, global and strategic accounts and Sherry Serio as senior vice president, sales and marketing; and the appointment of Patrick Beron as senior vice president, sales and marketing. Serio and Beron each have executive regional roles in the full-service hotel division. Together, all three sales professionals provide a wealth of knowledge in sales and marketing, furthering Interstate's commitment to growth as a world-class sales organization.

With a 20-year tenure at Interstate, Emily Lynn began her career at a hotel restaurant, working her way up through operations and front office to revenue management and ultimately as director of sales and marketing. In June 2011, Lynn was promoted to vice president, global sales and strategic accounts for Interstate, building the Company's Strategic Accounts department from the ground up, leading her team and creating a competitive advantage unparalleled to other management companies. Lynn consistently demonstrates skill as a successful sales leader, expanding major account relationships and growing revenue contribution to Interstate's hotels by more than an 80 percent increase this year.

An industry veteran, Sherry Serio brings to her role as Interstate's senior vice president of sales and marketing the knowledge and background of pre-opening activation, residential components and increasing property awareness. In this role, she will be responsible for leading the sales and marketing efforts for a portfolio of luxury independent and premium-branded hotels owned by leading private and publicly-traded real estate investment companies. Prior to joining the Interstate team in 2013 as vice president, Serio held the role of director of sales and marketing at the W on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and previously held positions with Marriott, Starwood, Nikki Beach Hotels and Trump Hotels & Resorts.

Patrick Beron, a veteran sales and marketing professional, returns to Interstate bringing his comprehensive experience as a sales and marketing leader in hospitality to his role as senior vice president, sales and marketing. Beron worked with Interstate early in his career as a director of sales, and has most recently acted as vice president of sales and marketing for Millennium Hotels in New York City. Previously, Beron held several regional sales and corporate leadership positions with Wyndham Worldwide, as well as other management companies.

"The appointments of Emily, Patrick and Sherry represent the momentum elevating Interstate Hotels & Resorts to a leading position within the hospitality industry," said George Brennan, Interstate Hotels & Resorts' executive vice president of sales and marketing, "Their commitment and success will span into their new roles, and we look forward to their continued growth and leadership with Interstate."

Known as the global leader in the hotel management industry, Interstate's relationships and knowledge result in an expansive management team and unmatched talent strength of over 30,000 associates worldwide. Interstate's hospitality professionals translate valuable resources and accumulation of knowledge to drive success at every hotel.

For more information on Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit www.InterstateHotels.com.

Six Ways Cities Are Changing How They’re Perceived

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By Natalie Holmes

Cities are becoming increasingly innovative in their quest to attract visitors and residents, and to stimulate the local economy—giving rise to a number of initiatives that aim to draw the eyes of the world.

“Competition among cities is greater than ever thanks to increased global mobility and connectivity,” says Jeremy Kelly, Director of Global Research at JLL. “City leaders are being forced to pay more attention to building stronger city identities, whether by improving branding or adding new functions in order to compete globally. For example, many cities are establishing themselves as convention hubs or developing their cultural offer in order to attract visitors, business and investment. Reputation can also play a key role and some cities have to work harder than others to change international perceptions.”

Here are six ways cities are looking to boost their profile and enhance their reputation.

1. Pop-up roadshows

As part of a wider trend that sees destinations as brands, cities have started leveraging the pop-up format to market themselves both domestically and abroad. The Pop into Berlin project takes the German capital on tour across Europe, stopping at major cities such as Madrid, Munich and Warsaw. The initiative takes over a small space in each destination, and features Berlin-made products, special guests and even a club night, with the aim of promoting the city’s unique creative spirit.

Running in parallel is a Pop-up-Lab, which visits four German cities and invites visitors to discover a cross-section of Berlin’s unique offer, from science and culture to music and food through interactive installations. Elsewhere in Germany, the Ambassade Bremen-Oldenburg brings a taste of those cities to Groningen across the border in the Netherlands via a six-week-long program of concerts, events and workshops.

2. Capitals of Culture

The European Capital of Culture initiative was launched in 1983 and has since seen cities across the continent profit from the additional exposure the status has wrought. Designed to highlight the cultural richness of a destination, the project has benefited cities such as Liverpool in the UK, which saw visitor numbers increase by 34 percent, and generated £754 million for the economy, according to a five-year research report. This year it’s the turn of San Sebastian in Spain and Wroclaw in Poland.

3. Hosting major sporting events

From Beijing to Barcelona, London to Cape Town, hosting a major sporting event such as the Olympics or Football World Cup can be a huge boon to a city, not only in view of initial investment, but also longer-term reputation. “London 2012 helped move London forward and put it back into people’s minds as a real cultural capital of the world,” says Katie Kopec, JLL’s Director of Development Consultancy, of the Summer Olympics held in the British capital. “It also acted as an anchor for the regeneration of the east of London that has changed the city’s commercial focus.”

4. Convention center destinations

As cities become better connected and more accessible through improved transport links and evolving technology, a growing number are starting to make their mark on the corporate calendar as conference destinations. Previously overlooked cities such as Hamburg and Lyon in Europe are moving out from under the shadow of their more famous country capitals. Meanwhile, capital cities in emerging destinations are also growing in popularity, from Abu Dhabi in the UAE to Copenhagen in Denmark. As competition heats up between these cities to create enticing mixed-use convention centers they raise their profile among business travellers to encourage them to stay or return as tourists.

5. Finding a unique selling point

Austin, TX was a small, little-known metropolis back in 1987 when the now-famous South by Southwest music and culture festival (SXSW) launched. Today it’s the USA’s fastest growing city and welcomed over 45 million visitors in 2014. As the status of SXSW grew, so did that of its host destination, to the point where Austin can leverage that weight as a genuine unique selling point. Meanwhile, Nashville is known as Music City, drawing country music fans from far and wide – not to mention the prime time US TV series Nashville which is set in the city.

6. Innovation hubs

Innovation hubs are springing up across the world in cities such as Auckland in New Zealand or Dublin in Ireland. They incorporate a mix of startups, tech firms, incubators, and education centers. These hubs draw in bright, tech savvy workers and are creating well-connected and highly dynamic communities that prioritise walkability, sustainability, and quality of life. As a result, innovation hubs draw in both talent and investment, helping to repopulate an urban core formerly given over to commercial space, or breathe fresh life into a periphery. It’s not just established cities that are embracing innovation, emerging cities such as Hyderabad in India, Shenzhen in China and Nairobi in Kenya are also building their reputation as tech and innovation centres to secure their position on the world stage.

5 Ways to Make Customers Feel Good

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By Katie Scheer

The factor that has the highest impact on the impression of a buying experience is how the customer feels they are being treated. Understanding the importance of this is essential for all businesses because it is what is needed in order to build loyalty.  So let's amp up our customer service by making all of our customers feel VALUED and GOOD!  5 easy ways, with supporting tips, to make this happen:

BE RESPONSIVE

  • Make it easy to do business with you.
  • Be quickly available by phone, email, and on social media.
  • Always do what you can to proactively handle expressed (and unexpressed!) needs.
     

ACTIVELY LISTEN

  • Allow opportunities for customers to give feedback, including through a form on your website and via surveys.
  • Be attentive to verbal and nonverbal cues so you can respond in the best way.
     

SHOW EMPATHY

  • Take the time to walk in your customer’s shoes so you can better understand them.
  • Respect what they are feeling and become a problem solver.
     

PRACTICE HONESTY

  • Delivering the truth is always the best policy; it creates trust.
  • Sharing unpleasant news is better received when done so using a genuine tone and sincere message.
     

SAY "THANK YOU"

  • Always acknowledge how you appreciate your customers' business, no matter the size of their purchase.
  • Do this in a meaningful way by saying it in a heartfelt manner. 
     

Valued customers who feel good doing business with you are your loyal customers. Due to this, implementing the above 5 is well worth the effort to make your customers feel important. With each positive impact you make on a customer, you will be rewarded. You gain not only their business, but also their referrals and a reputation that precedes you.

TJM Properties Names Tiffany Gallagher General Manager of The Crowne Plaza Syracuse

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Atlantic City, NJ, July 2016-----TJM Properties, a leading Florida-based real estate and hospitality company, has named Tiffany Gallagher general manager of its newest hotel property, The Crowne Plaza Syracuse. The appointment is part of TJM's ongoing expansion into the area of hospitality management. The company has purchased three new hotels in the past eight months in Central New York, Pennsylvania and Mississippi and appointed seven new general managers, sales executives, financial controllers and specialists in the area of Human Resources, Engineering and Information Technology.

In her new position, Ms. Gallagher will be responsible for all operational and marketing aspects of The Crowne Plaza Syracuse. Purchased by TJM Properties in May of 2016, the hotel serves a growing number of business and leisure travelers and is a popular venue for corporate meetings and special events.

Prior to her appointment, Ms.Gallagher was general manager of Syracuse's largest hotel and conference center complex, including two hotels, The Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Conference Center. She began her hotel career as director of Sales & Catering at the Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool. In 2009, she was appointed general manager of the Holiday Inn Ithaca in downtown Ithaca, NY, a demanding market serving Cornell University, Ithaca College and the New York Finger Lakes Wine and State Park Region.   

Throughout her career, Ms. Gallagher has shown strong commitment to the Central New York tourism and business communities. She currently serves on the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Board of Directors, Center State CEO Board of Directors, the Visit Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and is president of the Greater Syracuse Hospitality and Tourism Association. She has also served on the Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Planning Board and as Vice President of Special Events for Downtown Ithaca's business improvement district.

"Tiffany brings an in-depth knowledge of the Central New York market and a proven record of strong leadership and civic involvement," says Cem Erenler, TJM's vice president of Hotel Operations & Business Development. "As we move forward with our plans for the Crowne Plaza Syracuse and other properties, her experience and commitment to excellence in hospitality will be an enormous asset to the TJM team." 

Davidson Hotels & Resorts to Manage Integrated Capital’s Recently Acquired 341-Room Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center

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ATLANTA, July 19, 2016 -- Davidson Hotels & Resorts is excited to announce the addition of the 341-room Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center to its growing portfolio.  Integrated Capital LLC, a private real estate advisory and investment firm, which has acquired or developed assets with a total capitalization of more than $500 million since its founding in 2004, is the new owner.

The 16-story Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, originally built in 1976, has been completely reimagined through $23 million in recent renovations. Integrated Capital will make a significant additional investment to create an outstanding sense of arrival, including a full exterior modernization, physically elevating the hotel to its fullest potential.

"With the current acceleration of the Perimeter area, we're excited to be managing a hotel in the new epicenter of the city, proximate to the U.S. headquarters or regional super-campuses for Mercedes-Benz, State Farm Insurance, Newell Rubbermaid, First Data, Cox Enterprises and UPS, just to name a few," said John Belden, president and chief executive officer of Davidson.  "Exercising the perfect blend of institutional discipline and entrepreneurial savvy, Integrated Capital will leverage Davidson's local knowledge and Marriott's renowned demand distribution systems in creating an exciting new chapter for the Perimeter Center hotel.  Through the Marriott/Starwood combination, over 1/3 of our portfolio now resides under the Marriott umbrella of brands, including two with Integrated Capital."

"As we continue to expand our hospitality assets, the Perimeter Center hotel presents a great opportunity to reposition a well-located property and significantly enhance the business by making dramatic improvements in the guest experience," stated Kenneth Fearn, managing partner for Integrated Capital. "Davidson has an exemplary record of success in the full-service, upper-upscale and near-luxury segments, and we trust they will maximize our asset value in the Marriott through their relentless pursuit of quality."

Capitalizing on the trend of communal living, the hotel features a southern-inspired Greatroom, offering an engaging setting for work, play or entertainment.  The hotel also offers over 18,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, an indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center and exceptional culinary experiences in the Twisted Oak Restaurant.

A thriving destination, the Perimeter area encompasses the largest suburban office concentration in the Southeast and one of the fastest-growing residential, shopping and dining concentrations in the city.  Perimeter is serviced by four MARTA rail stations, including one within steps of the Marriott, making access throughout the city both easy and inexpensive.  Guests can walk to one of the largest malls in the Southeast and the hotel is in close proximity to leading attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, the World of Coca-Cola, a museum showcasing the history of The Coca-Cola Company, and the new stadiums for both the MLB Atlanta Braves and the NFL Atlanta Falcons.

Davidson Hotels & Resorts, along with its lifestyle and luxury operating division, Pivot Hotels & Resorts, is one of the most respected, successful and creative lodging companies in the industry, specializing in branded and lifestyle hotels in the full-service and premium urban select-service segments.

For more information about Davidson Hotels & Resorts, visit www.davidsonhotels.com

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