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Weekly UpdatesJun 28, 2009
Baymont Inn & Suites
The Baymont brand has opened its first hotel outside of the U.S. -- the 59-room Baymont Inn & Suites by the Falls hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Owned and operated by PHI Properties Inc., the recently renovated hotel marks a significant achievement in the growth of the Baymont brand, which, since joining the Wyndham Hotel Group family in 2006, has almost doubled the size of its portfolio to more than 225 hotels. The hotel features a host of complimentary amenities including high-speed wireless Internet access and daily breakfast at the brandOs signature Baymont Breakfast Corner, offering Minute Maid juices, hot coffee and tea, bagels, muffins, hot and cold cereal, waffles and French toast. Other features include a business center, fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and meeting facilities. www.baymontinns.com. Jun 23, 2009
Choice Hotels International
Choice Hotels International, Inc., today announced that it has appointed Kevin Lewis as president, upscale and extended stay brands. In this position, Lewis will lead the operational strategies for Choice's Cambria Suites brand (the upscale, select-service brand launched in 2005); Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand (the economy extended stay brand Choice acquired in September 2005); and MainStay Suites brand (the midscale extended stay brand Choice launched in 1996). In his new position, Lewis will continue to report to David A. Pepper, senior vice president, franchise development and emerging markets. Jun 26, 2009
Fairmont Hotels
Now Fairmont guests can watch the F1 races while seated in the comfortable pedicure chairs that overlook the famous hairpin turn of the Grand Prix. The newest Willow Stream Spa has made its debut at the Fairmont Monaco. With specialized treatments like the Monaco Power of the Sea and Reflections of Cyan, this spa is a part of the 45 million euro refurbishment of the hotel and offers authentic, personalized experiences with a fitness center and roof deck all located on the sixth and seventh floors of The Fairmont Monte Carlo. www.fairmont.com. Jun 23, 2009
Fairmont Hotels
Fairmont Hotels is to open two major new build five-star properties in the next six months in Abu Dhabi and Vancouver. But the re-opening of its flagship Savoy Hotel in London has been out back to the first quarter of next year. The 369-room Bab Al Bahr Hotel is due to open in the Arab state in the next eight weeks, its general manager Michael Kaile said today (June 23) while the Fairmont Pacific Rim is due to start up in January. The Abu Dhabi property, in a newly developed district of the state, is expecting that about 65 percent of its guests will be on business, either at conferences or as transient travellers. Mr Kaile said the hotel will have a Club room and business centre as well as WiFi throughout the property for business travellers. Jun 23, 2009
Guest Services
Guest Services, Inc., a private hospitality company, announced the start of the first phase of a USD 3 million renovation project planned for the Bear Mountain Inn Complex in Bear Mountain, N.Y. In coordination with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, guest services will begin renovations in early July on the Overlook Lodge where guests will be greeted with redesigned bathrooms, enhanced decor including beds, linens, drapes, carpet, light fixtures and an in-room hospitality center featuring a microwave, refrigerator and coffee program. The four Stone Cottages will receive similar renovations in addition to a hospitality center in the cottagesO common area. www.visitbearmountain.com. Jun 26, 2009
Hilton
Hilton HHonors is providing members with access to complimentary concert tickets at select amphitheaters and clubs throughout the United States. HHonors members simply need to register at www.HiltonHHonors.com/RockNRollsummer, then book online and stay at a Hilton Family hotel between June 24 and Sept. 30, 2009, to earn a complimentary general admission or lawn ticket to a select concert. Following registration, HHonors members who book and stay at any of the more than 3,300 Hilton Family hotels between June 24 and Sept. 30 will automatically receive an e-mail with a redemption code good for a complimentary general admission or lawn ticket to any concert at a participating Live Nation amphitheatre or club. Jun 26, 2009
Holiday Inn
The Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza has completed more than USD 20 million in renovations. Despite the current economic climate, the Chicago Mart Plaza has made a substantial investment in their infrastructure to present a fresh design concept and modernized services. Each guest room is now equipped with a 32-inch LCD flat-screen television, energy efficient shower heads, full bath amenities, complimentary high-speed wireless Internet, and new Holiday Inn 200 thread bedding linens. Along with all of the amenities of a guest room, the parlor suite includes an oversized living and dining room, sofa bed, and 42-inch LCD flat-screen television. www.martplaza.com. Jun 23, 2009
Marina Bay Sands
Construction of the Marina Bay Sands high-rise hotel towers has reached the top floors ahead of a ceremony on July 8, when Las Vegas Sands Corp. will formally celebrate the completion of the three 55-story hotel towers. When fully completed, the three hotel towers will feature more than 2,500 luxury hotel rooms and suites. Sheldon Adelson, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, will be in Singapore for the ceremonial event next week. He said that after the topping off is completed the next step in the construction process will be placing the one hectare SkyPark on top of the three hotel towers. www.lasvegassands.com. Jun 25, 2009
Marriott Hotels
Meeting planners now have a million reasons to book their next event at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, with an incentive program that can earn the planner up to 1 million Marriott Rewards Points. In lieu of the Marriott Rewards Points, the program allows meeting planners to opt for a direct discount from the master account or reward miles from any airline. From now through Dec. 31, 2010, all actualized room or catering bookings valued at USD 7,500 to USD 100,000 are eligible for a variety of incentives ranging from a master account discount of 2.5 percent to 25 percent, 25,000 to 300,000 airline reward miles or 75,000 to 1 million Marriott Rewards Points. In addition, meeting planners may also choose to share any Marriott Rewards Points earned with up to 10 other individuals. www.renaissancelasvegas.com. Jun 25, 2009
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. said its newly added Hotel Excellence! training program modules are now offered in eight languages other than English, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and Turkish. MarriottOs Hotel Excellence! Program is MarriottOs training program for travel agent professionals, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Introduced in 1999, the program was the first of its kind in the industry. While the core program already includes multiple languages; earlier this year, the program added four online, interactive modules. These modules were created specifically to address the needs of todayOs traveler in an ever-changing global environment. The modules provide agents with a fresh perspective on the current state of the travel business, as well as the appropriate tools to help them sell travel in the following categories: Demographic Niche Markets -- family, upscale, physically challenged, and generational travel; Psychographic Niche Markets -- romantic, eco-adventure, cultural, active, and spa-related travel; MarriottOs International Presence -- including travel to emerging markets including the Middle East and Asia; and MarriottOs International Spas & Resorts -- tailored leisure travel to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and Costa Rica. Travel agents must complete the core Hotel Excellence! training before taking the new modules. Upon successful completion, an additional Fam-Tastic certificate will be awarded for each set of new modules. The Travel Institute (www.thetravelinstitute.com) has recognized the new Hotel Excellence! modules with Continuing Education Units (CEUs) toward maintaining a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designation. Completion of both niche modules will earn eligible agents three CEUs and completion of both International modules will earn eligible agents two CEUs. www.marriott.com/travelagents. Jun 23, 2009
Oyster Hotel Reviews
Oyster Hotel Reviews www.oyster.com launched today, bringing clarity and authority to the difficult task of choosing the right hotel to stay at while traveling. Oyster Hotel Reviews maintains hundreds of original reviews and more than 50,000 undoctored, original photos of the hotels of New York, Miami, Aruba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Many more locations will be added to the site in the months ahead, including Las Vegas in July 2009. Jun 22, 2009
Radisson Hotels
Radisson Hotels & Resorts has added the Radisson Hotel Baton Rouge, a 132-room hotel located at 2445 S. Acadian Thruway in Baton Rouge, La., which will officially open under its new name on July 1. The hotel was converted to the Radisson brand as part of a plan to reposition the property following an USD 8.5 million renovation project including all guestrooms; the hotelOs restaurant, Bistro 225; the Tiger Pub; the pool and tropical courtyard; and the building exterior. www.radisson.com. Jun 26, 2009
Radisson Hotels
The Radisson Hotel Bay Front in Brisbane, Calif., is offering a package in conjunction with the 30th annual Exotic Erotic Ball, which takes places at the Cow Palace in Daly City, Calif., near San Francisco, Oct. 23 to 24. The three-night package is priced at USD 669 per room, double, and includes hotel taxes, a meet and greet session, two VIP tickets to the ball, airport transfers, shuttle to and from the event both days, unlimited entry into the expo on Friday and Saturday afternoon, and USD 30 in Ball Bills per person, to spend on any items of their choice. The hotel also is offering a room-only rate of USD 109 for attendees. The 30th Anniversary Ball and Expo fills six acres of space, with five stages of live music, top DJs, erotic performers, exotic dancers and circus sideshows, plus sets, fantasy-themed halls, BDSM demos, fetish fashions, and the Spiritual Oasis and Human Petting Zoo. In addition, a there will be a costume contests with more than USD 10,000 in cash and prizes, and more than 100 exhibits of exotic fashion, erotic art and adult products. Tickets are USD 20 for the expo only, USD 59 general admission and USD 125 for VIP admission. www.radisson.com . Jun 24, 2009
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