Anne Buckland has been appointed as General Manager at Snow King Resort
Anne Buckland has been appointed General Manager for Snow King Resort. Troy Mathews, vice president, operations, for Benchmark/Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle, made the announcement.
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76% of surveyed hotels report staffing shortages
More than three-quarters of surveyed hotels are experiencing a staffing shortage, and hotels are increasing pay, benefits, and perks to recruit and retain employees, according to a May survey of hoteliers conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
How IHG Hotels & Resorts is Bringing a Hospitality Boom to the Lonestar State
They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and for IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), it just keeps getting bigger. Texas already is a booming state for transplants and travelers alike, with its growing population and diverse range of attractions drawing in hundreds of millions of visitors each year. This surge in tourism has led to an increased demand for guest accommodations, with more than 11,000 hotel rooms set to be built in the state this year alone. Economic impact from these new hotels will trickle down into the surrounding community, with guests venturing out to frequent restaurants, bars, shopping locations and attractions.
By Kevin Schramm, Senior Vice President, Development, IHG Hotels & Resorts Americas, IHG
Geoff Ballotti Honored By UJA-Federation Of New York
UJA Federation, the world’s largest local philanthropy, which funds hundreds of nonprofits and seed grassroots organizations working individually and together responding to ongoing challenges and emerging issues around the world, held its annual Hospitality Division reception on June 4th at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The reception honored Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, in recognition of his professional and philanthropic achievements. The event raised $600,000 to support UJA-Federation of New York’s efforts to help those in crisis throughout the world.
Pricing transparency without hidden mandatory junk fees. Does this apply to restaurants too? New California proposed law (SB 1524 ) says “No!” Can this be right?
For more than 20 years consumers have complained about hidden mandatory fees, junk fees, resort fees, destination fees, service fees, administration fees, health fees, surcharges, connection fees, and similar charges, whatever they are called.
By Mark Adams, Partner at Blank Rome LLP, Blank Rome
AHLA workforce report: Hotels add 700 jobs in May
U.S. hotels added 700 jobs to their payrolls in May, according to the latest government data that shows the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open jobs.
Pyramid Global Hospitality Announces Management Acquisition of Four Iconic Resorts in First Five Months
Pyramid Global Hospitality, the powerhouse hospitality company behind inspired collections like Benchmark Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle and Hamilton Pyramid Europe – is pleased to announce the bicoastal expansion of its U.S. portfolio with the addition of four esteemed resorts spanning from the vibrant deserts of Arizona to the sunny shores of Florida.
Christina Richardson has been appointed as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley
Christina Richardson's impressive career is distinguished by world renowned resort destinations including Carmel Valley Ranch, Hyatt Regency Maui, and the Marriott Waikiki Complex. Richardson brings a wealth of experience and passion for hospitality, as well as expertise in crafting successful sales and marketing strategies within the luxury sector. This is combined with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and fostering strong client relationships.
Anthony Duggan has been appointed as General Manager at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley
Anthony Duggan's experience spans over 25 years, marked by a deep-rooted passion for hospitality and global travel. Renowned for his ability to elevate operational performance while fostering exceptional guest satisfaction and staff engagement, Duggan has honed his skills at some of the world's most respected luxury hospitality brands, including InterContinental Hotel & Resorts, Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Aman, and now Hyatt Hotel Corporation. In the most recent years, he's been tapped by Hyatt Corp. to elevate the experiences at and operational excellence within brands such as Alila Hotels and Miraval Resorts & Spas.
Hospitality is the Family Business at Tru by Hilton Ashburn One Loudoun for Vinay & Jai Patel
My entire life I’ve been surrounded by the hospitality industry, said Jai Patel, current assistant general manager of Tru by Hilton Ashburn One Loudoun in Ashburn, VA.
Everhome Suites Expands Presence in the Northeast with Three New Groundbreakings in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, continues to expand its Everhome Suites brand with recent groundbreakings in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Rochester, New York; and Somerset, New Jersey, developed in collaboration with Highside Companies. The extended stay demand fundamentals make these locations an ideal fit for the Everhome Suites midscale brand, catering to both business and leisure travelers. Within the category, Choice has nearly 480 hotels open and more than 400 properties in the pipeline across its four extended stay brands, as of the first quarter of 2024.
Sol Gumapac has been appointed as Director of Sales at Half Moon Bay Lodge
Sol Gumapac has been hired as Director of Sales at Half Moon Bay Lodge. With more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Gumapac has excelled in various hotel sales positions. Prior to her new role, Gumapac was the Hotel Front Office Operations and Group Sales Manager for Trigild Services. Her resume showcases positions at Stanford University, Choice Hotels, Holiday Inn & Suites, and Coron Tours & Travel.
Drew Horton has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The Redondo Beach Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Drew Horton has been hired as Hotel Manager at The Redondo Beach Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. With a decade of experience under his belt, he served as the Front Office Director at Home2 Suites by Hilton in Montebello, California. Additionally, Horton was the Assistant General Manager at both the Hyatt Place in Glendale and ALO Hotel in Orange, California.
Management Company Compensation Slows in 2023
Prior research conducted by CBRE Hotels Research revealed that hotel management companies were rewarded handsomely as the U.S. lodging industry recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis performed by CBRE in April 2023 found that total hotel revenue increased by 153% from 2020 to 2022, while Gross Operating Profits (GOP) grew by 437%. This resulted in a 68% increase in the fees paid to management companies and brought management fees back to pre-pandemic levels. The increases in fees were largely due to the improved performance of U.S. lodging properties, which in turn triggered the payment of incentive management fees.
By Robert Mandelbaum and Tim Dick
Ryan Rauscher has been appointed as General Manager at The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach, a modern art deco property on Ocean Drive managed by Highgate, has announced the appointment of Ryan Rauscher as general manager. Rauscher has had a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, marked by various leadership roles and successes in repositioning, branding and opening properties across the country.
Realty Capital Finalizes Agreement with Marriott to Develop Autograph Collection Hotel on Lake Grapevine in Dallas-Fort Worth
Realty Capital, the Dallas-Fort Worth-based developer of Lakeside Village in Flower Mound, Texas, has signed an agreement with Marriott International, Inc. to develop an Autograph Collection Hotel and Residences on Lake Grapevine in the Lakeside Village mixed-use development. Lakeside Village is in the final phase of its 160-acre, $2 billion-dollar mixed-use project that includes over 40 shops and restaurants, offices, entertainment, public amenities, and approximately 2,500 residences. The final phase offers single-family Mediterranean-style villas starting at $2 million, high-rise residences, hotels, a private social club, shops, offices, a wedding chapel, and lakefront restaurants, all within a walkable, resort-style community adjacent to the shore of Lake Grapevine in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth and a five minute drive from DFW International Airport. As a future Autograph Collection Hotel, the property joins the brand's growing global portfolio of over 300 independent properties, with each inspired by its own unique perspective on vision, design and hospitality. The Autograph Collection Hotel will be 12-stories, with 181 guest rooms and suites featuring balconies with beautiful lake views. Amenities include a rooftop pool and terrace, spa, private yacht for guest excursions, full-service restaurant and bar, ballrooms, fitness center, a lakefront wedding chapel, an outdoor music amphitheater, and several lakefront restaurants. The hotel will have 21 branded condominium residences on the top three floors, all offering incredible views of Lake Grapevine. Realty Capital is partnering with Coury Hospitality, who will manage the hotel. An award-winning hospitality group, Coury Hospitality is the largest operator of Autograph Collection Hotels in the U.S., with six properties of the brand in its portfolio. They operate in 10 markets worldwide and manage 1,726 guest rooms and 150,000 square feet of event space.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Rebrands to Grand Hyatt Indian Wells & Villas After $64M Renovation
Elevated Guestrooms, Suites and Villas: The property's newly enhanced 531 accommodations, including 39 spacious suites have completed renovations, while 43 one- and two-bedroom private villas, are set to debut by November 2024. Grand Hyatt Indian Wells will provide large guestrooms, with 550 square feet of luxurious living space. Guests can choose from various configurations, including one king bed, two king beds, rooms with full-sized bunkbeds, and more. As the resort's premier offering, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells' new villas will feature premium amenities for guests, including a private backyard with a hot tub, plunge pool or firepit, kitchenette with refrigerators, access to an adults only spa, and golf cart escorts around the property. New Inventive Dining Concepts: The resort will debut two new restaurant concepts—Tía Carmen and Carmocha—in collaboration with the acclaimed Chef Angelo Sosa. Tía Carmen will pay homage to Chef Sosa's aunt (tía) Carmen and celebrate the local landscape, farmers and community of the Southwest reflecting a mix of tradition and modernity, while Carmocha will reimagine global small plates from the perspective of Angelo's tía Carmen if she had traveled around the world and came back from her journeys to put her own spin on some of the dazzling array of international flavors she experienced. Enhanced Destination-Driven Pool Experience: The anchor of the resort guest journey is its popular pool experience, and the new Grand Hyatt Indian Wells will unveil enhancements to the spacious outdoor recreation area with expanded cabanas fit for large groups and families, as well as new dining options including a food truck, Palmadoro's, serving pizza and signature Italian bites, and a refreshed café, offering poolside favorites. Grand Hyatt Indian Wells' pool experience also features the largest waterpark in the Greater Palm Springs desert, HyTides, which includes expansive pools, a set of 30-foot high (150-feet in length) dueling waterslides, a 450-foot lazy river and more.
Dieter Schmitz has been appointed as General Manager at Sofitel New York
Dieter Schmitz, a seasoned hotelier with over two decades of experience, has joined Sofitel New York as General Manager. This appointment brings Schmitz back to New York City to focus on rejuvenating the luxury Midtown Manhattan hotel. "I am thrilled to return to New York City during such an exciting time for Sofitel New York," said Schmitz. "With an unbeatable location and forthcoming renovation, I look forward to introducing our future flagship property to the world. Our team is committed to excellence and creating personalized guest experiences. We're taking Sofitel New York to the next level, ensuring the hotel remains an iconic destination in the beating heart of the city."
Longfellow Hotel Debuts In Portland
Longfellow Hotel, a brand-new, 48-room boutique hotel from Maine-based, family-owned hospitality group Uncommon Hospitality, has officially opened its doors to guests. Designed in partnership with award-winning design studio Post Company, the hotel delivers distinctive design, wellness, and culinary experiences in the city of Portland. The highly-anticipated property is the first independent, full-service hotel to open in the city in more than two decades, deftly meeting the demands of the rising tourist destination, and serving as a gathering place for celebration and rejuvenation.
U.S. Business Travel Industry Responsible for 2% of U.S. GDP and 3.5% of Employment in Latest Full-Year Figures
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) today unveiled a new study, the “GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study: Business Travel’s Impact on Jobs and the U.S. Economy,” which quantifies the significant economic impact of traveling for work in the U.S. The report shows the business travel industry provided a major boost to the U.S. economy in 2022*, the latest full year for which a complete set of data is available for analysis.