Moxy Hotels Projects 150 Hotels And 25,000 Rooms By 2020

Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) yesterday officially announces plans to open 2,700 Moxy hotel rooms in key cities throughout Europe by end 2016. With a goal of 150 Moxy hotels and 25,000 rooms by 2020, the company expects to sign at least 4,200 rooms in 2015 alone.



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Grosvenor House put up for sale after falling into administration

Iconic London hotel Grosvenor House has been put on the market after its owner was placed into administration.  

The five-star, 494-bedroom hotel became the largest hotel transaction on record in London when it was sold by RBS in 2010 for £470m. The property is expected to sell for in excess of £500m this time.

Deloitte was appointed administrator to Sahara Grosvenor House Hospitality, which owns the lease on the property.

Administrators will now work with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) which has been appointed to sell the property on Park Lane.

Mark Wynne-Smith, global CEO at JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, said: “The last hotel transaction on Park Lane took place two years ago and as the market has strengthened since then, we are looking forward to engaging with investors in an open marketing process.

“The hotel is set apart from its Park Lane hotel peers due to its extensive banqueting facilities, whilst the lease to Marriott International means that we expect the asset to appeal to a broad range of local and global investors.”

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Hotel industry best in Britain for phone manner

Hotels rank among the best businesses in Britain when it comes to their phone manner, new research has revealed. 

The study of 1,000 consumers, conducted on behalf of PH Media Group, discovered that 50% are satisfied with the way the hotel industry handles their calls, putting it behind only dentistry (53%) in terms of Britain’s best performing businesses.

Average satisfaction ratings for the all businesses came out at just 23%.

Hotels scored particularly highly in the North West, where 57% of respondents were satisfied, while London (49%), Wales (48%) and East Anglia (47%) all dipped below 50%.

Mark Williamson, sales and marketing director at PH Media Group, said: “These results clearly reflect well on the hospitality industry and shows hotels are doing a good job of handling customer phone calls in a professional and efficient manner.

“But even though 50% of customers are pleased with the way their calls are being handled, there remains a significant proportion of callers who could have generated a negative perception through bad caller experience.

“Responding to calls more quickly or establishing a set practice for answering the phone both represent a good start but true best practice can be achieved by implementing tools such as on-hold marketing – bespoke voice and music messages that are played on hold – in order to establish top-class service and a congruent brand across all touch points with customers.”

Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane transformed into Adina Apartment Hotel

Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane in Anzac Square will become an Adina Apartment Hotel.

Located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD and overlooking the memorial gardens, the transformed Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, Anzac Square will offer a range of accommodation solutions for guests including studio rooms and one, two bedroom apartments with the benefits of superior hotel service.

Guests will have direct access to Brisbane’s major attractions and the convenience of a location opposite Central Railway Station.

TFE hotels decided the unique and grand style of the Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane and its apartment offering was more suited to the Adina brand, one of the six brands in the TFE hotels family.

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IHG to develop 10 hotels in Germany by 2019

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of its latest multiple development agreement (MDA) to develop 10 hotels in Germany by 2019 with first time franchisee for the company, Interstar. IHG’s growth strategy continues to gain momentum in Germany with over 85 hotels currently either open or planned under MDA agreements.

The agreement enables Interstar to develop hotels across two of IHG’s brands – Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The 10 hotels will add approximately 1,700 rooms when signed to Germany’s current development pipeline of close to 4,000 rooms*.

The first hotel under the agreement to be signed is Holiday Inn Frankfurt – Airport, a 288-room new-build property anticipated to open in quarter four of 2016. The hotel features the brand’s Open Lobby, which takes a unique approach to the in-hotel experience for guests. The traditional hotel lobby format is completely transformed by combining the front desk, lobby, restaurant, bar, lounge area and business centre into one open, cohesive space, while refreshing the design to give it a more contemporary feel. Holiday Inn Frankfurt – Airport will join Holiday Inn® Frankfurt – Alte Oper which opened on the 1st March 2015 in Germany’s fifth largest city.

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Jean-Yves Blatt appointed GM at The Chedi Andermatt

A little more than a year after The Chedi Andermatt’s debut, the hotel’s management company, GHM, has named a permanent replacement to the pre-opening/launch General Manager.

Jean-Yves Blatt assumed charge of the 101-room hotel on March 4, succeeding the property’s first GM, Alain Bachmann, who relocated in July to Indonesia where he now leads another GHM property, The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah Ubud in Bali.

Since 2005, Blatt has worked at the Grand Park Hotel in Gstaad, for the past six years as general manager. Previously, he worked at the Lausanne Palace Spa and Hotel Le Mirador (now Le Mirador Kempinski) in Mont-Pèlerin.

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Risk and security – how can you demonstrate you care?

As hoteliers, how can we demonstrate that we take all aspects of risk and security seriously – not only to our customers, but also to our staff, our suppliers, our stakeholders and the wider community in which we operate?

In a world of instant news where stories of terrorism attacks, drive-by shootings, health scares and natural disasters are constantly competing for our attention, the natural human reaction is one of heightened uncertainty and seeking security to prevent or minimise the impact. We live in a world that increasingly seems to be dominated by organisations or agencies that create fear and feed on our uncertainties.  The use of phrases such as ‘cyber attacks’, “war on terror” have connotations that suggest in some way our personal security is threatened.

This is particularly relevant to hoteliers. Stories abound of the loss of bookings because certain travellers have rather limited knowledge of geography and are concerned that their personal safety will be at risk if they travel to a particular destination. Hoteliers cannot guarantee safety and security, particularly against such events as natural disasters or random acts of violence, but what they can do is to work on minimising risk through ensuring that their hotel’s safety and security procedures are as robust as possible.

Guests need reassurance that they are going to be safe and secure – safe from theft, not just of their belongings but also potentially their identity and safe from intrusion. They need security in knowing that the hotel is fully compliant with all existing safety regulations and confidence in the staff’s ability to be able to respond to safety and security issues.

By the same token, hotel staff need reassurance that, as an employer, all of the areas of duty of care for providing safe and secure workplaces will be met and that their own personal safety will not be at risk. At a more strategic level, the investors in the hotel must have the expectation that the hotel and the management of the hotel have assessed all aspects of risk and security and have taken all the necessary action to protect the guest, the property and all of its assets.

While some aspects of safety and security are covered by the very specific legislative requirements, as with fire health and safety and food related legislation, other areas such as identity protection, incident management, emergency response and internal and external security are not. Hotelier’s need to be able to provide reassurance to all of their stakeholders and to minimise all aspects of risk. Some categories of guests are increasingly not just seeking the basic reassurances, but require from hoteliers’ significantly more in the way of safety and security standards. Airline crews, diplomats and VIPs are some of the more obvious categories of guests where such reassurance is essential.

In this increasingly complex and demanding area, a number of companies are now developing audit and certification processes to assist hoteliers in minimising safety and security risks. I believe audits that raise awareness of potential vulnerabilities and a subsequent certification process is an option all hoteliers will increasingly consider.

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How to develop an employee benefits program your staff will love

While your hotel needs to get more from your employees, remember that your employees are also looking for more out of you and your business. Having an employee benefits program is one way of motivating your staff to use their work habits and behaviours to benefit your business. A benefits program could improve work ethic, attitude, and general motivation. But the main point is that your employees must feel that you’re rewarding them, both for their hard work and the results of their efforts. And reward them you should – hotel staff are some of the hardest worked employees and that deserves to be acknowledged.

 Setting up an employee benefits program

When creating an employee benefits program, here are some things you need to keep in mind:

1. You should involve your employees with the development, implementation, and revision of the program
2. It is important that your employees see the rewards as being worth the effort and the reward system as fair
3. You should have clear program goals so that your employees understand how they can earn the rewards
4. Performance standards and targets for rewards must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely
5. The program should focus on tangible accomplishments, e.g. rewards must be tied to achievements that are aligned with your business values
6. Rewards should always be linked to performance and given based on objective performance data
7. Offer rewards and benefits to all your employees and not just those in certain positions
8. The rewards must be something your employees want. There’s no point in having a reward nobody really desires or cares about, as they won’t work towards it
9. A reward should suit the employee. For example, don’t offer bottles of wine to employees who don’t drink
10. Acknowledge both small and big achievements, e.g. reaching sales targets, cost savings, great customer service, teamwork, etc.
11. Make the program an integral part of your business strategy, and execute it regularly.

 The benefits of having an employee benefits program

There are countless benefits for employers who have a good employee benefits program. These include:

• Building employee loyalty and engagement
• Increasing employee motivation, morale, and productivity
• Enhancing your Employment Value Proposition (EVP)
• Cementing or building your status as a ‘Preferred Employer’
• Reinforcing your employer or employment brand
• Differentiating your business or employment offering
• Increasing the disposable income of your employees
• Attracting and retaining excellent employees
• Reducing employee turnover.

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The BeyondTV wireless streaming player for hotels

Hotel Internet Services (HIS) introduces BeyondTV, the first fully integrated hospitality streaming product in the market. BeyondTV enables the guest to have a complete in-home entertainment solution in their hotel room. What Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV bring to the home, guests can now recreate in their hotel room with the added benefit of being able to avail themselves to hotel amenities and services.

Today’s travelers carry their own content whether it be Netflix, Pandora, YouTube or Hulu, etc. They chat with friends on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. They consult Yelp, TripAdvisor, and others. BeyondTV provides the ability to:

• Access & select channels from the electronic programming guide
• Wireless streaming from personal device to the room’s television to view your own content
• Listen to your own music
• Access Hotel Amenities including housekeeping, in-room dining, spa, valet, transportation, express check-out and other concierge services
• Access apps like Netflix, Pandora, TuneIn, Hulu Plus, Facebook, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.
• Full Internet browser for web surfing

HIS President Gary Patrick helped put the new product into perspective: “The BeyondTV Wireless Streaming Player is a revolutionary product that enables hotel guests to have the same entertainment experience that they can have at home. This is the first fully interactive system of its kind, which is designed to be integrated into the hospitality industry. It answers the overwhelming guest request to be able to view and listen to their own and subscribed content from Netflix to Pandora to personal photos and videos. For hoteliers, this system is very cost effective as it can run on their existing Wi-Fi infrastructure.”

The BeyondTV Wireless Streaming Player creates a home network environment inside any public venue, such as a hotel, timeshare, resort or MDU. BeyondTV requires no configuration on guest mobile devices. It provides each guest with their own secure private room network. This allows guests to take full advantage of all of their subscribed content with total security and peace-of-mind.

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Housekeeping is the core of the hotel

Housekeeping is much more than toilet brushes and bed making – it’s the heart of any hotel, undergraduates at the Edge Hotel School at the University of Essex and Wivenhoe House’s housekeeping staff were told by a panel of experts during a day- long

Representatives from Omni Facilities Management Ltd, Brown’s Hotel, London, Coworth Park Ascot, Casna group, as well as Lorraine Dale, Head Housekeeper in the Royal Household and chairperson of UKHA London and the South East, and hotel consultant Liana Sparks explained to the audience how important housekeeping is to the success of any business.

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University of Derby Online Learning offers flexible study options

If you are considering developing your skills and knowledge whilst working in the hospitality industry, the University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL) could be the right route for you.

What is University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL)?

As the thriving online learning division of the university, UDOL is dedicated to providing part-time online degree programmes, professional courses and CPD opportunities to people around the world who require more flexible study options.

Online learning has seen a prolific growth in recent years, therefore the University has invested heavily in setting up a separate arm – UDOL. As a department it is growing from strength to strength because the interest in this mode is increasing rapidly, and they have already a made positive impact on the lives of learners globally.

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Largest Hampton by Hilton planned for Berlin

Hilton Worldwide has announced that it has signed an agreement to open its largest Hampton by Hilton hotel to date, in central Berlin. With 344 guest rooms and a prime city centre location, Hampton by Hilton Berlin Alexanderplatz is slated to open in early 2018. 

The hotel is being developed under a franchise agreement with Interstar Hotel GmbH, which owns and operates a number of hotels across Germany.

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New wave of Asian capital checks in to Australian hotel market - See more at: http://ehotelier.com/2015/03/04/new-wave-of-asian-capital-checks-in-to-australian-hotel-market/#sthash.y6SIlxol.dpuf

A new wave of capital from Asia is making a beeline for Australia’s trophy hotel assets, driving domestic buyers out of the high-end market as competition strengthens.

CBRE’s 2015 Australian Hotel Market Update shows robust appetite for hotel property across the country is underpinning strong transaction activity, with a flurry of recent sales setting record yields and price points.

CBRE Hotels Senior Director Wayne Bunz said an injection of southbound capital into the market in 2014 was responsible for the sale of several renowned hotel assets including the Park Hyatt Melbourne to Fu Wah International, Lonsdale Melbourne and Hotel 1888 Sydney to the Hong Kong-based Ovolo Group.

This month, Rydges Darwin Airport Resort & Hotel was purchased by a Singaporean-based private equity group after an extensive six-week international marketing campaign, led by the CBRE Hotels’ Australian and Singapore teams. The asset sold for $84 million.

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Manathai Hotel & Resorts unveils Koh Samui property

Independent Thai hospitality group Manathai Hotels & Resorts has launched the latest in its collection of boutique properties, Manathai Koh Samui, courting travellers seeking deeper connections to some of Thailand’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations. - 

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Rex Loh appointed Area Director of Sales & Marketing of IHG Singapore

InterContinental Singapore has announced the promotion of Rex Loh to Area Director of Sales & Marketing for IHG Singapore, effective 1 March 2015.

In this new role, Rex will be responsible for leading the Sales and Marketing teams to drive performance and deliver exceptional results for the 6 hotels across four brands in Singapore, including InterContinental Singapore, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay and Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road.
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Casa de Campo appoints Leandro Cruz as VP of Sales

The management of Casa de Campo – the 7,000-acre luxury resort and golf destination in La Romana, Dominican Republic – announces the appointment of Leandro Cruz to Vice President of Sales. 


Cruz will be responsible for overseeing local and international sales at Casa de Campo – most famous for its stellar Pete Dye-designed golf courses, including the #1 golf course in Latin America, Teeth of the Dog – in addition to its world class polo and tennis facilities, ki-ra spa, spacious villas and private beaches.

“We are pleased to have an executive, like Leandro Cruz, with such an acclaimed professional portfolio and sales expertise,” said Rafael Torres, President of Casa de Campo.

A hotel management graduate, Cruz has more than 25 years experience in the hospitality industry throughout the United States, Europe and Latin America.

Casa de Campo is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Leading Hotels of the World provides a choice accommodations in hotel rooms, suites or villa homes. “The Sporting Life” beckons with classic sports rooted in tradition, including five Pete Dye-designed golf courses (including famed Teeth of the Dog), 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, Polo & Equestrian Club, La Terrazza Tennis Center and skeet/trap shooting at the 245-acre Shooting Club. Additional amenities range from The Casa de Campo Spa, Minitas Beach and Catalina Island, to The Beach Club by Le Cirque dining, six other cuisine collections, and cultural immersion at Altos de Chavon – an artisan’s village modeled after a 16th-century Mediterranean city with boutique shops, museums, and a 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater that hosts international touring concerts.

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The Sebel set to expand with two new hotels announced

The Sebel network in Australia will grow its network of hotel and apartment properties in Australia with the Accor group announcing two new addresses for the brand in Victoria and Queensland – The Sebel South Brisbane and upcoming $35 million waterfront project, The Sebel Yarrawonga.

Accor officially welcomed its first property on the Southside of the Brisbane River this week with addition of The Sebel South Brisbane at 50 Water Street (pictured right).

In close proximity to the commercial and entertainment hub of South Bank and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 63 room hotel offers apartment style accommodation for guests plus a selection of intimate conference and meeting solutions including a boardroom with seating for up to 14 guests.

Leisure facilities include a pool, fitness centre, and sky-deck facility with Brisbane’s best 360 degree views stretching from Mt Warning to Mt Coo-tha and across the CBD to the Gateway Bridge, Gabba and iconic Story Bridge.

The Sebel South Brisbane Premier one bedroom apartment

In regional Victoria, a new $35 million resort style development is set to be built on The Point overlooking Lake Mulwala, and will be operated under The Sebel banner by Accor.

Set for construction from early 2016, with an opening date in early 2018, The Sebel Yarrawonga will be a completely new 120-room hotel-serviced apartment facility.

The waterfront hotel will form the centrepiece of a broader resort and marina complex planned by development company, Lotus Living, The Sebel’s guests will have access to an impressive complex expected to include a bar and bistro, restaurant, 300-seat conference facility, pool, gymnasium and other health club amenities.

Lotus Living Project Director, Daniel Smith said The Sebel and the greater resort would deliver significant benefits to the township and support Yarrawonga as it continues to flourish as a premier holiday, conference and mini-getaway destination in Northern Victoria.

The Sebel Yarrawonga

“As the jewel in the crown of the Silverwoods Golf and Lifestyle Resort this hotel and resort will be able to accommodate up to 120 rooms and 300 guests for conferences and events,” Mr Smith said.

Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said, “For more than 50 years The Sebel name has been renowned for its historical legacy, style and exceptional hotel destinations. We are excited by our latest partnerships with The Sebel which represent an opportunity for Accor to further capitalise on the growth in the serviced apartments sector and diversify from hotel and resort-style accommodation which has been our core product for over 20 years.”

With the recent addition of The Sebel South Brisbane, The Sebel network currently offers 23 properties across Australia and New Zealand, accommodating the Accor group’s apartment portfolio whilst also maintaining a traditional hotel offering to meet current consumer demands.

 
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Hyatt Place Tijuana opens in Mexico

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has opened Hyatt Place Tijuana in Baja California, Mexico. Hyatt Place Tijuana is the fourth Hyatt Place hotel to open in Mexico, and continues Hyatt’s growth strategy in the country.  

“We are delighted to see that the Hyatt Place brand’s guest appeal is growing and leveraging travelers from Mexico and around the world,” said Myles McGourty, senior vice president, Latin America & Caribbean for Hyatt. “Tijuana is a vibrant border city, drawing business and leisure travelers to the area from Mexico and the United States. We believe Hyatt Place Tijuana will bring a new standard to the area and will provide a perfect mix of modern style, seamless service and amenities that will exceed guest expectations.”

Hyatt Place Tijuana joins Hyatt Place Cuidad del Carmen, Hyatt Place La Paz and Hyatt Place Los Cabos, which is scheduled to reopen this year, post-Hurricane Odile.   

The growing appeal of the Hyatt Place brand among business and leisure travelers visiting Latin America and the Caribbean is fueling this growth in the region. Hyatt Place is currently represented in Costa Rica, Chile, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Previously announced Hyatt Place hotels are under development in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Brazil. 

About Hyatt Place Tijuana  

Hyatt Place Tijuana is an upscale, select service hotel designed for the multi-tasking traveler. The hotel is situated on Agua Caliente Boulevard, in close proximity to the Zona Rio business and financial district. 

Additionally, the hotel is 15 minutes from Tijuana International Airport and 10 minutes from the United States Port of Entry. 

Guests will also be within easy access to the Agua Caliente Race Track and Casino, the soccer stadium Estadio Caliente, and the Club Campestre Tijuana country club. Guests may enjoy a wide variety of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel, and shopping at Plaza Rio shopping mall or Las Americas Premium Outlets in San Ysidro, California is only minutes away.

Hyatt Place Tijuana offers guests:

• 145 roomy rooms, all of which feature a swiveling 42-inch TV, the plush Hyatt Grand Bed and a Cozy Corner sectional sofa with sectional sofa-sleeper
• Free Wi-Fi everywhere
• Free hot buffet breakfast for guests
• 24/7 Gallery Menu & Market, which includes an all-day-dining restaurant, freshly prepared entrees and appetizers available around-the-clock, plus on-the-go salads, sandwiches, sweets and bottled beverages
• A Coffee to Cocktails Bar, offering a wide range of specialty coffees, espresso, premium beer and wines
• More than 1,776 square feet of flexible, meeting and function space 
• A 24-hour business center fully equipped with free wireless printers that can be used from anywhere in the hotel
• 24-hour Gym  
• Free guest parking

“We are very excited to bring Hyatt Place to the northern Mexico and Southern California communities with the opening of Hyatt Place Tijuana,” said General Manager Baltazar Pille. “Whether we are catering to business or leisure travelers, we know that our guests will appreciate the comfortable and functional amenities offered at Hyatt Place, such as free Wi-Fi, made-to-order fresh food around the clock and a 24-hour fitness center.”

Hyatt Place Tijuana is part of Hyatt’s loyalty program, Hyatt Gold Passport. Guests can earn Hyatt Gold Passport points and redeem for free night awards at more than 570 Hyatt hotels worldwide.

Hyatt Place Tijuana leadership

Hyatt Place La Tijuana is under the leadership of General Manager Baltazar Pille and Sales Manager Fernanda Beltran. In his role, Pille is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including overseeing the hotel’s associates and ensuring guests encounter the purposeful service for which Hyatt Place is known. Beltran is responsible for providing sales service and support to travelers and meeting planners frequenting the Tijuana area.

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Change at the top: Starwood CEO leaves, Director steps in role for interim

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that Frits van Paasschen  (pictured right) has resigned by mutual agreement with the Board of Directors as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director. Adam Aron, a Starwood Director since 2006, has been named Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis while the Board conducts a search for a permanent CEO that will include both internal and external candidates. van Paasschen will continue with Starwood as a consultant to assist in the transition. 

Bruce W. Duncan, Chairman of the Board, said, “Frits has made many important contributions over the past seven years to Starwood’s successful evolution into a global company with leading lifestyle brands that possess distinct competitive advantages. He’s put innovation and technology leadership at the forefront, while building a culture of collaboration across a dynamic organization. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Frits for his outstanding service and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

van Paasschen said, “I’m proud of Starwood’s accomplishments and the growth we’ve seen around the world and across all nine of our brands. We have challenged ourselves to deliver on bold plans while continuously finding new ways to provide better experiences for our guests, and it’s clear from our progress that Starwood is now in a strong position for the future. Creating this powerful global platform would not have been possible without the talented team of associates I have been honored to work with, and I am confident that Starwood will enjoy continued success for many years to come.”

Duncan continued, “The Board believes now is the right time to take steps to accelerate Starwood’s growth, improve performance, and sharpen our focus on operational excellence. We are fortunate to have on our Board a talented and experienced business builder in Adam Aron who is prepared to step into the CEO position on an interim basis. Adam has been a Starwood director for nearly a decade and has deep hospitality industry experience as former CEO of both Vail Resorts and Norwegian Cruise Line. He is very familiar with our strategy, brands and leaders around the globe, and we are confident Starwood won’t miss a beat as he steps in to lead the Company during this transitional period.”

Aron said, “Having served on the Board for almost a decade, I know where Starwood has been and where it’s headed, and am excited to lead the Company as we continue to work to increase value for shareholders and customers. I look forward to working with our talented management team and dedicated associates across the globe as we strive to accelerate our growth strategy and further enhance our world-class hotel brands.”

Aron has been a director of Starwood since 2006, serving at various times on the Audit Committee, Capital Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and Compensation and Option Committee which he chaired. Since 2006, he has been a Senior Operating Partner at Apollo Management L.P. and Chief Executive Officer of World Leisure Partners, Inc., a leisure-related consultancy. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia 76ers from 2011 through 2013. From 1996 through 2006, Aron was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts, Inc., an owner and operator of ski resorts and hotels. From 1993 through 1996, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. Earlier in his career, Aron was Senior Vice President of Marketing for United Airlines and for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Aron is a director of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

  http://ehotelier.com/news/2015/02/17/change-at-the-top-starwood-ceo-leaves-intermin-ceo-named#sthash.kRO8XVPZ.dpuf

Huddle House Serves Up Strong Growth In 2014

 February 16, 2015

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga., Feb. 16, 2015 (hospitalitybusinessnews.com) — With franchise and development agreements representing 34 new restaurants as well as 10 new construction starts, 2014 was the most successful period of growth in recent years for Huddle House.

In addition, Huddle House recorded its 13th consecutive month of positive same store sales increases.

“All the credit goes to our dedicated franchisees and corporate support team,” said Jonathan Benjamin, Huddle House Chief Development Officer. “Our focus on customer service and support of our franchise partners is paying off.”

The iconic full-service family restaurant known for serving “Any Meal. Any Time.” finished the year with 378 restaurants in 21 states, primarily in the Southeast, Central, Midwest and Southwest United States.

The new signings include the first Huddle House locations for Nebraska, New Jersey and New York. Overall, new franchise and development agreement signings were up 183 percent over the previous year and new construction starts finished 43 percent ahead of 2013.

Huddle House expects to accelerate its pace of growth over the next three years. The growth will be accomplished primarily through franchising by both single-unit and multi-unit investors in a range of market sizes, including urban areas, small towns, travel centers and convenience sites. In addition, Huddle House is offering incentives to existing franchisees for adding more units and for remodeling existing stores.

“Interest in our franchise opportunities has never been higher,” Benjamin said. “Our low investment compared to industry averages, combined with our average unit sales volume, is driving increased demand and we expect that demand to continue growing throughout 2015.”

Scandic brings theatre back to life as part of Scandic Grand Central -

The curtain will soon go up again at the Vasateatern theatre in Stockholm. After having stood empty since 2009, the classic private theatre will live once more in a new guise. A vibrant cultural scene for theatre and music will become a reality when the splendid building is joined to Scandic Grand Central to create a one-of-a-kind hotel with restaurants and bars. The design of Vasateatern is a cooperation between the leading hotel operator in the Nordic region, Scandic, and the owner of the property, KLP Fastigheter. 

One of Sweden’s oldest theatres dating from the 1890s – and whose foyer is already part of Scandic Grand Central – will finally be in the spotlight again. Visitors will be able to step directly from the hotel’s bistro into the historic and beautifully ornamented auditorium where legendary theatre directors such as Gösta Ekman senior and Karl Gerhard have performed, as well as contemporary actors like Mikael Persbrandt and Suzanne Reuter.

Scandic Grand Central has already distinguished itself as an ambitious venue for concerts and clubbing. With Vasateatern’s spacious and majestic stage, the hotel will be able to accommodate a larger audience. The theatre will be rented to production companies that put on smaller musical, theatrical and dance performances. Scandic Grand Central will also be able to arrange and host conferences for up to 1,000 people.

“Scandic has great plans for Vasateatern. We want to create a new type of meeting place and a cultural and entertainment scene at the same time as we contribute to maintaining and refining a valuable part of Swedish culture”, says Frank Fiskers, President & CEO, Scandic Hotels.

"KLP's intention has been to restore Vasateatern to its original glory so that it will become a vibrant and diverse meeting place with cultural ambitions. We are now very happy to be able to realize this vision together with Scandic", says Anette von Mentzer, who is responsible for KLP's Swedish operations. 

Vasateatern is a designated National Heritage Building and it will undergo a complete antiquarian restoration under the guidance of antique experts. Depending on the length of the renovation, the theatre is expected to reopen spring/summer 2016. 

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Undersea restaurant Ithaa celebrates 10th anniversary at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

One decade ago, Ithaa at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was spectacularly ‘sunk’ five metres into the waters of the Indian ocean and ever since it’s been the mecca for lovers of food, culture and architecture. Sitting like a pearl beneath the waves (Ithaa translates as ‘pearl’ in the Maldivian language of Dhivehi) the curved acrylic walls which give 180-degree panoramic views set the trend for unique dining. - 

It became the world’s first aquarium-style undersea restaurant – indulging diners with stunning views of the surrounding lagoon, reefs and tropical fish. Consistently recognised as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, Ithaa is fast becoming a 21st century travel icon, so it is no surprise that as one of the world’s most expensive and exclusive places to eat, there is no better place to showcase the finest wines.

To coincide with the date the restaurant first opened its doors - April 15 - Ithaa will host a Château Margaux sommelier dinner. The wine estate of Château Margaux dates back to the 17th Century and is renowned for its grapes as its prices. A bottle of 1787 Chateau Margaux was sold for $225,000 making it one of the world’s most expensive wines. This is the first time Château Margaux have been invited to host a at Conrad Maldives.

Kamal Malik, head sommelier says: “Ithaa sets the trend for dining in the Maldives, being the first to understand and truly demonstrate that a remote location needn't prohibit fine dining and good wines. It’s the obligatory choice for the gourmet traveller and has the most passionate, extensive and exclusive wine programme with more than 1,400+ labels and up to 20,000 bottles on the island. The Château Margaux sommelier dinner will add something extra special.” Past wine-pairing dinners have included Château Latour, hosted by Frederic Engerer, a Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Verticals dinner and a never-to-be-forgotten Louis Roederer Cristal Verticals event which marked Ithaa’s 5th anniversary, and most recently a Dom Pérignon verticals dinner hosted to mark the 10th year sinking of Ithaa in November 2014.

Meanwhile, inspirational fine dining is at the heart of the Conrad Maldives experience.  Ithaa diners are offered ‘contemporary Maldivian cuisine’, taking local spices, seasonings and traditional cooking methods, but adding a western twist to create an innovative style of cooking that has not diminished in the past years.

Envisioned by Mr. Ahmed Saleem of Crown Company PVT, owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Mr.Saleem was inspired  whilst travelling in Bali in 2001 and five years later Ithaa was brought to life by Mike Murphy of M J Murphy Limited in New Zealand who specialises in aquarium technology. At a cost of US $5 million, Ithaa took 85 tonnes of sand ballast (in sandbags) to sink into the ocean bed.

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Chris Meredith appointed new Executive Chef at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles -

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Chris Meredith as Executive Chef at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles. Meredith joins Raffles from the iconic Sandy Lane, Barbados where he held the position of Executive Chef.

British born and bred he began his career in 1994 working at Paul Heathcote’s 2 Michelin star restaurant Longridge. His culinary skills have gone from strength to strength as he has taken on significant roles in the kitchen, including working for The Dorchester Collection where he was at the helm of the kitchen at Coworth Park for several years. It is there that he had the honour of cooking for Queen Elizabeth II. Over the years Meredith has honed his cooking style to produce classical, elegant, and innovative dishes with a focus on fresh clean flavours which he will bring to the menu at Raffles Praslin.

Commenting on the appointment, Christoph G. Ganster, General Manager of Raffles Praslin, Seychelles states, “The entire team and myself here at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles are thrilled at the Chef Meredith’s appointment, and given his proven track record and experience at Michelin starred restaurants, he is the perfect match to head up our restaurants. It is clear that he is very passionate about his work in the kitchen and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the magical island of Praslin. Our guests will have the chance to experience the best local products and exquisite recipes created by a Michelin starred Chef, in such a far flung destination in the Indian Ocean.”

Meredith is the perfect candidate to take over the culinary reins at the beautiful all-villa resort of Raffles Praslin, Seychelles which boasts six bars and restaurants. These include Losean restaurant which showcases contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, Curieuse restaurant with specialties from South-East Asia and India and The Pool Restaurant & Bar where authentic Creole food and fresh seafood can be found.

The resort is spread over 30 acres of land on the spectacular island of Praslin and is home to the first award winning Raffles Spa. It is also situated close to natural wonders such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai, where the interestingly-shaped endemic Coco de Mer palms grow, and Anse Lazio, one of the most beautiful beaches around the world.

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Jumeirah Group launches new home-grown restaurant division

Jumeirah Group has launched Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai (JRG Dubai), a global restaurant management company that creates, operates and franchises a portfolio of 60 restaurant brands. 

JRG Dubai operates home-grown high-end, premium casual and casual dining venues and lounges, including Pierchic, Tortuga, Pai Thai, 360° and The Noodle House, which comprises a portfolio of 23 branches worldwide.

The newest addition to the Jumeirah Group stable of brands, which includes luxury hotel brand Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, contemporary lifestyle hotel brand Venu, and wellness brand Talise, JRG Dubai makes its debut at the Global Restaurant Investment Forum in Dubai on February 16-18.

The launch of the division marks a move from Jumeirah Group to dedicate resources to the further development of its restaurant portfolio, as it seeks to compete with the very best in the standalone restaurant market and help establish Dubai as a hub for culinary excellence. Having conducted a thorough business review, JRG Dubai will develop existing restaurants located within the Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts portfolio via a series of refurbishments, menu overhauls, talent acquisition and marketing excellence.

The group will collaborate with international experts, from chefs to consultants, in order to develop new concepts founded in Dubai. JRG Dubai will also engage in joint ventures, franchising and white label operations.

Piers Schreiber, spokesperson for Jumeirah Group, said: “Jumeirah Group is a pioneering Dubai-founded company and our new division, Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai, is committed to building on our heritage, reputation and success to become a world-recognised restaurant management company.”

JRG Dubai is opening two new restaurants in Q1: Beach Lounge at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which has the best views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai; and Naya, a North Indian restaurant at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. 

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