Hotel & Motel Management - June 2, 2008 - (Page 42)

42 Special Report NYU INVESTMENT CONFERENCE H&MM June 2, 2008 | HotelMotel.com www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition Luxury landscape keeps pushing higher By Allie Johnson CONTRIBUTING EDITOR T he future of luxury: Is it in-your-face glitzy or quietly classy? At the New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, taking place June 13, 2008, a workshop titled “On the Global Stage: Bling vs. Understated Elegance” will take a look at luxury segment trends across the world. “First and foremost, the landscape of luxury hotels is changing dramatically,” said Glyn Aeppel, executive v.p., acquisitions and development, for Loews Hotels in New York, who will moderate the discussion. “There’s deﬁnitely a movement to go upward— people are now actively talking six stars.” One brand that’s pushing for rating systems to allow for higher than a ﬁve-star or ﬁve-diamond rating is Amanresorts, Aep- pel said. Panelist Homi Vazifdar, managing director and c.e.o. of the global acquisition and development company Canyon Equity, said he chooses brands that ﬁt the individual location and property—but only brands, such as Amanresorts, that reﬂect his preference for a timeless style of hos- 30th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference Name of panel: “On the Global Stage: Bling vs. Understated Elegance” Time of panel: 11:15 a.m.12:30 p.m., Mon., June 2 Moderator: Glyn Aeppel, executive v.p., acquisitions and development, Loews Hotels Panelists: Raymond N. Bickson, managing director and c.e.o., Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces; Edouard Ettedgui, group chief executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; Raymond L. Gellein Jr., president, global development group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; Gerald Lawless, executive chairman, Jumeirah Group; Homi Vazifdar, managing director and c.e.o., Canyon Equity PORTMAN HOL DINGS C R E AT I NG th e LANDMARKS DEFINING the SKY Portman Holdings has a rich history of Defining the Sky with its development of premier mixed-use landmark projects. Since our inception, we have conceived, designed, developed and managed projects Marriott Marquis – New York Westin Charlotte – North Carolina ® valued today at more than $7 billion. As developer, joint-venture partner, project manager, and asset manager, we have the unique ability to create the concept vision, as well as execute the development process to seamlessly produce world-class investments. Hilton San Diego – California If you are interested in Defining the Sky with your next development investment, contact Roger Zampell, Senior Vice President: Development Portman Holdings, 404-614-5252, or rzampell@portmanholdings.com. For more information visit www.portmanholdings.com. CIRCLE NO. 143 AT L A N TA R E TA I L > > SHANGHAI MIXED-USE > > SEOUL > MUMBAI > RESIDENTIAL > OFFICE pitality. Canyon’s Aman-branded Le Melezin ski resort in the French Alps ended the season at a $1,700 average daily rate, and Vazifdar credits its elegance and individualistic service. “These days, I think people think they can throw in incredible marble-and-gold pillars and silver moldings, then call it something like a six- or seven-star, ” Vazifdar said. “Look at all these hotels and resorts that have nothing else but design, and end up either failing or restructuring.” Aeppel said she also will discuss how location plays into the choice between bling—a slang term for ostentatious ﬂashiness— and more subtle opulence. For example, Aeppel pointed to Las Vegas’ hedonistic reputation and ﬂashy style. “In Las Vegas, every new asset built is more luxurious and dramatic than the last,” Aeppel said. “It’s a personal taste issue and a market-driven issue—being understatedly elegant in Vegas is hard. In New York City, it’s a lot easier.” But bling definitely doesn’t stop in Sin City. Panelist Tom Storey, president of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, See Luxury | page 64 HOTEL http://HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://www.portmanholdings.com

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Hotel & Motel Management - June 2, 2008 Contents State Programs Help Define Green Hotels AmericInn Boosts its American Presence Questex, The Bench to Host Russia Event Perspective Letter to the Editor Legally Speaking Guest Column Marketing Matters Consultant's Corner Satisfaction Trends On Finance Travel Trends Cornell Insights Energy Star Update Maintenance Doctor Management Trends Trends & Stats Finding Financing Challenges Developers Credit Crunch Still Tops List of Lawyers' Concerns Mixed-use Funding Bleak, Panelists Say Luxury Landscape Keeps Pushing Higher PTACs Events Casegoods Seating Energy Controls and Sensors Pest Control Electronic Locks Transactions Supplier News Timeshare Misconceptions Still Prevalent Awards People Ad/Edit Index Marketplace Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - June 2, 2008

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