Tuesday, March 16, 2010

“2 Downtown Hotels Earn Green Lodging Certification (The Chattanoogan)” plus 3 more

“2 Downtown Hotels Earn Green Lodging Certification (The Chattanoogan)” plus 3 more

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

2 Downtown Hotels Earn Green Lodging Certification (The Chattanoogan)

Posted: 16 Mar 2010 11:34 AM PDT

 2 Downtown Hotels Earn Green Lodging Certification
posted March 16, 2010

McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc. of Tampa, Fl. has announced that two of its managed properties, the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Chattanooga and the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Chattanooga, have been certified as Green Lodges by the Chattanooga Green Lodging Program. Presently, there are only 12 hotels in the state that have earned this designation.

Hotel General Manager Andrea Anderson, who also serves as the president of the Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association, is one of the industry professionals instrumental in the implementation of the Green Lodging Program, along with GCHA member Tom Cupo. Our goal was to provide a program to enable participants to conserve and protect our natural resources for our visitors and our residents, said Ms. Anderson. In addition, this program will contribute to operating our hotels more efficiently and cost effectively.


Ms. Andersons properties have incorporated several conservation practices, including offering Green Events meeting packages, the use of recyclable bags for groceries, and partnering with the non-profit Orange Grove Center to recycle aluminum, glass and paper products.

The Chattanooga Green Lodging Program is an initiative to promote and support Chattanoogas vision for a sustainable city. The program encourages hotels and restaurants to be aware of their impact on the environment and to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, while enhancing the overall sustainability of their operations. The program provides guidance and resources that will greatly reduce participants impact by using techniques that have been proven to reduce waste and, in many circumstances, save money.

To become certified, properties must undergo an on-site inspection by Skye Con, an environmental consulting firm specializing in hospitality and tourism, led by President Dobbin Callahan. The hotel must meet minimum standards for performance in five core areas of energy, water and resource conservation, as well as developing a written plan for further improvement efforts. Properties certified by the Chattanooga Green Lodging Program are also certified internationally by Green Globe, the leading certification organization for hotels and tourism worldwide.

The Chattanooga program is the first program in the United States to be fully recognized by this prestigious organization.

For more information on these hotel properties involvement in the Chattanooga Green Lodging Program, or to make reservations, contact General Manager Andrea Anderson at 755-0871. For more information on Chattanooga Green Lodging, visit www.chattanoogagreenlodging.com.

More hotels offer 'pay before you stay' discounts (USA Today)

Posted: 16 Mar 2010 10:33 AM PDT

That has been the deal with online travel sites and discount tour operators. Now, an increasing number of hotels are slashing room rates if you ante up in full in advance and forego a refund if you don't show up.

Last year, Fairmont hotels began offering savings up up to 30% to those who book ahead and pay in full.

Now, "I would say the majority of our hotels offer 'Savers' rates. It's one way we can offer a discount" without cheapening the upscale brand, Fairmont spokeswoman Lori Holland says. Prepaying also guarantees revenue ahead of time: "We know people are coming," she says.

Las Vegas hotels often charge a credit card when a stay is booked. But Station Casinos, with 10 properties in the area including the upscale Red Rock Resort, just announced a tiered, online pre-pay program that offers deep discounts.

The farther out you reserve, the more you save. Reserving more than two months in advance can result in savings of 40%; a month to two months beforehand, 30%; a week before, up to 5%.

"No refunds on cancellations, so this is truly a promo for the Vegas guest that knows for sure they are coming to town," Station spokeswoma Lori Nelson says.

Properties run by industry giants such as Choice Hotels, Holiday Inn and Marriott are hopping on the pay-before-you-stay bandwagon to assure bookings in hard times. The Marriott Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront in Mississippi had a $103 prepaid room on a mid-March weekday, vs. $129 for a reservation that could be canceled.

"Each hotel manages their own rates, but more are doing" pre-pay discounts, Marriott spokesman John Wolf says. You're more likely to see advance price cuts at Marriott resorts than at busy properties catering to business travelers, whose booking window often is shorter.

An increasing number of independent lodgings are rewarding advance planning, too. That includes B&Bs.

Beazley House Bed & Breakfast Inn in Napa, Calif., is offering 15% off posted rates for April and beyond, when rooms are available. You pay a $35 fee if you opt out more than 10 days before arrival; a larger amount if cancellation comes later and the room is not booked by anyone else.

Pre-paying appeals "to guests who might have stayed in less expensive hotels" and to travelers "who have limits on what can be spent," says veteran lodging analyst Bjorn Hanson, who now teaches at New York University. "It is emerging as a very successful (marketing) strategy."

AH&LA Honors Bhupen Amin of Lotus Hotels & Investments with State Leadership Award (Hospitality Net)

Posted: 16 Mar 2010 09:05 AM PDT

Bhupen Amin of Lotus Hotels & Investments was honored as the State Leadership Award winner from the state of California. Amin, the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) chairperson in 2009, led CH&LA in a challenging economic environment to a record year, exceeding all membership and financial goals, including the largest reserves in CH&LA's PAC in the history of the association.

Amin was also largely responsible for record attendance at CH&LA's Legislative Summit and at both the Northern and Southern California Hotel & Lodging Conferences. Bhupen, through his efforts, also solidified and expanded important strategic relationships with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and the American Resort Development Association, and was instrumental in CH&LA having the largest representation of any partner state association at AH&LA's Legislative Summit.

"This award was very much earned – Bhupen is a tireless champion not only for CH&LA, but for the entire lodging industry," said Lynn Mohrfeld, CAE, president and CEO of CH&LA. "Bhupen's leadership was instrumental in CH&LA's successes this past year and the lodging industry is so much better off for his participation and involvement."

Launched in 1998, this annual award is presented to one person in each state who has greatly contributed to their hospitality programs and initiatives. Past recipients of the State Leadership Award include Jim Beazley, Pam Richardson, Tim Bridwell, Don Johnson, Sandy Parker, and Carl Winston.

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John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts Sports #1 Embassy Suites Hotel in the World (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:32 AM PDT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts today announced the company continued its track record for having the #1 rated Embassy Suites Hotel in the world. Three hotels owned by living hotel legend Mr. John Q. Hammons and managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts secured "Connie" Awards for being the top performing hotels among the 2009 Embassy Suites Hotelsbrand set. Overall, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' properties were recognized as 11 of the top 20 performers among Embassy Suites worldwide. John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites (www.jqhhotels.com).

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' outstanding performing hotels are among the prestigious top 10 percent of Embassy Suites Hotels' (www.embassysuites.com) brand portfolio of more than 200 upscale, all-suite hotels throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The results are based on quality assurance audits measuring cleanliness, condition and brand standards, as well as customer scores rating staff service and the quality of the hotel's physical accommodations. Each honored hotel will receive a trophy, monetary prize and recognition during an upcoming on-property ceremony.

"Exceptional guest service will never go out of style, and it's a way of life at every John Q. Hammons hotel," said Mr. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. "We regularly gauge guest feedback and try to understand guests' wants and needs down to the smallest detail. But we don't stop with listening. We take action, and guests appear to notice."

Top Three Line-up: Connie Awards

Touting top honors, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' Embassy Suites Omaha – La Vista / Hotel & Conference Center in Nebraska received the #1 rating and the coveted Connie Award, named for Hilton Hotels' founder Conrad Hilton. Tony Moody serves as general manager of the 257-suite property, which opened in July 2008 and is connected to the La Vista Conference Center, representing 100,000 gross square feet of meeting space. Also receiving Connie Awards were John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' Embassy Suites Murfreesboro – Hotel & Conference Center in Tennessee and Embassy Suites Norman – Hotel & Conference Center in Oklahoma, ranked #2 and #3 respectively.

Overall Top Performers

The prestigious Embassy Suites Hotels Awards were presented to 20 properties in the hotel brand's system. In addition to the top three Connie Award winners, eight John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts properties were recognized and ranked among the best of the best. The complete ranking of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' top performers follows:

Embassy Suites properties operated by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts feature a variety of amenities for both business and leisure travelers. Select hotels also feature a full-service spa. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' Embassy Suites properties, please call 1-800-EMBASSY or visit www.jqhhotels.com.

About Embassy Suites Hotels; Hilton Hotels Corporation

Founded in 1984, Embassy Suites Hotels defines the upscale, all-suite segment and today has 205 hotels, with an additional 45 in the pipeline. With spacious two-room suites, engaging team members and an inviting atrium environment, guests are allowed to put their feet up and feel right at home. To learn more, visit www.embassysuites.com.

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For more than 90 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,500 hotels in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors. For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts

Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands. With approximately 80 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' properties are dominant in their markets. Over the course of his impressive 52-year career in the hotel business, Mr. John Q. Hammons has developed 210 hotels. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, please visit the company's Web site at www.jqhhotels.com.

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