Marriott appoints loyalty chief: Marriott International named David Flueck senior vice president, loyalty, overseeing Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest. Flueck joined Marriott as part of the company’s acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
L’Auberge de Sedona sold: IMF Financial Corp. of Scottsdale, Arizona, agreed to sell L’Auberge de Sedona, Orchards Inn Sedona and 89 Agave Cantina, all in Arizona, to an affiliate of DiamondRock Hospitality, for US$97 million. IMH will continue to manage the three hotels under a five-year agreement and plans to expand the L’Auberge brand.
Germany tops in transactions: HVS released its 2016 European Hotel Transactions report in advance of IHIF in Berlin next week. Hotel transactions across Europe in 2016 were 25% down on the previous year, but single asset deals were up 17%. Germany’s hotels were the star performers and those in the UK were the second best performers in Europe, according to the report.
Dalata looking up: Ireland’s Dalata Hotel Group, which had downplayed expansion talk after the UK’s Brexit vote last year, says that it’s speeding up growth plans after solid yearend results. It’s considering openings in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and elsewhere.
Read the story in the Irish Examiner
Ashford responds to FelCor: Ashford Hospitality Trust responded to a proposal on Monday by FelCor Lodging Trust CEO Steve Goldman to consider a cash offer to combine the two businesses. Ashford CEO Douglas Kessler wrote in a letter that the company was interested and encouraged.
Hard Rock in Malta: Hard Rock International plans to open its third European resort, in Malta. The 370-room hotel in St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s, is projected to open in 2020 and will be part of a mixed-use development that includes a mall, residences and office space. The development partner is Malta-based Seabank Group.
Marriott looks to Africa: Marriott International’s Alex Kyriakidis, president, Middle East and Africa, says the company is looking to increase its presence in Africa, pointing to significant change in parts of the sub-continent, where particular countries are enjoying political stability, and are free of conflict, for the first time in recent years. South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya are earmarked for substantial new hotel developments, and the company is also looking at opportunities in new markets such as Madagascar, Mauritius and Senegal.
Rosewood Baha Mar: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by CTFE, Baha Mar Resort’s new owner, to operate and manage Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas. The 185-room hotel is slated to open in spring 2018.
Starboard acquisitions: UK-based hotel owner and operator Starboard Hotels acquired the Holiday Inn Express Tamworth and the Holiday Inn Express Ramsgate for £11.5 million (US$14.3 million). Both will continue under the Holiday Inn flag. The seller was not named.
How long will it stay up? The Vidella Hotel in Blackpool, England, has renamed itself the Viagra Hotel, to the consternation of local officials who say the hotel won’t attract quality clientele. Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that owns the trademark to the erectile dysfunction drug, is considering taking action.
Read the story in the Independent
Airbnb to collect tax in Maine: Home-sharing service Airbnb will start collecting a lodging tax in Maine starting this spring. The 9% sales tax will begin by April. The company says it is collecting taxes in 16 other US states.
Hilton in Medellin: Hilton and Constructora Colpatria signed a franchise license agreement to open the Hilton Medellin in Colombia. The 206-room new-build hotel is projected to open in 2019.