Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Hotel News | "New hotel planned close to Wolf Road"

By: Brian Nearing
Source: http://www.timesunion.com
Category: Hotel News

A local hotel magnate is planning his latest project off Wolf Road near Colonie Center.Michael Hoffman, president of Turf Hotels Inc., which owns four hotels with a total of more than 500 rooms in the Capital Region, envisions an extended-stay hotel on a 3.7-acre lot between the Macy's parking lot and the Court Club on Sand Creek Road.

Hoffman said the project could cost between $15 million and $17 million. He has a purchase contract for the property, which is owned by Macy's and has a listed selling price of $2.5 million."We have not talked to the town yet about this, but we are optimistic," he said Tuesday. "We think it would be great for Colonie Center to have affluent people staying nearby it."

The southern end of Wolf Road near the mall will also contain two new high-end grocery stores. Trader Joe's will open this spring, and Whole Foods is expected to lease part of the Sears store in Colonie Center and open by 2014.

Hoffman said he conceives of a six- or seven-story hotel, with between 100 and 120 rooms, using an extended-stay format like another Turf property, the 133-room Homewood Suites by Hilton on Wolf Road.
Hoffman also owns the franchise for Staybridge Suites, which is a possibility for the new hotel. The Staybridge Suites brand is owned by the InterContinental Hotel Group, whose other brands include Hotel Indigo, which has a location at the north end of Wolf Road, as well as Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Suites.

The Crowne Plaza in Albany was recently sold and is being converted by its new owners into a Hilton Hotel.
Turf Hotels also owns the 121-room Holiday Inn Express on Western Avenue in Albany, the 123-room Hampton Inn Suites in Saratoga Springs and the 129-room Holiday Inn Resort in Lake George.
The Hoffman family has owned property on Wolf Road for years, where Michael Hoffman's father and uncle built the Turf Inn in 1975. Michael Hoffman was that property's general manager. It was sold in 2006.

Source: http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/New-hotel-planned-close-to-Wolf-Road-3543981.php


Hotel News | "Hilton Worldwide Partners with Room to Read To Empower and Educate Young People in South and Southeast Asia"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.financialpost.com
Category: Hotel News

Hilton Worldwide announced today a three-year partnership with Room to Read – a global nonprofit organization focused on improving literacy and gender equality in education. The partnership supports Room to Read’s holistic approach to literacy and girls’ education in South and Southeast Asia -- aiming to reach more than 2,000 young people in the first phase of the program – and it solidifies Hilton Worldwide as the organization’s leading hospitality partner in India. In addition, Hilton Worldwide will leverage its hotels across the Asia Pacific region to engage team members, guests and business partners in its work with Room to Read. During the month of May, Hilton Worldwide will also support Room to Read’s annual spring fundraising campaign promoting the Girls’ Education program by matching donations up to US$150,000 beginning today through May 31. 

“This partnership offers young people the fundamental literacy and life skills to succeed in school and beyond,” said Jennifer Silberman, vice president, corporate responsibility, Hilton Worldwide. “As a leading global hospitality company and employer with more than 3,800 hotels around the world, preparing young people for the future is vital to our success as a company. Room to Read has been recognized by international development experts for its innovative approach to providing quality education, and through its work, millions have the potential to be lifted out of poverty.” 

“Room to Read is thrilled to partner with Hilton Worldwide to ensure that young people in South and Southeast Asia have equal access to education. It is a pleasure to work with a global company that is committed to investing in the enrichment of the local communities where it does business,” said Erin Ganju, Room to Read CEO and Co-founder. 

“It is imperative as we grow our business in Asia Pacific that we remain connected with the communities where we operate. Team members in our corporate offices, and our currently more than 88 operating hotels in the Asia Pacific region, are excited about engaging in and supporting Room to Read, which should garner a significant contribution and impact to the partnership,” said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide. 

Hilton Worldwide’s support of Room to Read began this past January in India. To date, funding is supporting the establishment of 30 new school libraries over the next three years, the initial participation of more than 75 girls in the Girls’ Education program and the publication of six original, local language children’s books over the next three years and distributed to Room to Read’s network of libraries and NGO partners throughout India. 

The first 10 new libraries will be established in Delhi, India, this year. The sites are in the process of being chosen by Room to Read teams based on school population, test scores, literacy rates and structural integrity. Each library will be filled with English- and local-language books that are organized according to Room to Read’s book leveling guidelines, a process of matching titles to the reading abilities and interests of students, to encourage children’s independence and enable book selections without teacher assistance.
The Room to Read Girls’ Education program ensures that girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary school education. For example, in India, the life skills training component promotes physical and mental health education, peer pressure avoidance, and encourages peer-to-peer support through ongoing workshops. Some of the recent activities have included the girls attending an interactive session on how to avoid abusive situations.

Hilton Worldwide is also expanding its partnership with Room to Read to support the Girls’ Education program in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Across these countries, there is a high degree of poverty with a significant percentage of the population surviving on less than US$2 per day. Particularly in rural areas, many children are forced to drop out of school early to find work to support their families. For girls, there are additional obstacles that impede their access to education which increase their risk of sexual and economic exploitation or trafficking. Room to Read’s Girls Education Program addresses these challenges by identifying girls in late primary and secondary school who are at risk of dropping out and ensuring they have the financial, academic and mentoring support to complete school with the skills they need to succeed. 

Source: http://www.financialpost.com/markets/news/Hilton+Worldwide+Partners+with+Room+Read+Empower+Educate+Young+People/6584511/story.html

Monday, May 7, 2012

Hotel News | "Teen arrested for hotel arson lived in Isaac Hayes' former mansion "

By:  Kontji Anthony
Category: Hotel News
Source: http://germantown.wmctv.com

A teen girl is charged with aggravated arson for a hotel fire that happened in Germantown over the weekend. Action News 5 learned the same girl was also living in the former mansion of musician Isaac Hayes when it burned down last week.

Dozens of people were forced to evacuate the Germantown Homewood Suites hotel early Saturday morning because of a fire set in a hotel room.Police charged a minor for setting the fire that responders quickly put out.
"The investigation revealed that the fire was set intentionally, and the female juvenile was arrested and charged with aggravated arson," said Germantown Police Department Captain Mike Griffus.

A hotel employee confirmed to WMC-TV that Doris and Kenneth Peters were staying in the room with the teen, 13, when the fire started. The employee said she set her clothes on fire.The Peters are the custodial parents of the 13-year-old, and they were living at the former home of Isaac Hayes when it burned down last Thursday.

But Shelby County and Germantown city investigations will neither confirm nor deny that connection.
"Due to that fact and that a juvenile is involved, I cannot comment further on evidence or the juvenile's previous addresses."

The Shelby County Fire Department does confirm the family lived in a home that burned down on year ago.
It was after that fire, that the Peters moved down the road to Isaac Hayes' old home where insurance inspectors and fire investigators spent the day Monday scouring through the remains.

People close to the case tell me the young girl charged with setting the fire is crying for help and that she was found cutting herself before Saturday's fire.The investigations into these fires are ongoing.

Source:  http://germantown.wmctv.com/news/news/74295-teen-arrested-hotel-arson-lived-isaac-hayes-former-mansion

Event News | "Key economic events for the week of May 7"

By: Press Release
Category: Event News
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com

The Federal Reserve Board of Governors starts the week with a release of data on how the amount of consumer credit changed in March. Any growth in consumer credit would suggest that more individuals may be gearing up for larger purchases, stimulating economic activity.
 Analysts expect to see that consumer credit expanded by $9.7 billion in March. In February data, released last month, consumer credit grew by $8.7 billion, slower than analysts had predicted.

Wednesday
 
The National Federation of Independent Businesses releases the latest data from its Small Business Optimism Index, based on a survey of how small businesses feel about the state of the economy. The survey gauges small businesses’ plans to make new hires or increase inventory. Analysts expect the index to come in at 92.9, a slight increase from the 92.5 index reported in April. 

Thursday
 
At 8:30 a.m., the Labor Department plans to release its figures on new jobless claims for the previous week. The consensus forecast is that 370,000 people filed for unemployment during the period — a slight increase over the previous week. 

Friday
 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics issues new data on the Producer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices of goods and services.
Analysts expect the PPI data, which covers April, to show no change over the previous month. Keep in mind, however, that could mask various ups and downs in prices of specific goods. 

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/key-economic-events-for-the-week-of-may-7/2012/05/04/gIQAYKpc6T_story.html

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Hotel News | "Hilton Worldwide and USA TODAY Announce Multi-Year Alliance"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com
Category: Hotel News

Today, Hilton Worldwide and USA TODAY announced a new multi-year print and digital alliance, offering all guests at Hilton Worldwide brands in the U.S.  complimentary 24-hour access to customized digital content from Gannett publications, including USA TODAY. As an added benefit, members of Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, will also gain exclusive access to online entertainment through the Hilton HHonors Guest Portal, powered by USA TODAY. 

These offerings create a unique online hospitality amenity, providing unmatched global news and local insider information, while also keeping each guest connected to their hometown news.Guests staying at hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio in the U.S. will start to see changes to the digital offerings beginning this summer, with a full rollout scheduled for the fall.

Travelers not only crave news to stay connected while they travel, but they also want to maximize their experience with trusted local insights across multiple sources, according to independent research commissioned by USA TODAY*. The research also revealed that more than 70 percent of frequent U.S. travelers expect and look forward to receiving the national newspaper as part of their hotel experience.

Hilton Worldwide stays at the forefront of the hospitality industry by understanding the needs of our guests,” said Paul Brown, president, brands & commercial services, Hilton Worldwide. “Staying current with emerging trends and technologies is something our guests not only demand, but deserve–and our alliance with USA TODAY helps in that progression.”

Convenience, as well as flexibility, will be at the core of this new print and digital alliance, giving guests a choice on the content they see, as well as how they see it. Copies of USA TODAY, the nation’s top-selling print newspaper, will continue to be available for guests. Additionally, through the high-speed internet homepage on personal laptops, smart phones, tablets or business center computers, guests will have direct and exclusive access to online content throughout their stay to make the most of their travel experience, including:

• Comprehensive regional, national and international news
• Unique local guides, restaurant reviews and insights
• Customized digital content that will keep each guest connected to their hometown news 

Hilton HHonors members will also have access to premium online entertainment through the Hilton HHonors guest portal, powered by USA TODAY. Hilton HHonors tier status will determine the extent and variety of media available to each member, which, upon full launch, will include books, magazines, games, and other entertainment content. 

“This product brings together the best of multi-media news and information with the best of hospitality,” said Dave Hunke, chairman, USA TODAY. “We’re looking forward to launching this first-of-its-kind product, created for a global, multi-brand hotel company, and continuing our long-standing relationship with Hilton Worldwide
 
Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com/buyer/article.aspx?articleid=25042

Hotel News | "Homewood Suites By Hilton Opens Hotel In University City Philadelphia"

By: Press Release
Category: Hotel News
Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com


Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of upscale, all-suite, residential-style hotels, today announced the opening of its newest property in University City Philadelphia, PA.  The 11-story, 136-suite hotel is owned by Campus Realty Properties-V, LP and managed by Hersha Hospitality.  General Manager Paul DiNapoli has been in the hotel industry for 23 years, and is supported by Director of Sales, Jonathan Esten who has 12 years of local sales experience.

“In times where travelers are pinching pennies due to increased airline fees, Homewood Suites offers a true bundled value designed to please both business and leisure travelers at reasonable rates,” said DiNapoli.  “Homewood’s standard amenities including fully-equipped kitchens with refrigerators, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and separate living and sleeping areas in each suite, are exactly what travelers are seeking today.”

Homewood Suites by Hilton University City Philadelphia, PA offers studio and one- bedroom suites, with additional guest amenities including a daily complimentary full hot breakfast in the hotel’s hospitality center—the “Lodge”—a full evening meal with drinks* Monday-Thursday, and a 24-hour on-site pantry.  The hotel also offers an indoor pool, fully-equipped fitness center, nearby walking trails and recreational activities, 24-hour executive business center and approximately 800 square feet of flexible meeting space. 
Located at 4109 Walnut Street, the hotel is conveniently located steps from the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.  The property is within minutes from historic landmarks that Philadelphia is well-known for like the Independence Hall and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com/buyer/article.aspx?articleid=25050


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Hotel News | "No Place Like Homewood Suites By Hilton"

By: Homewood Suites by Hilton
Source: http://www.sacbee.com
Category; Hotel News

Chopped All-Stars illustrating how at Homewood Suites life on the road can be more about life and less about the road. The campaign was created by Homewood Suites' agency-of-record, Publicis New York and supported by the brand's media, online and public relations agencies-of-record OMD, iCrossing and rbb Public Relations.

The Campaign
Targeting business travelers with extended-stay trips and family/leisure travelers who appreciate all the extra space and a full kitchen when on vacation, the campaign highlights Homewood Suites' wide range of bundled amenities.

According to Homewood Suites' global head Bill Duncan, Homewood's most loyal guests continue to choose the brand for their longer stays because it delivers the comforts of home. "From the medical sales executive who relies on his smoothie to get him through a long day of training, to the parents of toddlers that like to recharge in the evening with an hour of watching TV while their kids are sleeping in a separate room, our customer research has found that guests choose us over other hotels because at Homewood they can keep their daily routines and continue to live their life, even while on the road," said Duncan.

The TV spots, which began March 4, will air through mid-June on Food Network aligned with the popular Chopped All-Stars series and throughout regular programming on Golf Channel and ESPN.  The print campaign will run nationally in REDBOOK, Food Network Magazine and ESPN The Magazine. Online advertising will appear on FoodNetwork.com, Redbookmag.com and ESPN.com.

"The idea of promising consumers a hotel that's just like their home isn't really very credible. But a lot of what Homewood offers means we can help people have an experience on the road that's closer to their regular life. As we like to say, we make life on the road more about life - and less about the road," noted Publicis New York's executive vice president and creative director Jay Williams.

"Building from our strong value proposition, the campaign keeps it simple and lets Homewood's bundled amenities including roomy studio, one- or two-bedroom suites, full kitchens, and outdoor grills and other recreational spaces speak for themselves," added Duncan. 

The campaign also plays homage to Homewood Suites' free daily hot breakfast and evening dinner with drinks,* and complimentary grocery shopping service which allows guests to leave their food wish list for the hotel's staff in the morning and return to a fully-stocked refrigerator.

Bringing a Taste of Homewood to Your Home

To deepen the significance of the paid television spots, Homewood's new campaign features two very unique television integrated custom short forms that will air during Food Network's Chopped All-Stars and ESPN's SportsCenter respectively, something none of the hotels in its competitive set have attempted.
"Not only does Food Network index high among current and target Homewood customers, but the Chopped All-Stars series, where contestants are challenged to create a dish from ingredients within a mystery basket, is akin thematically to life on the road for Homewood's business guests. They have long assignments away from home, often with limited per diem budgets, so have learned to be creative with their meals utilizing the Homewood amenities at their disposal to keep variety in their diet," explained Duncan.
Playing off of this, Homewood partnered with Food Network to create a 60 second Chopped Open Your Basket competition short form integrating Homewood in order to showcase the brand's in-room kitchens with full-size fridge. The vignette was filmed onsite at a local Homewood property, using amateur chefs as competitors, and can be seen airing within Chopped All-Stars episodes.

For ESPN and SportsCenter, programming that also ranks high with the brand's business travel target, Homewood created a mini-mercial that includes a quirky depiction of a business travel guest winding down in his roomy suite with a little snack and SportsCenter, appearing to be in work attire during the first shot with a reveal showing the man in his boxer shorts in the second. The mini-mercial will air during SportsCenter from now through August.

The Chopped All-Stars vignette and ESPN mini-mercial are also available for viewing on Homewood's business travel microsite www.suiteliving.com, as well as the brand's YouTube channel."With a line-up of executions that are quirky, feel-good and even unprecedented for our competitive set, our new campaign makes it easy for the business traveler, leisure guest, or parent traveling with their entire family to picture themselves being at home at Homewood Suites," said Duncan.

About Homewood Suites by Hilton
Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand today has more than 300 hotels open with approximately 80 in the development pipeline. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, additional guest features include an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, complimentary grocery shopping services, a complete business center, and laundry services at most locations.

Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/01/4456327/no-place-like-homewood-suites.html






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