March 1, 2006
Articles
Open Our Borders
In the February issue (page 4), I wrote about the serious labor problems facing the hotel industry. The issue was the widespread dissatisfaction many...
Microtel Opens Doors For All
Microtel Inns & Suites is going an extra mile to cater to travelers with disabilities. The 279-unit budget chain has implemented a number of programs...
JUMEIRAH EYES U.S. EXPANSION
The name Jumeirah might not be familiar to most, but its flagship hotel should be. The now-iconic, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab in Dubai leads the Dubai-based...
Hyatt's Extra Baggage
The Hyatt Regency Dallas recently added a valuable guest amenity: airline check-in and skycap luggage service. In the lobby of the 1,122-room hotel, vendor...
BRANDING BRIEFS
Best Western International Recent additions to the membership chain include the Best Western Perimeter North in Doraville, GA; the Best Western Lake Okeechobee...
Embassy Responds to the Market
A new prototype for Hilton's wildly successful Embassy Suites brand should mean lower costs and greater flexibility for developers. The new Design Option...
STARWOOD'S BRAND BUILDING
The swift evolution of Starwood Hotels & Resorts continues. In the past year, the company launched a new brand (aloft), bought one (Le Meridien) and conceived...
A TAXING ISSUE
The law is trying to catch up to technology by pitting state and local governments against third-party websites. The issue is taxes collected on online...
TRANSACTIONS
Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South Miami-based Aztec Group brokered the $12-million sale of the Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South in Hollywood,...
ALIS is Abuzz with Deals
Nearly 2,000 hotel executives showed up in sunny Los Angeles in January for the Americas Lodging Industry Summit. Very seldom, however, were all of them...
Desires Expands Beyond its Base
Boutique may be an overused adjective to describe some hotels, but Raul Leal still thinks the term applies, especially to the properties his Desires Hotels...
IT'S NOW OCEAN WATERS
Daytona Beach, FL hospitality company Oceans Resorts changed its name recently to Ocean Waters. The private company operates more than 30 hotels and resorts...
Upcoming Industry Events
MARCH 5-6 Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Spring Trade Expo, Ocean City (MD) Convention Center. Information: www.ocvisitor.com MARCH 6-8 International...
HOSPITALITY PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
The new executive management team at La Quinta includes Angelo Lombardi, executive VP & COO; Murry Cathlina, executive VP-design & construction; Mark...
From The LH Blog
Here's a sampling of recent entries from Lodging Hospitality's blog, The Front Desk. Check it out at www.LHonline.com/blog Steal the business February...
Shell Upgrades at Whistler
Thanks to $4 million and a new staff training program, Shell Vacations and Shell Hospitality have been able to boost the Mountainside Lodge in Whistler,...
Timeshare/Resort Briefs
Kevin Wallace was named managing director of Ragatz Consulting, a unit of Leisure Real Estate Solutions within the Cendant Vacation Network Group. Silverleaf...
Gentlemen: Don't Lose Your Cool
Hospitality is a frustrating industry that often induces massive amounts of stress. Just ask any manager who must make sure there is proper staffing,...
Why Sales Matters
By the early 1990s, a lot of people in the lodging industry thought sales and marketing had become an overrated, ineffective function. Many believed location,...
A guide to crucial lodging industry data
What information do you need: A franchised chain to join? A top-notch architect or designer to renovate your property? A purchasing company to supply...
TOP BRANDS
RANK RANK in 2005 U.S. BRAND AND PARENT COMPANY U.S. PROPERTIES Company Owned STATUS OF PROPERTIES Other Properties FOREIGN PROPERTIES Rooms Number of...
TOP MANAGEMENT COS.
COMPANY NAME PROPERTIES OWNED* & MANAGED PROPERTIES MANAGED FOR OTHER OWNERS TOTAL ROOMS MANAGED ROOMS PROPERTIES ROOMS PROPERTIES INTERSTATE HOTELS &...
DESIGN GIANTS
3DI219 East Houston St., Suite 350San Antonio, TX 78205Tel. 210/227-2500Fax 210/227-9704www.3DI.com ABA Avery Brooks & Assoc.680 Pilot Rd., Suite ALas...
PURCHASING GIANTS
Allegiant4191 Fayetteville Rd.Raleigh, NC 27604919-772-8604Fax 919-662-7012www.allegiant.com American Hotel Register100 S. Milwaukee Ave.Vernon Hills,...
OWNERS & DEVELOPERS
American Property Management Corp.8910 University Center LaneSuite 500San Diego, CA 92122Tel. 858/964-5500Fax 858/964-5511 Ampak Group14914 Winding Creek...
Lodging Design Enhances Master Plan
As the real-estate boom of the past five years sweeps the vacation home market, hotel resort destinations are looking at options to ride the wave. In...
ADDRESSING WEB CONSTITUENCIES
The jury's still out on whether to charge for Internet use or deliver it free, but the verdict is in when it comes to the necessity of Internet access...
Tech Bytes
Pay $4.99 for wireless high-speed Internet access for the length of your stay at Extended Stay Hotels. The portfolio covers Extended Stay America, Homestead...
Wayport Adds Atlanta Hilton
Wayport tightened its grip on the Wi-Fi market by installing its Wi-Fi wireless high-speed Internet access technology at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast...
Best Western Enhances Websites
Websites associated with Best Western International have been updated, offering customizable search options including lowest rate, distance or availability....
On Command Secures HD Content
On Command Video Corp. has reached agreement with Zenith Electronics Corp. to license its Pro:Idiom digital rights management content security software....
INNOVATIONS IN HOTEL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
WRANGLING WASPS AT BARONA VALLEY Nestled just outside San Diego among the rolling hills of the Barona Indian Reservation, the Barona Valley Ranch Resort...
PRODUCTIVITY DRIVES CLEANING
Guestroom cleaning is important to hotel appearance and guest satisfaction. Having a program that maximizes productivity so staff can do a great job in...
Vendor News
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville selected HBO as its premium TV programming service. Comcast Cable negotiated the deal. HBO is...
