Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels|"Bus Person Internship Offered At Vancouver Hotel"

Source           :     cbc.ca
Category      :     Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels
By                :     CBC News 
Posted By   :    Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels

An ad seeking unpaid interns to bus tables at Vancouver's Fairmont Waterfront Hotel has sparked a debate about whether unpaid internships take advantage of students. The ad was circulated on Twitter and was reportedly posted on the hotel's career section briefly before it was taken down. "Exceptional service and cuisine are hallmarks of The Fairmont Waterfront dining experience," the ad reads. "As a Busperson, you will take pride in the integral role you play in supporting your Food and Beverage Colleagues and 'setting the stage' for a truly memorable meal." 'Even dishwashing, it's education. It's a lower-end job, but from there it stems to many other things.' — VCC culinary arts head John-Carlo Felicella. Twitter users responded, with a flurry of mostly negative tweets. "Dine at the Fairmont, where breakfast for 2 may be $50+ and your busboy an unpaid intern," wrote Twitter user Norm_Farrell. "It simply exploits the vulnerability of youth and new Canadians who are trying to enter the job market," replied Twitter user nowgreenvoter.

Twitter user TynaMcNair wrote: "I cannot think of a reason this or 'unpaid' training should be allowed in BC, unless non-profit."But John-Carlo Felicella, head of Vancouver Community College's culinary arts department, said interns often have no prior restaurant experience and internships provide them with a way to find out if they're cut out for the industry. "Even dishwashing, it's education," he said. "It's a lower-end job, but from there it stems to many other things." Vancouver Community College requires every restaurant to sign a contract pledging that the unpaid interns aren't taking jobs away from paid employees. Unpaid interns are supposed to work five to 10 hours a week and can only observe and assist. B.C. law states interns cannot do actual work without pay. CBC News contacted the Fairmont Waterfront for comment, and a spokesperson replied with an emailed statement: "As a leading hotel in the city we actively support local schools and work in partnership with them to provide opportunity and access to practical workplace experience."

Source:cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/09/12/bc-unpaid-interns.html

Affordable Hotels in San Diego|"Universal Wants To Add Thousands Of Hotel Rooms"

Source           :     orlandosentinel.com
Category      :     Affordable Hotels in San Diego
By                :     Jason Garcia
Posted By   :    Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

Affordable Hotels In San Diego

Universal Orlando is likely to add thousands more hotel rooms in coming years as Central Florida's No. 2 theme-park resort continues an aggressive expansion, a top executive said Wednesday. "We've done a study that says we could have 10,000 or 15,000 hotel rooms and still have occupancy that makes those rooms profitable," NBCUniversal President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Burke told investment analysts at a conference in Beverly Hills, Calif. "And all of those people staying in those hotel rooms would be more likely to go to our theme parks," Burke added. "So I think, strategically, we need to get those hotel rooms open and build out the resort."Such an expansion would at least quadruple the 2,400 hotel rooms that Universal Orlando currently has, though that figure will jump to about 4,200 early next year with the opening of Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort. All of Universal's on-property hotels are owned and operated through joint ventures with Loews Hotels.

A large infusion of hotel rooms at Universal could pose a direct threat to Walt Disney World, which has roughly 26,000 hotel rooms and time-share suites. One of Disney's central business strategies for the past decade has been to lure more visitors into its hotels and encourage them to spend much or all of their vacations on Disney World property.Burke told analysts that NBCUniversal wants to position the Universal theme parks as "a family destination in and of itself, and not an add-on destination for somebody that spends three or four days somewhere else." Universal could also pull business away from surrounding hotels in the International Drive corridor, much as Disney World has pulled guests onto its property from hotels and motels along U.S. Highway 192 in Osceola County. Disney would not discuss Burke's comments. Analysts said Universal has demonstrated during the past three years — since the opening of its $265 million Wizarding World of Harry Potter — that it can attract travelers directly to its property rather than merely peeling off business stimulated by Disney.

"Being a weak No. 2 player in the market has not been very profitable for the resort [Universal] in the past," said Bob Boyd, a leisure-industry analyst with the investment company Pacific Asset Management. "They have shown in recent years that they can meet or beat Disney in attraction quality at fraction of the price; now they need to add the room product to capture a greater share of tourists' time and wallet. To do that, they need the ability to offer many more full-vacation packages." Universal has implemented other strategies designed to steer visitors into spending more time in its theme parks. Just before Wizarding World opened in 2010, Universal introduced a new price scale — modeled after Disney World's — that offers three- and four-day passes with cheaper per-day prices than one-day tickets.

But one of the resort's obvious weaknesses is its hotel inventory. All three of Universal's existing hotels are priced as top-end, "deluxe" hotels, beyond the reach of most theme-park visitors. By contrast, three-quarters of Disney World's hotels are in the low-end "value" or midtier "moderate" categories. Cabana Bay, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014, should help. Universal says its fourth hotel will be priced as a cheaper alternative, though it will also include fewer amenities. Half of the rooms will also be "family suites," with room for as many as six people, further expanding Universal's inventory. "Universal Orlando has attractive high-end room product," Boyd said. "What they lack is diversity of room offerings."

Although Universal has far less land than Disney does, it has some vacant and underused parcels near Interstate 4 and its Wet 'n Wild water park. NBCUniversal, now 100 percent owned by cable-television giant Comcast Corp., isn't building just hotel rooms. The company has dramatically accelerated construction of new rides and attractions as well. Universal Orlando alone added a Despicable Me simulator ride, character parade and evening light show last year and a Transformers thrill ride and a Simpsons retail area this year. And it is adding a second Harry Potter-themed land, which will open by next summer.

The investments are paying off: Burke said attendance at Universal Studios Florida, one of the two theme parks at Universal Orlando, has been up about 20 percent "most weeks" since Transformers opened in June.

Burke said NBCUniversal has elevated the capital spending in its theme parks to about $500 million this year — an amount likely to become an annual baseline. The company's goal is to open one new attraction every year both at Universal Orlando and at Universal Studios Hollywood in Southern California, he said. "Our theory is, if we open the right kind of attraction — they have to be well-executed; they have to be things that are easy and clear to market — that we can really grow this business," Burke said.

Source:orlandosentinel.com/business/os-universal-to-add-thousands-of-hotel-rooms-20130911,0,7922928.story

Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels|"Princes Gate Hotel Joins Distinction Hotels Group"

Source           :     scoop.co.nz
Category      :     Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels
By                :    Distinction Hotels Group
Posted By   :    Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels

The Distinction Hotels Group is delighted to announce the latest addition to its New Zealand owned and operated hotel group -- the Princes Gate Hotel in Rotorua. After 27 years at the helm of the iconic 5-star property, Brett and Vlasta Marvelly have entrusted Distinction Hotels with the management of the Princes Gate Hotel, effective as of 1 October 2013. “After 27 years we know it’s time and feel Distinction has similar values to ours,” said Mr Marvelly. “We are confident they will carry on with our philosophy of genuine hospitality with service and style that has become the hallmark of the Princes Gate Hotel.” A lot of time and effort has seen the historic building grow from a 37 room hotel in 1986 to the present day 50 beautifully appointed rooms. Every room is a blend of timeless elegance, combined with modern luxury. Further complementing the hotel are the two on-site restaurants, bar, conference facilities, thermal pools and the newly opened ‘Monarch’ function room. Distinction Hotels Chief Executive Duncan Fletcher said the company was very excited to have one of New Zealand’s finest establishments join the Distinction ‘family’.

“The Princes Gate is not only a hotel but an attraction in its own right,” he said. “We plan to continue the Marvelly family’s high level of service and feel that the Princes Gate will perfectly complement our range of other hotels located throughout New Zealand.” The Distinction Hotels Group will now have a portfolio of 10 hotels in locations throughout New Zealand. These are comprised of premium Distinction Hotels and their ‘sister’ Discovery Hotels brand which includes three 3 star hotels. The Princes Gate Hotel will be re-branded to a Distinction Hotel in the near future.100% New Zealand owned and operated, the Distinction Hotel Group offers seven premium hotels in the North and South Island, featuring elegant accommodation and comprehensive conference venue facilities. Distinction Hotels pride themselves on providing an international standard of accommodation for the discerning traveller. In 2011 the group launched their 'sister' Discovery brand. Discovery Hotels offer a range of great value accommodation options to suit all travellers, combined with true outstanding 'kiwi' hospitality. Discovery Hotels are currently located in Whangarei, Ruapehu and Queenstown.

Source:scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1309/S00390/princes-gate-hotel-joins-distinction-hotels-group.htm

Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels|"Cheaters Using Maids To Avoid Hotels"

Source           :     nypost.com
Category      :     Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels
By                :    Tara Palmeri
Posted By   :    Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

Courtyard Marriott San Diego Hotels

Manhattan love cheats have hit a new low. With the economy still struggling, more are having illicit trysts in their own pads — and then hiring a maid on the cheap to clean up to avoid renting pricey hotel rooms, sources told The Post. “We don’t ask — we know that we need to check everything: that there is no hair on the floor, in the shower, no hair in the bathtub, no lipstick, nothing there to show that something happened before,” said David Brugiatelli of the cleaning service Little Elves New York. One paranoid philanderer wrote in an instant message to the Handybook maid service, “I need to have a cleaning tomorrow, but the timing is critical. “Girlfriend coming to stay for a week stay needs to be cleaned well and any other female evidence needs to be removed (no hairs, make-up smudges, etc.). “I can count on someone coming without question though right?” The cleaning companies said they’ve seen an uptick — particularly this summer — in requests for last-minute jobs focused on the bedroom. The cost can run as little as $50. “It’s obviously cheaper to have your apartment cleaned than use a hotel room in Manhattan,” said Handybook founder Oisin Hanrahan. The call for a quick-hit cleaning can come at any hour — and always with a request to be discreet. “They say, ‘Can you come now and not announce who you are to the doorman?’ ”said Alpha Living General Manager Andrew Lewis. “They don’t want somebody to know that their house is being cleaned for a specific reason.’’ MyClean rep Mike Brody said his agency has gotten lots of “special requests’’ for maids to concentrate on the bedroom. “Customers will ask us to ‘please make sure to wash and replace the sheets, remove stains and remake the bed,’ ” he said. But Dinee Harris of Great Green Cleaning said that if her agency suspects that an “urgent’ job involves cleaning up after an infidelity, she won’t send a maid out on it because it might put the worker in danger. “Who knows what will happen when the wife comes home,” she said. GetMaid co-founder Demetri Karagas said his single clients will often book a cleaning on their mobile app while they’re on a date — thinking they’re going to get lucky. “We get a lot of, ‘Hey I’m on a date, I’m going to be home in a couple of hours, can you make sure the place is clean?’ ” he said. One frequent customer, Jasper Engel, 24, explained, “You get to that moment on the date and start thinking, ‘Maybe I’m going to bring this girl home with me,’ [and] the first thought that enters your mind is, ‘What does my apartment look like right now?’ “There’s like this magic element — you end up impressing your date without her even knowing you’re impressing her.”

Source : nypost.com/2013/09/09/cheaters-using-home-maids-to-avoid-pricey-hotels/

Luxury Hotels In San Diego|"Tortuga Bay, Dominican Republic"

Source           :     huffingtonpost.com
Category      :     Luxury Hotels In San Diego
By                :    Kelsey Blodget
Posted By   :    Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

Luxury Hotels In San Diego

Fashion Week has arrived to New York City, and we're getting the fashion bug -- but it's not haute couture that's getting us excited. It's haute hotels, of course! Rather than envisioning ourselves in what's on the runway, we're dreaming about how we'd look in these fashion-forward spots, and what personal styles they'd pair best with. Go on -- try them on for size. Oscar de la Renta may be most famous for his evening wear, but he’s designed some super-chic swimwear as well — and there’s no better place to flaunt it than Tortuga Bay, which the famous fashion icon also designed. The 30-room Tortuga Bay hotel offers amazing service (including preferential treatment at Punta Cana Airport), an on-site nature reserve, several superb restaurants, and three world-class golf courses.

Source : huffingtonpost.com/oyster/7-fashionable-hotels-arou_b_3894989.html

Weddings Hotels In San Diego|"Hotel Plans & County Finals In Chaos After Draw"

Source         :     irishexaminer.com
Category      :     Weddings Hotels In San Diego
By               :    Colm O’Connor
Posted By   :    Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

Weddings Hotels In San Diego

Unscheduled planning kicked into gear within minutes of Domhnall O’Donovan’s equaliser which earned Clare a 0-25 to 3-16 draw and means a return visit for the counties to Jones Road on Sept 28. Incredibly, last year’s clash of Kilkenny and Galway was the first All-Ireland SHC replay since 1959, and the odds on the sides finishing all square yesterday were 10/1 in places. Cork PRO Tracey Kennedy experienced the emotion pitch-side and admitted her first All-Ireland final in this role will be one she will never forget. “It was bizarre afterwards. The sense of anti-climax is huge,” said Ms Kennedy. “Everyone thought, one way or another, the intercounty season would be ending in Croke Park yesterday. And now we are planning for a replay.” She revealed that Cork officials were quickly on the phone after Gavin called a halt to secure their hotel rooms for the unexpected trip to the capital. The team spent the weekend in the DT Dublin Hotel and hope to be there again later this month. 

“The county secretary and chairman were dealing with that, but hopefully it will not be an issue,” said Ms Kennedy. “All our planning swung into action when the game finished. We hadn’t factored a replay into our preparations, so we had to start dealing with things there and then as they came up. “After a discussion we decided the banquet in the team hotel would go ahead as planned but obviously on a different scale. The feeling was that the players had to eat and that a lot of people had travelled up and made their plans to go to the post-match meal and the evening.” The result will also sweep away plans for the various Cork championships in the weeks ahead. “Yes it will cause massive headaches,” said Ms Kennedy. “The Competitions Control Committee will have to look at all of that on Monday but there will be interruptions to the schedule that had been planned for the next while.” The Clyde Court Hotel hosted the Clare team last night and operations manager Paul Behan said the result didn’t cause too much heartache in the kitchens or among staff. 

“We had 400 planned for dinner and that all went ahead as planned,” said Mr Behan. “So there was no food wasted or anything like that. The only way a result like a draw really impacts on a hotel is in terms of the number of supporters attending on the night. “Many of them would probably have headed back home to Clare and are keeping their powder dry for the replay. We were very busy on Saturday night with a huge amount of supporters around and the atmosphere was great. Our bar manager Robert Dooley is from Cork — he was at the match and was back in for the night after that, so I’m sure there will be plenty of good banter.” Clare County Council director of services Ger Dollard watched the game in Ennis, where the Town Council screened live coverage of the action in the Abbey St car park. 

The result aside, Mr Dollard was delighted with the success of the venture which attracted around 3,000 at its peak. “The day went superbly well. We had a lovely family atmosphere with good crowds and a great feeling,” said Mr Dollard. “The cheer that went up for the equaliser was like something which would have greeted the winning score in the All-Ireland final. “There is no homecoming now that there was no result in Croke Park yesterday. Yes, that presents its own difficulties in terms of logistics and planning, but is more than worth it, given the high in the county for the next few weeks. “First we have to plan for an All-Ireland U21 final next week and then all the focus will turn to the replay. “Everyone is re-arranging diaries to the weekend of Sept 28.” But for the management and staff of the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel in Dublin there was no such headaches. They played hosted to the victorious Waterford minor hurlers who captured the Irish Press Cup at Croke Park yesterday for the first time since 1948 yesterday.

Source : irishexaminer.com/ireland/hotel-plans-and-county-finals-in-chaos-after-draw-242450.html

Weddings Hotels In San Diego|"Hotel Rooms That Push My Buttons"

Source         :     stuff.co.nz
Category     :    Weddings Hotels In San Diego
By               :     LEE TULLOCH
Posted By   :    Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

Weddings Hotels In San Diego

I have light-switch rage. I don't know why this is so, but given how much expense and time goes into creating hotel rooms, you'd think they'd get a light switch right. In fact, I'm positively over the moon when I discover a hotel room with a simple flick-up-and-down switch. It's not these old-fashioned switches that are the problem, it's the high-tech console-by-the-bed kind I hate, the ones that don't come with a manual, yet, in most cases, absolutely require one. You know the scenario: you're shown to your room by a guest-relations manager and they give you a speedy demonstration of the technical aspects of the room, from TV remote to air-conditioning. It all sounds so simple and user-friendly, but as soon as the manager closes the door and you try to adjust the air-conditioning, there seems to be no way to nudge the little plus or minus sign up or down.After several minutes of fruitless enterprise, including calling downstairs for further instructions, you conclude that nothing less than a dark-magic art is required to stop the AC blasting arctic air.

It's the same with the TV remote. It's stuck on the "welcome" page of the hotel's own channel and any attempt to move it sends you back to a screen with unintelligible words starting with V or P and no way to get off it, even if you turn the whole thing off to reset its "brain". Hotel TVs don't have brains, I've concluded. The last one I experienced had a very advanced mechanism whereby it turned to follow you around the room, only I was clearly a phantom emitting no microwaves because it turned in precisely the same direction I was not. I had to lift it up and turn it towards me every time I wanted to view it. The whole experience was very Mon Oncle, set to that interminable music that hotel TVs emit. But all this is small potatoes compared with the light-switch issue.

I suppose this gets me the maddest because a perfectly fine solution to our lighting problems was introduced in 1917 when a man called William Newton invented the toggle switch. The simple dimmer switch might have been an improvement on that, but as far as I can see, everything else is a complication. Most hated by me is the wave-your-hand-over-the-console type of light "enabler". This is the kind that thrills guest-relations managers right down to their sensible black pumps as they airily demonstrate what can be done at the wave of a hand - turning off the bathroom light, lowering blackout blinds over the windows, and turning on the "Do not disturb" sign without getting off the bed.I don't know about you, but I've never been able to work those bathroom taps where you're required to rub your hands under the nozzle before the water appears. I'm always left soaped-up with nowhere to go.

It's the same with the magic consoles. I wave my hand and nothing happens. Or if it's a touchscreen, I touch it and the wrong thing happens, which I can't undo.When you're exhausted at the end of a day walking around Rome, you want some dolce vita, not an hour spent manically stabbing at a screen to get the room to go dark so you can sleep. The worst example of this was in a lovely tropical paradise boasting new German-design villas with the latest high-tech features. The lighting and the blinds were controlled by a large panel on the wall next to the bed, with big blue illuminated buttons to operate the functions.

Trouble was, when you got the main lights to go off, the blue illuminations were so bright, they turned the room into a disco.As the panel was flat, there was no way to simply throw a towel over it, so I spent half the night devising a cover using a T-shirt and electrical tape (being married to a photographer is useful). Occasionally a hotel, such as The Peninsula in Hong Kong, gets its technology right but, for the most part, I believe the inventors of these things should be tied to the bed and made to try the gadgets themselves, rather like Malcolm McDowell being strapped to the aversion-therapy machine in A Clockwork Orange.

Source : stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/9134860/Hotel-rooms-that-push-my-buttons