Hotel construction in county to remain dry until 2012
The Daily Transcript
Friday, March 20, 2009
By THOR KAMBAN BIBERMAN
Hotel construction in San Diego is “zero” for the next three years, said Robert Rauch, hotel consultant, developer and owner.
He doesn’t expect any full-service hotels more than 200 rooms that aren’t already under way, if there are, to even start construction in the county prior to 2012. “I’m talking zero,” Rauch said.
Not only is there no financing, Rauch said he couldn’t think of a hotel currently under construction in San Diego County.
Rauch, who owns a Hilton Garden Inn and a Homewood Suites in the Sorrento Mesa area, has been a hotel consultant for decades.
The newly completed 1,200-room Hilton next to the Convention Center is the most recent major addition, but nothing of that magnitude is planned until hotels at Lane Field and Pacific Gateway as part of the Broadway Complex come out of the ground in the North Embarcadero area.
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Winemaker’s Dinner A Success
It was fantastic. The wines were excellent, the food was flying off the plates, the guests were enjoying themselves and the smorgasboard of flavors.
Check out these pictures.
How to Plan a Party Without Breaking the Bank
By: Lindsey Smith
Whether you’re “tightening your belt,” “doing more with less,” or “cutting out the fat” of your budget during these “tough times” (or getting sick of all the doom and gloom clichés), that doesn’t mean you need to put life on hold, nor does it mean not celebrating the good things in life. Couples are still getting married. Children are still getting older. Companies are still gathering for corporate events.
Whether it’s a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a wedding reception, or a corporate event, you can plan a fun and lavish-looking party without breaking the bank. Small adjustments can lead to major savings as you celebrate life and all the adventures that come along with it.
Top tips from San Diego event planners include creating a budget, and shopping around. “It’s all about shopping around,” said Grace Paterno, Catering Sales Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn, San Diego/ Del Mar. “Do your research. It’s like shopping for a car; you don’t buy at the first dealership you visit.” When planning a party or event, compare services and the prices of a variety of venues, caterers, florists, DJs, bands, photographers and videographers.
Companies are competing heavily for your business right now, meaning good deals are waiting to be found.
Here are some additional tips from industry insiders.
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Napa Valley Wine Maker to Visit San Diego for Winemaker’s Dinner
Bistro Thirty Nine, the new restaurant at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Del Mar, will host the event.
SAN DIEGO, CA – The Hilton Garden Inn, San Diego Del Mar and the Andrew Lane Winery, of Napa Valley are coming together to present The Winemaker’s Dinner, Saturday, March 14, 2009. The event will feature Drew Dickson, CEO and wine maker at Andrew Lane Wines, and Larry Difolco, Executive Chef at the Hilton Garden Inn’s new Bistro Thirty Nine Restaurant. They will pair five fine wines, grown and created in Napa Valley, with a five course meal to celebrate the grand opening of Bistro Thirty Nine.
“This is a great opportunity for locals and guests to meet a prestigious winemaker and an amazing chef, to learn more about wine, and eat some great food that has been paired specifically with these handpicked, excellent wines,” said Robert Rauch, General Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn. “It will be lots of fun at an amazing price.”
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San Diego Celebrates the Grand Opening of Bistro 39
Modern, new restaurant nestled in Carmel Valley; 3939 Ocean Bluff Ave.
SAN DIEGO, CA – Bistro Thirty Nine, San Diego’s newest fine dining experience, opens its doors to the public during several grand opening celebrations in March. Bistro Thirty Nine is located in the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn, San Diego/ Del Mar.
“We are excited to debut the new and improved restaurant at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/ Del Mar,” said Bob Rauch, General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn. “We are the only Hilton Garden Inn in the U.S. to have a world class Executive Chef. His experience and touch bring a fresh and modern flare to delicious classics.”
Holiday Brunch at the Hilton Garden Inn, as seen on Fox News
Here’s a video of the Christmas Brunch at the Great American Grill!
[flv:https://hotelguru.com/videos/CHRISTMAS_BRUNCH_GREAT_AMERICAN_GRILL_KSWB.flv 320 240]
As you can see, a great time was had by all.
Lodging Forecast 2009
2009 is expected to be a buyer’s market now that the softening economy has created far more price sensitive travelers.
San Diego’s Perfect Hotel Guest Experience
What should a traveler to San Diego expect when visiting?
During the guest experience, a “home away from home” feel should be clear…
We hope they receive a warm welcome from anyone they touch prior to arriving at one of our hotels, however, that might be a bit out of our control. A nice flight with pleasant flight attendants, great rental car agents, great taxi drivers…that is a city-wide goal for the “Wow San Diego Experience” but again, a bit outside of our control.
A hotel guest should expect an accurate reservation, warm smile, suggestions on what to do if appropriate and a smooth check-in. (more…)
Sustaining Growth and Values
Recent occurrences within the hospitality industry and the nation have resulted in a market with extremely different characteristics than those of just a few years ago.
Consolidation, globalization, and business failures continue to reduce the number of industry participants; lending and building excesses have been widespread; and the ability to acquire, finance or sell hinges upon international capital market events.
To review R. A. Rauch’s perspective on industry events, visit our press section.
Entrepreneurial success
There are over 440 hotels in San Diego County, representing over 54,000 rooms and suites. Chains and institutions own most of the larger hotels, but small business operators own many. Whether one gets excited about taking an asset and converting it into a more successful venture or developing “ground-up,” it takes an entrepreneurial spirit as well as a willingness to take financial risk to be successful in this game. After all, hotel performance has ups and downs and the capital markets virtually walk away from the hotel market when times are tough.
This year, at each lodging conference, analysts talk about the Commoditization of the industry due to the transparency of rates, difficulty in obtaining terrorism insurance, the potential for war and the inability to determine where the top or bottom of this cycle is. Generally, the conversations have turned rather pessimistic for the short term. Hence, is it a good time to get in the game? My typically contrarian answer is yes. San Diego’s lodging industry is resilient and growing, and with the proper ingredients, success is very possible.
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