Hotel News In Brief

Nov 08, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

As Brazil gears up to host major upcoming sporting events — the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro — investment in the country's tourism infrastructure has grown and the hotel development pipeline is strong.

But it will be some time before those new hotel rooms open for business; in the meantime, planners can expect hotel rates to skyrocket. "Significantly higher prices will be the norm until the supply of new hotel construction becomes available for meetings and events use," writes Tony Wagner, vice president, CWT Meetings & Events, Americas, in Carlson Wagonlit Travel's 2013 Travel Price Forecast: M&E Supplement. Brazil's hotels are expected to lead the way in a Latin American hotel market that is forecast to surge overall. CWT expects the average daily hotel rate in Brazil to climb by between 13.3 and 14.8 percent year-over-year for the first half of 2013, and between 13.1 and 14.5 percent in the second half of the year. Per-attendee, per-day spending increases for Latin America meetings next year are expected to be the highest in the world, reports CWT, with the cost shooting up by 9.8 to 12.2 percent. The surge already has begun, according to Advito, the consulting arm of BCD Travel, which expects Brazil's year-end 2012 average daily rates to exceed last year's by approximately 23 to 25 percent.

The Parker Le Meridien Hotel in New York and several surrounding buildings were evacuated due to a dangerous incident at the construction site of a new Park Hyatt Hotel.

The Park Hyatt is part of a 90-story mixed-use development. A disabled crane had been dangling from the top of the tower since high winds accompanying last week's Hurricane Sandy caused it to collapse. The project's developer, Extell Development, worked with New York City officials to secure the crane, and the area is now open to residents and pedestrians. Whether the Parker Le Meridien hotel and the surrounding buildings have power is uncertain, as officials said utilities in some buildings may not have been restored.

Nirwana Bali Golf Club at Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort recently has been named one of Asia’s 10 Most Elite Golf Courses by Forbes Travel Guide and received one of the highest rankings together with other golf courses in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.

The Nirwana Bali Golf Club is the only golf course in Indonesia that is being recognised in this prestigious accolade by Forbes Travel Guide this year. “We are very proud to receive this international recognition from Forbes Travel Guide and our team is committed to continuing to build our reputation for consistently providing a unique and memorable experience for all our guests. We are more than just a golf course we are a fully integrated resort filled with warm and genuine Balinese hospitality”, commented Adam Calver, Director of Golf and Agronomy. Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort has also won the “Indonesia’s Leading Golf Resort” title by World Travel Awards for two consecutive years (2010, 2011) since it was rebranded by Pan Pacific in 2010 and the Nirwana Bali Golf Club has been voted 100 Best Golf Course outside the US (no 66) and No 1 Golf Course in Indonesia by Golf Digest, US in May 2012.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Honey Lake Plantation Resort & Spa, a gracious new elegant resort enveloped in 4,800 acres of unspoiled North Florida plantation, is excited to announce the addition of Pam Monnier as Director of Resort Events and Promotions. Bringing more than twenty-five years of dedicated experience to the hospitality industry, Monnier will apply her strong attention to detail and motivated drive to ensure maximum success in revenue and reputation of Honey Lake Plantation Resort & Spa. In her most recent role as Director of Meetings and Events at Tallahassee’s Hotel Duval, Monnier was responsible for generating, securing and executing hotel conferences and private events for groups of 10 to 250 people. Prior to her position at Hotel Duval, Monnier lent her talents as the director of industry relations for the Dedman School of Hospitality at Florida State University. Before devoting her time to academia, she spent eight years with Club Corp, Inc. at the University Center Club in Tallahassee, Fla., as the senior director of catering and private events. During her tenure at University Center Club, she added the role of director of skybox catering to her résumé. Monnier also served as general manager and banquet sales coordinator and event planner of Chez Pierre restaurant in Tallahassee. Before making the move to the capital city, Monnier opened a restaurant in Sanibel Island, Fla., where she broadened her expertise in the hospitality industry gaining valuable experience in catering and event planning. Monnier began her illustrious career in various food and beverage management roles at the luxurious South Seas Plantation Resort & Yacht Harbor on Captiva Island, Fla. Accepting her current position as Director of Resort Events and Promotions, Monnier comes full circle to a new plantation offering refined yet friendly hospitality.

Chris Miller joins Destination Hotels & Resorts and the LHG Business Development Group as vice president hospitality investments. Lowe Hospitality Group is responsible for Lowe Enterprises’ hotel, resort and resort residential community acquisition, development and management activities. Destination Hotels & Resorts is Lowe’s hospitality management subsidiary and currently ranked as the fourth largest hotel management company in the U.S. Chris will focus primarily on hotel and resort acquisitions in North America. Chris joined Lowe Enterprises in 2007 as vice president, project finance. During this time, he was instrumental in working to arrange joint ventures on behalf of the company and was an important contributor to Lowe Enterprises’ success in the recapitalization of many significant legacy assets. Chris has been involved with many of properties within the current portfolio including Suncadia Resort and Wild Dunes Resort. Prior to joining Lowe Enterprises, Chris was at the Bill Gates investment office, which oversees the investment assets of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Mr. Gates’ personal investments through Cascade Investment. Prior to that, Chris was an analyst in the investment banking group at Credit Suisse First Boston. Chris is a CFA Charterholder and a veteran of the United States Navy.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Mantra on Kent, Sydney today unveiled its $1.5million hotel refurbishment which includes a floor-to-ceiling transformation of their 105 guest rooms, restaurant, meeting facilities, lobby and more. The hotel’s Studios and spacious One and Two Bedroom Apartments have received a major makeover which includes stylish new furniture, wide screen televisions, revamped laundries, new carpet and a fresh coat of paint to complement the upgrades. These enhancements, combined with the hotel’s desirable Sydney city location close to Darling Harbour, the Star City Casino and the Convention and Entertainment Centres, reinforces Mantra on Kent as an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers. Refurbished Boardroom style meeting facilities are also available on site.

Hilton Cartagena, Colombia, announces the completion of a multimillion dollar renovation campaign that introduces a total transformation of 288 main tower guest rooms, as well as upgrades to its extensive pool complex. The 341-room beachfront Hilton Cartagena, scenically located at the tip of El Laguito Peninsula, now welcomes guests to rooms with larger living space and a design that brings the calming essence of the sea indoors. Led by two local designers, Juan Manual Garcia and German Lopez Barrera, the new guest rooms deliver a flexible and comfortable living area complete with new bedding, furniture and nature-inspired ambiance. The first step in the renovation was enlarging the indoor area by incorporating the balcony and terrace space in the rooms’ interior. The designers then focused on creating a space that not only provided a relaxing and productive stay, but also featured tones and elements of the surrounding landscape including sand-coloured porcelain flooring, natural oak furnishings and a colour scheme that blends the blues and violets of the sea and sky.

Aqua Hotels & Resorts' Island Colony Hotel will emerge a stylish, modern Waikiki property accompanied by a new name following a $6 million renovation and upgrade. The new Aqua Skyline at Island Colony will welcome visitors with a significantly upgraded guest experience that includes completely refurbished guest rooms and fashionable common areas. The hotel is located in the heart of Waikiki at 445 Seaside Avenue just two blocks to the beach and near the popular International Marketplace. Aqua Skyline at Island Colony's new rooms will debut in November and boast a contemporary design in a palate of green and silver. Granite counter tops, flat screen LCD TVs, new tile in bathrooms and kitchenettes, and upgraded bedding and linens will welcome guests with style and comfort.