February 1, 2011
FORUM
ALIS Offers Hope, Caution to Hotel Industry
Beyond the cheery faces and optimistic talk at last month’s Americas Lodging Investment Summit, an undertone of uncertainty and volatility went mostly unspoken. Nearly every conference speaker and person I interviewed only talked about the improving industry fundamentals and the vast opportunities for transactions this year and beyond. Of course, they were all right: 12 months ago no one could have definitively predicted how quickly ...
CHECK IN
Wave of ‘Physical Distress’ Still to Come
While hotel transactions have increased from a trickle to a steady stream in recent months, not everyone is feeling the flow. Trophy assets in gateway cities are trading at pre-recession prices, while many distressed assets continue to languish. ...
Study Shows Hotel Branding Works
Branded hotels fare better than independently-operated properties in economic downturns, according to research recently completed at The Pennsylvania State University School of Hospitality Management. A study of the performance of hotels during both economic recessions and expansions indicates that brand name hotels are more profitable than independent hotels under all economic conditions, but the difference is particularly significant during recessions....
Better Ways to Manage Your Business
As my company, HVS, heads into its 31st year, I like to reflect on a few business methods and philosophies that have proven successful in creating our global organization. While my company ...
FEATURES
Delaware North Strikes Gold With Special Places
It may be the most successful hotel company you probably never heard of. It’s Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, the Buffalo, NY-based operator of 20 lodging properties with about 4,000 units mostly in or near national and state parks in the U.S. and Canada. The firm also owns five resorts in Australia and is concessionaire at a number of national parks (Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Yosemite), two New York State parks and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. ...
Nissenbaum Raises Bar at Peninsula Beverly Hills
Near the corner of Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards, banners attached to lampposts encourage people to ‘Celebrate 90210.’ The prestigious postal code is sufficient to identify the classy, cultured community of Beverly Hills to visitors from around the world. Just a few yards away, behind walls designed to keep away the paparazzi, the Peninsula Beverly Hills ...
DESIGN PERSPECTIVE
First Staybridge Suites With Student Designs Opens
A unique partnership between the Savannah College of Art and Design and IHG’s Staybridge Suites brand has born fruit. The first hotel in the brand’s portfolio to open with designs created by interior design students at the school debuted last week near Houston. ...
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Digital Signage Expo Offers Track for Hoteliers
More than 4,000 attendees and 180 exhibitors are expected at the 8th annual Digital Signage Expo that returns to Sin City Feb. 22-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is the world’s largest trade show and conference covering digital signage, interactive technology and out-of-home networks. Multiple panels and sessions will appeal to hotel owners and operators, including several with moderators and panelists who work in the hospitality industry....
BACK OF HOUSE
Behind the Scenes Feb. 15, 2011
BED BUGS A global pandemic. That's what Missy Henrikson, the vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association, called the...
Products Feb. 15, 2011
The latest in hotel products....
