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Utell and Rate Tiger Team Up

Colonia, NJ –(PR.com)– RateTiger, a leader in online hotel distribution management tools and Utell Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest provider of representation services for hotels, today announced a global partnership to deliver robust distribution, benchmarking, inventory and rate management tools to hotels.

Utell will integrate RateTiger’s services into Market Insight, its own suite of distribution management tools and technology. Market Insight comprises of the following components: MarketCompare, which helps hoteliers easily benchmark rates against direct competitors; MarketUpdate, an application that allows hotels to update rates, availability and restrictions across online distribution channels through one simple interface; and MarketManage, an enhanced combination of MarketCompare and MarketUpdate.

Ric Leutwyler, president, Utell stated: “In challenging economic times like these, it is critical for hoteliers to make the most of every revenue opportunity by knowing if their rates are competitive. Utell customers can combine the power of our global sales, marketing and distribution support with Market Insight’s real time competitive data and management tools to drive as much business as possible to their properties. Our mission is to help hotels compete more successfully and incorporating RateTiger’s expertise ensures that our hotel members have the latest products at their fingertips to help achieve a distinct competitive advantage.”

Market Insight will also offer hotels simple-to-use technology that builds on Utell’s already powerful distribution technology from Pegasus Solutions, according to Sascha Hausmann, RateTiger’s chief operating officer.

“Hoteliers are overwhelmed with what they need to do to stay competitive, which is why we’ve teamed with Utell to offer a ‘one-stop-solution’ to its members,” said Hausmann. “The integrated Market Insight tools allow hoteliers to streamline channel management and rate monitoring, empowering them to focus both time and budget on other issues that also need their attention.”

Utell Hotels & Resorts (which includes both the Utell and Unirez representation services) is committed to enabling nearly 11,000 hotels to compete globally. Market Insight is the latest initiative to help hotels members be more successful by providing a range of flexible packages that include access to full training and multilingual support. More information on Market Insight is available now at www.utell.com.

About Utell Hotels & Resorts
Utell® Hotel & Resorts is the representation business unit of Pegasus Solutions. This includes both the Utell and Unirez representation services which enable nearly 11,000 independent and small group hotels in over 130 countries to compete globally.

Established almost 80 years ago, Utell is the world’s largest and most experienced sales, marketing and distribution service for hotels. With a comprehensive international portfolio that encompasses luxury, boutique, value, business and resort properties, Utell caters for a variety of accommodation requirements for both business and leisure travellers.
Utell’s products and services are used by thousands of travel agencies worldwide in addition to major TMC’s and consortia groups.
www.utell.com

For further information, please contact:
Mandy Zakhour, Utell
+44 (0) 20 84 90 48 77
Mandy.Zakhour@pegs.com

About RateTiger
RateTiger has been a leader in online distribution management tools since 2001 and continues to pioneer new technologies for the hospitality industry. RateTiger, by eRevMax, now operates in 60 countries and 415 cities across the world and has become the industry-wide benchmark for managing online distribution. The RateTiger product portfolio enables hoteliers to switch from a time-consuming and complicated multi-channel process to a single point of entry to the market, hence allowing for easy update of distribution channels and travel portals, and rate comparison with competitors, in real-time.

Features and Functionality: RateTiger is known for its innovative product offering that allows hoteliers to:
· View current inventory allocation and rates at multiple Web sites on one screen
· Allocate rates and inventory to maximum gain
· Maintain rate/room type plans to reduce manual interference during updates
· Update revised allocation and rates in real-time
· Maintain an updated log of competitor updates
· Access summarized reports to view entire inventory positions
· Access built-in extranet rules, allowing users to adhere to each site’s capabilities and restrictions.

RateTiger is headquartered in the U.S., with an office in London and technical development center in India. eRevMax employs more than 170 people across the globe. RateTiger is rapidly expanding across the European and American markets. For more information please visit http://www.ratetiger.com/us.

For further information, please contact:
Linda Walsh, The Castle Group, Inc.
+1 617 337 9516
lwalsh@thecastlegrp.com

The Residences at Biltmore | Two and Three Bedroom…

Asheville, NC (PR.com) During the height of one of the most spectacular fall foliage seasons in Western North Carolina, The Residences at Biltmore is opening the second phase of the newest all suite hotel in Asheville. The Residences at Biltmore now has two and three bedroom suites available for reservation, in addition to studio and one-bedroom accommodations. These elegantly designed suites are complemented by 24-hour concierge services, nightly turndown services, and amenities guests expect from a luxury hotel.

“There is no other hotel in Asheville that offers a two or three bedroom suite,” commented James Gibson, Managing Director at The Residences at Biltmore. “Most hotels open a door between two adjoining rooms to create a two bedroom suite. The Residences at Biltmore provides true self-enclosed private suites offering multiple bedrooms and baths. Furthermore, each suite features luxurious appointments not typically found in a traditional hotel,” he added.

Such meticulous details include furnishings and in-suite amenities that make The Residences at Biltmore the Asheville hotel of choice for business travelers, family vacations, girls’ getaway weekends, romantic weekends, spa weekends, and more. With the option of two and three bedroom suites, guests can have the comforts of home, too. Flat screen televisions in the living room and bedroom(s), gas log fireplaces, washer/dryer, stainless steel kitchen appliances, balconies, and whirlpool tubs make a visit plush and unforgettable.

Hotel amenities include concierge services that exceed guest expectations. In addition to directions and restaurant recommendations, The Residences at Biltmore Concierge will provide vacation and travel planning services upon request. This may include booking spa appointments, making adventure travel reservations, ordering gifts, adding romantic touches to suites such as champagne and chocolates, performing errands or shopping for guests.

For the business traveler, a meeting space is available for groups of 16 or less. It is ideal for corporate meetings, teambuilding activities, company presentations and staff appreciation events. Hotel concierge services will organize catering, equipment rental, and more.

The Residences at Biltmore is located at 700 Biltmore Avenue and convenient to Interstate 40, The Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, and downtown Asheville. This distinguished all suite hotel’s location allows guests to conveniently access dining and entertainment, spas, shopping, and outdoor adventure, while saving time and gas.

To schedule a tour, interview, or property visit, email jherman@biltmoremanagementllc.com.

Living Waters Spa | Award Winning Spa in just…

Desert Hot Springs, CA –(PR.com)– Living Waters Spa opened their doors 5 years ago November 10th. What started as a dream for owners Jeff and Judy Bowman, Living Waters Spa has turned into a top rated boutique spa hotel attracting people from all over the country and Europe. “The American dream is still alive and well” says Jeff Bowman. “We wanted to create a spa that would offer people a chance to get away from their daily life, reconnect with life, and experience a bit of Europe right here in the USA.”

Acquiring a vintage 1960s “spa-tel” originally named the “Kismet Lodge” (named after the famous musical), the Bowmans set out to create something totally unique. Located next to Palm Springs in Desert Hot Springs California, Living Waters Spa is situated above a hot mineral water aquifer that provides the hotel with pure, odorless mineral water that is pumped from the hotel’s own mineral spring well. When they acquired the hotel it was tired and rundown and actually used as low rent apartments. “We hauled out over 30 cubic yards of junk just to get at the core of the building” according to Bowman. “Then once we started renovating we realized that the mid-century modern building was well built and perfectly designed for what we were going to do. It even had the 1960s quality imprimatur ‘live better electrically – medallion homes’ as part of the signage.” Renovation included reviving the hot water well, new pools, new pool decking, all new carpet and furniture, and even a complete overhaul of the old neon sign that proudly lights up “Kismet Lodge” and “Living Waters Spa” underneath.

Their spa has become a favorite having achieved an unprecedented 73% repeat rate of its customers in the 5 years of business. Judy says: “What really sets us apart from other hotels/spas is our customer care, hot mineral water, massages, spa/skincare treatments and the fact that we are a ‘European-style’ clothing optional spa. You don’t have to be a nudist or have a ‘perfect’ body to try skinny-dipping at Living Waters Spa. People from all walks of life are discovering what Europeans have known for centuries that nude is not lewd. We’ve had guests in their 20s to 80s enjoy our amazing hot mineral water naked or au naturel.” Judy herself is a breast cancer survivor and often shares with guests her experience with surgery, chemotherapy, and because of the clothing optional context they can have frank discussions about breast reconstruction.

In this trying economy, Living Waters Spa is the only clothing optional resort to offer discounts for guests under 30 years of age, those who are in active military, or who are survivors of breast cancer. “We are here with a passion to help people,” says Jeff, “and our discounts especially provide these groups the chance to take a break, reconnect with their partner, and restore their soul. On top of that with our winter specials you can stay a week in one of our condos for only $499.00 – an unbeatable offer!”

In this past year Living Waters Spa was:

Listed as on of the top 10 clothing-optional resorts of the world (TripAdvisor)
The highest ranked California spa and listed 9th on “Spas of America” top 30 spas
Awarded the “Hidden Gem” award for the 3rd year in a row (TripAdvisor)
Featured in articles by: Los Angeles Times; Times UK; Conde Nast Traveler on Concere.com; The Desert Sun; and American Spa

So, if anyone questions whether or not the American dream is still possible, just ask Jeff and Judy Bowman. They’ll tell you if you work hard, and provide your customers a “Lexus” customer experience — then it is.

For more information see the spa website at: http://www.LivingWatersSpa.com.

The Dorchester Collection expands portfolio in North America with…

U.S. presence grows with timely addition of iconic properties in New York and Los Angeles

Today the Dorchester Collection adds two American five-star hotels to its portfolio — The New York Palace in New York City and the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. The London-based luxury hotel collection, which owns and manages The Dorchester in London, The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, Le Meurice and Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris, and Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan, will take over the management contracts of both hotels with immediate effect.

The Dorchester Collection also announced major investment plans for both properties. The intention is to transform The New York Palace into one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. The refurbishment will take place over the next three years and will include a total redesign of the public areas and guest rooms. Meanwhile, at the Hotel Bel-Air, a new $6 million spa will open in 2009.

Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, said, “We are delighted to welcome these iconic hotels to the Dorchester Collection. All our hotels have their own style of individuality and these are no exception. We have ambitious plans for growth and are targeting 15 hotels in key North American and European cities in the next 5-10 years. To have secured such landmark hotels in the gateway cities of New York and Los Angeles is of tremendous benefit to our portfolio.”

The New York Palace is one of the city’s most iconic addresses and is located in midtown Manhattan on Madison Avenue. With 899 rooms it consists of the landmark Villard Mansions, built in 1882, which houses the hotel’s Michelin-starred Gilt restaurant and a contemporary 55-story tower.

Christopher Cowdray noted: “The New York Palace has great potential and we fully intend to preserve and enhance the heritage, reputation and unique character of the hotel while ensuring that it provides the highest possible standards of service and excellence that Dorchester Collection is known for.”

The Hotel Bel-Air has 91 guest rooms and suites set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens, privately nestled in Stone Canyon. Constructed in 1946 by Texan entrepreneur Joseph Drown, the Bel-Air has developed into one of the most iconic and respected properties in the world and is perhaps most famous for ‘Swan Lake’ with its own resident swans. In 2006 the hotel underwent a $22 million renovation and each of its 91 rooms has its own unique design, some of which are tailor-made for frequent guests. Renovations also included a newly designed restaurant, the addition of the Wine Terrace and state-of-the-art equipment in the fitness center.

With five of the world’s foremost five-star addresses, the Dorchester Collection celebrates luxury with hotels of original character and the most modern amenities. Established as the Dorchester Group by the Brunei Investment Agency in 1996, the Dorchester Collection was rebranded in 2006 to develop an impeccable portfolio of traditional and contemporary properties in Europe and the United States. The current portfolio of owned and managed properties includes The Dorchester, a 244-room hotel long favored by the cream of society in the heart of Mayfair in London, The Beverly Hill Hotel, a glamorous and celebrity-friendly 204-room property on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, the elegant Le Meurice Hotel, a centuries-old, 120-room property located between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre on rue de Rivoli in Paris, Hotel Plaza Athenee, a 188-room embodiment of Parisian luxury set between Avenue des Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, and Hotel Principe di Savoia, a cosmopolitan, 401-room property on the Piazza della Repubblica in Milan.

HEI Hotels and Resorts Promotes Shaukat Wadiwalla to General…

HEI Hotels & Resorts, America’s fastest growing private owner/operator of hotel real estate, today announced it has promoted Shaukat Wadiwalla to general manager of the 233-room Renaissance Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Previously, Wadiwalla was corporate director of food & beverage for HEI.

“At HEI, we believe in rewarding our finest associates for their superior skills with ever expanding career development opportunities,” said Michael Miner, senior vice president of operations for HEI Hotels & Resorts. “Shaukat has done a remarkable job over the 1.5 years with HEI, consistently helping to raise revenues and create efficiencies at hotels across our portfolio. We have every confidence that he will sustain that record of success in his new role as general manager of the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale.”

Prior to joining HEI in 2007, Wadiwalla was food & beverage director for the 1,350-room Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, CA, where he oversaw outlets with over $20 million in revenues. He also has served as food & beverage director for the 1,200-room Adam’s Mark Hotel in Denver, CO, and during his 13-year tenure at the Hyatt Hotels & Resorts held food and beverage management positions at several of the their highest profile hotels, including the 1,278-room Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Wadiwalla graduated from Florida State University with a degree in business administration, hotel-restaurant management.

“I’m grateful for HEI giving me the tremendous opportunity as a first time general manager,” Wadiwalla said. “I’m committed to sharing this same dedication to growth with the team at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale, as we strive to reach new heights as a leader in the Fort Lauderdale marketplace.”

TravelWire