Is the future of Las Vegas a cultural attraction versus gaming entertainment? MGM Resorts International has a visionary idea of Las Vegas looking like Hong Kong, New York, and San Francisco.

“We can see that other interests, in addition to gaming, are being pursued now by those who come here. We introduced the non-gaming M life program recently, in February 2012, and we have seen a real spike in membership since then. We realize, in this time and place, as we move out of the recession-mode, that we can’t have an if-you-build-it-they-will-come approach to anything anymore. M life Moments were initially used for gamers, but now we have expanded the program to include non-gamers also.” -Scott Voeller

The growing trend is showing that more and more visitors are there for more than just the gaming. Las Vegas can very well be the entertainment center of the world, and not in the gaming sense. Time will tell.

Read full article.

—
Visit HotelBlogs.com.

1. Inn at Palmetto Bluff, An Auberge Resort (Bluffton, S.C.)
2. Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, The Lodge at Koele (Lanai, Hawaii)
3. Wentworth Mansion (Charleston, S.C.)
4. Four Seasons Hotel Seattle (Seattle, Wash.)
5. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu (Big Island, Hawaii)
6. Amangani (Jackson, Wyo.)
7. Rancho Valencia (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
8. Triple Creek Ranch (Darby, Mont.)
9. Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort (Calistoga, Calif.)
10. Waldorf Astoria Chicago (Chicago, Ill.)

Read the full article here.

—
Visit HotelBlogs.com today.

That means the rules for making existing hotel pools accessible will not take effect today, March 15, as originally planned when first announced in 2010.

The department just issued a press release that says:

“Requirements for existing swimming pools will be extended for 60 days. The department will also publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with a 15-day comment period on a possible six-month extension in order to allow additional time to address misunderstandings regarding compliance with these ADA requirements.”

The rule in question requires hotels to make their existing pools accessible by installing lifts, but hoteliers – and the American Hotel & Lodging Association – had been seeking clarity on some requirements, such as installation procedures and lift type, among other questions.

The confusion among hoteliers remains so great that a major hotel insurer reports that some clients are now talking of closing their pools.

—
Visit HotelBlogs.com for more articles.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Bodenhamer called it the most important business opening in recent San Juan Capistrano history.

One month ahead of schedule, the ribbon was proudly cut and a small tour was given of the new Residence Inn.

Read more about the much anticipated opening by Clicking Here.

—
Where hotel news come first – HotelBlogs.com

Equal partners in the merger, Thompson and Joie de Vivre will combine their hotel-management operations and brands, but not their real estate assets. The result will be a joint collection of 45 properties with combined annual revenues of approximately $500 million.

Click here to read more about the merge.

—
Get the latest hotel news from HotelBlogs.com.

The Inn at the Presidio will be built at the base’s Pershing Hall and will include 22 rooms whose rates will range from $195 to $350 a night.

The Inn’s stylish design and contemporary furnishings will pay tribute to the Presidio’s history while offering all the comforts of modern lodging. The Inn’s furnishings will reference the building’s history and its art program will use historic memorabilia and photographs, as well as modern regional art, to exemplify the unique national park experience found at the Presidio. Presidio artifacts will also be integrated into the design. The Inn will be operated in accordance with green hotel standards and the Trust is pursuing LEED Gold certification for the building.

—

Read more about the latest in hotels at HotelBlogs.com.

The Grand Del Mar hotel in San Diego joins its spa and restaurant counterparts, The Spa at The Grand Del Mar and Addison, which were awarded their five stars in 2011 and 2009 respectively. The triple five-star rating makes the Grand Del Mar triple the luxury for traveling guests.

Making the cut for the first time in the four-star category were nine hotels, nine restaurants and five spas. A total of 539 establishments in the United States, Canada, Beijing, Macau, and Singapore made the 2012 Forbes Travel Guide honor roll, which for the first time can be found on Startle.com, the guide’s new interactive Web site launched today.

—

The 65 year old property was redesigned by Alexandra Champalimaud, whose other work includes New York’s Algonquin and San Francisco’s Fairmont hotels, and the Rockwell Group, which has worked on Starwood’s Aloft boutique hotels as well as Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre.

A popular celebrity get-away, Hotel Bel-Air is back in business for guests to lodge and lounge in luxury.

—
Visit HotelBlogs.com today.

Exclusive to the hotel, Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water is quenching Diva’s thirst for creativity with a one-of-a-kind Perrier Lounge, slated to open in January 2012. Designed around the iconic green bottle and other elements of the brand, this visionary space will have custom glass bottle light fixtures, intimate seating/meeting space and a Perrier vending machine stocked with a variety of flavors. Hotel guests will also receive a complimentary bottle of Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water upon check-in.

The exterior of the hotel has been freshly painted in charcoal grey with bright white windows, resembling the look of a dashing tuxedo. A complete showstopper, passersby are treated to a small peek of the custom window shades, as their shapely silhouettes can be seen from the hotel’s exterior guestroom windows. Hotel Diva’s lobby will be redesigned as an open, airy lounge with a sexy new look.

Hotel Diva is located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square, with all of the excitement of the city’s finest shops, theaters, art galleries, restaurants and nightlife just right outside the door. For guests who want to see a show, two of the city’s best performing arts theaters, the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T) and the Curran Theater, are located directly across the street from the hotel.

About Personality Hotels:

Founded in 1982 by pioneer Yvonne Lembi-Detert, Personality Hotels is San Francisco’s first boutique hotel company. Celebrating individualism, each distinctive Personality Hotel offers comfort and outstanding service infused with inventive, forward-thinking style and amenities. Personality Hotels is an affiliate of HotelTravelCheck.com, the hotel internet marketing company of its four eclectic San Francisco boutique properties: SEXY Hotel Diva, GRAND Kensington Park Hotel, AUTHENTIC Hotel Union Square and TIMELESS Steinhart Hotel. From a sleek urban abode in the center of it all to a relaxing seaside escape, Personality Hotels can oblige. For more information and to book reservations, call 800.553.1900 or visit www.personalityhotels.com.

—
Visit HotelBlogs.com today.

Here are 10 tips that hotels should emphasize with their guests:

1. Lasting Impressions
2. Keep in Touch
3. Reward Loyalty with Exclusive Deals
4. Understand Your Guests’ Needs
5. Ask for Feedback
6. Remember Your Guests
7. Consistent Services in Excellence
8. Train Your Staff to Meet Guest Expectations
9. Know Your Competitors
10. Wow Your Guests by Going the Extra Mile

Caroline Cooper outlines the basic know-how’s that all customer service based industries should take to heart. A little effort can go a long way for your guests. If getting new guests is the hard part, why not do the easy part by keeping them?

—
HotelBlogs.com