The former Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel would become the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh under a plan that owners submitted today to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jeffrey A. Deller.
A letter of intent was worked out with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Tuesday night, attorneys for the owners said. The Parsippany, N.J., based company is one of the world's largest hotel chains, and is also the franchiser of Days Inn hotels and Super 8 motels.
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
`Web of Lies' Hid Assets of Florida Father-Son Hotel Developers, U.S. Says
A father and son who built hotels used a “web of lies” to hide income and assets including Miami Beach mansions, luxury cars, a yacht and a helicopter from U.S. tax authorities, a Florida federal prosecutor told jurors.
Mauricio Cohen Assor, 77, and his son, Leon Cohen Levy, 46, concealed their wealth behind nominee owners of companies in tax havens while reporting annual income of no more than about $46,000 a year, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Neiman said today in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Mauricio Cohen Assor, 77, and his son, Leon Cohen Levy, 46, concealed their wealth behind nominee owners of companies in tax havens while reporting annual income of no more than about $46,000 a year, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Neiman said today in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Sonic Corp Q4 comp sales fall 6.4 pct
Sept 14 (Reuters) - Drive-in restaurant chain Sonic Corp (SONC.O) reported a 6.4 percent decline in fourth-quarter same-store sales, sending its shares down 5 percent after the bell.
Sonic, whose sales have been hit due to the high unemployment rates among its core demographics, said same-store sales in its drive-ins were down 6.1 percent for the quarter
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Sonic, whose sales have been hit due to the high unemployment rates among its core demographics, said same-store sales in its drive-ins were down 6.1 percent for the quarter
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Long Island Starwood Aloft Developer files bankruptcy
A developer that sought to build a Starwood Aloft Hotel in Long Island City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection just over a month after its lender U.S. Bank won a $19.6 million judgment against it in state court.
The single-purpose entity Queens Plaza Development, based in Brooklyn, planned to build a 16-story hotel at 29-37 41st Avenue just north of Queens Plaza. However the weak economy made it impossible to get construction financing and the project stalled, papers filed last Wednesday in federal bankruptcy court in Brooklyn say.
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The single-purpose entity Queens Plaza Development, based in Brooklyn, planned to build a 16-story hotel at 29-37 41st Avenue just north of Queens Plaza. However the weak economy made it impossible to get construction financing and the project stalled, papers filed last Wednesday in federal bankruptcy court in Brooklyn say.
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'White knight' doctor bids to take over Pittsburgh Hilton
A Tampa, Fla., cardiologist known for his philanthropic work is prepared to take over ownership of the former Hilton Pittsburgh as part of a plan to save the troubled hotel.
In a letter of intent filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Pittsburgh Tuesday, Dr. Kiran C. Patel also pledged to provide $3 million to cover hotel operating costs over the next 13 weeks.
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In a letter of intent filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Pittsburgh Tuesday, Dr. Kiran C. Patel also pledged to provide $3 million to cover hotel operating costs over the next 13 weeks.
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Bethesda Md. Garden Inn sells for over $400K per room
Bethesda, Md.-based DiamondRock Hospitality just picked up the Hilton Garden Inn Chelsea from Inland American Winston Hotels for $68.4 million, according to a deed filed today with the city. The 169-room hotel at 121 West 28th Street, which opened in 2007, is the company's third in New York City and 23rd nationwide. New York City has proven to be one of the best hotel markets in the United States and is exhibiting robust growth in 2010," DiamondRock CEO Mark Brugger said in a statement. "The hotel was particularly desirable to DiamondRock because of its ability to charge essentially full-service room rates with a more profitable limited-service cost structure." The deal closed Sept. 8, records show
Planned luxury hotel in Downtown Memphis wins 20-year tax freeze
It would be the largest minority-owned development to date in the Downtown area, Center City Commission director of development and diversity outreach Jaske Goff said.
The Center City Revenue Finance Corp. approved the tax freeze for RPD Hotels LLC for an 11-story, 298-room Hilton Memphis Downtown Hotel at the southeast corner of Fourth and Linden.
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The Center City Revenue Finance Corp. approved the tax freeze for RPD Hotels LLC for an 11-story, 298-room Hilton Memphis Downtown Hotel at the southeast corner of Fourth and Linden.
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Las Vegas: $45.99 unlimited buffet pass at Harrah’s hotels
The deal: The Buffet of Buffets pass ($45.99 per person, plus tax) allows you unlimited meals for a 24-hour period from the time you start using it. Whether it’s sampling desserts at Caesars or crab legs and prime rib at Harrah’s, the card’s got you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Buffet stops included with the pass are:
> Lago Buffet at Caesars Palace Las Vegas;
> Paradise Garden Buffet at Flamingo Las Vegas;
> Flavors at Harrah’s Las Vegas;
> Emperor’s Buffet at Imperial Palace Las Vegas;
> Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas;
> Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas; and
> Carnival World Buffet at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
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> Lago Buffet at Caesars Palace Las Vegas;
> Paradise Garden Buffet at Flamingo Las Vegas;
> Flavors at Harrah’s Las Vegas;
> Emperor’s Buffet at Imperial Palace Las Vegas;
> Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas;
> Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas; and
> Carnival World Buffet at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
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Hotwire Reveals Hotel Rate Report for September 2010
Hotwire Reveals Hotel Rate Report for September 2010
Canadian Cities Return to the List of Price Drops While New Orleans Tops List of Price Increases
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14 - Hotwire.com®, a leading discount travel site, today announced the results of the September 2010 Hotwire® Hotel Rate Report. The report features the top five cities in North America where hotel rates have dropped the most and the top five cities where rates have experienced the biggest price increase. While one report guides customers to the destinations that will maximize their travel dollars, the other helps inform travelers where using Hotwire to save money will be even more essential.
Top Five Price Drops:
It’s been nearly a year since a Canadian city has appeared on the North American Hotel Rate Report, but this month Canada makes a strong return with two great cities. Calgary, still suffering from slow business traffic, tops the list with an eight percent drop while Vancouver comes in at number three with a three percent drop. As a major leisure destination, hoteliers in Vancouver are dropping rates to compensate for a slower than expected summer season.
Las Vegas holds onto the number five spot this month as new inventory comes online, adding more pricing competition in the city. This, coupled with their intensely hot summer season, continues to keep prices down.
When compared to the same time last year, the top five hotel price reductions for September 2010 include:
Price Example of a Current
Rank Hotel Market Drops Hotwire Deal, US$/Night
1 Calgary, AB - 8% 3-star $99
2 Madison, WI - 4% 3.5-star $69
3 Vancouver, BC - 3% 3.5-star $91
Salt Lake
4 City, UT - 2% 4-star $83
5 Las Vegas, NV - 2% 4-star $72
Top Five Price Increases:
New Orleans hotel prices have the largest price increases this month with rates in the “Big Easy” rising by 22 percent. The city is seeing a huge boost in occupancy over last year due to a number of factors. Conventions are returning to town and attendance is up versus last year. In addition, hotels in the area are also filled with many workers who are dealing with the oil spill cleanup, providing those properties with consistent business. As a result, casual travelers are faced with higher rates.
As we expected last month, San Francisco and Toronto continue to make the list. This month San Francisco climbs to the number two spot with a 20 percent increase due to strong convention business. Meanwhile, Toronto drops two spots from last month coming in at number five with a 15 percent increase. Rate increases in Canada’s largest city are primarily driven by corporate visitors, who are flocking back to this financial hub.
When compared to the same time last year, the top five hotel price increases for September 2010 include:
Example of a
Price Current Hotwire
Rank Hotel Market Increases Deal, US$/Night
New Orleans,
1 LA 22% 4-star $92
San
Francisco,
2 CA 20% 3-star $100
3 Miami, FL 19% 4-star $84
4 Portland, OR 17% 3.5-star $86
5 Toronto, ON 15% 3.5-star $90
“This month is a great time for travelers to visit some of the best leisure destinations in North America, especially those up North in Canada where prices are dropping to compensate for a slow summer,” said Clem Bason, President of the Hotwire Group. “As for destinations that are seeing price increases, consumers will have to be more vigilant to find good deals and should aim for weekend getaways when prices are generally lower due to the lack of business travelers.”
Over 1.8 million hotel rooms go unsold across North America every night. Hotwire is able to deliver great deals across all types of markets because it works with hotels, airlines, and car rental companies to fill unsold inventory.
About the Hotwire Hotel Rate Report
The Hotwire Hotel Rate Report will run results during the second week of each month. Results are calculated by looking at Hotwire stay dates for select regions in the current month, and comparing prices in the current month against Hotwire prices in the same month in the prior year. Prices are compared within the same star rating categories for consistency, and the percent change in price for each region is generated as an overall average of the changes in those categories. The prices in the charts above are examples for a particular star rating category within that market, and actual prices may be higher or lower than the example that is provided.
About Hotwire
Hotwire.com is a leading discount travel site with low rates on airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Launched in 2000, Hotwire negotiates deep discounts from its travel suppliers to help travelers book unsold airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study(SM) recognized Hotwire for ranking “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Independent Travel Web Sites, Three Years in a Row.” Hotwire is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. CST# 2053390-40. NST: 20003-0209. For more information, visit http://www.hotwire.com/.
Canadian Cities Return to the List of Price Drops While New Orleans Tops List of Price Increases
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14 - Hotwire.com®, a leading discount travel site, today announced the results of the September 2010 Hotwire® Hotel Rate Report. The report features the top five cities in North America where hotel rates have dropped the most and the top five cities where rates have experienced the biggest price increase. While one report guides customers to the destinations that will maximize their travel dollars, the other helps inform travelers where using Hotwire to save money will be even more essential.
Top Five Price Drops:
It’s been nearly a year since a Canadian city has appeared on the North American Hotel Rate Report, but this month Canada makes a strong return with two great cities. Calgary, still suffering from slow business traffic, tops the list with an eight percent drop while Vancouver comes in at number three with a three percent drop. As a major leisure destination, hoteliers in Vancouver are dropping rates to compensate for a slower than expected summer season.
Las Vegas holds onto the number five spot this month as new inventory comes online, adding more pricing competition in the city. This, coupled with their intensely hot summer season, continues to keep prices down.
When compared to the same time last year, the top five hotel price reductions for September 2010 include:
Price Example of a Current
Rank Hotel Market Drops Hotwire Deal, US$/Night
1 Calgary, AB - 8% 3-star $99
2 Madison, WI - 4% 3.5-star $69
3 Vancouver, BC - 3% 3.5-star $91
Salt Lake
4 City, UT - 2% 4-star $83
5 Las Vegas, NV - 2% 4-star $72
Top Five Price Increases:
New Orleans hotel prices have the largest price increases this month with rates in the “Big Easy” rising by 22 percent. The city is seeing a huge boost in occupancy over last year due to a number of factors. Conventions are returning to town and attendance is up versus last year. In addition, hotels in the area are also filled with many workers who are dealing with the oil spill cleanup, providing those properties with consistent business. As a result, casual travelers are faced with higher rates.
As we expected last month, San Francisco and Toronto continue to make the list. This month San Francisco climbs to the number two spot with a 20 percent increase due to strong convention business. Meanwhile, Toronto drops two spots from last month coming in at number five with a 15 percent increase. Rate increases in Canada’s largest city are primarily driven by corporate visitors, who are flocking back to this financial hub.
When compared to the same time last year, the top five hotel price increases for September 2010 include:
Example of a
Price Current Hotwire
Rank Hotel Market Increases Deal, US$/Night
New Orleans,
1 LA 22% 4-star $92
San
Francisco,
2 CA 20% 3-star $100
3 Miami, FL 19% 4-star $84
4 Portland, OR 17% 3.5-star $86
5 Toronto, ON 15% 3.5-star $90
“This month is a great time for travelers to visit some of the best leisure destinations in North America, especially those up North in Canada where prices are dropping to compensate for a slow summer,” said Clem Bason, President of the Hotwire Group. “As for destinations that are seeing price increases, consumers will have to be more vigilant to find good deals and should aim for weekend getaways when prices are generally lower due to the lack of business travelers.”
Over 1.8 million hotel rooms go unsold across North America every night. Hotwire is able to deliver great deals across all types of markets because it works with hotels, airlines, and car rental companies to fill unsold inventory.
About the Hotwire Hotel Rate Report
The Hotwire Hotel Rate Report will run results during the second week of each month. Results are calculated by looking at Hotwire stay dates for select regions in the current month, and comparing prices in the current month against Hotwire prices in the same month in the prior year. Prices are compared within the same star rating categories for consistency, and the percent change in price for each region is generated as an overall average of the changes in those categories. The prices in the charts above are examples for a particular star rating category within that market, and actual prices may be higher or lower than the example that is provided.
About Hotwire
Hotwire.com is a leading discount travel site with low rates on airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Launched in 2000, Hotwire negotiates deep discounts from its travel suppliers to help travelers book unsold airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study(SM) recognized Hotwire for ranking “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Independent Travel Web Sites, Three Years in a Row.” Hotwire is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. CST# 2053390-40. NST: 20003-0209. For more information, visit http://www.hotwire.com/.
Court Approves Oaktree, Avenue As Lead Bidders For Sea Island
A bankruptcy judge said Oaktree Capital Management and Avenue Capital Group can serve as the lead bidders at the auction for Sea Island Co. but denied their request for a $2.5 million "overbid" premium, according to a lawyer involved in the Georgia resort's Chapter 11 case.
Judge John S. Dalis of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Brunswick, Ga., signed off on the auction procedures approving Oaktree and Avenue's stalking horse, or lead, bid at a hearing Thursday, said the creditors committee's lawyer, Jordi Guso.
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Judge John S. Dalis of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Brunswick, Ga., signed off on the auction procedures approving Oaktree and Avenue's stalking horse, or lead, bid at a hearing Thursday, said the creditors committee's lawyer, Jordi Guso.
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New Ad blames McDonalds for Heart Disease
McDonald's Corp. is the target of a new television commercial set to air in Washington, D.C., Thursday that blames the burger giant for heart disease.
In the commercial, produced by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a woman weeps over a dead man lying in a morgue. In his hand is a hamburger. At the end, the golden arches appear over his feet, followed by the words, "I was lovin' it," a play on McDonald's longtime ad slogan, "I'm lovin' it." A voiceover says, "High cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks. Tonight, make it vegetarian."
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In the commercial, produced by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a woman weeps over a dead man lying in a morgue. In his hand is a hamburger. At the end, the golden arches appear over his feet, followed by the words, "I was lovin' it," a play on McDonald's longtime ad slogan, "I'm lovin' it." A voiceover says, "High cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks. Tonight, make it vegetarian."
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Jail for woman who treated staff like slaves at restaurant
A HUMAN trafficker who treated staff like slaves at a well-known Yorkshire restaurant was jailed for three years yesterday.
Parveen Khan was 55 years old when she was convicted earlier this year of people trafficking in one of the first cases of its type.
Two of her sons, Raja, 33, and Shahnawaz Khan, 30, were also found guilty by a jury in March of conspiracy to traffic foreign workers to their family-owned Rajput restaurant in Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate. They were jailed for three years.
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Parveen Khan was 55 years old when she was convicted earlier this year of people trafficking in one of the first cases of its type.
Two of her sons, Raja, 33, and Shahnawaz Khan, 30, were also found guilty by a jury in March of conspiracy to traffic foreign workers to their family-owned Rajput restaurant in Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate. They were jailed for three years.
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Sacramento area Restaurants targeted by hackers
Roseville police are warning people eating out in Roseville to avoid using their debit cards and to pay with cash or use credit cards.
The warning is in response to a recent rash of credit card thefts connected to a multitude of Roseville eateries.
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The warning is in response to a recent rash of credit card thefts connected to a multitude of Roseville eateries.
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San Francisco Board votes today on Alchohol tax
Today at their 2 p.m. meeting at City Hall they will vote whether or not to impose a “fee” that will increase the cost of any alcohol sold in the city. The reason for the fee, according to the bill’s sponsor, John Avalos, is to defray the cost of treating alcohol-related disease. The city spends an estimated $17 million a year for health costs related to alcohol abuse; this fee will raise about $16 million.
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Ramsay's Flagship Restaurant Toppled in Zagat's London Guide
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is toppled as London’s finest for food today in the 2011 Zagat guide, after two years at the top. The winner, the Ledbury, in Westbourne Park, only managed 13th place last year.
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