NEWSLETTER - Charlestowne Hotels

NEWSLETTER
Planters Inn, Savannah, GA
–QUARTER
Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth Outperforms Industry Average Four Years in a Row
Charleston, SC – A year over year comparison of properties
under Charlestowne Hotels’ management showed an
average revenue per available room (RevPAR) increase of
11.67% compared to the national average reported by Smith
Travel Research (STR) of 5.7% in 2013. These results are
aributed to an increase in both occupancy (4.5%) and
average daily rate (6.7%). In addition, seven of the properties
within the portfolio concluded the year with a RevPAR
increase greater than 15%.
“Most markets across the country are seeing an increase in
RevPAR and many hoteliers seem to be showing a sense of
optimism,” states President & COO Michael Tall. “Our strategic
approach to topline revenue generation, followed by
exceptional service within operations, has allowed our
properties to dramatically outperform their comp set year aer
year. The initiatives that were set forth in 2013 demonstrate the
foreknowledge within our organization which resulted in
RevPAR growth more than double the national average.”
Recent Hotel Awards and Recognitions
Andrew Pinckney Inn:
• Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards - Affordable Charleston
Option
• Charleston.com's Best Of Nomination
The Ellio House Inn:
• Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards Top hotels in the South (#)
• USA Today - Most Romantic Hotels of the South
French Quarter Inn:
• Condé Nast Traveler Gold List - Platinum Circle ( or more
consecutive years on the Gold List)
• Travel + Leisure World’s Best Hotels
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best Hotels in the US (#)
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best Hotels in the World (#)
• US News “Best Hotels in the USA”
• Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards Top Hotels in the South (#8)
• Travel + Leisure World's Best Top Small City Hotel Award (#)
HarbourView Inn:
• Condé Nast Traveler Gold List
• Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards Top hotels in the South (#)
• US News Top Hotels in Charleston (#)
• US News Top Hotels in South Carolina (#)
The Moorings Village & Spa:
• Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Top Resorts in
Florida (#)
• Garden & Gun "Top Weekend Getaways"
• Travel + Leisure "Best Florida Road Trips"
Springmaid Beach Resort:
• Convention South Top New or Renovated Meeting Site Award
Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa:
• Five Star Alliance Top 50 Hotels Worldwide
Zero George:
• Travel + Leisure It List: The Best New Hotels
• TripAdvisor.com Hot New Hotels Across the Globe (# US, # World)
• Fodor's Top Hotels
King Charles Inn and BREW Pub & Café, Charleston, SC
King Charles Inn Reemerges as an Upscale Independent Hotel
Charleston, SC – Aer more than 30 years of operating under position the property as an upscale accommodation option for
a franchised brand, King Charles Inn now joins the notable list visitors. Nearly every aspect of the hotel has been refreshed to
of independent hotels throughout downtown Charleston.
enhance the guest experience. A stylish new marquee serves
Charleston’s popularity as a top travel destination has as an icon, and denotes the quality guests will discover upon
increased dramatically over the past few years, much of which entering the hotel. The recently added pub and café, BREW,
can be aributed to the generous amount of highly acclaimed serves as the gathering place for specialty coffees in the
media aention highlighting the city’s unparalleled hospitality morning, light bites throughout the day and evening libations or
and historical significance. The demand for unique experiences a night cap before bed. Each room features large flat panel
and the urge to immerse oneself in the southern culture has televisions, iHome alarm clocks, Keurig® K-Cup brewers and
been a growing trend amongst travelers, allowing for many of premium bedding. Guests revel in the abundance of amenities
the boutique hotels to outperform the internationally known provided including a terrace pool, complimentary parking and
wireless Internet, and genuine hospitality.
brands in the market.
As a result, King Charles Inn made the decision to discontinue “Regardless of the hotel being associated with a franchised
their relationship with Best Western and reemerge as a brand, my entire team has always strived to provide an
authentic guest experience,” states Maureen Sheridan, general
formidable boutique hotel competitor.
manager. “The recent enhancements to the property highlight
In planning for the transformation, more than $10 million has the distinctive qualities that visitors to the area are seeking, and
been invested by the owners to revitalize the hotel and allow us to compete with some of the finest hotels in the city.”
2013 Managers of the Year
Two members of the Charlestowne Hotels team were recently
recognized for their outstanding performance, leadership and
remarkable results in 2013. Jared Hassard was recognized as
Corporate Manager of the Year and Brent Gresham was
named General Manager of the Year.
Corporate Manager of the Year
Jared Hassard joined Charlestowne Hotels as a corporate
revenue manager in June of 2011. Since then, Jared has worked
with more than 10 hotels to implement strategies and oversee
the day-to-day activities that affect overall occupancy and daily
room rates. His leadership and hard work has resulted in a 10%
or greater increase in revenue growth for the hotels he has
worked with. Among those hotels are French Quarter Inn,
HarbourView Inn, The Ellio House Inn and Andrew Pinckney
Inn, all located in Charleston’s Historic District.
(L-R) Evere Smith, Brent Gresham, Jared Hassard, Michael Tall
review site, TripAdvisor.com. This year, French Quarter Inn was
honored with many prestigious awards and mentions, including
Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award and Gold List
(Platinum Circle), TripAdvisor #2 Hotel in the US, and Travel &
Leisure’s World’s Best Small City Hotel Award.
“Over the past few years, we have built a team that includes
many of the industry’s most talented professionals. It is an
General Manager of the Year
honor to recognize two managers for their dedication and
Brent Gresham was appointed general manager of the
leadership, which has resulted in higher revenue for our clients
highly-acclaimed French Quarter Inn in January of 2012. During
and exceptional experiences for our guests,” stated Michael
the past two years, Brent has reorganized the hotel’s executive
Tall, president & COO.
team, overseen a multimillion dollar bathroom renovation and
implemented a guest satisfaction program that has allowed the Congratulations to both Jared and Brent for an extraordinary
hotel to consistently rank as the #1 hotel on the popular online year!
New Places
features of the Inn is the onsite entertainment venue, The
On December 1, 2013, Charlestowne began managing the 118 Melting Point, which is known for its great live music by both
room, Foundry Park Inn & Spa, located just steps away from locals and visitors to the area.
downtown Athens and the University of Georgia. The Inn is Although the property has been well maintained throughout
nestled among historic landmark buildings dating back to the the years, ownership anticipates remodeling the guest rooms
1830s, which creates a quaint village seing. The Foundry Park and public spaces this summer, in an effort to enhance the
Inn is home to an upscale restaurant, full-service spa and four overall guest experience and provide a more modern aesthetic
well-appointed ballrooms. One of the most well-known to the property.
The Foundry Park Inn & Spa - Athens, GA
Foundry Park Inn, Athens, GA
New Ownership
Charlestowne Hotels has recently acquired an ownership
interest in Surfside Beach Resort, a 161 room oceanfront hotel
located just south of Myrtle Beach, SC. The hotel has been
managed by Charlestowne since 2010 and since then has
undergone a multitude of changes. In 2010 the property
transitioned from operating under the franchised brand, Days
Hotel, to an independent hotel, which was followed by both
guest room and lobby renovations in 2012. Property-wide
capital improvements are scheduled to begin immediately and
slated for completion at the end of 2014.
New Faces
Ma Cunningham - general manager, The Palms
Oceanfront Hotel
In February, Ma joins The Palms Oceanfront Hotel on Isle of
Palms near Charleston, SC as general manager. He possesses
immense knowledge in the management of both hotel and
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Surfside Beach Resort, Surfside Beach, SC
industry and departmental processes, which has prepared him
for overseeing the day-to-day revenue management of four
properties in the Charleston area.
Wesley Bloomfield - business development & marketing
Since joining Charlestowne Hotels in early 2010 as a marketing
coordinator, Wesley has demonstrated her eagerness to learn
every aspect of the hotel management industry. Aaining a
Master Certification in Revenue Management and Hospitality
Marketing from Cornell’s Hotel School and overseeing the
marketing department as a senior marketing manager has
provided her with the foundation to further develop the
Charlestowne Hotels’ brand and foster new client
relationships.
Johnathan Capps - director of marketing
For more than three years, Johnathan has proven his aptitude
for leadership while in his position as a revenue manager with
Charlestowne Hotels. His passion for the industry and his
broad background in both sales and revenue management has
provided him the tools and insight to oversee the marketing
The Palms Oceanfront Hotel, Isle of Palms, SC department and bridge the disciplines of revenue management
and marketing for optimum property results.
condo properties, which stems from his experience with Hya
Karl DeHaven - revenue manager
and Avalonbay Communities, Inc. Ma’s ability to oversee the
During the past five years, Karl has demonstrated exceptional
day-to-day hotel operations and work closely with the
dedication and leadership while working with three hotels in
property’s unit owners and Board members will further help to
Charlestowne Hotels’ portfolio. For the past two years, he has
enhance the overall performance of the 68 room beach
served as the inventory analyst for Springmaid Beach Resort in
property.
Myrtle Beach, SC and on January 27, Karl returned to the
Peter Lamboi-Foray - revenue manager
Charleston area to join the corporate team as a revenue
In November 2013, Peter joined Charlestowne Hotels as a manager.
revenue manager. He possesses more than twelve years of
experience in the private sector, and has held executive
revenue management positions with Davidson Hotels &
Resorts and LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels. Peter holds a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University
of Maryland and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. He
currently oversees the revenue management for French
Quarter Inn, HarbourView Inn, Ellio House Inn, The Society
House and Andrew Pinckney Inn, all located in Charleston’s
Historic District.
William Palmer - revenue manager
Aer receiving his MBA in Finance from Wake Forest
University and a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and
Tourism Management from University of South Carolina,
William moved to the Charleston area to work with a nationally
acclaimed consulting firm. Aer a couple of years with the
French Quarter Inn, Charleston, SC
company, his passion for the hospitality industry and strong
financial background led him to Charlestowne Hotels, where
Recent Speaking Engagements
he will apply his knowledge and experience to his role as a
corporate revenue manager.
Michael Tall - president & chief operating officer
Panelist at Hunter Conference, HI Connect, HSMAI
New Ventures
Roundtable, Lodging Conference, and Boutique & Lifestyle
Lodging Association
Max Berry - revenue manager
In July 2013, Max joined Charlestowne Hotels as a revenue
analyst aer receiving his MBA from College of Charleston
with a focus in revenue management. During the past six
months, Max has developed a broader knowledge of the
Larry Spelts - business development & investment strategy
Publication ©Charlestowne Hotels
For more info, contact Wesley W. Bloomfield at Moderator for an Urban Land Institute panel discussion
Wesley Bloomfield - business development & marketing
Panelist at HOTEC Operations & Technology North America