Hotel Industry News In Brief

Oct 05, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

New Study Shows What Families Want On Vacation

Pools rule, say families traveling together. A new report from Hilton shows that families value pool and water activities most, followed by spacious and potentially adjoining guest rooms and all-inclusive options. These valued options make sense, given that parents often wish to save money while on vacation. All-inclusive options keep costs down (92% of US parents were interested in this option), while pools and water activities are often free value-adds at a resort that might not have much in the way of off-property activities. Kids' clubs are another highly valued resort amenity for families - key considerations for kids' club use are safety, flexibility and diverse programming. None of these stats are particularly surprising; although, we were a bit shocked that interest in all-inclusive packages was so high, given the limited number of these types of resorts available for domestic travel. Where are parents looking to go? Top destinations where U.S. parents want to vacation now include Hawaii, Orlando, the Grand Canyon, Southern California and Continental Europe, while U.K. parents pair their top choice of Orlando with Disneyland Paris, Italy, Mallorca and Dubai. By McLean Robbins.

Dorsett Hospitality International announced that it purchased via subsidiary an office building in London for £14 million (US$22.6 million) that it will convert into a 260-room hotel.

The nine-story The Matrix House building, located near the 30 St Mary Axe skyscraper in London’s financial district, was being held in administration by Grant Thornton UK LLP. Dorsett plans to spend £21 million (US$33.9 million) converting the property into a hotel, including the adding of three stories to the building. The Hong Kong-based Dorsett said it is expecting an ADR of between £127 (US$205) to £147 (US$237) and an occupancy rate of 75% to 82% but did not say when the hotel is planned to open or its name. “We consider the United Kingdom as one of the most popular destinations to tourists and business travellers around the world. Major European countries including the United Kingdom are attracting an unprecedented number of Chinese tourists.”

Top 10 Seafood Restaurants in New York City

Nothing is more disappointing than going to an oceanfront restaurant, only to discover that the bland fish you're eating was frozen between being caught and being served to you. The best seafood is fresh, and prepared in such a way as to accent the natural flavors of the sea without overwhelming them. Some, like raw bar oysters and clams, need nothing more than a sharp knife and skilled hand to unleash the briny seasonings of the sea. The bounty of our oceans and lakes also includes fish, lobster, shrimp, crab, scallop, crayfish and more delectable denizens of the deep. Presented in alphabetical order, here are the top 10 seafood restaurants in New York. Click Here to view the restaurants.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Pan Pacific Hotels Group has announced the appointment of Keren Southgate as Area Director of Sales Oceania. A hospitality veteran with over 20 years of experience, Keren has successfully helmed sales and marketing teams and driven significant growth at various hotels in Australia. In her new role, Keren will be responsible for the overall sales performance of the Group’s hotels in Oceania – namely, PARKROYAL Paramatta, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport and Pan Pacific Perth.

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Dan McDermott general manager for Marenas Resort, located in Sunny Isles Beach north of Miami. Marenas Resort is part of Benchmark Hospitality’s collection of Personal Luxury Resorts & HotelsSM. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s chief operating officer, made the announcement. “It is a pleasure to welcome Dan to Benchmark and to this beautiful oceanside property,” said Mr. Champion. “He comes to Marenas Resort with extensive experience running signature properties across the country and off shore. We look forward to his leadership of this remarkable resort.” Dan McDermott was most recently general manager of the Hilton Irvine, located in Orange County, California. Prior to this appointment, he served as hotel manager for the landmark El Conquistador Golf Resort and Casino, located in Puerto Rico and part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection.

White Lodging is proud to announce Chris Dougherty has been promoted to general manager of the SpringHill Suites in Westminster, Colorado. Previously, Dougherty was the general manager at the Residence Inn in Lakewood, Colorado. “I am looking forward to a new challenge at the SpringHill Suites,” said Dougherty. “I am very excited to join a team of hard working individuals who have set the bar high.” Dougherty began his career with White Lodging in 2008 as a bench general manager and was then promoted to general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Lakewood, Colorado. During his time at the Courtyard, the property reached platinum and Dougherty and his team received the White Lodging Courtyard of the Year award.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

World-class luxury hotel brand, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, announced today plans to open a new 300-room JW Marriott Hotel in Cabo San Lucas in 2015. The property will be operated by Marriott under an agreement with Operadora Punta Peninsula, S.A. de C.V., and ownership group Grupo Diestra. Located within the Puerto Los Cabos master-planned development, the JW Marriott will cover approximately 14 acres overlooking the Sea of Cortez and offer 820 feet of beach front just seven miles from Los Cabos International Airport. The JW Marriott will be part of the 2,000-acre master-planned community of Puerto Los Cabos, just three miles northeast of the quaint San Jose del Cabo, founded in 1730. Puerto Los Cabos comprises a number of private residences, a marina, one 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus, restaurants and retail space. "We are thrilled to be bringing the luxurious JW Marriott brand to Los Cabos," said Roberto Diaz, Director of Development and Construction, Grupo Diestra. "The site of this hotel is absolutely beautiful, with an extensive beach and access to the many facilities of Puerto Los Cabos."

Worldhotels adds first floating hotel to portfolio. Worldhotels, one of the leading groups for independent hotels worldwide, welcomed a truly unique hotel to its portfolio on 1 October 2012  —  the iconic ss Rotterdam, located in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Inaugurated in 1958 in Rotterdam with its maiden voyage taking place the following year, ss Rotterdam was the flagship of the Holland America Line fleet.  Granted a prime permanent berth at Katendrecht in the heart of the city 50 years later, the fully-restored liner welcomed its first guests as a hotel in February 2010. The ship now features 254 modern hotel rooms, designed to reflect its 1950s origins.  Rooms accommodate up to four people with working desks, flat-screen TVs, internet access and air conditioning.  Each room features a distinctive shape and colour scheme. Diners can choose between the lively, all-day restaurant Lido and the elegant, stylish Club Room, while the Ocean Bar and the Terrace provide vibrant, social meeting spots.  Fourteen different authentic banqueting rooms and 16 meeting rooms provide first-class facilities for events. “Worldhotels offers 500 of the world’s most special independent hotels, and the ss Rotterdam is another fantastic first for us,” says Robert van der Beek, Worldhotels’ newly appointed Senior Director Hotel Development. “The ship holds an iconic position in the maritime tradition of the Netherlands, and in the last two years it has become an insider’s tip for travellers visiting Rotterdam for business or pleasure. This new hotel perfectly complements our existing hotels in the city, The Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam and the Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam.” "Worldhotels increases the visibility of our hotel and Rotterdam for the international business industry. Besides, Worldhotels is a company which perfectly fits our current mission and vision: we are telling a unique story, we offer a unique product and keep our own identity," says Michaël ten Brink, Director of Hotel Operations, ss Rotterdam. For more information on Worldhotels visit worldhotels.com