This caught my eye as I have never head of World Hotels (http://www.worldhotels.com/) . I went to their web site to try and get some sort of feel as to what they are. Their web site states that they have been around since 1970.
The global portfolio of WORLDHOTELS is made up of hotels which are distinguished by their unique personality and individual style, as well as their excellent location, service and facilities. We invite you to browse through some examples of the unique styles of WORLDHOTELS properties.
So, me being me, look to see what exquisite hotels they have in, say, Canada. There are two hotels which are both in excellent locations. This begs the question though. Do they mean excellent location within the city that the hotel resides? Or excellent location in a more global sense? In any case the two wonderful hotels are located in Manitoba Canada. One in Winnipeg and one in Thompson. Now you ask, where is Thompson? (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=winnipeg&daddr=Thompson+Manitoba&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=55.756486,-97.850418&sspn=0.167303,0.615234&g=Thompson+Manitoba&ie=UTF8&z=5) 770 KM north of Winnipeg. Yes NORTH. Here is a first hand report on the Burnt wood hotel
http://www.worldhotels.com/index.php?id=85&hotel_id=517
I guess having a hotel in Northern Manitoba isn't all that bad but the issue here is a basic one. The biggest problem with a lot of companies is that they do not know what business they are in. This groups seems to be another Best Western in that you can find 5 star down to 3 star. Although each hotel seems to be marked, this does not project an image such as Leading Hotels would. I would think that anyone booking Leading Hotels has an expectation of what they will get. This seems to me to be a "we'll take anything within reason" collection of fine hotels and resorts. Perhaps someone should put together a collection of good, clean 3 star hotels around the world that have certain standards that guests can count on. This would be a good idea.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Carter wears smudged crown as USA's 'dirtiest hotel'
According to this article Days Inn has 3 of the top ten dirtiest hotels
Earlier this week there was a similar list form the UK. It appears that none of the hotels on the list were Branded chain hotels. On the US list 50% are branded. Doesn't say much for the value of choosing a chain hotel over an independant.
Earlier this week there was a similar list form the UK. It appears that none of the hotels on the list were Branded chain hotels. On the US list 50% are branded. Doesn't say much for the value of choosing a chain hotel over an independant.
Restaurant Industry Outlook Softens as the Restaurant Performance Index Fell to a Record Low in December
International Financial Reporting Standards Impact On Hotels
I have worked under both and it appears to me that IFRS is a lot better than US standards
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Trianon Palace Versailles joins the Waldorf Astoria Collection
This is interesting. As I mentioned below in a previous post are "non-chain" hotels on the decline. Can they surive in this economy. The Waldorf collection, it appears to me, is actually trying to compete with Leading Hotels of the World , and the likes.
Fast-food industry tests outsourcing
Look at this... in the furture you will pull into a fast food restaurant drive through and your order will be taken by someone in India. Just like Dell support.....
Resort on Daufuskie Island files for bankruptcy
I have never heard of this resort. But this does make one ponder the question, is it detrimental in this economy to be a non brand, non chain hotel?
Hilton moves to Washington
In this article it states
"Hilton will ask many of the more than 500 employees who work at the company’s headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif., to relocate, resulting in hundreds of new jobs for the region"
I am interested to see what the meaning of "many of the 500 employees" is
"Hilton will ask many of the more than 500 employees who work at the company’s headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif., to relocate, resulting in hundreds of new jobs for the region"
I am interested to see what the meaning of "many of the 500 employees" is
One in five pubs sold for alternative use
Continuing our ongoing reporting on the UK Pub business it looks worse and worse. I hear that most of these "one in five" pubs are being converted to churches and the parishiners are praying for . . . . . what do you think? BEER.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wyndham Worldwide to Report Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Earnings on February 13, 2009; Conference Call and Webcast at 8:30 a.m. EST
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Rat and Parrot owner puts 26 sites up for sale
Not to go overboard on this but it looks like there are real big problems in the UK Pub business
Town to ban smoking on revitalized shopping street
This is a great story. It calls the smokers "these people" and it blames "Tim Hortons" for the wole thing. Now if your not from Canada you may not know that Tim Hortons is an institution. After Hockey, there's Tims.
Greenbrier resort to lay off half its employees
So in this article it comes out that the issue is the Unions. So you have a place that is loosing $35MM a year and the Unions want more.
Monday, January 12, 2009
RBS looks for buyers with finance for its 1,000 pubs
Wonder if RBS will try to dump all the hotels they own?
Friday, January 9, 2009
London room rates set to drop by 23 per cent in 2009
This has got to hurt. Marriott has around 20 hotels in the London area while Hilton has around 17.
As stores close Starbucks takes delivery of new Jet
I guess you have to be able to get to the stores your closing to pick up the keys.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
CSX Examining Options for Greenbrier Resort
Annual loss is up to $35MM. In a previous post it was $15MM. Also saw an article that suggested $30MM loss.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Dubai Hotels in price war
What a difference a few months makes. From recent articles that i have seen it looks like Dubai is in a "meltdown"
No more free beer at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Armagedon is here. This is the first sign of the end. . . . . . .
Euro slips below $1.34 in European trading
And the GBP is at $1.46. A far cry from the $2.00 when I was last in London.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2008 Earnings
Sort of a strange headline by Starwood. Sounds like they already have their numbers.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Hotel and Restaurant Stock performance for 2008
Here is a sampling of hotel and restaurant stocks and their 2008 performance
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=petartiKHowLJFukqF229QA
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=petartiKHowLJFukqF229QA
