LODGING Staff - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 121

2 min

This Week’s Comings & Goings

📆 Makeready appoints Edita Matic as VP of revenue/digital strategy and Dan Paradiso as VP of commercial strategy; Eric Gavin joins as president. Edwardian Hotels London names Declan Lott as VP of sales for North America after his 30-year tenure. Kinseth Hospitality Company promotes Matthew Robinson to corporate F&B director, started in 2014 as chef in Wichita. The Wilde Resort & Spa appoints Tobby Rau as GM with over 30 years of experience. Ascendant Capital Partners' Monterey Beach Hotel welcomes Brock Taylor as GM. Midnight Auteur appoints Frank Savoy as GM of Municipal Grand. The Wigwam's new resort VP of sales/marketing is Jason Bossenberry. The St. Regis Aspen Resort promotes Kim French to director of sales/marketing. Kimpton Claret Hotel names Iona Lee as F&B director. Fairmont Empress introduces Isabel Chung as executive chef, formerly at Fairmont Orchid. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman appoints Michele Tenzone as Blue's chef de cuisine. The Wall Street Hotel announces Prince A. Sanders as GM and Harrison Lipner as director of sales/marketing. Marriott International fills three B2B roles: Shannon Patterson (SVP, global sales), Andy Kauffman (chief commercial officer, US/Canada), and Gail Frazer (SVP, sales/distribution US/Canada). RMS names Adam Seskis as CEO.

3 min

Shatterproof Raises $2.1 Million During Annual Event at ALIS 2025

💸 Amanda Hite was honored with the 2025 Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award by Shatterproof, a nonprofit organization, during the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles, California. She became the first woman and seventh recipient of the award. Hospitality executives raised $2.1 million for Shatterproof at the event. The hospitality industry has donated over $9.6 million to Shatterproof since 2016. Hospitality brands are pledging to adopt Shatterproof’s Just Five program and support the annual Walks to End Addiction Stigma.

1 min

Gulph Creek Hotels Opens Moxy Allentown Downtown

🏨 Gulph Creek Hotels launched Moxy Allentown Downtown in Allentown's Downtown West district, introducing a social-first hospitality experience focused on the city's entertainment heritage. The hotel features unique elements like a Zoltar fortune-telling machine, Tipsy the Tiger, and guestrooms with functional workspaces and rotary phones for bedtime stories. General Manager Adam Hluschak emphasizes its engaging atmosphere for travelers. The opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local leaders present.

1 min

Rand Tower Hotel Updates Dining and Event Offerings

🏡 In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Rand Tower Hotel is updating its dining and event offerings. The 5th-floor space, once housing Blondette and Miaou Miaou, transitions into a venue with a retractable glass roof and 800-square-foot terrace. Bar Rufus, on the main level, is revamped as a breakfast and dinner spot with French-inspired menus using local ingredients. General Manager Apple Noble emphasizes the blend of modernity and historical preservation in these changes.

2 min

Tapestry Collection by Hilton Celebrates 150 Open Hotels

🏝 Tapestry Collection by Hilton celebrated its 150th hotel opening in 2024, with first-in-country and territory debuts in Australia, Bonaire, Paraguay, Thailand, and the UAE, spanning 20 countries and territories. The brand grew 50% in two years, from 100 hotels in January 2023 to 150 by January 2025. Jenna Hackett, Hilton's SVP and global category leader, announced Elizabeth Scruggs as the new global brand leader. Tapestry Collection plans over 40 openings worldwide in 2025, with over 60 additional hotels under development beyond 2025.

1 min

Sonesta Signs 23 New Franchise Agreements Across Nine Brands

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation executed 23 new franchise agreements in Q4 of 2024, contributing to 71 total agreements in 2024. The agreements span nine brands, including Sonesta ES Suites (5), Sonesta Essential Hotels (5), Americas Best Value Inn by Sonesta (4), among others. The company’s expansion covers various market segments across the United States, with a focus on franchisee-friendly growth and diverse brand offerings.

2 min

Driftwood Capital Launches New Lifestyle & Luxury Division

🏠 Driftwood Capital launched its Driftwood Lifestyle & Luxury Division (DLLUX) in Miami, Florida, led by Alinio Azevedo, former CEO of Aspen Hospitality. DLLUX will oversee 12 assets, eight owned by Driftwood-sponsored funds. Since 2019, Driftwood invested over $2 billion in luxury developments, including the Westin Resort & Spa Cocoa Beach and Dream Miami. A dedicated investment fund with over $3 billion planned capital deployments will target U.S. and select international lifestyle, luxury, and branded residences markets. Azevedo's experience spans Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Loews Hotels. Driftwood is focused on upscale hospitality market growth, driven by trends towards immersive, bespoke travel experiences.

3 min

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Renovates Several Hotels in the Americas

🏨 Crowne Plaza, under IHG Hotels & Resorts, upgrades several Americas hotels with a New Modern design for blended travelers. Ginger Taggart highlights the design's focus on productivity, restoration, and collaboration. By end of 2025, 70% of Crowne Plaza's Americas hotels will feature the new design. Properties like Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach Town Center, with 148 updated guestrooms, and Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Center, with 588 modernized rooms, are part of the renovation wave. Crowne Plaza Seattle – Downtown and Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls NY – Riverside also completed renovations. Crowne Plaza Orlando – Downtown's recent makeover includes 227 guestrooms. The brand plans over 36,000 new rooms and nearly 150 hotels globally, expanding by 35%. Notable upcoming openings include Times Square NYC in Spring 2025, Mexico City, and Saint John, New Brunswick.

2 min

Mint House Acquires Locale

📌 Mint House acquires Locale, including cash and stock transaction, bolstered by additional capital from Mint House investors. Locale, founded in 2016, known for tech-driven stays in premium multifamily properties, will now see its CEO, Nitesh Gandhi, join Mint House as a senior advisor. Expansion plans for Mint House include a fourth Nashville location and a first in Washington, D.C., slated for Spring 2025. The acquisition adds properties in Menlo Park, Madison, and Phoenix, totaling 22 properties in 13 U.S. markets. Locale employees will transition to Mint House.

5 min

Marriott International Reports Q4 and Full-Year 2024 Results

🏦 Marriott International, Inc. reported global RevPAR up 5% in Q4 2024, with 4.1% growth in the US/Canada and 7.2% internationally. Q4 diluted EPS was $1.63 and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.45, with net income at $455 million and adjusted net income at $686 million. Adjusted EBITDA reached $1,286 million. Over 123,000 rooms added in 2024, increasing net rooms by 6.8%, leading to 1.7 million rooms worldwide. Nearly 3.8k properties and over 577k rooms were in the development pipeline. The company returned $4.4 billion to shareholders in 2024. Marriott Bonvoy membership nearly hit 228 million.

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