| //12-09-2009 When is a hotel "suite" accommodation not a suite?
Often, when it's in an "all-suite" hotel. Webster's Online Dictionary defines a "suite" as "a group of rooms occupied as a unit," and, to me, that means at least two separate rooms. But not to the hotel industry: In today's world of hype, as far as I can tell, the majority of accommodations in "all-suite" hotels actually consist of just one room. Often, it's bigger than a conventional room, with more living and working space, and more often than not minimal to full-kitchen facilities. And in such a "studio" or "junior" suite, the living/working areas may be somewhat separated from the sleeping area by a partial wall or some sort of separating furniture. But the two areas are neither noise- nor light private: If you really want noise and light isolation, you have to find a hotel with real 1- or 2-bedroom suites. Fortunately, there are some. |
|
| //12-09-2009 Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of all-suite, residential-style hotels, today announced the opening of its newest property in Pittsburgh, Penn. The five-story, 113-suite hotel is owned by Southpointe II Hotel Associates, LP and is managed by Buffalo Lodging Associates, LLC. General Manager, Doug Brewster has been with the Homewood Suites brand for more than 6 years, and is assisted by director of sales, Lisa Bak, who has been in this industry for 12 years. |
|
| //12-09-2009 Without a hotel next door, the Wilmington Convention Center won’t be as attractive to potential guests.
But the true effect of the missing hotel on convention center business won’t be known until after the center opens. The impact also will depend largely on how long it takes for a hotel to open.
Meeting planners prefer a hotel at the site of their conventions, said Kim Hufham, president and chief executive officer of the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is marketing the convention center. |
|
| //11-09-2009 Union calls contract talks unsatisfactory |
|
| //07-09-2009 Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, opened Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo today – its third property in the Zhejiang province after Shangri-La Hotel, Hangzhou and Shangri-La Hotel, Wenzhou – to complement its current portfolio of 27 mainland China hotels.
Long known as a major trading and shipping hub, Ningbo is situated across the Hangzhou Bay from Shanghai. It is one of China’s oldest cities, steeped in history and boasts a number of cultural relics. In modern times, Ningbo has become a major exporter of consumer and electrical products, textiles, food and industrial tools, and is one of China's busiest port cities. |
|
| //06-09-2009 Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, announced its very first “My Shangri-La” photography competition on 18 August 2009, inviting amateur and professional photographers from across mainland China to discover their own “Shangri-La,” as well as encourage the message of conservation.
In partnership with Top Travel magazine, Photographer’s Companion magazine and sina.com, the competition will run from 18 August to 18 October 2009. It aims to have photographers capture the essence of the “Shangri-La” concept and spirit through the camera lens while reflecting the following “Shangri-La” qualities: grace, natural, serene, mystical, enchanting and caring. |
|
| //06-09-2009 With six stunning Peninsula Spas by ESPA at Peninsula properties around the world, the award-winning partnership between The Peninsula Hotels and celebrated spa consultancy ESPA continues with the introduction of a new collection of Simply Peninsula treatments and products.
Developed exclusively by ESPA International for The Peninsula Hotels, the Simply Peninsula concept combines the passion, integrity and knowledge for which ESPA is renowned with the quality and exclusivity of Peninsula, resulting in a range which delivers on every level. |
|
| //06-09-2009 “Portraits of Peninsula” - the collaboration of two legends which originally debuted in October 2004
with the launch of The Peninsula Hotels’ award-winning global advertising campaign featuring the
work of renowned portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz – continues in 2009 with the second
collection of Ms Leibovitz’s images commissioned by the hotel group. This time her photos
showcase staff at The Peninsula hotels in Chicago and Tokyo. |
|
| //06-09-2009 Suddenly, a whole new world opens up with Marriott Rewards® MegaBonusSM, so start dreaming of that next vacation. Stay at Marriott between September 15, 2009, and January 15, 2010, pay with your Visa® Card, and earn extra Marriott Rewards toward your next fantastic getaway.
Registration is free, easy, and available exclusively for members of Marriott Rewards – the world’s most rewarding travel program. |
|
| //03-08-2009 Travelers looking for lodging can find bargains this year. Occupancy has been down at many destinations, and the deals keep coming to fill those empty rooms.
Orlando-area hotels have felt the slump, and rates have dropped compared to years past. When we recently priced rooms for mid-August travel, we found rates at three-star properties for as low as $65 per night and at four-star properties for as low as $74 per night.
|
|
| //03-08-2009 SouthCoast communities — reeling from state budget cuts and a sagging economy that is drying up local receipts — are considering raising meals and lodging taxes, which could provide nearly $1.9 million in new funds if adopted by Aug. 31 and at the maximum levels. |
|
 | //31-07-2009 A grand hotel transports you back in time. In this case, expect to be transported back about a year, to a gilded age when hotel minibars swelled with Champagne and hotel bathrooms featured $85 bottles of lotion. SLS is a throwback. But it’s a wonderful throwback, thanks to Philippe Starck, who has been designing groundbreaking hotels for decades, and Sam Nazarian, the owner, who let him spend more than $100 million on the first in a planned chain of SLS hotels. The result is beautiful and innovative; it’s amazing that Mr. Starck has so many ideas left in him. Indeed, the biggest problem with this 297-room hotel, which opened in November, is that its design is so complex you may feel overstimulated. |
|
 | //31-07-2009 |
|
| //19-07-2009 On July 13, Aqua Waikiki Pearl joined Aqua Hotels & Resorts boutique brand. Previously known as the Honolulu Prince Hotel, Aqua Waikiki Pearl is located at 415 Nahua Street. The hotel recently completed a $5 million refurbishment which completely changed its status to a fresh new boutique hotel.
Local interior designer Kory Wong-Oglesby oversaw the design elements and said, “The challenge was to take dated and tired guest rooms and infuse them with some energy and warmth – as well as bring them up-to-date through the finishes and furnishings. Although not located on the ocean, every effort was made to bring the ocean and tropical flavor to this small property. Keeping simple clean lines were also inspirations throughout – from the carpet, to the furniture and finally to the bath vanity design.” |
|
| //19-07-2009 Talk about fireworks. In a burst of post-Fourth of July sales, Southwest Airlines turned the clock back with 1990s fares, a major hotel group extended a free-nights deal and luxury cruise lines pitched high prices overboard.
With many bargains good through fall and into next year, now is the time to take a break from the beach and book a trip ahead -- far ahead. You may save hundreds.
|
|
| //19-07-2009 Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts welcomes the school holidays this season with its “Kids On Us” offer that allows children under 12 years old to eat, play and stay free.
From now until 30 September, 2009, “Kids On Us” offers great savings for families including extra bed in the parents’ room for up to two children at no additional cost and complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner from the resort’s children’s menu. Various recreational facilities such as full use of the adventure zone, trapeze, jet-skiing, horseback-riding and nature trail walking can also be enjoyed at no charge.
|
|
| //18-07-2009 A callous suicide bomber was caught on tape bringing luggage into a Jakarta luxury hotel restaurant seconds before the device exploded - filling the screen with white smoke.
Blasts at the Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott Hotel killed at least nine people and wounded more than 50, including eight Americans
|
|
| //17-07-2009 The Marriott Rewards® Visa Signature® Card makes it easy to earn the travel rewards you want fast! Every purchase earns you points towards hotel stays, airline miles, merchandise and exclusive services. |
|
|
|
