by Stanley Turkel, CMHS

The history of Pinehurst began in 1895, when Bostonian James Walker Tufts, wealthy owner of the American Soda Fountain Company, purchased 5,800 acres of ravaged timberland in the sand- hills of central North Carolina. This land once held a flourishing pine forest that had been cut and deforested for its turpentine and building supplies.  Tufts originally developed Pinehurst as a health resort for patients recovering from tuberculosis.  After much of the construction had been completed, Tufts learned that tuberculosis was contagious and was forced to turn his new community into a leisure resort instead.

Tufts hired the land planning firm headed by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of Central Park and Prospect Park in New York and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.  By the end of 1895, Tufts had completed a general store, dairy, boarding house, more than 20 cottages and the Holly Inn.  The Pinehurst Hotel opened in 1901 and became the center of such activities as riding, hunting, polo, lawn bowling, archery, bicycling and tennis.

Golf came to Pinehurst when Dr. D. Leroy Culver designed a rudimentary nine-hole course.  In 1899, Pinehurst's first golf professional, John Dunn Tucker, was hired to add an additional nine holes to create Pinehurst's first 18-hole layout.  Then, in 1900, Tufts hired Donald J. Ross, a young Scottish golf professional, who remained at Pinehurst until his death in 1948.  Ross built a reputation as one of the foremost golf professionals and course architects who ultimately designed more than 400 golf courses throughout the North American continent.

Over the years, many other sports have hosted championships at Pinehurst including the U.S. Tennis Clay Court Championships, the U.S. Croquet Championship and the World Lawnbowling Championship.  Today, Pinehurst is a quintessential resort encompassing three historic hotels, a wealth of recreational activities, and 2,000 beautiful North Carolina acres.  Set in one of America's only National Landmark Districts, Pinehurst's wide verandas, walking trails and bucolic pathways wind through a scenic New England-style village.

In 2002, the new Spa at Pinehurst was one of the first spas in the South to receive the Mobil Four-Star spa designation.

The eight Pinehurst golf courses feature 144 golf holes and some of the best golf facilities in the world.  Most of the greatest players have played Pinehurst: Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Glenna Collett Vare, Babe Didrickson, Patty Berg and Louise Suggs.  Pinehurst's No. 2 has been the site of the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup Matches, the 1962 and 2008 U.S. Amateur Championships; the 1989 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, the 1991 and 1992 TOUR Championships, the 1994 U.S. Senior Open, and the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open Championship. 

The Pinehurst Resort is a Four-Star, Four-Diamond full-service property that includes valet parking, bell staff, concierge, business center and meeting facilities.  It is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

My Five Published Hotel Books

•  Great American Hoteliers: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry (2009)

During the thirty years prior to the Civil War, Americans built hotels larger and more ostentatious than any in the rest of the world. These hotels were inextricably intertwined with American culture and customs but were accessible to average citizens. Stephen Rushmore writes in the Foreword: “Drawing from more than 40 years of industry experience including managing some of the largest New York City hotels, Turkel captures the spirit of each of these pioneers and relates their achievements to important lessons that we can learn from.”

• Built To Last:  100+ Year-Old Hotels in New York (2011)

These thirty-two featured hotels have defied the passage of time for a variety of reasons, many explicable, some beyond explanation, all miraculous. Bjorn Hanson, Ph.D. writes in the Foreword: “Stanley Turkel is unique in his passion about the history of the United States lodging industry; he pursues and shares this passion by compiling information about great hoteliers and hotels for articles, updates for his clients, and this, the second of his two hotel books.”

• Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels East of the Mississippi (2013)

All the eighty-six hotels featured in this book have unique and singular stories describing their creation, survival and revival. The book contains eighty-six antique postcard illustrations and a Foreword by Joseph McInerney, President and CEO Emeritus of the American Hotel & Lodging Association: “Stanley Turkel is one of the best writers I know at capturing our history – the “old” – and infusing it with new life and relevance.”

• Hotel Mavens: Lucius M. Boomer, George C. Boldt and Oscar of the Waldorf (2014)

Hotel Mavens tells the interesting stories of the following pioneers and the hotels they built and operated:

• Lucius Boomer, one of the most famous hoteliers of his time, was Chairman of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Corporation.
• George C. Boldt who was the genius of the original Waldorf-Astoria. It was said of him that he made innkeeping a profession and, more than any man, was the creator of the modern American hotel.
• Oscar of the Waldorf was the superstar of his time and one of the stalwarts who managed both the original and the current Waldorf-Astoria.

Sam Roberts in the New York Times wrote:

"Nostalgia for the city's caravansaries will be kindled by Stanley Turkel's 

"Hotel Mavens: Lucius M. Boomer, George C. Boldt and Oscar of the Waldorf".

The fact-filled book by Mr. Turkel, an industry consultant, explains, among other things, the history of the hyphen (recently excised) in the name of the Waldorf Astoria, which inspired a mid-block street and even a song."

•  Great American Hoteliers Volume 2: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry (2016)

Lawrence P. Horwitz, Executive Director, Historic Hotels of America, writes in the Foreword: “This book is an excellent history book with insights into seventeen of the great innovators and visionaries of the hotel industry and their inspirational stories.”

These important and largely unknown biographies include Stewart William Bainum, Curtis Leroy Carlson, Cecil Burke Day, Louis Jacob Dinkler, Eugene Chase Eppley, Roy C. Kelley, Arnold S. Kirkeby, Julius Manger, Robert R. Meyer, Albert Pick, Jr., Jay Pritzker, Harris Rosen, Ian Schrager, Vernon B. Stouffer, William Cornelius Van Horne, Robert E. Woolley and Stephen Allen Wynn.

All of these books can be ordered from AuthorHouse by visiting www.stanleyturkel.com and clicking on the book’s title.

Attorneys Take Note:
For the past twenty-four years I have served as an expert witness in more than 40 hotel-related cases.

My extensive hotel operating experience is beneficial in cases involving:

• hurricane damage and/or business interruption cases
• slip and fall accidents
• wrongful deaths
• fire and carbon monoxide injuries
• franchisee/franchisor disputes
• management contract disputes
• hotel security issues
• dram shop requirements
   

Don’t hesitate to call me on 917-628-8549 to discuss any hotel-related litigation support assignments.

The Hyatt House brand’s first New York Ciy hotel opens in Manhattan’s famed Chelsea neighborhood 

NEW YORK (May 15, 2017) – Hyatt and Lexin Capital, as developer and owner, are pleased to announce the debut of Hyatt House New York/Chelsea, a 150-room extended-stay hotel situated at the center of Chelsea’s historic Flower District. The 30-story new-build property is the first Hyatt House hotel to open in New York City. The hotel provides the comforts of home with contemporary touches including floor-to-ceiling windows, loft-like guestrooms, custom furniture pieces, apartment-style kitchen suites, abundant outdoor space, and sweeping views of the city’s skyline. The hotel is perfect for travelers on a quick New York City getaway or business trip, as well as those looking for a premium extended-stay experience. 

“We are thrilled to open our doors, inviting travelers from around the world to experience the first-ever Hyatt House hotel in New York City,” says Metin Negrin, founder and president of Lexin Capital. “Our urban interpretation of the Hyatt House brand will meet the needs of today’s sophisticated traveler. We went to great strides to create a hotel that is comfortable, intuitive and welcoming.” 

“We are proud to serve as the operator for the Hyatt House brand’s first New York City property,” said Ben Seidel, president and CEO of Real Hospitality Group. “This dynamic hotel aligns itself seamlessly with the vibrancy of Chelsea. The location, within close proximity to historic landmarks like the Empire State Building, transportation hubs of Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, and attractions like Madison Square Garden, makes the hotel an ideal location for travelers coming to Manhattan for business or pleasure.”

Design and Guestrooms

Nestled at the corner of 6^th Avenue and 28^th Street, Hyatt House New York/Chelsea was designed by Nobutaka Ashihara Architect PC. The hotel showcases a strong, vertical expression complemented by clean lines and a glossy, slender facade standing 30 stories high. The exterior design is inspired by the many vertical structures in Manhattan. A soft limestone color contrasted with light blue tinted glass achieve a sense of harmony, creating a striking blue look to the exterior. 

Ranging from 270 square feet to 510 square feet, the hotel’s 150 spacious guestrooms feature studio and one-bedroom configurations, with 74 rooms featuring kitchenettes complete with stainless steel appliances. All rooms are furnished with a refrigerator and a microwave oven. Guests can also enjoy comfortable furnishings, plush couches, 43-inch or larger flat panel televisions and dedicated workspaces. The beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows found in every guestroom allow for natural light to pour in, providing striking views of Manhattan’s skyline. Select one-bedroom suites feature private balconies. An understated color palate consisting of chocolate soft gray and ivory hues, are complemented with floral artwork throughout all guestrooms, evoking themes of Chelsea’s Flower District. 

Communal washers and dryers, as well as 60 connecting units for families and groups, are also available for those on an extended stay, further providing the comforts of home. The property’s 18 one-bedroom suites feature their own in-room washer/dryer units as well as pull-out sofa beds in separate living room areas in select rooms. 

A standout design element of Hyatt House New York/Chelsea is its 30^th floor open-air rooftop recreational area featuring striking views of Manhattan including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and the Statue of Liberty. The 800-square-foot area is for guests to lounge and take in the city’s sights; it may also be rented for private events of up to 50 people. The 30^th floor also features a 24-hour indoor fitness center.

Dining

Numerous food and beverage options are on the hotel’s second floor at the H BAR, a centralized gathering space that offers guests the complimentary Morning Spread featuring the brand’s signature build-your-own Omelet Bar and assorted Breakfast Breads + Bowls Bar with steel-cut oatmeal, fresh fruit and more, along with vegetarian and gluten free options. In the evenings, the H BAR transforms into an intimate setting with delicious home-cooked comforts as well as creative cocktails, beer and wine. The H BAR can also be rented out for mid-day events and functions. The 1,400 square foot lounge space located on the hotel’s second floor features city views and can accommodate groups up to 75 people. 

The 24-hour H MARKET, which is located on the ground floor, is accessible for everyday items including gourmet groceries, fresh salads, snacks, and sandwiches, in addition to “ready meals.” With the hotel’s Very Important Resident (VIR) program, House Hosts provide complimentary grocery shopping service and stock kitchens with preferred items for extended-stay guests. The ground floor will feature 2Beans, a high-end chocolate and espresso shop, expected to open this month. 

In early summer 2017, the hotel will debut a 1,300-square-foot outdoor space on its 11^th floor. This space will provide guests and locals alike an intimate spot above bustling 6^th Avenue featuring light bites as well as a lengthy cocktail, wine and beer list. This space can also be booked for semi-private events. 

The 2017 rates at Hyatt House New York/Chelsea start at $329 per night and go up to $2,900 per night during peak season. For more information, please visit newyorkchelsea.house.hyatt.com, or follow Hyatt House New York/Chelsea on Facebook or Instagram. 

NEW YORK—May 15, 2017—RD Management LLC, one of the nation’s largest privately held real-estate development and management organizations, announced today the opening of Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgewater in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Owned by RD Management and developed in partnership with XSS Hotels, the 133-room, newly-constructed hotel offers guests quality accommodations with value-added amenities. The hotel with be managed by Colwen Hotels.

Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgewater is part of Hilton's Hampton by Hilton brand, the global mid-priced hotel known for providing travelers with superior customer service. Located at 1277 Route 22 West, the hotel is conveniently situated off I-287, one mile west of Bridgewater Commons Mall in a Class A office environment that is densely populated with major pharmaceutical companies. Guests can get to and from the Newark Airport in 40 minutes and use the hotel’s shuttle service to visit local points of interest.

“At RD Management, we’re very invested in our five hospitality assets across the country, and this recently opened Hampton Inn & Suites is no exception,” said Richard Birdoff, principal and president of RD Management. “We’re proud of our partnerships and efforts alongside Hilton, XSS Hotels, and Colwen Hotels to debut a brand new, amenity-filled hotel that will provide residents, business travelers, and visitors with a comfortable lodging option in Bridgewater.”

The hotel offers amenities such as an indoor heated pool, fitness center, dynamic meeting space, a 24-hour business center, free hot breakfast, an on-site lounge and bar, a 24-hour snack shop, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Each guestroom includes a 50-inch HDTV, free in-room movie channels, a coffeemaker, microwave, mini-refrigerator, work desk, and plenty of charging spots for devices. Larger guest rooms provide sofa sleepers, and the suites feature a living area with a wet bar.

Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgewater is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 14 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors’ members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels save time and money and gain instant access to benefits, such as an exclusive member discount and a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay.

Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgewater is one of 21 properties owned by RD Management in New Jersey. The company’s national portfolio consists of more than 150 properties spanning the hospitality, mixed-use, retail, office, residential, self-storage, senior/student housing, industrial, and government sectors.

Those interested in learning more about RD Management’s hospitality assets can contact Susan Griffin at (860) 670-1131 or griffins8@comcast.net.

Colorado real estate investor expanding hospitality portfolio with 123-room hotel located close to Denver International Airport 

DENVER, COLO. — May 15, 2017 — McWHINNEY, a Colorado-based real estate investor and developer with expertise in mixed-use, commercial, multi-family and hospitality assets – is pleased to announce that it recently expanded its hospitality portfolio with the acquisition of the 123-room Hyatt House Denver Airport Hotel.

Denver’s Sage Hospitality will manage the property. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Located just a short distance from Denver International Airport, the extended stay Hyatt House Denver Airport hotel features 123 contemporary and spacious guest rooms featuring pillow-top Hyatt Grand Beds and fully equipped kitchens. Hotel amenities include more than 1,000 square feet of meeting space, a heated indoor pool and hot tub, an outdoor grilling area and patio, a 24-hour Fitness Center and complimentary airport shuttle service.

McWHINNEY has been expanding its presence in the hospitality segment with several high-profile projects, including:

·      The Crawford Hotel at Denver Union Station – Denver, Colorado

o   McWHINNEY is a member of the Union Station Alliance, which oversaw the $54 million redevelopment of Denver Union Station, including the award-winning 112-room Crawford Hotel.

·      The Maven Hotel at Dairy Block – Denver, Colorado

o   McWHINNEY, Grand American Inc. and Sage Hospitality are redeveloping a prominent downtown Denver block in the historic Lower Downtown district (LoDo) into Dairy Block, a mixed-used redevelopment anchored by The Maven Hotel, a 172-room independent hotel that opened in late March 2017.

·      Courtyard by Marriott at Centerra – Loveland, Colorado

o   McWHINNEY announced earlier this month that it is partnering with Stonebridge Companies to build a new 101-room Courtyard by Marriott at Centerra, McWHINNEY’s award-winning master-planned community located in the heart of Northern Colorado in Loveland.

·      The AC Hotel Portland Downtown – Portland, Oregon

o   Opened earlier this year, McWHINNEY and Sage Hospitality co-developed a 13-story Marriott-branded hotel in the heart of downtown Portland that features 204 contemporary guest rooms.

·      The Elizabeth Hotel - Fort Collins, Colorado

o   McWHINNEY is currently co-developing The Elizabeth Hotel with Sage Hospitality, which will open later this year with 164 new hotel rooms.

McWHINNEY - which celebrated its 25^th anniversary last year - is committed to launching new lifestyle communities, developing vibrant mixed-use places and crafting new retail concepts for local residents, employees and visitors to connect with and enjoy. For more information, please visit www.mcwhinney.com.

Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Mississauga/West developed by Great Lake Hotels Inc., has opened its doors in Mississauga, Ontario. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard’s latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 290 Derry Road, the 125-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Great Lake Hotel Inc. and managed by Crescent Hotels and Resorts of Fairfax, Virginia.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Toronto Mississauga/West offers guests convenient access to Hershey Centre, the CN Tower, Mississauga Convention Centre and the Rose Theatre. 

Rajesh Kumar owner of Great Lake Hotels Inc., has taken the finest details into consideration in the beautiful six-story hotel.  Offering 5,200 square feet of superb meeting/event space to accommodate functions of up to 350 people including a Ballroom with floor to ceiling windows and stunning views of the ravine and green space, truly a unique and refreshing space for any event. Additional amenities include a dedicated bridal suite, an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa, fitness center, guest laundry and indoor parking.

Courtyard constantly researches trends and evolves to meet the changing needs of its guests. The latest room design offers hybrid zones for working, sleeping, relaxing and getting ready. Indirect lighting and a neutral, tone-on-tone color palette makes for a soothing and calm environment.

“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to business travelers,” said Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager, Courtyard. “Today’s technology has changed how people travel. Our guests want a room that has purpose and flexibility that enables a seamless transition between relaxing and working. Courtyard is designed to offer them a relaxing and functional space to work the way they want to, when they want to.”

The new room design is intuitive and thoughtful, offering flexible yet comfortable spaces that enable technology. Upon arrival, guests can store bags on the “Luggage Drop” and plug personal devices into the “Tech Drop” ledge for seamless technology integration.

Signature furniture and architectural elements replace traditional art in the new guestroom. The “LoungeAround” sofa offers a pop of color and a comfortable area for relaxing or for working. The new design also features a light desk on wheels, allowing guests to work from anywhere in the room.

An upgraded, more spacious layout creates an enhanced bathroom experience. A “Shower Nook” housing shampoos and towels, makes amenities accessible without having to leave the shower. The Courtyard Toronto Mississauga/West also offers the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and bright area outside of their rooms. Along with media pods, complimentary Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. The lobby also features The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect®, offering casual, flexible seating; easy access to food and high quality, healthy menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, cocktails, wine and beer so guests can unwind.

Throughout the hotel, guests can connect with ample electrical outlets. The business library features several computer terminals, along with a printer and separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Green has been Courtyard’s signature color since Marriott launched the brand 30 years ago. Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal are conveniently located by side exits.

BOSTON, Mass. – May 15, 2017 – The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common, a AAA Five Diamond hotel that offers guests a variety of dining and cocktail options including the award-winning Artisan Bistro and Avery Bar, recently announced that Robert Bruce has been appointed the hotel’s new executive chef. In this role, Chef Robert will oversee all of the hotel’s food and beverage programming including menu creation and execution for some of Boston’s most high-profile events, galas and weddings hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston.  He’ll also create and implement seasonal menus favoring local farmers and growers for Artisan Bistro and Avery Bar.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Robert to The Ritz-Carlton, Boston and look forward to sharing his internationally influenced style of cooking with our guests,” said Tim Terceira, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton. “His passion and unique culinary inspiration and sense of adventure, not to mention his travels abroad, will bring a new level of creative cuisine to the hotel.”

Most recently, Chef Robert served as Executive Sous Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas for three years where he oversaw all culinary operations for the award-winning resort.  Prior to St. Thomas, Chef Robert was the Banquet Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai from 2012 to 2014.  Additional culinary experience with The Ritz-Carlton brand includes working in the kitchens of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay from 2006 to 2012 where he was Chef de Partie in Banquets and Garde Manger, prior to his promotion as Garde Manger Chef.  Chef Robert began his Ritz-Carlton career with The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn following his work as Lead Cook at The Country Club of Detroit and Five Lakes Grill in Michigan.  Educated at School Craft College in Lavonia, Michigan, Chef Robert holds an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences, Culinary Arts.

Chef Robert’s passion for cooking began early with family parties in his home celebrating a rich Italian heritage where homemade pasta, meatballs and cannolis were often served.

From there, travels throughout the Middle East and Europe expanded his palette while fashioning a global approach to cuisine.  Says Bruce, “I was struck by the quality of what you would call street food. From Prague to Istanbul to Dubai, I found that the most incredible food was distinctly local, cooked by the locals. The presentation was far from fancy, but the taste and quality were unforgettable and that’s stayed with me ever since.”

Bruce is a proponent of, in his own words, “simple food done right—perfectly executed dishes with uniquely memorable flavors that highlight a short list of ingredients.  You don’t need a million components in a dish. But what you put on the plate should be perfect and it should have a reason for being there.”

Influenced by his mentor Executive Chef Xavier Salomon of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, Chef Robert infuses local flavors into his menus in such a way that diners can experience and enjoy an authentic taste of the local destination.  As a recent transplant to Boston, that’s why he looks forward to “working with local farms, dairies, meat and seafood purveyors in order to showcase their local products to Ritz-Carlton guests.” Menu specials, however, are likely to incorporate a bit of Caribbean flair and flavor from his time spent in St. Thomas.  The jerk seasoning in the Caribbean is out of this world, he adds, and he would love to incorporate that somehow into dishes featured in Artisan Bistro.

In his leisure time, Chef Robert loves to travel and experience new cultures. He’s also no stranger to the slopes and enjoys every opportunity to ski, so looks forward to skiing the East coast.  Chef Robert treasure time spent out of the kitchen with his wife and fourteen-month-old daughter.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 15, 2017) – Eric Horodas, President of Greystone Hotels, announces the appointment of Scott Ostrander as General Manager of Hotel Griffon. With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ostrander brings leadership experience and a dedication to service to his new role within Greystone Hotels. Most recently, Ostrander served as General Manager of The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center.

“The Hotel Griffon is an incredible property, and I am thrilled to join this talented team,” said Ostrander. “I look forward to bringing my experience to the Bay Area and continuing to offer our guests the high level of service that defines the Greystone brand.”   

Ostrander has managed hotels, resorts, and country clubs throughout the country over his impressive career. Prior to starting with Greystone, Ostrander held the position of General Manager at Cedarbrook Lodge & Spa in Seattle, The McCormick Scottsdale in Arizona, and Warwick Denver Hotel in Colorado.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Ostrander began his hospitality career as a part-time bellman in high school. Working his way up within the industry and earning a reputation as an engaging and energetic leader, Ostrander remains passionate about serving guests and working alongside dynamic employees. Moving to San Francisco for the opportunity to join Greystone Hotels, Ostrander is excited to settle into his new role and take in all that the Bay Area has to offer. In his free time, Ostrander enjoys golfing, traveling, sports, and experiencing new restaurants.

ATLANTA (May 15, 2017) – The St. Regis Atlanta, an unparalleled in-town resort located in the elegant enclave of Buckhead, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sheila Buciuman as the new director of operations.  Sheila joins The St. Regis Atlanta with more than a decade and a half of experience in luxury hotels.  She will oversee the rooms and food and beverage operations, contributing to the legacy of extraordinary service at the five-star hotel. 

Sheila has spent the majority of her career with The Ritz-Carlton, a luxury brand of hotels under Marriott International, which recently added St. Regis to its upscale portfolio.  She began her career as a diamond receptionist at the world-renowned Waldorf Astoria, acting as a front office associate, as well as managing the day-to-day experiences of Hilton Honors Diamond members.  In 2005, Sheila transitioned to south Florida, where she assumed the role of front office agent at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach and was promoted to assistant front office manager after a year.  With her evident passion for customer service and strong leadership skills, she was once again offered a promotion, accepting the role of front office manager after only a year in the position.  Two years later, she became the assistant director of housekeeping before moving north to Georgia and undertaking the position of director of housekeeping at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. 

In November 2011, The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead extended an opportunity to Sheila to become the assistant rooms executive.  She then attained her first executive committee position as the executive assistant manager of the rooms division in 2014, overseeing the complete rooms operations for two and a half years.   In this role, she directed the operational excellence of the rooms division, increasing guest engagement and profitability for the 510-room luxury hotel, including the Spa and Club Lounge.  During her tenure at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, guest engagement scores reached an all-time high despite the property undergoing lengthy and invasive renovations.  Under Sheila’s leadership, the rooms division and Spa achieved their all-time highest profitability since the opening of the hotel in 1984. 

“Sheila’s proven track record of guest and staff engagement, as well financial results within the luxury market, will lend to her success in her new role as director of operations,” said The St. Regis Atlanta’s General Manager Guntram Merl. 

Combining timeless sophistication with an unrivaled dimension of luxury, the AAA Five Diamond St. Regis Atlanta is redefining elegance and setting a new standard of service in Atlanta.  The 26-floor development features 151 luxuriously-appointed guest rooms and suites, 53 residences, more than 16,000 square feet of contemporary meeting and event space, world-class culinary options, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, an exquisite 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza and Poolside Café & Bar, and a 7,800-square-foot Remède Spa.  Located in the exclusive Buckhead community, The St. Regis Atlanta is ideally situated within walking distance of Atlanta’s finest specialty shopping, restaurants, art galleries and landmark corporations.

The St. Regis Atlanta is located at Eighty-Eight West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta.  For reservations or more information, please call (404) 563-7900 or visit http://www.stregisatlanta.com/.

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will present the Vanguard Award for Lifetime Achievement in Revenue Management to Dr. Sheryl Kimes and honor three hospitality revenue management leaders as Revenue Management Professionals of the Year at its upcoming Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) Americas on Wednesday, June 28 in Toronto, Canada.

Yira Segarra, CRME, director of group and function space revenue management, Loews Hotels is the 2017 Corporate Revenue Management Professional of the Year. Two individuals have been named Single/Multi-unit Revenue Management Professionals of the Year—Tim Kayser, CRME, area director of revenue management, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa and Jennifer Mooney, CRME, senior regional revenue manager, CSM Lodging. The awards are co-presented by Rainmaker. 

“Yira, Tim, and Jennifer have set themselves apart as bold, decisive leaders in a field that is constantly evolving. We can look to these Revenue Management Professionals of the Year for inspiration as we explore novel approaches to optimizing revenue,” said Bob Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI.

HSMAI will honor Dr. Sheryl Kimes, professor at and former dean of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, with the Vanguard Award for Lifetime Achievement in Revenue Management, for her achievements and contributions to the hospitality industry and revenue management discipline.

“Sherri is a passionate advocate who has helped executives recognize the tremendous value of revenue management—even when the discipline was still in its very early stages” said Bob Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “We are thrilled to honor her with this award celebrating her far-reaching contributions to our profession.”

The Vanguard Award honors revenue management professionals who have been true innovators in the field of pricing and revenue optimization in the hospitality industry. It recognizes individuals who have dedicated a significant portion of their careers to this facet of the industry and have made substantive, enduring contribution to the betterment of the revenue management profession, over the course of their careers.

Dr. Kimes has published over 50 articles on revenue management in leading journals, and consulted with many hospitality enterprises around the world, but most notably, her research has defined and established the business practice of hotel revenue management. In 1989 she came out with the first definition of the strategic levers of revenue management (price and duration), defining the field and helping the industry identify strategies for driving revenue. In the 1990s she championed the process of implementing revenue management programs in “non-traditional” outlets with her work in restaurant revenue management, continuing through function space, golf, and spa.

A Menschel Distinguished Teaching Fellow with nearly 30 years at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration to her credit, Dr. Kimes has been also been a visiting professor of decision sciences at the National University of Singapore School of Business. She was the first to offer a class in yield management, which is now taught at many of the leading hotel programs around the world. Dr. Kimes’s consulting work has helped major global organizations build revenue management programs, cultivate revenue management leaders, and grow revenue.

Nominations for Vanguard Award for Lifetime Achievement in Revenue Management and the Revenue Management Professional of the Year Awards come from HSMAI chapters and the industry at large, and nominees represent the very best in revenue management. Nominees are judged by a panel of revenue management leaders on a variety of criteria.

These awards will be presented at the HSMAI Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) Americas, an annual event where hotel revenue leaders convene for education, collaboration, and innovation.

For more information about ROC visit the conference webpage.  To interview an HSMAI spokesperson about the event and the award honorees, please contact Andrea Bomar at abomar@hsmai.org.

InvoTech Linen System Maintains Quality Control and Reduces Operating Costs for New NYC Hotel

Los Angeles, CA - May 16, 2017 - InvoTech Systems, Inc. announces its new system installation at LUMA Hotel Times Square, recently opened in Times Square, New York. InvoTech Systems, Inc. increases profitability for clients by providing systems for efficient operations. InvoTech is a leading provider of software management and control systems for uniforms and linens, and laundry operations. Click here for more information on InvoTech Systems.

LUMA Hotel Times Square uses the InvoTech RFID Linen System to manage their high-quality guestroom linens. The hotel has approximately 15,000 linen items for the 130 well-appointed guestrooms. The hotel will use a RFID Laundry Cart Reading Station with an easy-to-use touch screen monitor that instantly identifies and counts linens in laundry carts. The system functionality allows LUMA Hotel Times Square to automatically track linens to and from the laundry. This eliminates the daily task of physically separating the different types of linens and then hand-counting and manually-recording. LUMA Hotel Times Square uses Portable Handheld RFID Readers with InvoTech Mobile Software will be used to maintain the linen storerooms at optimum inventory levels.

“The InvoTech Linen System allowed us to take control of our linen inventory and account for every high-value item when delivered by the linen provider at our warehouse. Our linen investment and our guests are very important to us, so it is important for us to know our daily inventory levels and laundry activity” said Kate Martin, General Manager at LUMA Hotel Times Square.    

LUMA Hotel Times Square benefits from InvoTech’s extensive experience implementing their Linen System for hotel grand openings. InvoTech ensures that all of the linens are accounted for and tracked from day one. InvoTech coordinates for the linens to be delivered with a washable RFID tag already inserted into each piece. InvoTech’s onsite installation and training services are provided for the staff so that clients obtain the maximum ongoing cost saving benefits.

InvoTech’s clients include Madison Square Garden, Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida, MGM Resorts International, Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott, Hilton Hotels, Loews Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, and the Empire State Building. International clients include LEGOLAND Dubai, Venetian Macau; MGM Macau; MGM Cotai; Park Hyatt Sydney, Australia; Perth Arena, Australia; Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Korea; Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore; Systematic Laundry, Singapore; Genting Malaysia; and Palace Resorts and Palace Laundry, Mexico.

Predicting the Future in Hospitality, Charlestowne Brings History Back to Life

Charleston, SC – May 16, 2017 – Charlestowne Hotels, a full-service hospitality management company, brings creative expertise and a bespoke management style to the adaptive reuse market, opening five boutique hotels repurposed from historic structures and landmarks in the next year.

This new set of managed properties further expands the Charlestowne Hotels portfolio geographically, advancing their industry leadership for transforming historic facilities into lifestyle-oriented boutique hotels. A diverse range of properties, each hotel is derived from an original piece of history, including a midcentury bank building, nine guest houses dating back to 1790 and a former steel foundry that supplied George Washington Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate. Observing how current consumer trends now favor a more localized and curated travel experience, the Charlestowne team is at the forefront of this industry niche, presenting guests with the next iteration of experiential travel.

“Historic adaptive reuse projects allow us the unique opportunity to positively influence a city’s growth while also defining a hotel brand from the ground up,” says Michael Tall, president and chief operating officer of Charlestowne Hotels. “These new properties give us the opportunity to fill a void: travelers are looking for accommodations that extend well beyond the cookie-cutter mold while developers are looking for management companies that are skilled in providing a desired rate of return in this space. With these adaptive reuse projects we can flex our creative muscles, managing and operating unique hotels that retain the nuances of the local destination to offer a piece of living history.”

The restoration and development of historic boutique properties is a passion point  for Charlestowne Hotels, and plays to the brand’s strengths for managing lifestyle hotels. Honing in on adaptive reuse properties, Charlestowne Hotels is focused on providing accommodations that mirror the local culture and deep-seated history of a destination without sacrificing the luxury touchpoints and service levels that are expected of an upscale hotel. Known for a tailored management approach, Charlestowne views each lifestyle property as an opportunity to tell an exclusive and unique story. Simultaneously, Charlestowne Hotels provides the on-site hotel team with designated internal support systems in marketing, revenue management and operational controls that would normally be expected in a chain hotel environment.

“Charlestowne Hotels stands out for their longstanding experience in the lifestyle boutique hotel space, driven by an unrivaled dedication to authenticity and an astute focus on developing properties with a strong brand identity,” says David Tart, managing partner of Encore Lodging. “Navigating the complex intricacies of adaptive reuse properties, Charlestowne utilizes a curated, hands-on management approach for each individual hotel that captures the destination’s story, preserving and enhancing the visitor experience.”

With the management of these five new hotel properties, Charlestowne Hotels plays a major role in the growth of adaptive reuse lodging developments across the country. With each opening, the team aims to provide discerning travelers with a greater range of unexpected, exceptional and experiential accommodation options that also meet the desire for immersive, localized travel.

Current adaptive reuse properties in development include:

The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens (Opened March 1, 2017): The first luxury accommodation of its kind in St. Augustine, FL, The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens comprises an entire block on the edge of Old Town and features a set of nine buildings repurposed from historic homes dating back to 1790, including seven guest houses, The Well Bar and General Story lobby building – each with museum-quality décor from the Dow collection of antiques on display. Complimentary guest programming includes historic tours of the grounds three times a week, a mixology program, and bicycles for city exploration.

Fairlane Hotel (Opening Fall 2017): Located in the hub of downtown Nashville, TN, the Fairlane Hotel will open as an 82-room boutique property repurposed from a midcentury bank building. Boasting original modernist architecture and design details harking back to the 1960s and 70s, the Fairlane will include an all-American restaurant and bar, lobby café, and two rooftop penthouses with outdoor terrace space for unmatched views of Music City.

The Bristol Hotel (Opening Spring 2018): Transformed from the notable Executive Plaza which dates back to 1925 in downtown Bristol, VA, the eight-story, 65-room boutique Bristol Hotel will revitalize the city center as a new destination point, offering direct access to the city’s most prominent landmarks such as the adjacent Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

Hotel Clermont (Opening Winter 2017): Set in one of Atlanta’s most dynamic and colorful midtown sections known as Poncey Highlands, Hotel Clermont will open as a 94-room boutique hotel with a rich and fascinating history. Originally built in the 1920s, the famous Clermont Lounge will continue to be a tenant, while new hotel updates will include the introduction of a restaurant featuring French-American fare, an intimate lobby bar and rooftop garden bar overlooking the Atlanta skyline. 

The Foundry Hotel (Opening Spring 2018): A historic restoration of the former steel foundry which transformed Asheville, North Carolina into the epicenter of Southern Appalachia, The Foundry Hotel will combine three historic buildings to create a stunning 92-room boutique hotel and restaurant in the heart of the city. A notable highlight, much of the steel produced from the original foundry was used to construct George Washington Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate – the largest residence built in the U.S. Paying homage to these historic ties, the new hotel property will include a number of local artifacts and design elements that retain the building’s original character.

By Georges Panayotis

In any love story there is that balancing point where each individual has the feeling of sharing a single plenitude, wherein there is no desire to take advantage of another's weakness. In life and business alike this quest for balance feeds discussions between partners; sometimes they are discreet, other times they are more tumultuous, as love stories are wont to be.

Over the ages, relations between hotel operators and owners, franchisers and franchisees, operators and distributors have been supported by balances of power and a regular shifting of this balancing point. Long after their American counterparts, today French franchisees want to shift the balancing point to implement governance of brands that takes their concerns better into account.

While the primary motivation remains an equitable sharing of commitments and associated costs, today we are beyond simple economic reasoning. There is now a political dimension, in the sense of the "government of the city", motivating the franchisees, perhaps a bit late, but better later than never...

Let's be clear, for many years, franchisees rarely complained about a situation that was mostly to their advantage. Within an expanding hotel market, with moderate supply growth, the contribution of the brand, of its attributes, of its commercial strength have fulfilled entrepreneurs big and small, who have modeled a good share of the modern hotel industry. Then they were confronted with the evolution of models, caught between groups with a generally vertical strategy, preferring operational management, organic development, marketing innovation; on the other hand groups focusing on asset light, franchise development, brand marketing and distribution tools; and especially the irruption of mega online distributors that charge the high price for their near stranglehold on digital marketing and digital channel.

Anesthetized by the initial benefic effects of the intervention of OTAs, hoteliers have taken their time to notice perverse effects. Accustomed to comfort, a dash of paternalism, relations with their franchisers, franchisees did not take care to organize themselves as a credible and efficient opposition. That is the purpose of their quest for balance today. Nothing requires it to be conflictual, quite the contrary, everything aims to make it constructive.

In the United States, the three major organizations of owners/franchisees (AHLA, AAHOA, NABHOOD) are powerful, respected and constructive counterpoints. They represent nearly all operators - both individual and institutional, without the limitations of groups or brands, and are able to enter discussion with major brands with full transparency of the contracts of each. Nothing can be done without shared consensus, but the combined strength of owners and hotel groups makes it possible to be heard at the highest levels, regarding strategic questions, such as distribution and the sharing economy.

Is this totally inconceivable in France? Is the syndrome of division and individual chapels stronger than the common interest and the quest for a new balance? This deserves some rapid thinking and setting aside of dissensions and egos because time is short and the landscape will undoubtedly be upset once again in the months to come. The late organization of franchisees is an opportunity to snatch up and demonstrate imagination and develop new, efficient and lasting governance. And why not take advantage of it to make the initiative European, as the subject also affects Europe.

AccorHotels and the FCDE (Fonds de Consolidation et de Développement des Entreprises) today announce that they are in exclusive talks about acquiring 100% of the latter’s minority interest in Groupe Noctis.

Laurent de Gourcuff, Groupe Noctis’ Chairman, CEO and majority shareholder, established the company in 2008 and has since grown it into a key player in the hospitality market covering three segments, namely events, catering and entertainment. It has almost 800 employees and a collection of exclusive venues in Paris, wider France and abroad. It treats its French and international customers to a choice of upscale and emblematic venues (Monsieur Bleu, Loulou, Pavillons des Etangs, YOYO, Château de Longchamp, Raspoutine, Castel, etc.), and organizes over 3,000 events a year.

The FCDE invested €11 million in Noctis over 2013 and 2014, to help it roll out its strategically important events business, in particular through acquisitions, enabling it to grow into one of the key groups in its market and build one of the most remarkable asset portfolios in Paris. Over the past four years, it has grown revenues by 250%.

It has signed agreements to open about 10 new venues including Restaurant Girafe (Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, Paris 16), Electric (Porte de Versailles, Paris 16), Compagnie 1837 (Saint Lazare train station, Paris 9), the rooftop restaurant at 52 Champs-Elysées (Paris 8). These projects will cement the group’s position in the hospitality market and rank it among the leading entertainment companies in Paris.

By investing in a top-tier Paris-based events, catering and entertainment specialist, AccorHotels is cementing its leadership in the City of Lights, a prominent destination for international and local customers seeking original and exclusive venues.

Through this strategic partnership, Noctis will be able to tap into AccorHotels’ unrivaled expertise in creating customer experiences, nurturing loyalty and providing top-of-the-range services with a personal touch for increasingly discerning clients – in particular to address French and international business clients’ requirements.

The operation under consideration will be submitted to employee representatives for consultation.

Laurent de Gourcuff, Groupe Noctis Chairman, CEO and founder: “The fact that the FCDE invested in our equity encouraged our business and financial partners, helped us transform our governance, added a more professional edge to our group’s management and opened the door to bank financing. The FCDE has been a very valuable partner for an entrepreneur such as myself, and has played a pivotal role in our development strategy’s success.  

Now we’re starting a new, decisive chapter in our story, with AccorHotels’ investment in our equity. It’s the best partner to team up with to push ahead with our bold development plans, and we’ll be able to share a leading group’s expertise in serving upscale customers and extract synergies with their various business lines. We are very proud to be associated with AccorHotels, which, under the leadership of its President and CEO Sébastien Bazin, is pursuing a bold, demanding and ambitious strategy.”

Amélie Brossier, Member of the Board, CDG (the FCDE’s management company): “The market is consolidating and is increasingly dominated by a handful of strong players, and public authorities have kick-started several large-scale projects to promote Paris on the international scene. Laurent and his team have been rolling out their strategic vision to build Groupe Noctis in the midst of those trends and shown that they have sharp flair when it comes to spotting new, trendy celebration venues. The fact that we are signing this partnership agreement with AccorHotels today shows that this strategic vision, which the FCDE has been supporting since 2013, is the right one.”

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, AccorHotels: “We’re very excited about teaming up with Groupe Noctis, which has come to rank among the leaders in a fiercely competitive environment in only a few years. It’s more than an enviable address book: Laurent de Gourcuff and his teams have built a portfolio of distinctive venues with strong characters that are promoting Paris on the international scene. This alliance blends naturally into our plans to transform and boost AccorHotels with a view to catering to increasingly discerning customers’ wants and needs beyond the travel universe. Its expertise and ours complement each other, and pooling our assets will put us in a position to tap into growth opportunities and synergies in France and beyond.”

Toronto, ON (16 May 2017) – Crescent Hotels & Resorts has been selected to manage the Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Mississauga/West, which is Mississauga West 's newest business hotel. Crescent, based in Fairfax, Virginia, is a nationally recognized elite operator of hotels and resorts throughout the United States and Canada.

The newly opened six-story, 125-room Courtyard is located on popular Derry Road in Mississauga, with convenient access to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Hershey Centre, the CN Tower, Mississauga Convention Centre and the Rose Theatre. 

“This is truly a beautiful hotel with some of the latest consumer trends and technologies. The guest experience that is created here fits perfectly with our team’s expertise,” said Michael George, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Hotels & Resorts. “Our unique approach as an award-winning Marriott manager, combined with our extensive experience in several other destination cities across Canada, will maximize the potential of this new hotel.”

Crescent will manage the entire operations of the hotel. This includes the overnight guest experience, as well as the more than 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space that accommodates functions of up to 350 people, including a ballroom with floor to ceiling windows featuring stunning views of Fletchers Creek part of the Credit Valley Conservation. All areas of the hotel feature state of the art technology, including LED lighting, built-in audio and visual equipment, and the Refreshing Business lobby, which is an open and bright area with media pods, complimentary Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings.

Crescent will also manage the food and beverage services, including The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect^®, offering casual, flexible seating; easy access to food and high quality, healthy menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, cocktails, wine and beer so guests can unwind. Additional amenities include a dedicated bridal suite, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa, fitness center, guest laundry, and indoor parking.

For more information, or to book your next stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Mississauga/West Hotel, visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yyzmd-courtyard-toronto-mississauga-west  or call (905) 670-1947.

Washington, D.C. – May 16, 2017 - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced the appointment of Kevin Carey as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. This newly created position marks a pivotal point in AHLA’s recent evolution and will ensure that the organization is well positioned to build new revenue streams and further enhance value creation for its 24,000-strong membership base. 

Carey comes to AHLA from American Express where he held senior roles in the company’s payments and business travel units. Most recently, Kevin served as Managing Director, The Americas, responsible for the largest strategic customers and revenue generating region in the global business travel joint venture company formed in 2014. Kevin brings a breadth of experience across the hospitality industry gained through his service as a board and executive committee member in numerous travel and tourism industry associations at the national and state & local levels. He will be a significant addition to the AHLA team with a focus on growth initiatives to better serve the organization’s large and growing membership. 

“Kevin is a highly respected industry executive and accomplished leader with deep commercial experience and long-standing relationships with U.S. and global travel and hospitality companies. He will play a critical role in providing strategic direction to grow AHLA’s membership, build new revenues and forge new strategic partnerships to propel our industry forward. I’m thrilled to have him join our strong team and have every confidence that together we will further our growth and momentum,” said Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of AHLA. “At AHLA we’ve worked hard to pave a new path, sharpen our focus and effectiveness and drive unparalleled value to our members and Kevin brings exactly the skillset and business background and will play a pivotal role in our future growth and success.”

“AHLA is the leading voice for the hotel industry and I’m thrilled to be joining such a strong and passionate team at this important time,” said Carey. “Incredible changes are occurring in the lodging industry, as the industry landscape evolves and hotels invest in innovative new approaches to technology, guest services, loyalty programs and brand development and future workforce initiatives. I look forward to joining the dynamic AHLA team and working with Katherine to build on their many successes and guide the association to even greater heights in the future.”

Reporting to Lugar, Carey will join the executive team and will oversee operations, member relations and sales, conventions and events, revenue growth initiatives, and will manage the affiliate Educational Institute. He will be supported by strong teams, led by Matt Maclaren, Kimberly Miles, and Shelly Weir, who will continue to play a pivotal role in developing and executing on AHLA’s future opportunities and growth.

“AHLA has transformed under Katherine’s steadfast leadership to represent a united industry with a powerful voice and vision. Kevin’s depth of experience in building strategic partnerships and growing and accelerating sales and revenue will be instrumental in advancing AHLA and our advocacy agenda,” said Mark Carrier, AHLA Board Chair and President, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him join the AHLA team, and am confident he will play a significant role in driving the next phase of our growth and evolution.”

Kevin has a wealth of experience, spending more than two decades rising through the ranks at American Express. He began his career in public affairs and was a member of the company’s government affairs office in Washington, D.C. for six years before transitioning to a series of client management and sales leadership roles.  Since 2016, Kevin has been consulting with corporations, private equity firms, and start-ups on payment strategies and online/mobile travel-related solutions.  He also serves as an advisory board member at Johns Hopkins University and Penn State.

Chef Matthew Kajdan Joins the Westin Jackson from Parlor Market in Jackson, MS

Jackson, MS (May 16, 2017) – Wischermann Partners is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chef Matthew Kajdan as Executive Chef for The Westin Jackson, scheduled to open in early August 2017.  With more than 15 years of experience working in the restaurant industry, most recently at Jackson’s Parlor Market, Chef Matthew will oversee Estelle, a modern wine bar & bistro, and the entire food and beverage operation at the hotel, reinforcing The Westin Jackson’s mission to boost travel and tourism in downtown Jackson.  Chef Matthew is joining The Westin Jackson team after five years at Parlor Market.  As the Executive Chef at Parlor, Matthew brought a new Southern menu with progressive ideas and local products in a farm to table atmosphere.

Chef Matthew has been invited to represent the city of Jackson and Estelle Wine Bar & Bistro by competing in two upcoming regional culinary competitions, The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and the 8th Annual Mississippi Seafood Cook-Off.

“We are so excited to have such a distinguished chef from the Jackson community join our team and lead the opening of Estelle.  This restaurant will really cater to the creative-minded individual and embrace Jackson’s Southern charm and local culture, while using only the freshest ingredients,” says Mike Burton, General Manager of The Westin Jackson.  “We are confident that Chef Matthew will establish Estelle within the city’s thriving dining scene and offer a new foodie hotspot for guests to gather and unwind.”

Chef Matthew Kajdan was born and raised in Madison, MS where his mother and grandmother showed him the way around the kitchen. Growing up in a large European family, he developed a taste for gourmet cooking and fine foods.

“I am proud of what the team has built over at Parlor and will be looking forward to being good neighbors to them in the future,” said Chef Matthew Kajdan. “I am very excited to continue working in the Jackson community and sharing my love and passion for food in a new way at Estelle & The Westin Jackson.”

Previously, Chef Matthew began his career at Bravo! Italian Restaurant under Chefs Louis Larose and Dan Blumenthal. Chef Matthew then went to work in the kitchen of Nick Apostle, where his skills were honed over the next few years. He left his home state of Mississippi in 2006 to pursue a position in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Matthew worked at the historic Sagamore Hotel under great chefs, including Frank Esposito, Ken Lingle and Pastry Chef Bill Foltze. In 2008, Matthew moved back to his home state and returned back to work under his mentor Nick Apostle. In these years Matthew helped open the Mermaid Café as Executive Chef and eventually General Manager. He credits these years and Nick’s mentorship to his understanding of what it means to be a Chef and how to run business without sacrificing ethics.

For more information please visit http://www.westinjackson.com/ or call (601) 968-8200.

BANGKOK- May 16, 2017 -Park Hyatt Bangkok opened its doors today, marking the first Park Hyatt hotel in Thailand. The hotel is centrally located in the heart of the Thai capital’s central business district. 

Park Hyatt Bangkok features contemporary architecture matched by luxurious residential interiors, expertly curated art, world-class food and wine, and refined service, all coupled with a promise to offer uniquely Thai experiences that reflect the country’s rich culture, gracious hospitality, and colorful lifestyles.

“We are excited to open Park Hyatt Bangkok in this incredible city that is full of culture, history and a rich sense of place,” said Michael Golden, general manager of Park Hyatt Bangkok. “Our goal is to make all of our guests feel welcome and very much at home with highly personalized service in a luxurious and sophisticated environment.”

Once the scene of elegant garden parties hosted by the British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, the prime corner plot in the heart of Bangkok is now home to the newest Park Hyatt hotel. The interior design brief – to create a sophisticated private residence and sanctuary reflecting Thailand’s rich culture – was eloquently executed by New York-based Yabu Pushelberg, who also served as the designers of the brand’s flagship Park Hyatt New York hotel. This is the award-winning design duo’s first hotel in Bangkok, and they have created a calm and stylish environment unfolding through a series of unique and intimate spaces. New York-based AvroKO designed the three uppermost floors of the hotel’s Penthouse Grill & Bar.

“We found the perfect interior for Park Hyatt Bangkok is when all the parts – the lighting, materials, space, texture – work as a whole and you get this sense of calmness, of sensuality,” said designer and co-founder Glenn Pushelberg.

Park Hyatt Bangkok’s architecture is designed by AL_A, the London-based studio founded by Amanda Levete and Bangkok-based Pi Design (consultant architect of record). The hotel and an adjacent luxury shopping mall are bound together by a continual looped form merging plinth and tower. The twisted coil forms a three-dimensional figure of eight, a lucky number in Chinese culture. Drawing on motifs and patterns found in traditional Thai architecture, the eye-catching façade is clad in extruded aluminium tiles, creating a shimmering moiré-like pattern. The design comes together with spectacular views of the bustling, energetic city from numerous outdoor terraces.

Similar to other Park Hyatt hotels, art is intrinsic to the experience. Two of Park Hyatt Bangkok’s most dramatic installations were created by Japanese artist Hirotoshi Sawada. ‘Pagoda Mirage’ incorporates hundreds of small, conical copper swirls, suspended en masse to evoke the reflection of a pagoda on water. Equally striking is the ‘Naga’ (Level 9), a series of batons suspended from the ceiling that resembles a mythical water dragon traveling between the pool and internal waterfall.

As the first Park Hyatt hotel in Thailand, the hotel created industry buzz well before its opening, earning the ‘Most Anticipated Hotel Opening’ title in this year’s Travel Top 50 annual survey conducted by influential design and culture magazine Monocle.

For more information on Park Hyatt Bangkok or to make a reservation, please click here. 

(Bangkok – May 16, 2017) Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a stunning new upscale hotel in Malaysia’s popular and scenic Genting Highlands.

The brand new Best Western Premier Ion Delemen opened on April 26, 2017 and is nestled in the lush jungle-clad hills of Pahang state, the center of the Malay Peninsula. In addition to providing the perfect natural retreat for both Malaysian and international visitors, the new hotel is on the doorstep of Genting’s Resorts World, which features a large theme park, casino and Malaysia’s longest cable car ride. The world’s first 20th Century Fox World theme park is also a nearby attraction and is scheduled to welcome visitors later this year.

Best Western Premier Ion Delemen is operated by Ion Delemen Hospitality Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the NCT Group of Companies. It forms part of the Ion Delemen development, which is expected to fully open in 2018 and will include an international wellness center.

“The Genting Highlands is becoming a must-visit destination, not only for Malaysian travelers wanting a break from the city, but also for a rising number of international guests,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations - Asia. “With beautiful natural scenery, an array of world-class attractions and the 20th Century Fox World on track to open this year, there are now multiple reasons to visit.

“Our impressive new hotel, Best Western Premier Ion Delemen, provides contemporary and stylish upscale accommodation for visitors. And with its outstanding collection of premium facilities and incredible setting, this property is likely to become a destination in its own right,” Olivier added.

Best Western Premier Ion Delemen offers a collection of 246 rooms, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, featuring separate living areas, bedrooms and kitchenettes. All rooms will offer modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, international power outlets and complimentary Wi-Fi, spacious bathrooms and large windows that overlook the lush mountains.

This brand new hotel also incorporates a vast array of amenities, including multiple restaurants and bars, many of which offer floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco seating areas that merge seamlessly with the natural surroundings. There is also a sky garden, a heated infinity-edged swimming pool, luxurious spa, fully-equipped fitness center, children’s play area, and extensive space for conferences and events.

Guests will also be able to access the Genting Highlands’ many other attractions – including Resorts World – using the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus service.

Following the launch of the new hotel, Best Western Hotels & Resorts now operates three properties in Malaysia, located in Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and the Genting Highlands. This exciting new hotel also marks the return of the upscale Best Western Premier^® hotel brand to Malaysia.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. and MCLEAN, Va. - Homewood Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady. Designed for guests who want to travel on their own terms, Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady offers guests all the comforts of home, whether they are traveling for work or enjoying a well-earned getaway. With 106 new suites, the hotel is an upscale, all-suite, riverfront property in the area, boasting scenic views of the Mohawk River, deep-rooted history and exquisite appeal. 

"Schenectady County is not only a fantastic place to live, but also the ideal place for visitors as we have a diverse mix of entertainment, dining, historic attractions and accommodations that will surely impress," said Mounssif Slaoui, general manager. "Travelers seeking a spacious hotel either for an extended period or short trip can look no further than our accommodating, value-driven property."

Developed and managed by Oakfield Hospitality and owned by Waters Edge Lodging LLC, Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady offers a combination of studio and one-bedroom accommodations, featuring fully equipped kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas. Guests are provided all the essentials needed for a smart, reliable and convenient stay including complimentary daily full-hot breakfast, evening social Monday-Thursday, Wi-Fi and a grocery shopping service*. Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady also makes it easy for travelers to unwind with an indoor saline pool overlooking the scenic Mohawk river and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The property also offers flexible meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 60 people for corporate and social events.

Located at 2A Freemans Bridge Road, Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady offers guests convenient access to General Electric, Union College, Via Aquarium, downtown Schenectady, Proctors Theatre, and Stockade Historic District, New York State's oldest historic district. Guests can also explore the popular Howe Caverns, Lake George and Saratoga Race Track within an hours' drive from the hotel.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady or call 518-579-6727.

Read more about Homewood Suites by Hilton at www.homewoodsuites.com and news.homewoodsuites.com. 

*Guest pays for groceries. Other restrictions apply.

LOS ANGELES, May 17, 2017 -- Cachet Hospitality Group today announced the signing of a management agreement for Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket, a conversion property owned by R&B Partners Co., Ltd. Located on Thailand's largest island, the hotel marks the company's second resort property and adds to Cachet's expanding portfolio in Southeast Asia, following on the heels of the recently announced SAVANT Vela Hotel – Bangkok. Operations as a CHG managed property will begin May 2017, with interior renovations to be completed November 2017, helmed by Cachet Interior Design (CID).

"We are honored to collaborate with R&B Partners Co., Ltd. and eager to introduce the Cachet resort brand to this region," said Kimy Chen, President of Southeast Asia, Cachet Hospitality Group. "With 59 flights from Bangkok per day, Phuket is an extremely accessible and appealing vacation destination. Travelers to the island are ready to experience our acclaimed designs, enticing F&B programs and innovative amenities." 

Set beside the tranquil shores of Nai Yang Beach, considered one of the most idyllic beaches of Phuket, this 128-room lifestyle resort is surrounded by azure waters and the lush green forest of Sirinat National Park.  It is just a 7-minute drive from Phuket International Airport and only a 30-minute drive from historic Phuket Town.

The sprawling property will feature CHG's signature offerings, including a premium sleep experience, rejuvenating bath amenities, a grandiose arrival area, and global culinary experiences. On-site facilities will include two distinctive dining venues, approximately 1,000 square meters of meeting and event spaces, a luxurious spa, a fully equipped fitness center, a yoga-focused wellness center, a Kids Club, and two picturesque swimming pools.

Reinterpreted by CID, Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket's standard rooms, villas and residential suites will feature sleek, contemporary interiors with polished concrete floors, deep mahogany, black marble, coconut shell finishes, and exposed ceilings. The modern effect is balanced by incorporating classic Thai blue silk on the pillows, chairs, and beds and adorning the guestrooms with authentic Thai sculptures and artwork.

The resort's restaurants and bars will appeal to the globally well travelled as well as local long term residents, offering both Thai and international cuisine with personalized service and talented local and international chefs. The Aleta Restaurant Bar and Grill promises to bring something new and fresh to the Phuket dining scene. It will deliver a wide array of well crafted dishes fusing its Mexican heritage with Thai flavours in simply-prepared offerings with unique flavor profiles. Local fishermen's fresh catch seafood will be on display and cooked guests' desired tastes on the wood fired grill.  

Catering to wine enthusiasts, CHG will also bring Stonehaus, California's renowned wine bar brand, to the resort. Guests can sip a glass of wine while looking out over the sea, enjoying simple and well prepared fair the will be matched perfectly with our wide range of wines by the glass or pick up wines to go as part of the wine club. Stonehaus will also feature fresh baked products, sweet treats and an incredible coffee program.

In addition to its beautiful aesthetics and natural surroundings, Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket will be an epicenter of social events on the island, featuring the Cachet Pool Club. The pool club is the perfect place for intimate indulgence, large soirées or just simply chilling out. Cachet Beach Club will be an oasis within an oasis, with international DJ's and local artist setting the scene for some of Phuket's best Chill parties. The resort will be an indoor-outdoor destination for seaside weddings, private parties and corporate functions. 

"We are delighted to partner with Cachet Hospitality Group. As the Phuket market grows increasingly sophisticated, our prime Nai Yang Beach location is more coveted than ever," said Lars Ydmark, Managing Director of R&B Partners Co., Ltd. "With our transformation into Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket and the introduction of Cachet's exciting F&B and social programs, we are poised to set a new standard for what is Nai Yang Beach, Phuket." 

Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket will be distributed on CHG's revolutionary technology platform and participate in the platform's loyalty program Cachet World. The technology platform is a lifestyle community that features a search and booking engine for boutique and lifestyle hotels and high-end residences worldwide. Through the platform, guests of Cachet Resort will enjoy interactive mobility, exclusive member rates, and personalized food and beverage experiences.

Cachet Hospitality Group's global portfolio, including properties in the pipeline, extends across China, Thailand, Mexico and the United States. With unprecedented opportunity for international growth, CHG is establishing itself as an international hospitality leader.