Hotel News in Brief

Aug 29, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters...

The Hot List 2012

This year's Hot List covers 29 countries from Argentina to Vietnam. The 60 hotels in our final selection were chosen from hundreds of suggestions from our correspondents worldwide. Despite the economic climate there were many strong contenders; and the best vary from futuristic towers to ocean-edge villas and revamped grandes dames. Start browsing the 60 best new hotels of 2012 here.

Interactive Packing List

Do you feel like you forget something every time you pack for a trip? Get organized with our interactive packing list! We've brainstormed a list of over 100 commonly packed items and separated them into categories, ranging from personal items to outdoor gear. Just check off the items you need for your trip, type in up to 10 additional items of your own choosing, and hit "Get My List!" We'll create a packing list customized just for you. You can print your list, e-mail it to yourself or a friend, or save it to your computer for easy access in the future. Give it a try! Want the entire list without customization? Click Here.

HVS, the leading global hospitality consulting and services firm, is pleased to announce that Founder and Chairman Steve Rushmore, MAI, has just authored Hotel Market Analysis and Valuation: International Issues and Software Applications. This is the sixth edition of his book published by the Appraisal Institute, which was last released in 2001.

"This textbook with software is written with a global perspective showing how hotel market studies, financial projections and valuations are performed throughout the world," explains Rushmore. "It contains instructions and information on how to value hotels in five major regions of the world. Hotel owners, operators, investors and lenders will find this book invaluable in analyzing hotel investments and financial performance." What's new in this edition unlike its previous versions is the inclusion of the HVS Hotel Valuation Software, four state-of-the-art programs that enables hotel appraisers, consultants, owners and lenders to perform highly sophisticated hotel market analyses, financial projections and valuations. "Very few books come with the software needed to perform the analyses set forth in the text. This package contains everything you need to perform a sophisticated hotel market study and valuation," says Rushmore. "Co-authors, John O'Neill and Stephen Rushmore, Jr., MAI, significantly broadened the perspective of this text and enhanced its take-home value through their experience and expertise in the industry," adds Rushmore. "John is the only MAI appraiser with a PhD and a degree in hotel administration from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. His academic research into various aspects of hotel valuation adds credibility and support for my layman's theories developed over the years. John has the unusual ability to take complex academic research and describe it in simple terms. Stephen, Co-President and COO of HVS, has developed the global technology platform for the firm. Using the HVS world-wide database of thousands of hotel financial statements, Stephen updated the fixed and variable components in the software's forecasting model which represents a significant enhancement in the accuracy of the financial projections."

Hotel Market Analysis and Valuation: International Issues and Software Applications
The newest edition of Steve Rushmore's textbook with software provides an historic overview of the world-wide hotel industry with discussion of the various economic cycles and trends impacting hotel supply and demand. It details the steps for performing a hotel market study and valuation and the types of data required to perform a proper analysis, while also taking into consideration local competitive supply, occupancy and average rate, relative competitiveness of each hotel, and the specific location of the asset. It also includes an addendum that contains a complete reference library of hotel data and data sources from around the world. Click Here to order book.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments...

The Inn at Pocono Manor has named Lisa D. Green general manager for the historic property.  The Inn, which opened in 1902, is the longest continuously operating resort in the Pocono Mountains and one of the oldest in North America. "Not since 1902 has The Inn at Pocono Manor been led by a woman general manager," said Carl Wilgus, president & CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.  "Pocono Manor's first GM, Mrs. Mary Emma Wister, headed the resort at a time when very few women were in leadership positions within hospitality.  Today, Lisa is one of a handful of woman GMs in our Pocono Mountains region, and is, therefore, building on the legacy of Mrs. Wister.  It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Lisa on her important new role at this historic resort." Previously Lisa Green was the acting general manager of The Inn at Pocono Manor, a position she assumed in 2011.  In this role she successfully led a multimillion dollar, comprehensive renovation of the historic property, which was completed this year.  Ms. Green came to Pocono Manor four years earlier as director of sales and marketing for the landmark property. Earlier in her hospitality career, Lisa Green served as director of sales and marketing for Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center.  She was appointed to this position following success as the property's regional director of government accounts.  Ms. Green gained important experience in destination sales and marketing, working with the Pennsylvania York County Convention & Visitors Bureau.  She resides in Pocono Manor and in York, Pennsylvania.

Le Grande Bali Announces New Director of Sales & Marketing, Taufik Junianto. Mr. Didier Gourmaud, General Manager of Le Grande, Pecatu, Bali, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Taufik Junianto as Director of Sales and Marketing at Le Grande. Mr. Junianto, a 15 year veteran of the hospitality trade, has a wealth of experience as an organizer in the MICE field in Indonesia having worked for numerous international and local 5 star properties with his last position being Owner Representative of Pt. Melali, a private company dedicated to the organization of MICE events. Mr. Gourmaud said "It is a genuine pleasure to welcome Taufik as a member of Le Grande's team. With his professional experience and proven track record he is a definite asset to our operation and I feel extremely confident that he can deliver a superlative level of service to our customers." Le Grande is the latest addition to the Absolute Hotel Services Hotel Management Company (AHS) management portfolio. Based in Bangkok, AHS will be re-branding Le Grande as U Agathis Pecatu Bali in the final quarter of 2012 where it will join the deluxe U Hotels & Resorts brand which is already active in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Vietnam. AHS also manages the 4 and 5 star Eastin Hotels & Residences and the mid-range Eastin Easy chain of properties throughout South East Asia, India and the Middle East.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Hotel BPM, a music-driven property by DJ Bijal, has soft-opened in Brooklyn. DJ Bijal compiled the soundtrack that streams though public areas and guestrooms; he also designed the bespoke "sound sleeper" mattress. Guests can request that a particular song be added to the playlist during their stay. The property's 76 guestrooms offer Frette linens, modern décor, Porcelanosa tiles in the bathrooms, rainfall showers, and energy-saving thermostats as well as complimentary Wi-Fi. The lounge serves a hot breakfast daily. Every Friday and Saturday, a DJ will perform live in the lobby; some live recorded sets will be available for streaming from the hotel's website the following month. Hotel BPM will host its grand opening and official ribbon-cutting next month.

InterContinental Hotels Group has opened the newly built Hotel Indigo Veracruz - Boca Del Rio. The hotel's located in the Veracruz business district, within walking distance from the World Trade Center and America's Plaza. It has 106 guest rooms and sports design influenced by local culture and architecture, including the old Veracruz lighthouse that once welcomed traveling ships. In the guest rooms, you'll find plush bedding, a high-definition flat-screen TV, an iHome station and hard-surfacing flooring with area rugs that provide a residential feel. The property also has a swimming pool, gym, business center, valet parking and a ballroom. In keeping with local flavors, the hotel's restaurant - La Bamba Bistro - serves seafood and is decorated with photos of local performers. The opening of the hotel in Veracruz gives the boutique-inspired chain its 46th location.