newsletter - Charlestowne Hotels

NEWSLETTER
READERS’ CHOICE
–QUARTER
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice 2013
On October 15, 2013, Condé Nast Traveler announced four
hotels in Charlestowne Hotels' portfolio as recipients of the
2013 Readers' Choice Award. Three of the four properties are
located in Charleston, SC, which was named the #1 City in the
US for a third consecutive year.
The Moorings Village & Spa was ranked #10 out of the Top 40
Hotels in Florida by Condé Nast Traveler readers. The
exclusive tropical resort in the Florida Keys harbors 18 private
coages and has been sought out by world-renowned travel
writers and A-list celebrities for more than 20 years.
Recognized as a leader in the travel industry, the Condé Nast
Traveler Readers' Choice Award is derived from unbiased
surveys based on thousands of reviews and opinions from both
readers and travelers around the world.
The survey intends to capture the participants' overall
experience, which reflects the high level of service and
commitment put forth by all of the recipients. The properties
awarded in the Charlestowne Hotels' portfolio continue to
exceed guests’ expectations resulting in excellent guest
reviews and accolades from various travel industry leaders.
French Quarter Inn and HarbourView Inn, both AAA
Four-Diamond hotels in Historic Charleston, boast a number of
prestigious recognitions including Condé Nast Traveler Gold
List and Readers' Choice Awards, Travel+Leisure, U.S. News &
World Report Best Hotels, and TripAdvisor's Certificate of
Excellence and Travelers' Choice Award.
The Ellio House Inn, located in the heart of Charleston's
Historic District, reopened its doors two years ago aer an
extensive renovation. During that short amount of time, the
property has been named Most Romantic Inn by USA Today
and has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler in both their
Gold List and Readers' Choice Awards.
The Moorings Village & Spa, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Breakfast on the Terrace at French Quarter Inn, Charleston, SC
Charlestowne Hotels Reports Revenue Growth Double the National Average
With three quarters of the year complete, Charlestowne
Hotels' performance in RevPAR growth is nearly double the
national average of 5.6% as reported by Smith Travel Research
(STR). A year over year (YOY) comparison of properties under
the management of Charlestowne Hotels during the first nine
months of 2012 and 2013 shows an average RevPAR increase of
10.7%. Based on current pacing, 2013 will be the fourth year in
a row that the company has significantly outperformed the
national average.
the same period.
President & COO Michael Tall aributes this achievement to
the comprehensive plan and coordinated efforts of the
revenue and marketing managers as well as the on-site
management teams. “We made a commitment to carefully and
strategically grow Charlestowne Hotels by recruiting and
developing the finest talent in the industry with a strong focus
on revenue management and online marketing. This, combined
with a strong operations team, is the reason our clients' hotels
Additionally, properties new to the company's portfolio are enjoying such outstanding revenue growth which has also
experienced a YOY average RevPAR increase of 17.41% during resulted in strong NOI growth,” states Tall.
The Spectator (Artist’s Rendering), Charleston, SC
New Places
The Spectator - Historic Charleston, SC
Slated to open in early 2015, this 41 room luxury boutique hotel
is located on State Street just south of the City Market in
Charleston's Historic District. The hotel's sister properties
include the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rated French
Quarter Inn and Harbourview Inn, which are also located in
Charleston's Historic District.
More details to come as progress continues.
Quality Inn & Suites, Hilton Head Island, SC
Quality Inn & Suites - Hilton Head Island, SC
This 127 room hotel is conveniently located in beautiful Hilton
Head Island, just minutes from the area's famed beaches and
world-renowned golf courses. Resort-style amenities include
an on-site restaurant and lounge, outdoor pool with large
sundeck and puing green. In addition, both business and
leisure travelers will enjoy free wireless internet and hot
breakfast, as well as 3,000 square feet of event and meeting
space. All guest rooms and suites are equipped with
microwaves and refrigerators, as well as a shared porch with
rocking chairs.
The Ellio House Inn, Charleston, SC
New Faces
accounting administrator. Dylan is a recent graduate of the
Max began his hospitality career with King Charles Inn as a University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business
Front Desk Agent, and was later promoted to a supervisory with a degree in Accounting. While in college he was an
role at Shem Creek Inn. He holds a Master of Business accounting/ finance intern with BJWSA.
Administration degree from the College of Charleston with a Phil Vassar - general manager, Surfside Beach Resort
focus in revenue management. While in graduate school, he Phil Vassar has joined Charlestowne as the general manager of
interned with Charlestowne Hotels' revenue management Surfside Beach Resort. Phil comes to us with over 30 years of
department, and joined full-time aer graduating.
experience in the industry, most recently as the general
Max Berry - revenue analyst
Ursula Harvey - executive assistant to the CEO
manager of Captains Quarters and Hotel Blue in Myrtle Beach.
He has also served the industry and community through active
participation with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and
Hospitality Association. Phil is a great addition to the Surfside
Beach team.
worked with Destination Hotels & Resorts where he served as
Hotel Manager at Washington D.C.'s iconic Madison Hotel,
overseeing the $22 million renovation and repositioning of the
property and service standards to AAA 4 Diamond quality.
Philipp earned a degree in business management, with a minor
in French, from Wheeling Jesuit University. He also obtained a
Certificate in Hospitality Leadership from the College of
Charleston.
Jeff Wood - general manager, The Oceanfront Litchfield Inn
Since earning her degree in Economics from the University of
Warsaw, Poland, Ursula has served in numerous corporate
roles from controller, to data processing manager, to
purchasing manager and most recently as procurement
manager for Passport International LLC. in Mount Pleasant, Lauren Widmaier - marketing coordinator
SC. She brings her unique skill set to Charlestowne Hotels to Lauren is a recent graduate of the College of Charleston and
assist founder and CEO Evere Smith.
has joined Charlestowne Hotels as a marketing coordinator.
During and immediately following her studies, she worked at
Gavin Philipp - regional director of operations
With over 15 years of industry experience, Philipp has Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms in several positions
successfully managed and operated some of the best-known including front desk and salon & spa supervisor and marketing
hotels across the country, including properties in Vail, communications assistant, where she interacted with guests
Charleston, Boston, Miami, Austin, Houston and Washington and potential guests through Facebook, Twier, Pinterest,
D.C. Most recently, Philipp served as general manager of the YouTube, and Instagram, while also writing blogs and
AAA 4 Diamond Loews Annapolis Hotel. Previously, Philipp coordinating other resort communications.
Jeff Wood has joined Charlestowne as the general manager of
The Oceanfront Litchfield Inn, Pawleys Island. Jeff's
background includes more than 15 years of hospitality
experience, including both restaurant and resort. For the past
six years he has held several management positions with
Briain Resort Management in Myrtle Beach, most recently at
Long Bay Resort. We are excited to have him as a member of
the Charlestowne Hotels team and look forward to his
Dylan Sams - payroll/accounting administrator
Dylan Sams has joined Charlestowne Hotels as a Payroll/ leadership of the Litchfield Inn team.
Leer from the President
With the capital markets opening up this year, there have been,
and continue to be, many renovation projects and hotel
acquisitions being contemplated. A consistent theme that is
permeating throughout the industry is the question of whether
to keep a hotel's current brand, or to change it, or whether a
brand is even necessary at all. This was a major topic during a
panel I participated in at the Lodging Conference earlier this
month. Many experts continue to debate what constitutes a
boutique hotel, an independent hotel, and a lifestyle hotel.
However the recurring aributes of each of these
classifications are clear - a hotel's unique characteristics, a
guest's emotional bond with the property, and the people who
work there. At Charlestowne Hotels, we manage both branded
and non-branded properties
and our commitment to each of
those vital aributes is what
separates
us
from
our
competitors. Regardless of
whether there is a flag associated
with the property or not, our
approach to maximizing the
hotel's profitability and long
term viability remains very
similar. Our success lies with Michael Tall, President & COO
the people who are responsible for executing what we promise
the guest before they even arrive.
Publication ©Charlestowne Hotels
For more information, contact Denise Piper, ( - or
Susan Cohen, (-
HarbourView Inn, Charleston, SC
Charlestowne Hotels
Bridgeside Boulevard
Suite Charleston, SC