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• Two articles on hotel industry in the Netherlands (in Dutch); one and two; English translation of one
  

Classic Hotels Enjoy Return To Past Glory

By Larry Olmsted, IBD "Investors Business Daily" a financial newspaper in the US, Tuesday March 16, 1999

What is old is new again. More than ever, that's the case with vacation hotels, where travelers are flocking to some old, familiar destinations.

Cheap and accessible air travel has made the world a smaller place. So new resorts and hotels are springing up all over the globe. But rather than take a chance on an unknown property when heading abroad, consider visiting a long-established hotel with a good reputation. To keep up with new rivals, many older hotels and resorts have undergone substantial make-overs.

"A lot of upscale hotels have languished and are now being brought back to their former glory," said Chekitan Dev, marketing professor at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. "These are brands that are long-established but went by the wayside in the early '90s.

"The mantra then was 'In order to make money, you've got to save money,' " Dev continued. "Now it's 'To make money, you've got to spend money.' "

Many of these renovations came about after hotels changed hands. When Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotel Inc. bought the Lisbon Ritz in Portugal, the building was already regarded as the city's premier hotel. But Four Seasons undertook significant renovations anyway, to bring it up to the chain's standards. It remodeled the hotel's restaurants, shopping arcade and exterior.

It may be Lisbon's top hotel, but strong exchange rates make the Ritz one of Europe's best values. Current weekend packages run just $195 per night for two, including breakfast and museum passes.

In Rome, hotel renovations are going hand in hand with a major public works project to prepare the city for Year 2000 festivities. Sheraton, now owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., will spend $35 million to retool Le Grand Hotel and the Hotel Excelsior.

Sheraton converted the domed cupola atop the Excelsior into Europe's largest hotel suite at 10,000 square feet. Le Grand, originally opened in 1894, is closed for an overhaul of all 170 rooms. It will reopen in December.

Several properties once part of the Rockresorts chain have received new life under new owners. Laurence Rockefeller launched the chain in the 1960's before it was later broken up.

"What Mr. Rockefeller did in our industry was incredible," said Victor Lopez, vice president of Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. "He found these little pieces of spectacular natural beauty - Dorado Beach, Mauna Kea, Little Dix Bay, Caneel Bay and others. We bought Dorado in 1985 and are now spending $55 million on renovations."

Now known as the Hyatt Dorado Beach, the Puerto Rican resort opened in 1958 as the jewel of the Caribbean, drawing politicians and movie stars. Lopez wants to bring those days back.

"We're modernizing, giving today's very knowledgeable traveler every convenience they're used to," he said. "At the same time, we're moving the clock back to 1958, bringing back horse-drawn carriages, items on the menu, even the original staff uniforms."

Hyatt's completed most of the work at Dorado Beach and at its adjacent sister property, the Hyatt Cerromar Beach. The rest will be completed this summer.

Rosewood Hotels bought Little Dix Bay, in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, in 1993. The resort recently refurbished its buildings and grounds. That includes a complete renovation of its 14 famous stilt cottages over the water. Starting May 1, rates run $400 per night for two. Guests receive meals and most leisure activities, as well as a sailing trip and sunset cruise.

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