Having opened 16 hotels already this year across Europe and Africa, and with approximately 80 additional hotels in the region's pipeline, Hilton Worldwide has announced four new senior appointments to its regional development team.
The new team members include Derrek Anderson as vice president, development, Sub-Saharan Africa; Graham Dodd as development director, UK & Ireland; Wolfgang Gallas as development director, Germany, Switzerland & Austria; and Marybelle Arnett as vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hampton by Hilton.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Workers call for boycott of Vancouver Hyatt
Frustrated hotel workers will try to turn guests away from the Hyatt Regency Vancouver on Tuesday.
Hyatt workers plan to gather in front of the hotel at 655 Burrard Street at noon, calling for a boycott to pressure management over an ongoing contract dispute.
According to boycott organizers, the labour action at the Hyatt in Vancouver will join 14 other active boycotts of Hyatt properties in North America.
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Hyatt workers plan to gather in front of the hotel at 655 Burrard Street at noon, calling for a boycott to pressure management over an ongoing contract dispute.
According to boycott organizers, the labour action at the Hyatt in Vancouver will join 14 other active boycotts of Hyatt properties in North America.
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German restaurant in hot water over giant schnitzels
Gerhard Kaltscheuer said his giant schnitzels are popular in the town of Hammerbruecke and he sells about 70 dishes per day. He said tax officials told him they believe he sells 200 portions daily based on the amount of raw material he purchases.
"If I served the customers smaller portions at the normal price like that, I wouldn't have any customers because that wouldn't fill them up," Kaltscheuer told Reuters. He said he makes his portions large because his customers are laborers.
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"If I served the customers smaller portions at the normal price like that, I wouldn't have any customers because that wouldn't fill them up," Kaltscheuer told Reuters. He said he makes his portions large because his customers are laborers.
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Darden Restaurants Reports 19% Increase in First Quarter Diluted Net Earnings Per Share
ORLANDO, Fla., Sept 21, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Darden Restaurants, Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!dri/quotes/nls/dri (DRI 43.20, -0.82, -1.86%) today reported sales and diluted net earnings per share for the fiscal first quarter ended August 29, 2010. In the first quarter, diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations increased 19% to 80 cents, versus 67 cents in the prior year.
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International company to open shuttered Nevada Ritz-Carlton
An international hotel operator will manage and rebrand the shuttered Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas that closed in May.
Dolce Hotels and Resorts was selected by Village Hospitality to take over the 349-room property, which sits on 15 acres of Lake Las Vegas. Dolce, which has 27 properties in North America and Europe, plans to reopen the hotel in the first quarter of 2011.
Dolce is majority-owned by Broadreach Capital Partners, has corporate headquarters in Montvale, N.J. and Paris, and employs approximately 4,000 worldwide.
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Dolce Hotels and Resorts was selected by Village Hospitality to take over the 349-room property, which sits on 15 acres of Lake Las Vegas. Dolce, which has 27 properties in North America and Europe, plans to reopen the hotel in the first quarter of 2011.
Dolce is majority-owned by Broadreach Capital Partners, has corporate headquarters in Montvale, N.J. and Paris, and employs approximately 4,000 worldwide.
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Wyndham reaches licensing deal with Planet Hollywood
Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with nearly 7,200 properties, reached an agreement yesterday to franchise the Planet Hollywood Hotels brand and provide management services.
Founded in 1989 by Robert Earl, Planet Hollywood International will continue to own its trademarks and intellectual property. Developers will be able to create hotels that include Planet Hollywood memorabilia, which includes props from blockbuster movies and classic television shows.
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Founded in 1989 by Robert Earl, Planet Hollywood International will continue to own its trademarks and intellectual property. Developers will be able to create hotels that include Planet Hollywood memorabilia, which includes props from blockbuster movies and classic television shows.
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New York man sentenced in $18 million hotel fraud case
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) – A New York man on Monday was sentenced to 2 years and eight months to 8 years in state prison for his theft of over $18 million as part of a fraud scheme, U.S. District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced.
Adam C. Hochfelder, 39, pleaded guilty to six counts of grand larceny in the first degree, six counts of grand larceny in the second degree, three counts of grand larceny in the third degree, and three counts of Scheme to defraud in the first degree on May 21.
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Adam C. Hochfelder, 39, pleaded guilty to six counts of grand larceny in the first degree, six counts of grand larceny in the second degree, three counts of grand larceny in the third degree, and three counts of Scheme to defraud in the first degree on May 21.
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Monday, September 20, 2010
Is it a no smoking law or simply a way for hotels to charge another fee
By: Eric Hertha, Hospitality Business News
The Wisconsin Legislature, in the 2009-10 Legislative Session, enacted 2009 Wisconsin Act 12, which prohibits smoking in Restaurants and Hotels. The law became effective on July 11, 2010.
In a September 2, 2010 article that appeared in USA Today, (by Barbara De Lollis) entitled Wisconsin law bans smoking in all hotel guestrooms, the writer quotes Trisha Pugal, CEO of Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association on various aspects of the new law and its enforcement in hotels.
Ms Pugal stated in the interview that their biggest challenge with the smoking ban is convincing guests that it truly is the law - and that there are real consequences if they smoke in their room. "People tend not to believe," she says.
According to Act 12 the law requires that persons in charge of places where smoking is prohibited enforce the prohibitions by taking certain steps to ensure compliance, such as not providing ashtrays and matches; posting “no smoking” signs; asking a person to stop smoking; asking a person who is smoking to leave; refusing to serve the person if the place is a restaurant, tavern, or private club; and notifying law enforcement if the person does not leave after being requested to do so. Local police and sheriff’s departments have the power and duty to enforce the smoking ban and the Act goes on to establish a forfeiture for violation of the smoking prohibition of not less than $100 nor more than $250 for each violation.
According to the USA Today article, Wisconsin's roughly 2,000 hotels post signs declaring their building a non-smoking facility. They're also requiring guests to initial a statement promising to comply or face paying a fee. Hotels are charging penalty fees anywhere from $100 to $300. "Unfortunately, there are people choosing to smoke anyway, even with all the signage and initialing things saying they know there will be a penalty," Pugal said.
Hospitality Business News asked Pugel about the law and the authority that hotels have to fine guests. Her response was “the lodging property, with proper notification, has the right to charge an additional fee for special cleaning or damages, such as is necessary when a guest smokes in a non-smoking room. This should not be confused with a citation that law enforcement may impose to uphold the law.”
Smoking in “non-smoking” rooms has always been an issue. But it appear that in this case the Wisconsin Hotel Association, and other Associations around the Country, are taking advantage new laws in order to charge a fee. Many guests will assume that the charge is a “legal fine” as opposed to an arbitrary charge by the hotel. The Hotel Association in Wisconsin should indicate on their signage that the fee is not being imposed by the government and in fact has nothing to do with any smoking legislation.
The Wisconsin Legislature, in the 2009-10 Legislative Session, enacted 2009 Wisconsin Act 12, which prohibits smoking in Restaurants and Hotels. The law became effective on July 11, 2010.
In a September 2, 2010 article that appeared in USA Today, (by Barbara De Lollis) entitled Wisconsin law bans smoking in all hotel guestrooms, the writer quotes Trisha Pugal, CEO of Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association on various aspects of the new law and its enforcement in hotels.
Ms Pugal stated in the interview that their biggest challenge with the smoking ban is convincing guests that it truly is the law - and that there are real consequences if they smoke in their room. "People tend not to believe," she says.
According to Act 12 the law requires that persons in charge of places where smoking is prohibited enforce the prohibitions by taking certain steps to ensure compliance, such as not providing ashtrays and matches; posting “no smoking” signs; asking a person to stop smoking; asking a person who is smoking to leave; refusing to serve the person if the place is a restaurant, tavern, or private club; and notifying law enforcement if the person does not leave after being requested to do so. Local police and sheriff’s departments have the power and duty to enforce the smoking ban and the Act goes on to establish a forfeiture for violation of the smoking prohibition of not less than $100 nor more than $250 for each violation.
According to the USA Today article, Wisconsin's roughly 2,000 hotels post signs declaring their building a non-smoking facility. They're also requiring guests to initial a statement promising to comply or face paying a fee. Hotels are charging penalty fees anywhere from $100 to $300. "Unfortunately, there are people choosing to smoke anyway, even with all the signage and initialing things saying they know there will be a penalty," Pugal said.
Hospitality Business News asked Pugel about the law and the authority that hotels have to fine guests. Her response was “the lodging property, with proper notification, has the right to charge an additional fee for special cleaning or damages, such as is necessary when a guest smokes in a non-smoking room. This should not be confused with a citation that law enforcement may impose to uphold the law.”
Smoking in “non-smoking” rooms has always been an issue. But it appear that in this case the Wisconsin Hotel Association, and other Associations around the Country, are taking advantage new laws in order to charge a fee. Many guests will assume that the charge is a “legal fine” as opposed to an arbitrary charge by the hotel. The Hotel Association in Wisconsin should indicate on their signage that the fee is not being imposed by the government and in fact has nothing to do with any smoking legislation.
The Algonquin, famed hotel of literary and artistic legends, will be become a Marriott
The Algonquin, the hotel where literary figures of the 1920s held court at the Round Table, is becoming a Marriott.
The storied landmark at 59 W. 44th St. will become another link in the giant hotel chain this week as the the first New York City property in the Marriott Autograph Collection, Crain's New York Business reports.
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The storied landmark at 59 W. 44th St. will become another link in the giant hotel chain this week as the the first New York City property in the Marriott Autograph Collection, Crain's New York Business reports.
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PwC Offers up new Advance Deposit system for London Olympics
UK hotels and restaurants looking forward to steady cash inflows from advance bookings for the 2012 London Olympics could be disappointed under a new delayed payment structure being employed by PwC.
The accountancy firm’s legal arm has established an escrow system for a handful of European Olympic committees who have signed contracts for hotel rooms or dining venues at the games.
Under the system, the PwC clients deliver the agreed down-payments into accounts administered by the firm. The venues can see the money is there, but have no access to it.
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The accountancy firm’s legal arm has established an escrow system for a handful of European Olympic committees who have signed contracts for hotel rooms or dining venues at the games.
Under the system, the PwC clients deliver the agreed down-payments into accounts administered by the firm. The venues can see the money is there, but have no access to it.
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Dublin's Four Seasons Hotel for sale after £1.7m loss
In a move that will “send shockwaves through the industry”, the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, is up for sale after posting losses of £1.7m.
The icon of the Republic’s Celtic Tiger era attracted well-heeled and celebrity guests, including Eminem and Mariah Carey, down the years.
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The icon of the Republic’s Celtic Tiger era attracted well-heeled and celebrity guests, including Eminem and Mariah Carey, down the years.
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Sunday, September 19, 2010
Ohio Domino's is first in U.S. to go 24-hours
CINCINNATI — Domino's Pizza Inc. says a franchise store in southwest Ohio is the first of its U.S. stores to remain open 24 hours a day.
A manager of the store near the University of Dayton campus says it began staying open 24 hours about a month ago. Manager Steve Martin says the store is offering a breakfast pizza with toppings like eggs, cheese and bacon.
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A manager of the store near the University of Dayton campus says it began staying open 24 hours about a month ago. Manager Steve Martin says the store is offering a breakfast pizza with toppings like eggs, cheese and bacon.
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St. Louis Sheraton owner files for bankruptcy
The owner of the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Wednesday, putting off a foreclosure auction that was scheduled for hours later.
Breckenridge Edison Development, owner of the 288-room hotel at 400 S. 14th St., lists assets of about $14 million and liabilities of $33 million.
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Breckenridge Edison Development, owner of the 288-room hotel at 400 S. 14th St., lists assets of about $14 million and liabilities of $33 million.
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Sea Island execs got big bonuses before bankruptcy
Court filings show Sea Island Company executives were paid fat bonuses in the year before the coastal Georgia resort operator filed for bankruptcy protection.
The bonuses — totaling $510,000 and shared by five Sea Island executives — came up during a meeting of creditors in the Chapter 11 case Wednesday in Brunswick. The heftiest bonus was $222,000 paid earlier this year to David Bansmer, Sea Island Company's president. Bansmer says he understands the bonuses could upset people after the company eliminated jobs and cut salaries.
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The bonuses — totaling $510,000 and shared by five Sea Island executives — came up during a meeting of creditors in the Chapter 11 case Wednesday in Brunswick. The heftiest bonus was $222,000 paid earlier this year to David Bansmer, Sea Island Company's president. Bansmer says he understands the bonuses could upset people after the company eliminated jobs and cut salaries.
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Most NY hotels refuse to host Ahmadinejad - Hilton does
By: Eric Hertha, Hospitality Business News
September 19,2010
According to the Foreign Affairs Committe of The National Council of Resistance of Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has found it almost impossible to reserve a room at any of the normal New York hotels that usually accomodate world leaders. According to the article, Ahmadinejad is scheduled to attend a UN General Assembly meeting next week in New York.
Weary of facing the same level of difficulty in reserving hotels as last year, the clerical regime had ordered its permanent representative at the UN since July to start searching for hotels and use all necessary means to reserve rooms. But, despite the extensive efforts and investments by Ahmadinejad’s deputy chief of ceremonies, prominent hotels in New York have refused to host the clerical regime’s president, the article said.
Mohammad Torshizi, the regime’s permanent representative at the UN has told Tehran in a report, “In view of some political issues, it is very difficult to find hotels for the Islamic Republic. The permanent UN representative office has with extreme difficulty succeeded in reserving rooms at Hilton in Manhattan, but we cannot count on it until the day we are actually there because pressures can lead to cancellation. Of course, the hotel has limited space and is small. It is not meant for the presidency.”
The article states that the regime’s UN envoy is reportedly working even harder to keep the reservation in the small Manhattan hotel a secret, fearing a backlash by New York residents against the hotel’s management as there is widespread anger in the city against Ahmadinejad’s visit.
September 19,2010
According to the Foreign Affairs Committe of The National Council of Resistance of Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has found it almost impossible to reserve a room at any of the normal New York hotels that usually accomodate world leaders. According to the article, Ahmadinejad is scheduled to attend a UN General Assembly meeting next week in New York.
Weary of facing the same level of difficulty in reserving hotels as last year, the clerical regime had ordered its permanent representative at the UN since July to start searching for hotels and use all necessary means to reserve rooms. But, despite the extensive efforts and investments by Ahmadinejad’s deputy chief of ceremonies, prominent hotels in New York have refused to host the clerical regime’s president, the article said.
Mohammad Torshizi, the regime’s permanent representative at the UN has told Tehran in a report, “In view of some political issues, it is very difficult to find hotels for the Islamic Republic. The permanent UN representative office has with extreme difficulty succeeded in reserving rooms at Hilton in Manhattan, but we cannot count on it until the day we are actually there because pressures can lead to cancellation. Of course, the hotel has limited space and is small. It is not meant for the presidency.”
The article states that the regime’s UN envoy is reportedly working even harder to keep the reservation in the small Manhattan hotel a secret, fearing a backlash by New York residents against the hotel’s management as there is widespread anger in the city against Ahmadinejad’s visit.
