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Automatic

2375 posts

Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr Opens in the Heart of Morocco’s Capital

🏡 Canada, Toronto, Ontario - December 26, 2024. Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr opens in Rabat's Quartier l'Océan, alongside the Atlantic. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, the hotel features 200 rooms with options like the Turquoise Ocean View Suite and Moulay Slimane Presidential Suite. The two-storey Sultan's Riad offers 950 square meters of luxury. Dining includes Brasserie Marie, Flamme, Noora Lobby Lounge, and Bar Atlantique. Resort sprawls over five hectares with two outdoor pools, a spa, wellness center, and a 24/7 fitness center. Additional venues Verdello and Laila Lounge are set to open later in the year.
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General Manager Chris Suarez Tapped to Lead Nobu Hotel Palo Alto

🏡 In Palo Alto, California, Chris Suarez was appointed as the new general manager of the 73-room Nobu Hotel Palo Alto on December 26, 2024. Bringing nearly 25 years of industry experience, Suarez, former Director of Sales & Marketing at the same hotel, will manage hotel operations and guest experiences while maintaining Nobu's high standards. His hospitality career includes prestigious properties across California and Arizona. Suarez aims to enhance the hotel's status as a top luxury destination for various traveler types.
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AC Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott Reston to Make January 2025 Debut in Virginia

🏡 In Reston, Virginia, the AC Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott is scheduled to open in January 2025. Managed by Donohoe Hospitality Services, the dual-branded hotel features 267 rooms across 16 floors, with the Residence Inn offering 120 suites with kitchens and the AC Hotel providing 147 modern rooms. Amenities include 11,300 sq ft of event space, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. The property is near over 50 retailers, 30 restaurants, and direct access to Reston Town Center Metro Station. Executive Chef Alexis Hernandez heads SEVEN Restaurant & Bar, complemented by SYN Rooftop Bar & Lounge on the 16th floor.
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Worldhotels to Develop First Hard-Branded Hotel in the Country of Georgia in Partnership With Geuz International

🏖️ In Phoenix, Arizona, on December 25, 2024, WorldHotels, part of BWH Hotels, announced a new hotel opening in Kobuleti, Georgia, in 2028. The WorldHotels Kobuleti will feature two 47-story twin towers with an 1100-key resort, offering amenities such as restaurants and bars, a conference hall, meeting rooms, fitness center, spa, and a private beach. The luxury project aims to promote tourism and will include a 200-seat cinema and infinity pools, capitalizing on Georgia's growing tourist influx.
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Marriott Opens Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Isla Mujeres, Adult All-Inclusive

🏨 Marriott International, Inc. opened its 500th property in the Caribbean and Latin America on December 25, 2024, in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Adult All-Inclusive, marks the first luxury all-inclusive resort by Marriott in Mexico and the 62nd luxury property in the region. The resort features 109 suites, seven dining venues, and is part of Marriott Bonvoy®. In three years, Marriott's CALA portfolio grew from 300 to 500 properties, with the luxury segment constituting approximately 10% of Marriott's global luxury portfolio. Future openings include Paraiso de la Bonita in Q1 2025 and W Punta Cana in Q2 2025.
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Abe Liao Tapped as Managing Director of the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC

📍 Abe Liao appointed Managing Director at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. on December 25, 2024. Previously Vice President at Aimbridge Hospitality, oversaw 20 hotels across the U.S., and served as Regional General Manager at Lore Group. Under his management, Riggs DC won Travel + Leisure's and Condé Nast Traveler's awards; Lyle DC ranked #1 on TripAdvisor in 2022. Liao is on the Board of Directors for the Hotel Association of Washington DC, resides in Arlington, Virginia.
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  • 2 min

Top 10 Restaurant Tech Stories of 2024: Innovation, Insights & Industry Game-Changers

🍴 In 2024, Starbucks experienced a mid-teens percent order incompletion rate in their Mobile Order & Pay channel due to long wait times and product unavailability. Steak n Shake implemented PopID's biometric check-in and checkout system for enhanced customer experience. Hospitality Technology announced the 2024 Top Women and Rising Stars in Restaurant Technology, highlighting tech innovation from Jersey Mike's to Pizza Factory. Robotics and AI were key topics at the National Retail Federation's Big Show. Southern Classic Chicken discussed new drive-thru tech plans in HT Talks Tech. POS software vendors shared their 2024 plans, following 2023 achievements. The 2024 Customer Engagement Technology Study by HT revealed how technology fosters customer loyalty. The 2024 POS Software Trends Study showed the importance of integration and adaptation in POS systems. The 26th annual Restaurant Technology Study by HT highlighted the use of human-digital hybrid solutions to address industry challenges.
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  • 1 min

MURTEC 2025’s QSR Track Will Explore Enhanced CX, Automation & More

📈 Kevin Bentley, Head of Technology at Jollibee Foods Corporation, with over 20 years of experience, will speak at MURTEC 2025 on "Personalizing the Guest Experience." Bentley's background includes marketing technology at Johnson & Johnson and automation at Inspire Brands. Discussion points include improving service time, streamlining operations, leveraging technology, and reducing labor costs. Attendees can register for MURTEC 2025, "Experience Matters," at MURTEC.com.
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Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown Opens its Doors to Adventure

🌎 In Bentonville, Arkansas, Motto by Hilton opened a new hotel on December 24, 2024, at 229 South Main St. Designed for modern travelers, Motto Bentonville Downtown features 175 compact rooms with advanced technology and configurations including connecting rooms for groups. Owned by Windsor Aughtry Company and managed by Hospitality America, the hotel offers customized stays, a common space called Motto Commons, two restaurants by Indigo Road Hospitality Group, and bike storage in partnership with 37 North Expeditions. It is part of the Hilton Honors program.
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Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa Names Rohit Pushpavanam as Executive Chef

🍴 United Arab Emirates, Dubai, December 24, 2024 – Rohit Pushpavanam appointed as Executive Chef at Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa, Oman. Boasting over 20 years of experience, Rohit has worked at Cheval Blanc Randheli and One & Only Reethi Rah, among others. His focus will be on local flavors and cuisine, enhancing dining at Vue Rooftop & Lounge, Zaatar restaurant, and Café Wadi Habib. After six months of local culinary research, he aims to infuse Omani traditions into the resort's dining experience. The 173-room Hotel Indigo is IHG's first resort in the region promoting local experiences and sustainability.
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