HISTORIC HOTELS
226 | It’s a Long Story: Historic hotels gain new appreciation among travelers, brands
HISTORIC HOTELS
Hotel developers and investors seeking new ideas might do well to remember history.
More travelers today want an immersive experience not just in the places they visit but in the hotels in which they stay. And they’re willing to pay more for it.
Historic hotels often give guests what they crave – a sense of place, a connection to something meaningful, a story to tell, a time to remember.
Historic hotels also give owners and operators what they desire – a significant return on investment.
CBRE Hotels America’s Research reports that the more than 300 hotels that are members of Historic Hotels of America generate greater occupancy and command higher rate than their contemporary counterparts.
In today’s episode we talk with Lawrence Horwitz, executive director of Historic Hotels of America, about the growth in preservation of historic lodging accommodations as well as buildings that have been restored and transformed into hotels. Also featured are Kevin Hellmich, director of sales and marketing at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama; Susan Stein, Grand Hotel historian; and Guido Piccinni, managing director of the Georgian Terrace in midtown Atlanta.
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HISTORIC HOTELS
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295 | Doing Well: Coronavirus pandemic advances wellness design and programs in hotels
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing the lodging industry to rethink health and wellness. Designers such as Blanche Garcia of B. Garcia Designs see this as an opportunity for hotels to revise their messaging beyond clean and safe by introducing wellness products and programs they can market and attract guests who want to feel good during their stay and return home feeling better than when they left. Those who promote healthy buildings as well as safe travel are exploring how implementing elements of wellness can be a cure for hotel businesses struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn. This report is part of Long Live Lodging’s ongoing coverage of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on the hotel industry.
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294 | She is a Hotel Investor: What She Has a Deal can teach every hotel investor
She Has a Deal, a program that promotes women as hotel owners, last month minted several new investors through its inaugural pitch competition. Long Live Lodging examines what it took for the three women who comprise the team called Datcher to win the top prize of $50,000 in equity in a fund that would include their $27.4 million project proposed for downtown Detroit. Two additional projects proposed during the competition were selected to benefit from She Has a Deal’s first investment fund. Datcher’s winning formula as well as the other project proposals can be emulated as hotel developers and investors search for ways to fund upcoming projects that reduce investors’ risk while delivering a healthy return as the lodging industry navigates its way through the business downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.