Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today unveiled Le MéridienNew Orleans, following a comprehensive$29 million transformation. The newly renovated hotel features 410 fully redesigned guestrooms, including 22 suites; three new food and beverage outlets, including a new destination restaurant; and the addition of 1,600 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced today the opening of the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon, celebrating the official entrée of AC Hotels by Marriott into North America. Originally founded in 1998 by renowned Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan, AC Hotels is one of the most well-known hotel brands in Spain. Following its success in Europe, a joint venture was formed with Marriott International in 2011 establishing AC Hotels by Marriott as a lifestyle brand within the company's global portfolio.
Omni Hotels & Resorts announces the acquisition of the Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans. In a partnership with Riverfront Lodging, LLC, the hotel has been reflagged today as the Omni Riverfront Hotel. The announcement comes on the heels of a six-month, $8 million property renovation.
The Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) have officially begun their 2014-2015 term. The association leaders represent a variety of hospitality industry segments (clubs, hotels, academics and management companies), and will use their professional expertise to help guide the association as it carries out its strategic plan. Upcoming goals for the association include growing globally, successfully serving the current global membership and continued development of the Global Hospitality Accounting Common Practices (GHACP), and maintaining the top-notch education and resources for the hospitality finance and technology professional community.
As of November 1, Daniel N. Conti, Jr., CAM, CHAE officially began his term as global president of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®). Conti was recently honored at the association's 2014 Annual Convention & Tradeshow in New Orleans, La. Conti is currently the director of finance for Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, Fla.
Over 600 Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) members and other hospitality industry professionals from 10 countries recently gathered for HFTP's 62nd Annual Convention & Tradeshow. The convention was held October 22 – 25 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in New Orleans, La. Attendees celebrated the association's successful year with a convention full of topic focused education sessions, multiple networking opportunities and access to leading industry suppliers at the trade show.
The University of New Orleans has launched a new fully online executive master's degree program in hospitality and tourism management. Classes begin in the spring 2015 semester and students can enroll now.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of Waypoint NOLA, LLC for a Hyatt House hotel in New Orleans. The project, an adaptive re-use of an existing 24-story office building, includes the redevelopment and renovation of seven floors located within the building, with the lobby to be located on the 11th floor and the guestrooms on floors 12-17. Additionally, a second-floor sky bridge will connect the building to Hyatt Regency New Orleans, which reopened in 2011 following a $275 million redesign and revitalization.
The elegant French Quarter hotel, the Omni Royal Orleans, has appointed nine-year Omni Hotels & Resorts veteran Rickie L. Pares, Jr., as director of rooms for the seven-story luxury hotel. Pares joins Omni Royal Orleans from the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, where he was promoted to director of rooms, responsible for the 1,070-guest room hotel connected to Phillips Arena, the George World Congress Center and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Evelyn Adams, was selected as the 2014 Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Paragon Award recipient for her significant time and efforts devoted on the chapter and global levels of HFTP. Based in Boca Raton, Fla., Adams is currently the controller for the Bocaire Country Club. Adams will be presented with the prestigious Paragon Award, established to recognize individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to both HFTP and the hospitality industry, during the Annual Convention and Tradeshow annual business meeting on Friday, October 24.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) will honor Eileen A. Sarris, CPA, CHAE, as the 2014 CHAE (Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive) of the Year at the HFTP Annual Convention and Tradeshow. With its 31st honoree, the CHAE of the Year honors the individual that scored the highest on the CHAE certification exam in a given year. The Annual Convention and Tradeshow will be held October 22-25 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, LA.
The U.S. Travel Association announced Wednesday that New Orleans will be the venue for IPW 2016-the first time the blockbuster travel industry event has returned to the Crescent City since 2002. New Orleans also previously hosted the annual five-day event, formerly known as International Pow Wow, in 1993 and 1979.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today unveiled designs for Le Méridien New Orleans, a milestone as the French-born brand prepares to return to the Crescent City by end of year. As part of the strategic conversion plan of the former W New Orleans, the property has now transitioned to the Hotel New Orleans Downtown for the remainder of its $29 million renovation. Managed by Starwood Hotels, the Hotel New Orleans Downtown will remain open and fully operational as well as a member of the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program until Le Méridien debuts this winter.
Menfi has spent the last year at Loews Philadelphia Hotel serving as hotel manager, where she was instrumental in the completion of a $25 million hotel renovation and helped lead the hotel to winning the Loews Hotels & Resorts Hotel of the Year Award in 2013. Prior to joining Loews Hotels & Resorts, Menfi spent 18 years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company where she began as a front office agent and club concierge in 1995 and advanced into front office manager roles, including at the Ritz Carlton New Orleans. She quickly advanced to leadership positions including Director of Housekeeping, Assistant Rooms Executive, Director of Rooms and Executive Assistant Manager at several U.S. hotel properties in the Ritz-Carlton brand. A Cleveland, Ohio, native, Loris attended Kent State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and marketing. In addition to her work at the hotel, Menfi is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. She and her family plan to reside in the Westbank area of New Orleans.
HVS is pleased to announce the opening of a hotel consulting and valuation services branch in New Orleans to serve a rising volume of hotel projects and a strong client contingent in the Gulf Coast market. With a team of professional appraisers and industry veterans to cater to the needs of hotel investors, buyers, sellers, owners, and operators in the region, HVS New Orleans offers the following services:
Travis Tague, who has served as director of operations at the Hyatt French Quarter the past two years, has been promoted to general manager of the award-winning hotel, announced Larry Daniels, regional vice president of operations for HRI Lodging (HRIL), which manages the property. A veteran of the hotel industry since 1994, Tague joined HRIL in 2011 as area director of human resources, leading that division of the company for all New Orleans area properties. He was named director of operations at the Hyatt French Quarter in 2012 during the hotel’s $20 million renovation and conversion to the Hyatt flag. Hyatt Hotels Corporation last year awarded HRI Lodging its Best Conversion award for the Hyatt French Quarter.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its leading-edge Aloft brand will debut in New Orleans in 2015, following the completion of an adaptive re-use project. The historic building, located at 225 Baronne Street, will be transformed into a sleek new Aloft Hotel in the city's central business district. Owned by 225 Baronne Complex LLC, an entity of HRI Properties, and managed by HRI Lodging, Aloft New Orleans Downtown will feature 188 spacious, loft-like rooms, forward-thinking technology and a lively, social atmosphere.
Pearse comes to Omni Royal Orleans from Dimension Development Company, a Louisiana-based developer, where he was area general manager with direct oversight of Hilton New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue, the Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans on Poydras Street, and the Springhill Suites in Baton Rouge. During his eight years with Dimension, he was honored as General Manager of the Year.
Leonardo Worldwide Corporation (formerly VFM Leonardo, Inc.), the leader in online visual content distribution for hotels, congratulates Louise Meyer, Vice President, Global Account Management on winning the 2013 HEDNA Award of Excellence. The HEDNA Award of Excellence honors an individual or company that has made remarkable contributions toward the advancement of hotel electronic distribution, mainly -- though not exclusively -- through their activities within HEDNA. Louise was selected by HEDNA's Board of Directors and recognized at the Conference in New Orleans last week.
René Bajeux has been named Executive Chef of the JW Marriott New Orleans, it was announced today by Ted Selogie, General Manager.