Hilton partners with LV to enhance Spa experience.

The arrangement is designed to redefine the global luxury hotel spa experience, Hilton Hotels Corporation has partnered with Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton brands Guerlain and Acqua di Parma and with Spa Chakra to offer exclusive spa services and boutique products in many of its luxury and upscale hotels.

The agreement impacts Waldorf=Astoria Collection hotels, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and selected Hilton hotels in some of the world's top destinations and resort locations.

“We are delighted to align our distinguished hotels with leading luxury spa brands, which are the crème de la creme of their categories,” said Matthew J. Hart, president and chief operating officer, Hilton Hotels Corporation. “Discerning travelers increasingly are seeking a complete wellness experience; this alliance will provide that and more.”

Guerlain and Acqua di Parma, both wholly owned by LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group, will be the first brands to create spa treatments, amenities and pampering products for selected hotels. "The goal of our alliance with luxury hotel spas is to match up the right LVMH brand with the right luxury hotel or resort. The Guerlain Spa within The Waldorf=Astoria and Acqua di Parma at Conrad Hotels & Resorts are fine examples of this strategy," said Pamela Baxter, president & CEO, LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics, North America.

Full-service spas, spa services and revitalizing products at The Waldorf=Astoria Collection hotels, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and selected Hilton hotels will be differentiated further through leading-edge expertise in spa-associated, personalized skincare treatment. Exclusive products developed by top clinicians, doctors and aestheticians will enhance the array of indulgent spa and boutique experiences.

Spa Chakra will provide design and operational consulting services to Hilton Hotels Corporation and its hotel owners. An approved operator of Guerlain and Acqua di Parma spas, Spa Chakra will operate leased spas at several locations, including The Waldorf=Astoria. “Spa Chakra’s role in the development of selected Waldorf=Astoria Collection and Conrad Hotels & Resorts spas enables our company to gain exposure to an ideal leisure and business clientele for our luxury services,” said Mike Canizales, CEO of Spa Chakra. “Simultaneously, we are working with Hilton Hotels Corporation to create spa standards to surpass guests’ expectations, energize and revitalize, and promote well-being and serenity.”

Hilton Hotels Corporation and hotel owners will invest approximately $200 million to develop 70 new spas, combined with 65 existing spas, resulting in 135 spas anticipated globally by year-end 2009. The initial project will be at the flagship Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.

The progression to high-end and luxury spa development within Hilton Hotels Corporation’s selected hotels is a natural extension to its 2006 announcement to install Precor fitness facilities at all of its full-service and luxury hotels within the Hilton Family of Hotels. The company is scheduled to complete installation in 300-plus hotels by year-end 2007.

Guerlain to be Featured in The Waldorf=Astoria Collection

A refined French luxury brand and global network offering personalized therapies for skincare, fragrance and beauty lines, Guerlain is targeted to be offered in The Waldorf=Astoria Collection globally. The first representation of that network will be represented at the legendary inspiration for the brand, The Waldorf=Astoria in New York City, which is planned to feature a 15,000 square-foot Guerlain spa, managed by Spa Chakra, and retail boutique, currently scheduled to be completed in February 2008.

The first Guerlain "Institut de Beauté" opened above the boutique on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in 1939 — the avant garde beauty haven designed by Christian Berard and Jean Michel Franck that to this day boasts exceptionally innovative treatments. In July 2005, Guerlain — together with notable designers Andree Putman and Maxime d Angeac — reinvented this inspiring and groundbreaking aesthetic center with the new and distinctly contemporary spa concept, Guerlain Spa. Today, the Guerlain Spa features the exclusive Guerlain Methode and advanced skincare technologies, the combined efficacies stunningly demonstrated through Guerlain’s iconic Exceptional Orchidee Imperiale Treatment and skincare.

“We are very glad to announce the collaboration between Guerlain and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection for the opening of premium spas,” said Renato Semerari, CEO of Guerlain. “Guerlain is an icon in the premium cosmetic industry, with nearly 180 years of history and excellence in products development and service. The Waldorf=Astoria is a legend on its own as far as hotels are concerned. Luxury, service and the permanent search for excellence have been common traits for decades for both The Waldorf=Astoria and Guerlain.”

Acqua di Parma/Blu Mediterraneo to be Offered in Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Created in 1916 in the Italian city of Parma as one of the first truly timeless colognes, Acqua di Parma is a classic and refined lifestyle brand. Its freshly scented, relaxed “outdoor” Blu Mediterraneo Spa collection will be offered at luxury Conrad Hotels & Resorts in 2008, specializing in chic facial and body treatments. Acqua di Parma’s Collection and Blu Mediterraneo wellness products will also be featured in Conrad Hotel spa boutiques. Spa Chakra, together with Acqua di Parma, developed and launched the new resort spa concept for Acqua di Parma – Blu Mediterraneo – this year.

“The natural synergies between the contemporary and liberating Blu Mediterraneo and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, where guests find the luxury of being themselves, represent an ideal collaboration,” said Gabriella Scarpa, chief executive officer, Acqua di Parma and Country Head of LVMH in Italy.

Blu Mediterraneo is an Epicurean facial and body care line that is based on the active and natural ingredients of the Mediterranean Oxygenating Complex and Macchia Mediterranea (Mediterranean indigenous vegetation). Blu Mediterraneo will feature a comprehensive array of “being well” therapies. Each treatment provides a complete sensory journey for the client, and highlights the unique Blu Mediterraneo Method — a specialized technique that targets detoxification, oxygenation, muscular therapy, and tension release for superior relaxation and restoration.

Spa Chakra to Design, Manage and Lease Luxury Spas for Hilton Hotels Corporation

Currently underway at the Conrad Miami and Conrad Indianapolis, Spa Chakra will provide technical services, management and leased operations for Hilton Hotels Corporation under its own brand and for Guerlain and Acqua di Parma branded spas.

Spa Chakra is working with Hilton Hotels Corporation to create differentiating standards at Guerlain and Acqua di Parma branded spas, including the following planned exceptional features: Floor Plans (5,000 square feet in hotel spas; 10,000 square feet in resort spas); Spa Reception & Reservations; Co-ed relaxation areas; Treatments and Treatment Areas (five planned multi-purpose treatment rooms in hotel spas and 10 in resort spas, each with shower facility and hand wash basin); Wet Treatment and Wet Spa Facilities (including thermal facilities offering steam, sauna, hamman, and hydrotherapy/whirlpool experience); "personalized design" with showers and bathrooms in each treatment room; Beauty Stations (including manicure and pedicure stations); Hairdressing salons in many locations (offering haircutting and styling stations); Retail Boutique Stores in resort spas and Retail Boutique Areas in spa hotels adjacent to or in close proximity to the Spa Reception; and Separate Locker Rooms for men and women also with a private changing alcove.

Ch-Ch-Changes at the Chelsea Hotel

Manhattan's famous Bohemian outpost, The Chelsea Hotel has suffered what its Living with Legends blog calls a "board-directed coup", ousting its beloved manager of over 50 years, Stanley Beard, in what most suspect is an attempt to "boutique-ify" the hotel. An un-named (as of now) management company will take over. And pouring salt onto the wound, the board kicked out Beard just before his 73rd birthday too!

The beloved Stanley--everyone calls him by his first name--has been in charge of the hotel for over fifty years. It was he who fashioned and maintained the unique creative dynamic of the hotel, presiding over the sixties when Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen wrote some of their greatest songs here, and Andy Warhol filmed the famous Chelsea Girls....

Stanley has always managed to keep rents low for the creative people living here, most of whom—unlike the stars listed—don’t have much money, but all of whom are just as important in maintaining the famous Chelsea spirit.

We can't do justice to the whole story--the fine folks at Living with Legends blog (and hotel residents) are the better source, but we will say this smells like a money-hungry board who wants to get in on the hot Manhattan hospitality market to create boutique hotel and possibly, residences. And what a great opportunity. The hotel has a killer location in Chelsea and they can market the shit out of the "bohemian outpost" angle like they did when they opened the Star Lounge. Just think of all the themed suites they can create!

But not like we condone this type of commercialization or anything. If you're interested, the Living with Legends blog is asking readers to leave comments in support of the Bard family on their site.

Officials worry over loss of hotel: Tourism impact feared in Crowne Plaza sale to UA (The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio)

By Carol Biliczky, The Akron Beacon Journal, OhioMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News

Jun. 19--Local officials are concerned about the University of Akron's plan to shut down the Crowne Plaza hotel. They say there's a need for another hotel to replace the three-star landmark that's stocked with memorabilia from the city of Akron's days as the heart of the oatmeal industry.

But the owner of the only competing hotel in downtown says that both the Crowne Plaza and his Radisson Hotel Akron City Centre have suffered from low occupancy for years -- and another hotel isn't needed.

"It should help us, yes," Akron industrialist David Brennan, owner of the Radisson, said of the closing of its rival. "But we should be able to easily accommodate whatever market need there is."

UA trustees agreed last week, pending state approval, to buy the Quaker Square shopping and office complex that includes the Crown Plaza for $22.7 million. The university plans to use the hotel's 190 round rooms as a residence hall for about 400 students as early as January.

Although UA had expressed interest previously in the storied hotel, that was for the use of its hospitality management students, UA President Luis Proenza said.

The university first considered entering a joint management agreement with the owner, Quaker Square Properties, in which the ownership eventually would have been transferred to the university. But that agreement didn't come to pass.

Several months ago, UA made an offer to buy the complex, but it was rejected.

"We thought the opportunity was, quite frankly, gone," Proenza said.

Quaker Square Properties, which is owned by Jay Nusbaum, approached the university in recent days, and the sale came to pass "uncannily fast," Proenza said.

Playing catch-up

The announcement surprised city and convention officials, who say they would have been planning to replace the hotel if they'd known what was going on.

Now they are playing catch-up, and say other hoteliers are making inquiries. Akron Deputy Mayor David Lieberth said the city has heard from three developers who might be interested in putting up a hotel.

Lieberth and other officials are lining up prospective property in the crowded city landscape that could serve a developer's purpose, although parking might be a problem, he said.

"I would assume that a hotel company would look at this as an opportunity," said Ray Merle, chairman of the Greater Akron Lodging Council. "It's an unmet need."

Gregg Mervis, vice president of the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he'd heard rumblings, too. "There seems to be much conversation going on with developers who have had interest in the past. Interest is resurfacing," he said.

Mixed occupancy reports

Lieberth and Mervis said both downtown hotels have been filled at times with groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous for its annual convention, the All-American Soap Box Derby and company meetings.

They also say occupancy rates at the Crowne Plaza and the 274-room Radisson have hovered from the mid-70s to low 80s. That is a good deal higher than the Summit County occupancy rate of 53.5 percent and the state's 55.9 percent rate, according to Mervis.

"This is probably the single most successful year that we've ever had in the city," Lieberth said. "We've had weeks when you couldn't get a room."

But Brennan said those occupancy figures are way off.

Although neither he nor Roy Baine, marketing director of the Crowne Plaza, would provide occupancy rates for their hotels, Brennan said the number is "much less than 50 percent." That means that fewer than half the rooms in the two hotels are typically occupied.

The high occupancy rates "are not true. They've never been true," Brennan said. "I can assure you that neither hotel has enough business. Akron is not a destination city. We just aren't."

He said he would be stunned if the Crowne Plaza has an occupancy rate of more than 50 percent, even though it has a better location and gets the bulk of UA's business.

Clients assured

Brennan said he had no advance knowledge of the Quaker Square sale, even though his wife, Ann Amer Brennan, is a member of the UA board of trustees. She abstained from voting on the purchase of the property. He said he and his wife don't discuss their business dealings.

In the meantime, Mervis said the convention and visitors bureau has been assuring clients that the city will be able to accommodate their events even without the Crowne Plaza.

That might involve finding additional rooms for them at suburban hotels and providing buses to take convention-goers to and from the John S. Knight Center downtown, Mervis said.

"There has been enough business to support two major properties, but we had not reached critical mass to support three," Mervis said. "So I'm very confident we'll see something happen."

Central Oregon winemaking industry growing against the grain (The Bulletin, Bend, Ore.)

By Jeff McDonald, The Bulletin, Bend, Ore.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News

Jun. 15--TERREBONNE -- Central Oregon farmers and winemakers are hoping that improved and smarter management practices can lead the region toward a viable wine-producing industry.

But challenges are many for grape growers, who must combat the region's extreme climate shifts and short growing seasons, not to mention intense labor challenges and crop-eating deer.

Roughly 15 different people are at different levels of experimenting with grape growing for wine production throughout the region, said Mylen Bohle, an agronomist with Oregon State University Extension, based in Prineville.

"Their interests range from putting in a large backyard planting operation up to commercial vineyards," Bohle said.

If Central Oregon does become a popular winemaking region, the seeds are likely being planted north of Terrebonne, where the more moderate climate and lower altitude (2,900 feet) work in grape growers' favor.

Kerry Damon saw the potential for growing grapes that would produce wine in the shadow of Smith Rock well before he got the opportunity to become head vintner at Ranch at the Canyons, an 1,800-acre preservation ranch that includes 300 acres of hay and 90 percent open space.

"I saw the lush hay fields, the heat-retaining cliffs and thought somebody's going to grow grapes there," said Damon, who worked for 13 years as a vintner in California before becoming vintner and head landscaper at Ranch of the Canyons in 2004. "I didn't realize it would be me."

He also didn't understand at the time the complications that would be involved with growing grapes with sporadic climate shifts and a relatively short growing season.

"We're out on the edge here of the normal wine-growing region," Damon said.

"It's not a slam dunk that you can plant grapes in Central Oregon and have immediate success."

The Ranch at the Canyons' 31/2-acre field of grapes includes six different French American hybrid varieties that have been tested in places with colder climates, including Canada and New York, Damon said.

The first acre of vines were planted in 2004, followed last summer by 21/2 additional acres, he said. Last year, he also built several 8-foot-high fences to keep the deer out, installed a drip irrigation system and overhead frost protection for cold nights.

The ranch is still three to four years away from producing grapes that would make wine, but the ranch will begin carrying bottles of wine with its company label next month. The wine will come from other wineries in Oregon and Washington, Damon said.

Despite the cold weather and short growing season, wine production is "definitely possible" in Central Oregon, said Patty Skinkis, the state viticulture extension specialist for OSU in Corvallis.

"We've seen it happen in the Midwest," Skinkis said. "Growers just have to be smart about it. They can't plant something that's not conducive for the location."

Last year, wine grape crops posted gross sales of $46.7 million statewide, an increase of 27 percent over the 2005 sales totals, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Harvested acreage and increased yields led to a 25.6 percent increase in estimated wine grape production for 2006 compared with the previous year, according to the ODA. All the grapes were grown outside Central Oregon, mostly in the Willamette Valley, the Columbia Valley and Southern Oregon.

Doug Maragas, owner of the region's first operating commercial winery, Maragas Winery, which opened in November, said he hopes to share his knowledge with others who follow him into the winemaking business in the region.

His winery and vineyard, located in Culver just about one mile north of the Ranch at the Canyons off U.S. Highway 97, is in a microclimate that gets more sun, is at a lower elevation and is protected from severe weather by the adjacent cliffs, he said.

The grape grower is still experimenting to see which grapes will work in the region, but his vineyard could become a model for others to follow, said Maragas, whose wine is currently made using grapes grown west of the Cascades and in Northern California.

"People tend to lose vines because of a few things," he said. "They didn't consult or take advice of (experts) in the field or they didn't consider their land and weather. We're doing a study that will determine which grapes will prosper and which ones will not work. From there, we'll plant the rest of our acreage. If others don't do those things, their chances for succeeding are very low."

The only other person, besides Maragas, making wine in Central Oregon is Chris Mills, owner of Old Mills Winery, who will be crushing his first grapes at the Maragas Winery this fall, according to Maragas.

Another Bend-based winemaker, Volcano Vineyards, produces its wine at a facility in Medford using grapes grown in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley.

A Bend grower, Gary Bishop, owner of Bishop Farms and Agri Development LLC, has learned from his first planting which varieties will work and which ones aren't hardy enough to handle the cold climates, he said.

He sold the old vitis varieties in potted plants as nursery stock after realizing that they couldn't handle the cold climate and put in an order for French American hybrids, he said.

His goal is to create a commercial grape operation that could be used to produce wine, juice or table grapes, he said.

"By no means am I giving up on grapes or wine," Bishop said. "I think it will be a very good crop for this area. A lot of money goes into plant stock that doesn't survive. I'm still experimenting a lot with that."

Hoteliers in shock over Imbardelli’s fall from grace

Yeoh Siew Hoon (www.thetransitcafe.com) scans the reaction from the hotel community to the news of Patrick Imbardelli’s fall from grace.

The news of Patrick Imbardelli’s resignation from InterContinental Hotels Group sent shock waves throughout the closely-knit hotelier community in Asia/Pacific, if not triggering off a frenzy of CV-checking.

From Cairo to Canberra, hoteliers exchanged emails, and traded comments. Words like “embarrassing”, “shocking”, “wow” and “what a scandal” were fired in cyberspace as news spread like wildfire, as it does in today’s world of communications.

Imbardelli was a high-profile, high flyer and his meteoric rise to the top of IHG’s operations in Asia Pacific had been closely watched, perhaps even envied.

He has been described in various circles by various people as “driven”, “ambitious”, “a young man in a hurry” and “smart”, and there are those who wonder if his downfall was the result of a whistle-blower, someone whose toes he stepped on, on his ascent to the top.

At 46, he was one of the youngest hotel CEOs in the region and he ran a network of 188 hotels which accounts for approximately 10% of hotels operating profit before central costs, according to the company’s website.

He knew his way round the hotel world in Asia, and he was always accessible to the media. He was at ease with journalists and he handled press conferences with polish, always staying true to his corporate persona, rarely straying far from the company line.

His youthful looks could disarm as his smooth words could charm.

In short, he was the cover boy of the hotel corporate world. Which is why the fall to disgrace, when it came as swiftly and spectacularly as it did, shocked everyone.

The responses Transit Café received were varied. Some were very clear – he lied, and therefore he had to leave. Others were just appalled and shocked. Some were sympathetic, expressing concern for him, his wife and their two young children, aged two and four.

Jennie Chua, of Raffles Hotels’ fame, said in the Straits Times: “His performance must have impressed his peers and superiors for him to have risen to where he is. He must have been doing something right. After all, InterContinental is a huge group, and it must be in no shortage of capable people. That said, the company must have viewed this as a question of integrity.”

Strong expressions of support for Imbardelli can be found in the forum on ehotelier.

• “Yes he may have been forced to quit over his CV, however I work with IHG and his success speaks far louder than this. He has been a great leader for the region and will be definitely hard shoes to fill.”

• “… universities named should confer him with the Honorary Degree he deserves now. Especially VictoriaUniversity when they published in their alumni news letter promoting the success story of Patrick Imbardelli some years back.”

• “Having a degree doesn't matter these days. It’s experience that matters. If the man has been doing the job well, then I don't think he should be sacked. I feel sorry for him and his family.

• “If the man was good at his job, great to work for and got the job done, what does it matter that he didn't have letters after his name?! Pleease!”

• “The man has done much for Bass plc and InterContinental Group and is recognised for his contributions to the hospitality and tourism industry in Asia Pacific. Let's acknowledge that rather than worrying how many letters is missing after his name.”

There were those however who were less sympathetic.

“Obviously, his achievements at Interconti speak for themselves but when the foundation of your success is built on a lie, you are on a very shaky ground indeed and there is no excuse.”

Others questioned the company’s action.

“… how come it took Interconti so long to find out. If it speaks volumes of their work ethics, it does not say much about their hiring tactics. ”

In the Straits Times report, IHG’s regional spokesman, Birte Sebastian, said IHG has launched a review of the CV of its “directors and senior executives” across its global offices.

Said one hotelier, “You can also bet every hotelier will be reviewing their CVs after this.”

In the ehotelier forum, one post said, “… this guy will bounce back and (for) sure his CV will be correct this time.”

For now, Imbardelli is not talking to anyone. A report in the Straits Times on Saturday said “a voice over the intercom at his Rochalie Drive residence said he did not wish to talk to anyone”.

Imbardelli, a man resigned to his fate