Kansas City Hotel News
August, 2007
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Kansas City Hotel News is a spotlight on development and events at area hotels.
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Equity Inns, Inc., the third largest hotel real estate investment trust, has announced that it signed an agreement to acquire a portfolio of eight hotels, including a Residence Inn by Marriott in Kansas City.
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Courtyard by Marriott Sold
KANSAS CITY (BUSINESS WIRE), August 26, 2007 - Equity Inns, Inc., the third largest hotel real estate investment trust, has announced that it signed an agreement to acquire a portfolio of eight hotels, with a total of 742-rooms, from InterMountain Management, LLC ("InterMountain") for approximately $90.5 million, or $122,000 per key.
The hotels in the portfolio include four Residence Inn by Marriott properties, which are located in Spokane, Washington, Shreveport, Louisiana, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Kansas City, Missouri; two Courtyard by Marriott hotels, which are located in Reno, Nevada and Shreveport, Louisiana; a Fairfield Inn and Suites located in Reno, Nevada and a Fairfield Inn located in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The average age of these properties is six years. InterMountain will continue to manage these properties under a three-year performance-based management contract. The transaction was approved by the Company's Board of Directors and is expected to close by the end of the fourth quarter of 2007.
Travelers Clear Air on Smoking
KANSAS CITY (SLFP.com), August 19, 2007 - A smoking survey of more than 1400 travelers worldwide reveals that nearly 90% of respondents believe hotels, and restaurants need to be clearer - about whether they are smoking or nonsmoking establishments and where smoking is permitted and prohibited.
Eighty-six percent of travelers surveyed are non-smokers. While only 14 percent identified themselves as smokers, 23 percent admitted to "social- smoking." Twenty-two percent of travelers said that visiting a city or country where smoking is prohibited is "always" a consideration, while 34 percent said it is "sometimes" a consideration.
Whether a destination prohibits smoking is a bigger consideration among smokers than non-smokers.
The Smokes on You
The biggest smoking pet peeve among respondents was checking into a designated non-smoking room, only to find it reeking of smoke, according to nearly 50 percent. Thirty-six percent most resent having smoke waft on to them from another table at a restaurant. Among Europeans, the restaurant smoke violation is a greater offense than checking into a smoky hotel room.
Stub it Out
Twenty-eight percent of travelers surveyed said they "always" avoid locations where smoking is allowed in public places (such as certain restaurants and hotel lobbies), 39 percent said it is something they "sometimes" avoid.
Fifty-three percent of respondents agreed that smoking bans are "the greatest thing since sliced bread." Twenty-one percent believe that smoking bans create a new nuisance, with smokers congregating outside of restaurant and hotel entrances.
Smoke 'Em if You've Got 'Em
About one-quarter (26 percent) of respondents believe there is a need for hotels in which smoking is permitted in all areas, eliminating the need for "smoking floors," in otherwise non-smoking hotels. About one-third of travelers surveyed (33 percent) believe smokers should be allowed to puff away in open-air restaurants and line/queues. Six percent of respondents said smoking bans are unnecessary.
No Butts About It
When asked how they address people who violate non-smoking areas, 39 percent said they move to another area, 22 percent ignore it, and 19 percent ask the perpetrator to stop or move. Twenty percent go so far as to call management. Europeans are more confrontational than Americans, as about one quarter will ask a smoker to stop or move, compared to only 15 percent of those from the U.S., who are far more likely to just move to another area.
When asked about the fines for smoking violations, 53 percent said they are not familiar with the fines, 23 percent said they are too small, 17 percent said just right, and seven percent believe they are excessive.
Puffing Profusely in Paris
According to the survey, France is the "smokiest" country in the world by a landslide 25 percent of the vote, followed by the U.S. and China, with seven percent each.
"Travelers, for the most part, seem to have a 'live and let smoke' philosophy," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "While there is a public outcry for restaurants and hotels to better define smoking areas, it is interesting to note that one third of respondents actually support smokers' rights in open-air restaurants and lines."
J.D. Power and Associates Rank Drury Hotels #1 Again
KANSAS CITY (SLFP.com), August 19, 2007 - J.D. Power and Associates announced today that Drury Inn & Suites has been recognized with the award for "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Mid-Scale Hotels Chains with Limited Service." This is the second year in a row that Drury Inn & Suites has received this award. Click here for the J.D. Power and Associates press release, including rankings for all hotel brands.
"We are excited to have received this prestigious recognition for the second year in a row," said Chuck Drury, President and CEO of Drury Inns, Inc. "Drury is one of the few hotel systems that is 100% family owned and operated. This puts our team in a position to provide a consistent level of quality, service and value every day for every guest. We are very grateful for the recognition of our loyal customers."
Drury Inn & Suites received the highest numerical score among mid-scale hotel chains with limited service in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2006-2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Studies. 2007 study based on responses from 47,634 guests measuring 16 mid-scale hotels with limited service and measures opinions of guests who stayed in a hotel between May 2006 - June 2007. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed June 2006 - June 2007.
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