Aug 31
Ashley SpitzerNews, Places to Stay economy, hotels, meeting industry, per diem rates
The new fiscal year per diem rates were announced yesterday by the General Services Administration (GSA):
Rates Start: October 1, 2010
Rates End: September 30, 2011
The standard Continental United States (CONUS) per diem rate increased to $77 per night.
GSA reported the average daily rate (ADR) for hotel rooms is down 5.73% from fiscal year 2010.
There are several non-standard area lodging rate changes that have been reduced, making them more affordable to visit:
• New York City (Manhattan) fall high season: reduced to $269 from FY2010 $340
• Colorado Springs: reduced to $84 from FY2010 $88
• Las Vegas: three seasons reduced to one, rates down from FY2010 high of $118 to $93
• Miami, Fla., for the Miami-Dade area mid-season: down to $151 from FY2010 $152
• Chicago, Ill., early summer area high season: reduced to $166 from FY2010 $211
• Charleston, SC: down to $132 from FY2010 $142
• Los Angeles, Calif.: reduced to $123 from FY10 $135
• Kansas City, Mo: down to $99 from FY2010 $107
• Cincinnati, Ohio: unchanged from FY2010 at $115
• Seattle, Wash: reduced to $139 from FY2010 $159
How these rate changes affect your planning this fall?
Aug 11
Ashley SpitzerMember News, Places to Stay guest-friendly hotel tips, hotels, Kimpton, unique activities
Here’s a fun summertime offer from our good friends at Kimpton:
Get uncorked at Kimpton Restaurants and byow (bring your own wine)!
There’s no doubt that you’re stashing some stellar bottles of wine at home. So now through Labor Day, feel free to bring a bottle of wine, or two, to share with friends at any Kimpton Restaurant. Corkage is complimentary all summer long.
Learn more about planing a meeting at a Kimpton hotel or restaurant.
Jul 07
Ashley SpitzerMember News, Places to Stay hotels, meeting ideas
Most of us expect to pay top dollar when it’s last minute. Yet, you can find special offers for any season you choose on ConventionPlanit.com — It’s simple!
Hotels and convention centers needing to fill certain timeframes are extending great deals for your meeting – a virtual win-win! Check out some Divine Deal samplings below with special offerings for this summer:
Swissotel Chicago, Illinois
10% credit to master account
20% off audio visual
3 Complimentary wireless internet access (meeting space only)
10% off banquet menu pricing
Complimentary continental breakfast daily
Complimentary one hour welcome reception
Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda
The Bermuda Group Delegate Promotion for the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and The Fairmont Southampton offers group customers a $200 Credit per Delegate on new bookings of 15+ rooms with a minimum 3 day-stay.
Ontario Convention Center
Confirm your next event at the Ontario Convention Center in Southern California and receive up to a 20% rebate to the master account.
Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Arizona
10% off your master bill, including meeting facilities, guestrooms, catering and technology!
Group rates starting at $89 valid June through September 2010
Group rates starting at $159 valid October through December 2010
Some minimum requirements apply. To learn more about these special offerings and other great deals visit Divine Deals on ConventionPlanit.com!
Jun 17
Ashley SpitzerPlaces to Stay Amsterdam Hotels, hotel reviews, meeting ideas, new york city hotel meetings
The Empire Hotel is paying homage to the infamous NYC ladies as one of the scenes was shot at the hotel!
The Empire Hotel, along with cocktail consultant Somer Perez, have created SATC 2 cocktails named after the cast of the movie and that reflect the “personalities” we’ve all learned to love and sometimes hate!
They are being served at the hotel’s glamorous Lobby Bar.
These cocktails are super creative and delicious and are 100% the SATC characters in beverage form! They taste just as good as they look. And yes, there is a drink for everyone on this menu, with ingredients including Bourbon, Champagne, Strawberry Marmalade and even edible ‘bling’!
Here’s a look at the cocktail menu:
Carrie Me: Flirty and fresh with a gingery wit and sparkly accessories. This pretty peach stands out from the rest.
Zyr Vodka
White Peach Puree
Ginger Syrup
BLING
Charlotte’s Twin-Set: A surprisingly adventurous twist belies the preppy-perfect exterior.
Montecristo White Rum
St-Germain
Strawberry Marmalade
Champagne
Samantha’s Oral Pleasure: Dangerously delicious, this one is absolutely adults-only.
Don Julio Silver Tequila
Blood Orange Puree
Pear Eau de Vie
Blood Orange Bitters
Miranda’s Brooklyn Bridge: Two distinctly different worlds layered together, looks a little stormy but somehow it works perfectly.
Bluecoat Gin
Lillet Blanc
Lemon Puree
Red Wine
John James Preston: Powerful yet unexpectedly sweet, definitely a BIG deal.
Bulleit Bourbon
Sour Cherries
Clover Honey
“BIG” Ice
Cosmo “Redux”: The original’s much hotter little sister.
Belvedere Cytrus Vodka
Orchard Cherry Liqueur
Red Grapefruit
Cherry Bitters
These tasty treats are just too good to keep to ourselves. The next time you are holding a meeting in NYC, be sure to think of the Empire Hotel!
Apr 06
Ashley SpitzerNews, Places to Stay economy, Face to Face Meetings, Five Star, meeting industry
Last week I read an interesting article by David Wilkening of TravelMole. I’ve including some of the key points of the article for those who would prefer not to subscribe.
The AIG effect, which caused many luxury hotels to be hit financially with millions of dollars in cancellations, seems to have released its hold on the industry.
Smith Travel Research predicts in 2010, top tier hotels will be the most successful. In fact, STR reports that the luxury sector has experienced an 8% growth over the past few months.
The article quotes Greg Champion, CEO of Benchmark Hospitality:
“Everyone talks about the AIG effect, but there are a lot of planners out there who say ‘If I can stay at a five-star for the same price as a three-or-four star, why wouldn’t I do that?”
In 2009, many of the planners using ConventionPlanit.com told us they could not consider luxury properties for their meetings. In the past few months, we’ve seen a renewed interest in higher-end properties.
These brands have also been offering meeting planners extra amenities, discounts, and meeting space at no charge to secure their business. (Check out the Divine Deal section of CP for current offerings).
While many meetings were cancelled or postponed last year, things seem to be looking up. The mantra for 2010 seems to be meetings will be held – with a solid value and purpose.
Have you experienced this trend in your own planning? Where are you holding your meetings and why?
Luxury hoteliers – has your meetings business increased? What do you attribute it to?
Oct 19
Damion RutherfordMember News, Places to Stay guest-friendly hotel tips, hotels, Kimpton, unique activities
If you have a soft spot for pets, like us, you’ll appreciate ABC News’ list of America’s most adorable hotel pets.
Kimpton Hotels surely wins for the most pet friendly hotels – several of their properties made this list for friendly animal mascots, including the Hotel Monaco Alexandria and The Muse.
What’s your favorite animal on the list? Have you encountered a personal favorite that didn’t make the list?
Sep 22
Damion RutherfordMember News, Places to Stay Fairmont, Hotel Rennovations, hotels, San Francisco hotels
You’re probably familiar with the San Francisco Fairmont for its 55,000 square feet of meeting space or for the views of the San Francisco Bay – but it’s the penthouse that may be the most famous.
The spacious suite spans the entire eighth floor of the hotel, whose guests have included JFK, Prince Charles and Representatives of the Big Four – and just completed a major renovation.
In an Associated Press interview, Tom Klein, regional vice president general manager of the hotel, says
“You’ll just be blown away.”
For $15,000 a night, the three bedroom suite with dining room, living room, library, and terrace comes complete with a butler, housekeeper, chef, masseuse, personal trainer, fully stocked gourmet kitchen, plus the use of a Ferrari California.
Some updates in the renovation include a newly remodeled kitchen and removing the 1,800 pieces of etched glass that make up the ceiling of the billiard room for a cleaning.
Aug 25
Damion RutherfordNews, Places to Stay economy, Five Diamond, Five Star, hotels, meeting industry
The latest casualty of the struggling hospitality industry is the rating system itself.
Bloomberg.com reports many luxury hotel brands have begun cutting ratings to save costs.
The AAA and Mobil rating systems identify specific service requirements for hotels to receive a five-diamond or five-star rating. These services can be quite costly for the hotels.
According to the Mobil Travel Guide, if the hotel has a pool, guests arriving for a swim should be escorted to their chairs and offered refreshment. Welcome gifts and thoughtful items on pillows at turn down service are expected. Ice buckets must be glass, metal or stone, and tongs must also be provided.
The Bloomberg.com article quotes Stephen Bollenbach, former chief executive officer of Hilton Hotels Corp.:
“Ratings aren’t based on making good returns on your investment.”
If the trend of hotels cutting back on services and lowering ratings continues, will rating systems become irrelevant? Are they outdated?
As a guest, how important is the AAA or Mobil rating in your booking decision? Can hotels survive on reputation alone?
Jul 28
Ashley SpitzerNews, Places to Stay, Tips for Meeting Planners Chicago Hotels, economy, Hotel Unions, hotels, meeting experiences, meeting industry
Chicago’s City Council is hoping to pass an ordinance that would notify potential hotel guests of work stoppages.
Specifically, work stoppages of 20 or more hotel employees having gone on for more than 15 days would be reported to guests prior to booking.
The ordinance would protect guests from being surprised with unions picketing outside hotels or a lack of staffers during their stay.
Quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Roper said,
“With business as difficult as it is to attract, all the meeting planners need is one extra little thing to say, ‘We wanted to get out of Chicago anyway. This is our out.’… In these tough economic times, we don’t need any more negative impressions.”
What do you think?
As a meeting planner, do you have a right to know if the conditions at a hotel are abnormal? How would your decision to stay at a property be affected by a union strike, if at all?
From the hotelier side, do you agree with Mr. Roper? What are some alternative solutions?
Jul 13
Ashley SpitzerMisc Tidbits, News, Places to Stay air travel, airlines, travel tips, unique activities
Frequent travelers forced to leave their furry friends behind when flying have a new option…
…Pet Airways debuts tomorrow as the U.S.’s first pet-only airline. Pets will travel in the main cabin, not the cargo hold of the planes.
The airline strives to protect the comfort and safety of pets, who are often injured in unsafe cargo conditions. Flights will serves New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles to start, with plans to expand nationwide.
Owners can book online and even track the progress of their pet’s flight at http://www.petairways.com.
Is this a service you will use?
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