Westgate Resorts announced today the acquisition of the former Hilton New York Grand Central, a 23-floor, 300-room, two-tower hotel located in the historic Tudor City neighborhood within the heart of Midtown Manhattan's East Side that has been rebranded Westgate New York City.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' (NYSE: WH) President and CEO Geoff Ballotti, Chairman of the Board Steve Holmes, executive leadership, team members and hotel teams today rang the NYSE Opening Bell celebrating the launch of the company's new ticker symbol "WH".
Last night, Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), the world's most diversified casino-entertainment company brought to life four of its iconic brands inside New York City's iconic Rainbow Room, celebrating the launch of brand licensing opportunities for Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Flamingo and The LINQ.
Continuing the momentum from the end of last year, RevPAR growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2018. Occupancy levels continued to increase due to accelerating demand growth and decelerating supply growth, with pricing power appearing to finally begin to return to Manhattan hotels. RevPAR increased 7.4 percent, driven equally by increasing occupancy and average daily rate ("ADR") levels.
Taormina, a celebrated hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience, most recently served as Area Managing Director for Dream Hotel Group, where he oversaw both Dream Downtown and Dream Midtown. He started his career in 2004, as a General Manager Lodgian Hotels Corporation. Throughout this six-year period, he managed five properties in several cities including Dallas, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Denver and Atlanta. After leaving Lodgian Hotels Corporation in 2010, Taormina joined Highgate Hotels, first as the General Manager of Doubletree by Hilton in Syracuse, New York where he had numerous accomplishments including overseeing a multi-million dollar renovation of the hotel's public spaces. Following his tenure at Doubletree by Hilton, he became the Managing Director of Refinery Hotel in New York City and spearheaded the property's opening in the prominent Fashion District. In 2015, he took on the role of Area Director of Operations for Highgate Hotels in Miami.Taormina, a celebrated hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience, most recently served as Area Managing Director for Dream Hotel Group, where he oversaw both Dream Downtown and Dream Midtown. He started his career in 2004, as a General Manager Lodgian Hotels Corporation. Throughout this six-year period, he managed five properties in several cities including Dallas, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Denver and Atlanta. After leaving Lodgian Hotels Corporation in 2010, Taormina joined Highgate Hotels, first as the General Manager of Doubletree by Hilton in Syracuse, New York where he had numerous accomplishments including overseeing a multi-million dollar renovation of the hotel's public spaces. Following his tenure at Doubletree by Hilton, he became the Managing Director of Refinery Hotel in New York City and spearheaded the property's opening in the prominent Fashion District. In 2015, he took on the role of Area Director of Operations for Highgate Hotels in Miami.
Palmer will lead the spring 2019 opening and day-to-day operations of the 512-room TWA Hotel. Prior to joining MCR, Palmer served as the Hotel Manager for the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, the largest non-casino hotel in the United States, transforming it into one of Marriott's top performing properties. Previously, he was General Manager at the Courtyard and Residence Inn L.A. LIVE, which ranked among the top five hotels in Marriott's western region for guest satisfaction. Palmer holds a B.S in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from the University of Delaware.
Business titans and thought leaders in the hospitality industry will be among the featured panelists at the 40th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. Hosted by the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYUSPS) Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism (sps.nyu.edu/tisch), the Conference will be held June 3-5 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City, and will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking events that provide data, analysis, perspectives, insights, and opportunities for professionals in the field. Jonathan M. Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels & Co. and co-chairman of the board of Loews Corporation is the Conference chair; Jeffrey Stewart, founder, Walnut Hill Advisors, serves as the Conference vice chair; Dennis Di Lorenzo, Harvey J. Stedman Dean, NYU School of Professional Studies, serves as the Conference host; and Nicolas Graf, associate dean, NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism, is the Conference co-host.
Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announces the appointment of Kori Yoran as the new General Manager for Dream Midtown in Manhattan NYC. Kori joined Dream Midtown as Director of Front Office in October 2015 and was promoted to Hotel Manager shortly thereafter in February 2017, working closely with the Managing Director in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Midtown property. Kori began his career in hospitality in 2009 holding various Front Office positions with SoHo House in New York City. He also previously worked as Front Office Manager at DHG's for mer property, The President Hotel in Times Square, before joining Intercontinental Times Square and the SoHo Grand Hotel, where he held various management roles, including Assistant Front Office Manager and Assistant Executive Housekeeper.In his new role, Kori is responsible for all day-to-day management, operations, and oversight of the inaugural Dream Hotel location, including front of house, engineering & security departments, recruitment, development of staff, the hotel's annual budget, and assuring guest satisfaction. Kori studied Business Administration, Hospitality Management & Marketing at The George Washington University, and later received an MBA with a specialization in Asset and Revenue Management from Glion.
Arlo Hotels, an independent, four-star lifestyle hotel brand, has appointed Bassim Ouachani as General Manager at Arlo SoHo. Ouachani brings more than 18 years of hospitality experience to this role, which was a natural progression from his previous position as Director of Operations at Arlo SoHo.
New York-based real estate developer and investor Lightstone has appointed Paul Ridguard as GM for the Moxy NYC Chelsea. Ridguard will lead the opening and launch of Lightstone's newest Moxy hotel in New York City, which is scheduled to open in October 2018.
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International's experiential hotel brand, announced today a multifaceted collaboration with the award-winning improv theater, Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). The two brands will team up to debut an original employee crew training program to heighten the guest experience, as well as to kick-off brand-wide Improv Workshops for guests to join in on the fun.
Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the successful implementation of its BeyondTV solution at the Cachet Boutique NYC, an ultra luxurious hotel in New York that serves as the U.S. flagship property for the Cachet Hospitality Group. Setting itself apart as an urban cultural oasis, Cachet Boutique NYC's decision to adopt BeyondTV further demonstrates the property's goal of providing its guests with the latest in hotel communications technology and personal device to guestroom television casting convenience.
The St. Regis New York is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Arnao as Executive Chef. Boasting extensive knowledge of the culinary hospitality industry, Chef Arnao brings a wealth of experience to his new role at the beloved flagship property where he will oversee the culinary direction for the hotel, including its Astor Court restaurant and the famed King Cole Bar.
TEFAF, the not-for-profit foundation that organizes three Fairs internationally, TEFAF Maastricht, TEFAF New York Fall and TEFAF New York Spring, has announced that Raffles Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning, luxury hotel brand, is the lead sponsor for the second edition of TEFAF New York Spring, May 4-8, 2018 at the historic Park Avenue Armory.
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International's playful, experiential hotel brand for the next generation of travelers, expects to welcome two New York City hotels to its roster this year, bringing the brand to a total of three properties in the city by the end of 2018. Designed for both the young and the young-at-heart, Moxy made its Big Apple debut in September 2017 with the much-anticipated opening of Moxy Times Square. Moxy Downtown and Moxy Chelsea will fully embrace modern fun-hunting travelers with their spirit, style and affordable price points.
Luxe Collection by L.E. Hotels welcomes the iconic Lotte New York Palace as its newest property in its premier collection. The Luxe Collection is a distinctive group of high-end hotel properties with historical significance found in prime locations which boast the finest services and amenities achieving the highest quality of service.
In partnership with Union Square Events, Conrad New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward Zissel to director of banquets. With more than 12 years of events and planning experience in the New York City market, Zissel continues to showcase his expertise at lower Manhattan's only allsuite luxury hotel where he will manage the planning and execution of all operations by Union Square Events, the hotel's exclusive catering partner.
The Sheraton New York Times Square is proud to announce the appointment of Achilles Poliviou as Executive Chef. A classically trained chef with deep experience leading culinary programs in New York City hotels, Chef Poliviou brings more than 25 years of trademark food and beverage excellence from brands including Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott and St. Regis, among others.
Britton is no stranger to the Marriott brand, having begun his career as a bellman at a Courtyard by Marriott in Wichita, Kan. Prior to coming on board at the AC Hotel New York Times Square, Britton had the opportunity to spend several years in New York City working with multiple brands and service models. Britton will oversee and manage all aspects of the AC Hotel New York Times Square.
Buiza has 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, managing, marketing and selling branded and independent hotels in New York City. She began her hospitality career in operations: doing everything from answering phones to managing the food-and-beverage department for a luxury hotel. Buiza obtained her master's degree in hospitality management with a concentration in hotel investment finance at NYU, and found her calling in hotel sales and marketing. Her love for providing extraordinary experiences for guests led her to lifestyle hotels, and eventually the leadership role as the director of sales for the AC Hotel.