Wireless Internet access is near ubiquity at U.S. hotels, and fewer properties are charging for the service, said the American Hotel & Lodging Association's 2008 Lodging Survey, released in June. Conducted by Smith Travel Research and based on the responses of more than 10,000 U.S. hotels, it found 91 percent of responding properties now offer wireless Internet access, up from 35 percent in 2004. Only 16 percent of hotels charge for in-room Internet service, down from 19 percent in 2006 and 22 percent in 2004
(BTNonline, Aug. 14, 2006).Extended Stay Hotels Names Concord Exec As COORobert Micklash, an 11-year veteran of Concord Hospitality Enterprises Co., most recently as its chief operating officer, has taken over as COO of Spartanburg, S.C.-based Extended Stay Hotels, overseeing day-to-day operations and corporate support departments. "His nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality industry will be a great asset to our company and will allow us to further reinforce our leadership position within the extended-stay segment," president and CEO Gary DeLapp said in a statement. While at Concord, Micklash helped to more than triple the number of hotels in its portfolio, according to Extended Stay America. Micklash also held senior management positions at Marriott International and Residence Inn. Extended Stay Hotels owns and operates more than 680 hotels in the United States and Canada.
Starwood's Aloft Hotels Achieves Lift-OffAfter several years of development Starwood Hotels & Resorts' entry into the select-service market, the Aloft brand, has opened its first properties. The first Aloft opened June 5 near Montreal's airport, and the company since has opened properties in Ontario-Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Rogers-Bentonville, Ark.; and Lexington, Mass. A total of 18 properties are scheduled to open this year, and more than 50 are scheduled to open in 2009. Designed by the same team behind Starwood's W Hotels and priced to compete with such brands as Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard by Marriott, Aloft hotels feature loft-like guest rooms, an open lobby and grab-and-go cafes.