Most Clicked AH&LA SmartBrief Stories
1. New Marriott structure will bring Ritz-Carlton under corporate umbrella
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Marriott International is undergoing a global restructuring that will divide the company into four divisions and bring Ritz-Carlton brand operations, which has previously operated as a stand-alone division, into Marriott's corporate operations. Under the reshuffling, four continental offices will be set up, each with its own president and resources to operate independently. Travel Weekly (11/16)
2. Starwood to move headquarters to Connecticut in 2012
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide says it is moving its headquarters from its current location of White Plains, N.Y., to nearby Stamford, Conn., in January 2012. The company says the move will allow it to save 20% a year in rent and it will invest $40 million in its new location at the Harbor Point waterfront development. Google (11/19) Bloomberg (11/18)
3. Ritz-Carlton exec discusses brand's future
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Simon Cooper, president of global operations for Ritz-Carlton, says it's been a "tumultuous year" for the brand. In this interview with Travel Weekly, Cooper discusses the landscape for luxury hotels, Marriott International's reorganization and how it will affect the future of Ritz-Carlton. Travel Weekly (11/16)
4. Hyatt: Only 6 fired housekeepers have accepted new jobs
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Only six of 98 Boston housekeepers who were laid off by Hyatt Hotels Corp. in August and replaced by outsourced workers at lower wages have accepted offers of alternative employment from the company, according to a Hyatt manager. Philip Stamm, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Boston and head of Hyatt's task force on the matter, said the layoffs, which sparked national criticism, were made to protect the company's viability during the downturn, and the company believes the workers have been misinformed about the new jobs offered with affiliate United Services Cos., which would match their previous pay. Reuters (11/16)
5. Hotel peeping Tom cases spark debate over blame
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Although there's plenty of blame to go around in the two recent peeping Tom cases involving hotel guests being unknowingly filmed while in the privacy of their rooms, the main emphasis is misdirected, said American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Joe McInerney. "The whole thing got out of proportion. The question shouldn't be how did (Michael David Barrett -- a suspect) get the room next to (sportscaster Erin Andrews, who was filmed) but how did the pictures get taken. Being in the next room doesn't matter. People are missing the point. If a guest notices that someone is harassing or following them, they should report it," he said. Hotel Interactive (11/16)
6. Deal reportedly under way on sale of St. Regis Monarch Beach resort
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Citigroup, which took over ownership of the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point, Calif., when the owners defaulted on a $70 million loan, is reportedly in a deal to sell the lavish property to a group of foreign investors for about $245 million. The resort gained notoriety last year when American International Group held a luxury retreat there after accepting a government bailout. Los Angeles Times (11/18)
7. Chicago union sends letter to Starwood customers warning of strike
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
The Unite Here Local 1 hotel workers union in Chicago, which has been in stalled negotiations with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has sent a letter to customers of the chain's downtown Chicago properties warning them to prepare for customer service problems if a strike takes place at the hotels. The letter recommended that customers put "protective language" in their contracts with the Sheraton, W Lakeshore, W City Center, Westin Michigan Avenue and Tremont hotels. Convention officials say they have already heard from event planners who say they are steering clear of the city because of the problems. Chicago Sun-Times (11/14)
8. A year after lavish launch, Fontainebleau faces unpaid-bill claims
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
A year after the Fontainebleau Miami Beach held a $5 million launch to celebrate its $650 million renovation, the hotel's developer, Jeffrey Soffer, faces claims from contractors alleging more than $60 million in unpaid bills. Court papers indicate that the contractors say they were ordered to work double time or triple time to prepare for the launch but that the resort stopped paying its bills at about the same time. Miami Herald, The (11/14)
9. Luxury hotels continue to pop up across Caribbean islands
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Developers in the Caribbean appear to believe that if they build it, tourists will come. Despite significant challenges to the global economy as well as the economy in the Caribbean, luxury hotels with lavish spas, large suites and infinity pools are being developed on many of the area's islands. Airlines and tourism boards are helping keep the tone optimistic by adding flights and activities. New York Times, The (11/15)
10. J.W. Marriott: Business travel is creeping back -- slowly
AH&LA SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009
As companies gradually "come out of the bunker" to hold meetings and visit customers, business travel is making a slow comeback, Marriott International chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott Jr. said in an interview. Continued uncertainty with the economy, however, means that it will likely be a while before the chain sees a return to the peak room-rate charges of 2007. Wall Street Journal, The (11/17)
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Companies in the news
- Best Western International
- Bluegreen Corp.
- Hilton Worldwide
- Hyatt
- Interstate Hotels & Resorts
- Intrawest
- Jurys Doyle Hotel Group
- Marriott
- Mgm Mirage
- Morgans Hotel Group
- Penn National Gaming
- Ritz-Carlton
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
- Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc.
- Station Casinos Inc.