Officials of the PRISA Group, a family-owned developer, builder and owner of green residential communities, hospitality and resort projects in Puerto Rico and Florida, and Peachtree Hotel Group, one of the nation's fastest growing hotel investment and management platforms, today announced that their newly instituted partnership broke ground on development of three, select-service hotels in Florida:
The newly merged Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, recognized global leaders in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers, have named Robert Schneider, CRME, regional director of revenue management for a portion of the group’s Florida cluster. Mr. Schneider will be based at The Grove Resort & Spa – the 878 room all-suite hotel opening January 9, 2017, just minutes from Walt Disney World® Resort. He will have additional responsibility with Marenas Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach and the Villas of Grand Cypress, also in Orlando. Bill Lee, The Grove’s general manager, made the announcement. “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Robert to both our resort and regional team,” said Mr. Lee. “He is a seasoned hotel executive who has extensive experience within and a keen understanding of our market, as well as a strong background in maximizing revenue opportunities.” Mr. Schneider is a veteran of the hospitality industry with nearly three decades of leadership experience. As the regional director of revenue management, he will orchestrate overall pricing and selling strategy for The Grove, Marenas Beach Resort, and Villas of Grand Cypress, specifically establishing and maintaining effective and rationale pricing strategies for rooms and function space. Mr. Schneider will also be instrumental in the development, implementation, and monitoring of all profit and cost centers by assigning benchmarks against the company standard. Robert Schneider was previously with Gaylord Hotels, where he most recently served as director of group strategy for the 1,406-room Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, located in Kissimmee, Florida. Earlier, he held the title of director revenue management for the 2,884-room Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and also for the 1,406-room Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. Mr. Schneider is a graduate of Tulane University and the University of Central Florida where he earned his Bachelor’s degrees in Business & Hotel Management and Psychology, respectively. He received his Masters of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida. Robert Schneider and his family reside in the Orlando area.
The newly merged Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, recognized global leaders in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers, have appointed Michele Farkas regional director of human resources. Ms. Farkas will be based at The Grove Resort & Spa, an 878 room all-suite property opening January 9, 2017, near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. She will have additional oversight of Benchmark/Gemstone properties in the Midwest and along the east coast. Bill Lee, The Grove’s general manager, made the announcement. Michele Farkas is a long-time Benchmark human resources executive, having served for two decades as director of human resources at the company’s Chicago flagship property, Eaglewood Resort & Spa. Over the years, Ms. Farkas has also held lead field staff responsibilities for Benchmark, managing hotel openings, transitions, and new additions. Her tenure continues in this newly expanded regional role, lending her expertise to unique and distinctive properties in the growing Benchmark/Gemstone portfolio, including Doral Arrowwood of Rye Brook, New York, Hotel Roanoke of Roanoke, Virginia, The Chattanoogan in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the group’s hotels and resorts across Florida, among others.
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Stanfield to managing director. Stanfield possesses an extensive hospitality background and unparalleled knowledge of the industry. His promotion comes at a momentous time in the resort’s 12-year history as it undergoes significant enhancements. As managing director of Omni Orlando Resort, Stanfield will be responsible for the strategic direction of the luxury resort, managing the resort’s day-to-day success, overseeing all operational aspects of the 720-room property, and ushering in an exciting new era in the resort’s history.
Loews Hotels & Resorts has named Johnny So managing director of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. So brings over 20 years of experience in managing 5-star hotel properties for some of the largest and most widely renowned luxury brands in the world, including previous leadership stints at Loews Hotels.
eRevMax has completed integration with Despegar, the biggest online travel agency in LATAM. Accommodation providers using eRevMax distribution solutions, RateTiger, RTConnect and LIVE OS platform, will now be able to make Availability, Rate and Inventory (ARI) updates to the channel in real-time. Despegar partner properties will also benefit from eRevMax's Reservation Delivery service, which facilitates automatic transfer of reservations booked at the channel directly to the hotel systems (CRS/PMS), thereby eliminating chances of missing reservations or overbookings.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, today announces the addition of the Holiday Inn Resort® Orlando Suites – Waterpark property to the IHG portfolio. The 777-room, all-suite hotel is the largest property in the Holiday Inn Resort family. The property is currently undergoing a $30 million renovation, expected to be completed by year end.
As the essence of all things entertainment, Planet Hollywood® International is expanding its lodging division by revolutionizing the upscale condo-hotel market for the glamorous lifestyle with its first-to-market luxury brand - ph Premiere™. The brand will debut with a flagship property ph Premiere™ Resort-Residences Orlando, located just minutes from Orlando, Florida's famed theme parks and attractions.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, announces The Grove Resort & Spa, an expansive 878-all-suite property under construction on Lake Austin, just five minutes from Walt Disney World® in Orlando. Billed as the largest development of its kind currently underway in Orlando, The Grove Resort & Spa is scheduled to open its first phase late this fall with up to 292 two- and three-bedroom residential-style guest suites. The Grove will be part of the prestigious Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio. Alex Cabañas, Benchmark Hospitality International's CEO, made the announcement.
Spire Hospitality is very excited to announce the appointment of Jim Gross as general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. Gross will oversee the operations of the 1,004-room, 28-acre hotel while overseeing a multi-million dollar renovation and convention center addition.
Orlando World Center Marriott has appointed Ralph Scatena as General Manager to its executive team. In this role, Scatena will be responsible for managing the resort’s day-to-day success, overseeing all operational aspects of the 2,009-room property, including everything from sales and marketing, to food and beverage, while maximizing revenue and maintaining focus on the strategic goals of the Four-Diamond Orlando World Center Marriott.
Inspired by the adventurous spirit and exotic destinations of the Golden Age of Travel, designers have completed the renovation of guest rooms at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando. The new look captures the tranquil serenity and bold heritage that embodies the spirit of the islands. With its on-site location at Universal Orlando Resort, the hotel offers guests a modern sense of adventure, filled with the magic and excitement of two world- class theme parks - Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure."Our new rooms are vibrant and luxurious, evoking the romance of traveling to the South Pacific" says Complex Managing Director Barb Bowden. "Combined with an extensive upgrade and renovation to the bathrooms, it is an entirely new room product for our guests to experience."Take a video journey through the new rooms here.The guest rooms reflect the magic that exotic destinations in the South Pacific cast over traveler's hearts at the turn of the 20th century, as well as today. The color palette was inspired by the islands, with sandy neutrals punctuated with hints of turquoise and tangerine reminiscent of sand, water and flowers. Gray and charcoal accents tie back to the lava and harder elements of the islands. Custom furniture pieces make use of leather strapping details, metal corner guards, buckles and rivets, all elements found in vintage luggage, steamer trunks and majestic steamships. A focal point in the new rooms is the accent wall, where a custom graphic creates an art moment showcasing the flora, fauna and native motifs of the South Seas.Guests staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando receive an exclusive package of theme park benefits at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, including free Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines in both theme parks (theme park admission required) and Early Park Admission. The 1,000-room hotel is located a short walk, complimentary water taxi or shuttle bus ride away from both Universal Orlando Resort theme parks. Guests also enjoy exceptional cuisine in a variety of restaurants and lounges, complimentary Wi-Fi, a weekly luau dinner and show and a lagoon-style swimming pool with private cabanas.For more information or to book a stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, visit https://www.loewshotels.com/royal-pacific-resort.
Delta Hotels and Resorts announced today the official grand opening of the Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista in partnership with JHM Hotels. This is Delta's first branded hotel in the United States and signals the global expansion of the Delta brand. A new Delta logo was revealed in conjunction with the official grand opening as part of the integration of the Delta brand into the Marriott family.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando, a premier hotel surrounded by Walt Disney World® Resort, has appointed Sean McCarron as general manager. With over 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, McCarron will oversee the day-to-day operations of the property, ensuring every guest experiences renowned True Waldorf Service from the moment of check-in at the 498-room, 42,000 square foot property. “Sean brings an unrivaled management background with an outstanding record of enhancing guest experiences and strengthening market position,” said Peter Kacheris, managing director of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. “His dynamic leadership and communication skills will be an asset to our operations, furthering Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s reputation for unmatched hospitality service, stand-out culinary innovations and distinctive guest experiences.” In his new position, McCarron will manage operations for the luxury hotel, leading an executive team to exceed property goals by promoting personal growth among hotel staff and implementing strategic plans for the property’s future development. While the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is already well known as a top leisure and meetings destination, McCarron will continue to build upon the property’s high-touch guest relations and the Waldorf Astoria brand cornerstones of Authentic Moments, Unforgettable Experiences and Inspirational Environments. He will also help develop initiatives that leverage the hotel’s proximity to major Orlando attractions as well as guest access to all services and amenities at the connected Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.
Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT)Hampton by Hilton brand, the global mid-priced hotel that serves value-conscious and quality-driven travelers around the world, today announced the opening of its newest property, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Orlando/Downtown South-Medical Center. The 126-room hotel joins the Hampton by Hilton family of more than 2,000 Hampton by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton hotels. It is located at 43 Columbia Street and is managed by Naples Hotel Group, LLC.
Residence Inn Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., managed by LBA Hospitality, is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the new property on March 23, starting at 1:30 p.m. The 196-room hotel, located at 5616 Major Boulevard in close proximity to Universal Studios Florida, is slated to open in 2017.
Hilton Orlando announced the appointment of Menze Heroian as director of food and beverage, Kidane Futwi as director of banquets and Jimmy Reyes as head chef for Hilton Orlando’s award winning steakhouse, Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops. The three industry veterans bring more than 60 years of combined food service excellence to the 1,417 room multifunctional hotel. Already a force to be reckoned with, Heroian will apply his past two years of property knowledge and nearly 30 years of experience in food and banquet operations to manage the breadth of culinary programs throughout Hilton Orlando. Heroian will oversee food and beverage programming for the hotel’s seven dining options including five full-service restaurants, a marketplace, lobby bar, in-room dining, and the property’s extensive meetings and events spaces. Prior to joining the property, Menze served as director of food and beverage for Celebrity Cruises, vice president of food and beverage for the Tishman Hotel Corporation, and director of food and beverage at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, two premier hotels surrounded by the Walt Disney World® Resort, have appointed Jonathan M. Raz as director of food and beverage. With nearly 20 years of experience in food and banquet operations, Raz will manage the culinary program for the entire dual-hotel property, including 12 restaurant and bar outlets, in-room dining for 1,498 guest rooms and the extensive 175,000 square foot banquet facility. Raz has dedicated the majority of his career to the development of culinary programs at a variety of properties under in Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Most recently, he served as director of food and beverage for Hilton Orlando, where, under his leadership, the property was awarded Hilton Worldwide’s highest honor, The Connie Award, three times during his five-year tenure – an unprecedented accolade. Prior to this position, Raz assisted with the opening of Hilton Baltimore, the city’s largest and newest convention center hotel and also held the role of assistant director of banquets at Waldorf Astoria New York, where he gained comprehensive experience in complex banquet operations, overseeing the production of presidential dinners, galas and exclusive gatherings for up to 1,800 guests.
Last week, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts officially announced that long-time executive Sharon Siskie had been named the new senior vice president of sales in the United States. The move is effective immediately.
Eddie Maddox has been named Complex Director of Catering and Conference Services. During his more than 30 years in convention services and catering, Maddox developed a nationally-recognized reputation for superior service and food and beverage innovation. He has worked at The Peabody Orlando, the Venetian/Palazzo/Sands Expo in Las Vegas and GES, one of the world’s largest general services contractors for tradeshows, exhibitions and live events. Maddox holds a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation and is a certified sommelier.