Managed by 25-year hospitality veteran Nicole Hendrix, and award-winning and nationally recognized Management Company, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Aliz Hotel Times Square will debut this fall at one of the most iconic intersections in NYC.
Aliz has also named Michael Ormond as director of revenue management. His expertise in driving bookings through extensive revenue analysis was defined during his experience at dynamic and authentic properties such as The Out NYC, Marmara Hotels NYC and NoMo SoHo, which lends to the spirit of Aliz as well.
Average daily room rate ("ADR") was up for the sixth consecutive month, driving continued strength for Manhattan hotels in revenue per available room ("RevPAR") growth during Q2. During the quarter, growth in lodging demand continued to exceed increases in room supply, with occupancy posting gains quarterover-quarter and year-over-year. As pricing power appeared to finally return to the Manhattan lodging market, RevPAR increased 4.3 percent over prior year levels, driven largely by growth in ADR levels at hotels across all classes and neighborhoods. As the Manhattan lodging market continues to strengthen, ADR growth has improved, increasing 3.3 percent for the first half of 2018. RevPAR also showed improvement, increasing 5.5 percent during the first six months of the year. With occupancy reported at 90.7 percent in Q2 across Manhattan, Q2 2018 marked the highest year-to-date occupancy level over the 24-year period tracked.
On September 12th, citizenM - the pioneer of affordable luxury hotels - is doing what they do best once again: launching a new hotel and causing further disruption in the traditional hotel industry. The award-winning brand is returning to New York City to throw open the doors of citizenM New York Bowery, a 300-room sister hotel to the citizenM New York Times Square open since 2014.
In partnership with Union Square Events, Conrad New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Trevor Brune to director of catering and events. With more than 12 years of hospitality experience, Brune brings targeted knowledge in event trends and guest relations expertise to lower Manhattan's only all-suite luxury hotel where he will manage the planning and execution of all operations by Union Square Events, the hotel's exclusive catering partner.
Colleen McCollum has been appointed the director of sales and marketing at Yotel New York, located in the heart of New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood in Manhattan.
If you followed the social media accounts of the tennis players Serena Williams, Stan Wawrinka and Garbiñe Muguruza, all in New York for the 2018 U.S. Open, you might have noticed a certain similarity to a few of their Instagram posts or tweets.
Denihan Hospitality, ("Denihan" or the "Company") a full service hospitality company, is pleased to announce the formation of The James Connection, a workforce development program at the soon-to-be-constructed The James Washington D.C., the hotel component of Armature Works, a premier mixed-use development located in the vibrant NoMa neighborhood of Washington D.C. that is being developed by Trammell Crow Company, its residential subsidiary High Street Residential, and KochSmith Capital. The James Connection, which is intended to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between Denihan, its development partners and the local community, will offer 5-10 neighbors the opportunity to participate in a week-long hotel shadow program. It will also offer career training in hospitality twice a year to interested juniors and seniors at Eastern High School.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Blundell as General Manager of Hyatt Centric Times Square, New York. With over 27 years of hotel expertise, Thomas’ new role at Hyatt Centric’s flagship property sees him responsible for directing the overall day-to-day operations at the 487-room property and ensuring that every guest experiences world-class hospitality.
As Anbang's financial struggles continue, its best bet remains getting the Waldorf Astoria modernized and open for business. As the renovations drag on, though, one has to wonder if Hilton will simply open a new property in New York City. Anbang Insurance Group Co. is moving forward with renovations to Manhattan's Waldorf Astoria amid expectations the embattled Chinese company will sell other U.S. hotels. The insurer, which began demolition work at the Waldorf last November, has signed a contract with Aecom Tishman to cover the second phase of the project, according to a statement Tuesday. The hotel is expected to reopen in 2021 with about 350 condos, 350 hotel rooms and architecturally preserved public spaces, Anbang said. Anbang's plans for the famed Park Avenue property has been fodder for speculation ever since the company acquired it for $1.95 billion, a record price for a U.S. hotel. Questions about the Waldorf's future have only increased as Chinese companies face government pressure to reverse debt-fueled buying sprees and return capital invested overseas. Anbang has held talks to sell a collection of luxury hotels that it bought from Blackstone Group LP in 2016, Bloomberg has reported.
InvoTech Systems Inc. announced the recent upgrade of its Uniform System at The Plaza. InvoTech Systems is the leading provider of advanced Linen Management, Laundry and Uniform Systems that integrate the latest RFID technology to increase profitability for hotels, resorts, casino operators, sports arenas, convention centers and theme parks. The InvoTech System installed at The Plaza manages the Uniform inventory for 900 employees, and the property joins InvoTech's extensive client portfolio of RFID Uniform systems worldwide. Click here for more information on InvoTech's Linen, Laundry and Uniform Systems.
On August 8, 2018 Petr Jurecka officially took hold of his new position as Hotel Manager of WestHouse, a luxury boutique hotel in Midtown, New York, managed by HIGHGATE.With more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jurecka has worked with some of the world's most reputable hotel corporations. Most recently he was resident manager at INNSIDE New York Nomad, a Meliã Hotels International property, where he oversaw and managed all aspects of the 313- room lifestyle hotel assuming the responsibilities of the general manager in his absence. Originally from Czech Republic he attended the College of Hotel Industry and Gastronomy as well as The Institute of Hospitality Management, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management. Petr arrived in NYC in the early 2000s to continue his promising career with the luxury boutique hotel company, HK Hotels (currently known as the Library Hotel Collection). Having started as a breakfast attendant Mr. Jurecka moved through the ranks, which has allowed him to have a deeper understanding of the industry and guests' needs in the pursuit of outstanding guest services. Assuming numerous management positions that included Front Office Manager, Housekeeping Manager, and Director of Operations, at the age of 26, Petr reached a personal milestone when he became General Manager of the Casablanca Hotel in New York City, which at the time had been chosen number one on T ripAdvisor. In 2010, after 11 years with HK Hotels, Jurecka transitioned to new challenges outside of the HK Hotels family as General Manager of Z NYC Hotel and the Sanctuary Hotel Times Square, where he oversaw a new hotel opening and a full renovation, respectively. After opening citizenM Hotel NY Times Square, in 2016 Petr joined the Denihan Hospitality Group and became Hotel Manager of the Benjamin hotel.
In Good Company is thrilled to announce that they have partnered with Mondrian Park Avenue to take over the food and beverage program within the renowned hotel. The property, located on the corner of Park Avenue South and East 30th Street in NoMad, boasts three unique hospitality spaces that will now be operated by In Good Company - Mondrian Terrace, Cleo, and The Boogie Woogie Room, which is named after an iconic painting by the hotel's namesake Piet Mondrian.
Earlier this month Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown announced the appointment of Shannon Schwier as the new Hotel Manager at the vibrant property. In her new role, Schwier will report to Thomas Carreras, General Manager and previously opening Hotel Manager in 2016.
The Sheraton New York Times Square hotel is proud to announce the appointment of Sean Verney as General Manager. A 35-year hotel and hospitality industry veteran, Verney was most recently General Manager of The Westin New York at Times Square.
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that it has signed an agreement with luxury hospitality development firm Flag Luxury Group to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to New York City's vibrant NoMad neighborhood, also known as North of Madison Square Park. Flag Luxury Group will develop the hotel and residences tower, which will represent a more than $500 million investment.
Like most every other role at a hotel, being an owner or investor has never been easy. This is perhaps nowhere more evident than in New York City where exorbitant construction costs mixed with steadily increasing wage rates, maintenance and depreciation can make the break-even point higher than practically any other locale on the continent. Thank goodness this is reflected in the average daily rates.
Today, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, one of Hilton's 14 market-leading brands, introduces The Bernic Hotel New York City, Tapestry Collection by Hilton to its expanding portfolio of distinctive, upscale properties. The first Tapestry Collection property in New York City, The Bernic offers an authentic, modern experience for guests in the heart of Midtown East, located a few short blocks from Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center, among other landmarks.
Most recently, Tresh served as the hotel manager at Hilton San Francisco where he elevated overall hotel performance including increasing guest satisfaction scores, repositioning food and beverage, increased overall profitability, and more. Prior to his time in San Francisco, he served as director of food and beverage at New York Hilton Midtown where Tresh helped to successfully reinvent the hotel's food and beverage program. He has also held positions as executive assistant manager and director of food and beverage at Millenium Hilton; assistant general manager and director of catering at Madison Towers; and corporate sales manager at Benchmark Hospitality, among others.
Grace Bay Resorts is pleased to announce Stephanie Navatto as Director of Sales for the complete collection of boutique luxury resorts, effective July 2, 2018. Ms. Navatto brings over 15 years of experience to this role and a comprehensive understanding of the luxury hospitality market. As Director of Sales, her focus is on transient and group segments for Grace Bay Resorts. Ms. Navatto is responsible for overseeing group and transient sales functions for the complete collection of properties including Grace Bay Club, West Bay Club, Point Grace, The Private Villa Collection and soon-to-open Rock House Resort.