Gordon Ramsay's father-in-law speaks out

Even for a man as volatile as Gordon Ramsay, it was a spectacular falling out. Twelve days ago, to the astonishment of everyone, it was announced that the celebrity chef and his chief executive, Chris Hutcheson, had parted company, thereby ending one of the strongest, most notorious, partnerships in the industry.
Hutcheson was not just Ramsay’s initial backer and business mentor, he was his father-in-law and the abrupt severing of ties plunged the family into the type of blood feud that may never be resolved.

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Landrys buys Claim Jumper Assets

Hospitality Business News -Claim Jumper Restaurants, LLC announced today that Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. has been selected as the highest and best bidder in a competitive auction held October 28, 2010 for substantially all of its assets. Landry’s final bid has been valued by the Company and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors at $76.6 million. The proposed sale to Landry’s is expected to be approved by the Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware on November 2, 2010. The transaction is expected to close on a date mutually agreeable to the Company and Landry’s, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.

Bobby Flay Is Expanding His Burger Empire

With a Burger Bash win finally under his belt, chef and Food Network star Bobby Flay is focusing on burger expansion. He's announced plans to launch 12 to 14 new locations of his fast-casual restaurant concept, Bobby's Burger Palace.
Currently there are five burger palaces, and now that Flay knows what works (and what doesn't: he's still adjusting the burger patty recipe), he's thinking big. The new eateries will open over the next 12 months in cities like Baltimore, Princeton, Washington DC, and New York City.

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Burger King ousts top staff

Burger King's new private equity owners haven't wasted any time putting a new strategic recipe in place, implementing a major management shakeup this week as they move toward international expansion.

Less than a week after 3G Capital completed its deal to acquire the Miami fast-food chain, Bernardo Hees, Burger King's new chief executive, announced widespread changes in senior management.

Most of the changes focused on global positions.

The announcement was made via a press release; the company and 3G Capital did not return requests for comment.

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See Burger King Press Release

Starbucks Brings Mobile Payments to NYC

Starbucks recently announced the expansion of its Starbucks Card Mobile payment trial to almost 300 stores in New York City as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. The trial had previously been limited to 16 stores in Seattle and Northern California, as well as more than 1,000 Starbucks in Target stores.

 

Customers who download the free Starbucks Card Mobile App on their BlackBerry, iPhone, or iPod touch can pay for purchases via their mobile device, manage their card account, reload their card balance using a major credit card, check their My Starbucks Rewards status, or find nearby Starbucks stores.

 

"Mobile technology is part of our customers' daily routine, and with the expansion of mobile payment in our test cities, we're seeing more and more customers using their smartphones as their mobile wallets," says company vice president Brady Brewer.

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Brazilian Court Orders McDonald’s to Pay Former Employee $17,500 for getting fat on the job

McDonald's must pay one of its former franchise managers $17,500 — because he became obese while on the job. The ruling was made this week by a Brazilian court.

The 32-year-old former manager worked at McDonald's for about 12 years and says he gained 65 pounds during that time.

The man says he felt forced to sample the food each day to ensure quality standards remained high because McDonald's hired "mystery clients" to randomly visit restaurants and report on the food, service and cleanliness.

The man also says the company offered free lunches to employees, adding to his caloric intake while on the job. His identity was not released.

The Brazilian headquarters of the American fast food giant said in a statement that it's considering appealing the ruling. McDonald's also notes in the statement that it offers healthier food choices.

No deal before Hilton hotel's foreclosure, BlackRock says

The New York lender that holds the mortgage on the former Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel didn't work a deal with other companies to resell the hotel before it foreclosed last month, an executive said yesterday.
"We'd always thought about foreclosing as an alternative," said Eloisa Mascarenas, vice president of BlackRock Financial Management Inc., during a bankruptcy court hearing Downtown. It also considered new investors or a joint venture, she said.

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Sea Island To Seek Exit From Bankruptcy

On Thursday, Sea Island Co., the elegant Southern resort that tumbled into bankruptcy last August, will ask Judge John S. Dalis of the Brunswick, Ga., bankruptcy court to sign off on its plan to exit Chapter 11 protection.
Sea Island, which sold its assets at a bankruptcy auction earlier this month, is exiting bankruptcy under new ownership. Four firms--Oaktree Capital Management LP and Avenue Capital Group, along with billionaire Philip Anschutz's Anschutz Corp. and Starwood Capital Group Global--bought the resort's assets for $212.4 million.
The resort's plan divvies up the proceeds from the sale. Most of the proceeds are earmarked for the company's lenders, owed at least $340 million. The resort's unsecured creditors are only slated to recoup about $3 million.

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California Tosses Worker Class Action Against Chipotle Mexican Grill

This district’s Court of Appeal has thrown out a class action suit alleging that food restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill violated labor laws by denying employees meal and rest breaks.

Div. Eight, in an opinion published yesterday, ruled that employers must provide employees with breaks, but need not ensure that employees take them.

Former Chipotle employee Rogelio Hernandez sued the company after he was terminated in 2006. He sought to certify a class of thousands of current and former non-managerial employees who worked millions of shifts for Chipotle beginning in July 2003.

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Caine Scrapped Cuban Restaurant Plans Amid Political Fears

Acting veteran SIR MICHAEL CAINE scrapped plans to expand his restaurant empire to Cuba, amid fears he would face violent opposition for supporting anti-U.S. revolutionary FIDEL CASTRO.
The Brit moved his restaurant empire stateside in the 1990s when he opened his sixth eatery, Miami's South Beach Brasserie - and admits he was keen to expand south to the Caribbean nation.
But a Cuban friend persuaded him to axe the idea amid concerns the actor would face angry protests for appearing to support the regime of the country's former president.

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Restaurant Industry Outlook Improved in September as Restaurant Performance Index Rose Above 100 for First Time in Five Months

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Driven by improving same-store sales and customer traffic levels, as well as growing optimism among restaurant operators, the outlook for the restaurant industry improved in September.  The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.3 in September, up a solid 0.8 percent from its August level.  In addition, the RPI rose above 100 for the first time in five months, which signifies expansion in the index of key industry indicators.
"The RPI's solid gain in September was the result of broad-based improvements among both the current situation and forward-looking indicators," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.  "Restaurant operators reported positive same-store sales and customer traffic levels for the first time in six months, which propelled the RPI's Current Situation Index to its highest level in nearly three years.
"In addition, restaurant operators are more optimistic about sales growth in the months ahead, while their outlook for the economy rose to its strongest level in five months," Riehle added.
Watch a video of Hudson Riehle providing an industry update, including the RPI and holiday dining, on the National Restaurant Association's website, www.restaurant.org.
The RPI is constructed so that the health of the restaurant industry is measured in relation to a steady-state level of 100.  Index values above 100 indicate that key industry indicators are in a period of expansion, and index values below 100 represent a period of contraction for key industry indicators.  The RPI consists of two components, the Current Situation Index and the Expectations Index.
The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators (same-store sales, traffic, labor and capital expenditures), stood at 99.4 in September – up 0.5 percent from August and its strongest level since October 2007.  However, the Current Situation Index remained below 100 for the 37th consecutive month, as the softness in the labor and capital expenditure indicators outweighed the gains in same-store sales and customer traffic.
Restaurant operators reported a net increase in same-store sales for the first time in six months in September.  Forty-four percent of restaurant operators reported a same-store sales gain between September 2009 and September 2010, up from 38 percent of operators who reported higher sales in August.  Meanwhile, 38 percent of operators reported a same-store sales decline in September, down from 43 percent of operators who reported negative sales in August.
Restaurant operators also reported a slight uptick in customer traffic levels in September.  Thirty-eight percent of restaurant operators reported an increase in customer traffic between September 2009 and September 2010, while 37 percent of operators reported a traffic decline.  In August, 35 percent of operators reported an increase in customer traffic levels, while 42 percent reported a traffic decline.
Despite the improvements in sales and traffic levels, restaurant operators reported a slight drop-off in capital spending levels in recent months.  Forty-two percent of operators said they made a capital expenditure for equipment, expansion or remodeling during the last three months, down from 44 percent of operators who reported similarly last month.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators' six-month outlook for four industry indicators (same-store sales, employees, capital expenditures and business conditions), stood at 101.1 in September – up 1.0 percent from August and its strongest level in five months.
Restaurant operators are more optimistic about an improving sales environment in the months ahead. Forty-three percent of restaurant operators expect to have higher sales in six months (compared with the same period in the previous year), up from 38 percent who reported similarly last month.  In comparison, 14 percent of restaurant operators expect their sales volume in six months to be lower than it was during the same period in the previous year, compared with 17 percent who reported similarly last month.
Restaurant operators are also more bullish about the direction of the overall economy.  Thirty-eight percent of restaurant operators said they expect economic conditions to improve in six months, up from 25 percent last month and the strongest level of optimism in five months.  In comparison, just 16 percent of operators said they expect economic conditions to worsen in the next six months, down from 21 who reported similarly last month.
Along with an improving outlook for sales and the economy, restaurant operators' plans for capital expenditures also grew.  Forty-seven percent of restaurant operators plan to make a capital expenditure for equipment, expansion or remodeling in the next six months, up from 42 percent who reported similarly last month and the strongest level in five months.
The RPI is based on the responses to the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Industry Tracking Survey, which is fielded monthly among restaurant operators nationwide on a variety of indicators including sales, traffic, labor, and capital expenditures. The full report is available online (http://www.restaurant.org/pdfs/research/index/201009.pdf).
The RPI is released on the last business day of each month, and more detailed data and analysis can be found on Restaurant TrendMapper (www.restaurant.org/trendmapper), the Association's subscription-based service that provides detailed analysis of restaurant industry trends.

Mexican Restaurants, Inc. Announces Delisting on NASDAQ; Plans to Deregister Common Stock with SEC

HOUSTON, Oct 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Mexican Restaurants, Inc. announced it has taken definitive action to voluntarily delist its common stock on NASDAQ. Subsequent to the delisting, the Company intends to deregister its common stock and suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). The Company is taking these steps in order to avoid various public company costs, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act costs, that the Company believes disproportionately affect smaller publicly traded companies. The Company intends to maintain a market in its common shares by having the shares listed on a quotation service that does not require an issuer to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") such as the Pink Sheets, but currently has no arrangement for listing in place. The Company is eligible to deregister its common stock under the Exchange Act because it has fewer than 300 shareholders of record.

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Ruth's Hospitality Group narrows 3rd-quarter loss

Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc.'s third-quarter loss narrowed, benefiting from fewer expenses and improved results at its Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants.
The restaurant company that owns the famous Ruth's Chris chain also named President and CEO Michael P. O'Donnell as its chairman on Friday.

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Chinglish: To keep or let go?

What if you were in a hotel bathroom and you saw a notice that said, "take care of the landslide". Could you possibly have guessed what it meant?

The Chinese call it Chinglish and many foreigners have had the experience of reading such confusing Chinese translations of English words and phrases.

To help foreigners better understand Chongqing, a translation center was set up under the foreign affairs office of the municipality in southwest China. It released standard translations to some widely-used words on Wednesday.
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Budget chain marks 25 yrs of true value

Cheap sleeps in Britain are 25 years old and will be celebrated on Monday with the unveiling of a plaque.
Travelodge launched the first budget hotel in the UK in 1985 on the A38 at Bartonunder-Needwood, Staffs. The company - now owned by private equity firm Dubai International Capital - has 438 hotels in the UK, with 11 in Ireland and three in Spain. It employs about 6,000 staff.

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Maldives Hotel Tourists Abused at Wedding Ceremony

A hotel in Maldives has had to apologize to a couple after they were subject to foul abuse in a language they didn’t understand. The couple thought that they were being blessed in an idyllic beach wedding ceremony. Maldives is a Muslim-majority nation and is one of the most exclusive honeymoon destinations in the world, with its economy relying mostly on tourism.
The Vilu Reef hotel says that it was unforgivable that a member of their staff conducted the marriage vows renewal while solemnly reading out a series of extreme religious and sexual slurs in Dhivehi. The owners, Sun Travel and Tours, said in a statement that the resort’s management is deeply saddened by the humiliating event.
A video of the ceremony has surfaced on YouTube, showing the supervisor insulting and mocking the unknown Swiss couple. They obeyed orders from the minister when to do certain things, while he called them infidels and swine, among a string of other insults and swears.
Hotel manager Mohamed Rasheed said that the worker who posted the video did it as a joke without realizing the seriousness of the possible consequences. Sun Travels chief executive Ahmed Shakir said that those directly responsible for the incident have been removed, suspended from duty and/or forbidden from leaving the staff area at the hotel. The company is also contacting the couple to apologize. Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed is horrified of the footage, and an investigation has been launched.

What video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3anLy3Hz9I

STARWOOD REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2010 RESULTS

Third Quarter 2010 Highlights

􀂃

special items, EPS from continuing operations was a loss of $0.03.

Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.25. Including

􀂃

Adjusted EBITDA was $205 million.

􀂃

Including special items, the loss from continuing operations was $5 million.

Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $47 million.

􀂃

in constant dollars) compared to the third quarter of 2009. System-wide REVPAR

for Same-Store Hotels in North America increased 10.6% (10.0% in constant

dollars).

Worldwide System-wide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels increased 10.0% (11.1%

􀂃

Management and franchise revenues increased 7.7% compared to 2009.

􀂃

approximately 140 basis points.

Worldwide Same-Store company-operated gross operating profit margins increased

􀂃

10.8% (12.5% in constant dollars) compared to the third quarter of 2009. REVPAR

for Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America increased 12.5%

(11.2% in constant dollars).

Worldwide REVPAR for Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels increased

􀂃

basis points.

Margins at Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide increased 110

􀂃

compared to 2009.

Operating income from vacation ownership and residential increased $10 million

􀂃

contracts representing approximately 4,500 rooms and opened 17 hotels and

resorts with approximately 3,300 rooms.

Read More:During the quarter, the Company signed 20 hotel management and franchise 

Marriott Outlines Plans for Ambitious Growth

Earnings by 2013 Could Reach New Highs; Approximately $3 to $5 Billion Could Be Returned to Shareholders Over Three Years
While highlighting its significant market opportunities and competitive advantages, Marriott International will tell security analysts and institutional investors in New York today, that, assuming growth scenarios of Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) of 5 to 9 percent compounded annually over the next three years, diluted earnings per share (EPS) could approximate $1.90 to $2.75 by 2013, well above the highest earnings per share (EPS) achieved during Marriott’s most recent peak earnings year of 2007. [Picture: The Waikiki EDITION.]

The company will say that total fee revenue could range from $1.57 billion to $1.87 billion and incentive management fees could nearly double through 2013 from 2010 estimated levels, ranging from $285 million to $440 million under those same RevPAR scenarios.

The company expects to add at least 80,000 to 90,000 hotel rooms to its portfolio from 2011 through 2013 with additional opportunities for 22,000 rooms to open in Europe and Asia during that same period.  Marriott has plans to adapt and expand current brands, such as Courtyard and Fairfield, to meet the growing needs of customers in markets worldwide.  The company will also be expanding its new brands outside of the United States, including EDITION, which just opened its first hotel on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, and the Autograph Collection. [Picture: Courtyard Mumbai International Airport]
J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of the company, said, “We are on the threshold of extraordinary growth for our company.  As we look ahead over three years, Marriott is poised to deliver substantial gains in bottom line results, as well as meaningful returns to hotel owners and shareholders, as our industry-leading portfolio of brands both recovers from the recent recession and grows worldwide.”
According to the company, having reduced net debt by almost $1.5 billion since the end of 2008, Marriott has already reached its targeted debt levels.  The company will say that it assumes it will invest $2.3 to $2.7 billion over the next three years.  The company could return between $3.3 billion and $5.3 billion to shareholders from 2011 through 2013 through dividends and share repurchases, while still maintaining its investment grade bond rating.  As of October 21, 2010, the company has resumed open market share repurchases, making modest repurchases to date.

Hilton Worldwide Adds Three New Hotel Deals to Russian Pipeline

MOSCOW, Russia – Hospitality Business News (27 October 2010) - Hilton Worldwide has today announced the signing of three hotel agreements in strategic regional locations in Russia. New hotels will open in Yaroslavl and Kazan, as well as Hilton Worldwide’s second hotel in Moscow. These new signings will significantly expand the group’s presence in Russia, with 11 hotels now open or under development, since entering the market in 2008.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Today’s announcement is an exciting milestone for Hilton Worldwide in Russia. We entered the market only two years ago and have seen remarkable expansion of our brands since then. We continue to see owners and investors eager to work with us, for both new build and conversion projects, attracted by our multi-brand offering and brand strength which resonate with domestic and international guests.”
Hilton Worldwide is currently represented by Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, and operates three hotels; Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya; Hilton Garden Inn Perm; and the recently opened Doubletree by Hilton, Novosibirsk, which began welcoming guests in September 2010.
Doubletree by Hilton, Moscow Leningradsky-Riverside - offering 270 guestrooms, the hotel will be located in the north-west of Moscow on the Leningradskoe Shosse between the city centre and the airport. The hotel is expected to open in the beginning of 2012. A yacht club and marina is located next to the hotel site and it will be possible to travel by water to reach downtown Moscow, as well as the Black and Baltic seas. The hotel will feature a full-service restaurant and bar, and dedicated fitness centre complete with indoor swimming pool. A total of 1,200-square metres of meeting space and ballroom is complemented by a state-of-the-art business centre and wireless internet access throughout the hotel. Doubletree by Hilton, Moscow Leningradsky-Riverside will be operated under a franchise agreement with Autoconcept Co LLC.
Hilton Garden Inn Yaroslavl - offering 179 guestrooms, the hotel will be located close to major transport links, just a few minutes from Moscovsky train station and the main city highway, which connects Yaroslavl to Moscow (250 kilometres). Yaroslavl is a major tourist destination in Russia; the old town was named by UNESCO as a world heritage site and is renowned for its 17th century churches and outstanding urban planning which dates back to 1763. Expected to open in spring 2012, the new build Hilton Garden Inn Yaroslavl will offer a restaurant, lobby bar as well as extensive meeting space of 576 square metres, including 10 meeting rooms and a ballroom. Hilton Garden Inn Yaroslavl will be operated under a franchise agreement with RESO Hotel Investments LLC.
Hilton Garden Inn Kazan - offering 171 guestrooms, the property will be located in the downtown area of Kazan city, close to the airport and Volga river port and in an area which is home to local business and commerce. Historic Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, recognised as a sovereign state by the Russian Federation, with a population of more than 1 million inhabitants. The city sees mainly corporate visitors, with a mix of leisure from predominantly domestic sources. Expected to open in spring 2014, the new build Hilton Garden Inn Kazan will offer an all-day restaurant, lobby bar, business centre, fitness facility and four meeting rooms. Hilton Garden Inn Kazan will be operated under a franchise agreement with Vostochnaya Zvezda LLC part of the London & Regional Properties Ltd group.
Russia is an important strategic development market for Hilton Worldwide. Most recently, the company announced the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Omsk, which is expected to open in 2014. Additional hotels under development include: Doubletree by Hilton, Perm, expected to open in 2012; Doubletree by Hilton, Sochi-Adler, Hilton Garden Inn Samara and Hilton Garden Inn Ulyanovsk, all expected to open in 2012

US group may take Maybourne hotels stake

US private equity company has emerged as a possible bidder for a stake in Maybourne, the London hotel company at the centre of the legal challenge that developer Paddy McKillen has taken against State assets agency Nama.
New York-based Northwood Investors is understood to be interested in taking a €230 million stake in Maybourne, owner of three upmarket hotels – Claridges, the Berkeley and the Connaught – in the English capital.

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Irish Hotel told staff to fake TripAdvisor reviews

An Irish hotel has been cautioned by global internet travel service TripAdvisor for posting fake reviews to boost its ratings.
The Clare Inn Hotel & Suites, which is part of the Lynch Hotel Group, has been given a "red badge" warning by TripAdvisor for reviews posted about its service.

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Nation's Unemployment Outlook Improves Drastically After Fifth Beer

WASHINGTON—Despite ongoing economic woes and a jobless rate that has been approaching 10 percent, U.S. unemployment projections drastically improved Monday after the consumption of five beers.
"It's going up," leading economist David Singleton said confidently, indicating the predicted growth in jobs with an upward wave of a Bud Light bottle. "All the way up. By the end of the month. No problem."

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Boy Believed To Be Next Reincarnation Of Regional KFC Manager Discovered In Chatfield, MN

LOUISVILLE, KY—According to sources at the corporate headquarters of fast food giant KFC, a young boy believed to be the third reincarnation of the chain's regional manager for eastern Georgia was discovered in Chatfield, MN Tuesday following an exhaustive five-year search.

The Chosen One, kindergartner Brian Thorson, was located by a special council of seven High Branch Managers selected from the most profitable KFC restaurants nationwide. In accordance with tradition, the boy will henceforth be known as Roger Purcell, the ceremonial title given to all who have previously overseen operations in eastern Georgia.

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The search is on... for Britain's best banger!

The organisers of British Sausage Week 2010 have named the lucky person who'll be judging this year's Star Sausages competition - "tough" Craig Revel Horwood of Strictly Come Dancing fame.

As part of British Sausage Week which kicks off on 1 November, Horwood will be helping to find the nation's favourite sausage as he takes on his role as this year's 'King of Sizzle'.
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Berkins Deli wins ‘Sausage of the Year’ award

Sausage maker, restaurateur and former butcher, Kevin Berkins, was presented with the accolade following the live final of the BPEX Foodservice Sausage of the Year competition 2010, held at London's Butchers Hall on Friday 22nd October.
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Carlson to build Radisson near Calgary airport

A global hotel chain has announced it plans to build a new hotel near the Calgary International Airport.
Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, said the 120-room Radisson Hotel would be built just over three kilometres from the airport at 6620 36th St. N.E.
Estimated cost of the Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre is $19 million US.

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Some hotel chains ditching the front desk

Two bloggers walk into a hotel ...

No, that’s not the opening line to a joke. We’re talking about two travelers who picked the same hotel chain — Andaz, a boutique Hyatt property. One stayed at a Los Angeles Andaz, the other at a New York City Andaz. Neither lobby contained a front desk — a budding hospitality-industry trend that’s equal parts chic and shrewd. The reviews: a wow in the West, and a wince in the East.

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RP-Malaysian venture issues $300-M bonds

MANILA, Philippines—Tourism and gaming firm Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., a joint venture between the group of tycoon Andrew Tan and Malaysia’s Genting Group, successfully debuted in the global bond market with a $300-million bond float.

The seven-year international bond issue carried a coupon of 6.9 percent, the lowest ever bond yield achieved by an Asian gaming firm. It also broke record for having the lowest coupon rate among unsecured US dollar bond offerings from gaming companies globally.

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U.S. Hotel Market Recovery Deteriorates in September

According to e-forecasting.com, in conjunction with Smith Travel Research (STR), announced this week that the HIP dropped in September. After an increase of 1.6 percent in August, HIP went down 2.2 percent in September.

HIP, the Hotel Industry Pulse Index, is a composite indicator that gauges business activity in the United States' hotel industry in real time, similar to a GDP measure for the industry. The latest monthly change brought the index to a reading of 87.9. The index was set to equal 100 in 2000.

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Starwood Posts Third-Quarter Loss on Hotel Sale Charge

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., owner of the St. Regis and W luxury brands, reported a third-quarter loss after a $55 million charge related mainly to the sale of a hotel.

The net loss was $6 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with net income of $40 million, or 22 cents, a year earlier, the White Plains, New York-based company said in a statement today.
Income from continuing operations, excluding one-time items, climbed to $47 million, or 25 cents a share, from $25 million, or 14 cents. That beat projections of 22 cents, the average estimate of 23 analysts in a Bloomberg survey.

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Triple homicide at Days Inn hotel still not solved

As far as hotel crime goes, this one's clearly a shocker...Police continue investigating the Oct. 7 triple homicide at a Days Inn hotel in Tulsa, Okla., after releasing a person of interest, the Tulsa World reports.


The grizzly murder resulted in the shooting deaths of Joey Mike, 23, Jermiko Thomas, 19, and Toni Ruff, 20, who each were shot in the head in an execution style manner, the story says. One of the victims may have been connected to a drug dealer. The story says:

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Triple homicide at Days Inn hotel still not solvedActress Carey Mulligan on Best Western: 'Best sweet potato fries' ever Buzz Up!More

Marriott was fined about $24,000 by a court in England after a 50-year-old woman fell through a Marriott hotel ceiling and fractured her spine, Bristol's Evening Post reports.

The woman, Margaret Davis, was not a guest. She was a worker who was there to inspect its machinery room to provide an estimate on insulation, the Evening Post says. Marriott pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates Court earlier this week to neglecting their general duty to a visiting contractor at the Bristol Marriott, according to the article.

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McDonald's executives cash in on soaring stock

Crain's) — McDonald’s Corp.’s CEO and other top executives netted nearly $26 million in stock option profits last week when they sold shares following the company’s strong third-quarter earnings report.

James Skinner, CEO of the Oak Brook-based fast-food chain, sold 235,000 shares at an average price of $78.43 for a profit of nearly $11.7 million. The sales were part of a “routine exercise of a group of stock options,” a McDonald’s spokeswoman said.

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McDonald's Obesity Case Can't Proceed as Group Suit

McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest restaurant chain, convinced a U.S. judge that consumers’ claims that its food contributed to childhood obesity were too distinct to be gathered in a single group lawsuit.
“Plaintiffs’ claims will necessitate extensive individualized inquiries,” Judge Donald Pogue in Manhattan said today in a 43-page decision in a lawsuit filed in 2002 by teenagers Ashley Pelman and Jazlen Bradley.

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Wells Fargo denies wrongdoing in foreclosing on land in Las Vegas slated for Hotel Casino

Wells Fargo Bank officials have denied they wrongfully foreclosed on Las Vegas land planned for a massive hotel-casino and condominium project, saying the charges are "complete and utter fabrications."
In a May 11 lawsuit filed in Clark County District Court, Miami-based Alkimya Investment LLC and Alkimya Addition LLC charged that Wells Fargo and BankAtlantic deceived Alkimya into thinking they wouldn't foreclose on land at about 300 E. Tropicana Avenue at Deckow Lane, across the street from McCarran International Airport, and then went ahead with the foreclosure anyway.

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P.F. Chang’s Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results

Highlights for the third quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year quarter include:

• Consolidated revenues increased 6.2% to $308.4 million.
• Comparable store sales increased 2.3% at the Bistro and 0.8% at Pei Wei.
• Income from continuing operations increased 68.1% to $10.5 million.
• Net income increased 68.6% to $10.5 million.
• Income from continuing operations and net income per diluted share increased 66.7% to $0.45.

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Jones Lang LaSalle 3Q Profit Up 88% On Higher Revenue

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.'s (JLL) third-quarter profit soared 88% on revenue and margin growth as well as lower one-time items than a year earlier.
The commercial-real-estate services company's revenue exceeded Wall Street's expectations but earnings were below analysts' estimate.
"We posted solid results in the third quarter, as the broad market recovery continued," said Chief Executive Colin Dyer.
Commercial real estate has suffered from rising vacancies and declining rents and property values, but Jones Lang in July said leasing and capital markets business improved. The company, which provides help with sales, leasing and management of commercial properties worldwide, has swung to the black in recent quarters on strong revenue growth.
Earlier Tuesday, rival CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. (CBG) said its third-quarter profit more than quadrupled on the strongest quarterly year-over-year revenue growth since the end of 2007.

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NYC Hospitality Coalition formed

A group of high-profile restaurant and nightclub operators are launching a new trade association and lobbying group, arguing that doing business in the city has become increasingly cumbersome and costly.
Called the NYC Hospitality Coalition, the group has the support of some of the city's most well-known restaurateurs, such as Stephen Hanson, Keith McNally, and Ken Friedman.
"The hospitality industry in New York is one of the biggest employers in the city and we've been treated like an ATM machine," said Mr. Friedman, whose restaurants include the popular Breslin and Spotted Pig. "We need to get some people fired, or elected. We just need to have a little bite along with the bark of the existing restaurant association."

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New Chicago Marriott

On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, a $400 million act of faith opens in downtown Chicago. It's a new JW Marriott hotel at 208 S. La Salle, situated in a landmark Daniel Burnham building, and it promises to bring North Michigan Avenue panache to the work-aday canyons of the Loop.
Hotel markets are notoriously cyclical, and this business will open as demand for lodging is improving, but not too rapidly. At 610 rooms, the JW Marriott will be Chicago's largest new hotel since the Hyatt at McCormick Place opened in 1998, so it will pose a challenge to the marketplace. If the economy bogs down again in 2011, such a large new player will force other hotels to trim their rates.

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Marriott to open 13 hotels in NYC

Over the next three years, Marriott International plans to open 13 budget hotels in Manhattan, representing 2,900 rooms or nearly double the number of properties it currently operates in the city, a company official said on Wednesday at a security analyst meeting held at the Marriott Marquis property in Times Square.
The planned projects are in various stages of development, but the first of them, the SoHo Courtyard, is opening in a new building Nov. 16 on Varick Street.

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Choice Hotels Reports Third Quarter 2010 Diluted EPS of $0.68, Domestic RevPAR Growth of 7.4%

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct 27, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc., /quotes/comstock/13*!chh/quotes/nls/chh (CHH 34.00, -2.31, -6.36%) today reported the following highlights for third quarter 2010:

Adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") for third quarter 2010 were $0.68 compared to $0.56 for the same period of the prior year. Diluted EPS were $0.68 for third quarter 2010 compared to $0.55 for third quarter 2009. Adjusted diluted EPS for third quarter 2009 exclude certain special items, as described below, totaling $0.01.

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Wyndham Worldwide Corporation Beats Analyst Expectations

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.'s third-quarter earnings rose 50% as the lodging company saw a big tax benefit and as its hotel and time-share businesses continued to recover from weak demand last year.
For the year, the company raised its earnings guidance to $1.94 to $1.98 a share from July's boosted forecast of $1.78 to $1.88. It also sees 40 cents to 44 cents this quarter, while analysts' average projection was 40 cents, according to Thomson Reuters.
The lodging industry has seen results improve in recent quarters amid an upturn in travel and tourism demand and prior cost cutting. Rival Marriott International Inc. about three weeks ago swung to a third-quarter profit absent prior-year write-downs as its timeshare business continued to rebound. However, it gave a weak view for the current quarter.

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Las Vegas Sands joins InterContinental

LOS ANGELES - LAS Vegas Sands Corp's Strip resorts, the Venetian and Palazzo, are joining the portfolio of InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's top hotel company by number of rooms.
Under the 10-year licensing deal, the Las Vegas hotels, with more than 7,000 luxury rooms, will gain access to IHG's global operating system, sales force and Priority Club loyalty program, which has 52 million members.

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Restaurants in legal battle over ‘Brooklynized’ water

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Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2010 Results

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!bwld/quotes/nls/bwld (BWLD 45.25, -3.28, -6.76%) , announced today financial results for the third quarter ended September 26, 2010. Highlights for the third quarter versus the same period a year ago were:

Total revenue increased 14.0% to $151.3 million Company-owned restaurant sales grew 13.9% to $137.0 million Same-store sales increased 2.6% at company-owned restaurants and 0.3% at franchised restaurants Net earnings increased 23.7% to $8.5 million from $6.9 million, and earnings per diluted share increased 23.7% to $0.47 from $0.38

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London hotel rates up 12.5%

Hoteliers in London achieved average room rates of 12.5% more in September compared to the same month in 2009.
According to research by PKF Hotel Consultancy services, the price of an average hotel room in London was £118.56 last month, up nearly £15 on September 2009.
Manchester hoteliers also saw a strong month, thanks to the Labour Party conference. Occupancy increased 5.4% to 82.2%, while rates rose 9.4% to £81.78.
The regions remained virtually static. The average room rate for September 2010 was £65.42, while in 2009 it was £65.45.
Robert Barnard, a partner at Hotel Consultancy Services, said the public spending review may have an effect on hoteliers in the near future, but added:
“The solid figures we have seen over the past few months are at least a good start point if there are to be further bumps in the road ahead."

$2.2 Billion in Hotel Development for Burmuda

Premier and Minister of Tourism Dr Ewart Brown held a press conference today [Oct 26] to address the Tourism third quarter. One of the things he addressed was hotel development saying there is “approximately $2.2 billion earmarked for hotel development on the island for the next 10 years”. The Premier continued on to say that “despite the worldwide economic downturn, it hasn’t deterred investors from demonstrating continued confidence in the Bermuda product,” and that as he prepares to finish his term as Premier he is “pleased to leave a number of hotel development projects in the pipeline.”

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TPG Hospitality, Inc. to Manage Eight Lodgian Hotels

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Oct. 26  TPG Hospitality, Inc. (a Procaccianti Group company), the integral hotel management company within vertically integrated TPG Companies with over 17,000 rooms under management in 23 states, has quietly and steadily climbed to the top of the list of the industry's leading hotel management companies.
Today, Gary Gray, Senior Vice President, confirms, "Lodgian has awarded TPG Hospitality, Inc. the management of approximately 2,000 premium branded hotel rooms representing eight full service hotels." At the time of this release, Gray indicated that TPG Hospitality, Inc. had transitioned management of two properties including the 270-room beachside Crowne Plaza in Melbourne, FL and the 231-room Crowne Plaza in Silver Spring, MD.

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Charlie Sheen trashes room at Plaza Hotel in coke-fueled rampage

A drugged up and naked Charlie Sheen -- just two months out of rehab -- trashed his room at The Plaza Hotel early today in a frantic bid to find his wallet and cellphone after partying with a hooker, authorities said.

Hotel security called police just after 2 a.m. where they found the hard-partying Sheen after a woman called the front desk from the famed Eloise Suite, sources told The Post.
Tables and chairs had been thrown around the room and a chandelier was also damaged, sources said.

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Pittsburgh "Hilton" owner accused of 'incompetence'

A New York lender filed an emergency motion Monday for the appointment of a trustee to oversee operations at the former Hilton Pittsburgh, accusing the hotel owner of "gross mismanagement, incompetence and deceitfulness."

In its 35-page motion, BlackRock Financial Management Inc. claimed that Shubh Hotels Pittsburgh used hotel funds to "pay insiders and non-corporate expenses" and that Dr. Kiran C. Patel, the Tampa cardiologist seeking to take over the property, is "inextricably intertwined" with Shubh and its management.

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How did a savvy traveler's hotel room get burglarized?

Scenario: A well-traveled guest at a Wyndham hotel in Oklahoma City recently told police that her hotel room had been burglarized, the Oklahoman tells us.

The thief stole the woman's laptop, some identification, cash in her purse - and even cash that she'd raised for a breast cancer fundraiser. The victim is a flight attendant, so she knows hotels well and I'm willing to bet that she considers herself to be a savvy traveler.
So how did it happen?

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Burger King makes management changes

Burger King Holdings said Monday it has made numerous changes to its senior management team.
The shuffle comes a little more than a month after Burger King announced it was being acquired by affiliates of 3G Capital.

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Darden expands to Middle East with franchise deal

Darden's Restaurants Inc. is working with Americana Group to develop and run its Red Lobster, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse brands in the Middle East.
Terms were not disclosed.
"The Middle East is an attractive, growing market that has shown a strong affinity for American brands, especially American dining brands," Darden Chairman and CEO Clarence Otis said in a statement.

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Device explodes in McDonald's toilet in Sydney

A SMALL home-made device exploded in a toilet in the restroom of a fast food outlet in western Sydney but no one was injured, police say.
The device was detonated in the men's toilet cubicle at a McDonald's restaurant on High St in Penrith at around 9.10pm last night.
"The explosion damaged the toilet cistern and an air vent," NSW police said today in a statement.
"There was nobody in the restroom at the time.

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McWeddings are on the way

HONG KONG - Starting next year, happy couples have the chance to share wedded bless with up to 100 guests at certain Hong Kong McDonald’s restaurants.
The fast-food chain started taking reservations Oct. 12 for ceremonies that will begin Jan. 1, 2011.
In a statement announcing the ‘McWeddings,’ a McDonald’s spokesman said the ceremonies will “provide an interesting choice for couples who enjoy special wedding concepts.”
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Mayoral Candidate calls for sale of Baltimore Hilton

Baltimore Circuit Court Clerk Frank M. Conaway Sr. is lobbying City Council to sell the taxpayer-funded Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel, which is projecting to finish 2010 with a $9.8 million deficit.
Conaway, who announced plans to run for mayor Oct. 1, said it is now “obvious to me that the city should cut its losses” and sell the $305 million hotel to an entity with more experience in the hospitality industry.

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Shimao, Hilton to jointly develop 8 hotels in China

Oct. 25, 2010 (China Knowledge) - U.S.-based Hilton Worldwide recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shimao Group, the parent of Chinese developer Shimao Property Holdings Ltd<0813>, to jointly develop hotels in eight Chinese cities, sources reported.

The cities include Tianjin, Nanjing, Wuhan, Shenyang, Qingdao, Yantai and Wuxi.

The eight hotels are expected to start operation during the period from 2011 to 2014.

Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton Worldwide said that the company plans to open more than 100 hotels in China in the next five years.

Since 1988 when the hotel operator entered China, Hilton Worldwide has managed 14 hotels in the fast-growing market, added Nassetta.

Sometimes a customer can be even more terrifying than a ghost.

Haunted restaurants are not shocking. Old restaurants, like old homes and castles, hold ghosts: Josephina's Italian Restaurant in Denver is haunted by a depressed 1920s showgirl; Willow Steakhouse & Saloon, outside Stockton, Calif., is built on the site of an old collapsed mine, where dozens died (but never remained put); stories of mysterious drifters and disappearances have been attached to White Horse Tavern in Newport, R.I., since it opened in 1673; and frankly, if you own an old restaurant and it doesn't boast occasional sightings of a ethereal lady in white at the top of the second-floor landing (a fairly common sighting), you're lacking. But you know what is shocking?
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BJ's Restaurants, Inc. Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2010

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct 21, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- BJ's Restaurants, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!bjri/quotes/nls/bjri (BJRI 35.03, +1.09, +3.21%) today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 that ended on September 28, 2010.

Highlights for the third quarter compared to the same quarter last year were as follows:

  --  Total revenues increased 24% to $128.8 million

  --  Comparable restaurant sales increased 6.7%

  --  Net income increased 75% to $5.5 million

  --  Diluted net income per share increased 67% to $0.20

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Gordon Ramsay’s guards against Father in Law

Ramsay, 43, had banned former business adviser Chris Hutcheson, 62, from his restaurants.

Friends said "a bombshell" piece of news was to blame - but did not elaborate.
The two men first fell out over profits, expansion and the Hell's Kitchen star's alleged seven-year affair with Sarah Symonds, 40. It was revealed this week that Hutcheson had quit as CEO of Gordon Ramsay Holdings

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Mouse in Ramsays Restaurant

GORDON Ramsay has hit double trouble - reportedly calling in TV Dragon Peter Jones to save his business and finding a MOUSE in one of his top eateries.

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Fazoli's to Open First Wal-Mart Restaurant

[2010-10-25]   America's largest retailer is turning to America's largest premium quick-service Italian restaurant to offer its shoppers a new dining option. Fazoli's announced today that the popular Italian restaurant will open in early January 2011 in a Wal-Mart in St. Louis. It will be the first Fazoli's located within a retail store.

Fazoli's, a Parents magazine 10-best fast-casual family restaurant, is opening in leased space in the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at 3270 Telegraph Rd. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant will seat approximately 50 guests.

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Dennis Rodman Continues To Be the Worst Hotel Guest On the Planet

Yes, it's happened again. Dennis Rodman should just avoid all hotels from now on because there is something about a hotel that makes him go nuts and get kicked out.

The latest victim is the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach, Calif. Fresh off hosting a pool party at the Hotel Indigo East End, Rodman was staying at the Surf and Sand and filming a UK reality show when he got "drunk and disorderly" at the hotel bar.

TMZ reports that after being told, several times, by security to be quiet and stop bothering guests, police were eventually called. Rodman was then escorted out of the hotel, carrying a pair of giant moon boots too.

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Banks Market Hilton, Extended Stay Mortgage Debt

Oct. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Bank of America Corp. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are marketing bonds tied to debt left over from the 2007 buyout of Hilton Worldwide in the largest sale of commercial-mortgage bonds of 2010.

The $2.66 billion unrated offering matures in as soon as 2.86 years, according to a person familiar with the sale, who declined to be identified because terms aren’t public.

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Hotels Seek Clearer Guidelines for Online Reviews

The 35 million hotel reviews posted on TripAdvisor reveal everything from snooty staff to filthy toilets, and sometimes the reviewer’s overly picky standards.
But those comments can also cross the line between honest criticism and unsubstantiated, inflammatory claims, with potentially damaging consequences for some hotels

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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Third Quarter Americas RevPAR Growth at annual conference for hotel owners

InterContinental Hotels Group's ("IHG") annual conference for hotel owners in the Americas region commences this week. Details of revenue per available room (RevPAR) for IHG's brands in the Americas for July, August and September 2010, for the third quarter 2010 and for the nine month period to 30 September 2010 will be disclosed at this conference and are tabled below.
RevPAR growth in the Americas region accelerated through the third quarter to 6.7% driven by occupancy growth of 3.8 percentage points and rate growth of 0.8% as business travellers continued to return in greater numbers. Rate growth improved through the quarter.
Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express RevPAR growth accelerated in the third quarter driven by the success of the relaunched hotels which are strongly outperforming those hotels that have not completed the relaunch. Third quarter RevPAR growth at hotels which completed the relaunch grew by 7.9% at Holiday Inn and 6.8% at Holiday Inn Express. In the US, these hotels now sit at a 36% and 20% RevPAR premium to their respective industry segments.
IHG's full third quarter results will be announced at 7am UK time on 9 November when further commentary will be provided.
 

Americas Comparable RevPAR Growth (constant currency)	July 2010	August 2010	Sept 2010	Third Quarter 2010	Nine months to 30 Sept 2010
InterContinental	13.8%	9.7%	11.7%	11.8%	8.1%
Crowne Plaza	5.1%	5.4%	6.0%	5.5%	4.6%
Holiday Inn	6.1%	5.6%	7.3%	6.3%	3.0%
- relaunched (557 hotels)				7.9%	4.7%
- not relaunched (240 hotels)				2.2%	(1.1)%
Holiday Inn Express	6.3%	6.7%	6.3%	6.4%	3.3%
- relaunched (1,347 hotels)				6.8%	3.8%
- not relaunched (244 hotels)				3.9%	0.0%
Staybridge Suites	4.7%	9.7%	9.9%	8.0%	6.3%
Candlewood Suites	4.6%	6.5%	7.6%	6.2%	1.8%
Hotel Indigo	9.2%	10.7%	15.7%	11.8%	9.6%
Total Americas	6.4%	6.5%	7.3%	6.7%	3.9%

New Zelands Restaurant Brands Shares Gain after First-Half Profit Jumps

Restaurant Brands New Zealand Ltd., an owner of KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks franchises, rose the most in a month in Wellington trading after it said first-half profit gained 52 percent.
Net income rose to NZ$13.5 million ($10 million) in the six months ended Sept. 13 from NZ$8.9 million a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. The stock rose 2.4 percent, the biggest gain since Sept. 21.
Restaurant Brands’ share price has jumped almost 54 percent since Jan. 1, becoming the best performer on the benchmark NZX 50 stock index. The company increased its first-half dividend to 7 cents a share from 4.5 cents and reaffirmed that full-year profit excluding non-trading items will rise to a range of NZ$24 million to NZ$26 million.

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Domino's Pizza Announces Third Quarter 2010 Financial Results

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, today announced strong results for the third quarter ended September 12, 2010. The Company's domestic same store sales rose 11.7% during the third quarter versus the year-ago period on sustained positive consumer response to its improved pizza and the effectiveness of its advertising. Robust sales volume also drove positive results in the Company's domestic supply chain business. The International division continued its strong performance with same store sales growth of 7.0% in the third quarter, marking the 67th consecutive quarter of positive same store sales growth for the division. The Company repurchased $20.0 million of its debt during the quarter, for a total of $289.6 million in repurchases of its fixed rate notes since the beginning of 2009.

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McDonald's Third Quarter Earnings Rise 12% on Strong Global Sales

OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) today announced strong results for the third quarter driven by growth across all areas of the world.
"McDonald's customer focus, menu innovation and the ongoing modernization of our restaurants continue to drive our business momentum," said Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner.   "For the third quarter, we grew comparable sales and customer visits around the world and delivered increased profitability.  As we continue to invest in our business and extend the McDonald's brand, I am confident that we will create even more ways to satisfy consumers looking for high quality, great tasting food that's convenient and affordable."

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Will Beer Succeed as the New Buzz at Starbucks?

Lately Starbucks (SBUX) has been trying to change things up. They finally got free Wi-Fi with free digital content, they are trying to slow down the process of making drinks (which seems to me about the equivalent of clipping a bird’s wings), and now they’re talking about adding booze to the menu. Irish coffee, anyone?

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When Alan Parker moved Whitbread from beer to hotels no-one got it, they do now

After defying his critics and reshaping former brewer Whitbread into a focused budget hotels and coffee shops group, is Alan Parker planning a quieter life after he retires on his 64th birthday next month? It doesn't look like it.

"The day after I retire, I fly to Dubai for two days of meetings," says the departing chief executive.

"I then fly back, fly to Paris for another board meeting, come back and drive to Devon, where I'm chairman of the board of governors at my old school. I hope it's not always going to be like that."

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Fort Myers woman reports theft of thousands in cash while she was staying at motel

A 71-year-old Fort Myers woman reported that she left between $20,000 and $100,000 in cash behind in a hotel room.

The woman was staying at the Value Place motel in May while she and her husband were having their home remodeled.

She reported the missing cash to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

According to the incident report, the woman said some of the cash was in a plastic Walmart bag and envelopes from Bank of America and Wachovia Bank.

The victim also told investigators that she kept the cash stored under blankets in the hotel room’s closet.

She didn’t realize she left the money in the room until after checking out and when she called management, they told her that her room had already been cleaned and that no money was found, the report states.

She also told investigators that she didn’t report the incident because she was embarrassed.

Hyatt pledges financial support for Bermuda resort

A Park Hyatt hotel in St. George’s has moved a step closer to becoming reality, with Hyatt throwing its financial weight behind the project.
The Park Hyatt group has agreed to invest heavily in the $300m scheme and become a stakeholder.
The move paves the way for developers Bazarian International to push ahead with the project, which will see a 100-room hotel, condominiums and villas built on the site of the old Club Med.

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Goldman selling 3 NYC hotels

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s real estate investment funds are marketing three hotels in New York City, according to sources who have been approached to purchase them.
The Whitehall Funds are trying to sell the Park Central New York Hotel, Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel and the Sofitel New York.

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European hotel chain heads to Manhattan

Wyndham-owned hotel chain TRYP is to open a property in New York, the firm confirmed October 21, marking its first expansion into North America.

TRYP, which is predominantly present in several European cities such as Paris, Lisbon, Frankfurt and Madrid, is the latest chain to announce a new property in Manhattan.

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Chaperone for sex addicts tops odd hotel requests list

London: Check out the travelling oddities! A list of strange requests that hotels get from their guests has revealed that asking for a chaperone for a group of sex addicts takes the cake.
Hotel chain Best Western revealed the list, which also included a group of animal-lovers requesting reiki classes for their pets, and another asking for twin rooms, so guests and their dogs could each have their own bed.

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Brothels Used as Hotels for Korean Grand Prix’s

Brothels are being used as hotels for F1 staff because the Korean Grand Prix does not have enough hotel rooms available. Although major F1 staff members such as drivers and team bosses have been able to secure normal rooms, the rest have not. They are forced to stay in $225 a night make-shift hotels which are really brothels.

The unfortunate F1 staff members are complaining about the condition of their rooms at the brothels. Some people say that the conditions go beyond unsanitary since there have been discoveries of “piles of used condoms beneath the beds.”

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Fort Lee celebrates construction start on 1,000-room hotel

FORT LEE - With heavy equipment rumbling in the background and a high-rise stairway looming above, Army and civilian leaders gathered to celebrate the formal kickoff of one of the biggest construction projects ever in the Tri-Cities.
About 80 people assembled Friday morning on the edge of the 26-acre parcel on Mahone Avenue near the new Army Logistics University to see the formal groundbreaking for a long-awaited 1,000-room Army Lodging facility. Actual construction began several weeks ago on the 530,000-square-foot, $120 million military hotel, which is expected to open sometime in 2012.

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Ledgestone Hospitality, LLC Signs Three Hotel Management Contracts in ten days

(Hospitality Business News) Shorewood, MN  - Ledgestone Hospitality, LLC announces the addition of three hotels to their management portfolio.  Cedar Falls Win Lodge, LLC; Davenport Lodge & Suites, LLC; and Lincoln Lodge & Suites, LLC contracted with Ledgestone Hospitality, LLC to manage the Wingate Inn & Suites of Cedar Falls, Iowa; the AmericInn Lodge & Suites of  Davenport, IA and Lincoln, NE, respectively.

“These properties further expand the diversity of our portfolio and demonstrate the breadth of our capacity as a management company,” said Ken Garvin, president.

“These new contracts involve hotels that span various segments of the industry.  All these properties are in lucrative markets.  Our goal is to further strengthen their competitive position within their respective markets.  We expect to add significant value through enhanced operations and aggressive marketing at these hotels.  We are excited to work with each ownership group in exceeding their expectations.”

Ledgestone Hospitality, LLC is a fully integrated hotel management company specializing in upscale, limited service properties and is currently managing 17 locations including:  AmericInn, Baymont Inn & Suites, Country Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, La Bellasera Hotel & Suites a luxury boutique property, Microtel Inn & Suites, Ramada, Super 8 and Wingate Inn & Suites.  Ledgestone Hospitality is turnkey property management company led by industry veterans with more than seventy-five years of combined experience. Implementing professional best practice management techniques together with the most cutting edge tools sets Ledgestone apart from the typical management company.  The style of this premier hospitality management company is to utilize a very hands-on and personal approach ensuring the success of a diverse hotel portfolio.

Based in Shorewood, Minnesota, Ledgestone Hospitality, LLC continues to grow at a rapid rate and is continually contracting new properties for management services.  Additional information about Ledgestone Hospitality, LLC can be found at the company website:  www.ledgestonehospitality.com

Three Brazilian Hotel Companies join forces to create Allia Hotels

(Hospitality Business News)

Bristol, Plaza Inn and Solare merge to create the largest Brazilian hotel group

Three regional hotel groups in Brazil have announced the formation of Allia Hotels, the largest 100% Brazilian hotel chain in the country. As a result of this alliance between Bristol Hotels, based in Minas Gerais; Plaza Inn Hotels, based in São Paulo and Solare Hotel Group, based in Maranhão, Allia Hotels has a combined 40 hotels in operation and more than 3,000 rooms with approximately 1,600 employees.

Allia becomes the third largest hotel chain in Brazil, based on the number of properties, and will have a presence in six states and total revenues of approximately R$ 150 million in 2010.

 
The company already has a commitment of R$450M for the development of 30 new hotels.

 "This alliance will give us more ability to grow and invest in expansion, at a time when the prospects are very favorable for the hospitality industry and tourism, besides increasing the management capacity of our enterprises," said André Monegaglia,CEO.

Hotels sprout around New York City

Hotels are popping up everywhere in Brooklyn and the other boroughs outside Manhattan, some in very strange places.
The hotel wave is coming more than a decade after the 1998 opening of the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn's first new luxury hotel in a half century. Now dozens of new lodgings are coming to the borough, as well as to Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.

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Couple suing restaurant, server in hot sauce case

A Cleveland couple is suing the local Steak ’n Shake restaurant, its parent company and an employee for allegedly serving their son a hot sauce so hot that he had to be hospitalized.

The lawsuit was filed Sept. 30, in Bradley County Circuit Court by Bilbo Law Offices which is representing Tim and Mary Katherine Gann.

Steak ’n Shake restaurant is located at 220 Paul Huff Parkway.

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Dublin hotel prices continue to fall

Dublin now ranks as the tenth cheapest city for hotel prices among major holiday destinations worldwide, according to a new survey.

The latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index shows that the average price per room in the capital fell 7 per cent from €78 in the second quarter of 2009 to €73 for the same three-month period this year. This means that Dublin continues to be the cheapest city for hotels in western Europe.
Monte Carlo, the city which is the playground of the rich and famous, is the world's most expensive city for holidaymakers with prices having risen by 6 per cent over the past year to an average of €180 per night.

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Wallaby mistreated at Irish hotel party

Dublin - Irish police are investigating after an animal, believed to be a sheep wallaby, was manhandled on a dance floor at a large birthday party, and was reported to have died.

A bout 150 people were at a 30th birthday party at Dublin’s Liffey Valley Clarion Hotel on Saturday night when one of them opened a large box and took out an animal.

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Saudi prince gets life for London Hotel murder

Bandar Abdulaziz, 32, was found beaten and strangled in the Landmark Hotel, Marylebone, on 15 February 2010.

The Old Bailey was told the assault by Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud had a "sexual element" and he had attacked Mr Abdulaziz many times before.

Al Saud, 34, who had admitted manslaughter but denied murder, was given a minimum jail term of 20 years.

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Did Colts fan cause $1M of damage to Jacksonville hotel?

Did an Indianapolis Colts fan get so angry about his team's loss earlier this month in Jacksonville Jaguars territory that he broke stairwell pipes in his hotel and flooded the building?


It's one possibility that law enforcement officials have been considering in the case of a vandalized dual Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites hotel in Jacksonville, Fla.

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The battle at the Hilton and beyond - A view from he Left

Workers at Hilton Hotels in San Francisco, Chicago and Honolulu ended limited strikes October 18, vowing to continue the fight against a dramatic increase in the workload for room cleaners.
Hilton, which is controlled by the powerful Blackstone Group, a private equity firm known for its ruthless cost-cutting and anti-labor policies, has become the front line in UNITE HERE's fight for decent contracts with major hotel chains in cities across the U.S. Hilton bosses want to dramatically increase the number of rooms serviced by cleaners.

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Hooters opens in Japan

(Hospitality Business News) The first Hooters location in the "land of the rising sun" will open on October 25th.  The Hooters of Tokyo, Japan marks the 30th international country and 470th Hooters location where guests can enjoy Hooters nearly-world famous wings.  The store will host a VIP Party on October 23rd.

"We are very excited about this opportunity to open a Hooters in Japan," stated Hooters Executive Vice President of Franchise Operations, John Weber.  "The combination of population density, economic strength and demand for iconic American culture makes us believe this will be the first of many successful locations in the country."

Located in the Akasaka district near the Emperor's Palace, the Hooters of Tokyo boasts the same beach-themed atmosphere, menu items and iconic Hooters Girls that you can find in America and around the world.  The location can accommodate over 150 guests, features 11 TVs, a full liquor bar and has employed 90 residents as managers, cooks, staff and Hooters Girls.

There are 11 additional Hooters restaurants scheduled to open by the end of this year, including 7 international locations in Germany, Wales, Ecuador and Spain.