PHOENIX-Virgin Group is getting into hotels. The multinational company is diving into the hotel market, planning to put out 25 branded hotels over the next seven years. Virgin Hotels will be a “four-star lifestyle hotel brand,” according to the company, and will launch first into gateway markets with the first property opening within the next 12 to 18 months.
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Ahmadinejad's food stinks up Hilton
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad doesn't need nuclear weapons -- his food stinks so bad, he's practically cleared out the Hilton Manhattan East. The finicky fascist brought his own personal chef to prepare his meals while he's in town for the UN General Assembly, a source told The Post's Helen Freund. Unfortunately, his meals "make the whole hotel stink like hell," said the source. The Hilton did not return a call for comment.
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Dallas-Fort Worth hotel foreclosure filings more than triple
Business and tourist travel is picking up, but the number of Dallas-Fort Worth hotels facing foreclosure this year has more than tripled.
So far in 2010, 94 North Texas hotel foreclosure filings have been recorded. There were 30 filings for the same period in 2009, according to Foreclosure Listing Service Inc.
"Among D-FW hotels, the threat of foreclosure has skyrocketed over the past two years," said George Roddy, president of the Addison-based foreclosure-tracking firm. "For the upcoming foreclosure auctions on Oct. 5, eight postings have been filed, threatening hotel projects within the area."
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So far in 2010, 94 North Texas hotel foreclosure filings have been recorded. There were 30 filings for the same period in 2009, according to Foreclosure Listing Service Inc.
"Among D-FW hotels, the threat of foreclosure has skyrocketed over the past two years," said George Roddy, president of the Addison-based foreclosure-tracking firm. "For the upcoming foreclosure auctions on Oct. 5, eight postings have been filed, threatening hotel projects within the area."
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Miami Beach's Cavalier Hotel faces foreclosure
BPD Bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit Sept. 16 against Ocean Drive Investment, Cavalier Hotel and managing member Ralph Abravaya, according to Miami-Dade County Circuit Court records. It concerns a mortgage issued for $4.2 million in 2005 and increased to $6.5 million in 2007. The loan matured June 1.
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Hilton Worldwide Bolsters Europe and Africa Development Team
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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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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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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