Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas President found dead

by Melanie Nayer on

The President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas was found dead today in his home. TMZ broke the news that Randy Kwasniewski died from an apparent self-inflicted gun wound to the head.

The Morgans Hotel Group, which owns the property, offered its condolences through the press. Morgans CEO Fred Kleisner said, “I’ve known and worked with Randy since 1995. He was not just one of my colleagues and a leader of our company, he was my friend. I know few hotel and casino executives who have the knowledge, focus and work ethic that Randy possessed. I will miss him. All of us at Morgans are deeply saddened by the passing of Randy. I know I speak for everyone when I say we all mourn his loss. Randy was a dedicated husband and father, a friend to many of us, and a valued colleague. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.”

Kwasniewski took the lead at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas in 2006. Prior to his time at the Hard Rock, he served as senior vice president of Starwood Capital Group and executive vice president of operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Kwasniewski was 56.

Tennessee wants to tax complimentary hotel breakfast

by Melanie Nayer on

Just how important is breakfast? Nutritionists say it’s the most important meal of the day – the Tennessee government says breakfast is the most revenue-generating meal of the day. Seems some local politicians are looking to tax the free breakfasts offered to guests get at Tennessee hotels.

New tax legislation currently in committee in Tennessee proposes a tax on the complimentary breakfast served at most hotels in the state. The rationale? Those in favor of the bill say it could raise as much as 2 million dollars in revenues. However, officials are quick to point out the new tax wouldn’t necessarily impact the hotel guest. The tax would be paid for by the hotel, unless the hotel decides to pass on the cost to their customers.

What are the chances the bill becomes reality? We’ll wait and see, and in the meantime we suggest you stock up on the free rolls and danishes.%Gallery-73514%

%Gallery-67351%

Before you go, be sure to check out Gadling’s Travel Talk TV, in which the guys visit the Monterey Aquarium, interview the pilot who filmed his entire flight from the nose of his 747, and offer up international dating tips!

Marriott plans to double Europe hotels by 2015

by Melanie Nayer on


Europe is fast becoming the growth spot for hotels. In an effort to increase its global presence, Marriott International announced plans to double its portfolio in Europe by 2015.

Marriott opened its first Europe hotel 35 years ago and today has over 170 hotels throughout Europe including Ritz-Carlton, Bvlgari, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments. According to Marriott International, the development pipeline in Europe includes nearly 30 projects including the Renaissance Moscow Monarch Center Hotel (2010), the Courtyard by Marriott Budapest (2010) and the JW Marriott Hotel Ankara (2010). Marriott also plans to introduce two new brands to the Europe market including Edition, a boutique-lifestyle collaboration between Ian Schrager and Marriott; and the Autograph Collection, Marriott’s newest brand of independent hotels and resorts.

From the press release:

“Our new operating structure, comprised of four continental divisions including Europe, will help facilitate global growth and bring our teams closer to markets and to our customers. We have tremendous opportunities to grow, with over a third of our current pipeline and about half of our full-service openings this year located in markets outside North America,” said Arne Sorenson, president and chief operating officer of Marriott International.%Gallery-73514%

%Gallery-67471%

New Gansevoort Park Hotel plans summer 2010 opening

by Melanie Nayer on


The fourth addition the Gansevoort family will make its debut this summer.

The Gansevoort Hotel Group will open its fourth New York property this summer on the corner of Park Avenue and 29th Street. While the Park Avenue clientele might be slightly different than the Meatpacking District crowd, the concept will likely be the same – extreme luxury flanked by modern design and sealed with a rooftop pool.

The 249-room hotel promises a luxury boutique experience. According to the hotel, “The Gansevoort Park aspires to invigorate this corridor of the city on Park Avenue between Madison Square and Gramercy Park. Built from the ground up on what had formerly been Marathon bank, Gansevoort Park will be the crown jewel in a number of new hotels.”

The design teams of Gansevoort Park promise a contemporary decor with some classical nods to 1940’s glam. Some of the new sites at this hotel include guest rooms and suites with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows, a heated indoor-outdoor pool, exhale spa including a yoga and core studio, fitness room and sauna for guests. In addition, the Gansevoort Park will host Asellina, an Italian trattoria and an infusion liquor bar.

Daily Pampering: Read the art at the new Fairmont Pacific Rim

by Annie Scott on


The Fairmont Pacific Rim in downtown Vancouver opens this month, and it’s worth seeing — even from the outside.

We don’t normally hear about exterior hotel artwork, but this hotel in the heart of the financial district with views of the both the skyline and the harbor features a million dollar installation by UK artist Liam Gillick. The stainless steel piece is a repeating series of words in two-foot high Helvetica bold:

“lyingontopofabuildingthecloudslooked
nonearerthanwhenIwaslyingonthestreet…”

(In case that hurts your head: “lying on top of a building the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street …” over and over again)

The artwork, shown, wraps around floors five through 22, “providing a delineation of the hotel and luxury residences.” We think it would be a little distracting from the inside, like being trapped inside a neverending game of Quick Wit (remember deciphering those mirror images for the yellow points?).

It may not be everyone’s idea of beauty, but it’s certainly one-of-a-kind, and a fun new landmark to spot next time you’re in Vancouver.

The Fairmont Pacific Rim‘s rates start at $229 (CAD), about $220 USD, per room per night.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.