“Choice Hotels to Open 1,000th Domestic Quality Inn Hotel” plus 3 more |
- Choice Hotels to Open 1,000th Domestic Quality Inn Hotel
- First-time Ever Awards Presented To Top-performing Boutique Hotels At The Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition And ...
- Branson’s Virgin Group to Spend $500 Million on High-End Hotels
- Branson's Virgin Group to Expand Into Hotels With $500 Million Investment
| Choice Hotels to Open 1,000th Domestic Quality Inn Hotel Posted: 22 Sep 2010 11:33 AM PDT Press Release Source: Choice Hotels International, Inc. On Wednesday September 22, 2010, 2:33 pm EDT PHOENIX, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From the Lodging Conference 2010, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - News) today announced that it will reach 1,000 domestic units online for its Quality Inn brand with the upcoming opening of the fully renovated 86-room Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center of Mattoon, Illinois. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100922/PH69161 ) (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100922/PH69161 ) The Quality brand, franchised by Choice Hotels International, was the nation's first hotel chain when formally founded as Quality Courts United in 1941. The brand has a rich history of industry firsts, including the first to guarantee reservations and to offer 24-hour desk service, in-room telephones and 24-hour-a-day, toll-free reservations. "We are very proud of the opening of the 1,000th domestic Quality Inn hotel, one of our industry's truly pioneering brands," said Stephen P. Joyce, president and chief executive officer, Choice Hotels International. "We anticipate strong future growth for the Quality Inn brand due to our exceptional services, vast consumer reach, and size, scale and distribution, and a proven ability to deliver reservations to our franchised properties." Quality hotels are known worldwide for superior hospitality, having served travelers for nearly 70 years. Quality is a mid-priced hotel that offers all the accommodations and essentials to make each guest's stay satisfying. "It is a great honor to be recognized as the 1,000th domestic Quality Inn hotel," said Nat Zala, the hotel's owner. "We chose to franchise the Quality brand due to its great reputation with travelers. We couldn't be more pleased with the exceptional support we received from a number of individuals across the Choice organization throughout the extensive renovation process. As we prepare to open this hotel, we are extremely confident we made the right decision with the selection of the Quality brand and Choice as our franchisor." "Hotel owners see tremendous value in converting a property to a Choice brand," said David Pepper, senior vice president, global development, Choice Hotels International. "We support our hotels through exceptional training and support services and an unyielding commitment to helping increase owners' efficiency and potential return on investment." In the face of a continuing challenging economic environment - and with access to credit a significant barrier to hotel ownership - Choice has launched a limited-time offer for hotel developers interested in converting an existing hotel to the company's Quality, Clarion or Econo Lodge brand. These brands represent strong conversion opportunities in the mid-scale and economy segments — with one of the world's largest, most well-respected lodging franchisors. The incentive is valid for qualified domestic franchise agreements executed through December 31, 2010.* For more information on this unique, limited-time offer, call 1.866.844.2293. About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2010, more than 580 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 47,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 20 other countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels. Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com. *Qualified franchisees that convert a non-Choice brand U.S. hotel to Quality, Clarion, or Econo Lodge by signing a franchise agreement and incentive addendum between 7/31 and 12/31/10 receive $10,000 off the application fee. Cash back varies from $0-35,000 based on hotel brand and opening date, and is subject to a 3-year forgivable promissory note at an annual interest rate of prime plus 2%. No royalty fees varies from 0-18 months based on opening date and subject to franchise compliance. This is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the applicable authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document may be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901, or by calling 1.800.547.0007 Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International. © 2010 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php | |||
| Posted: 22 Sep 2010 02:49 AM PDT |  22 September 2010 Produced By The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association, In Partnership With Hospitality Design Magazine, The Awards Are Set To Become The Universal Benchmark For Recognition Of Quality In The Boutique Hospitality Sector LOS ANGELES -- The Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA), in partnership with Hospitality Design Magazine announced the first-ever winners of the Boutique & Lifestyle Hospitality Awards. Top-performing boutique hotels were recognized for overall excellence in six distinct categories: Design & Architecture, Sustainability, Food & Beverage, Customer Service, Marketing & Sales and Operational Performance. Awardees were celebrated at a luncheon during the hospitality design boutique exposition and conference for their achievements as the 2010 Boutique Hotel of the Year, 2010 Lifestyle Hotel of the Year, and 2010 Boutique & Lifestyle Hotelier of the Year. Winners of the prestigious awards were named as follows: Boutique Hotel of the Year- The Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee, Wis., Lifestyle Hotel of the Year- The Hotel Andaluz, Albuquerque, N.M, and Boutique & Lifestyle Hotelier of the Year- Morgans Hotel Group, New York. BLLA Founder, Frances Kiradjian said, "The awards should be treated as a gift for the collaborative effort of the hotel staff, owners, managers, advisors and designers who have greatly contributed to the overall quality of the winning properties and are, therefore, most deserving of these awards. Winners have now reset the bar for quality and serve as examples for others in this hospitality sector. Their prestigious awards attest to that." Michelle Finn, vice president of Hospitality Design Group, The Nielsen Company, together with Frances Kiradjian, jointly hosted the luncheon event and presented the pewter bell-shaped awards designed by Rocky Mountain Hardware, which were developed in support of the theme for this year's awards, "For Whom the Bell Tolls," so named by Kiradjian after Ernest Hemingway's famous novel. Attendees included representatives of international properties from as far away as London, Beijing and Bangkok. The Luncheon Awards event also included a panel, comprised of industry leaders, who led a discussion of the trends and forecasts within the industry titled, 'State of the Industry for Boutique & Lifestyle Properties'. Moderated by John Russell, CEO, NYLO Hotels, the distinguished panelists included: Janis Cannon, Vice President, IHG Global Brand Management, Hotel Indigo; Jim Chu, Sr. Vice President, Hyatt (Hyatt Place); Michael Depatie, CEO, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; and Raul Leal, President of Tecton Hospitality and Desires Hotels. Commented panelist, Cannon, "The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association has done a fantastic job in establishing themselves and the creation of these awards and panel." Adds Kiradjian, "The Boutique & Lifestyle Hospitality Awards are now a benchmark for the boutique & lifestyle hospitality industry and present an overwhelming opportunity for properties to market their successes. We look forward to making these awards possible annually and again, look forward to having a large group of national and international participants." About The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) is the first and only hotel association dedicated to uniting the world's boutique and lifestyle hotels for the benefit of properties and suppliers as well as travelers. Created to be the unifying voice of this distinctive subset within the hospitality industry. BLLA's goal is to unite the world's collection of boutique & lifestyle properties and the suppliers that sustain them, offering them the opportunity to successfully compete on a level playing field with major hotel companies, as well as market themselves to meet the ever-increasing demand from discerning boutique-seeking clients. From independent hotels to boutique & lifestyle brands, all are welcome. For more information or to become a member visit www.blla.org. About Hospitality Design Magazine Founder, Chair Phone: +1 818-883-4363 Mobile: +1 818-974-4363 Fax: +1 818-716-1522 Email: frances@blla.org  Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA)www.blla.org 6520 Platt Ave., Suite 842 USA - West Hills, CA 91307 Phone: +1 818-883-4363 Fax: +1 818-716-1522 Email: frances@boutiquelodgingassociation.org Follow us on:    All Articles from Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php | |
| Branson’s Virgin Group to Spend $500 Million on High-End Hotels Posted: 22 Sep 2010 04:53 PM PDT September 22, 2010, 8:31 PM EDT By Nadja Brandt (Updates with executive's comments in fourth paragraph.) Sept. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Virgin Group Ltd., founded by U.K. billionaire Richard Branson, formed a partnership to spend as much as $500 million on high-end hotels over the next three years, banking on brand recognition to lure affluent clients. Virgin Hotels, intended as a four-star chain, will cater to "high income, well-educated, metropolitan 'creative class'" customers, according to a brochure on its website detailing plans for the venture. The company said it's seeking hotel sites in such North American cities as New York, San Francisco, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles, and plans to expand globally later. The plans come as business and leisure travel rebound, helping the U.S. lodging industry recover after the recession sent occupancies to a 30-year low in 2009. Revenue per available room, or revpar, in the top 25 U.S. markets rose to $73.87 during the first half from $71.08 a year earlier, according to Smith Travel Research Inc. of Hendersonville, Tennessee. "We're very encouraged by the number of hotel transactions we've seen this year," Anthony Marino, an executive director of the new venture, said in a telephone interview. "Compared to last year, it's like night and day. There are a lot of properties out there that were developed in 2007 that are now opportunities for us." High-End Competitors Virgin, which plans to have as many as 25 hotels within a decade, will have to compete with such established hotel chains as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., owner of the high- end W and St. Regis names, and Marriott International Inc., which has the JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance brands. Hyatt Hotels Corp., operator of its namesake properties, entered the upscale boutique segment in 2007 with the Andaz brand. "There are a lot of brands out there," said David Loeb, an analyst at Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. "It's tough to get a share in this market. It helps to have a globally recognized name like Virgin does, but it's not a cakewalk and not an obvious transition." Virgin Hotels will be overseen by Marino, with Virgin Group since 2006; President and Chief Operating Officer Raul Leal, previously president of Desires Hotels; and Paul Whetsell, an executive director who founded CapStar Hotel Co. Virgin Group, based in London, said it formed a partnership for the acquisitions with Alberto Beeck, a Key Biscayne, Florida-based entrepreneur and silver-mine investor, and Diego Lowenstein, chief executive officer of Miami Beach, Florida- based Lionstone Development. Virgin Hotels, whose properties will range from 150 to 400 rooms, will operate as a third-party manager, team with owners or acquire properties directly, according to the brochure. 'Get Things Going' "The fact that they have already raised $500 million is a huge start in today's world to get things going," said Patrick Scholes, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets in New York. Virgin Group, with companies including Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. and the Virgin America Inc. airline, said its sales and distribution network will help attract customers. "It is a competitive market with very savvy competitors," said Marino. "But if you look at Virgin's history, we have come into markets with big powerful players, where customers are generally satisfied but not in love, and we have been able to cut through that." --Editors: Daniel Taub, Josh Friedman To contact the reporter on this story: Nadja Brandt in Los Angeles at nbrandt@bloomberg.net. To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kara Wetzel at kwetzel@bloomberg.net. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php | |||
| Branson's Virgin Group to Expand Into Hotels With $500 Million Investment Posted: 22 Sep 2010 02:44 PM PDT Virgin Group Ltd., founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, formed a partnership to buy as much as $500 million of properties over the next three years for a new high-end hotel venture. Virgin Hotels, intended as a four-star chain, will cater to "high income, well-educated, metropolitan 'creative class'" customers, according to a brochure on its website detailing plans for the venture. The company said it's seeking hotel sites in such North American cities as New York, San Francisco, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles, and plans to later expand globally. The plans come as business and leisure travel rebound, helping the U.S. lodging industry recover after the recession sent occupancies to a 30-year low in 2009. Revenue per available room, or revpar, in the top 25 U.S. markets rose to $73.87 during the first half from $71.08 a year earlier, according to Smith Travel Research Inc. of Hendersonville, Tennessee. "With over 25 years in the travel sector and a reputation for delivering unforgettable experiences to millions of Virgin fans, Virgin is a perfect fit for the hotel business," the company said on its website. Virgin Group, based in London, said it formed a partnership with investors Alberto Beeck and Diego Lowenstein to acquire hotel properties. Virgin Hotels will operate as a third-party manager, team with owners or acquire properties directly, according to the brochure. Virgin Group, with companies including Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. and the Virgin America Inc. airline, said its sales and distribution network will help attract customers. To contact the reporter on this story: Nadja Brandt in Los Angeles at nbrandt@bloomberg.net. To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kara Wetzel at kwetzel@bloomberg.net. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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