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Industry news for the week of August 8, 2011
HIRINGS/PROMOTIONS/EXECUTIVE CHANGES
Hilton Worldwide hired Edmond Ip as chairman, greater China. Ip’s experience includes stints with Kosmopolito Hotels International and Intercontinental Hotels Group.
Hyatt Hotels hired Jeff Semenchuk as chief innovation officer. Semenchuk was most recently managing director of Citigroup’s global growth ventures and innovation unit.
Dellisart, a hotel owner, acquirer, manager and developer, hired Michael Hutchins as vice president of sales development. Hutchins previously worked for Carlson Hotels.
Max & Erma’s Restaurants hired Steve Weis as vice president of operations. His career includes stints with Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC.
Ruth’s Hospitality Group’s executive vice president and chief financial officer Bob Vincent will transition to the role of senior vice president of corporate strategy. The company hired Arne Haak to succeed Vincent as cfo. He joins the company from AirTran Airways.
OPENINGS/RENOVATIONS/BRAND NEWS
Hyatt Hotels Corp. opened the 314-key Grand Hyatt Goa on India’s west coast.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts rebranded a former Renaissance hotel as the 280-key Sheraton Agoura Hills. A comprehensive renovation of the California locale’s guest rooms and public spaces is planned.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS/ACQUISITIONS
Grace Hotels Group has acquired the Yi House Hotel in Beijing’s 798 Art District in partnership with the hotel’s former owners. The luxury boutique hotel group will rebrand the 30-key property as the Grace Beijing later this summer.
Inland American Lodging Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, has acquired the 545-key Fairmont Dallas for $69 million.
Concord Hospitality Enterprises will manage the 230-key DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond Downtown in Virginia.
Denihan Hospitality Group has closed on a joint-venture that gives Pebblebrook Hotel Trust a 49 percent stake in six New York hotels: the 209-key Benjamin and five Affinia-branded hotels. Denihan will continue to manage the hotels.
Hotel management firm New World Hospitality has purchased luxury hotel-management company Rosewood Hotels & Resorts from Maritz, Wolff & Co. Details of the deal were not disclosed.
Marshall Hotels & Resorts will manage the 160-key Windward Passage Hotel in the Virgin Islands. The company will also provide consulting services related to the conversion of a Four Points by Sheraton to the 107-key Wyndham Garden in Puerto Rico.
E.L.K. Lighting acquired furniture firm Bailey Street Holding Co. from Red River Ventures.
BUSINESS BREIFS
Hospitality consulting firm HVS formed a spa and leisure services division in collaboration with spa consultancy WTS International. The new unit will provide feasibility studies, design consulting, pre-opening services and management for spas, fitness centers and leisure facilities.
AWARDS
Chip Conley, founder and executive chairman of Joie de Vivre, will receive the 2012 International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Pioneer Award, which is given to members of the lodging community based on industry involvement, contributions and personal/organizational attributes and qualities. Conley will receive the award at the upcoming Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), Jan. 23-25, 2012, in Los Angeles.
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