Willard InterContinental Joins Historic Hotel Network

Many hotels claim to have a significant amount of history take place within their walls.  Not many of these hotels can match the historic significance of the Willard InterContinental in Washington D.C.  To officially cement their place as a historic landmark, the hotel recently joined the Historic Hotels of America network.

The Williard InterContinental, Washington D.C.

The HHA was founded in 1989 to identify quality hotels that have maintained their historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance as well as to promote these hotels both nationally and internationally. To become a member, a hotel must be 50 years old, listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, or recognized locally as having historic significance.

The Willard, which was built in its current form in 1901, has a long list of past historical guests including just about every U.S. President since Zachary Taylor.  Other historic moments that took place at the Willard include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. writing his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Julia Ward writing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and Ulysses S. Grant popularizing the term “Lobbyist”.  This short list hardly does justice to the vast history of the hotel.  To see a detailed list of the historic events visit the Historic Hotels of America.

Congratulations to our friends at the Willard for being recognized as a landmark in American history!  To read the full story visit USA Today Travel.

Hotels Maintaining Their Five Diamond Status

Hotels are constantly being rated by a variety of different organizations and travel websites. The highest recognition for being the best of the best is the AAA Five Diamond Award. This year, 15 new hotels were added to the prestigious list that now includes 124 hotels throughout the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Mexico.

Every year AAA inspectors personally visit and evaluate over 60,000 hotels and restaurants and rate them on a variety of categories including cleanliness, comfort, and security for hotels and cleanliness, food preparation, and service for restaurants.  The rating scale ranges from 1 Diamond up to 5 Diamonds.

The majority of the hotels on the 2011 Five Diamond list have held a position on the list for at least 2 years with the longest running streak being 35 years (3 separate hotels have this streak).  With that in mind, we want take a moment to recognize out clients who have retained this honor once again.

Our clients that have maintained Five Diamond status for multiple years now include the Mandarin Oriental Boston since 2009, the Mandarin Oriental New York since 2005, the Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C. since 2001, the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown since 2004, and the Ritz-Carlton Central Park since 2002.

Congratulations on your continued level of excellence in the hotel industry!

To read more about the new members on the list and also to see the full list visit USA Today Travel

Joie de Vivre to Expand Outside of California

“Joie de Vivre” which is French for “Joy of Living”, is a perfect expression for what guests experience at each of the California based hospitality firm’s unique properties.  Now the Joie de Vivre experience will be shared with a market outside of California for the first time in 24 years.

Joie de Vivre, California’s largest boutique hotel collection is expanding outside the borders of California by means of a management contract with the Hotel Theodore in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Hotel Theodore, located in the Old Town district, has also been known as the James Hotel and the Mondrian Scottsdale under previous ownership.

Hotel Theodore in Scottsdale, Arizona

The Old Town district is populated with old-fashioned stores, restaurants, and western art galleries that truly capture the feel of the cowboy era. Joie de Vivre has plans to renovate the property in order to embrace these southwestern roots.

The rebranding effort will be focused on embracing the history of the area in order to appeal to residents as well as out-of-town guests.  The hotel will be re-launched in the fall following significant renovations.

Joie de Vivre currently operates 34 hotels across California each with a very unique and dynamic personality.  The Hotel Theodore promises to live up to the reputation that the Joie de Vivre brand has built over the past two plus decades with luxurious properties such as the Hotel Vitale, the Hotel Angeleno, and the Hotel Adagio to name a few.

To read more about the agreement and plans for the renovation visit Joie de Vivre.

Starwood Hotels Team Up With Live Nation

Are you a member of the Starwood Preferred Guest program yet? If you answered no then get ready to sign up right away. On top of the hotel perks that come along with membership, Starwood hotels is now the official hotel partner of Live Nation so the benefits are about to start adding up.

Live Nation, the largest live entertainment company in the world, recently signed an agreement with the hotel group to be the exclusive partner for multiple years. Starwood Preferred guests can look forward to special offerings such as premium seating at concerts, backstage access, intimate acoustic concerts, as well as artist after parties taking place at properties around the world.

With all types of concerts including Brad Paisley, Ke$ha, Lil’ Wayne, Ozzy Osbourne, Stevie Nicks, and the Pixies to name a few, there is an attraction for just about everybody. Still not sold? Visit Live Nation and out of over 6,700 events, we guarantee you can find something to fit your taste.

In order to enjoy the VIP offerings through Live Nation you’re going to have to stay at one of Starwood’s hotels across the country and start accumulating Starpoints. From now until April 15th, you’ll accumulate double star points plus a bonus for staying on weekends. Your Starpoints will add up quickly so you can begin experiencing concerts like never before!

Starwood hotels include the St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, and Four Points by Sheraton and members of the rewards program enjoy airline tickets and free nights at their hotels nationwide.

To read more about the Starwood’s partnership with Live Nation visit Billboard.

InterContinental Hotel Group is Moving Mobile

Are you attached to your mobile device? Well now your inability to separate from your smart phone will begin to reward you when you stay at one of the InterContinental Hotel Group’s many properties nationwide. IHG is making moves to stay on the forefront of the mobile and social media trends. The latest trend in social media is “Checking-in” at a location through Facebook or Twitter.

Recently the hotel group partnered with PlacePunch to deliver messages to guests through Twitter when they check-in at IHG properties such as InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza. Also they are working to create check-in loyalty programs that will only further enhance your incentive to check-in upon arrival to a property.

Currently upon checking in, guests will receive a welcome message via Twitter. Once guests have used the mobile check-in service the hotel will be able to send them timely message about events in the area or other useful messages. IHG has been on the cutting edge of the mobile marketing since 2001 with other ventures ranging from mobile websites to Apps for the IPad.

To read more about IHG’s mobile ventures visit Mobile Commerce Daily.