Sad Sea Lion Has Nowhere to Sleep in Punta Del Este and Other Stories This Week

It's our weekly recap which we call Suite-Hostel. Get it?

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$19.24 for a Night at The Roosevelt

Five Hotels Where You Can Sleep and Skate

Which Rooftop Pool is Best for You in Seville?

ALSO: Top Five Hotels for Eating Macarons

HOSTEL:

Punta del Este Hotels are Sold-Out for New Year's.

Marriott Changing Up The Ritz-Carlton Brand

Delano a No-Go for

Is This The Real Reason Why Hotels Have Bad WiFi Connections?

Porn jammers! Old men in the club! Fergie! Hotel Strikes!
It always seems that no matter how much Celebrity Scoop we write about in a given week, there's also lots more that we didn't have time to get to. So from now on, every Friday we'll be rounding up the week's Infamous Hotels. This weekly list will include hotels that celebrities visited (and it made the news) but also hotels that really up the "Eww" factor. This can easily done by manipulating the WiFi connection for guests.

The Sports Guy aka Bill Simmons recently offered up his take on Hotel WiFi after spending four weeks on the road promoting his new book. According to Bill,

Cape Town: This Week in Hotel Lust: White Picket Fences at Cape Town's Mount Nelson

This week, a combination of wanderlust and hotel lust led us to research the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, which a roving HotelChatter correspondent briefly had the chance to visit last year. We deemed Mount Nelson worth a second look from afar, because of the consistent buzz it garners for its exaggerated sense of luxury. Then again, if it weren't exaggerated it wouldn't be lust-worthy, would it?

Fat cats who travel to areas of the world deemed "exotic" aren't usually in the game of roughing it. Maybe they've come for a safari, but they better be welcomed home at the end of the day by plush linens at the very least.

Shanghai: Please Welcome The Peninsula And Its Fleet Of Phantoms To Shanghai

We can talk about Art Basel Miami hotels and hotels for the holidays all we want, but we can't ignore one of the biggest hotel openings of autumn, that of the Peninsula Shanghai. It officially welcomed its first guests back on October 19, and yet it's already like a landmark on Shanghai's Bund—the street of shops, other high-class hotels, and historical buildings right at the bend of the Huangpu River.

The main thing to know about this Peninsula is its relatively low starting room rate: $295. With it, if you can score the deal (and we recommend searching for dates far into the future), you'll be sitting pretty in a room with the feeling

These Dog Concierges Have Written a Book, Have You?

It’s that time of the week again: Cute Hotel Doggie Friday! And today we give you not one but two adorable hotel doggies. Because we’re nice like that. Both of these smilin’ fools work for Fairmont Hotels—Catie Copley (the black lab) at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, and Santol (a Bernese mountain dog cross) at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City.

They have the lofty title of Canine Ambassador, and enjoy all the perks that go with it—business cards, email addresses, comfy beds in the lobby, plenty of attention from guests and staff, and of course, their own kids’ book. Catie Copley’s Great Escape tells the story of Catie and Santol each

Is GDS Advertising A Good Investment For Hotels? | John R. Hach

While the online marketplace is gaining ground in channel mix for hotels, especially for established hotel companies, the Global Distribution System (GDS) still contributes significantly to hotel distribution revenue—approximately 27 percent, according to TRAVELCLICK’s latest eTRAK report. Also, GDS hotel promotions—appearing when agents search the air, car, and hotel availability screens within their GDS—continue to have a growing influence on bookings, particularly in today’s unsettled economy.

Where is your desk? | Another “High Touch” Lesson for Hospitality Managers | By Dr. John Hogan CHE CHA MHS

Effective leaders today still deal with many of the scenarios in Hailey’s HOTEL, and many more in the way of amenities, technology, transportation and training. The constant balancing act of “high touch” and “high tech” often comes down to visibility, accessibility and the ability to listen. In the book and movie version of HOTEL, the hotel manager (or at least the manager on duty) was stationed in the lobby at an oversized desk. The first one of these I personally viewed was at the Statler-Hilton in Boston and presumably, the location was to be able to deal with situations that might arise that required special attention.

The buzz on USA TODAY's Hotel Check-In: How you can participate in hotel-related stories

Hotel Check-In's reporting process is transparent when it comes to trend, pet-peeve and traveler-behavior pieces that we so often discuss. Here's how you can participate...

Nielsen & DataLogix Will Use Offline Data

The recent partnership between Nielsen Corp & the consumer data firm Datalogix, will use offline data to target online advertising. At the present moment there are several ad networks offering this service. Justin Evans, SVP strategy and marketing, The Nielsen Company, said: “It’s all about building that bridge between an address-level database and online.You have [...]

L’Hôtel of the week: Hotel Particulier Montmartre

Our offer of the year – 2 nights for the price of 1 – across a wealth of properties in the UK, Paris and Morocco has been behind many a judging decision when it comes to pinpointing Hotel of the week of late. Now, the offer has just one week left to run. You’ve got [...]

IHG Exec Greets Singapore CommutersIn ‘Refreshing’ Style

IHG's Jolyon Bulley provided a unique wake up call to commuters on November 20 in Singapore's Raffles Place to highlight Holiday Inn’s US$1billion relaunch.

Will other hotel chains follow Hilton in devaluing loyalty points next year?

Will other big hotel chains follow Hilton Worldwide's decision to devalue its loyalty points? USA TODAY checked in with InterContinental, Marriott and Starwood for answers.

New court records: Erin Andrews stalker also tracked her down in Columbus, Ohio, after calling seven hotels

The man accused of stalking and filming ESPN reporter Erin Andrews also tracked her down in Columbus, Ohio, after calling seven hotels. Do you think your guest information is safe with your hotel?

2009 Hoteliers Of The World | Sir Rocco Forte: Making His Own Noise

During the interview for the Corporate Hotelier of the World award, 2009 honoree Sir Rocco Forte made several references to the importance of the highest standards of service. He referred to mentors like Giulio Gelardi, who ran London’s Savoy Hotel for Trusthouse Forte and taught an impressionable Forte about layout, staffing and organization. Forte also talked about just having returned from a memorial service for Bruno Rotti, longtime restaurant manager at Claridge’s, who Forte remembers as a meticulous professional, extremely elegant, cultured and having an incredible eye for detail. “Then you see some of the people running around today giving themselves a lot of credit and they know nothing in comparison—and it irritates me,” Forte says.

Video: Watch Mark Lomanno present STR's revised forecast

In this exclusive video interview, STR's Mark Lomanno presents the research firm's revised year-end 2009 and 2010 outlooks, while giving a first look at its 2011 forecast for the U.S. hotel industry.

New STR hotel forecast: 2011 can’t get here too soon | By Jeff Higley

Signs of a recovery for the U.S. hotel industry might be few and far between as 2009 creeps to a close, but executives at Smith Travel Research think there’s reason for optimism in the future. An uptick for the hotel industry won’t come soon—as in the next six or eight months—but it should be in full swing by 2011, according to STR’s latest U.S. industry forecast. “I wouldn’t call it optimistic for 2010, but it’s definitely optimistic for 2011,” said Mark Lomanno, STR’s president. “Overall conditions in the economy will begin showing significant improvement as 2010 unfolds, and that will help fuel a recover for the hotel industry.”

New STR forecast not optimistic for 2010, but definitely 2011

According to Smith Travel Research’s latest U.S. industry forecast, an uptick for the hotel industry won’t come soon - as in the next six or eight months - but it should be in full swing by 2011. Hopefully, that is.

RevPAR down 19.2%, but worst should be over for Europe

A report by Deloitte has found that year-to-September hotel performance fell across Europe. RevPAR performance in European hotels was down 19.2% to €58. This decline was driven by a 12.3% drop in average room rates to €108, while occupancy levels fell to 61.6%.

Meeting planners struggle to control cost

Hotel managers are not the only party at the negotiating table struggling to control costs and operate within the limits of austere budgets. Meeting planners have also been given the challenge of setting up effective events at the least possible cost.

Eight tips for effective e-mail preheaders

The e-mail preheader (the content in the top line of an e-mail message) has come a long way from its origins as an HTML and deliverability troubleshooter. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your preheaders.

Brands on Twitter: 76% of accounts are infrequent users

Most companies fail to realize Twitter's full potential as a market engagement platform. While 73% of Fortune 100 companies registered a total of 540 Twitter accounts, effectiveness based on level of activity, interaction and engagement were off the mark.

Celebrate 100 years of hospitality

In celebration of AH&LA's 100-year anniversary, we've created a microsite paying tribute to the leaders, events and accomplis -More-

Churchill Downs Incorporated Chooses MicroStrategy for Reporting and Analysis for its Online Wagering System

The number of hotel rooms in Gilbert, Ariz., rose to 466 this week, and six months ago the town had just 140 rooms. -More-

CityCenter's impact on struggling Las Vegas debated

MGM Mirage's massive CityCenter project, set to open within a few weeks, could boost visitation to the city by 5% to 10% next -More-

Hilton pairs Homewood Suites with other brands in joint builds

Hilton Hotels Corp. -More-

Orbitz offers lowest-hotel-room-price guarantee

Orbitz has launched a policy guaranteeing that hotel rooms that are prepaid on its site are the lowest on the Web. -More-

How Mariquel Waingarten – a new hotelier – created the top guest-rated hotel in Buenos Aires

A highlight of my trip to Buenos Aires last week was visiting the Tailor Made Hotel, and talking with owner Mariquel Waingarten. In a very short time, she has taken her new property to among the most popular design hotels in Argentina. Here is an excerpt from our conversation: Can you tell me the story behind [...]

Tricking wORDpRESs when moving from one server to another server

WordPress Spelling by Lorelle I had fun during the Dutch WordCamp. I learned from Lorelle that you should write WordPress with two capitals and not with 6 like I do in the header of this post. I’m teasing her again. WordPress Future At WordCamp Lorelle predicted a great future for WordPress. I teased her with my prediction that [...]

Tricking wORDpRESs when moving from one server to another server is a post from: Happy Hotelier

Remembering a Dear Friend and Personal Hero

On Sunday, November 8, my dear friend Harry Vincent passed away at the age of 90. I first met Harry in the 1960's when he was the Washington vice president of the consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton. He was doing work for our company and subsequently joined our Board of Directors and served faithfully for over 34 years.

When we split our company, he moved over to the Host Hotel Board of Directors. Host was the company that retained the ownership of the Marriott Hotels we owned before the split and is now . . .

Expedia now has study to confirm the Billboard effect!

As much as many hotels feel a love/hate relationship with Expedia, research results were published this week to prove what they have always maintained — that ‘for every reservation made on Expedia, another is made through the hotel web site.’ If ever there was an example of the OTA as travel search engine [...]

U.S. Investors' Short-Term Outlook Improves

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' investor sentiment for short-term (six month) performance in the Americas has increased for the first time following six consecutive semi-annual declines.

Hilton HHonors to devalue loyalty points starting Jan. 15, 2010

Hilton Worldwide quietly announced to members that it is devaluing their HHonors points by about 20% starting Jan. 15, 2010. The move is upsetting frequent customers.

Marriott/Ritz Reorganization Is Smart Move

It’s about time Marriott wised up and brought Ritz-Carlton under its big tent. This week, the firm quietly announced a reorganization plan that splits the company into four global divisions with all brands and operations, except timeshare but including Ritz-Carlton, reporting to those divisional teams. When Marriott bought controlling interest in the luxury Ritz chain in [...]

Hello world! Happy Hotelier again on the New Server

This is the second installation on the new server after a mess up with a redirect into the cellar of nowhere. I now miss a post that I had made in my prior installation on the new server, but as compensation it seems now do I have my comment counts back and my categories…don’t understand what [...]

Hello world! Happy Hotelier again on the New Server is a post from: Happy Hotelier

Real Zen – First post on the New Server

After I imported the posts of Happy Hotelier from the old server to the new server, this clip of an interview with Robert Pirsig came up as my first draft in my drafts ghetto. Whenever I see or hear the term Zen I associate it with the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance. Currently I’m [...]

Real Zen – First post on the New Server is a post from: Happy Hotelier

Starwood Hotels To Relocate Headquarters To Connecticut

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. will relocate its global corporate headquarters from White Plains, New York, to Stamford, Connecticut, effective in 2012.

Nashville Wedding: Hotel Preston is the place to do your big to-do

Dora and I had a great dinner right here at the hotel the other night, at Café Isabella (Dora said it was the best Chicken Parmagiana she’s ever had). While we were eating, Dora asked me if we’d had many weddings, or things like that, at the hotel. If she was asking, I realized people [...]

Holiday Season and Online Advertising

The holiday season has officially started and stores like Kohl’s has been working on its online advertising campaign. Kohl’s Copr. has a slogan to promote the store. The slogan says: “The more you know, the more you Kohl’s”. Kohl’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mansell said: “We read in our research that value is much more important [...]

Amex's 2010 European Business Travel Outlook

On average, only 20% of European companies anticipate an increase in their travel budget, 61% anticipate no change and 19% predict a reduction.

Colin Powell, the Hotelier?

The former Secretary of State spoke at IHG’s annual leadership conference in D.C. last week and the frequent traveler said although he’s never filled out a comment card before, he had a few suggestions for the collection of hotel owners in attendance. In no order, these were the things he wanted: - Shampoo and conditioner bottles [...]

Meeting Planners Struggle To Control Costs

Meeting planners continue to cut banquet menus and off-site events. Now they have begun to flex their negotiating leverage and ask for aggressive room rate concessions, PKF reports.

Happy Hotelier is moving to another Server

Hi. This is the last post on the old server where Happy Hotelier used to hang out on line. I’ve not posted much the last week as I was under the hood moving this blog to another server. It is possible you have seen or will see some hiccups today and tomorrow. If you have commented during the [...]

Happy Hotelier is moving to another Server is a post from: Happy Hotelier

Hotel Website Marketing Conference - Hotel Blogs features as a speaker

I will be attending the Hotel Website Marketing conference in Dublin next week on Tuesday. Hotel Blogs will be speaking in front of a crowd of hoteliers and marketers. I will give my view on new emerging 3rd parties that...

TRAVELCLICK® Hosts Webinar on Third Quarter 2009 Global Hotel Performance: Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage in 2010

How to get Twitter followers for your hotel (without hurting profits or your brand)

To run effective Twitter promotions for your hotel, you need people listening. But what if you have no followers? Where do you start? Note: this list is a little different from other “how to be popular on Twitter” articles in that I understand hotels need to maintain their brand reputation. Some of the more aggressive tactics [...]

Big Troubles For the New York Hotel Show

The organizers of the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show need to consider major changes to this once but no longer relevant event. If they don’t, the Show is doomed for extinction, perhaps soon. The recently concluded edition of the Show, which is held each November at the Javits Center, New York City’s poor excuse for [...]

The weekly life of a travel startup - Intro

This is something that I was thinking to do for a long long time on Hotel Blogs. So what is it? Every week, I will bring to you a weekly update of the same brand new travel startup who aims...

Christmas cooking with Raymond Blanc

We Smiths like to rank ourselves rather highly in the cookery stakes. In fact, a week rarely goes by without Gareth bringing in baking-parchment parcels containing new-recipe treats or Anthony relaying his latest culinary combinations (eg. pork balls and rice for breakfast). But if there’s any time of year when you need skills in the [...]

Video Interview with Eleanor Ford, Director and Founder of LikeCube.com

This is new video interview I conducted in London in November during the World Travel Market 2009. It features a one to one conversation with Eleanor Ford and Ismael Juma from LikeCube, a pretty sweet technology which works on predictive...

How much to tip at hotels, and when: A primer for guests

USA TODAY asked several etiquette and hospitality experts and hotel companies for advice on what to tip at hotels in the USA.

Virginia Beach and OBX are Open for Business!

You probably heard a lot about Virginia Beach, Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina recently, what with that pesky nor'easter that parked itself on us for a few days. While The Weather Channel tagged the event as an "Atlantic Assault," the locals came to know the storm (quite well, what with the nearly four days it spent visiting us!) as "Nor'Ida," named for the remnants of a hurricane

Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is almost here and our chefs are preparing an immaculate feast to celebrate the holiday! Join us in Mix Restaurant on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th, from 1PM-7PM, and let us do the cooking for you! Thanksgiving Buffet Adults – $35.00++ Children – $17.00 ++ ++(16% Service Charge & 8.75% tax) Hot Station Slow Roasted Madeira Wine Basted Turkey with Sage & Giblet Sauce Roasted [...]

WTM - just like an ordinary edition

After 9 consecutive years visiting the World Travel Market - "WTM" for regular visitors - you can probably imagine that you can get a bit blase and bored by the same old stands and the lack of changes in the...

Make mine an… architectural punch bowl

Jelly. A curious entity – reminiscent of school days, lumpy custard and Seventies trifles. Many would agree it’s an unlikely object of passion. Not Bompas & Parr, the oddballs behind the Horseless Carriage of Curiosities, Flavour Tripping and the breathable cocktail. Their slippery creations include wobbly wedding cake-alternatives for adventurous brides, alcoholic stars for Courvoisier, [...]

Facebook’s Self-Serve Ads

Google is well-known to be number one in the market for its Ad Wods and Ad Sense programs, however, Facebook’s Self-Serve Ads will make Google to rethink its strategy. According to the article, Facebook will be the first to compete against Google and it will grow “no less quickly than Google did”. The Business Insider published [...]

Interview with Gerhard Langer (destinationhotel.de)

1. Who are you? My name is Gerhard Langer, founder and senior editor of destinationhotel.de, an online magazine for sophisticated travelling and lodging. 2. Please tell us about ‘destinationhotel.de’ and your aims? destinationhotel.de is an online information source, not another hotel booking platform. Our focus is to inspire and inform our readers about destinations, hotels, aviation and all the services related to travel. We offer interviews with owners, managers & architects, present new concepts and take a look behind the curtain. The

The power of predictability

When was the last time you bought food or coffee from a national chain instead of the independent local place you never visited before? Chances are, you didn’t want to risk something unfamiliar. Going with the chain provided a consistent level of service and product you could expect. The business did that by building and following systems. [...]

Renovating Our Digital Front Door, Marriott.com

When I started in the hotel business 52 years ago, the first impression customers had of our hotels was the lobby when they walked through the front doors. But in this digital age, often the first impression comes when they visit Marriott.com. It's our digital front door.

Today, when you visit the site, you'll notice the front door looks very different. We have rolled out the first stage of our complete overhaul of Marriott.com.

The site is already a huge success story. Last year, Marriott.com generated more than six billion dollars in gross revenue for Marriott. We've done . . .

Risky business: Luxury resort opening in depressed Rhode Island

A group of sentimentally attached investors is taking a $140 million gamble, building a replica of the historic Ocean House in ...

Marathon Runner Kiyoko Shimahara Returning

By Dr. Richard Kelley The Honolulu Marathon has always attracted a large number of runners from Japan. For the past five years, over 60 percent of the registrations come from that country, significantly contributing to the total impact of the event on Hawaii’s economy. Along with that, we are seeing the development of a strong cadre of [...]

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Guam Properties Partner with the U.S. Army Reserve

By Kristin Ramos On November 9, 2009, the Outrigger Guam Resort, OHANA Oceanview Guam, and the OHANA Bayview Guam entered into an Employer Partnership with the U.S. Army Reserve. This groundbreaking, public-private joint venture offers business owners incentives for employing Army Reserve Soldiers. The partnership also aims to ease the burden many businesses experience when their [...]

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Eat Out During Restaurant Week Hawaii

By Barbara Campbell The second annual Restaurant Week Hawaii happens Nov 16-22 and is being marketed as “the most delicious week of the year!” Why? Because more than 60 Oahu restaurants are participating in this seven-day celebration of the cuisine scene in Hawaii by featuring special menu items, promotions, and discounts. This is the time to [...]

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Hotel of the Week: Aviator

We’ve taken to the skies this week and, after looping the loop over farm and field, we have landed in Hampshire to award our Hotel of the Week accolade to one-of-a-kind aeronautical affair, the Aviator hotel… Style: Silver belle Setting: Airfields of Farnborough Why this week? Until the end of the year, you can stay Friday and Saturday [...]

Microsoft & OpenX Partnership

The agency Reuters has recently announced a multiyear partnership between Microsoft Corp. & OpenX, an online advertising company. These companies will promote each others products to customers and users. Reuters posted in its article:”The deal will significantly expand the distribution of OpenX’s technology for serving ads on websites, as the company seeks to boost its [...]

Capitol Fishing Tackle Owner Supports the Bards

I own Capitol Fishing Tackle Co. I went to work at the store in 1973 and bought it in 1974.The Bards treated me fairly. The space wasn't cheap, but I made a living and it was fun.Stanley and his family...

Has Las Vegas got a deal for you!

With rooms under $20, discounted shows and mouth-watering restaurant offers, visitors are getting the most bang for a buck in ...

Startup Profile: Zemanta [Video Interview]

While at Blog World I had the chance to interview Andraz Tori, co-founder and CTO of Zemanta. Here’s his explanation of how the service works: If you’re publishing a blog or similar website, you should definitely check them out. You can learn more at Zemanta.com.

California bridal suite stars in Anne Rice's 'Angel Time'

The room at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a murder scene in Rice's new novel, but for newlyweds, it's a honeymoon retreat.

New York's Hotel Marcel brings in tattoo artist 'Mister Cartoon'

New York's Hotel Marcel will have an artist/tattoo designer to the stars in residence from Sunday to Nov. 24.

Tweets to Appear on Search Engine Results

Am I the only one that thinks this could be game changer? While the dust up between Choice and Expedia was being heralded as ‘the story of the year’, a giddy Steve Ballmer anounced an agreement with Twitter to show Tweets in its search results on Bing. Google quickly and more quietly followed suit announcing [...]

The Main Thing

At a recent meeting, one of our community leaders quoted: “The main thing is to know the main thing. And to keep the main thing, the main thing.” At first I was taken aback. Then I thought about the meaning of this quote. What is the main thing for me today? For me as an Executive Chef, [...]

Food Manufacturing

Food Manufacturing reaches corporate administrators, plant/process managers, engineering managers, maintenance managers and others responsible for buying/specifying equipment & instrumentation used in processing, handling & packaging in food processing plants. Food Manufacturing is available in Print or Digital format and is published 9 times a year (monthly except bi-monthly in Jan/Feb, July/Aug and Nov/Dec).

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Candy Industry

Published monthly, its editorial emphasis focuses on large and mid-sized manufacturers as well as news-breaking developments in new products, processing and ingredient technology and critical issues affecting the industry.

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Ebay Launches a New Campaign

Christmas is coming and everybody is getting ready to boost revenues in this short period of time. Ebay Inc. is one of the companies launching a new online campaign. The Wall Street Journal posted the following in its article about Ebay:”The ad push, which features the tagline “Come to think of it, eBay,” follows [...]

Using Skype for better service

Should your hotel use Skype? Many of the articles on ‘Skype for business’ I see talk about the cost savings potential. That’s an insignificant benefit in my mind…and not what I want to discuss today. Instead, I see Skype as a tool for providing better service. If many of your guests come from overseas, you may want [...]

Hotel Sales Blog is Back

Finally, I think we have it fixed! Vicious spyders kept taking down the blog! Stay tuned for future posts! Join us Friday for a web cast you can’t afford to miss. Habits of Higly Successful Hotel Sales People — 5 Habits You Need for 2010. http://www.carolverret.net/viral/oct3009html.html [...]

Google introduces sitelinks in PPC adverts

Google today introduced sitelinks embeddable in the PPC advert to bring users directly to specific pages on the advertised website (live in Ireland campaigns this afternoon). The new sitelinks are configurable in the Adwords campaign and appear only when the advert is displayed in top of page position.

Google recently enhanced PPC adverts with mapping and address data also.

See Inside AdWords: Increasing choice and relevancy in search ads

The 2nd toque in the 2nd year @ at eight!

Wonderful news to share! Our restaurant At Eight at The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel, has been rewarded with its second toque by the most important and influential Austrian gourmet guide, Gault Millau. With this award, the restaurant and Chef Thomas Seifried have earned themselves the second toque in the second year of operation, which one may definitely call a unique and sensational achievement! “A young and extremely professional service crew, a performance of international par-excellence, a perfect location and an

Virginia Beach Prepares to Welcome Whales!

Virginia Aquarium whale watching boat tours begin late December showcasing humpback and fin whales migrating off the coast.It moves through the water with amazing grace, in search of its next meal. It plummets toward the depths of the deep sea throwing its fluke upward out of the water with great force. Then in a flash, it’s gone. It’s wintertime – the humpback and fin whales are returning to

Nashville Event: Get all the best in one fell swoop at the Country Music Awards

Did you know that you and I, your average Joe and Jane, can attend the Country Music Awards? Until today, neither did I. I knew the show was coming to the Sommet Center on November 11, and thought I should brush up on the details in case hotel guests asked me about it. When I [...]

Pre-Cuts Are A Good Alternative

Many months ago, I discussed the idea of prepared foods. Of course a number of the diehards laughed it off. Some of these people would never consider offering a menu item that wasn’t completely prepared in house. Fast forward to the not-so-prosperous times of 2009. A number of these same people are now either [...]

Memorial Service for Stefan Brecht

Stefan Brecht, who wrote about and performed in the new and revolutionary theatre that erupted in New York in the 1960’s and early ‘70’s, will be remembered at a memorial to be held Sunday, Nov. 8 at 6 PM, at...

Analysis Is the Key to Making Good Decisions

I recently read a book about General George Custer, famous for being annihilated in Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn before the turn of the 19th century. Custer was a somewhat impetuous, but brilliant, officer. At the age of 23, he was made a Brigadier General in the United States Army and was an important contributor to the Union victory at . . .

“A Hidden Gem” or “LAME!!!”? Online Travel Reviewers to Watch out for

In 2007, a traveler wrote the following review of Opus Hotel Vancouver on TripAdvisor: “The GM who thought he was Ian Fleming was a real detriment to a great trip. Shame – let’s hope the hotel sees sense and releases Daniel to make another movie.” Ouch. The comment was a reference to my James Bond namesake [...] Related posts:

Online Reviews: The Bane of Hotels’ Existence or an Unprecedented Opportunity to Engage Travelers?

Refrigerated and Frozen Food Retailer

Refrigerated and Frozen Foods Retailer contains informative, fact-based coverage on all areas of low-temperature foods, from sales tips to display ideas. This publication is key for today's food retail executive. Its recipients are general management, merchandising, purchasing and warehouse professionals.

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Beverage Industry

Each month, it provides an analytical look at marketing distribution, technology, production and other current news issues facing the industry. In depth statistical reports are compiled annually on each beverage market. Other key areas of coverage include packaging/recycling, beverage fleets, merchandising, quality control, computers, fountain/food service, vending and ingredients.

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Occupancy tax update on internet hotel booking: More lawsuits against Expedia and online travel companies (OTCs) over "lost" bed taxes -- Why hotels should care about the transient occupancy tax (TOT) battle

By Jim Butler and Jim Abrams | JMBM's Global Hospitality Group®
Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com
3 November 2009

Hotel Lawyer: The transient occupancy tax litigation by cities and local governments continues to mushroom.

On November 3, Florida filed one of the first lawsuits against Expedia and Orbitz for lost bed taxes, but using the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Although October was a big month in the OTC battles, November may be even bigger. Today, we are going to look at the latest litigation filings and what they mean.

Extended Stay Stays Hot

By most measures that matter, it seems as though extended stay is still the best segment in which to own a hotel. According to new research from The Highland Group, while the segment endured a 7.2-percent increase in supply in the third quarter, it posted a modest (1.7 percent) increase in demand, a milestone the [...]

FoodPacific Health & Nutrition Technology

Special focus on Nutraceuticals and Cosmeceuticals, two of the fastest developing segments, provides a forum to introduce the latest developments and trends in functional ingredients, products and business practices to the industry and the market.

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