Hotel Industry News In Brief

Apr 06, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham brand, which was only recently tagged with the “by Wyndham” designation, has unveiled its rebranding strategy designed to grow awareness and drive business to franchisees.

At the heart of the plan is a new multi-channel marketing campaign with a streamlined and “design-focused” look. All of the creative, ranging from property collateral to online advertising and television spots, highlights a single, key differentiator for the brand: that every Microtel hotel was designed and built from day one to be a Microtel hotel and nothing else.

“If you look at what sets the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham brand apart, it’s an unwavering commitment to consistency and quality,” said Rui Barros, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham brand senior vice president. “We have outstanding owners who were made to be in the hospitality business and our product is designed to provide a great guest experience. In launching this new campaign and adding “by Wyndham” to the brand’s name, we expect to elevate the brand and showcase the quality that comes from being an all-new-construction chain.”

The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham TV Spot Consumers will begin seeing elements of the new marketing campaign in the next few months. Source to read more: ASIATravelTips.

From Chicago to South Beach to the Big Apple, Don Fraser has been at the helm of elite hotels across the country throughout his more than twenty-five years in the hospitality business. Now he calls the Paramount Hotel home. Effective immediately, Don Fraser has been appointed General Manager of the iconic New York City landmark, overseeing all hotel operations and the property’s ongoing evolution. Known for his hands-on management style, the Purdue University graduate has a strong track-record for taking distressed assets and turning them into highly successful hotels. Prior to joining the Paramount team, Fraser served at General Manager for the Royal Palm in Miami Beach, Florida where he quickly carved a niche for the luxury beachfront property within a highly competitive market. He has also held the positions of Corporate Director of Operations and General Manager of Affinia Dumont in New York City for Denihan Hospitality Group; General Manager of the Hilton Newark Penn Station in Newark, N.J. with Highgate Hotels; and various other management positions at Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Select Registry Distinguished Inns of North America has announced its new board of directors. Select Registry represents 350 premier inns, B&Bs and small boutique hotels throughout the United States and Canada. Its board of directors is comprised of one innkeeper/owner representing each of the portfolio’s 13 geographic regions across North America. The new board welcomed Ellen Grinsfelder, owner/innkeeper, Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, Logan, Ohio, as the new president. Grinsfelder is active in the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association (OH&LA) and the Logan-Hocking Chamber of Commerce (LHCCC). Due to her success in developing her inn’s operations and marketing programs, she has been recognized with numerous hospitality accolades, including the Ohio Hotelier of the Year Award from the OH&LA and the Small Business Person of the Year Award from the LHCCC. Committed to giving back to her community, Grinsfelder also volunteers with Fairhope Hospice and recently joined the board of directors for the Central Ohio branch of the American Red Cross. She previously served as chair of Select Registry’s marketing committee.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Jumeirah has made the following General Manager appointments at its hotels around the world:

In Dubai, Margaret Paul has been appointed General Manager of Madinat Jumeirah – The Arabian Resort. Ms. Paul will oversee the management of the resort’s three hotels – Al Qasr, Mina A’Salam and Dar Al Masyaf – as well as the popular Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the resort’s Conference Centre.

Taking over Margaret’s former responsibilities, Mahmoud Sakr becomes General Manager of Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Mahmoud started his career with Jumeirah in 1999 as Director of Rooms for Jumeirah Group’s flagship hotel, Burj Al Arab. He was promoted to Executive Assistant Manager - Rooms Division, then to Resident Manager, before becoming Hotel Manager. In 2008 he became General Manager of Mina A’Salam, part of Madinat Jumeirah resort.

Graham Kiy has been appointed General Manager of Jumeirah Guangzhou. He will be leading the pre-opening team of the 200-room, five-star luxury hotel which will be located in the centre of New Pearl City Tian He District, Guangzhou’s premier and rapidly growing commercial city centre.

Jumeirah was recently appointed to manage Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul and the hotel’s current General Manager, Pınar Kartal Timer, will join the Jumeirah Group leadership team when the hotel rebrands as part of the Jumeirah portfolio on 1 May 2012. Source: ASIATravelTips.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

The InterContinental Dallas is continuing a multi-year renovation project with the unveiling of a new club lounge and six luxury suites. Designed by ForrestPerkins, the new club lounge has a warm, contemporary feel with built-in millwork, a guest services desk with a top made from Angola marble, a U-shaped buffet, Emperador marble flooring, a media center with built-in shelves, contemporary seating in rust and gold tones and textural wall coverings.

The Palais Namaskar Hotel and Spa in Marrakech is slated to open in April as part of the Oetker Collection of “Masterpiece Hotels.” A resort of 41 suites, villas and palaces, Palais Namaskar has been constructed following Feng Shui principles, and lies in a setting between the Atlas Mountains and the Djebilet Hills. French-Algerian designer and former associate of Philippe Starck, Imaad Rahmouni, is behind the architecture.