LODGING Staff - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 89

4 min

Populus Seattle to Open in Spring 2025

🌲 Populus Seattle, a carbon-positive hotel by Urban Villages and managed by Aparium Hotel Group, opens in late spring 2025 in Pioneer Square. The 120-room boutique hotel, formerly the Westland Building (1907), includes the first rooftop bar in the area, a signature restaurant, and a design inspired by the Pacific Northwest rainforest. Populus Seattle follows the fall 2024 opening of Populus Denver and aims to be a significant adaptive reuse development in the U.S. The project promotes sustainability by preserving the building's character, reducing embodied carbon footprint by 36%, equating to 2.2 million miles driven or 492 tons of coal burned, and offsetting emissions with carbon credits. The hotel will plant a tree for every night a guest stays and uses 100% renewable electricity.

1 min

Crescent Hotels & Resorts Announces Management of Two DoubleTree by Hilton Properties in Tulsa, Oklahoma

📰 Crescent Hotels & Resorts expanded its portfolio with two DoubleTree by Hilton properties in Tulsa, Oklahoma. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tulsa – Warren Place, after a $15 million renovation completed in April 2023, now features updated rooms and amenities near attractions like the Tulsa Expo Center and Tulsa International Airport. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tulsa Downtown completed a $7 million renovation in April 2024, boasting enhanced spaces and a new gift shop with a barista bar. Both offer benefits to Hilton Honors members.

1 min

Residence Inn Atlanta Midtown/Georgia Tech Unveils Updates

🏠 Residence Inn Atlanta Midtown/Georgia Tech, owned by RLJ Lodging Trust and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality in Atlanta, Georgia, unveils renovations targeting extended-stay travelers. The 90-room property now features contemporary lighting, Atlanta-inspired artwork, refreshed carpeting, a modern color palette, enhanced full-size sleeper sofas, plush bedding, and updated kitchenettes. Renovations extend to the lobby and fitness center. Amenities include fully equipped kitchens, complimentary hot breakfast, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. General Manager Amanda Sathchakham emphasizes the aim to provide a home-away-from-home experience.

2 min

AAHOA Announces New Secretary and 2025-26 Members of the Board at AAHOACON25

📌 In New Orleans, Louisiana, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) announced its 2025-26 Board of Directors during the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show. Newly elected Secretary Vimal (Ricky) Patel joins the leadership to represent over 20,000 members. Vimal Patel, a U.S. immigrant at 21, has held multiple roles within AAHOA and raised $1.8 million in revenue for the association. The board also includes 10 elected directors and 3 industry partners for the 2025-26 term.

2 min

Accor and Ennismore Expand Network in the Americas With 17 New Hotels

🏖️ Accor in exclusive negotiations to acquire 17 management agreements, totaling 3,200 keys, with Royal Holiday Group for $79 million, funding a $130M renovation within 30 months. Six resorts in Mexico to be managed by Ennismore and eleven in Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, USA by Accor PM&E Americas. Rixos Hotels to debut in the Americas post-renovation, with three properties in Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta. The deal, fostering regional growth and brand presence, especially in Mexico, is expected to close in the second semester of the year.

2 min

Survey: 80 Percent of Travelers Disrupted by Odors in Hotels

🛈 LEBANON, New Hampshire—FreshAir Sensor's survey of over 200 regular hotel-goers found 80% encountered discomfort from smoke or odors during stays, with 90% valuing air quality room options. 84% had non-smoking rooms with signs of smoking, 95% would prefer hotels offering smoke-free room guarantees, and 56% consider a room "safe" after 60 smoke-free days. Over 60% would pay a 3% premium for such rooms. FreshAir Sensor launched FreshAir Certified to capitalize on demand, providing monitoring solutions for irritant-free rooms, enhancing guest experience and revenue.

3 min

Nobu Restaurant Launches At Grand Wailea

🏝 Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in Maui, Hawai’i, launched Nobu Grand Wailea Maui. Nobu, co-founded by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, celebrates its first Maui and second Hawaii location. The restaurant spans 13,000 square feet and offers Chef Nobu’s Japanese-South American fusion dishes, plus Maui-exclusive items. Interiors are designed by Rockwell Group, featuring indoor and outdoor dining, a sushi bar, and private spaces. Signature dishes include local fish with black bean sauce and Black Cod with Miso. Grand Wailea's dessert exclusives include a Kona Coffee tres leches cake and a Laie Vanilla pavlova. The launch follows Grand Wailea’s $350 million renovation. Landscaping Manager Jim Heid oversees 600+ plant species on the 40-acre property. Executive Chef Kyle Marston leads the culinary team, joined by Head Sushi Chef Bora Oh. Blackstone Real Estate acquired Grand Wailea in 2018. The resort's dining options also include Olivine and Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa. Nobu Grand Wailea Maui's debut aligns with the upcoming Nobu at BRE’s Hotel del Coronado.

2 min

BOB Hotels Deploys Combination of olive and Stayntouch

📌 In Venice Beach, California, BOB Hotels integrates Stayntouch's cloud-based PMS and olive's AI-powered booking engine for an enhanced, guest-centric booking experience. The partnership aims to boost conversion by personalizing booking journeys, optimizing offers in real-time, and accelerating revenue through upsells and group bookings. The AI-driven system is designed to improve guest experiences and drive smarter marketing strategies. Stayntouch CEO Jacob Messina and olive CEO Eric Lutz highlight the benefits of their technologies in creating seamless guest moments and business success stories.

3 min

This Week’s Comings & Goings

📅 Extreme Hospitality appoints Peter W. Hoffman as SVP of operations. Waramaug Hospitality names Nele Breitbart EVP & head of asset management. Gencom hires Margaux Mielcarek as SVP of development for Bermuda and the Caribbean. Ana Guzman becomes regional director, finance & business support for Mid-Atlantic, USA & Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, having joined in July 2023. Trinity Investments promotes Rob Tanenbaum to managing director of strategic operations. Archer Hotel Napa appoints Chris Costas as general manager. The Eliza Jane names Nicole Maxwell as director of sales and marketing. Wayfinder Waikiki hires Scott Kawasaki as director of sales and marketing. Azul Hospitality Group brings on Giorgio Saturnino as VP of food and beverage with 20+ years of experience. Atlantic Hospitality appoints Joe Schafer as culinary director with 20 years of industry experience. The Stafford Collection hires Michael Caines, a Michelin-starred chef, as culinary strategist for The Stafford London. Vakkaru Maldives appoints Janne A. Ollikainen as executive chef. Marriott Marquis Houston names Edgar Maldonado as executive chef. Resolute Road Hospitality adds Doug Ableman as regional VP of operations and Kent Duncan as VP of revenue management. Schulte Hospitality Group appoints Anne Fischer as CMO. Pure Wellness promotes Haley Payne to chief commercial officer. Ensemble Investments’ Hospitality Division names Daisy Pinedo as

2 min

Placemakr Expands to Salt Lake City, Announces Launch of New Property

🌇 Placemakr, in partnership with High Boy Ventures, launched its first Salt Lake City property offering a mix of residential and hospitality-style stays. The downtown property features 100 studio, one-, and two-bedroom units for residential leasing and 45 units for short-term stays, some with balcony hot tubs. The luxury asset is within walking distance of local attractions and offers amenities like an outdoor lounge and gym. This marks Placemakr's first expansion into Salt Lake City, following nationwide growth in cities like Pittsburgh, San Antonio, and Santa Clara.

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