(Columbus, Ohio) – Fillmore Hospitality, LLC, has launched its eleventh managed hotel with the addition of The MileNorth Hotel positioned between Chicago's Magnificent Mile and the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. The River North area is a perfect example of Fillmore Hospitality's focus on developing and managing high quality hotels in prime urban locations coast to coast.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced it will introduce The Luxury Collection brand to Chicago, following the conversion of the hotel now known as Conrad Chicago. Owned by DiamondRock Hospitality, the hotel will offer unparalleled luxury and personalized service in a prime downtown Chicago location with direct access to the upscale boutiques along the Magnificent Mile shopping district. To be maintained with a new as of yet, undisclosed name under The Luxury Collection brand flag this Fall, following a conversion and renovation, the hotel marks another milestone for the brand, which continues to debut marquee conversion hotels and invest in landmark renovations around the world.
Khokhar has spent the last four years at the Dolce Hotels and Resorts, now part of Wyndham Hotel Group, where he started as the director of operations for the historic Seaview Golf Resort in New Jersey. In a short time, he was promoted to an assistant general manager, where he was a valuable contributor in redefining the brand. Additionally, Khokhar worked to establish standards for inspiring meetings and special events. Before his work with Dolce Hotels and Resorts, he also worked at other hotel properties, including The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in St. Louis.
James Mahon, who was the long-time public relations director for the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), passed away peacefully earlier this month, surrounded by his loving family. He had been ill for a short time.
The Waldorf Astoria Chicago announced today that Michael Vaughn will lead the culinary team as Executive Chef. Vaughn, a Chicago native, will oversee all conceptualization and creation of cuisine at Balsan, the hotel's casually elegant bistro and at the cozy and sophisticated Bernard's Bar. In addition, Chef Vaughn will also lead the culinary charge on in-room dining and spa cuisine at the Waldorf Astoria Spa & Health Club.
Stacey Nadolny, an HVS Senior Vice President and Partner with experience on hundreds of hotel and resort assignments throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, has been assigned to lead the firm’s consulting and valuation division in Chicago.Stacey, a graduate of Cornell’s School of Hospitality Administration, worked at Hillstone Restaurant Group in Chicago before joining HVS in 2007. Just prior to her current position, she led the appraisal team operating out of the HVS satellite office in Columbus, Ohio. Stacey has written widely on major regional markets including Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Detroit. She regularly represents HVS at industry conferences, most recently speaking on a hotel valuation panel at the 2015 Hunter Hotel Conference.
Originally from Ohio, Rodriguez discovered her love for hospitality during her time in event services at Sonesta Resort in the Caribbean. Her passion flourished as she worked with incentive groups to create memorable events and learned more about the hotel industry. Rodriguez credits her time at Sonesta for building her overall understanding of the inner workings of a hotel, giving her a foundation for her approach to sales and marketing strategies today.
“Here’s a great story about how Richard (Branson) works with his companies, in this case ours,” Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels, tells me. “We picked this building (the former Old Dearborn Bank Building in downtown Chicago) to build out as the future flagship of Virgin Hotels three and a half years ago. I told Richard ‘this is the place!’ He said, ‘well, if you say that it’s the place, then I say it’s the place – I trust you; you’re the hotel guy.’ “So, we get a couple years into the buildout” [an unusually involved buildout, as the building is a designated Chicago landmark with impressive architectural bones, many of which Virgin was required by statutory and aesthetic considerations to not only keep but restore to their original 1926 splendor] “and Richard came to visit. He told me, ‘Raul, you must have more imagination than me because I just don’t quite see it yet, but I know when you’re done I will be delighted.’”
Palmer House Hilton is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Finn as its new Hotel Manager. A veteran in the hospitality and finance industry, Finn brings over 30 years of experience to his new role.Finn's focus in his new position will be travel industry relations and strategic partnerships, along with an emphasis on building the meetings and incentive market. He will oversee the team on-property in addition to managing the hotel's brand positioning, marketing and sales.
Viceroy Hotel Group confirmed today plans for the brand's hotly anticipated expansion to Chicago's renowned Gold Coast neighborhood with a scheduled opening set for 2017.
Hilton Worldwide today announced the addition of LondonHouse to Curio - A Collection by Hilton, a global brand of distinctive upper upscale and luxury hotels, hand-picked for travelers who seek local discovery and authentic experiences. LondonHouse will be located in Chicago's historic London Guarantee Building and new 22-story architecturally synchronized Modernist glass tower.
Loews Hotels & Resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loews Corporation (NYSE:L), today announced that the new Loews Chicago Hotel has officially opened. "Returning to Chicago with a branded hotel has been a goal of ours for some time now," said Jonathan M. Tisch, Chairman, Loews Hotels & Resorts. "It is especially exciting for us to be able to expand our footprint by adding such a spectacular property at a time when Chicago is thriving."
The design of Virgin Hotels Chicago has been widely praised for bringing something new to the industry and offering guests an alternative to the traditional hotel experience. But where do the ideas for a new business come from? We caught up with CEO Raul Leal to find out more about how their ideas were conceived and developed...
After a hectic morning of working while traveling, I checked into the Virgin Hotel in Chicago this week in typical business traveler fashion: sleep deprived, cranky, and on a deadline. Six hours later, I was relaxed, dolled up, and cackling with the hotel restaurant staff over a rude game of Cards Against Humanity. And that’s exactly how Richard Branson wants me. When his very first hotel opened last month in Chicago's business district, he dubbed it “female friendly” and especially equipped to pamper professional women. “We’re taking into consideration the rise of female business travelers and appreciate what it means to our success as a brand,” said Branson.
BridgeStreet Global Hospitality – the leading international solution for serviced apartment experiences – has announced the appointment of John Janco to Director of Sales for the Midwest region. Reporting directly to Lucas Hewett, Regional Director, Sales - Americas at Bridgestreet, Janco will be responsible for developing and managing the sales team, encouraging them to perform to their highest level using guidelines set forth by Hewett.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that Hyatt Centric, a new, full service lifestyle brand designed for business and leisure travelers, will open its first hotels in April. The hotels – Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago and Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami – will deliver on the brand's mission of putting its guest at the center of the action in the best destinations.
Today, Sertifi announced that Dolce's sales and catering group utilizes its integrated eSignature and payment solution to significantly speed the sales process, while reducing the risk and liability of security data breaches.
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson looked ruefully at the coupe of Moet set in front of him by a cheery young waitress. After a few quiet words with her, he said, “I was so hungover this morning. I just can't say no.”
FRHI Hotels & Resorts appoints Mark Huntley as regional vice president and general manager of Swissôtel Chicago. Huntley will continue to be responsible for the overall operations, performance, and strategic direction for hotels based in the Central U.S. & Mexico Region and will carry out the responsibilities of general manager for Swissôtel Chicago. Huntley joined the company in 1986 and held several progressive positions over the years, including general manager of the Fairmont San Francisco and The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel. Most recently, Huntley was the regional vice president & general manager, Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park.
Today marks a milestone in the history of the Virgin brand with Virgin Hotels opening the doors to its first property, Virgin Hotels Chicago. The new hotel brand will join a stellar portfolio of hospitality companies led by Virgin Group and its founder Sir Richard Branson, and offer the same excitement, heartfelt service and smart innovation that Virgin is known for.