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What’s New With Hotels

What’s New With Hotels

by | Jul 20, 2021 | Podcasts
DE 37 | New Hotels   What are the new and exciting hotels around the world you can check out for your next meeting destination? The show’s guest today is Michael Dominguez, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). In this episode, Mike gives quick updates about protocols and new technologies you should know when staying at hotels. You’ll also receive restaurant recommendations you definitely want to try out when you visit a destination! Plus, listen in on why you should try out Omni Oklahoma and Sonesta Hotels. If you’re looking for a place for your next business travel, this episode is for you. Don’t miss out! Andy McNeill and Todd Bludworth are travel and hospitality entrepreneurs and owners of the global meetings organization, American Meetings, Inc. From sourcing hotels to corporate event management around the world, their team selects corporate event venues and meeting planners for a wide array of enterprise business clients, providing ideas for convention themes and strategies for running global meetings and events. Learn more at www.americanmeetings.com.

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Watch the episode here:

What’s New With Hotels

There’s no one else in the world who knows more about what’s new and exciting at hotels around the world than Michael Dominguez. Mike’s got his pulse on all the hotels all around the world because he’s the president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). Here are the important updates you need to know:

  1. Follow CDC Guidelines

Get vaccinated as soon as you can. Once you’re vaccinated, you’re no longer required to wear a mask.

  1. Leisure Is Quickly Opening Up

Leisure is back – it’s quickly rising to the activity that it had in 2019. You can’t keep up with the demand. There’s been a huge hotel recently that’s been completely sold out.

  1. New Collection Of Hotels

ALHI added another collection of hotels called the centric collection. They have a little more flexibility than high-end luxury and a specific rate perspective, but they’re independent big boxes with mid-century modern looks. These hotels offer 200,000 square feet of meeting space and they’re at a premium for the meeting planning community.

  1. New Technology
  •     The use of QR codes for menus and payment in restaurants

The use of QR codes is outstanding from a sustainability standpoint. Imagine the amount of paper that we used to have to print to reproduce menus and receipts throughout the year.

  •     Valet Availability

The availability around valet and getting your car is automated today with a simple text message. There are automatic chat boxes that ask you what requests you may have. This method is much quicker than trying to clog a piece of PBX operator.

  1. Restaurants You Should Check Out
  •     Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge
  •     Kumi Japanese Restaurant At Mandalay Bay
  •     Michael Mina Seafood Restaurant At Bellagio Las Vegas

Pro Tip: When looking for someplace to eat, look for the chef instead of the restaurant. Search up their location and availability near you.

  1. Brand New Hotels In Upcoming Regions

The second-tier cities are exploding with stunning hotels. For instance, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City. Hotels you should check out:

  •     Omni Oklahoma City Hotel

These new hotels will be necessary as meeting places for professionals because of two basic reasons:

  1. There’s a lot of compression happening in the meeting space across the U.S.
  2. Your traditional destinations may be jam-packed.
  •     Sonesta Hotels

Sonesta Hotels are the fastest growing hotel company in the world. They went from a few hotels to a staggering 1200 hotels on the cliffs in San Francisco. They spent a hundred million dollars reinventing. They opened up right when we’re shutting down the country. You’ll have a wonderful experience with Sonesta Hotels because they’re brand new with an older historic feel. What Are Mike’s Favorite Destinations? 

  •     Maui And Mexico

There’s something magical about these places because of the scenery and the people. They have a sense of passion, authenticity, and hospitality you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. For example, when you go to Cancun or Hawaii, it’s all tourism jobs. Passion about the delivery service is underappreciated. It’s a big factor when they tell you that you are part of their family, and they make sure you feel that way. How To Connect With Michael Dominguez Website Link: https://www.alhi.com/ ALHI focused its energies on making its website accessible to all.

  •     It’s easy to navigate.
  •     You can find all the information you need from the industry.
  •     It’s always up to date.
  •     It gives you news on regulations and protocols across different states.

Ending Note If you’re listening, make sure you subscribe, rate, and review us. We appreciate it! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram @destinationeverywherepodcast

About Michael Dominguez

DE 37 | New HotelsMichael is actively involved in leadership roles in the Meetings and Events Industry including the executive committees for US Travel Association and Meetings Mean Business Coalition. He speaks in the industry often on topics of disruption, the state of the industry, the economy, behavioral lessons. Michael was recognized in M&C Magazines survey of top industry speakers and was an invited speaker at South by Southwest in 2018. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://americanmeetings.com/podcast

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

by | Jun 29, 2021 | Podcasts
DE 41 | Casa De Campo Resort

 

The Caribbean is home to many outstanding incentive spots and luxury resorts, but very few are as prestigious as La Romana’s first private resort, the Casa De Campo Resort & Villas. Whether you’re into golf, adventure treks, scuba diving, all-night parties or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of a private island, this resort in the Dominican Republic has got it all for you. Join our hosts Andy McNeill & Todd Bludworth as they talk to Jason Kycek, the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Casa De Campo about what makes his resort so great. Jason delves into the many amenities and activities found on the resort, as well as giving us a look at the resort’s best-kept secrets. If you are looking for a Caribbean destination, then this episode is a must-catch.

Andy McNeill and Todd Bludworth are travel and hospitality entrepreneurs and owners of the global meetings organization, American Meetings, Inc. From sourcing hotels in the Dominican Republic to corporate event management around the world, their team selects corporate event venues and meeting planners for a wide array of enterprise business clients, providing ideas for convention themes and strategies for running global meetings and events. Learn more at www.americanmeetings.com.

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Watch the episode here:

Dominican Republic

Luxury Caribbean Experiences With Casa De Campo Resort & Villas

The sunny municipality of La Romana in the Dominican Republic is home to one of the top luxury resorts in the country, The Casa De Campo Resort & Villas. Opened nearly 50 years ago, the Casa De Campo is one of the first and is arguably the best luxury resort in the country. In this episode, Todd and Andy talk to Jason Kycek, the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Casa De Campo about the many amenities and experiences available at the resort.

Casa De Campo is a sprawling 7000-acre resort with beautiful villas and breathtaking views of the sea. The resort started life as a golf course development that has evolved into an exclusive, private gated community. The villas come with private staff and are reasonably priced for vacation-goers.

Originally established in 1975 by Charles Bluhdorn, the former CEO of Paramount Pictures, there is a thriving art school and artist community at the village of Alto De Chavon, headed by Charles Bluhdorn’s daughter, Dominique. The art school also hosts children from all over the world who are studying art. An incredible museum that boasts artifacts that would not be out of place in The Smithsonian rounds out the arts and culture experience.

Avid golfers will enjoy the experience of teeing off on the #1 golf course in the Caribbean, Teeth of the Dog, and two other just as renowned courses, Dye Fore and Links.

Dining and nightlife experiences abound. The main hotel hosts a live band and boasts a discotheque while The Genesis Nightclub in Altos De Chavon keeps the beats rolling throughout the night. Casa De Campo is also called home by many restaurants, seven of them owned and operated by the hotel. The marina is another top spot to go to for parties, so go check it out.

If you are in the mood for an adventure, either solo or in a group, then a day trip to nearby Catalina Island is just the ticket. Go fishing, scuba diving or snorkeling in the calm, beautiful waters. An hour away by boat is the resort’s best-kept secret: a sunken ship that has become a prime diving site. If you aren’t up for the dive, then lunch and sightseeing at the private island would be more your speed.

Polo is another fun activity for many, except, in Casa De Campo tradition, the mounts used are donkeys, instead of horses. A rodeo area is also available for more adventurous guests who wish to go horseback riding.

The resort is easily accessible, with its own airfield. You can also reach the municipality easily from the Punta Cana Airport, or the capital city, Santo Domingo, which takes a 45-minute drive. Traffic is virtually non-existent, making the drive a breeze. With the weather almost always at a balmy 80 degrees, you are guaranteed great weather nearly all year round.

Casa De Campo takes pride in being one of the top luxury resorts in Latin America and strives to ensure guests have an enjoyable stay. Recent upgrades include a family pool area and an adult Infinity Pool. A brand-new indoor and outdoor meeting space has been added too. The Riverside Marina has been spruced up with new rooms, activity areas and dining options for everyone staying to party.

With continuous improvements and changes, Jason and the rest of the staff at the Casa De Campo are not resting on their laurels, and they aim to make every stay at the resort a memorable one for every guest. SO the next time you’re in the mood to take a group to a Caribbean luxury resort, make Casa De Campo Resort & Villas your top choice.

About Jason Kycek

DE 41 | Casa De Campo ResortWith over 15 years of professional experience as a global hotelier, Jason Kycek joined Casa de Campo in the year 2016 and since then had facilitated the company’s growth and marketing strategy with a profound commitment to excellence, improving the satisfaction of our guests and securing the profitability for the shareholders.

Previously, Kycek was Vice President of sales and marketing for the Edgewater Hotel & Spa. Prior to this, he held the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Occidental Hotels and Resorts, overseeing the U.S. sales and marketing initiatives for the company’s Caribbean, Mexican, and Latin American properties. Jason has also worked with Capella Hotels and KSL Resorts along with the luxury consortia markets.

He holds a degree from the University of Wisconsin. Kycek is acknowledged for his achievements in luxury resort, spa, & golf brand positioning, technical services, hotel openings, revenue management, operations and sales and marketing.

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