January 1, 2005
Articles
A Hotel Wish List For 2005
With rising demand, increased rates and healthy profits, 2004 was a very good year for the hotel industry. Unfortunately, it was also a year of challenges,...
MARRIOTT RAMPS UP FAIRFIELD
Fairfield Inn & Suites is stoking the competition in the mid-scale, limited-service tier. The brand from Marriott has instituted several new efforts in...
Country Hearth Inns Forecasts System Growth
Country Hearth Inns ended 2004 with 70 properties open or under development and aims to add 30 more properties to the flag this year. New and prospective...
Radisson Donates Beds for Needy
A partnership between Radisson Hotels & Resorts, United Way and Twin Cities, MN nonprofit Hope for the City have created a public-private coalition to...
BRANDING BRIEFS
Best Western International Recent U.S. additions to the membership group include the Best Western Crivitz Lodge in Crivitz, WI; the Best Western Plainfield...
HYATT AIMS AMERISUITES AT GEN X
Hyatt Corp. has big plans for the AmeriSuites brand it purchased last month from The Blackstone Group for a reported $600 million-plus. Once it integrates...
Picking up the Pace
The pace of operations at the Executive West Hotel, Louisville, KY is picking up speed. The hotel has acquired a Segway Human Transporter (HT), a self-balancing,...
IAHI PROGRAM SHAPES LEADERS
Representatives of The Owners' Association of InterContinental Hotels Group (the IAHI) and InterContinental Hotels Group are so pleased with the outcome...
Upcoming Industry Events
JANUARY 17-19 Americas Lodging Investment Summit-ALIS, Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, Los Angeles. Information: www.ALISconference.com JANUARY 24 HSMAI Adrian...
TRANSACTIONS
Adam's Mark Philadelphia Target Corp. bought the 515-room property from Adam's Mark Hotels for an undisclosed amount. The Minneapolis-based retail chain...
SENTIMENT TOWARD EXPANSION SLIDES DOWNWARD
While the most recent Lodging Executives Sentiment Index (LESI) reflects continued expansion in general business conditions, it also suggests a little...
HOSPITALITY PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Thomas Arasi is the new president of Portman Holdings. He had been chief investment officer of CNL Hospitality Corp. Choice Hotels International, Inc....
DON'T FORGET TO REHEARSE
During the recent presidential debates, it became common knowledge that each candidate rehearsed his answers for hours until the responses became second...
The ATM Conundrum
Though ATMs are becoming common in full-service hotels, many luxury properties still don't have an ATM and have decided they don't want one. Why? That's...
FAIRFIELD RESORTS SAYS, HI NEIGHBOR
A good neighbor is a blessing, and Fairfield Resorts couldn't have a better one for its newest property in Florida. The recently opened Fairfield Orlando...
ANOTHER STELLAR YEAR AHEAD
Like all segments of the hospitality industry, timeshare has its challenges, but the $10-billion industry should have another solid year of sales growth...
Robert Falor's Velocity
Robert Falor is so busy playing the condo hotel field, it seems he adds projects by the week. In mid-December, he was developing 12, with another 13 under...
Another 2000?
Dare we say it? 2005, or perhaps 2006, may be the new 2000, the year nearly everyone in the lodging industry acknowledges as the best ever. A review of...
Short-Term Strategies For Long-Term Returns
As we move into 2005, it's important that the lodging industry capitalize on both its improving performance and the strong activity in hotel sales. A...
Tune In to TVs
At one time, buying TVs for hotel guestrooms and public areas was a fairly easy proposition. Screen size, cable readiness, energy efficiency and cost...
Fast Track Restoration
Last summer's rash of hurricanes created a nightmare for Florida residents and businesses alike. Months later, a sea of bright blue tarp-covered roofs...
SEARCH ENGINES IN PHOCUS
The consolidation that defined the hotel industry in the 90s is rippling through online travel distribution in the beginning of the new millennium. Remember...
HOT #5 Set for March
The fifth annual Hospitality Operations & Technology Conference, which drew more than 200 of lodging's top executives last year, will again be held at...
Best Western Outsources IT
Best Western International has signed three-year pacts with Keane and TeleTech Services to, respectively, augment operations systems and manage its data...
HSIA Trending Free
Why do upscale hotels charge $10 or more for use of high-speed Internet access while midscale and some budget hotels offer it for free? I think most people...
INNOVATIONS IN HOTEL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Software Solution Suits Classic Resorts Classic Resorts Limited, Lahaina, HI, is a resort management company specializing in vacation condominiums and...
VENDOR NEWS
KoolConnect Technologies recently installed its KIS digital interactive and guest services system at the 950-room Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers. KIS...
