EUROPE

THE MAGAZINE OF THE WORLDWIDE HOTEL INDUSTRY
AUGUST 2009
HOTELS
®
EUROPE
Holding Up
Under Pressure
IN THIS ISSUE
U.S. Real Estate
Under Distress
Great Hotel
Restaurant Awards
Design: Suite Views
www.hotelsmag.com
HOTELS
THE
MAGAZINE
OF THE
WORLDWIDE
HOTEL
INDUSTRY
®
AUGUST 2009 VOL. 43, NO.8 (I)
features
SPECIAL REPORT
Europe’s Gateways
To Stability p24
Europe’s gateway cities are showing relative
resilience through the downturn, but secondary cities—especially in Eastern Europe—
are being truly pummeled. Meanwhile, lack
of credit hampers new development opportunities, but international brands are seeing a
rush to conversions and re-flaggings.
about the cover
Mardan Palace in Turkey’s resort
region of Antalya opened in June
as Europe’s most expensive
hotel. The 560-key property cost
DESIGN
US$1.4 billion and features a
Suite View p29
5-acre (2-ha) swimming pool, an
The expectations of 21st century
suite-goers have designers considering
disparate possibilities, ranging from
classic interpretations of elegance and
timelessness to over-the-top colorful
strokes of ultra-creativity. Nothing
seems to lie in the middle these days.
a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf
on-site river with gondoliers and
course. With its impressive opulence, Mardan Palace is the most
prominent example of Turkey’s
rise as an international luxury
destination.
departments
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Great Hotel Restaurants p34
Beautiful rooms, unparalleled views, the freshest ingredients and impeccable
service define the best hotel restaurants across the globe. See which ones were
named Great Hotel Restaurants in 2009 by our panel of distinguished judges.
5
7
9
11
38
40
41
46
What’s New At
hotelsmag.com
Editor’s Diary:
Payback Time
Index To Companies
Global Update:
Real Estate Outlook
HITEC Wrap-Up
Abrahamson Home At IHG
Technology: Mobile POS
Supply Line
Products: Coffee/Tea;
Kitchen
Lagniappe
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August 2009 . HOTELS . 3
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WHAT’S
NEW AT
BLOGS
ON
hotelsmag.com
08/2009
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
Food & Beverage:
A Good Idea Well Executed
The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino
transformed one of its restaurants into a modern
general store—a grocery and gourmet market for
guests to stock up for their rooms or grab supplies for
a picnic. Sound good? Well, it looks even better.
Read more of Derek Gale’s blog at hotelsmag.com/gale
hotelsmag.com/food
Raffles Hotels & Resorts
has published seven
recipes for signature
cocktails from its hotels,
including the Champagne Mojito, the Dubai
Sling and the iconic
Singapore Sling.
WEBCAST
Which Social Media Site
Is Right For You?
MUSINGS & MISCELLANY
Future Of Hotel Booking
Is… Call Centers?!
Color me skeptical about new
booking portal GetARoom.com.
To get really special rates on
GetARoom, users must place a
telephone call to a live person
who then may (or may not)
offer an even better rate. I can’t believe that, in 2009, a Web
site centered on a call center is being called “innovative.”
What’s next, a new line of futuristic guestroom armoires?
Read more of Adam Kirby’s blog at hotelsmag.com/kirby
During a live
webcast hosted in
July by HOTELS
magazine, a panel
of hotel marketing
experts discussed
best practices and
strategies for the
various social
media platforms. The webcast is available for
download on demand. View the Experiential Marketing
Webcast at hotelsmag.com/webcasts
HOT OPENINGS
W SOUTH BEACH
With stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean from all rooms, W
South Beach features 408 branded residences, of which 312
are available as hotel guestrooms.The hotel boasts celebrity
dining hotspot Mr. Chow, the Mediterranean-inspired Solea
restaurant, Wall nightclub and a Bliss spa.
View a photographic slideshow at hotelsmag.com/wmiami
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 5
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HOTELS
THE
MAGAZINE
OF THE
WORLDWIDE
HOTEL
INDUSTRY
EDITORIAL
Jeff Weinstein, Editor In Chief
1.630.288.8260 E-mail: jweinstein@reedbusiness.com
Derek Gale, Senior Editor
1.630.288.8263 E-mail: derek.gale@reedbusiness.com
Adam Kirby, Associate Editor
1.630.288.8222 E-mail: adam.kirby@reedbusiness.com
Mary Lenart, Senior Production Editor
1.630.288.8262 E-mail: mlenart@reedbusiness.com
Ala Ennes, Senior Art Director
1.630.288.8292 E-mail: alaennes@reedbusiness.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Mary Gostelow (News)
PUBLISHING
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1.630.288.8270 E-mail: dahogan@reedbusiness.com
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1.630.288.8271 E-mail: vida.wojewski@reedbusiness.com
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1.630.288.8423 E-mail: nicole.hopman@reedbusiness.com
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L A DV I S O R Y B OA R D
CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND
Simon Cooper, President and Chief Operating Officer,
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.
DUBAI
Joe Sita, Chief Executive Officer, Nakheel Hotels
HONG KONG
Helmut Knipp, Senior Vice President of Development,
Langham Hotels International
LAS VEGAS
Randy Morton, President and Chief Operating Officer,
Bellagio Resort
MALTA
Tony Potter, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director,
CHI Hotels & Resorts
NEW YORK CITY
Ian Schrager, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Ian Schrager Co.
Ted Teng, President and Chief Executive Officer,
The Leading Hotels of the World
PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN
Luis Riu, Chief Executive Officer, Riu Hotels & Resorts
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK
Simon Turner, President, Global Development
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
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Payback Time
W
hile there are always some feel-good stories about the hotel
industry and the hospitality lifers who are so dedicated to
their craft, today the news is not so rosy. I would be a Pollyanna to
write feel-good prose about the around-the-corner next cycle that will
bring greater returns to owners, operators, designers, brokers and
purveyors. The reality remains that no one seems to know when the
good times will return.
Owners are losing generational
wealth on real estate, developers can’t
find financing for even what seem to
be the smartest deals, and operators
are out there searching for the bottom
of the economic downturn. Everyone
is looking for the signals that travel
will start to pick up again and provide
opportunities to drive revenue. However,
PKF Consulting predicts net operating income for hotels in the United
States will decline 37.8% this year
and another 9.2% in 2010. Elsewhere
in the world, RevPAR is expected to
decline further in 2010, and the recovery
thereafter is expected to be slow.
To better the explain the situation
at hand, this month’s lead story in
Global Update is about the crash
in hotel real estate ignited by an
unprecedented decline in revenue,
the weight of financial leverage and
the lack of liquidity in the debt and
equity markets. As many as 20% of
U.S. hotel loans may default through
2010, while foreclosures are gathering
pace in the UK and Ireland, with
several other European markets
coming under pressure. It appears that
only Asia is somewhat insulated, as
the owner-lender relationship differs
and loans are adjusted to avoid
outright defaults or foreclosures.
The silver lining here—and there
is a silver lining—is that soon, maybe
as soon as early next year and maybe
at late as 2011, the tide will turn.
Buyers will acquire assets at steep
discounts and enjoy handsome returns
in another three to five years’ time,
when values are expected to recover.
Pent-up demand always seems to be a
given, and the travel-deprived masses
once again will hit the road in search
of great experiences and the best in
hospitality. The only question that
will remain is whether or not luxury
demand will return. The good news
is that the prognosticators believe we
all have short memories and the desire
for all things luxury will return—
maybe this time with a bit of a green
cast to it.
The only thing I can tell you right
now is to remain forever vigilant.
While your rates may be slipping, try
not to let go of your service
culture and treat everyone—
especially your own
—with dignity. Get
back to the basics of
hotelkeeping because
when we do come out
of this malaise, I think,
and hope, everyone
will appreciate simple,
meaningful gestures a
lot more.
Editor In Chief
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COMPANY INDEX
COMPANY ............................. PAGE
COMPANY ............................. PAGE
Alekson Development Group .. 20
Alvear Palace, Buenos Aires... 37
Arabian Peninsula &
Indian Ocean ........................ 46
Aruba Ocean Club .................. 46
Aruba Surf Club ...................... 46
Atlas Hospitality Group ........... 11
Belgravia Properties Ltd.......... 22
Blue Tree Hotels...................... 16
Centara Grand Mirage Beach
Resort Pattaya ........................ 46
Centara Hotels and Resorts ... 46
Central Plaza Hotel Public Co. 46
Claridge’s, London .................. 16
Connaught, The, London ........ 36
Cushman & Wakefield
Hospitality ............................. 25
Dorchester, The, London ........ 25
Epic Hotel, Miami .................... 16
Extended Stay America .......... 11
Fairmont Le Montreux Palace,
Switzerland ............................. 31
Fairmont Raffles Hotels
International .......................... 26
Four Seasons Hotel
Hong Kong ............................ 33
Four Seasons Terre Blanche,
Provence, France .................... 36
Grand Hotel Europe,
St. Petersburg ....................... 26
Hampshire Hotels and Resorts
Group .................................... 22
HEI Hotels & Resorts .............. 13
Hilton Hotels Corp....... 25, 28, 46
Hilton Hotels, Middle East &
Africa .................................... 46
Hilton Inn at Penn,
Philadelphia .......................... 46
Hilton International .................. 26
Horizon Hotels Ltd. ................. 20
Hotel Baur au Lac, Zurich ....... 37
Hotel Cipriani, Venice.............. 27
Hotel Santa Teresa,
Rio de Janeiro....................... 30
Hotel Sax Chicago .................. 21
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten,
Kempinski München, Munich 27
HVS International ................... 11
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
Resort, Spa & Casino ...............9
Iberostar’s Grand Punta Cana 40
IHG ....................... 18, 25, 27, 28
InterContinental Dubai
Festival City .......................... 37
InterContinental Hotels &
Resorts ................................. 21
InterContinental Stockholm ..... 36
Interval International ............... 46
Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels12, 24
Kalahari Resorts ..................... 46
Kalahari Waterpark Resort
Convention Center,
Wisconsin Dells .................... 46
Kempinski Hotels .................... 28
Kempinski Hybernska Prague . 28
Kimpton Hotels &
Restaurants .................... 13, 16
La Mamounia, Marrakech ....... 31
Langham Hotels International . 22
Langham Yangtze Boutique
Hotel, Shanghai .................... 22
Legacy Hotels & Infraprojects . 22
Luxuriant World Resorts ......... 20
Makkah Hilton and Towers,
Saudi Arabia ......................... 46
Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona . 26
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Group .................................... 26
Mardan Palace, Antalya,
Turkey ................................... 28
Marriott International......... 27, 39
MKG Hospitality ...................... 24
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts ... 26
Orient-Express Hotel Cipriani,
Venice ................................... 25
Park Hotel Group .................... 22
Park Hyatt Washington D.C. .... 34
Peninsula Shanghai ................ 22
Phoenician, The, Scottsdale,
Arizona ................................. 38
Plaza Athenee, Paris .............. 29
Radisson Blu Le Dokhan Hotel,
Paris Trocadero ....................... 25
Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan
Hotel, Paris Eiffel .................... 25
Raffles Hotels & Resorts ..........9
Red Roof ................................ 40
Renaissance Stanford Court ... 11
Residence Inn Seattle Bellevue/
Downtown ............................. 21
Rezidor Hotel Group ............... 27
Ritz-Carlton Chicago,
A Four Seasons Hotel ........... 31
Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. ............. 22
Ritz-Carlton, Dallas ................. 34
Riu Hotels & Resorts .............. 25
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel 39
Sheraton New York Hotel
& Towers ............................... 39
Sheraton on the Park, Sydney 39
Spotlight Hotels by Chieko Aoki 16
St. Regis Monarch Beach ....... 11
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide .......... 26, 28, 30, 39
Strategic Hotels & Resorts...... 12
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort,
Sicily ..................................... 26
Vikram Chatwal Hotels............ 22
Villa San Michele, Florence .... 34
W Barcelona ..................... 25, 26
W Chicago-City Center ........... 39
W Doha ............................. 29, 30
W San Diego........................... 11
W South Beach .........................9
Westin Kuala Lumpur .............. 46
Westin Los Angeles Airport .... 39
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E d it e d and wr it t e n b y the editor s of H O TELS ma ga zine
GLOBAL UPDATE
WORLDWIDE The average
hotel in the United States
was valued at US$100,000
per key in 2006. By next
year, that value will have
sunk to US$50,000 per
room, according to a forecast
by HVS International. To
make matters worse for sellers,
for the next 18 months, any
transaction will most likely
be done at a liquidation
value because no one who
does not have to sell will sell
at these fire-sale prices. As a
result, HVS Chairman Steve
Rushmore suggests that the
typical US$100,000 per key
hotel in 2006 could very
well sell at US$25,000 per
key in the months ahead.
No doubt, this situation
brought on by illiquidity and
dramatically lower operating
performance is going to
create a huge transfer of
wealth around the world.
Financially strapped owners
and lenders will take huge
losses and buyers should
see great returns on investments—perhaps by 2014,
when HVS predicts values
should next eclipse those
2006 levels and if financing
becomes available.
The lack of available
credit is causing defaults in
all markets and among every
property type. New Yorkbased real estate research
firm Real Capital Analytics
reports that as of June 30,
there were 1,060 distressed
hotels in the United States
valued at US$15.7 billion.
The biggest chunk of that
distress comes from bankrupt
Extended Stay America.
“We started seeing
distressed hotels 18 months
ago and it started with smaller
independents in secondary
Heavy leverage, overly
optimistic valuations and
income shortfalls lead
to global defaults,
foreclosures, bankruptcies.
EXCESS
Takes Its Toll
markets,” says Alan Reay with
the brokerage firm Atlas
Hospitality Group, Irvine,
California. “Right now (midJuly) in California there are 32
hotels being foreclosed on, and
31 of those are independents.
Only one is a franchise.”
Reay says hotel deals in
default have increased 125%
in California, and everything
from small independents
to full-service resorts such
as The St. Regis Monarch
Beach, the Renaissance
Stanford Court and W San
Diego are under pressure. “It
is broad-based now,” he says.
“This will turn out to be the
worst downturn in business
since the 1930s, and what
happened in the early ’90s
pales in comparison.”
Looking ahead, US$20
billion of hotel-related commercial mortgage-backed
securities (CMBS) matures
in 2010. RealPoint LLC, a
credit-rating firm based in
Horsham, Pennsylvania,
reported in June that 753
Marriotts had a combined
outstanding securitized loan
balance of US$10.4 billion;
270 Hilton-branded hotels
had US$5.6 billion in debt;
and 48 Hyatts had US$1.6
billion in outstanding debt.
This huge wave of CMBS
loans about to hit the shore
has no form of financing to
resolve the situation and will
force further defaults, foreclosures and bankruptcies.
Just about any hotel built
or refinanced since 2005 is
in trouble, according to the
experts, as crashing industry
fundamentals do not support
the ability for any owner to
generate enough net income
to pay debt service. The
options going forward for
these owners is to keep `
FAST FACTS: The global hotel and motel industry generated total revenues of US$484.3 billion in 2008. (Research and Markets)
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 11
GLOBAL UPDATE
feeding cash into the
property to keep it afloat; for
lenders to offer relief in the
form of extended terms, as
they do not want to own the
dwindling asset either; or for
the owner to turn over the
keys to the lender in what is
so aptly called “jingle mail.”
Any way you slice it, this is
the worst of times for hotel
owners, and the bottom for
industry fundamentals and
real estate values has still not
been established.
“Half the lenders (in the
United States) will force borrowers to give back keys and
of time—say, a year to 18
months—hoping to refinance,
sell or hold. But they will
operate almost certainly in
accordance with a plan agreed
upon with the lender. “A bulk
of the troubled assets probably
fit into this category, and less
than 10% will actually sell
because credit is so limited
and neither the owner nor the
lenders in general want to
take an unnecessary writedown if there is a limited
market for properties at this
time,” he says.
The banks will take back
the asset from owners who
rational lenders will realize
“that if they don’t like the
value of their hotel collateral
today, they will like it even
less in six to 12 months. In
addition to lower values,
they may also risk having to
‘feed’ hotels’ negative cash
flows to meet payroll and
utility costs.”
Global Phenomenon?
While the economy is
struggling through this deep
recession, hotel defaults and
foreclosures are not expected
to occur nearly as much
outside of the United States.
‘‘
It is prudent not to be too aggressive, as no one
knows how far down this is going, and the number of
foreclosures and pain-building on the asset side hasn’t
’’
shown itself yet. It is coming.
— Michael Depatie
the other half willwork it out
to extend terms and provide
relief,” Rushmore predicts.
“Lenders don’t want to take
the properties, as there is no
financing available for them
to find a buyer.”
Laurence Geller, CEO of
Strategic Hotels & Resorts,
Chicago, agrees that most
lenders do not want to take
control of these assets. “If
loan maturity is the issue and
interest is still being paid, it
will be likely extended,” he
says. “Provided your hotel is
in good shape; you haven’t
drained the money out for
your own purposes; you are
operating at, or better than,
market share; your margins
are better than most in your
market; and you have been an
honest communicator; why
would the bank want to take it
form you?”
Geller says owners
will stay in for a period
have no money and
drained the asset.
“About 50% to
70% will get sold
rapidly, and some
will be exceptional
buys,” Geller adds.
Jim Butler,
chairman of the
global hospitality group at the
law firm of Jeffer
Mangels Butler & Marmaro,
Los Angeles, believes the
industry is close to the much
needed “capitulation,” where
there will be a complete
“reset” of market values,
leverage and expectations
for hotels and many other
investment classes. “We
won’t have the predicate for
recovery until this happens,
so as painful as it will be, it
is a necessary and inevitable
precondition for the turnaround,” he says.
Butler thinks many
The most
impacted markets
in Europe are
the UK, Ireland
and Spain, with
markets like Italy
and France seeing
much less pressure
at the moment,
according to
Arthur de Haast,
global CEO of
Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels,
London. “Foreclosures have
started and are gathering
pace in the UK and Ireland,
but mostly of smaller assets
owned by developers or
private investors who were
highly geared and do not
have the financial capacity
to meet short-term cash flow
problems,” he says, adding
that pressure is building on
larger borrowers, but banks
in all Europe markets are
generally adopting an “extend and pretend” strategy.
In Spain, many banks
have effectively taken control
assets and are trying to sell
them, but at prices that are
not finding buyers. “Spain is
storing up a lot of problems,
and more foreclosures will
happen, but not until late
2009 or 2010,” de Haast says.
In Germany, pressure is
developing on borrowers,
but de Haast says there have
been no foreclosures on major
hotel assets so far, of which
he is aware.
In Central Europe, the
picture is very grim, with
hotel performance particularly hard hit in the Baltics.
“Main lenders in this region
have been Scandinavian,
German and Austrian banks
who are beginning to talk
about foreclosure, and we
expect things to start
happening in the coming
months,” de Haast says.
Reports out of Bulgaria
claim the banks will
foreclose on and own 300
hotels by the end of 2009—
again due to steep drops in
visitation to the country.
On the other hand, in
Asia, there have been no
defaults or foreclosures to
speak of (other than a few in
Australia and New Zealand),
and there exists a fair amount
of optimism about market
conditions, according to
Robert Hecker, principal of
Horwath HTL, Singapore.
“Despite many investors on
the sidelines hoping for such
opportunities to arise for
them to buy distressed assets,
most don’t really think many
such opportunities will arise,”
he says. “The owner-lender
relationships and methods
of doing business in Asia
differ somewhat from North
America such that work-outs
of one kind or another are
more likely to occur than `
FAST FACTS: 44% of investors in Australia/New Zealand expect a drop in hotel investment conditions for one to two years. (HTL Capital Advisors)
12 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
GLOBAL UPDATE
‘‘
After the excesses of the pig went through the python in the 1990s,
it didn’t take that long until we had it all back again. It is the old syndrome:
’’
‘We will never do this again’—until the next time we do it.
— Jim Butler
outright defaults or
foreclosures.”
Buying Opportunities
The consensus is
that real estate values will hit bottom
around the mid2010, which should
finally bring cash
holders and newly
created funds off
the sidelines to
buy. Experts forecast that
many hotels will suffer 50%
to 80% price discounts from
valuations made between
2005 and 2008, which will
be very attractive to those
with the stomach to buy.
“We won’t see a lot of
activity this year, but next
year owners and lenders
will see it is getting worse
and will mark down these
assets,” says Tom Morone,
principal with advisory
firm Warnick & Co., Los
Angeles. He says a lot of
private equity capital is
being formed—some in the
form of vulture funds seeking to pay 20 to 30 cents on
the dollar and others formed
with a combination of equity
and debt offering high yields
and no more than a threeyear hold. “In 2010, we will
see a number of those funds
showing up,” Morone says.
For now, however, most
cash kings are biding their
time, knowing values have
more room to drop. “It is
prudent not to be too aggressive, as no one knows how
far down this is going, and
the number foreclosures and
pain-building
on the asset side
hasn’t shown
itself yet. It is
coming,” says
Michael Depatie,
president and
CEO of Kimpton Hotels &
Restaurants, San
Francisco, which
is sitting on a
US$250 million
war chest ready to buy assets.
“We are looking but see nothing changing hands of interest
to us. We would step up and
buy at the right place, because
no one is smart enough to
call the bottom, but we see no
trades that we missed.”
Clark Hanrattie, chief
investment officer with HEI
Hotels & Resorts, Norwalk,
Connecticut, is looking to
acquire via his firm’s existing
US$550 million equity fund
and believes the timing is just
about right. “Historically,
we have been a very focused
and diversified investor with
200- to 500-room hotels, not
highly leveraged, in markets
with limited exposure. As a
result, we have been managing fairly well through this
downturn,” he says. “We will
continue to invest in assets
where we have management
expertise and begin to make
investment off our historical
fairway because we have
the expertise to execute a
business plan. We might recapitalize assets managed by
third parties or acquire debt
as opposed to straight asset
acquisition… There is so
much deterioration in value
on equity side that anyone
leveraged does not have any
equity to transact.”
Thomas Smit, Londonbased CEO of Waldeck
Capital, which has a fund
preparing to buy non-performing assets in the luxury
sector, says, “We don’t have
baseball bat attitude of ‘sell it
at our price.’ We are dealoriented. At same time, we
are sitting and waiting. The
pressure is mounting and we
are in for a dismal summer.
Hoteliers are going to have to
face the music beginning in
the fourth quarter and make
calculated decision to write
down losses on both the debt
and equity side.” He believes
that by December, banks
will realize their exposure is
far greater than anticipated.
“They will bite the bullet and
make massive allowances for
next year and take the writedowns,” he says.
Rushmore says waiting
to buy could be a mistake.
“Very good properties in
great locations will be available in the short term for
30% of replacement cost,”
he says. “If you see something today, not as many are
chasing it and you might as
well buy it if it fits into your
parameters. These types of
assets should be available by
the end of this year.”
Lesson Learned
When this mess is sorted out
over the next five to seven
years, what will be the
lessons learned?
“The lessons learned
(again) were being preached
by veterans of prior downturns at least as far back as
2005: avoid high leverage,
don’t underwrite on overly
optimistic valuations and
income projections, keep
recourse to align owner and
borrower interests, and watch
out for onerous management
agreements and subordination
non-disturbance and
attornment agreements,”
Butler says.
But, he reflects, if this had
been the case, not many deals
would have gotten done over
the last three years. The question is whether the industry
be better off today if it had
not done those deals?
“Fortunately or not, we
seem to have short institutional memories,” Butler
continues. “People swear off
high debt levels and aggressive underwriting after every
major downturn. After the
excesses of the pig went
through the python in the
1990s, it didn’t take that long
until we had it all back again.
It is the old syndrome: ‘We
will never do this again’—
until the next time we do it.”
This time, however,
Butler believes we are likely
to have major structural
changes, including government regulations, investment
proscriptions, lower leverage
on all assets and changed
consumer attitudes in an
attempt to “codify” some of
these lessons. L
Direct comments to:
jweinstein@reedbusiness.com
FAST FACTS: UK-based Travelodge has launched a £100 million property fund to snap up struggling hotel assets.
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 13
t h e c u l i n a r y i n s t i t u t e o f a m e r i c a a n d a lt o - s h a a m
announce the jerry d. maahs scholarship fund.
Jerry Maahs devoted his life to better food. It started in the 1950s when he developed Halo Heat
to keep home-delivered food warm during cold Wisconsin winters. That original technology
soon appeared in the first Cook and Hold oven and changed the culinary world when Jerry
introduced low-temperature cooking. Soon the Cook and Hold became a kitchen staple, and
Alto-Shaam became a trusted name in restaurant equipment.
Even though Jerry passed away in 2006, his devotion to better food lives on. Alto-Shaam is proud to
announce that the Maahs family established a $1 million perpetual scholarship fund for the Culinary
Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Jerry had always invested in the food service industry, and this scholarship will see that others have the same
opportunity to make a difference in the food service industry as well. The scholarship offers one culinary arts
student per year a complete educational package, including
tuition, expenses, room and board, books, fees, and equipment.
“Jerry came from modest beginnings when he started working
Pictured: Dominick Cerrone, Assistant Professor Culinary Arts - CIA; Bruce Mattel, C.H.E., Associate Dean Culinary Arts - CIA;
Michelle Stone, Scholarship Recipient - CIA; Andrew Mayeshiba, Chef - Alto-Shaam; William Rakow, Chef - Alto-Shaam
in the 1950s toward what is now Alto-Shaam,” said Karen
Hansen, CEO of Alto-Shaam and Jerry’s daughter. “It’s only
fitting now to give back to the culinary industry by helping top
students who would otherwise not afford this high level of
culinary education.”
7•14esG Combitherm®
Combination Oven/Steamer
20•20esG Combitherm®
Combination Oven/Steamer
1767-SK/III Cook/Hold/Smoker Oven
500-2D Drawer Warmer
QC-100 QuickChiller™
1 - 8 0 0 - 5 5 8 - 8 7 4 4 • w w w . a lt o - s h a a m . c o m
GLOBAL UPDATE
Epic Offers Guests
Digital Library
impton Hotels & Restaurants’
new Epic Hotel in Miami has
launched the Epic Page Turner
guest reading program, which provides select complimentary books
for adults and children, access to
Sony Reader Digital Books, and
the online Epic Virtual Nightstand
(available via the hotel’s Web site),
where guests can access select
book excerpts from their own
in-room desktop computer.
Author visits and signing events
held during the hotel’s complimentary
evening wine hour also are planned.
“Today’s travelers want to be
able to enjoy their personal interests
and passions without having to
pack more than they need,” says
Eric Jellson, area director of sales
and marketing, Kimpton Hotels.
“Our guests enjoy keeping up with
a favorite author, literary genre, or
the latest bestseller, and the Epic
Page Turner program is our way to
provide our guests with epic experiences in every sense of the word.”
The Epic Page Turner program is
the result of a partnership between
the hotel and Hachette Book Group,
Sony Digital and the Early Learning
Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe.
K
Spotlight Shines On Blue Tree’s New Brand
R
ecognizing an opportunity in Brazil’s
underdeveloped budget sector, Blue
Tree Hotels President Chieko Aoki is
launching a contemporary economy brand
called Spotlight Hotels by Chieko Aoki.
The first hotel is set to open this month
in São Paulo and Aoki says she plans to
have five hotels in operation by the end of
the year in primary markets of Brazil. She
wants an additional 10 hotels by the end of
2010 across Latin America.
Although properties have a Westernstyle design, Aoki is creating the brand
based on the Japanese ryokan—traditional
inns where general managers personally
welcome guests and make themselves
available to help the guests throughout their
stays. “Our focus is on our guests, and
that is the reason for the name Spotlight
Hotels—guests are in the center of the
spotlight and have the attention of the
whole team,” Aoki says. “Our staff is
extensively trained to not only to do things
right, fast and perfectly, but also warmly
and with a lively spirit so that guests can
feel relaxed and taken care of.”
Aoki says the F&B concept is a
“typical American deli with tasteful and
healthy choices that guests can select and
prepare as they wish.” The lobby lounge
is designed to be like a living area, where
guests can have drinks and watch television. The “meeting point” offers information about the city and areas of interest.
Claridge’s Pampers With Dressing Tables
laridge’s, London, has unveiled vintage, deco dressing tables inspired by designer Christian Dior in its Linley and Claridge’s Suites. Available for an additional
£300 to the quoted room rate, amenities at the dressing table include an elegant cream
silk Claridge’s dressing gown personalized with guests’ initials, high-heeled
marabou mule slippers and a rose pink cashmere eye mask.
On the dressing table itself, Christian Dior has selected a range of
classic Dior fragrances. In addition, a cocktail menu from Claridge’s
Fumoir Bar sits on the dressing table featuring cocktails from the
1930s, including swizzles, daisies, sours, juleps and pick-me-ups,
all from the original recipes and served in Lalique glasses. Little
touches to enhance the ambience include a selection of classic
works from era novelists like Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford, and
a music collection with notable songs from Josephine Baker and
Fred Astaire completes the experience.
As guests head out the door for the evening, Dior also has created a
beauty kit of the essentials, including compacts, powders and ruby red lipstick
and nail varnish. “We have identified from our guests a desire to experience some
nostalgic escapism and sense a return to bygone glamour,” says General Manager
Philippe Leboeuf.
C
16 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
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GLOBAL UPDATE: PROFILE
ABRAHAMSON At Home With IHG
“Product of the system” has his hands full
with economy, replacing legendary Porter.
which we operate. Yes, we are seeing
close to 800 hotels globally
(one-third of the system) with financial default numbers going up, but in
long seemed destined to become president of the Americas
real numbers it is not at an alarming rate.”
the new identity package in
for IHG, as he did in January.
To help keep IHG owners in busiplace. The goal is to complete
He spent several years as a GM
ness, Abrahamson says the company
the re-imaging program by
in the Bass plc system during
the end of January, with costs is highly focused on driving revenue.
the ’80s, went to Holiday Inn
The company has completely realigned
estimated at US$150,000 per
school and considers himself
the revenue delivery system, launched
hotel. “The success we are
“a product of the system.” Over
seeing in performance (5% to the largest free nights program through
the past 10 years or so, he has
the loyalty program, created a huge
6% RevPAR premium) and
been growing his skill set with
gain of market share has been “friends and family” discount program
Hilton and Hyatt in franchisand added 30% to the national sales
a great revelation for us all,”
Jim Abrahamson
ing and development—the latest
force. “This is hand-to-hand warfare,”
Abrahamson says.
feather in his cap being the creation and
Abrahamson says. “We added 22 people
Abrahamson also is pleased with the
rollout of the Hyatt Place brand. Unforto our national sales team.”
progress of the pipeline, which should
tunately, it took last year’s tragic passing
The Americas team also has decided
lead to 350 hotel openings this year. In
of Stevan Porter, a friend and colleague
to forego its systemwide conference this
May alone, 40 hotels opened under the
of Abrahamson, to bring him back to
various IHG flags, and 60 new contracts year in lieu of 85 town hall meetings. The
his roots with the IHG family. Now, he
“Book Solid” tour teaches salespeople
were executed during the first quarter—
is charged with building on the legacy
how to present to potential customers.
about 50% to 60% of the usual pace,
created by Porter and managing this with according to Abrahamson. “Pipeline
The program helps general managers and
aplomb at perhaps the most difficult
directors of sales better understand
growth is back to where it was eight or
moment in the industry’s history.
distribution strategies and make changes
nine years ago,” he says.
“Those early impressions are longthat will have a positive impact on
While hotel loan defaults and bank
lasting, and I learned the business around
demand, rooms sold and revenue per sale.
foreclosures are growing by the minute,
Holiday Inn,” Abrahamson says. “ToAt the end of the day, Abrahamson
Abrahamson says IHG owners appear to
day, the motivation of the team is high,
says, “We are seeing a shift toward the
have limited exposure, especially because
the company operates mostly in the
the brands are well positioned and the
mid-scale, so our brands are well received.
mid-market and limited-service segments. Groups and meeting planners are looking
pipeline is strong. Knowing Steve and his
“We have franchisees dealing with this
legacy, I have an opportunity to pick up
at us as a great spot for their travelers. It is
where he left off. It is a natural evolution.” problem, but most have relationship loans
no longer all about price negotiation—it is
with local banks, so there is not as much
Abrahamson’s challenge is to refocus
position in the market.” L
the energy of the organization and owners, of a rush to foreclose in the segments in
Direct comments to: jweinstein@reedbusiness.com
who are under fire during these difficult
times. He is realigning the organization
a bit to address areas needing the most
IHG, The Americas, By The Numbers
attention and re-slotting some team
N 1,300 hotels in the pipeline—about 850 of them Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn
members as he sees fit. For example,
Express (95% of those are new developments)
Angela Brav has moved into the role of
N 350 hotels scheduled to open in the Americas this year
vice president of franchise services and
N71% of IHG’s global pipeline in the United States
operations; Eric Pierson has taken over as
N By the end of 2009, 40% to 50% of Crowne Plaza portfolio will be renovated
vice president of brand performance; and
NCrowne Plaza has 40 hotels in the Americas pipeline
Jim Anhut is now senior vice president
N The upscale InterContinental brand has seven hotels in the pipeline, with Times
and chief development officer.
ATLANTA Jim Abrahamson has
Staying The Course
Job number one remains the Holiday
Inn relaunch, which through May hit
Square in New York City coming online next in 2010
N Regional pipeline: United States/Canada, 1,200-plus hotels; Mexico, 62 hotels;
Central, South and Latin America, 17 hotels
FAST FACTS: In 2010 in the United States, occupancy will drop 0.3%, ADR will fall 3.4%, RevPAR will decline 3.7%. (Smith Travel Research)
18 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
GLOBAL UPDATE: PROFILE
Seattle Developer Plans Chain
Of Luxury Casinos—IN GUATEMALA
Alekson’s Luxuriant brand a public-private
partnership and a philanthropic endeavor.
SEATTLE Jim Alekson
resorts and use them
understands why people
for various governshoot him a skeptical
ment agencies to
look when he explains
improve the lives of
his plans to start a chain
the people of
of luxury casino resorts
Guatemala,” he
in the Central America
says.
nation of Guatemala.
The gaming
After all, the former
operations will be
chief operating officer
branded as Luxuriof Milliken Developant World Resorts
ment Group once
and operated by a
Jim Alekson
shared that skepticism.
third-party gaming
“I was invited to Guatemacompany—Alekson is
la a couple years ago, and I looked
not sure which one yet, but he says
at the country at thought, ‘Oh,
it will not be a Las Vegas-based opdo I really want to get involved
erator. “It may be more culturally
in what I perceived to be a Third
conducive to have someone come
World country?’” Alekson says.
out of Europe—Spain or Portugal,
“Of course, my perception of the
perhaps,” he says.
country has changed dramatically
Adjoining hotels will feature
over the time I’ve been working
one or more international flags,
there.”
and the resorts will be collectively
Alekson sees immense luxury
marketed within a luxury consortourism potential in this developtium called Luxuriant Masterpiece
ing country of 13 million people
Collection. Each Luxuriant resort
immediately south of Mexico.
will be between 300 and 500 acres
His Seattle-based Alekson De(121 and 202 ha) and will cost in
velopment Group has signed an
the range of US$200 million. New
agreement with the Guatemala
Jersey-based Horizon Hotels
government for control of six
Ltd. will act as asset manager for
gaming licenses in exchange for
Luxuriant properties.
20% of the net gaming win being
Alekson has not yet settled on
donated to the Guatemala Pedisites for the resorts, but he says
atric Association. An additional
destinations near the UNESCO
percentage of the profits will be
World Heritage-protected city of
donated to other charities, AlekLa Antigua, along with Flores El
son promises. “Primarily, we’re
Peten, near the ancient Mayan rubeing set up so we can take the
ins of Tikal, are likely candidates
majority of the profits for some
for investment. Alekson expects
to start development on the first
property this year, with the first
Luxuriant property slated to open
by 2012.
Future Luxuriant resorts are
planned elsewhere in Central and
South America, with a goal of six
properties open within 10 years.
Peru, Argentina and Brazil are
long-term targets, as is Cuba.
“One of the things that intrigues
me is being able to go back into the
Havana harbor and gathering the
gambling and hotel establishments
that were in the waterfront in the
heyday of the 1950s and bringing
those back again,” Alekson says.
“I think that would be an absolute
treat to be able to do that again. You
could create such an opportunity,
from a tourist point of view, and use
those same profits to stimulate the
economy in Cuba.”
Alekson considers Guatemala
a logical jumping-off point for
the Luxuriant brand due to its
close proximity to the United
States and its geographic
diversity of mountain, beach and
jungle locales. That the country
is largely unknown to tourists
gives it an added mystique, he
says. Americans, Canadians and
Western Europeans are expected
to make up the bulk of visitors.
So what changed Alekson’s
mind about Guatemala’s viability
as a destination? He spent a week
driving around the countryside
meeting with natives.
“I went, ‘Whoa!’” he says.
“There are some parts of Guatemala
City where you find clubs that are
comparable to New York—there
are some very sophisticated people
in Guatemala. Now, granted, there
are some parts of Guatemala that
are impoverished, and that’s part of
what we’re doing with the philanthropy.” L
Direct comments to:
adam.kirby@reedbusiness.com
FAST FACTS: There were 247 million global tourist arrivals through April 2009, down from 269 million in 2008. (UNWTO)
20 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
GLOBAL UPDATE: TECHNOLOGY
HITEC 2009 HIGHLIGHTS:
The Future Of Guestroom TV
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA At last
year’s Hospitality Industry
Technology Exposition and
Conference, better known
as HITEC, future-looking
chatter centered around
what the guestroom phone
would eventually look like,
if it exists at all. This year,
observers were beginning to
look at what will follow the
traditional fee-based videoon-demand model.
Declaring the old hotel
revenue stream of fee-based
video on demand “dead,”
iBahn President Greg Hodges
showed off what he believes
is the future of guestroom TV.
iBahn’s iMedia technology
is true high-speed Internet
streamed over television.
This is not another version of IPTV; this is a PC
in the guestroom that just
happens to double as a highdefinition television, with
incredibly crisp streaming
video—a picture so perfect
that most guests would not
be able to tell the difference
from regular HDTV. For the
first time in years, this will
enable mainstream upscale
and upper-upscale hotels to
offer guests a technological
experience better than what
most have in their homes.
Unlike traditional video on
demand, iMedia gives guests
a virtually unlimited video
library from which to choose.
Even better, it sidesteps the
need for digital video recorders, which are becoming
commonplace in many homes,
since most TV shows can be
streamed for free online—or in
this case, on TV.
So how are hoteliers
going to recoup that revenue
stream? By selling the additional bandwidth required
to stream these videos. In
the same way that hotels
today offer free television
but charge for video-on-demand content, hotels using
iMedia could allow free basic
Internet browsing but charge
a fee for bandwidth-intensive
applications, like streaming
media.
iMedia will be field tested
in the third quarter and is slated
for a fourth quarter release.
Computer-TV integration
is definitely coming, in one
form or another. LodgeNet
Interactive Corp. at HITEC
introduced its IPTV+ offering, which integrates Apple’s
Mac Mini with HD IPTV,
giving hoteliers the ability to
customize in-room interactive experiences, including
entertainment and sales and
marketing information.
The solution provides
access to on-demand
entertainment content and
programming, complete with
interactive programming
guide and support for Webbased entertainment.
While HITEC 2009 was
a more streamlined affair,
with attendance off 28% and
the number and extravagance
of vendor-sponsored parties
down even more, there were
many highlights, including
these:
turbine. It may be some time
before it comes to market,
though, as the return on investment is not there yet.
MICROSOFT
VINGCARD ELSAFE
Perhaps by the end of this
year, VingCard Elsafe hopes to
launch a locking system that
uses guest loyalty program
cards as keycards, according
to Rune Venas, North America
president of Assa Abloy Hospitality Inc., VingCard’s parent
company. Few details have
been released about how exactly the system will work, but
Venas says the technology will
allow guests to bypass front
desk check-in. Rival company
Saflok has been working for
a couple years on a similar
product called Reggie, but
it has yet to achieve market
penetration.
KABA ILCO
Speaking of Saflok, the
company’s sister brand, Ilco,
displayed one of the coolest
innovations at HITEC 2009.
The Ilco Powerlever is an
electronic lock that eliminates
the need for batteries by generating its own electricity each
time the door handle is turned.
It is basically a miniature
InterContinental Hotels &
Resorts has begun rolling
out Microsoft Surface at
select properties, beginning
in Atlanta and soon extending
to Asia Pacific. The InterContinental versions of Surface
will feature a customized
wedding planner application,
allowing salespeople and
brides-to-be to sit around the
interactive tabletop computer
and digitally design the big
day, right down to ballroom
layout. In limited market
testing, the brand claims to
already have closed several
wedding bookings thanks in
large part to the interactive
planning program.
Microsoft’s Experience
lounge that debuted last year at
Hotel Sax Chicago is now a
branded concept, having been
also installed at Residence
Inn Seattle Bellevue/Downtown. Microsoft is offering to
customize future Experience
lounges via à la carte packages.
TWITTER
At a session featuring numerous roundtable discussions
of industry issues, the table
devoted to Twitter had twice
as many people—and a more
captive audience—than any
other. In fact, the Twitter table
dwarfed even the green table.
Social media in general and
Twitter in particular seem to be
the industry’s new hot topics. L
Direct comments to:
adam.kirby@reedbusiness.com
FAST FACTS: 56% of leisure travelers make some aspect of their travel reservations online. (Ypartnership)
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 21
GLOBAL UPDATE: NEWS
GOSTELOW
report
M
any of the bigger projects already
announced for the sultanate of
Oman have, at best, been put on hold, but
among the developments still going ahead
is Zeitgeist Projects’ tented camp, which
will have 45 units.
Vikram Chatwal of New York-based
Hampshire Hotels and Resorts Group
has been schooled both by Morgan Stanley
and at the Wharton School of Business. On
behalf of his family, he is now giving priority to expansion in India, where he wants at
least 10 hotels to be managed by Vikram
Chatwal Hotels. His targets include Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur,
Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Noida.
Another company expanding in India is
Legacy Hotels & Infraprojects, Delhi. It
plans to have no fewer than 40 Sun Hotels
around the country, offering quality rooms
at affordable rates.
As today’s new-luxury travel includes
escape and privacy, developers are realizing
the need for more island resorts. The Liem
family, which own most of the Hyatts in Aus-
‘‘
tralia, has a 2,400acre (970-ha) island
off Bali that might
attract developers.
Hainan Island,
which some call the
Hawaii of China,
continues to be a
magnet for many
developers. Keith
Darby, chairman of
Belgravia Properties Ltd., Hong Kong,
has beachfront land on the island that
would accommodate a 100-room hotel. But
there are so many other areas of China
that are attracting interest. Historic properties in Shanghai are being converted, and
The Peninsula Shanghai opens in October on the end of a beautiful garden that at
one time belonged to the British Consulate, a few hundred yards from The Bund.
And is the rumor that Number One The
Bund will become a hotel true or false?
At the gala to celebrate the extensive
renovations of The Langham, London, Lo
Ka Shui, chairman of Hong Kong-based
Langham Hotels International, shared his
expansion plans. With one hotel in mainland China already open—the Langham
Yangtze Boutique Hotel, Shanghai—he
wants four more there. He is also looking
HOT TYPE
The problem on our
anyone is talking
about. I find myself
hoping the Obama
administration has
plans to bail out CMBS
and related mortgages.
We are still in deny
’’
and defer mode.
- Tom Morone, Warnick & Co.,
on the state of hotel real estate
HOTELIERS
horizon is bigger than
for more in Europe and the United States.
Singapore-based Park Hotel Group has
similarly set a target of an additional 10
properties in China by 2015.
Mark DeCocinis, Hong Kong-based
regional vice president for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., Chevy Chase, Maryland,
is still remembered for taking visitors to
Shanghai around that city in the sidecar of
his vintage motorbike. Now he prepares for
the 2010 opening of the 300-key RitzCarlton Hong Kong, which Sun Hung Kai
Properties is building on the Kowloon
mainland (Sun Hung Kai Properties has
a new chief executive, Ricco de Blank,
who joins from Ritz-Carlton, where he was
opening GM of Ritz-Carlton Tokyo). Mark
DeCocinis currently oversees a portfolio of
14 hotels and a pipeline of 12. He wants
to add to the resort component, not only in
China, where he sees potential in mountain resorts, but also in Vietnam. On the
city side, he wants a return both to Hong
Kong Island and to Australia (his company
formerly had two hotels in Sydney). In
Asia, he says, Ritz-Carltons are increasingly being used as social centers.
Mary Gostelow,
Contributing Editor
Send news via e-mail to:
mary.gostelow@wowtraveler.net
Lodgian Inc. names Dan Ellis president
and CEO... Vila Vita Portugal names
Luís Fernandes CEO... Waterford
Hotel Group names Gregory Smith
CFO and vice president of finance…
Choice Hotels International appoints
Kevin Lewis president of upscale and
extended stay brands… Hilton Hotels
Finamore
Goessing
Corp. promotes Andrew Flack to vice
president of global brand marketing for the Hilton brand… The Dow Hotel
Co. promotes Randall King to vice president of marketing and revenue
development… Starwood Hotels & Resorts Canada names David
Ogilvie vice president of sales and marketing… Aimbridge Hospitality
appoints Richard Sprecher to vice president of business development…
Preferred Hotel Group names Jose Ventura regional director of Africa
and regional director of Preferred Residences for Europe, Middle East
and Africa… Rosewood Hotels & Resorts names Peter Finamore
managing director of Al Faisaliah Hotel and Hotel Al Khozama...
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group names Jan Goessing general manager
of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok… Pan Pacific Hotels Group names Rudy
Rodas general manager for Pan Pacific Xiamen.
FAST FACTS: China’s hotel pipeline, still the second largest, is down from its peak 22% for projects, 20% for rooms. (Lodging Econometrics)
22 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
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INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
O
SPECIAL REPORT
Business is
down across
the continent,
but primary
destinations are
holding their own.
Europe’s Gateways
To STABILITY
By Adam Kirby, Associate Editor
A
s elsewhere in
the world, hotel
performance across
Europe is down, but some
analysts say the industry has
actually held up better than
expected, and some European
markets are even showing
signs of rebounding.
Major gateways like
London, Paris, Barcelona and
Amsterdam are among the
cities showing relative resilience. Established markets
with strong corporate and
leisure markets, unsurprisingly, are holding up better
than others.
On the whole, Jones Lang
LaSalle Hotels expects
Europe RevPar to fall by
15% to 20% overall this year.
And while even Europe’s
primary destinations are
having a tough time, it is
the secondary cities that are
being truly pummeled, with
major cities benefiting from
intraregional short holidays,
says Christiane Fiack, a
Frankfurt-based partner with
Ernst & Young.
“Some markets appear a
bit more robust—the traditional business, government
and tourist destinations such
as London, Frankfurt,
Brussels, Paris and Venice
have not declined as badly
as the secondary markets,”
Fiack says. “All European
markets are likely to be
scarred. Nonetheless,
markets in secondary
cities with a high share of
domestic demand might be
impacted less, but they usually trade at a comparably
low, though stable, level.”
The upper-upscale and
luxury segments, especially
in markets with a high share
of international demand and
which showed strong growth
in supply and demand in
recent years, may be the
ones that really suffer worst,
Fiack says.
France’s hotels, in
general, have shown more
resilience than most of those
throughout the rest of Europe
due to the country’s diversified
and mature tourism industry,
says Vanguélis Panayotis,
the London-based director of
development for consultancy
MKG Hospitality. The
country’s biggest player,
Paris-based Accor, is buoyed
by its limited reliance on
franchise deals, giving it
more control through subsidiaries and via management
contract properties, he says.
But resilience, of course,
ON THE WEB: 58% of respondents say free breakfast influences their choice of hotels, up from 51% last year. (Ypartnership/ Yankelovich)
24 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan
Hotel, Paris Eiffel (l.), and
Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel,
Paris Trocadero (above), both
opened this year.
is relative. IHG has taken to
tracking RevPAR relative to
the rest of the market, rather
than year-over-year, as a more
telling measure of success.
“We’re not immune, but like
in the [rest of the] world, IHG
continues to outperform generally in Europe,” says Kirk
Kinsell, IHG’s vice president
of Europe, Middle East and
Africa. “All of us will see our
numbers fall off considerably,
but on a relative basis, we
think we’ll stay out ahead.”
Maintaining rate integrity is
the ideal scenario, but while
few hoteliers admit to a strategy of cutting rates, most have
given in, to varying degrees.
In London, for instance,
occupancy actually grew
1.5% year over year in May,
but ADR dropped by 5.4%,
according to TRI Hospitality
Consulting.
Although rate slashing
does not pay over the long
haul, it can serve to make
things a little easier in the
short run, says Stewart
Coggans, the Czech-based
head of Central and Eastern
Europe for Cushman &
Wakefield Hospitality. “With
no ADR adjustments, guests
will not magically appear—
today’s consumer is spending more time looking for
bargains—and as a result, the
performance of hotels who do
not address the ADR issue can
fall of a cliff, and it’s more
difficult to bring the guest
back,” he says.
Complicating revenue
management is a dwindling
advance-booking window. In
June, The Dorchester, London,
booked about a quarter of its
inventory within a week of
arrival, says Dorchester Collection CEO Chris Cowdray.
Some operators also report that
the duration of travel is getting
much shorter, particularly
among European travelers.
“The Europeans previously booked an average 10
days stay, and Americans five
days,” says Luis Riu, CEO of
Riu Hotels & Resorts. “Now,
the Europeans get closer to
the Americans, if they travel
to mid-haul and short-haul
destinations.”
development opportunities.
Instead, major international
brands are seeing a rush to
conversions and flaggings by
owners of unbranded hotels.
But while new project
starts may be limited, projects
well into development are
continuing to open, giving
hotel companies plenty to talk
about. Some 38,879 guestrooms in 277 hotels are projected to open across Europe
this year, according to a June
forecast from Lodging Econometrics, while a further 278
hotels and 47,464 guestrooms
are expected to open in 2010.
The Europe pipeline for
Hilton Hotels Corp. will Openings Still Happening
A lack of available credit
across Europe, as in most
of the rest of the world, is
severely hampering new
14
The 473-key W Barcelona (r.) is set
to open in October as Europe’s
second W. Orient-Express’ Hotel
Cipriani, Venice (below), is
undergoing a major renovation.
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 25
SPECIAL REPORT
The Rocco Forte Collection’s first
resort, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort,
is set to open this month in Sicily.
deliver more slowly in the
coming year, acknowledges
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior
vice president of development
for Europe and Africa. Still,
the company expects a typical
attrition rate. Most developers are waiting out the storm,
and even projects that would
otherwise be abandoned are
being kept alive by other
developers looking to enter
several of Europe’s notoriously high-barrier-to-entry
markets, he says.
Panayotis backs up
Fitzgibbon’s analysis
generally, saying many
investors remain confident
and are continuing to pursue
development plans made
prior to the downturn—particularly in Western Europe.
“Of course, many are playing
the waiting game now,” he
says, “but as soon as things
become clearer, we will see
investors out of the block.
It is the same situation with
many of the refurbishment
programs that have been
postponed for next year.”
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Group is making its entry
into Southern Europe at
the end of this year—the
98-key Mandarin Oriental,
Barcelona, will be housed
in a redeveloped building.
Also notable in that city is
the opening of W Barcelona,
which is Europe’s second W,
following last year’s Istanbul
debut. The opening of the
stunning 473-key new-build
is set for October; other W
projects remain under development in Paris and London.
Fairmont Raffles Hotels
International continues to
seek Raffles-branded properties in several major Europe
gateways—London, Milan
and Berlin at the forefront—
but those plans are on the
back burner for now. The
Fairmont brand’s expansion
in Europe likewise remains
a dream deferred, says Chris
Cahill, chief operating officer
for Fairmont Raffles.
“Because of the lack of
liquidity, lack of equity, lack
of debt and lack of demand,
there’s really not much
impetus for new supply at
this point,” he says. Raffles
Paris is slated to open early
next year, while the London
Savoy is in the midst of a
£100 million renovation.
Kiev Fairmont should open
late in 2010.
London and Paris are
medium-term targets for
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts,
but land and development
prices in those cities have not
come down to a point where
new construction makes
26 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
financial sense, says Ola
Ivarsson, Mövenpick’s senior
vice president for Europe.
Mövenpick plans to explore
expansion in markets where
it already has a presence, like
Germany and Switzerland.
Conversions Appeal
Setting aside projects
already in the ground or
with committed financing,
Coggans estimates that only
about a quarter of Europe’s
announced pipeline actually
will commence in the next 18
months.
However, conversions—
either in the form of extensive
renovations or, more likely,
brand re-flaggings—are
increasingly common across
Europe. Owners of unbranded
hotels, which make up about
75% of Europe’s inventory,
are feeling more pressure than
ever to affiliate from lenders
wary of default.
As a result, Hilton has
more growth opportunities
today than at any time since
the 2006 merger with Hilton
International, Fitzgibbon
says. “In any downturn or
crisis, there is always
opportunity, and for us that
has been one of the real
highlights. Whilst there have
been some developments that
have slowed down, there are
others that have really
accelerated,” he says.
The Doubletree by Hilton
brand is generating especially
strong conversion interest,
having flagged six hotels in
the past year in the UK, with
at least four more expected in
the next 12 months.
And while the luxury
and upper-upscale segments
have been hardest hit by the
downturn, branded product
is holding up better than
independent; Hilton thus
sees opportunity to continue
growing its Waldorf Astoria
Collection portfolio across
the continent.
Starwood Hotels &
Resorts holds similar
optimism for its Luxury
Collection in Europe, says
Bart Carnahan, senior vice
president of acquisitions and
development for Starwood’s
Europe, Africa and Middle
Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg,
restored 10 historic suites this
year, including the Lidval Suite.
East division. “It is a major
luxury hotel brand that is
ideal as a conversion proposition for owners that treasure
individuality and flexibility,
but that seek to enhance their
positioning by linking to the
well-established Starwood
engine,” he says.
Starwood remains on
track to grow its EMEA
portfolio by more than 25%
in the next five years, and
conversion will be a major
component to that, Carnahan
says. Meanwhile, Starwood
reports a general slowdown
in new-build requests in
Western Europe. “We think
this is to be expected, that it
is temporary and that it opens
up conversion opportunities,
which are a perfect match for
Starwood and which previously may not have been on
our radar,” Carnahan says.
Marriott International
continues to seek opportunities
for its upscale brands in
major European cities,
complemented by its
limited-service brands.
What has changed with the
downturn is a new emphasis
on conversion opportunities,
says Carlton Ervin, Marriott’s
senior vice president for
development.
New management
contracts are off this year
for IHG, Kinsell says, but
activity on the conversion
side is way up. He reports
heightened interest among
owners of independent hotels
and properties with “weaker
brands” across Europe
looking to convert to Holiday
Inn and, to a lesser extent,
the upstart Hotel Indigo
brand. Indigo made its
Europe debut in January with
a 64-key property in London,
with three more in the
pipeline for that city.
IHG is keeping an eye on
unfinished residential and
office projects in Europe
that have been stalled by the
credit crunch as prospects to
be repurposed as hotels. “It’s
certainly in the considered
set,” Kinsell says. “We’re
paying attention to deals
gone bad for other uses. To a
lot of real estate developers,
hotels are starting to look
attractive because they’ve
got the notion that inflation
is coming back, especially if
they are able to buy the asset
below replacement cost.”
Emerging Markets Struggle
Most new development is
being mothballed or deferred
in Europe’s emerging
markets, with the exception
of some budget and midscale projects. Lack of equity
and debt funding, higher
loan-to-value ratios, hesitant
investors and difficulties
defining market values are
conspiring to keep emerging
markets in their proverbial
cocoons. Markets reliant on
inbound visitors, like many
in Eastern Europe, are
struggling mightily.
While Panayotis believes
the mature markets of
Western Europe are already
beginning to offer limited
opportunities for investment,
he is less optimistic about the
rest of the continent. Central
and Eastern Europe markets
are less active both in terms
of development and performance, he says. In Bulgaria,
for example, a national
tourism organization projects
some 300 hotels there will be
in foreclosure by the end of
the year.
According to STR Global,
no Europe market has been
hit harder than Moscow,
which posted a 40% RevPAR
drop in May year-over-year.
Nevertheless, Olga Arkhangelskaya, a partner with Ernst
& Young’s Moscow office,
believes the recent rate of
industry expansion may, in
fact, be sustainable in the CIS.
Telling indicators like
occupancy and ADR are
decreasing, but not substantially. “Even during the
period of rapid development
the market experienced an
undersupply of hotels, so
currently the hotel sector
shows the least downturn in
comparison to other real estate
sectors,” Arkhangelskaya says.
During the boom times,
emerging markets benefited
from improving yields, rising
performance and the availability of debt for new projects, Coggans says. Those
conditions are history. “Until
banking confidence in the
sector returns, new projects
will be few and far between,”
Coggans says. “More likely
activity is the redevelopment
and upgrading of existing
product, and arguably that is
what is needed in any case.”
That said, The Rezidor
Hotel Group remains downright bullish on Europe’s
emerging markets. Rezidor,
which already has signed 20
contracts and opened
another 20 properties this
year, expects more than half
of its growth over the next
few years to come from
Russia, the CIS and the
Middle East, says Puneet
Chhatwal, Rezidor’s senior
vice president and chief
development officer. At the
same time, Rezidor also is
looking to expand in
Europe’s traditional gateways, taking advantage of
reduced development costs
resulting from the downturn.
Starwood continues to
see activity in Central and
Eastern Europe, in markets
like Russia and Ukraine,
Carnahan says. The same
goes for IHG’s Kinsell,
who still views Russia as a
strong play, particularly in
the upscale segments due to
undersupply; Moscow and
St. Petersburg remain targets
for the InterContinental and
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten,
Kempinski München, Munich
Crowne Plaza brands. The
world’s largest Holiday Inn,
with 1,000 guestrooms, is
under construction in Moscow.
Hilton sees potential in
Russia for its upscale brands,
especially its Doubletree
conversion brand, which
is opening in Novosibirsk
later this year. And ShangriLa Hotels and Resorts has
signed a deal to manage a
400-key hotel in Moscow
beginning in 2012.
Orient-Express Hotels,
which is in the midst of a
major renovation of trophy
asset Hotel Cipriani, Venice,
is refocusing on the
traditional core markets of
Western Europe after several www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 27
SPECIAL REPORT
years exploring emerging
markets. “Opportunities in
Eastern Europe, including
Russia, have dried up in
the short term,” says Filip
Boyen, vice president of
operations for OrientExpress. “But, as real estate
prices have not yet hit bottom, we might see great
opportunities going forward.”
Opportunities Abound
For the rest of this year and
into 2010, there are deals to
be had as hoteliers struggle
to stay afloat.
Kempinski Hotels, for
instance, is focusing on
adding inventory in high-barrier-to-entry gateway cities
in Western Europe during the
downturn, says Chief
Development Officer Leonard
Cohen. “The current environment has really not affected
those plans,” he says. “If
anything, we are even more
active than we would otherwise be because we hope that
some assets that might be in
trouble will eventually trade,
and there could be some
management opportunities
that arise from that.”
Many investors continue to expect a flood of
distressed assets to hit the
market later this year. Until
then, hotel transactions are
few, especially above €50
million. “Where we have
seen deals done, these tend
either to be at the trophy end
of the market by majority
equity buyers or for the
limited number of distress
sales we have seen to date,”
says Derek Gammage,
EMEA managing director
for CBRE Hotels. “It seems
increasingly likely that
banks will look to accelerate
their impaired loans over the
Kempinski Hybernska Prague opened last fall. Prague and other Eastern
European cities are struggling to maintain rates during the downturn.
next 12 months, and this,
combined with the inability
to refinance loans, should
drive an increase in disposal
activity. We do not believe,
generally, we will see hotels
coming to market unless the
seller is, to some degree,
acting with compunction.”
A good example: In one
of the biggest hotel deals
this year, Starwood Capital
Group agreed in July to
purchase approximately 240
of the 260 hotels owned by
Netherlands-based Golden
Tulip Hospitality, which
went into receivership
Turkey Emerges As Luxury Destination
he market generating the most buzz
lately is Turkey, and with good reason.
The country, which famously straddles
both Europe and Asia, is fast establishing itself as one of the most luxurious
resort locales on either continent.
Turkey is one of the few markets in the
world that has seen inbound American
tourism increase this year—up 2.4% in the
first quarter year-over-year. Furthermore,
travelers from the UK are choosing Turkey
in greater numbers since the recent slide
of the sterling against the euro.
Turkey’s luxury emergence is led by
the opulent Mardan Palace, which opened
in June in the Mediterranean resort city of
Antalya. Costing US$1.4 billion, the 560key resort is the most expensive hotel in
T
Europe. Covered by 100,000 sq. ft. (9,290
sq. m) of gold trim and 250,000 sq. ft.
(23,226 sq. m) of marble, it is designed to
look like a gilded wedding cake. It features
a 5-acre (2-ha) swimming pool and an
on-site river with gondoliers.
International hotel companies are
targeting Turkey’s major cities for
expansion, namely Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir,
Antalya, Bodrum and Cesme.
Hilton Hotels Corp. in particular has
big plans for Turkey. Hilton, which opened
Hilton Dalaman Resort & Spa-Sarigerme
in July, has signed 13 management
contracts for properties slated to open
over the next two years. It has nine
properties already open in the country.
The Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by
Hilton brands are expected to
debut in Turkey over the next two
Mardan Palace opened in
years.
June as the most
Mike Collini, Hilton’s vice presexpensive hotel in Europe.
ident of development for Northern Europe, says Turkey’s real
earlier this year. The transaction, the value of which
was undisclosed, is on top of
Starwood Capital’s previous
acquisition of Golden
Tulip’s franchise business, its
development and representation businesses, its joint venture interests, and its brands,
trademarks and intellectual
property. Starwood Capital
plans to create a strategic
alliance between the Golden
Tulip brand and its other
major Europe hotel holding,
Groupe du Louvre. ⽧
Direct comments to:
adam.kirby@reedbusiness.com
opportunity lies in the low penetration of
international brands in regional cities, as
well as limited brand diversity in the midmarket sector. “Quality hotel supply is still
incredibly low and not growing at sufficient
levels to meet international and domestic
demand,” Collini says.
IHG sees Istanbul as a major global
gateway; the company has several
Crowne Plaza and Express by Holiday Inn
projects in the works there.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
selected Istanbul for its first European W
Hotels property. The 170-key W Istanbul
opened last year, as did another premier
luxury property, Four Seasons Hotel at the
Bosphorus-Istanbul.
Another major project in the Turkey
pipeline is what is slated to be the first of
the highly anticipated Edition brand. The
€100 million, 80-key property from Ian
Schrager and Marriott International is targeted for a December opening in Istanbul.
Also watch for the 2010 opening of
Poseidon Underwater Hotel, a 7-story
project from Tanriverdi Holding to be
submerged in the Bosphorus Strait. ⽧
DESIGN
PLAZA
ATHÉNÉE, Paris
Decorated by Marie-José
Pommereau, co-founder
of Architectural Digest in
France, this project
transformed an old apartment into a new part of
the hotel. Hotel Director
Mrs. Laurence Bloch says
the brief was to give the
suites a revisited—classical but with modern
touches—luxurious and
couture atmosphere. “I
really wanted a suite in
gray and pink colors,” Bloch
says. “So I briefed MarieJosé Pommereau on this
idea, and she used highquality rich fabrics with
accent or cameo colors to
magnify this suite. She put
the emphasis on the accessories by choosing silver
features and chandeliers.”
Perhaps most intriguing of
all, the Eiffel Suite’s view
of the Eiffel Tower caused
Pommereau to replace the
curtains with an oversized
frame. The new suite also
features a grand piano and
gaming table.
Suite designs
run the gamut,
with exciting new
creations ranging
from elegant to
extreme.
Suite
VIEW
By Jeff Weinstein, Editor In Chief
Suites, by nature, must deliver on an elevated set of guest
expectations. Trying to interpret and anticipate the wants and
needs of 21st century suite-goers seemingly has designers
considering disparate possibilities, ranging from classic interpretations
of elegance and timelessness to over-the-top colorful strokes of ultracreativity. Nothing seems to lie in the middle these days.
This month, HOTELS looks at the latest in suite design that is
sometimes retro chic, but more often modern. In every case—from
the glamorous Eiffel Suite designed by Marie-Jose Pommereau at the
Plaza Athénée in Paris to the uber-hip Extreme Wow Suite at the new
W Doha—the designer is trying to compose a space that is both
luxurious and grand, and it doesn’t hurt to offer a sweet view. `
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 29
DESIGN
HOTEL SANTA TERESA, Rio de Janeiro
The former colonial ranch located in the heart of the historic district of Rio de Janeiro takes on an ethnic, tropical design by
François Delort. Inspiration came from the African indigenous roots of the north and east of Brazil, by the great coffee,
sugarcane and cocoa plantations and by the Rio Baroque or Voodoo. Delort created a new look while using materials and
styles of Brazilian design and architecture that were abandoned long ago. He gave them a contemporary interpretation by
using golden slates, guestroom doors with the seven woods from Amazonia, the Bacaba fibers and diesel-oil-burnt concrete.
W Doha
Leave it to Starwood and W to invent
the Extreme Wow Suite in Doha
(290 sq. m/3,121 sq. ft.). The room,
one of quiet defined extravagance,
includes the signature W bed with
400-thread-count linens and goosedown duvet. There are panoramic
sea views through the full-length
windows, a living room with a pool
table and a 46-in. (117-cm) IP LCD TV
with a high-end audiovisual system.
The spacious bathroom features a
separate, unique hexagonal bathtub
for soaking with “aquavision” TV.
For more relaxation, there is a comfy
armchair with poof, or a hanging
swing chair in a uniquely designed
area adorned with cool touches such
as an “aqua-mazing” aquarium filled
with exotic fish and an original Moooi
standing lamp.
30 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
DESIGN
FAIRMONT LE MONTREUX PALACE,
Switzerland
Originally built in 1906, designer Fiona Thompson of Richmond International
led a hotel renovation (below) that contrasts traditional and contemporary.
Color palettes are light and airy set against a series of colorful photographic
prints throughout the rooms, representing the reflective qualities of water.
Classical architectural details have been restored, and an emphasis has
been placed on both space and light afforded by uninterrupted views of
Lake Geneva. In the three personalized Panorama Suites (Quincy Jones,
Freddie Mercury and Claude Nobs), the decoration has been adapted to
their respective personalities.
LA MAMOUNIA, Marrakech
Designer Jacques Garcia’s tranquil haven in
the heart of the imperial city (above) has been
recreated by accompanying the luxurious
mood of the Oriental palaces with powerful
Moorish architecture. Strong use of light and
color, combined with beautiful and theatrical
perspectives, adds a level of modernity, while
marble columns, fine materials, vivid fabrics,
soft furnishings and colorful wood add the
final touches. “Our desire is to create an
ethereal aura for our guests: to experience
sensory delights in a luxurious setting where
emotion and enchantment go hand in hand,”
General Manager Didier Picquot says.
THE RITZ-CARLTON
CHICAGO, A FOUR
SEASONS HOTEL
Brayton Hughes Design Studios blended
contemporary with traditional large graphic
patterns on wall coverings and carpets. Lines
are clean and designed to showcase the stunning views captured from guestrooms. “We
installed contemporary MechoShades, rather
than heavy drapery, to frame the panoramic
views and celebrate the natural light that
envelopes each suite,” says Managing Director
Patrick Ghielmetti. “Even when pulled down
over the windows, the shades let through a
soft filter of light.” In addition, artwork offers
a mix of abstracted Chicago architectural
photos taken by celebrated Chicago photographers, and every room is outfitted with
compact fluorescent lighting, reflective of the
hotel’s green certification. L
Direct comments to: jweinstein@reedbusiness.com
www.hotelsmag.com
. Month 2009 . HOTELS . 31
www.villeroy-boch.com/hotel
Villeroy & Boch Salutes
The 10 Great Hotel Restaurant Award Win ners 2009
THE LOGGIA RESTAURANT
Villa San Michele, Florence, Italy
BLUE DUCK TAVERN
Park Hyatt, Washington, D.C., USA
RIVE GAUCHE
Bar au Lac Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland
LUNG KING HEEN
Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong, China
FAVENTIA
Four Seasons Resort at Terre Blanche,
Provence, France
MATHIAS DAHLGREN
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm, Sweden
HÉLÈNE DARROZE
The Connaught, London, England
FEARING‘S
The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, USA
REFLETS PAR PIERRE GAGNAIRE
InterContinental, Dubai Festival City, UAE
LA BOURGOGNE
Alvear Palace, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Villeroy & Boch S.à.r.l.
Hotel & Restaurant
Tel.: +(352) 46 82 11
Fax: +(352) 46 90 22
E-mail: info.hr@villeroy-boch.com
HOTEL & RESTAURANT
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Great Hotel
RESTAURANTS
Lung King Heen
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Meals served: Open seven days
a week for breakfast, lunch and
dinner
Seats: 128; private dining for 14
Average check: US$100
Chef/culinary team: Executive
Chef Chan Yan Tak and Lung
King Heen Chef Ma Kwai Ming
Menu: Authentic, traditional
Cantonese cuisine updated with
a contemporary approach and
local and seasonal ingredients
for a fresh and light twist on
Chinese classics; emphasis on
dim sum and seafood; ninecourse chef’s menu available
Sample menu items: Braised
goose liver in abalone sauce and
fish maw; wok-fried prawns with
dried chili and shallots
Standout features: Décor incorporates an Italian silver leaf ceiling and silver and glass features
to replicate the glitter of the
dramatic skyline of Hong Kong;
central design feature is a custom, hand-embroidered 7-foot
(2.1-m) silk-and-glass screen by
a Hong Kong-based artist
What makes it great: Lung King
Heen incorporates the freshest of
local and seasonal produce into
its traditional Cantonese foods
Other recognition: Recognized
for the “Top Food in Hong Kong”
in the 2008 Zagat guide; only restaurant in Hong Kong to receive
3-star award in inaugural edition
of the Michelin Guide to Hong
Kong/Macau 2009
Beautiful rooms, unparalleled
views, the freshest ingredients
and impeccable service define
the best hotel restaurants
across the globe.
By Derek Gale, Senior Editor
E
ach year, 10 great hotel
restaurants are selected by a
distinguished panel of judges
made up of well-traveled hospitality
professionals from all over the world.
Winners receive a porcelain brule parfum
from HOTELS magazine and sponsor
Villeroy & Boch.
⽧
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 33
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Blue Duck Tavern
Park Hyatt Washington D.C.
Meals served: Lunch and
dinner daily, weekend brunch
Seats: 106 inside, 40 outside
(seasonal), 10 for semi-private
dining and 16 at the chef’s table
Average check: Unknown
Chef/culinary team: Executive
Chef Brian McBride, Chef de
Cuisine Michael Santoro
Menu: Showcases the best of the
season and region through simple, traditional cooking methods
Sample menu items: Roasted
tavern steak with cherry mustard marmalade from Snake
River Farms, Idaho; Muscovy
duck breast with braised leg,
Fearing’s
The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
Meals served: Breakfast,
lunch, dinner and Sunday
brunch
Seats: 379: Dean’s Kitchen
(64), Gallery (52), Sendero (54)
and Ocaso (50), plus private
dining spaces and bars
Average check: Unknown
Chef/culinary team: Chef/
Partner Dean Fearing, Chef de
Cuisine Eric Dreyer
Menu: Elevated American
cuisine—“Bold Flavors, No
Borders,” and a focus on
Texas’ local ingredients
Sample menu items: Tortilla
soup; barbecued shrimp taco;
maple-black peppercornsoaked buffalo tenderloin;
and pan-roasted BBQ-spiced
filet and chicken-fried Maine
lobster
Standout features: High ceilings, detailed millwork, Jerusalem limestone, giant live oak
trees with outdoor fireplace,
extensive waterworks and
6,000 bottles of boutique and
rare-vintage wines in the wine
cellar
What makes it great: “Last
meal-worthy” cuisine; seven
indoor/outdoor dining settings,
including Rattlesnake Bar
(serving premium tequilas),
Live Oak Bar (with outdoor
fireplace), The Gallery (formal),
The Sendero (glass pavilion
with removable walls), Ocaso
patio (walled-in garden) the
Wine Cellar (private dining),
Dean’s Kitchen (dining room
built around kitchen)
Other recognition: Named
America’s “Restaurant of the
Year” by Esquire magazine
in 2007; Named No. 1 in hotel
dining by Zagat’s 2009 U.S.
Hotels, Resorts and Spas
Survey
The Loggia
mozzarella, fresh tomato
and basil sauce; Tyrrhenian
fresh catch of the day in
salt crust, perfumed with
wild fennel
Standout features: The
views over Florence
What makes it great: “A
fabulous space with fabulous
views that preceded the
restaurant,” says Michael
Whiteman, a New Yorkbased restaurant consultant
Villa San Michele, Florence
Meals served: Lunch and
dinner
Seats: 80
Average check: Unknown
Chef/culinary team:
Chef Attilio di Fabrizio
Menu: Typical Tuscan
cuisine of the region
Sample menu items: Potato
and spinach gnocchi dumplings served with buffalo
34 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
black olive and licorice from
Four Story Hill, Pennsylvania
Standout features: Open
kitchen and pastry pantry;
handmade Windsor benches,
one measuring 29 ft. (9 m) and
incorporating more than 200
hand-tooled spindles
What makes it great: Menu
notes farm where every dish
is raised before its journey to
the table
Other recognition: Named one
of the “Best 95 New Restaurants
in the World” by Condé Nast
Traveler in 2007 and one of the
“Most Outstanding Restaurants
in 40 Cities Around the World”
by Food & Wine in the same year
ow
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Conferenctees
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15th Annual
September 22-25
At The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Arizona
The Hotel Industry’s Premier Deal Making Conference
To Register: Call 800-252-3540 or www.lodgingconference.com
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FOOD & BEVERAGE
Hélène Darroze
The Connaught, London
Meals served: Lunch and dinner
Monday to Friday
Seats: 62
Average check: £115
Chef/culinary team: Hélène Darroze
Menu: Regularly changing daily set
lunch, seven-course tasting and à la
carte lunch and dinner menus reflect
Darroze’s signature style of cuisine—
a combination of traditional produce
from her native Landes (in Southwest
France), coupled with some of the finest
ingredients from the British Isles
Sample menu items: Signature dishes
such as Gillardeau oyster tartare with
caviar d’Aquitaine jelly or black and
creamy Acquarello rice with squid,
chorizo, confit tomatoes and a Reggiano
parmesan foam
Standout features: Guests are greeted
on arrival by large presentation cubes
displaying Darroze’s freshly made
breads, cheese selected by master
fromager Bernard Anthony, pots of wild
herbs and reels of freshly churned butter
What makes it great: Darroze’s passion
for the finest, simplest ingredients—
particularly produce; the Armagnac
trolley, a signature feature from
Darroze’s restaurant in Paris, with more
than 44 vintages from 1904 to 1994
Other recognition: Hélène Darroze has
earned two Michelin stars at her Paris
restaurant
Restaurant Mathias Dahlgren
Faventia
Four Seasons Terre Blanche,
Provence, France
Meals served: Open April to October
for breakfast daily and dinner Tuesday through Saturday
Seats: 60 inside, 60 outside
Average check: €165
(including taxes) per person
Chef/culinary team: Executive
Chef Philippe Jourdin leads an
eight-person culinary team
Menu: Contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with Provençal influences and a focus on fresh, local
ingredients; two tasting menus
– Saveur Du Terroir and Balade
Provencale
36 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
Sample menu items: Roasted
turbot fillet glazed with golden jus,
capers and lemon; roasted veal fillet served with girolle mushrooms
and zucchini with fresh almonds
Standout features: Hilltop vantage point with sweeping views
over nearby villages of Callian
and Montauroux; modern art
from French artists adorns local
stonework walls, balanced by dark
wooden floor and high ceiling
What makes it great: Chef allows
ingredients to speak for themselves; elegant yet unintrusive
service
Other recognition: Awarded two
stars this year by Michelin
InterContinental Stockholm
Meals served: The food bar (Matbaren) is open
for lunch and dinner; the dining room (Matsalen) is open for dinner only
Seats: 50 in the food bar; 38 in the dining room
Average check: SEK 1,000 (US$129) in the food
bar; SEK 2,800 (US$363) in the dining room
Chef/culinary team: Mathias Dahlgren
Menu: Specializes in natural cuisine, based
on fresh produce and natural taste, featuring
local Swedish ingredients as well as global
ingredients and influences; tasting menus
available in both food bar and dining room
Sample menu items:
Tartar of beef & oyster; baked wild chocolate
Standout features: Warm, intimate dining room
designed with a mix of classic Swedish and contemporary international influences, featuring
original chairs rescued from the Grand Hotel
What makes it
great: Long sittings with time to
savor cuisine, wine
and company are
encouraged
Other recognition: Named on
the 2009 list of San
Pellegrino’s World’s
100 Best Restaurants; Dining room
and food bar both
received Michelin
stars
Reflets par Pierre
Gagnaire
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Meals served: Lunch and dinner
Seats: 50, plus a private dining room
La Bourgogne
Alvear Palace, Buenos Aires
Meals served: Lunch (Monday
through Friday) and dinner
(Monday through Saturday)
Seats: 70
Average check: US$70
Chef/culinary team: Executive
Chef Jean Paul Bondoux plus a
team of 15 cooks
Menu: Traditional French
incorporating Argentine products; featuring an executive
lunch menu, an à la carte dinner menu and tasting menus
for up to 10 guests
Average check: AED750 (US$204)
Chef/culinary team: Head Chef Olivier
Biles, Assistant Outlet Chef Anthony
Garlando, Pastry Chef Sébastien
Vauxion, Head
Sommelier Julien
Coron
Menu: A seasonal
reflection of the
best ingredients
available in the
French markets,
with dishes
changing daily;
three-course set
lunch menu
Sample menu
items: Roasted
duck aiguillette with sour cherries and
green cabbage fondue served with
duck confit-stuffed red pepper and
Iberico dressing; butter-poached John
Dory with espelette pepper, cockles,
and virgin sauce, served with grilled
shiitake mushrooms, foie gras puree
and veloute blanc, plus spinach tart
with niora chilies and abalone
Standout features: Rich color and
sparkle of interior
What makes it great: Service is
discreet and personable, with little
surprises to delight guests; feedback is
taken very seriously
Other recognition: The only Middle
East restaurant on the 2009 list of San
Pellegrino’s World’s 100 Best
Restaurants
for both services, with items
changing regularly
Sample menu items: Chateaubriand béarnaise; lamb with
parsley and garlic sauce
Standout features: Private
dining in wine cellar for
up to 40
What makes it great: Tableside service showcases a range
of cutting, carving and flambé
of meat, poultry and fish
Other recognition: The only
Relais & Gourmand establishment in Argentina
Rive Gauche
Hotel Baur au Lac, Zurich
Meals served: Lunch and dinner
Monday through Saturday
Seats: 60
Average check: CHF122 (US$114)
Chef/culinary team: Chef
Olivier Rais
Menu: A modern Mediterranean-inspired grill with seasonal
ingredients and international
influences such as exotic spices
Sample menu items: Grilled steak
of tuna with herbal marinade;
monkfish wrapped in Pata Negra
with green asparagus; “gentlemen’s” and “ladies’” cuts for
tenderloins
Standout features: New terrace;
martinis at Rive Gauche Bar
What makes it great: The idea that an
exquisite culinary experience comes from
passion not protocol; creative names for
menu items
Selection Committee:
Manos Angelakis, managing
editor, LuxuryWeb, Hackensack,
New Jersey; Elizabeth Blau,
restaurant consultant, Las
Vegas; Fred Ferreti, food writer/
restaurant consultant, Montclair,
New Jersey; Kurt Fischer,
president, International Food &
Beverage Forum, Mendocino,
California; Mary Gostelow, editor in chief, WOWtravel, London;
Eileen Yin-Fei Lo, cookbook
author/teacher/consultant,
Montclair, New Jersey; Ernesto
Marino, founder and president,
BSH International, São Paulo;
David McMillan, president,
Axis Hospitality International,
Montreal
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 37
TECHNOLOGY
Popular consumer
devices could
put an end to
costly hand-held
POS terminals.
The Future Of Mobile POS:
APPLE’S iPod/iPhone?
By Derek Gale, Senior Editor
W
hile more and more people around the world continue
to purchase Apple’s iPod Touch and iPhone products
(some 40 million of these devices are in use worldwide,
according to Julie Ask, vice president and principal
analyst at Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Forrester Research), consumers aren’t the only ones interested in what these mobile devices can do.
Scottsdale, Arizona-based
Hospitality Solutions International (HSI), a division of
Micros Inc., is offering its
Profit Series Mobile POS
solution for use with Apple’s
iPod Touch/iPhone, stressing
the affordability and lightweight, low profile design
of these touch-screen handheld devices.
According to HSI, the
iPod Touch can be used with
its mobile POS solution for
poolside or tableside ordering,
manager functions such as
voids and discounts, and also
works well as a minibar
solution in properties with
wireless networks throughout.
The Phoenician, a Starwood Luxury Collection
property in Scottsdale, has
been using the HSI system
with iPod Touch devices for
poolside F&B operations for
a few months.
“It is phenomenal technology, and the capabilities are
endless,” says Mac Gregory,
director of food and beverage.
“The cost is even low, at an
average iPod running around
US$125 (a corporate account/
pilot program price).”
HSI’s software is simply
downloaded onto the devices,
“and the screens on the iPods
are identical to the POS,
which is the big breakthrough
and user advantage,” Gregory
says. “Looking at an iPod or
a permanent terminal, there
is no difference. Virtually all
other hand-helds have never
had this capability.”
Thanks to the Apple
devices’ multi-touch interface, users can zoom in on
any area on the 3.5-inch (9cm) screen and then touch
a selection, and any screen
may be viewed in portrait or
landscape orientation. “[It is]
very easy to manipulate and
maneuver,” Gregory notes.
And because of server
and guest familiarity with
the devices and the fact that
they expedite foodservice in
the pool area, “the iPods produce great service scores and
stronger revenues,” he adds.
The only challenges with
the technology came around
wireless connections, guest
usage of Internet and security with dedicated lines,
Gregory notes. But overall,
he says, “Nothing compares
to the iPod process. I personally implemented 15 or so
handheld POS operations
at large resorts and hotels,
FAST FACTS: Marriott has slowed the rollout of hand-held POS terminals in its hotel lobbies because of the economy. (Marriott International)
38 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
and I have not implemented
anything remotely close to as
good. The iPod Touch POS
solution is one of the best
practices I have seen in two
decades in the industry.”
Gregory says the system
would work well for any
Starwood resort property or
large hotel operation, and
notes that he has now implemented the iPod Touch
devices for minibar use.
“Usually to charge for
minibar, you would have
to fill out a log and then go
find a computer and ring it
all in and transfer it to the
folio so the guest can be
charged. [That involves] lots
of wasted time and may not
be accurate,” he says. “With
the iPod, you can charge the
guest folio right there while
checking the minibar stock.”
So far, feedback on the
minibar application has been
positive, Gregory says. “The
program is a huge cost
savings and revenue driver,
as we can now capture in real
time and charge before the
guest even checks out.”
Gregory says his next
step will be implementation
of iPods at the resort’s golf
course and clubhouse. L
Direct comments to: derek.
gale@reedbusiness.com
MARRIOTT, STARWOOD TO
ADD TELECONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY
tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Marriott International made separate, almost
S
identical announcements recently, each rolling out video teleconferencing systems at
select hotels worldwide. Both will leverage Cisco’s TelePresence technology, although Starwood is hiring Tata Communications to do the installs while Marriott is using AT&T.
Starwood’s Telepresence Suites—videoconferencing boardrooms involving high-definition
video screens and high-end audio technology—are slated to open in 10 hotels by the end
of the year, including Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, Sheraton on the Park in Sydney,
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, The Westin Los Angeles Airport and W Chicago-City Center.
Starwood also plans to expand the offering to business markets including Brussels, Paris,
Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
Marriott, meanwhile, is placing TelePresence into 25 hotels, with the first systems going
online sometime in the fall. New York, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Frankfurt, London and Washington, D.C., are said to be among the cities Marriott is targeting for install. The
Marriott, J.W. Marriott and Renaissance brands will get the bulk of the installs. L
Beverage Inventory System
Offers RAPID ROI For Bars
The F&B department at InterContinental Miami has seen
serious savings after installing
Capton’s Beverage Tracker
solution in late 2008.
The system uses RFIDenabled liquor pour spouts to
provide a clear picture of how
each drink is prepared, how the
guest is served and how the
transaction is handled in the
point-of-sale system.
Variance events are highlighted for follow up, and ROI
reviews ensure that management understands the opera-
tional patterns monitored by the
system.
“We saw a drop in pouring
averages of almost 37% in the
first 60 days, which we know
will correlate to a significant
savings in annualized liquor
inventory costs,” says Spiro
Frangos, director of food and
beverage for InterContinental
Miami.
FelCor Lodging Trust also
recently announced plans to
install Capton’s Beverage Tracker solution in its hotels.
“Capton made it easy for
McLaren International provides Jazz Call Accounting and
DuVoice Voice Mail to the new Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh
Olaya… IDeaS Revenue Optimization announces
integration of IDeaS V5i revenue management solution with Brilliant Hotel Software’s PM PRO front desk solution… Roomlinx
Inc. is named winner of the International Technium Challenge, a global business planning competition... EZYield.com launches a custom-developed
integration platform for SoftBrands’ global property management systems… The Hard
Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas selects The Rainmaker Group’s revolution revenue
management product suite… Superior Group’s Regal Palms Resort chooses IQware as
its technology partner for property management… After a pilot, Gaylord Opryland will
proceed with a complete rollout of MTech’s REX Room Expeditor… Intelity installs its
ICE and ICE Control System, ICS, at the Hacienda Tres Ríos resort.
TECH
BRIEFS
us by going into one of our
smaller-property bar operations
and partnering with the local
management team to prove the
solution,” says Donald Falgoust,
vice president of food and
beverage for FelCor. “We fully
tested the Beverage Tracker
solution and found it produces
compelling, measurable ROI
results. In the future, we will
evaluate installing Capton in
our new properties, and we will
factor Capton into our longrange capital plans for our existing full-service properties.” L
VENDORS
(This is not a complete list of
point-of-sale system providers.)
Aldelo Systems aldelo.com
Brilliant Hotel Software
myhotelsoftware.com
HSI web.hsi-solutions.com
MICROS micros.com
Panasonic panasonic.com/pos
ParTech Inc. partech.com
Profitek profitek.com
SoftTouch softtouchpos.com
Squirrel Systems squirrelsystems.com
Wavesoft wavesoft.com
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 39
supplyline
VENDOR NEWS
Meyda Lighting Introduces
Coca-Cola Pendants
Milan Hosts
Floating Chairs Installation
YORKVILLE, NEW YORK Meyda Lighting unveils Coca-Colalicensed Bottle Mini Pendants, which feature recycled
Coca-Cola glass bottles and the ever-popular Coca-Colalicensed design. Meyda Lighting is a designer and
manufacturer of custom and decorative lighting.
The Coca-Cola Bottle Mini Pendant integrates nostalgic
design and craftsmanship
with authentic, recycled
Coca-Cola bottles. The
pendants are handcrafted
of classic green tinted glass
featuring the authentic
colors and contours of the
original Coca-Cola bottle.
The hardware features a
canopy that replicates a
Coca-Cola red bottle cap.
The Coca-Cola Bottle
Mini Pendant is 7.5 in. (19
cm) tall and 2.5 in. (6.4 cm)
wide and can be installed
15 to 62 in. (15 to 157 cm)
off the ceiling. The pendant
uses T6.5 4o-watt lamping.
MILAN The know-how of the Italian Chair District was presented at
Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan via floating stage at the
Naviglio Grande Canal. A 40-m (131-ft.) walkway hosted an installation of seating models representing the Friulian seating sector, a
network of small and large companies displaying a combination of
craftsmanship, design research and technological innovation,
supported by international designers.
Some models were designed by 20th century designers like
Magistretti and Zanuso, plus more modern and celebrated designs
from Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic, Enrico Franzolini, Oscar
Tusquet and Patricia Urquiola.
Floating Chairs was conceived by Luca Fois and Design
Partners. The installation was the work of designer Fabio di
Bartolomei. His symbolic creation mapped out the genetic code of
the seating sector, revealing its expertise, experience, creativity,
passion and dynamism. Di Bartolomei placed numerous wooden
frames of well-known seating models from the District alongside
equally striking models made of leather, plastic and metal. Colored
and computerized LED lighting completed the installation, providing
beautiful and varied effects. A formula that spotlighted the wide
spectrum of District-made products and emphasized that quality, in
all the varieties of form, finish and design, is the common
denominator of the Friulian chair and recognized all over the world.
COLUMBUS, OHIO Red Roof is entering into a long-term
partnership with American Hotel Register.
Under terms of the agreement, American Hotel Register will
be an integrated supplier for everything Red Roof orders,
from housekeeping supplies and linens to beds and air
conditioners. It is Red Roof’s goal to have anything a
property would order come through American’s Web site.
“Through this new partnership, American Hotel Register
will make significant contributions to the success of Red
Roof’s procurement program,” says John VanDenBerge,
senior vice president of design and construction for Red
Roof. “We recognize American Hotel Register as a leader in
the industry and look forward to working with them.”
Kettal To Outfit Punta Cana Iberostar
PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Kettal has been selected to
furnish Iberostar’s Grand Punta Cana, the Spanish chain’s first
Grand Collection hotel in the Dominican Republic.
The Grand Collection, a new category of Iberostar hotels,
offers clients a luxurious holiday experience in elegant and
relaxed surroundings. This new line of adults-only hotels
aims to provide an exclusive and unique product for the most
exacting clients.
The Kettal models selected for this project include Kettal
Kore and Kettal Nova.
40 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
Sheila Rietscher is named head of
marketing for porcelain manufacturer
Kahla/Thüringen Porzellan GmbH,
responsible for brand communication
of Kahla’s hotel sales division. She
succeeds Jutta Burkhart… Stephan
Wendler is named managing director
for Eloma… Sealy Global
Hospitality names Linda
Bordner north regional sales
Wendler
manager, responsible for the
growth of business in Canada and the northern tier
of the United States. She was previously national
accounts manager for MTS Seating… American
Hotel Furnishings has appointed Daniel Marone
to regional sales manager for the state of Florida...
Leo A Daly, an architecture, planning, engineering,
interior design and program management firm,
names Mark R. Griffith vice president and
managing principal of its Los Angeles office.
Griffith previously served as managing principal
of the firm’s Las Vegas office... Sabre Hospitality
Solutions names Felix Laboy president and
general manager, while Stephen Fitzgerald is
named chief operating officer… iBahn names Matt
Mitchell vice president of global accounts, based
in Hong Kong.
ON THE MOVE
Red Roof Partners With
American Hotel Register
products
COFFEE/TEA; KITCHEN PRODUCTS
Edited by Mary Lenart,
products editor
The Perfect Welcome
in any Guest Room
Blanco The high-performance, compact table-top units of the
Blanco cook front cooking system ensure a true cooking experience
every day. The mobile fume extraction module features a multistage filter system, which reliably removes grease, moisture and
annoying odors from the cooking fumes, completely independently
of stationary fume hoods.
Blanco CS GmbH + Co KG, Oberderdingen, Germany
Internet: www.blanco.de Email: catering.export@blanco.de
Alessi The electric version of
the “coffee.it” coffee maker has
a timer in order to make a good
cup of hot coffee at a preset
time. A distinctive feature is the
unit’s cylindrical design.
Alessi S.p.A., Crusinallo di Omegna, Italy
Internet: www.alessi.com
Email: info@alessi.com
Villeroy & Boch
Subtly woven, elegant
lines that draw attention
to the plate’s contents
are a significant
feature of the Sedona
tableware line. It is an
extremely contemporary
yet classical interpretation for the table.
Customers in over 100 Countries Worldwide
Internet: www.villeroy-boch.com Email: info@villeroy-boch.com
Rist The new contact grill features
grooved plates for fast-food and
healthy cooking. Infrared preserves
the natural values of the grilled
meat. The new lever system has a
solid handle for easy handling. The
cooking area measures 330 x 280
mm (13 x 11 in.).
The World’s Leading Supplier
of Specialist Products
for the International Hotelier
Welcome Trays s Haircare s Ironing Centres s Kettles
Coathangers s Bedroom Safes s Radio Alarm Clocks
Guest Mirrors s Retractable Clothes Line s Bins s Luggage Racks
Irons s Bath / Shower Mat s Shower Curtains
Tumblers s Hygiene Bag Holder s Tissue Box Holder
Theodor R. Rist GmbH, Wien, Austria
Internet: www.rist.at Email: marketing@rist.at
international@northmace.com
www.northmace.com
$).385
Villeroy & Boch, Luxemburg
PRODUCTS
Rational The Self-Cooking
Center automatically detects the
current level of soiling and general care status of the unit, and
then determines the optimum
cleaning process. The intelligent
cleaning keeps the SelfCooking
Center, with CareControl clean,
shiny and hygienic. Rational AG,
Landsberg, Germany
Eloma Modular Solutions
combi steamers and bake-off
ovens can be combined as
desired, whether the station
consists of 2 units of the
same type or one combi
steamer and one bake-off
oven. A condensation hood
system makes the unit perfect for shop and front areas.
Internet: www.rational-ag.com
Eloma, Maisach, Germany
Email: m.prediger@rational-online.com
Internet: www.eloma.com
Email: info@eloma.com
Ambach Series GNKG is a range of
gas kettles with built-in steam generators.
Two round shaped kettles (100- and
150-lt capacity) and 3 rectangular ones
are now part of the System 900 heavy
duty range. This new technology increases
efficiency up to 90% and reduces heatup time. The electronic control is easy to
use and can be provided with a RS485
interface for HACCP control.
AMBACH ALI S.p.A, Caldaro, Italy
RAK The Classic Gourmet collection will enhance
breakfast set-ups. Stylishly simple, it adds to modern
gastronomy presentation—especially coffee and tea
services. RAK Porcelain Europe SA, Munzbach, Luxemburg
Internet: www.ambach.com Email: ambach@ambach.com
Internet: www.rakporcelain.eu Email: info@rakporcelaineurope.com
Egro With the iSteam fully automatic steam wand Egro Coffee
Systems now offers an interesting option for companies with
a low requirement for coffee/milk drinks. Just set the desired
froth quality and temperature once and the iSteam steam
wand will make cold milk frothy or heat the milk up at the
touch of a button. The procedure is finished once a perfect
result has been achieved. It is just as easy to clean the steam
wand as it is to use it.
Egro Coffee Systems AG, Niederrohrdorf, Switzerland
Internet: www.egrocoffee.com Email: info@egrocoffee.com
Bauscher Pleasure is a new collection for the
table. Not only does Pleasure offer shapes such
as squares and triangles, they are stretched
and varied creatively to bring a completely
different feel to the tabletop.
Bauscher, Weiden, Germany
Internet: www.bauscher.de Email: bauscher@bauscher.de
Zwilling The Twin Choice frying pan is
available in four sizes, both coated and
uncoated. The 3-ply Sigma Clad material
with its strong aluminum core distributes
heat evenly and quickly along the whole
surface, resulting in shorter heat-up
times. The pans have ergonomic stainless
steel handles and are dishwasher safe.
Walkuere The 699 070 coffee machine
is made from porcelain. It works without
filter paper or metal sieve, allowing the
authentic aroma of the coffee to come
through. The glazed Karlsbad double
filter also may be cleaned easily.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG, Solingen, Germany
Erste Bayreuther Porzellanfabrik Walkuere,
Internet: www.zwilling.com
Bayreuth, Germany
Email: info@zwilling.com
Internet: www.walkuere.de Email: info@walkuere.de
42 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
PRODUCTS
Northmace & Hendon The
Regal Welcome Tray is offered
in either bright chrome or
brushed stainless steel for
the kettle and comes with a
5-year guarantee. The tray has
a melamine base, for excellent
resistance against heat, stains
and scratches. There is a boil-dry safety feature. A lift-off tray
prevents spillage and protects furniture.
Salvis The Pressure Steamer
Vitality Pro has been upgraded
to include an additional integrated
heat exchanger to increase
performance and save energy.
The steam generator has been
enlarged and a new boiler
system reduces water usage
and readies the unit faster.
Northmace & Hendon Ltd., London
Internet: www.salvis.ch
Internet: www.northmace.com Email: sales@northmace.com
Email: info@salvis.ch
Salvis AG, Oftringen, Switzerland
Bravilor Bonamat Advant, a thermos
container, features stainless steel housing
and is equipped with a double walled
stainless steel vacuum inner container
that optimizes beverage temperature and
quality for a longer period of time. Advanta
can be placed underneath various filtering
machines so coffee can be brewed directly
into the unit, thanks to its brew-through lid.
Because of its ergonomic shape the
coffee dispenser is easy to use and can be
cleaned efficiently.
Convotherm The OES 6.10 mini
unites the attributes of
smallest space and greatest capacity. Due to the
ACS (Advanced Closed
System) by Convotherm
there won’t be any
flavor transfer of
different foods during the
cooking process. The OES
6.10 mini with its dimensions of 515 x 777 x 627 mm (20 x 31 x 25
in.) is the perfect solution for small kitchens.
Bravilor Bonamat B.V., Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands
Convotherm, Eglfing, Germany
Internet: www.bravilor.com Email: sales@bravilor.com
Internet: www.convotherm.de Email: info@convotherm.de
ITV Icemakers A patented
Flexible Spray Nozzle in the
icemaker reduces the mineral
build up and increases
reliability, while a strong
hinged door increases the
solidity of the unit. In addition,
ITV implemented the STIF
and SILENT RAIN.
Hepp The Aura, Profile and
Royal Hepp knife ranges are
S-shaped providing not only
a visual attraction but a tactile
experience for the user. The
knives are virtually molded
into the hand. The models,
made of Cromargan 18/10
stainless steel are available in
the following finishes: mirror
polished, with sandblasted
surface or silver-plated.
ITV Icemakers, Riba-Roja
(Valencia), Spain
Internet: www.itv.es
Email: pvandenberghe@itv.es
Hepp, Birkenfeld, Germany
Santos The Lever Juicer 70
“Evolution” was designed to
meet market expectations for
fresh fruit juices pressed “on
demand”. The juicer offers
greater juice extraction speed
and has a cone, which spins
the pulp by centrifugation and
a clutch/brake system, which
provides an automatic start as
soon as fruit is supplied. The
unit may be cleaned quickly
and easily.
Internet: www.hepp.de
Email: info@hepp.de
Irinox The CP Multi holding
cabinet provides a range of
temperatures to preserve a
variety of products. The ventilation control system, offers
delicate ventilation and uniform temperature in the cabinet, without sudden changes
along with a humidity control
system that has six settings.
Santos, Vaulx-en-Velin (Lyon), France
Irinox SpA, Corbanese, Italy
Internet: www.santos.fr
Internet: www.irinox.com
Email: santos@santos.fr
Email: irinox@irinox.com
www.hotelsmag.com
. August 2009 . HOTELS . 43
Advertisers Index
AUGUST 2009
Alto-Shaam Inc.
www.alto-shaam.com
Pages 14-15
EXPO cts
www.host.fieramilanoexpocts.it
Page 23(I)
Front Of The House
www.frontofthehouse.com /
www.roomthreesixty.com
Page 9
Hoshizaki America Inc
www.hoshizaki.com
Page 10(A)
Interval International
www.vacationownershipinvestment.com
Page 8
Joy Group
www.joyhotels.com
Page 19(I)
Keurig Inc
www.keurig.com/hotel
Page 17(A)
LG Electronics
www.Lgcommercial.com
Page 6(A)
The Lodging Conference
www.lodgingconference.com
Page 35
Ming Fai International
www.mingfaigroup.com
BC
Northmace & Hendon Limited
www.northmace.com
Page 41(I)
Pacific Direct Ltd
www.pacificdirect.co.uk
Page 4
Post Integrations Inc
www.postint.com
Page 19(A)
RAK Porcelaine LLC
www.rakporcelain.eu /
www.rakporcelain.com
Page 6(I)
Richfield Home Products Co
www.yeslite.com
Page 10(I)
Saflok
www.saflok.com
IFC
Villeroy & Boch S A R L
www.villeroy-boch.com/hotel
Page 32
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44 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
HOTELS
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CENTRAL/SOUTHERN EUROPE
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Hainbuchenweg 15, D-40880
Ratingen, Germany.
Phone: 49 (2102) 47 46 64;
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e-mail: brigitte@dedonnea.de
Caroline de Donnea, Manager,
Grafenberger Allee 277-287 D-40237
Duesseldorf, Germany
Phone: 49 211 544 75 620;
fax: 49 211 544 75 621;
e-mail: caroline@dedonnea.de
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classified advertising
investment opportunity
career opportunity
Hotel w/ Shopping Plaza
Investment Opportunity
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
Director of Sales – Room Amenities
99 room hotel w/adjacent 20,000 sf retail center
100% Leased
s Vacant land for hotel and retail expansion
s
s
Majestic International, the leading supplier of high quality
Bathrobes is looking for an experienced and well
connected Sales Executive to direct our expansion in the
North American Hotel / Spa Industry.
Phone Kent Kerr/Paul Adan 305.533.7110
or 305.533.7104------ CB Richard Ellis
computer software
E-mail C.V. to : j.orloff@majesticinternational.com
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. August 2009 . HOTELS . 45
lagniappe
HOTELS
Ten Years Of Heaven The Westin Kuala Lumpur
recently launched the 10th Heavenly Celebration with
an “All White Associates’ Party” to kick-start the 10th
anniversary of its Heavenly Bed product. The party
focused on recognizing associates who have been
there throughout the evolution of the Heavenly brand.
“This is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge our
room attendants who are consistently ensuring our
guests enjoy a good night’s rest in a refreshed room,”
said General Manager Kim Powley.
Interval Lauds Marriott
Great Cause Kalahari
Interval International honored
Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club and
Aruba Surf Club resorts as top sales
producers. (l. to r.): James Kraft,
Interval International; Scott Derrickson,
Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club; Bettina
Gonzalez, Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club
and Aruba Ocean Club; Corey Guest,
Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club; and Neil
Kolton, Interval International.
Resorts Owner Todd Nelson (2nd
from r.) is joined at Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center
at Wisconsin Dells by ESPN golf
commentator Andy North (l.);
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (r.); and golf legend
Tom Watson for the Andy North &
Friends benefit for the University of
Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.
Found In Pattaya Suthikiati Chirathivat,
chairman of Central Plaza Hotel Public Co., recently
hosted 50 members of the travel industry for a preview
of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.
(l. to r.): Kerry Towers, Stella Travel, UK; Kate Dicks,
Audley Travel, UK; Suthikiati Chirathivat; Adrian Brown,
general manager of Centara Grand Mirage Beach
Resort Pattaya; Chris Bailey, senior vice president of
sales and marketing for Centara Hotels and Resorts;
and Joanna Cooke, Tourism Authority of Thailand, UK.
Best In Mideast Shuja
Zaidi (second l.), general manager
of Makkah Hilton and Towers,
Saudi Arabia, received the General
Manager of the Year Award at the
Kingdom Hotel Expansion & World
Investment Summit. Also present,
Essam Abouda (l.), vice president
of operations for Hilton Hotels,
Arabian Peninsula & Indian
Ocean, and Jean Paul-Herzog (r.),
president of Hilton Hotels, Middle
East & Africa.
Reality Hotel NYLO’s Sales Apprenticeship Contest took
place in early June, with prizes of one sales job and one paid
internship at its Providence/Warwick hotel in Rhode Island.
Shown here are the competition’s finalists, who were thrown
together to live, eat and sleep for six nights at the Warwick
property. The winners were announced at a charity event. At
the bottom right is NYLO CEO John Russell.
46 . HOTELS . August 2009 . www.hotelsmag.com
Good Cause
Hilton Inn at Penn, Philadelphia,
recently raised US$13,000 during
a benefit for the Michael J. Fox
Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s
Research. (l. to r.) Nick Christie,
MJFF; Karen Leies, MJFF; Todd
Sherer, MJFF; David Dorsey,
director of banquet services; hotel
General Manager Greg Stafford;
Dr. Andrew Siderowf, University of
Pennsylvania; and Dr. John Duda,
Philadelphia VA Medical Center.
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