LODGING Staff - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 113

2 min

This Week’s Comings & Goings

📈 Kristie Rasheed appointed as VP of Operations at Olympia Hospitality. CoralTree Hospitality expands global sales team. Charlie Loomis named Executive Chef at St. Gregory Hotel, D.C. Ricardo Suárez becomes GM of NIZUC Resort & Spa with 20+ years' experience. The Pierre NY, A Taj Hotel, hires Jae Kim and Jill K. Fox for their F&B and sales/marketing teams, respectively. Johnny Thorsen joins Serko Ltd. as VP of Strategic Business Development. Hotel Equities reveals new leadership with Clint DeLee and Karen Mendez as VPs of Operations, Lindsay Meadows and Brad Read as SVPs, Michaelanne Colarelli as Procurement Manager, and Angela Phillips as Regional Director of Sales. Rosen Hotels & Resorts promotes Josh Rosen to EVP of Operations, appoints Jack Rosen and Shayna Rosen as VPs, and advances multiple staff including Derek Baum, Jim Bina, Dan Giordano, Dorea Mays, Jennifer Rice-Palmer, Glenn Rosen, Fernando Ching, and Martin Bonventre to key leadership roles.

3 min

Driftwood Secures Financing for Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa

🏖️ Driftwood Capital secured $207 million financing for the Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa in Florida, broke ground in September 2024, and anticipates a 2027 opening. City National Bank and Bayview PACE provided $70 million and $137 million, respectively, with an additional $50 million credit from Amerant Bank. The $420 million, 502-key resort aims to bolster the region's hospitality, featuring 11 food and beverage venues, a spa, wave pool, and sports facilities. It will offer 72,000 square feet of open-air venues and 51,500 square feet of indoor meeting spaces. Upon completion, Driftwood Capital will own 62% of the region’s beachfront inventory and create approximately 1,800 jobs, projecting $3 million in tourist taxes initially and $4.5 million annually by the fifth year.

2 min

G6 Hospitality Partners With HotelKey Across Canadian and U.S. Hotels

🏨 G6 Hospitality, operator of Motel 6 and Studio 6, partners with HotelKey to enhance technology across its properties in the U.S. and Canada. Aiming to add over 150 hotels in 2025, G6 Hospitality will use HotelKey as its core property management system (PMS) to optimize operations and guest experiences. Currently, G6 has over 1,500 properties in North America. The announcement was made at an event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, featuring key figures such as Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal.

2 min

Choice Hotels Shares New Global Marketing Campaign

📺 NORTH BETHESDA, Maryland—Choice Hotels International, Inc. launched a global marketing campaign, “Check Into More,” in collaboration with Keegan-Michael Key, 72andSunny New York, and Choice Hotels. The campaign focuses on the insight that 95% of U.S. travelers seek new experiences and features six TV and digital spots running through 2025. With over 7,500 properties, the campaign highlights hotel versatility and the rewards program, Choice Privileges. The media strategy targets families, young professionals, and business travelers across various platforms, including Hulu and Amazon, and incorporates a "Time Off Toolbox" with messages from Key.

2 min

Olympia Hospitality Names Kristie Rasheed Vice President of Operations

📌 Sara Masterson of Olympia Hospitality named Kristie Rasheed as VP of Operations, to oversee hotel operations across over 38 properties. With 20+ years in the industry, Rasheed has a track record in operational efficiency and revenue growth. Former roles include Managing Director at The Dewberry, Charleston, and positions at Wyndham and Priceline. She holds a B.Sc. in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management and is completing her Master's.

4 min

Tripadvisor Shares Top 2025 Travel Destinations

🏖️ Tripadvisor announced the 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards, with London topping the Top Destinations in the World and the 25th Anniversary Destinations list. New York City leads Top Destinations in the United States, with Osaka, Japan as the Trending Destination for 2025. Solo Travel Destinations are a new category, with Seoul, South Korea at the forefront. Top Food Destinations list is headed by Rome, Italy, and Bali, Indonesia ranks first in Culture Destinations. The Honeymoon Destinations list features Mauritius as the leading spot.

2 min

Drury Plaza Hotel Starts Construction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

🏨 Drury Hotels is constructing their sixth location in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, opening reservations for September 19, 2025. Featuring over 250 guestrooms, on-site dining, and parking, the hotel is conveniently located 15 minutes from local attractions and is the nearest to the LeConte Event Center's 230,000 square-foot space. Amenities include daily breakfast, dinnertime snacks, a late-night dining option, WiFi, business and fitness centers, and an indoor pool. The hotel expects to hire approximately 70 team members.

2 min

CoralTree Hospitality Reorganizes and Expands Sales Team

👉 CoralTree Hospitality, under chief commercial officer Andre Fournier, recently restructured and expanded its global sales team, targeting luxury market expertise. Leslie Kaminski was promoted to vice president of global sales after 25 years of experience in luxury sales, and Michael Shannon, with a background in sales leadership, joins as the global sales director for the Northeast market. Robin Killett, with over 30 years in luxury sales, is now global sales director for the West Coast. The team focuses on direct sales efforts and lead generation for the group and corporate sales customers.

4 min

Islander Resort Completes Property-Wide Renovation

🏖️ Islander Resort in Islamorada, Florida, unveiled its renovated 114 bungalows and suites, 25 two-bedroom townhome villas, and amenities. The enhancement featured modern amenities, waterfront views, with guestrooms averaging 350 sq ft and patios 300 sq ft. Twelve new Cabana Poolside Rooms and 14 oceanside suites up to 1,070 sq ft are added. The resort offers a two-acre activity area, two pools, 9-hole Seaside Links course, and multiple sports courts. Five on-site dining options are available, and the resort can host events for up to 1,000 guests in its 129,000 sq ft of space. Sustainability is emphasized with solar energy, water reclamation, and energy-efficient upgrades. Islander Resort supports local artisans and Reef Relief conservation.

2 min

First Hospitality Assumes Management of The Abbey Resort & Avani Spa

🏠 First Hospitality now manages The Abbey Resort & Avani Spa on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, expanding its portfolio. The Abbey, opened in 1963, spans 90 acres with 334 guestrooms, including 13 suites, and boasts amenities like indoor/outdoor pools and boat rentals. Avani Spa offers a 35,000 sq ft fitness and wellness space. The resort features two full-service restaurants and additional dining options. The Lake Geneva Conference & Event Center on-site provides over 40,000 sq ft of meeting space.

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