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Hotel News In Brief

May 10, 05 | 7:46 am

Manish Bhatia Named General Manager of the Just Opened Hotel Providence, Providence, RI The recently opened luxury Hotel Providence proudly announces the hiring of Manish Bhatia, a four-star hotel veteran with a strong New England background and hospitality experience from all over the world. The Hotel Providence is owned by Providence developer Stanley Weiss, and managed by the Hotel Providence Management Partners, LLC. Bhatia's responsibilities at the boutique SLH member hotel will include overall management of departments, streamlining service procedures to ensure the property's luxury standards for guests, as well as directing and overseeing the hotel's entire management operation. Most recently, Bhatia was the Director of Food and Beverage for the Westin Providence, where he played a substantial role in increasing overall revenue, opening an additional outlet, and converting an old outlet into banquet space to supplement food and beverage revenue.   While Bhatia was at the Westin Providence, productivity improved by an outstanding 20%. Prior to his responsibility as Director of Food and Beverage, Bhatia was also the Director of Banquets at the Westin Providence, where he implemented a complete renovation of his department, was involved with union negotiations, and created an infrastructure for smooth operation of the property's 22,000 square feet of meeting space. Before joining the Westin in 2001, Bhatia held various Food and Beverage management positions at the Hilton Dedham in Massachusetts, and in 2000, he was promoted as the Director of Food and Beverage, where he increased the exceeded budgeted revenues and profit, and improved hotel GSI scores for outlets by nearly 30% Previous to his move in New England, Bhatia was Assistant Maitre'd for Royal aribbean Cruise Lines in Miami, Florida, supervising a staff of 110 and managed a five star dining room with a GSI average score of 94.5%. Bhatia's international hospitality experience includes a management consulting position in Sydney, Australia, for Balus Indian Restaurant, and in the early 1990's he held multiple restaurant management positions at the Taj Mahal Intercontinental in Bombay, India.

Sage Hospitality Resources Tapped to Manage Full Service Hotels in Texas, New Jersey and Colorado  Sage Hospitality Resources, the Denver, Co based hospitality firm company specializing in managing and renovating full service and luxury hotels, has been tapped to manage and re-position two full service hotels located in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey and College Station Texas and to manage a four diamond hotel in Denver, Colorado. The company’s development arm is also restoring (three) historic landmark properties into luxury hotels in Providence, Rhode Island, Chicago, IL and Portland, Oregon. With the addition of these key properties to the Sage portfolio, Sage continues to focus its strategic growth on the development and management of premium brand and full service hotels. The Properties - The Mt. Laurel property, the 283-room Radisson Hotel Mt. Laurel, owned by Highland Hospitality is undergoing a $7 million conversion into an upscale, full service hotel. The hotel will include over 12,000 square of meeting space. The College Station property, the 303-room Hilton College Station, has been purchased by JER Partners. Located one mile from Texas A&M University, the hotel was built in 1985 and recently underwent a $5.4 million renovation of guestrooms, lobby and common areas. The hotel has 28,399 square feet of meeting space, including an 11,360-square-foot ballroom. JER plans to spend an additional $1.5 million to improve the hotel's conference and meeting facilities. Recently, Sage Hospitality was also chosen to manage The JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek, The AAA Four-Diamond hotel boasts 196 luxury guestrooms and suites, over 5500 S.F. of meeting space and Mirepoix, an award winning restaurant.   Last May, Sage Hospitality Resources unveiled a state of the art, $44 million Residence Inn by Marriott in Downtown Denver.  Sage is partnering with Shames- Makovsky Realty Partner on the development, which is the City’s first upper tier, extended stay lodging in the downtown. Scheduled to be complete in February of 2006, Sage Hospitality Resources will also manage the property. Urban Redevelopment Initiatives - Sage Hospitality has also expanded its Urban Redevelopment Initiative with three new renovation projects. Last fall, Sage Hospitality Resources kicked off the $77 million dollar restoration of the historic Masonic Temple in Providence, RI into a 274-room four-star luxury hotel. Slated for completion in summer of 2006, the Renaissance Providence Hotel will feature 274 guest rooms, 10,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space, a restaurant and lounge.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts signs new luxury complex  Millennium Hotels & Resorts are pleased to announce that they have signed a new management contract with the Sharm Tourism Investment Group to operate a new 5-star, hotel and residence in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. The 350-bedroom hotel, which is scheduled to open in late 2006/early 2007, will contain extensive hotel and resort facilities and a conference centre for over 1000 delegates. The residential development comprises 92 duplex apartments and studios with access to a private beach and the hotel's leisure facilities and restaurants.Commenting on the new venture, Tony Potter, Group Chief Executive, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels said "We are delighted with our latest management contract, which is our second venture into Egypt, and are particularly pleased with the style and quality of this new product for Sharm el Sheikh."Mr. Hafiz Mansouri, Chairman of the Sharm Tourism Investment Group said "Our new development in Sharm el Sheikh is of a particularly high quality and individual design.  We are delighted that we have agreed with Millennium Hotels & Resorts that they should manage this product"

Four Points By Sheraton Brand Coming To Edmonton Chateau Edmonton Hotel & Suites converting to Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South The Four Points by Sheraton brand is delighted to announce that it will make its debut in Edmonton later this month as the existing Chateau Edmonton Hotel & Suites re-flags as the Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South. With 139 guest rooms and suites, 11,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and a host of business and recreational amenities including indoor heated pool, whirlpool, and fitness room, the property will feature many additional benefits as a Four Points by Sheraton property.  Known for its full service offerings at mid-scale prices, Starwood’s moderately-priced brand recently introduced their new signature custom-designed “Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort” BedTM a multi-layered, cozy cocoon designed to pamper guests. The Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South will be the first properties in Canada to feature these comfortable, high quality beds. All Four Points by Sheraton properties also ensure complimentary high-speed Internet access for its guests with the Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South offering wireless connectivity as an additional benefit throughout the entire hotel.  “We are excited to be part of the Four Points by Sheraton family,” said Dean Nemetz, General Manager for the property. “The brand continues to demonstrate the highest standards of excellence and guest service within its market segment. We know that our guests will enjoy our warm and gracious service.” The property also features a full service restaurant with exquisite Sunday brunch and a Scottish style pub with nightly specials. For more information on Four Points by Sheraton hotels please visit www.fourpoints.com and watch for the launch of the Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South website at www.fourpoints.com/edmonton.

Hotel Veteran John Garth Named General Manager of the Year by Marriott International    John Garth of White Lodging Services was named General Manager of the Year at Marriott International's recent global conference, for his leadership role at the 279-room Denver Marriott South. This prestigious annual recognition is given to those select hotel general managers who have steadfastly, over time, been a role model of leadership. They have led their hotel teams to achieve excellence through their creativity and vision, their dedication to developing the best talent, and their keen focus on improving customer services. A 20-year hospitality veteran, Garth joined White Lodging Services in 2002, where he was hired as pre-opening general manager for the Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows, then promoted to Vice President of Full Service Sales as well as retaining his general manager duties. He most recently has been assigned to Regional Vice President of the Colorado region, overseeing 20 hotels. Prior to his role at White Lodging, Garth was the former Vice President of the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau. Garth has also spent over 13-years with Marriott International in various sales and marketing positions including Director of Marketing at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Director of Sales at the St. Louis Marriott. "My philosophy is to take that extra step to not only make our hotel guests feel welcomed, but our associates as well," said Garth. Garth's passion for great service is shown through his personalized relationships with customers. He takes the time to invest in his associates and empower them so they're driven to extract their best. His aggressive direct sales coupled with strategic and tactical sales and marketing is the perfect formula for great success.

Hong Kong-listed Guoco Group unit sells 6 UK hotels for 185 mln stg   Guoco Group Ltd said its indirect subsidiary Camerlin Group Berhad has sold six hotels in the UK for a combined 185 mln stg. The company said in a statement it expects to make a net profit of about 89 mln usd from the sale of the six hotels namely, Hyde Park, Euston, Barbican, Bloomsbury Park, Piccadilly and Edinburgh. The sale was undertaken by Camerlin through associated company BIL, which in turn used its wholly-owned subsidiary Thistle Hotels Ltd. The Guoco Group said that following the sale, Thistle Hotels leased back the six hotels for a period of 30 years. BIL chief executive officer Arun Amarsi said the sales proceeds will be used to reduce the company's debts and for new investments. 'The sold holtels will continue to be an important part of our hotel portfolio. 'Thistle's hotel portfolio includes 50 full-service owned, leased and managed hotels comprising approximately 10,800 rooms, as well as conference, meetings and events venues and restaurant and bar lounge facilities in London and in major UK cities,' he said.

Emirates builds tall futuristic hotel  One of the world's five tallest hotels being built by Emirates Airlines in Dubai; 70 storey luxury hotel costing $300m Emirates Airlines is building one of the tallest hotels in the world. The $300 million, 70 storey luxury hotel in Dubai will be 350 metres high, putting it amongst the world's five tallest hotels. The futuristic building will have a glass and aluminium exterior, with cantilevered rooms, giving guests a panoramic view of Dubai It will have 560 deluxe rooms, 112 suites and one presidential suite. The hotel is due to be completed in 2008. Emirates owns, manages and operates other hospitality industry ventures including the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, a conservation-based resort set in a 225 square kilometre nature resort in the heart of the desert. It won National Geographic's World Legacy Award last year.  Emirates also owns the 218 room Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, situated on a private beach in the emirate of Fujairah.

Englewood, N.J. receives its first Crowne Plaza hotel  InterContinental Hotels Group announced today the opening of its latest 194-room Crowne Plaza hotel in Englewood, N.J., after completing a $3 million renovation. There are now three Crowne Plaza hotels with nearly 700 guestrooms in the state of New Jersey with the addition of the Crowne Plaza Englewood. The InterContinental Hotels Group portfolio in New Jersey is represented by five of its brands including the upscale, full service, limited service, upscale extended stay and mid-scale extended stay segments with 44 hotels and nearly 7,000 rooms.“This is the 5th opening for the Crowne Plaza brand in North America this year,” said Kevin Kowalski, vice president, brand management, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.  “We are excited to be growing our portfolio in such a strong business travel market.  We look forward to providing our industry leading meetings service and a great night’s sleep via our Sleep Advantage program to our guests in Englewood.”The nine-story high-rise is newly designed with traditional décor, incorporating new furniture and carpet in the hotel’s restaurant, lobby and guest rooms; updated bathroom tile floors, re-finished bathtubs and new plumbing fixtures in guest bathrooms.  Carlyle’s, the hotel’s restaurant, features casual American cuisine seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guestroom amenities include: voice mail, coffee maker, hair dryer, make-up mirror, iron and ironing board and high speed Internet access. The Crowne Plaza Englewood also offers wireless Internet access in the hotel’s lobby and meeting rooms, a 24-hour reception desk, express checkout, courier service, car rental desk, ATM machine, guest laundry facility, indoor pool, complimentary USA Today newspaper, same day laundry and valet, safety deposit boxes, fitness center, complimentary shuttle service to local businesses and restaurants and free parking. As with all hotels in the Crowne Plaza portfolio, the Crowne Plaza Englewood offers a comprehensive meetings package to ensure a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience.  The program consists of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and a Meetings Daily Debrief.  The Crowne Plaza Englewood has 5,000 sq.-ft. of function space including two ballrooms and three meeting rooms. Guestrooms feature the newly introduced Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage which is available at all Crowne Plaza hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. 

Corinthia Hotels International opens regional office in Sweden In line with its  international marketing strategy, Corinthia Hotels International (CHI) has strengthened its presence in Scandinavia through the appointment of H.T.M.S. SCANDINAVIA AB in Stockholm, Sweden, as its Regional Sales Office for Sweden, Norway and Finland. This is CHI’s second presence in Scandinavia, where it has been operating a Regional Sales Office in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the last seven years. H.T.M.S. managing director Paul Murcia commented “I am thrilled that we have been chosen to represent CHI and in tandem with the Copenhagen office, we aim to strengthen the hotel chain’s relationship with its Scandinavian travel industry partners. Through this appointment, CHI will benefit from an increased presence in all segments of the Scandinavian travel industry, most importantly the expanding MICE segment. With its MICE dedicated Events@Corinthia portfolio of upscale hotels in destinations such as Antwerp, Prague, (2 hotels), Budapest (2 hotels), Malta, Lisbon, Tripoli, Tunisia and St Petersburg, the prospects for improved MICE business from Scandinavia are very exciting and look very positive indeed”

Countdown to Oman’s Coral Al Nahda Resort & Spa opening     A new dimension in Oman tourism is promised with the autumn opening of the Coral Al Nahda Resort & Spa, located north of the capital Muscat at Al Barka. Owned by the Al Bahja group of companies and managed by Coral International Hotels, Resorts & Spas, it is set in 30 acres of landscaped gardens and has been conceived as a centre to stimulate, revitalise and pamper both body and mind in an ambience of unstinting luxury, according to general manager, Julian Ayers. “It is the first hotel in Oman that has been developed as a wellness resort, using the traditions of Ayurveda as well as modern disciplines and therapies to create a complete lifestyle experience for guests,” he said. “This type of integrated resort is unique in the region, and we expect a heavy demand from both regional and international tourist markets, as well as the incentive and small meetings sectors.” More than half of the hotel’s 109 chalets are completed and construction has begun on the tennis courts, gym and fitness studio, while the pool and steam tunnel have been successfully tested and work is expected to start this month on the spa villas. “It is a bit early to reveal everything but we promise a wellness retreat as fascinating as it is scenic. And, in keeping with its natural, tranquil setting, it is completely environmentally sensitive,” said Ayers.