Former 2008 Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona will join Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas to address the American Hotel & Lodging Association 2010 Legislative Action Summit (LAS) on March 15-16. Also invited is U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who will share with attendees the White House’s economic priorities over the next year.
Hotel markets are largely affected by both macro and micro economic factors. However, the Washington, D.C. hotel market is somewhat unique because it includes the nation’s capital, which lends itself to many benefits. Most importantly, this hotel market is more resistant to economic recession than other U.S. metropolitan markets. Its international status contributes significantly to both leisure and group demand. Washington, D.C. is home to the federal government, and the private sector is closely aligned with the business of the federal government, which is an economic anchor to the market. As a result, the lodging market enjoys a consistent base of demand.
LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO) today announced it has acquired the Sofitel Washington, DC Lafayette Square for $95.0 million. The 237-room city-center hotel opened in 2002 and is located at the corner of 15th and H Streets in the heart of the central business district of downtown Washington, DC, two blocks from the White House.
Prior to joining Four Seasons Hotel Washington, Legner was the Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Nevis for two years. He was also Hotel Manager at the flagship Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, where he held his post since 2003. Thomas Legner first joined Four Seasons in 2002 and served in various corporate roles at the company’s Toronto-based home office. He was Director of Hotel Relations Management and a Project and Design Manager for the much-anticipated opening of the hotel company’s first ski resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A native of Austria and fluent in German and English, Legner also worked for eight years with Silversea Cruises where he began as Chief Purser for the start up of Silver Cloud and Silver Wind Cruise ships. He progressed through the ranks to Food & Beverage Manager and eventually Hotel Manager. Yes, even on a cruise ship there is a Hotel Manager. The launch of these two ships under the Silversea brand garnered attention in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards as the “Top Destination in the World” in 1996, and again in 1998. Formerly, Legner spent three years with Cunard Cruise Lines in various management positions. In his leisure time, he enjoys history, sports including soccer, reading and family time. Legner, along with his wife Melisssa, daughter Sophia and son Benjamin are delighted to call Washington, DC their new home.
David Fuller, Managing Director of HVS’ hotel consulting and valuation office in Washington, has been chosen to serve as a member of the Leadership Council of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the International Institute of Tourism Studies at the School of Business, The George Washington University. Mr. Fuller graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. He is a designated member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI) and the author of the HVS Employment-Hotel Growth Index, a means of analyzing data on employment trends, office space absorption, and hotel supply to forecast demand levels in metropolitan markets.
2010 is shaping up to be a crucial election year for Congress. AH&LA’s Legislative Action Summit (LAS), March 15-16, 2010, in Washington, D.C at the J.W. Marriott Hotel located nearby the White House, is set to make an impact right at the beginning.
Mrs. Hyndman, who is English, is a veteran hotelier with over 20 years of hospitality industry experience worldwide. She joins Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC from The Excelsior, Hong Kong, a leading business hotel in Hong Kong that is owned and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Mrs. Hyndman was General Manager of the Waldorf, London and has previously held General Manager positions with Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Le Meridien and Hilton. Mrs. Hyndman graduated with honours from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Mrs. Hyndman is a Master Innholder and was Vice Chairman in 2006 and President of La Reunion des Gastronomes in 2007. She has been a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality since 2003 when she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. As General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Washington, DC, Mrs. Hyndman succeeds Jan Goessing, who recently moved to Asia to take up his new position as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
Vinh Nguyen was previously Accountant for The Eldon Luxury Suites during its pre-opening and soft opening phases. He also assisted in Front Office operations throughout this period, gaining essential operational knowledge, which will serve him well in his new role. Earlier in his career, Mr. Nguyen served as Construction Superintendent for Smokey Interiors of Washington, DC. He also held the position of Sales Representative for Déjà Vu Audio of McLean, Virginia. Vinh Nguyen is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where is earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. He resides in Silver Springs, Maryland.
Ryan Cimei previously served as rooms division manager for Naples Bay Resort, the luxurious property located in Naples, Florida. In this role, Mr. Cimei was instrumental in the resort achieving Four Diamond status within its first year of operation. Additionally, Mr. Cimei has held the title of front office manager for North Maple Inn, a Four Diamond property located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. While at the Inn he also served in the roles of restaurant manager and assistant front office manager. Mr. Cimei launched his hospitality career with Omni Hotels at the company’s Charlottesville, Virginia, property. Ryan Cimei is a graduate of Penn State University located in State College, Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. Mr. Cimei resides in Washington. DC.
October 8th will mark a new milestone for acclaimed architect Dianna Wong: the grand opening of the newest W Hotel, the W Washington DC. Wong's Los Angeles firm (www.diannawong.com) designed the interiors for the entire hotel, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten's new J&G Steakhouse, DC's first Bliss Spa, and all 317 guestrooms and suites. Nakheel Hotels spent $100 million on the 18-month transformation of the former Hotel Washington, famous for its landmark rooftop lounge offering spectacular views of the White House and surrounding monuments.
All those fashionistas rushing through the new W Hotel lobby to make the scene at the rooftop bar may be missing the splashy design details that could soon end up in bedrooms, baths and living rooms across the region. The $90 million makeover of Washington's former Hotel Washington, which reopened in July, rebooted the dated lobby chandeliers by plugging in LED lights and dressed up bathrooms with bronze vessel sinks. In the bedrooms, the headboard for the 11-inch thick, plush-top mattresses is a built-in niche, backlit with amber light.
Thanks to a very strong turnout from members of Congress, and also from AAHOA Board Members, Ambassadors and leaders from around the country, the AAHOA Congressional Day and Capitol Hill Reception was a tremendous success. The event was held on September 9, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The Reception was hosted in the historic and beautiful Senate Russell Building.
Meeting and event planners from across the nation will gather to do serious business and take advantage of continuing education opportunities at the 20th Annual HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National, Sept. 9-10, 2009 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
AAHOA will host its annual Congressional Capitol Hill Reception on September 9, 2009, from 5:30 p.m. -- 7:30 p.m. at the Senate Russell Building, Room 325, in Washington, D.C.
In its 20th year, HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National will once again provide an opportunity for meeting and event planners from all sectors of the industry, and every corner of the nation, to connect with venues, vendors and other meetings service providers to do serious business for the upcoming year. Exhibitors at Affordable Meetings® Mid-America and West this year generated an average of 116 leads each, demonstrating a strong exhibiting ROI. Affordable Meetings® National will celebrate its 20th anniversary show Sept. 9-10, 2009 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and in honor of this special occasion, HSMAI has prepared a list of 20 reasons for exhibiting at Affordable Meetings® National.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings® National celebrates its 20th year of providing a forum for planners, properties and suppliers to come together to do business, Sept. 9-10, 2009 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
This summer, the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland Marriott hotels are helping families to be eco-with Marriott’s Growing up Green package. Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House Kitchen Garden planted with the students from DC elementary schools; families who book the Growing up Green package will receive a packet of seeds to take home and grow their own organic vegetable garden.
Washington's Jefferson hotel is gearing up for a reopening this summer after a multimillion-dollar renovation project. Most aspects of the 99-room hotel's renovation are tied to Thomas Jefferson, including books in the library reflecting Jefferson's era; however, the hotel will also have modern touches such as its own eco-friendly line of cleaning projects
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of Robert Watson, Chief Concierge of Willard InterContinental Washington D.C., as International President of Les Clefs d'Or International, the professional society of hotel concierges.
Washington , D.C | The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) announced the winners of the 2009 State Leadership Awards yesterday during the first day of the association's annual Legislative Action Summit (LAS). These awards, formerly known as the Most Valuable Volunteer Awards, were created in 1998 to honor standout volunteers who help implement and strengthen programs spearheaded by both AH&LA and its partner state associations.