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Paul James, global brand leader at St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, estimates that he spends no less than 150 nights a year in hotel rooms. His experience goes well beyond his own company's brand; he often checks out the competition by staying at other hotels.
Over time, Mr. James has developed a number of tricks to make sure his hotel stays are comfortable. For instance, after booking a room online, he immediately follows up with a phone call to the hotel's concierge. His aim: to request a room that will suit him.
Read more
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
3 body-language tricks every executive should know
Many arguments are won or lost before you even open your mouth, writes communications coach Nick Morgan. Using body-language tricks such as mirroring and alignment, it's possible to defuse tension, cut off hecklers and ensure your ideas get a positive reception. "Try the nonverbal argument right from the start. It may save you a lot of time and trouble," Morgan advises. Forbes
Thursday, July 29, 2010
How to let go and stop being a micromanager
As sales and franchises continued to increase, Shelly Sun thought everything was on the right track at her home-care company, BrightStar. But franchise-satisfaction surveys told a different story. Franchisers were frustrated with the number of new initiatives being pushed by the corporate office. "I had to learn to let go of every little process -- to say that good enough is good enough, and focus on a few of the most critical issues," Sun says. BNET/Owners Only blog
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Orlando-area hotel occupancy
Orlando-area hotel occupancy for the month of June was 66.1 percent, up 4.2 percent from 63.4 percent the same month last year, said Smith Travel Research.
Average daily room rates for the month were $91.07, a 2.1 percent increase from June 2009’s rate of $89.20.
Revenue per available room — an indicator of the hotel industry’s health — was $60.22, up 6.4 percent from $56.59 the prior year.
Year-to-date figures for Jan. 1 through June 30 showed hotel occupancy reached 65.1 percent, a 3 percent increase from 63.2 percent for the same six-month period in 2009.
The average room rate for the first six months of 2010 was $95.59, a 5.9 percent drop from $101.62 for 2009.
In addition, revenue per available room also dropped 3.1 percent from $64.25 for the first half of 2009 compared to $62.23 this year.Read more: June hotel occupancy at 66.1% - Orlando Business Journal
Average daily room rates for the month were $91.07, a 2.1 percent increase from June 2009’s rate of $89.20.
Revenue per available room — an indicator of the hotel industry’s health — was $60.22, up 6.4 percent from $56.59 the prior year.
Year-to-date figures for Jan. 1 through June 30 showed hotel occupancy reached 65.1 percent, a 3 percent increase from 63.2 percent for the same six-month period in 2009.
The average room rate for the first six months of 2010 was $95.59, a 5.9 percent drop from $101.62 for 2009.
In addition, revenue per available room also dropped 3.1 percent from $64.25 for the first half of 2009 compared to $62.23 this year.Read more: June hotel occupancy at 66.1% - Orlando Business Journal
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
7 skills they don't teach in business school
Business schools and leadership gurus love to talk about the theory of management, but what about the practical survival skills every C-suite executive needs? Jo Owen advises learning to sleep on planes, to work productively in the back of taxis and cars, and to pick and stick to a diet plan that actually works. BNET/Sterling Performance blog
One in Four New NYC Hotel Rooms in 2010 will Fly Starwood Flag
Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced that it will grow its New York City portfolio by 50% this year and open more hotels in New York in 2010 than any other city in the world. Today, Starwood operates 12 hotels in the Big Apple across six of its nine distinct and compelling brands. The company’s NYC boom will result in 18 high-caliber Starwood hotels including the debut of Starwood’s two newest brands in Manhattan – Aloft and Element. The company’s bullish focus on NYC is illustrative of its meaningful global growth strategy – Starwood is on track to open more than 80 hotels in key markets around the world this year.
During the remainder of 2010, Starwood will open six new hotels in neighborhoods across Manhattan, as well as in Long Island City and Brooklyn, representing 25% of the new hotel rooms in New York City - one out of four new hotel rooms slated to debut in the city this year will be branded Starwood. In May, the highly anticipated Sheraton Brooklyn opened its doors – bringing the total number of new Starwood hotels to open in the Big Apple in 2010 to seven. The company’s aggressive growth will bring 1,712 new hotel rooms and more than 500 new jobs to New York City.
“While nearly 80% of our future hotel pipeline is outside of the United States, we have more hotels in New York City than any city in the world and we will open more hotels right here in our backyard than anywhere else, which speaks to New York’s enduring stature as the most global gateway city in the world,” said Frits van Paasschen, CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “New York continues to be a beacon for international business and leisure travelers alike, and as we look to the future, we expect that as masses of travelers from China, India and other emerging markets begin to travel internationally, New York will be at the top of their list. We couldn’t be more bullish on New York near or long term.”
Over the past several months, NYC occupancy has continued to surpass last year’s levels: June occupancy averaged 86.4%, up 5% over last year at the same time. In addition, 45.25 million tourists visited in 2009, exceeding expectations by 7%. By 2012, New York City anticipates attracting 50 million visitors annually and there is a need for new hotels to meet this demand. New York maintained its position as the world’s most popular tourist destination for international visitors last year, and emerged as the top choice for domestic travelers for the first time in nearly 30 years. Starwood is well prepared for the influx of travelers with product that is the best it has ever been. In fact, by 2011, 75% of Starwood’s portfolio in New York will be brand new or freshly renovated.
“In 2010, we will further diversify our strong portfolio in New York City by adding seven strategically located hotels, all backed by our powerful Starwood Preferred Guest program,” said Denise Coll, President of North America Division for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “We have spent the past three years preparing for New York City’s economic recovery by working closely with our proven development partners on the right properties in the right places. As a result, we’re ready to meet the resurgence in demand for our high-quality lifestyle brands in neighborhoods across the city.”
This year, Starwood will debut its two newest lifestyle brands in New York City with the opening of Aloft hotels in Harlem and Brooklyn and its first Element hotel in Times Square. Aloft and Element have proven to be popular among the hotel development community as consumer demand for stylish, comfortable and affordable accommodations in Manhattan and the outer boroughs continues to rise. The Aloft and Element brands redefined the select service segment when the first hotels opened in 2008, and by the end of the year will have a combined portfolio of nearly 59 properties worldwide. Aloft is the stylish new select service lifestyle brand derived from the DNA of W Hotels, and Element, which is inspired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, and offers an eco-savvy experience for longer-stay guests.
Within the upper-upscale segment, New York is proving to be fertile ground for Sheraton, Starwood’s largest and most global brand. Among the new hotels Sheraton is adding worldwide, two are in New York City. The summer opening of the highly anticipated Sheraton Brooklyn New York Hotel will be followed by the opening of Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel in September. Sheraton and its partners are also continuing to invest in upgrading its existing flagship hotel, the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, which is slated to begin a $100 million renovation later this year. These enhancements to the Sheraton brand’s NYC portfolio stem from its recently completed $6 billion global, multi-year revitalization program, which resulted in $2 billion in new hotels and $1.3 billion in renovations.
New York City remains the epicenter of W Hotels Worldwide, with four currently open in the metro area, and the new W New York - Downtown Hotel & Residences opening this summer. W continues to evolve its existing landmark hotels, recently renovating W New York and W New York - Times Square. Since the very first W opened in New York City in 1998, the hotel category buster and industry innovator has evolved from a New York City phenomenon to a global powerhouse with a portfolio of 35 W Hotels around the world and plans to more than double its portfolio by the end of 2011.
Four Points by Sheraton continues to make inroads in New York City with the upcoming opening of Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City this summer. The fast-growing brand made its debut just six years ago in the Big Apple, where it expects to have a total of seven hotels by 2011.
Source:Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
During the remainder of 2010, Starwood will open six new hotels in neighborhoods across Manhattan, as well as in Long Island City and Brooklyn, representing 25% of the new hotel rooms in New York City - one out of four new hotel rooms slated to debut in the city this year will be branded Starwood. In May, the highly anticipated Sheraton Brooklyn opened its doors – bringing the total number of new Starwood hotels to open in the Big Apple in 2010 to seven. The company’s aggressive growth will bring 1,712 new hotel rooms and more than 500 new jobs to New York City.
“While nearly 80% of our future hotel pipeline is outside of the United States, we have more hotels in New York City than any city in the world and we will open more hotels right here in our backyard than anywhere else, which speaks to New York’s enduring stature as the most global gateway city in the world,” said Frits van Paasschen, CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “New York continues to be a beacon for international business and leisure travelers alike, and as we look to the future, we expect that as masses of travelers from China, India and other emerging markets begin to travel internationally, New York will be at the top of their list. We couldn’t be more bullish on New York near or long term.”
Over the past several months, NYC occupancy has continued to surpass last year’s levels: June occupancy averaged 86.4%, up 5% over last year at the same time. In addition, 45.25 million tourists visited in 2009, exceeding expectations by 7%. By 2012, New York City anticipates attracting 50 million visitors annually and there is a need for new hotels to meet this demand. New York maintained its position as the world’s most popular tourist destination for international visitors last year, and emerged as the top choice for domestic travelers for the first time in nearly 30 years. Starwood is well prepared for the influx of travelers with product that is the best it has ever been. In fact, by 2011, 75% of Starwood’s portfolio in New York will be brand new or freshly renovated.
“In 2010, we will further diversify our strong portfolio in New York City by adding seven strategically located hotels, all backed by our powerful Starwood Preferred Guest program,” said Denise Coll, President of North America Division for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “We have spent the past three years preparing for New York City’s economic recovery by working closely with our proven development partners on the right properties in the right places. As a result, we’re ready to meet the resurgence in demand for our high-quality lifestyle brands in neighborhoods across the city.”
This year, Starwood will debut its two newest lifestyle brands in New York City with the opening of Aloft hotels in Harlem and Brooklyn and its first Element hotel in Times Square. Aloft and Element have proven to be popular among the hotel development community as consumer demand for stylish, comfortable and affordable accommodations in Manhattan and the outer boroughs continues to rise. The Aloft and Element brands redefined the select service segment when the first hotels opened in 2008, and by the end of the year will have a combined portfolio of nearly 59 properties worldwide. Aloft is the stylish new select service lifestyle brand derived from the DNA of W Hotels, and Element, which is inspired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, and offers an eco-savvy experience for longer-stay guests.
Within the upper-upscale segment, New York is proving to be fertile ground for Sheraton, Starwood’s largest and most global brand. Among the new hotels Sheraton is adding worldwide, two are in New York City. The summer opening of the highly anticipated Sheraton Brooklyn New York Hotel will be followed by the opening of Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel in September. Sheraton and its partners are also continuing to invest in upgrading its existing flagship hotel, the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, which is slated to begin a $100 million renovation later this year. These enhancements to the Sheraton brand’s NYC portfolio stem from its recently completed $6 billion global, multi-year revitalization program, which resulted in $2 billion in new hotels and $1.3 billion in renovations.
New York City remains the epicenter of W Hotels Worldwide, with four currently open in the metro area, and the new W New York - Downtown Hotel & Residences opening this summer. W continues to evolve its existing landmark hotels, recently renovating W New York and W New York - Times Square. Since the very first W opened in New York City in 1998, the hotel category buster and industry innovator has evolved from a New York City phenomenon to a global powerhouse with a portfolio of 35 W Hotels around the world and plans to more than double its portfolio by the end of 2011.
Four Points by Sheraton continues to make inroads in New York City with the upcoming opening of Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City this summer. The fast-growing brand made its debut just six years ago in the Big Apple, where it expects to have a total of seven hotels by 2011.
Source:Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Take a good look at your leadership blind spots
Much like cars, every leader has a blind spot -- behaviors of which he or she isn't aware but that everyone else can see. Dan McCarthy suggests making use of a 360 leadership assessment and taking advantage of a coach to help you find out what you might be missing. Great Leadership
Sunday, July 25, 2010
6 steps to a better strategic plan
Creating a plan for your business doesn't have to be a frightening task, according to experts. You already have a plan in your head, you just need to get it down on the page, suggests Palo Alto Software President Tim Berry. Keep your plan short, start with the basics, find help online, include a contingency plan, ask others for advice and review the plan once a month, experts suggest. Entrepreneur
Saturday, July 24, 2010
5 rules for mastering the art of delegation
The best leaders don't need to get their hands dirty, writes Blinds.com founder and CEO Jay Steinfeld. It's tempting to try to do everything and make every decision yourself, he writes, but leaders who don't learn to let go eventually become a constraint on their company's growth. Relax and learn to delegate and you'll be able to focus on the big picture -- and that, Steinfeld argues, is what a leader's job is really all about. BNET/Owners Only blog
Friday, July 23, 2010
How Hilton gets half a million people to work together
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta says one of his biggest challenges is simply keeping all 500,000 of his team members on the same page. He gives the entire company a quarterly update to keep everyone up to speed and reinforce alignment in key strategic areas. "When you are communicating with a large number of people, the more you communicate and the more broadly you do so, the better," he says. "You communicate, communicate, communicate. Over time, people do rally around." The Wall Street Journal
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Ways to Improve Your Facebook Marketing
In social networking, it doesn’t get hotter than Facebook right now. The site boasts more than twice the number of visits than any other social network, and Facebook’s growth continues to outpace that of Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn by huge margins.
With all this growth and popularity, there’s no better time to step up your game and take your Facebook campaigns to the next level.
Here are 3 quick and easy tips to improve your Facebook marketing:
With all this growth and popularity, there’s no better time to step up your game and take your Facebook campaigns to the next level.
Here are 3 quick and easy tips to improve your Facebook marketing:
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
9 rules every business leader should live by
There are nine key lessons that every chief executive must master if they're to grow their company without tripping themselves up, writes Janine Popick, CEO and founder of VerticalResponse, in this two-part article. High on Popick's list: Hire an amazing lawyer and an even better accountant -- and sack people who fall short sooner rather than later. "There's something to be said for trying to help employees who aren't up to snuff, but at some point you have to let go," she notes. Inc.com
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
10 Strategies for promoting your brand on Facebook
Facebook has enormous potential for marketers, writes Kevin Gibbons, but it's easy to overlook the basic strategies needed for a successful campaign. Start with the obvious and build a brand page, he suggests, and focus on making it interesting and engaging for your fans. "If you're marketing a lively brand or product, don't make do with a dull standard Facebook page, make your landing page lively and interesting," he advises. eConsultancy.com
Monday, July 19, 2010
Hotels drive new business with social media
Joie De Vivre: Joie De Vivre, a company that operates 33 luxury hotels in California is using a variety of social media platforms to drive sales and marketing for its properties. Central to the hotel group’s strategy is disseminating deals and coupons to followers and fans on Facebook and Twitter. Every Tuesday, Joie De Vivre’s Twitter account will Tweet an exclusive deal to its nearly 10,000 followers. Followers have only hours to book the steeply discounted room rate.Read more
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Members Take Prominent Spots in "World's Top 100 Hotels" Category
Relais & Chateaux, the international Association of acclaimed hotels and gourmet restaurants, was a strong winner in Travel + Leisure's 2010 annual "World's Best Awards" chosen by the magazine's readers.
The Association's hotels were represented in eight out of ten of the hotel categories, comprising 13 percent of the world's Top 100 Hotels and over half of the hotels in the Inns and Small Country Hotels in Europe category. Triple Creek Ranch in Montana was a particular standout, being awarded the number two hotel in world, as well as the number one hotel in the Continental US and Canada.
Relais & Chateaux North American properties had an outstanding showing in the Top 10 Small City Hotels in US/Canada category, with Auberge Saint-Antoine, Planters Inn and The Jefferson, a new Relais & Chateaux city hotel, and also in the Top 5 Inns in US/Canada category (under 40 rooms), featuring Triple Creek Ranch and Fearrington House Restaurant & Country Hotel.
Other winning properties in North America included Wickaninnish Inn, Post Hotel & Spa, Meadowood Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil, Blackberry Farm, Hotel Le Toiny, Eden Rock and Esperanza, which was rated number one in the Top 20 Resorts in Mexico category. To view the complete Travel + Leisure awards list and all Relais & Chateaux winners, visit www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest.
Relais & Chateaux is an Association of nearly 500 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 58 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association's mission is to spread its unique "art de vivre" across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character, where guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony and genuine hospitality.
For more information about Relais & Chateaux, visit www.relaischateaux.com.
Source: Relais & Chateaux
The Association's hotels were represented in eight out of ten of the hotel categories, comprising 13 percent of the world's Top 100 Hotels and over half of the hotels in the Inns and Small Country Hotels in Europe category. Triple Creek Ranch in Montana was a particular standout, being awarded the number two hotel in world, as well as the number one hotel in the Continental US and Canada.
Relais & Chateaux North American properties had an outstanding showing in the Top 10 Small City Hotels in US/Canada category, with Auberge Saint-Antoine, Planters Inn and The Jefferson, a new Relais & Chateaux city hotel, and also in the Top 5 Inns in US/Canada category (under 40 rooms), featuring Triple Creek Ranch and Fearrington House Restaurant & Country Hotel.
Other winning properties in North America included Wickaninnish Inn, Post Hotel & Spa, Meadowood Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil, Blackberry Farm, Hotel Le Toiny, Eden Rock and Esperanza, which was rated number one in the Top 20 Resorts in Mexico category. To view the complete Travel + Leisure awards list and all Relais & Chateaux winners, visit www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest.
Relais & Chateaux is an Association of nearly 500 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 58 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association's mission is to spread its unique "art de vivre" across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character, where guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony and genuine hospitality.
For more information about Relais & Chateaux, visit www.relaischateaux.com.
Source: Relais & Chateaux
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Trump Entertainment Resorts
Trump Entertainment Resorts announced today that the Company, together with certain of its subsidiaries, has successfully emerged from a Chapter 11 reorganization process. Upon emergence today, Trump Entertainment Resorts has significant new financial strength and resources, and a shared vision for stability and growth under a new ownership structure.
Pursuant to the confirmed reorganization plan, $225 million of new equity has been injected into the Company, including $125 million intended for the reduction of pre-petition debt. Through the reorganization process, the Company has eliminated approximately $1.3 billion in debt. Additionally, the Company will be able to retain the Trump brand for Atlantic City operations. Donald J. Trump and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, supported the Company's confirmed plan of reorganization.
Earlier this week, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission granted the Company the required approvals to consummate the approved plan of reorganization. The Casino Control Commission also approved several petitions of Avenue Capital Group and affiliated companies necessary for the transaction to be completed and for Marc Lasry to assume the position of chairman of the board of the reorganized company. Mr. Lasry is the chairman and chief executive officer of Avenue Capital Group, a global investment firm, which served as the lead bondholder throughout the reorganization process and is now the largest shareholder of the reorganized Company.
Mr. Lasry commented, "Trump Entertainment Resorts today begins a period marked by new financial strength. Having just completed the transaction that made the Company's emergence official, I am more excited than ever about the future."
Mark Juliano, the chief executive officer of the Company and a member of the newly established board of directors, noted, "Our company is now well-capitalized and possesses a long-term strategy for growth. Our new board of directors and ownership group have made it clear that they are dedicated to the success of the Company over both the short- and long-terms. We are excited about the new chapter that begins today for Trump Entertainment Resorts."
Mr. Juliano further thanked the Company's employees for their continued dedication through the reorganization process. "The focus and support of our team in Atlantic City has truly been extraordinary, and I want to thank them for their perseverance. I know now more clearly than ever that our team is second to none, and I look forward to sharing our future successes together."
Source: Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.
Pursuant to the confirmed reorganization plan, $225 million of new equity has been injected into the Company, including $125 million intended for the reduction of pre-petition debt. Through the reorganization process, the Company has eliminated approximately $1.3 billion in debt. Additionally, the Company will be able to retain the Trump brand for Atlantic City operations. Donald J. Trump and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, supported the Company's confirmed plan of reorganization.
Earlier this week, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission granted the Company the required approvals to consummate the approved plan of reorganization. The Casino Control Commission also approved several petitions of Avenue Capital Group and affiliated companies necessary for the transaction to be completed and for Marc Lasry to assume the position of chairman of the board of the reorganized company. Mr. Lasry is the chairman and chief executive officer of Avenue Capital Group, a global investment firm, which served as the lead bondholder throughout the reorganization process and is now the largest shareholder of the reorganized Company.
Mr. Lasry commented, "Trump Entertainment Resorts today begins a period marked by new financial strength. Having just completed the transaction that made the Company's emergence official, I am more excited than ever about the future."
Mark Juliano, the chief executive officer of the Company and a member of the newly established board of directors, noted, "Our company is now well-capitalized and possesses a long-term strategy for growth. Our new board of directors and ownership group have made it clear that they are dedicated to the success of the Company over both the short- and long-terms. We are excited about the new chapter that begins today for Trump Entertainment Resorts."
Mr. Juliano further thanked the Company's employees for their continued dedication through the reorganization process. "The focus and support of our team in Atlantic City has truly been extraordinary, and I want to thank them for their perseverance. I know now more clearly than ever that our team is second to none, and I look forward to sharing our future successes together."
Source: Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Hotel Suite for Ice Cream Lovers
July is National Ice Cream Month, but a stay in the Haagen-Dazs® Sweet Suite in San Francisco's Hotel Triton can make any season ice cream time. The luxurious "Sweet Suite" is a custom-designed room that offers hotel guests a unique and whimsical escape, indulging the senses in flavor and style as only Haagen-Dazs can.
Themed hotel suites are not new to the Triton, a boutique Kimpton hotel in San Francisco's bustling Union Square. The hotel was one of the first to invite celebrities to design their own suites. However, the Haagen-Dazs "Sweet Suite," launched in 2007, stands apart as the first room to be stylized by a brand.
"The Haagen-Dazs 'Sweet Suite' is the most unique and one of the most popular," says Melinda Macfarlane, General Manager of the Hotel Triton. "The room's main attraction is a custom designed ice cream cabinet filled with both classic Haagen-Dazs flavors and new releases such as the new Haagen-Dazs Five flavors, available anytime."
Imbued with classic and simple sophistication and bathed in vanilla and caramel colors, the true artistry of the "Sweet Suite" is in the details, from "flavored" candles in chocolate, vanilla and dulce de leche, to the bed's handcrafted headboard shaped like the Haagen-Dazs cartouche, to a waffle-textured bed throw and a specially-made plush Haagen-Dazs bath robe.
The room was designed by Stephanie Filbrandt, owner of Marsh & Clark Design, and her innovative design team. "Our challenge in bringing the Haagen-Dazs 'Sweet Suite' to life was to incorporate the simple and classic style of the iconic Haagen-Dazs brand, as well as use colors and textures throughout the design to evoke the comfort and coziness associated with enjoying ice cream," says Filbrandt.
Appropriately called the "Sweet Spot," the ice cream cabinet is stocked with bowls, scoops and spoons and, best of all, guests can enjoy as many complimentary cartons as they desire.
A portion of each "Sweet Suite" guest's tab is donated to the Haagen-Dazs brand's charity of choice, Delancey Street Foundation. Guests can also purchase the custom Haagen-Dazs bathrobes and ice cream scented candles, with all proceeds benefiting the charity.
Crafted in 1960 by Reuben Mattus in his family's dairy, Haagen-Dazs is the original superpremium ice cream. True to tradition, the Haagen-Dazs brand is committed to using only the purest ingredients in crafting the world's finest ice cream. Truly made like no other, today Haagen-Dazs ice cream offers a full range of products from ice cream to sorbet, frozen yogurt and frozen snacks in more than 65 flavors. Haagen-Dazs products are available around the globe for ice cream lovers to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.haagen-dazs.com.
Source: Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream
Themed hotel suites are not new to the Triton, a boutique Kimpton hotel in San Francisco's bustling Union Square. The hotel was one of the first to invite celebrities to design their own suites. However, the Haagen-Dazs "Sweet Suite," launched in 2007, stands apart as the first room to be stylized by a brand.
"The Haagen-Dazs 'Sweet Suite' is the most unique and one of the most popular," says Melinda Macfarlane, General Manager of the Hotel Triton. "The room's main attraction is a custom designed ice cream cabinet filled with both classic Haagen-Dazs flavors and new releases such as the new Haagen-Dazs Five flavors, available anytime."
Imbued with classic and simple sophistication and bathed in vanilla and caramel colors, the true artistry of the "Sweet Suite" is in the details, from "flavored" candles in chocolate, vanilla and dulce de leche, to the bed's handcrafted headboard shaped like the Haagen-Dazs cartouche, to a waffle-textured bed throw and a specially-made plush Haagen-Dazs bath robe.
The room was designed by Stephanie Filbrandt, owner of Marsh & Clark Design, and her innovative design team. "Our challenge in bringing the Haagen-Dazs 'Sweet Suite' to life was to incorporate the simple and classic style of the iconic Haagen-Dazs brand, as well as use colors and textures throughout the design to evoke the comfort and coziness associated with enjoying ice cream," says Filbrandt.
Appropriately called the "Sweet Spot," the ice cream cabinet is stocked with bowls, scoops and spoons and, best of all, guests can enjoy as many complimentary cartons as they desire.
A portion of each "Sweet Suite" guest's tab is donated to the Haagen-Dazs brand's charity of choice, Delancey Street Foundation. Guests can also purchase the custom Haagen-Dazs bathrobes and ice cream scented candles, with all proceeds benefiting the charity.
Crafted in 1960 by Reuben Mattus in his family's dairy, Haagen-Dazs is the original superpremium ice cream. True to tradition, the Haagen-Dazs brand is committed to using only the purest ingredients in crafting the world's finest ice cream. Truly made like no other, today Haagen-Dazs ice cream offers a full range of products from ice cream to sorbet, frozen yogurt and frozen snacks in more than 65 flavors. Haagen-Dazs products are available around the globe for ice cream lovers to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.haagen-dazs.com.
Source: Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hotel Duval Joins the Autograph Collection
Hotel Duval announced today their official affiliation with Marriott International, Inc.'s new Autograph Collection, a portfolio of upper-upscale and luxury independent hotels and resorts, each with distinctive personalities. Hotel Duval will continue to operate autonomously keeping their name and identity while taking advantage of Marriott's global reservations, and sales and marketing channels.
As only the 11th hotel worldwide invited to join the exclusive cluster of luxury boutique properties, Hotel Duval is poised to also benefit from full participation in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® guest loyalty program, which drives customers in the leisure, corporate and group markets. The 117-room hotel is owned and managed by Duval Partners, LLC and will operate under a franchise agreement with Marriott International, Inc.
"We are proud to be associated with the exclusive Autograph Collection and we know that Marriott's global reservation systems along with their strong customer outreach are going to be tremendous assets for our property," says Chad Kittrell, co-owner, Hotel Duval. "By maintaining our independence and benefiting from the Marriott support, the relationship is a win-win."
"Hotel Duval's unique guest experience fits perfectly with our new exclusive Autograph Collection," said Kip Vreeland, Autograph Collection vice president. "We are thrilled to include this unique property as part of our collection."
"Our relationship with Autograph Collection will only help to solidify Hotel Duval's positioning as Tallahassee's only upscale, boutique hotel," says Marc Bauer, general manager Hotel Duval. As one of Tallahassee's richest landmarks, opened originally in 1951, the revitalized luxury boutique property re-opened in 2009 under the local ownership of Chad Kittrell, Frank Whitley and J.T. Burnette. Boasting 117 guestrooms with a color palate option on each floor tailored to customer mood preference, each of the sophisticatedly-designed accommodations provide views of downtown Tallahassee, iPod docking stations, ICE interactive concierge, wireless Internet, 37-inch flat screen TVs, rainmaker showerheads and pebbled shower floors.
Home to Shula's 347 Grill, a sports-style steakhouse that flows seamlessly with the vibe and decor of the property, Hotel Duval's signature restaurant presents options of gourmet salads, fresh fish and exclusive Premium Black Angus Beef Burgers and Shula Cut Steaks. Hosting a street-level cafe, LeRoc, which features Starbucks coffee and locally grown and sourced food is open for breakfast and lunch. Level 8 is the only rooftop lounge of its kind from Atlanta to South Beach. Comprising both open-air and indoor elements, Level 8 of Hotel Duval showcases panoramic views of the capital city.
Functions for groups of 10 to 250 people are available among more than 7,500 square feet of meeting space. The flexible layout of the space is spread throughout eight unique rooms and a stunning rooftop Horizon Ballroom. Hotel Duval offers refreshing venues with an outstanding service staff and lavish catering options.
Located three blocks from the heart of downtown Tallahassee, Hotel Duval is walking distance from the state's capital while Florida State University and Florida A&M University are within five miles. The Tallahassee Regional Airport is less than 20 minutes, creating the perfect central location for a variety of cultural, sporting and eco-tourism activities in Tallahassee.
Autograph Collection is an ensemble of high-personality and boldly independent hotels, each carefully selected for its distinctiveness, style and synchronicity with your unique travel interests. Together, the entire Autograph Collection takes the guesswork out of finding exceptional, distinctive non-chain hotels that are original as who you are and provides you with all the rewards and benefits of a world-class loyalty program. For more details, visit www.AutographCollectionHotels.com
Source: Marriott International, Inc.
As only the 11th hotel worldwide invited to join the exclusive cluster of luxury boutique properties, Hotel Duval is poised to also benefit from full participation in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® guest loyalty program, which drives customers in the leisure, corporate and group markets. The 117-room hotel is owned and managed by Duval Partners, LLC and will operate under a franchise agreement with Marriott International, Inc.
"We are proud to be associated with the exclusive Autograph Collection and we know that Marriott's global reservation systems along with their strong customer outreach are going to be tremendous assets for our property," says Chad Kittrell, co-owner, Hotel Duval. "By maintaining our independence and benefiting from the Marriott support, the relationship is a win-win."
"Hotel Duval's unique guest experience fits perfectly with our new exclusive Autograph Collection," said Kip Vreeland, Autograph Collection vice president. "We are thrilled to include this unique property as part of our collection."
"Our relationship with Autograph Collection will only help to solidify Hotel Duval's positioning as Tallahassee's only upscale, boutique hotel," says Marc Bauer, general manager Hotel Duval. As one of Tallahassee's richest landmarks, opened originally in 1951, the revitalized luxury boutique property re-opened in 2009 under the local ownership of Chad Kittrell, Frank Whitley and J.T. Burnette. Boasting 117 guestrooms with a color palate option on each floor tailored to customer mood preference, each of the sophisticatedly-designed accommodations provide views of downtown Tallahassee, iPod docking stations, ICE interactive concierge, wireless Internet, 37-inch flat screen TVs, rainmaker showerheads and pebbled shower floors.
Home to Shula's 347 Grill, a sports-style steakhouse that flows seamlessly with the vibe and decor of the property, Hotel Duval's signature restaurant presents options of gourmet salads, fresh fish and exclusive Premium Black Angus Beef Burgers and Shula Cut Steaks. Hosting a street-level cafe, LeRoc, which features Starbucks coffee and locally grown and sourced food is open for breakfast and lunch. Level 8 is the only rooftop lounge of its kind from Atlanta to South Beach. Comprising both open-air and indoor elements, Level 8 of Hotel Duval showcases panoramic views of the capital city.
Functions for groups of 10 to 250 people are available among more than 7,500 square feet of meeting space. The flexible layout of the space is spread throughout eight unique rooms and a stunning rooftop Horizon Ballroom. Hotel Duval offers refreshing venues with an outstanding service staff and lavish catering options.
Located three blocks from the heart of downtown Tallahassee, Hotel Duval is walking distance from the state's capital while Florida State University and Florida A&M University are within five miles. The Tallahassee Regional Airport is less than 20 minutes, creating the perfect central location for a variety of cultural, sporting and eco-tourism activities in Tallahassee.
Autograph Collection is an ensemble of high-personality and boldly independent hotels, each carefully selected for its distinctiveness, style and synchronicity with your unique travel interests. Together, the entire Autograph Collection takes the guesswork out of finding exceptional, distinctive non-chain hotels that are original as who you are and provides you with all the rewards and benefits of a world-class loyalty program. For more details, visit www.AutographCollectionHotels.com
Source: Marriott International, Inc.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
9 ways to maximize your money when you outsource marketing
Thinking of hiring a marketing agency? MP Mueller offers nine hints for getting the most bang for your buck. Spend money on research, communicate openly and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also, if you're going to hire a pro, be open to fresh ideas: "Paying an agency to execute preconceived notions is not a good use of your money." NYTimes.com/You're the Boss blog
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Maximizing revenue in hospitality operations
A solid understanding of revenue management's key concepts and the selective application of its most effective strategies and tactics have become mission critical for most hospitality operations. This book explores the applicability of revenue maximization strategies and their operational aspects; and provides readers with a concise overview of this important discipline. Click here for details
Monday, July 12, 2010
Max Planck Florida Institute
Florida’s business and scientific leaders gathered in Jupiter to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the Max Planck Florida Institute, a new state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot biomedical research facility. (more)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Hilton Orlando promotion allows guests to stay for 30 hours
For guests who constantly are annoyed by not being able to check in early or check out later than the typical noon cutoff, the Hilton Orlando is offering a promotion that stretches a one-night hotel stay to 30 hours instead of the average 20. Hotel officials say guests commonly comment that there is too much to do and see in the course of one day, so the deal, with rates starting at $129 a night, is designed to allow families to hang out at the pool or use other facilities before and after their stay. USA TODAY/Hotel Check-in blog
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Vehicle Recharging Stations
Orlando kicks off a national $37 million program to deploy electric vehicle recharging stations,
receiving the first public ChargePoint Networked Charging Station and hundreds of additional home and public charging stations. (more)
Friday, July 9, 2010
W luxury hotels rise above opening during the downturn's darkest days
Despite opening during some of the worst days of the downturn, two new luxury W hotels in South Florida, the 517-room W Fort Lauderdale and the 408-room W South Beach, have managed to stay afloat while other new developments have struggled. The properties' developer, DYL Group, says that, considering the market, the company expected occupancy rates to be as low as 30% to 40% during the first year, but the average occupancy has been in the upper 60th percentile.Read more
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Concierge can be a critical component in boosting guest loyalty
As the hotel industry works its way back from the recession, the role of the concierge has become more central and critical than ever. A good concierge can represent the face of a hotel's superior customer service, and when concierge go above and beyond the call of duty to meet a customer request, the service can make all the difference in securing loyalty from that guest. USA TODAY
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Hyatt Resorts Launches Best of all Worlds Challenge
Hyatt Resorts today announced a new way for guests to win free hotel nights. To kick-off its Best of All Worlds campaign, Hyatt is launching a challenge hosted on the new Hyatt Resorts Facebook page www.facebook.com/HyattResorts - asking fans to demonstrate through an uploaded photo how they experience the "Best of All Worlds" when they travel.
By submitting their photos, five lucky winners will be rewarded with Hyatt Gold Passport® points - enough for a two-night stay at any Hyatt Resort destination worldwide. Participants also have a second opportunity to win Hyatt Gold Passport points when they tag themselves in their submitted photo. The challenge will run from July 6 to July 26, 2010.
Travelers staying at Hyatt Resorts experience the "Best of All Worlds" by enjoying local culture while experiencing the authentic hospitality, thoughtful service and distinctive amenities that each Hyatt Resort offers. Guests can dance the night away and wake up to a scuba lesson, take in a museum followed by a romantic dinner for two at a world class Hyatt restaurant, or get the family together for hula lessons and a sunset sail on the Pacific. The "Best of All Worlds" means something a little different to every traveler and Hyatt wants to find out what it means to its guests.
The Best of All Worlds Challenge gives Hyatt fans the opportunity to select the Hyatt Resort that they would most like to visit and to share a picture of the activity they would most like to do during their stay. A photo of the activity, either taken by the traveler or from the Hyatt Resort activity album on Facebook, must be uploaded to the Hyatt Resorts Facebook page by the fan in order to be entered. Fans can learn more about the challenge and obtain the full rules by visiting the Best of All Worlds tab on the Hyatt Resorts Facebook page.
During the challenge, fans of Hyatt Resorts will have a chance to show their loyalty to a specific Hyatt Resort. Challenge winners will be selected randomly from the entrants of the Hyatt Resort that has the most fans participating.
Visit www.facebook.com/HyattResorts to learn more and for full official rules.
Source: Hyatt Resorts
By submitting their photos, five lucky winners will be rewarded with Hyatt Gold Passport® points - enough for a two-night stay at any Hyatt Resort destination worldwide. Participants also have a second opportunity to win Hyatt Gold Passport points when they tag themselves in their submitted photo. The challenge will run from July 6 to July 26, 2010.
Travelers staying at Hyatt Resorts experience the "Best of All Worlds" by enjoying local culture while experiencing the authentic hospitality, thoughtful service and distinctive amenities that each Hyatt Resort offers. Guests can dance the night away and wake up to a scuba lesson, take in a museum followed by a romantic dinner for two at a world class Hyatt restaurant, or get the family together for hula lessons and a sunset sail on the Pacific. The "Best of All Worlds" means something a little different to every traveler and Hyatt wants to find out what it means to its guests.
The Best of All Worlds Challenge gives Hyatt fans the opportunity to select the Hyatt Resort that they would most like to visit and to share a picture of the activity they would most like to do during their stay. A photo of the activity, either taken by the traveler or from the Hyatt Resort activity album on Facebook, must be uploaded to the Hyatt Resorts Facebook page by the fan in order to be entered. Fans can learn more about the challenge and obtain the full rules by visiting the Best of All Worlds tab on the Hyatt Resorts Facebook page.
During the challenge, fans of Hyatt Resorts will have a chance to show their loyalty to a specific Hyatt Resort. Challenge winners will be selected randomly from the entrants of the Hyatt Resort that has the most fans participating.
Visit www.facebook.com/HyattResorts to learn more and for full official rules.
Source: Hyatt Resorts
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Google Me
In the past week, rumors have swirled around the possibility of a new Google-developed Facebook-killer. But given the company's long (and sometimes rocky) relationship with social networking, the development of such a site is likely to be anything but straightforward.
Social networking is Google's white whale. The search giant's otherwise nearly impeccable track record of launching properties has long been marred by its inability to make headway in the space largely dominated by Facebook and MySpace. The company's failure isn't for a lack of trying, of course. Google has made a number of attempts to corner the market, with limited success at best.Read More
Social networking is Google's white whale. The search giant's otherwise nearly impeccable track record of launching properties has long been marred by its inability to make headway in the space largely dominated by Facebook and MySpace. The company's failure isn't for a lack of trying, of course. Google has made a number of attempts to corner the market, with limited success at best.Read More
Monday, July 5, 2010
Simple tricks to make you more charismatic
Charisma isn't a mystical force that you either have or don't have, says communications coach Nick Morgan. Instead, it's simply an ability to focus one's own emotions and communicate them effectively. That means charisma can be learned and honed using simple mental tricks and body language techniques, Morgan says.
Source: CIO.com
Source: CIO.com
Saturday, July 3, 2010
5 tips -- and 5 traps -- for pitching bloggers
Hoping a blogger will write about your product or service? Do your homework and start building relationships before asking for coverage, writes Lisa Barone, who has been on both sides of the blog pitch. Among the traps to avoid: Giving too much background or bulk-mailing the same pitch to dozens of bloggers. Small Business Trends
Friday, July 2, 2010
Are well-paid leaders more likely to be mean?
High executive compensation can lead bosses to behave abusively to those further down the ladder, according to Harvard Law's Sreedhari Desai. In a series of simulated management exercises, Desai found that people were more likely to mistreat employees whose income was substantially less than their own. She calls the results "disheartening," and says they suggest that at least some bosses use income disparities to rationalize their own bad behavior toward their workers.
Source: Harvard Business Review
Source: Harvard Business Review
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Ways to apologize more effectively
Negative perceptions count for more than positive perceptions when it comes to shaping your brand's buzz. So when your company messes up, it's essential to apologize swiftly and effectively, notes Michael Kelly. That means looking beyond simply an apologetic tweet, Kelly says, and taking real steps to fix the problems you're apologizing for. "Look at this as an opportunity to greatly increase the effectiveness of the entire organization," he advises.
Source: MarketingProfs
Source: MarketingProfs
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