SHANGHAI, June 6, 2014 —Jin Jiang International Hotels continues to further expand its portfolio across China and on 28 May celebrated the opening of its newest property, Jiuhua Jin Jiang International Hotel, located in the prefecture level city of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, in the eastern region of China. 

Enriched with a history going back 3,000 years, Zhenjiang was once the provincial capital and is nowadays a thriving city with a rapidly developing industrial industry, and has one of the fastest growing economies in the Yangtze River delta region. The city offers various AAAA- class scenic tourist attractions such as Jinshan Park, set in an idyllic Buddhist temple complex, and Mao Mountain, which is home to many Taoist temples and one of the top ten scenic spots in China of Taoism.

Zhenjiang is also an important transportation hub and along with being one of the main ports along the Yangtze River, the city sits in between the major road and train lines connecting Nanjing to Shanghai, including the high speed rail between Beijing to Shanghai which passes through. The hotel is conveniently located in the city’s Commercial Center of  Nanxu New Town and is in close range to the main railway station and Yangli expressway, serving as an ideal base from which visitors can explore the city. 

This luxury hotel stands at 21 stories and covers an area of 31,300 square meters. Its 251 contemporary and spacious guest rooms and suites are located from the 7th to 21st floors of the building and are each elegantly designed and well equipped with modern and high end amenities. The hotel features an Executive Lounge Floor Reception on the 18 th floor offering a private and comfortable environment that is ideal for the busy business traveler. The hotel has eight meeting rooms and a large multi-functional banquet hall which can host up to 500 people. Each equipped with the latest equipment, the rooms are designed to suit a variety of event hosting needs from conference and meeting purposes to formal banquets.  

There are a range of dining options including La Seine West Restaurant which features a diverse choice of International dishes and Clouds Chinese Restaurant, serving a combination of gourmet Chinese cuisines including traditional Shanghainese dishes. Additional facilities include a state of the art fitness center, indoor swimming pool, tennis court and games room. 

Commenting on the opening of the hotel, Mr. Simon Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Jin Jiang International Hotels stated,” We are thrilled with the opening of Jiuhua Jin Jiang International Hotel. It will be the first Jin Jiang branded hotel in Zhenjiang city and will also proudly join an existing 10 Jin Jiang hotels already situated within Jiangsu province. This small city is a top destination in the Yangtze River delta region to visit and is a place that is immersed with a rich history and tradition, combined with a flourishing economy and thriving industries. This hotel will set a bench mark in Zhenjiang for top quality facilities and services and will contribute to making the city a great place to visit for both business and leisure travelers.” 

Austin, Texas (June 6, 2014) - To celebrate Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ (HFTP®) strategic goal of elevating its members’ professional stature, the association will publish a special feature on some of the hospitality technology industry’s notable and influential female IT executives from around the globe. The profile is part of an annual Special Report for the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) and will be distributed in conjunction with the event on June 23 - 26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The list was generated by polling the industry, press and the HITEC 2014 Advisory Council. 

“This list might not be complete, but it is certainly an excellent representation of the industry’s best and brightest,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. “In our interviews, we definitely found a commonality among them: they came to IT because of their passion and interest in the confluence of hospitality and technology, and concentrated on working with their teams to integrate the practice. I am thrilled that HFTP can recognize their accomplishments in this feature.”

The e-publication will be available at www.hitec.org on Friday, June 20, just before HITEC begins; and a hard copy version will be widely distributed onsite at HITEC 2014.

“The Women of Hospitality Technology” profiles 20 women, providing a cross section of the women - working on-property, as vendors and consultants, with a variety of specialties - who are guiding the path of hospitality technology. The women featured include:

• Carol Beggs, CHTP;Director of Technology, Chatham Bars Inn
• Christina Cornwell; Senior Director Technology Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide 
• Cindy Estis Green; Co-founder and CEO, Kalibri Labs 
• Diane Estner; CEO, Danni Enterprises 
• Kristin Intress; Managing Director/CEO, Worldhotels 
• Flo Lugli; Principal, Navesink Advisory Group, LLC 
• Sherry Marek; Vice President/Owner, Datavision Technologies 
• Kirsten Mollé; Director, ProTempIT Ltd.
• Allison Morris, CHTP; Corporate Director of IT, American Casino & Entertainment Properties, LLC
• Monika Nerger; Global Chief Information Officer, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
• Vanessa Ogle; Chief Executive Officer, Enseo, Inc.
• Valyn Perini; Consultant
• Sophie Pommois; Project Director Global Distribution, GHA - Global Hotel Alliance
• Connie Rheams; Senior Vice President, Business Development, Indra Company
• Ursula Rhode; Chief Operating Officer, Genares Worldwide Reservation Services
• Kris Singleton; Chief Information Officer, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
• Naomi Stark; President, Stark Service Solutions, LLC
• Menka Uttamchandani; Vice President of Business Intelligence, Denihan Hospitality Group
• Yvette Vincent; Senior Director of Information Systems, Delaware North Companies, Inc.
• Jing Zhu; President and CEO, 3D Networks China Co., Ltd.

This feature is part of the HITEC 2014 Special Report, which also includes a variety of trend articles written by industry experts covering data management, project management, analytic strategies and more. For questions regarding the “Women in Technology Feature” and the HITEC 2014 Special Report, contact HFTP Director of Communications, Eliza Selig at eliza.selig@hftp.org. 

For more information about HITEC and all that the four day event has to offer the hospitality technology professional, visit www.hitec.org.

NAPA, Calif. (June 5, 2014) - San Francisco-based Flynn Properties Inc. and PlumpJack Group announced today that Flynn Properties has purchased The Carneros Inn, the luxury resort located in the heart of Napa Valley’s Carneros winegrowing district.  Flynn Properties, whose properties also include Esperanza, the super-luxury Auberge resort in Los Cabos, Mexico is pleased to add its second luxury boutique hotel property to the company’s growing portfolio.  PlumpJack Group will continue as the management company for The Carneros Inn.

“We are thrilled to now include The Carneros Inn in our expanding collection of businesses,” said Greg Flynn, founder, chairman and CEO of Flynn Properties. “Napa Valley is one of the most thriving U.S. markets, with strong and steady demand and growth, and The Carneros Inn has consistently proven itself to be one of the best performing hotels in wine country.” Located at the southern end of the Napa Valley, The Carneros Inn enjoys much greater convenience to San Francisco and the Peninsula than other Napa Valley resorts.

“We plan to utilize our experience from owning Esperanza to help elevate The Carneros Inn guest experience to a whole new level,” said Flynn. “Together with PlumpJack we plan to ensure that all elements of our guests’ experience meet the very highest standards.”

As part of its initial phase of ownership, Flynn Properties plans to make significant enhancements to the property, including upgrades to the common areas, room amenities and restaurant offerings.

“We are excited to further develop The Carneros Inn experience by working with an ownership group that is committed to taking the resort to a whole new level,” said Hilary Newsom, president of PlumpJack Group.  “We’ll continue to combine first-class luxury services and amenities with unpretentious hospitality to create a charming, comfortable and relaxing getaway that fully captures the vineyard experience, but we’ll enhance our offering with upgrades across the board.” 

The Carneros Inn, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, is a consistent recipient of Travel + Leisure‘s “World’s Best” Awards, Travel + Leisure‘s Top 500 and Conde Nast Traveler‘s Gold List.  Nestled amid the vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley’s beautiful Carneros winegrowing district, the resort features 86 charming private guest cottages and suites, nightly private luxury home rentals, The Orchard Private Residence Club, three innovative dining experiences, and award-winning spa facilities.  The Carneros Inn’s many other special features include the infinity-edged pool that overlooks the vineyards, lap pool with cabanas, Jacuzzi™ spa, children’s pool and a 2,800-square-foot fitness center complete with a yoga/Pilates studio.

London - June 6, 2014 - The Ritz-Carlton flag has officially been raised today in Tenerife, Spain, marking the re-naming of one of the island’s unforgettable luxury resorts.  Abama Golf & Spa Resort has been managed by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company since 2007 and has been officially re-named The Ritz-Carlton, Abama. As The Ritz-Carlton continues to forge ahead with significant global growth and awareness of the iconic luxury brand, the renaming of the luxury resort is very timely. Download images.

“This resort embodies our company culture, commitment to our guests and focus on service excellence. The current ladies and gentlemen at the resort will continue to provide our guests with the personalized and anticipatory service for which we are known”, said Bob Kharazmi, Global Officer, Worldwide Operations, The Ritz-Carlton. “We are proud that this beautiful resort will now be clearly recognized as part of our branded portfolio and that our guests will soon be able to enjoy additional signature services of The Ritz-Carlton at this property.”

The resort will undergo a guest room renovation and later this year, the addition of the signature Ritz-Carlton Club services. The Ritz-Carlton Club offers guests an exclusive secluded haven within the resort and will be located on the 10th floor. The personal service provided by The Club’s Concierge team will deliver a curated guest experience to ensure an unforgettable stay in Tenerife. The spacious Club Lounge will have panoramic views over the golf course and iconic Teide Mountain and an outdoor terrace to enjoy the Canary Islands’ year round temperate climate.

In addition, the brand’s unique, fun and experiential children’s programme ‘Ritz Kids’ is launching at the family-friendly resort. The Ritz Kids signature program will go live this summer at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama. The menu of activities was developed with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society to provide interactive learning experiences based on four pillars of Land, Water, Culture and Environment. Activities are now available at the resort on a daily basis for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old.

The team at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama will continue in their efforts to contribute to the local community through the ‘Succeed Through Service’ initiative as part of The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints, environmental and social responsibility platform. In a partnership with a local school, the ladies and gentlemen of the hotel are involved in this skills based mentoring program to engage and inspire young students. 

The destination resort is located on the Guía de Isora coast of Tenerife, the island of “Eternal Spring” set in an exuberant natural paradise with views over the Atlantic Ocean. The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is a fascinating destination for both couples and families, with Michelin starred dining experiences, golf and tennis available onsite and close to whale watching in the Atlantic and star gazing at the nearby Teide National Park.    

June 05, 2014 - PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas—Access Industries (“Access”) today announced that it has acquired the renowned One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island in The Bahamas from Brookfield Asset Management and its institutional partners. As part of the transaction, Access also acquired additional beachfront property for future development. Kerzner International (“Kerzner”), a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels will continue to manage the property under the award-winning One&Only brand.

“The Ocean Club has a storied history as one of the most exclusive destinations in the Caribbean. We are pleased to include this unique property in Access’ portfolio of iconic hotels and we look forward to working with Kerzner’s experienced management team to bring the Resort to a new level of excellence,” said Len Blavatnik, Chairman of Access Industries. 

Kerzner International Chief Executive Officer Alan Leibman said, “Our long-term commitment to The Bahamas continues. We are extremely excited to begin working with Access at One&Only Ocean Club. They are a world-class organization with a shared vision for the continued excellence of the property, ensuring that the resort remains positioned as the ultimate ultra-luxury guest experience in the region.”

“We will invest in and continue to enhance the property to provide discerning global travelers the ultimate luxury experience in the Caribbean,” said Jonah Sonnenborn, Head of Real Estate at Access Industries. “The uniqueness of the property will be celebrated and enriched to provide our guests with a sophisticated, yet relaxed experience. We look forward to working with our neighbors on Paradise Island, the Bahamian Government and Kerzner at this distinctive property.”

A landmark resort in the Caribbean, the 105-room One&Only Ocean Club sits high on a prime 36-acre beachfront site overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Accommodations range from spacious guest rooms to private beachfront villas. Amenities at the Resort currently include Jean-Georges Vongertichten’s Dune Restaurant among the three dining options, two outdoor pools, an award winning One&Only Spa, fitness center, six tennis courts and two meeting space venues and several outdoor event venues. The One&Only management team currently in place will continue to operate the resort under the leadership of Mark DeCocinis, President and Chief Operating Officer, One&Only, and John Conway, General Manager, One&Only Ocean Club. 

June 6, 2014 - Carlson Rezidor, one of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, brings the Radisson Blu Hotel to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as part of its expansion across the Kingdom. The upper upscale scale hotel featuring 74 suites is Carlson Rezidor’s first property in Dhahran, a thriving business city and a major administrative centre for the Gulf state’s oil industry. The hotel will welcome the first guests mid of June.

Situated on Zaid Ibn Al Khattab Street in the heart of Dhahran, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dhahran is ideally placed close to both Al Khobar city centre and Dammam. The hotel is located just 40 minutes from King Fahad International Airport, five minutes from the picturesque Corniche and 2km from the bustling Mall of Dhahran.

“Saudi Arabia is an important growth market for Carlson Rezidor because of its strategic location in the Middle East,” said Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor. “With a rapidly growing population of nearly 30 million people, the Kingdom is the Gulf’s largest Arab country with a gross domestic product of more than SAR 2.5 trillion (EUR 500 billion), making it a highly lucrative market for the growth of our regional footprint. With the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dhahran, our portfolio rises to 18 hotels and 3,300 rooms in operation and under development, serving as a springboard for future developments in the area.”

Catering to leisure and business travelers, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dhahran features an outdoor swimming pool, spa and fitness centre. Two fully-equipped meeting rooms are available for a wide variety of events and social gatherings while a convenient lobby café and all-day dining restaurant offer plentiful dining options.

Carlson Rezidor currently operates 30 hotels with more than 8,000 rooms across the Middle East and Africa. The sophisticated upper upscale brand Radisson Blu and the dynamic midscale offer Park Inn by Radisson are the group’s core brands.

WASHINGTON (June 6, 2014) - Data released Wednesday by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) further validate the travel industry’s essential role in revitalizing the U.S. economic recovery. 

While the U.S. trade balance declined $3.0 billion in April to a deficit of $47.2 billion, the travel industry continues to buck the trend, with its exports rising 6.1 percent from April 2013. 

So far this year, travel exports have grown more than twice as fast as other U.S. exports and have accounted for 22 percent of U.S. export growth this year. 

Travel imports fell slightly to $11.9 billion (down 5.7 percent from April 2013), yielding a positive travel trade balance of $6.7 billion. 

Today’s report is the first for which the Commerce Department included an expanded definition of travel in its international accounts. The Commerce Department’s new definition now includes education- and health-related travel, and seasonal or short-term work travel, which were previously not included in the overall travel figures. 

“This redefinition harmonizes the Commerce Department’s measurement of travel exports with international norms,” said David Huether, U.S. Travel’s senior vice president for research and economics. “As a result of this change, U.S. travel exports now make up nearly 10 percent of all U.S. exports of goods and services. 

“Travel is an increasingly important engine of economic growth for our country. To build on this success, it is essential for Congress to pass pending legislation such as the JOLT Act and Brand USA reauthorization to make it easier for international visitors to come to the U.S.”

New Orleans, LA (June 6, 2014)  -Larry Daniels has been promoted to regional vice president of operations for HRI Lodging (HRIL) with direct oversight of the entire HRIL branded portfolio, announced Gary Gutierrez, president of the company. 

Most recently, Daniels served as vice president/general manager of HRIL with responsibility of the company’s assets owned with investor group, Carey Watermark, Inc. The HRIL branded hotels under Daniel’s charge will now include: 

• Hyatt French Quarter
• Hyatt Place New Orleans/Convention Center
• Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans French Quarter/CBD
• Federal City Inn & Suites, Algiers, LA
• Hilton Garden Inn Baton Rouge Airport
• Hilton Shreveport
• Hilton Garden Inn Jackson (MS) Downtown
• Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown-Tutwiler, Birmingham, AL
• Hilton Garden Inn Richmond (VA) Downtown
• Hampton Inn & Suites Legacy Park-Frisco, TX
• Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, Chandler, AZ
• Aloft New Orleans Downtown, mixed use project under construction in 225 Baronne Building, opening April 2015
• Hilton Garden Inn Dallas Downtown, mixed use project under construction in the LTV Building, opening third quarter 2015

“Under Larry’s leadership, the Carey Watermark portfolio experienced significant growth in both market share and profitability and at the same time enriched the guest and associate experience,” said Gutierrez. “We are confident that Larry’s skills will bring the same results to our entire portfolio in his expanded responsibilities,” Gutierrez added.

Daniels joined HRI Lodging in September 2011 as general manager of the Chateau Bourbon. He led the property through a $20 million renovation and conversion to a Four Diamond rated Hyatt French Quarter on time and within budget. Hyatt Hotels Corporation last year awarded HRI Lodging its Best Conversion award for the Hyatt French Quarter.

Prior to joining HRI Lodging, Daniels worked with Hyatt for more than 30 years. He was the general manager for several hotels under the Hyatt Regency flag, including the Hyatt Regency DFW, Hyatt Regency New Brunswick and Hyatt Regency Cherry Hill.

Honolulu, Hawaii - June 6, 2014 - Aqua Hospitality (www.aquahospitality.com), one of Hawaii’s leading hotel management companies, announced that Bart Santiago has joined its team as vice president of finance. 

“We are delighted to have Bart join our executive team,” said Ben Rafter, CEO of Aqua Hospitality. “His insight and experience across a broad spectrum of hotel operations reflect the multi-faceted nature of today’s hotel industry. Bart’s wide-ranging expertise in food and beverage, spa operations and the many aspects of the overall guest experience will play a key role as our company continues to expand in Hawaii and new markets.” 

A hospitality industry veteran, Santiago spent the past 14 years with Hilton Hotels, most recently as director of finance at the Grand Wailea in Wailea, Maui. Prior to that, he held finance positions with Hyatt Hotels, Adam’s Mark Hotel, Interstate Hotels, and the Skipper’s restaurant chain in the Pacific Northwest. 

Santiago holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Seattle University in Washington. Born and raised in Maui, he currently lives in Hawaii with his wife and two children. 

by Jonathan Jaeger and Robert Van Laer

The following chart highlights the swift increase in oil/gas production throughout the EFS and Gulf Coast between 2009 and 2013, along with projections through 2024.

Due to supply increases in crude oil & natural gas production, refineries located throughout the country, but more specifically along the Gulf Coast of Texas continue to ramp-up their infrastructure and production capacities in order to accommodate the new supply. Notable projects include:

• Motiva-Port Arthur completed an $8 billion expansion in the spring of 2012, making it the largest refinery in North America
• The $1 billion Natgasoline LLC methanol plant will reportedly be the largest methanol production facility based on capacity once complete in 2016
• Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP broke ground on its Gulf Coast Petrochemical project in April of 2014 which is anticipated to feature a 1.5 million ton per year ethane cracker upon completion in 2017
• The Keystone XL Pipeline Project is a proposed 1,179-mile crude oil pipeline stretching from Hardisty, Canada, to Steele City, Nebraska. Together with the Cushing Marketlink Project (Steele City, NB, to Cushing, OK) and the Gulf Coast Project (Cushing, OK, to Nederland, TX), the pipeline will allow Canadian and American oil producers increased capacity for the refining markets along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The $2.3 billion Gulf Coast Project became operational in January of 2014 and has the potential to transport in excess of 830,000 barrels per day upon completion. The Keystone XL Pipeline is currently awaiting approval by the President, which is anticipated by the end of 2014.

With the restructuring of the U.S’s energy economy, hotel developers have been quick to enter the various oil & gas markets in order to benefit from their attractive occupancy and average rate levels. Out of the thirty EFS counties, half have experienced over 10 percent compound annual growth in room nights sold between 2009 and 2013. The average CAGR (2009 - 2013) for all 30 counties was 17.8%. McMullen County experienced the largest growth in 2013 from the previous year of approximately 685%, followed by La Salle (80%) and Atascosa (56%).

While the number of room nights sold have surged, overall occupancy has fluctuated based on the amount of new supply, in addition to other forms of temporary housing such as man-camps, recreational vehicles (RVs), and trailers. One-third of the EFS counties have witnessed a CAGR of over 5% between 2009 and 2013. However, it is important to note that eighteen of the thirty counties have experienced a decline in occupancy in 2013 from the previous year. The largest decreases were observed in Duval and Austin counties. A portion of the declining occupancy is a result of shifting demand as well as increases in supply in many markets across south Texas.

Additionally, hotel room revenues within the EFS counties have dramatically increased due to greater room supply and higher rates. Average daily rate overall has shown marked growth with a 6.3% CAGR (2009 – 2013) in all 30 counties. One-third of the EFS counties experienced rate decreases in 2013 from the previous year, compared to seven counties exceeding a 10% rate increase during the same time period.

Based on our research of hotel transactions within the EFS, capitalization rates have historically been as high as +/-30% in the early stages of the drilling boom in 2009 and 2010. Given these high capitalization rates, institutional investors have historically been unwilling to provide conventional financing for acquisitions and new development, but as these markets have become more transparent, a larger pool of investors are fueling the growth in supply. While room nights sold and revenues have been increasing dramatically, generally correlated to the output in oil/gas production, the new supply additions have caused a decline in revenue and overall NOI for many of the existing assets. As a result, capitalization rates have been moving downward but are still far above the typical national average for a mid/upscale limited-service assets. Lenders have also become more aggressive over the past 6 months in terms of interest rates and loan-to-value ratios due to an increased appetite for the energy markets. It should be noted that a majority of the new supply additions are nationally-branded assets such as Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, La Quinta, Best Western, etc.

While each sub market must be analyzed on an individual basis, investors do have an opportunity to achieve substantial returns in this space. Many developers are targeting short-term hold periods of less than two years due to the inherent risk with this type of boom market. Similar trends have been observed in West Texas within the Permian Basin, as well as in the Bakken Formation underlying parts of Montana, North Dakota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as the Marcellus Shale which extends throughout much of the Appalachian Mountains. When considering an equity and/or debt investment in an energy related market, it is critical to understand the dynamics of supply and demand trends and underwrite to a reasonable level that takes into consideration the additional risk with boom/bust type markets. With this said, the outlook for long term North American energy production is incredibility bright and the boom portion of this cycle should endure for many years to come.

Please visit www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com for more information.

June 6, 2014 - HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII - Darren Edmonstone, managing director, Asia-Pacific for Outrigger Enterprises Group, has announced the appointment of John Gerrard to the dual positions of area general manager Australia and general manager of the 409-room Outrigger Surfers Paradise.

In his new roles, Gerrard will oversee the operational and strategic direction of four resorts operated by Outrigger in addition to heading Outrigger Surfers Paradise. Other properties under his direction and located in Queensland’s premier tourist destinations include Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort and Spa, Noosa; Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, Coolangatta; and Boathouse Apartments by Outrigger at Airlie Beach.

Originally from Sydney, Gerrard has worked extensively throughout South East Asia and the subcontinent. His wealth of experience within these markets will be drawn upon as Australia continues to attract year-on-year growth from Asia and further afield.

Most recently Gerrard was operational consultant for Temple Tree and Bon Ton Resorts in Malaysia, working alongside the owner on management contracts, strategic direction and identifying operational opportunities. 

Other senior roles Gerrard has held include vice president of Thailand’s Imperial Hotel Group where he oversaw ten hotels and resorts; director of the Indian hotel division of AST INVESCAP based in New Delhi; area director at Intercontinental Hotels Group for India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka; and group director for the luxury division of Taj Hotels in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Maldives.

Commenting on Gerrard’s appointment, Edmonstone said he was confident he would bring a significant depth of leadership, experience and innovation to the Australian operations of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. 

“John’s impressive background working for some of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands, together with his broad understanding of hotel management, operations, revenue growth and his extensive industry contacts, is a strategic fit for Outrigger as we continue to expand the brand throughout Asia-Pacific.”  

HONOLULU - June 6, 2014 - Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is pleased to welcome Scott Hamilton as its new director of food and beverage.

Hamilton brings with him 16 years of experience in hotel and restaurant management. He joins Hilton from BR Guest Hospitality, where he served as vice president of operations and was responsible for their Mid Atlantic restaurant division. Prior to that he served as director of food and beverage for Pinnacle Entertainment’s flagship resort L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Hamilton oversaw 11 of the resort’s outlets, including seven restaurants, room service and banquets.

He also worked in various positions at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, starting as general manager of the four-diamond Japanese restaurant, Shibuya. He was later promoted to director of food and beverage where he was responsible for 28 restaurants, bars and lounges. He was also responsible for casino and pool cocktail operations and room service.

Hamilton attended Albany State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education. He also holds Sommelier certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers Nevada Culinary Training Academy as well as certifications in dispute resolution, mediation and project management.

NEW YORK, NY (June 6, 2014) - Park Kitchen, the inspired contemporary American restaurant & lounge at Park Central Hotel New York, is pleased to announce Vijayan Francis as Executive Chef.  Chef Francis, most recently of Essex House in NYC, brings over 20 years of professional culinary experience to Park Kitchen’s elegant, yet approachable destination.  

Park Kitchen’s 70-seat restaurant and 50-seat bar will continue serving American cuisine with a focus on classic comfort dishes, all of which benefit from Chef Francis’ global perspective.  Having helmed the kitchens of restaurants in India and Australia, as well as in Cape Cod, MA and New York City, Chef Francis boasts a versatile skill set and an adventurous nature, both of which are consistently evident in his inspired cuisine.  

Park Kitchen’s culinary program is complemented by an original beverage program tailored by mixologist Nick Mautone, a celebrated consultant, lecturer, and author of Raising the Bar: Better Drinks, Better Entertaining.  Mautone (Gramercy Tavern, Gotham Bar & Grill) combines his cocktail artistry with expert industry insight to create a compelling program this is entertaining, unforgettable and truly distinctive of the venue’s spirit and personality.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Park Kitchen provides a warm and welcoming destination for hotel guests and neighborhood regulars alike.  Park Kitchen’s menus are complemented by Nick Mautone’s accessible wine list, imaginative cocktails, and smart selection of craft beers.  Wines are offered not only by the bottle, but by the quartino as well, while the cocktail list provides compelling choices divided by section, so guests can choose from classic to creative.  

Designed by award-winning architecture and design firm, Jeffrey Beers International, which implemented Park Central Hotel New York’s complete renovation and redesign, Park Kitchen features a stunning two-story lounge with two large communal tables, with a mezzanine-level dining room, overlooking the hotel’s grand lobby.  

10 June, 2014 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s largest hotel companies has announced the signing of Holiday Inn Express® Istanbul – Halkali.  The hotel, due to open in 2014, will be the first internationally branded limited service hotel near Istanbul International Airport.

The 110-room hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Liv Yapi Gayrimenkul Yatirim. The property, overlooking the main street on the Basin Express Highway, will feature a number of meeting rooms and the brand’s signature Great Room, where guests can enjoy a complimentary Express Start® breakfast.

The hotel’s excellent location near Istanbul International Airport is easily accessible to both business and leisure guests looking for a comfortable yet affordable night’s stay.  The hotel is also well placed to receive guests from the CNR Expo, International World Trade Centre and Olympic stadium located nearby.

Yalin Yaltiraki, Director of Development, Turkey, IHG commented: “The Holiday Inn Express brand is designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious travellers.  This hotel is the only one of its kind in the airport’s vicinity and, together with its prime location, is set to receive a steady stream of guests visiting Turkey.  We are delighted to be working with Liv Yapi Gayrimenkul Yatirim and welcome this hotel into our portfolio.”

Seda Aydin, Board Member of Liv Yapi Gayrimenkul Yatirim AS said: “This is the start of a great relationship with IHG.  We’re very proud to be bringing a Holiday Inn Express hotel to Istanbul’s International Airport.  We look forward to giving business and leisure travellers, airline crew and passengers a warm welcome when we open our doors.”

Launched in 1991, the Holiday Inn Express brand is one of the largest and fastest growing brands in the hotel industry, opening hotels at a rate of two per week on average.  There are currently 219 Holiday Inn Express hotels open in Europe and 38 in the development pipeline*.

IHG’s broader family of nine brands in nearly 100 countries and territories meets the needs of guests, whatever the occasion – whether an overnight getaway, a business trip, a family celebration or a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  All IHG hotels participate in IHG’s guest loyalty programme, IHG® Rewards Club which is the industry’s first and largest guest loyalty programme with nearly 79 million members.  It is free to join at www.IHGRewardsClub.com.

* Figures as at 31st March 2014

BEIJING, June 10, 2014—Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Dubai-based real estate developer Nakheel have signed a letter of intent for Shangri-La to manage a 290-room hotel in The Palm Tower on Palm Jumeirah. The parties expect to sign a comprehensive hotel management agreement for the property in the coming weeks.

Construction of The Palm Tower, part of the new Nakheel Mall and Hotel complex at the heart of the world-famous island, is slated to begin this year with the hotel expected to open in 2016.

The Shangri-La hotel will be located on the first 18 floors of the 52-level building and will feature an array of facilities, including outdoor family dining, an outdoor pool, a health club and spa. Hotel guests will have direct beach club access via a bridge and walkway to Club Vista Mare. They will also have direct access to The Palm Monorail and Nakheel Mall, a new retail, dining and entertainment destination for Dubai also opening in 2016. 

“The Palm Tower’s strategic position at the heart of The Palm and alongside the Nakheel Mall makes the hotel the ideal location for anyone visiting Palm Jumeirah,” said Shangri-La President and CEO Greg Dogan. “The island is the ultimate address for a luxurious stay in Dubai for both visitors and U.A.E. residents, and we are thrilled to partner with Nakheel to open a Shangri-La hotel in this must-visit destination.”

One of the world’s largest real estate developers, Nakheel has built up an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects.

Nakheel Chairman, Ali Rashid Lootah, said: “Palm Jumeirah is synonymous with luxury living and leisure. Our new partnership with Shangri-La further reinforces the island’s position as a global destination offering unrivalled, world-class facilities for Dubai’s residents and tourists. The Palm Tower will be our flagship hotel and the ultimate address on Palm Jumeirah. We are delighted to bring Shangri-La and its world-renowned service and hospitality to what will be the new centrepiece of Palm Jumeirah and a stunning new landmark for Dubai.”

Shangri-La’s new project on Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island, is part of the group’s expanding Middle East portfolio. The group currently operates four hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and a resort in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Two hotels are also under development in Qatar.

New tool for hotels without automatic minibars provides web-based tracking of consumables through mobile posting solution

Las Vegas - June 10, 2014 - Bartech, the leader in automatic minibar solutions for the global hospitality industry, announces the introduction of BarTouch, a ground breaking new manual minibar management solution. This web-based application is a first of its kind, helping hotels to more efficiently track in-room consumables sold through any manual minibar, regardless of equipment, making it compatible with non-Bartech minibars as well as snack trays and bottled water display units.

BarTouch is a web-based application that works with all browser types and meets the latest industry security protocols. Minibar attendants can access the software from any smart mobile device, including Android and iOS phones, tablets and laptop computers. Through the software, a guest’s consumptions can be posted directly to their folio via the Property Management System (PMS). By bringing this type of intelligence to manual minibar operations, BarTouch allows hotels to capture more revenue, improve refilling efficiency and better manage inventory control. The manual minibar management software also helps to facilitate a more accurate checkout payment and limits front desk disputes, therefore improving guest satisfaction.

BarTouch then takes manual minibar postings to the next level by adding in additional features key to hotel operations. Through the software, minibar attendants can post maintenance issues, such as broken hardware or failing refrigeration. This streamlining of requests for engineering speeds up recovery times and eliminates lost messaging.BarTouch also provides management with statistics on guest consumption so that best selling items can be easily recognized, invoice reporting generated and a true cost of goods and services can be determined.

“While automatic minibars are the best way to capture revenue, Bartech recognizes that automatic minibars may not be attainable for all hotels due to budgetary restrictions,” says Pierre Agrario, Vice President of Account Management at Bartech Systems. “Forging ahead into new technology applications in order to better satisfy the needs of those without automatic minibars, we have designed BarTouch to be accessible entirely from the web to help hotels better manage their manual minibar operations.”

Bartech is currently offering those with manual minibars a 30-day free trial of the BarTouch, allowing properties to prove the solution’s hotel efficiency and profitably generating features. Additionally, those interested can view BarTouch at HITEC 2014 taking place in Los Angeles, June 24-26. Visit Bartech’s Booth #1025 at the Los Angeles Convention Center during the event for a demonstration of the innovative new manual minibar management software, along with other state-of-the-art Bartech software and automatic minibars products developed across their over two decades of experience of hospitality minibar technology innovation.

For more information about BarTouch and Bartech’s comprehensive range of automatic minibar solutions, please contact Bruno Agrario at +1-702-335-2318, email bruno@bartech.com or visit www.bartech.com.

June 10, 2014 - SYDNEY - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced its global powerhouse Sheraton has expanded its resorts portfolio with the opening of Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji. Owned by local Fijian proprietary company, Ritam Investments Ltd, part of the P Meghji Group, the previously independent resort underwent an extensive $18.5 million renovation and conversion project prior to raising the Sheraton flag. The debut of Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, marks the Sheraton brand’s eighth property in the Pacific region and Starwood’s fourth operating property in Fiji, joining Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas and The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa. 

“Sheraton continues to grow at a phenomenal pace by leveraging its first-mover advantage. The opening of Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, not only adds another world-class property to the rapidly expanding Sheraton resorts portfolio, but also strengthens Starwood’s position in the Pacific,” said Sean Hunt, Regional Vice President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Pacific. “The only internationally branded hotel in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, will serve as a gathering place for both business and leisure travelers, where they can enjoy all of the brand’s signature amenities and services in an idyllic, beachfront location.” 

Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, is situated on a 35-acre beachfront property in the south-western corner of Tokoriki Island, the northernmost island within Fiji’s idyllic Mamanuca group. Guests can reach the island via a 12-minute helicopter flight from Nadi or a one-hour boat ride. Fiji is the most easily accessible Pacific island nation and serviced by a number of carriers including Fiji Airways, with direct flights to Nadi out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Auckland, Los Angeles, Seoul and Hong Kong. 

“We are delighted to embark on this new chapter with a leading and internationally recognized hotel company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts,” said Ritam Investments’ Director, Romit Meghji. “The Prime Minister, Rear Admiral Vorege Bainarama’s government has implemented generous investment incentives to encourage investment in the local economy. We are confident in the long-term security and growth of the Fijian market and trust that we will reap the rewards of this positive investment climate. We believe that our new venture will be a great success and a significant boost for the local economy. We have already created around 110 jobs on Tokoriki Island, 51 of which are for members of the local community.” 

As one of Fiji’s largest high-caliber island resorts, Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, will feature a total of 101 guestrooms and suites, including 30 Tokoriki Retreats with private plunge pools. Additionally, the resort will offer 14 Beachfront Rooms, 14 Ocean Breeze Rooms, 18 Ocean View Rooms, seven Family Suites and 18 Island Breeze rooms. All guestrooms have been fully renovated and outfitted with the brand’s renowned Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, high-speed internet and 40-inch flat panel televisions. 

The refurbished lobby features the signature “Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft®” – a relaxed space with complimentary wireless broadband where guests can socialize and connect with friends, both old and new. On-site recreational facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, kids club, two boutiques, a theater accommodating up to 50 guests, and a contemporary spa with four serene treatment rooms and a wide range of relaxation packages. 

Award-winning chef and restaurateur, Peter Kuruvita brings his signature brand, Flying Fish, to Sheraton Resort & Spa Tokoriki Island, Fiji. Head Chef Kim Brennan has leveraged his culinary expertise to create an enticing menu of fresh, sumptuous Fijian seafood enhanced by fresh, local produce. The Flying Fish Tokoriki will appeal to both guests and locals with its inviting ambiance and breathtaking views of the South Pacific. 

An ideal choice for meetings, weddings and functions, Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, offers state-of-the-art conference, business and meeting facilities. The resort’s redeveloped function area and beachfront landscape provides a relaxing and scenic venue for a world-class meeting or event for up to 140 guests. 

For more information on Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, visit www.sheraton.com/tokoriki. 

Last week’s conference attendees touted this Hotel Investment Conference as simply “the only place to be”

New York, NY, June 10, 2014 - The Boutique Hotel Investment Conference, staged here last week by the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA), was a “resounding success,” said Frances Kiradjian, BLLA founder and chairwoman, citing the positive feedback from delegates.

The conference was packed with the movers and shakers of the boutique hotel industry, she said.  At the NY Institute of Technology, well over 200 participants learned, networked, and shared the experience. The conference featured instructive panels on Acquisitions, Debt Financing, Growing Boutique Hotel Portfolios and more. 

Industry legend Horst Schulze, known for his captivating presentations and currently chairman and CEO of the Capella Hotel Group, was the morning session’s keynoter. “The boutique guest expects more heart. They are not looking for sleeping factories,” he stated, as a poignant image appeared on the screen of cookie-cutter bungalows. Later interviews with Ian Schrager, Founder & Chairman of the Ian Schrager Company and with Eric Danziger, President and CEO of Hampshire Hotels provided insights into the industry’s past and, more importantly, its future.

“We are extremely humbled and gratified to hear so many upbeat comments about this conference,” Kiradjian said.  “Our team works tirelessly around the clock to deliver the best-of-the-best event for our worldwide members and guests.  We are driven by a real love for this great industry sector.  To hear several CEO panelists state that they support the BLLA conference over others is astounding.”

In addition, the BLLA Hotel Investment Conference provides exceptional content, leading industry speakers and unsurpassed networking.  It is a boutique conference in that it is large enough to be highly relevant, yet intimate enough to allow for high level networking and simply catching up with industry friends and colleagues. 

In a crowded landscape of investment, finance and industry conferences, this is the only program fully dedicated to boutique hotels and investments and is, therefore, highly effective, efficient and energetic. Some hotel executives said this was the only hotel investment conference they supported because it is the only one globally that focuses solely on boutique and lifestyle hotel capital and closely related subject matter.

Commenting on the event, Jonathan Falik - CEO of JF Capital Advisors, stated, “I am pleased to have sponsored and been involved with the conference and look forward to an even more inspiring program next year. For real-time information, trends and statistics, in an atmosphere conducive to sharing, the BLLA and its Hotel Investment Conference is simply the only place to be.”

The planning for the 2015 conference, being held in New York on June 3, 2015, is already underway.

BLLA’s new conference website, bllaevents.com, provides detailed information on BLLA’s 2 upcoming events as well as other select global conferences in the boutique and lifestyle luxury space.

The highest level of sponsorship at this event, DIAMOND, included: Real Hospitality Group, The New York Institute of Technology - School of Hospitality Management, JF Capital Advisors, Richard Sandoval Restaurants, CohnReznick, Greenberg Traurig & Vizergy.

PHOENIX, June 10, 2014—Big changes are in the air at one of the largest, full-service hotels at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The 257-room Hilton Phoenix Airport, popular for years with individual business travelers and groups, has commenced a property-wide transformation of its guestrooms and suites, meeting spaces, public spaces and exterior to create a modern, sophisticated hotel experience.   

Under the watchful eye of the hospitality interior design specialists at BCDG Studio, the transformation will harness the area’s natural environment incorporating glass, wood and stone with a palette of softened browns, gold and steel greys.

“Striking and sophisticated while still remaining clean and refreshing—that’s the best way to describe the renovation’s overall theme,” explains Mark Gallagher, general manager of the Hilton Phoenix Airport.  “Our guests will experience the new design scheme in our furnishings, fabrics, artwork, greenery, custom lighting and accessories.”

Each of the hotel’s 257 guestrooms, including its ten suites, will be completely transformed with Hilton’s latest Suite Dreams bedding, all-new bathrooms, furnishings, mini-refrigerators, lighting, televisions and art.  

The renovation will create a fresh, inviting lobby experience with new, guest-friendly registration pods; a new bistro proudly serving Starbucks Coffee, featuring breakfast choices in the morning and wraps and sandwiches for lunch and late-night dining; and a high-energy Connectivity Lounge.

The hotel’s Rennick’s Restaurant, Rimrock Bar & Grille and guest corridors also will be updated.

The property’s transformation includes the renovation of its 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including its 4,056-square-foot Grand Ballroom and tiered Amphitheatre.  An additional 5,000 square feet of outdoor function space is ideal for receptions and special events.

Guests at the Hilton Phoenix Airport enjoy 24-hour complimentary airport shuttle service, an expanded Fitness Center featuring Precor equipment, room service and poolside service.   An Executive Level floor with private lounge also is available.

Strong Operating Fundamentals and Favorable Financing Contribute to Positive Outlook

June 10, 2014, Atlanta, Ga, - PKF Consulting USA, LLC (PKFC) today released the results of its annual Hospitality Investment Survey which revealed that hospitality investment indices continue to operate at optimal performance levels.  According to the survey results, hotel profits are up, debt is more readily available at attractive terms, capitalization rates are stable, and values are expected to increase in the near term.  Conducted in the spring of 2014, the current edition of the Hospitality Investment Survey tracks changes in investment and financing criteria over the prior 12 months.

“With supply growth forecast to remain below the long-run average, the outlook for exceptional returns on hotel investments appears to be positive,” said Scott Smith, MAI, vice president in the Atlanta office of PKFC.  “The only outstanding question among the respondents to our survey is ‘how long can the industry maintain this peak performance?’”

Optimal Fundamentals

Driving the optimistic sentiment is the strong outlook for the major lodging metrics.  According to the June 2014 edition of PKF Hospitality Research, LLC’s (PKF-HR) Hotel Horizons® national forecast report, supply growth is expected to remain below the long-run average of 1.9 percent through 2016 before increasing to 2.1 percent in 2017.  PKF-HR expects this modest growth to keep occupancy strong and allow operators to increase average daily rates resulting in robust revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth through 2016.

According to PKF-HR’s 2014 Trends® in the Hotel Industry report, property level net operating income (NOI) increased for the typical U.S. hotel by 10.1 percent in 2013, just below the 2012 year-over-year increase of 10.2 percent.  Double-digit annual gains in NOI are forecast to persist through 2015.

“Many survey respondents indicated that owners are holding on to high yielding assets as the outlook for NOI growth remains strong.  As a result, there are a limited number of hotels available for purchase,” Smith noted.  “This has created a competitive environment for buyers, effectively driving up pricing.  In response, some investors are now targeting alternative asset classes (i.e. select service, extended stay) or focusing on secondary and tertiary markets.”

Investment Criteria

The vast majority of investors remain bullish on the near-term outlook for hotel investing.  Due to the positive outlook for NOI, the overall capitalization rate (OAR) for hotels decreased slightly to 8.27 percent, the lowest OAR recorded since the inception of the survey.  Discount rates (un-leveraged IRR’s), terminal capitalization rates, and equity yields all remained virtually unchanged compared to last year.  “In our opinion, this displays the comfort level that many market participants have with the current investment environment,” Smith said.

The average, expected, cash-on-cash return for a hotel investment increased by nearly one percent in 2014.  This is yet another indication of strong income growth expectations and helps explain the slight increase in the equity yield.

Finally, the survey respondents indicated that the average holding period for assets has increased by approximately six months.  “Many investors are holding on to well-performing assets a little longer,” Smith added.

Investor Favorites

The Hospitality Investment Survey asked respondents to provide capitalization rates by property type, offering some insights regarding the preferences of today’s hotel investor.

Luxury hotels and boutique properties continue to be underwritten on lower cap rates compared to typical, full-service hotels.  “Owners have greater flexibility with these types of assets when completing a repositioning or value enhancement project,” Smith responded.  “In addition, these categories are heavily weighted by properties located in gateway cities such as New York and San Francisco.”

Depending on the age of the asset, capitalization rates for full-service hotels continue to vary widely.  Full-service properties less than 15 years old had an average cap rate of 80 basis points less than hotels 16 years or older.  Limited-service cap rates follow a similar trend with regards to the age of the asset.

Lending Criteria

Lenders also appear to be bullish on the near-term outlook for the lodging industry and continue to demonstrate increasing confidence by providing debt for hotel acquisitions and refinancing.  Debt service coverage ratios remained below pre-recession levels, while loan-to-value ratios increased 281 basis points compared to last year.

“We did notice a slight uptick in interest rates, however, on average they remain below six percent,” Smith stated.  “Rates for limited-service hotels were slightly higher than those for full-service properties.”  There was little change in the amortization period, but the loan term (or year of balloon payment) increased by more than one year, demonstrating the enhanced confidence of lenders.

Summary

“The convergence of positive operating fundamentals and a favorable financing environment makes this an exceptional time for all participants in the U.S. lodging industry.  Current owners are benefiting from strong returns and rising values.  Meanwhile, new investors are able to take advantage of favorable financing terms, and the potential for NOI growth in the near-term,” Smith concluded.

The 2014 Hospitality Investment Survey is available for purchase at www.pkfc.com/store, or by calling (855) 223-1200.  The twelve-page report contains tables that show the current and historical averages of a dozen critical investment measurements, including capitalization rates and mortgage terms by property type.