Cancun Hotel and Resorts - Paylessresorts

FEB 2: Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria)–Nationwide. Celebrated with candlelit processions and dancing in many towns throughout the country, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas celebration. On this national holiday, families and friends gather together to enjoy tamales and atole (a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour). The musical events, parades and dances are especially memorable in the port city of Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, where a bull is rafted into town and released.

FEB 5: Día de la Constitución. An official holiday that commemorates Mexico’s Constitution.

FEB 17-19: 4TH National Motorcycle Reunion (Reunion Nacional de Motociclismo) – Zamora, Michoacán. The event will include bike acrobats, a live rock concert, tours to the most beautiful places in Zamora and surroundings, among others. For more information, visit: www.amoden.com

FEB 23-28: Carnival (Carnaval)–Nationwide. Celebrations begin five days before Ash Wednesday and are marked by parades, parties and dancing in the streets. Some of the most famous and festive celebrations are held in the port towns of Veracruz, Campeche (www.webcampeche.com ), Mazatlan (www.carnavalmazatlan.com.mx) and Ensenada, while carnaval in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas is one of the most important indigenous celebrations in Mexico, involving purification ceremonies and ethnic dances that depict Mayan legends.

FEB 27: Seashells and Wine Festival-Ensenada, Baja California. Now in its 6th year, this exquisite festival will take place at the Salon Rojo y Patio Bugambilias, celebrating the fine wine from the region. For more information, contact: fiestasvendimia@hotmail.com.

FEB 19-22: El “Cielo” International Nature Festival (Festival Internacional de la naturaleza “El Cielo”)–Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas. This festival welcomes hundreds of visitors to interact with nature in one Mexico’s most famous biosphere reserves.

FEB 22 – MAR 5: 3rd International Contemporary Film Festival of Mexico City (Festival Internacional del Cine Contemporaneo de la Ciudad de Mexico)–Mexico City. Hosted by Cinemex, the Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival is a ten-day showcase featuring 150 international pictures, among them winners at the Venice, Berlin and Cannes film festivals. www.ficco-mex.com/

FEB 27 – MAR 4: Mexican Tennis Open—Acapulco, Guerrero. The Mexican Open is the most important tennis open in Latin America and ranks fifteenth in the world. It is part of the International Gold Series ATP and Tier III of the WTA. Champions from this tournament will go to the US Open in New York. www.abiertomexicanodetenis.com.

FEB 21-MAR 1: Carnaval Veracruz 2006—Veracruz, Veracruz. Known for its Afro-Caribbean-influenced culture, the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico hosts the second-largest Carnaval in the country. Visitors should not miss the chance to dance at the zocalo, or main square. Salsa, cumbia, reggae and marimba are popular, as well as danzon. For more information, please visit: www.veracruz-puerto.gob.mx/turismo/.

FEB 22-MAR 1: Carnaval Merida 2006—Merida, Yucatan. This Carnaval is about fantasy, magic and mystery. Different parades and dances take place along a route that goes from the San Juan Park (parque de San Juan) up to the Flag Monument (Monumento a la Bandera). For more information, please visit: www.merida.gob.mx/carnaval/

FEB 22-28: Carnaval Cozumel 2006—Cozumel, Quintana Roo. One of the most popular celebrations in the Mexican Caribbean, Cozumel has commemorated this pre-Lenten celebration for nearly 100 years bringing Carnaval to life in an exciting explosion of color and music. Cozumel’s unique celebration includes a variety of costumed characters, such as Harlequins, rumba dancers, Spaniards, gypsy women, fairies, princesses, bullfighters, and kings and queens that can be spotted during the week. For more information, visit www.cometocozumel.com.

FEB 22-28: Ceremony of the Pocho Dance–Tenosique, Tabasco. Dating back to prehispanic times, the traditional “Pocho” dance means it’s almost Carnaval time in Tabasco. The Pocho consists of a series of dances and other ancient ceremonies performed by masked dancers, many dressed as jaguars and tigers. The dance symbolizes the purification of man through the battle between good and evil. The Pocho performances begin on January 20 at the main park in Tenosique and on all subsequent Sundays prior to the commencement of Carnival. On the last day, the dancers dance backwards from the main square to the church where the dance began.

TBD: 4th Annual Extreme Adventure Competition–Husteca, Hidalgo. This competition, which will take place in the mountainous region of the state, has been labeled by top international racers as one of the most important adventure competitions around the globe. More than U$S 60,000 in prizes will be awarded at the competition. This year’s route will cover many different disciplines including kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, canyoneering, swimming and caving. Teams from countries well known for their adventure enthusiasts like Australia, the U.S., Sweden, Spain and Mexico will be represented. www.eah2005.com

TBD: Tapachula International Fair (Feria Internacional de Tapachula)–Tapachula, Chiapas. Cattle trade show featuring livestock, rides, bullfights, rodeos, cockfights and sport races, with a cultural twist.

TBD: Desert Cultural Fair (Festival Cultural para el Desierto)–Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. Cultural exposition showing off the beautiful state of Sonora, which borders with the Gulf of California.

JAN 1: New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)–Nationwide. Mexico rings in the New Year with celebrations featuring music, dance, food and fireworks. Streets are filled with revelers, and friends and families congregate for parties that often last till dawn. One tradition calls for eating twelve grapes, one with each stroke of the chiming bell at midnight, for luck during the next 12 months.

JAN 5-22: 2nd Merida International Art Festival “Merida Cultural City”(2do Festival Internacional de las Artes “Merida Capital Cultural”)–Merida, Yucatan. In celebration of the city’s founding more than 464 years ago, this festival features music, dance, poetry readings, photography exhibitions as well as films and exhibits of local and international artist. http://www.merida.gob.mx/festival/

JAN 6: Three Kings’ Day (Dia de los Santos Reyes)–Nationwide. The Feast of the Epiphany recalls the arrival in Bethlehem of the three wise men (reyes magos) bearing gifts for baby Jesus. This is the day of traditional gift-giving for children in the central and southern regions of Mexico. Rosca de Reyes, a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruits with a small doll baked inside, is served on this day. Whoever is lucky enough to find the figure in his slice of bread must host a party on February 2, Candlemas Day, offering tamales (stuffed cornflour cakes wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves) and atole (a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour) to the guests.

JAN 14 – FEB 8: Leon State Fair—Leon, Guanajuato. Leon City, located just 45 minutes outside of Guanajuato, hosts this annual fair which features concerts, dance, food and much more. Some of the highlights for this year’s fair is Robert´s International Circus, The traditional Palenques, Dolphins exhibition and more. http://www.ferialeon.org/ or info@ferialeon.org

JAN 15-23: St. Sebastian Fiesta (Fiesta de San Sebastian el Martir)–Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. This fiesta is famous for its “Parachicos” tour, which features a dancing procession from San Jacinto church throught Santo Domingo church back and fordward, ending in a delectable food festival featuring traditional dishes such as “Pepita con Tasajo” made of beef in a creamy pumpkin seed sauce. On the night of the 21st, a traditional nautical battle takes place on the Grijalva River which concludes in a spectacle of fireworks.

JAN 17: Feast Day of de San Antonio de Abad. Is a religious holiday during which the Catholic Church allows animals to enter the church for blessing.

JAN 28: The Rural Tourism Fair—Oaxaca, Mexico. The sixth such regional event co-created by Amigos del Sol and Planeta.com in Oaxaca City, Mexico. This alternative to traditional mass tourism allows travelers to visit rural areas. Options include hiking and biking,visiting community museums and buying crafts. Mexico considers rural tourism a critical feature in its promotion of travel alternatives, including adventure travel and ecotourism. For more information visit: http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/oaxaca/feriarural2006.html

NORWALK, Conn. & INDIANAPOLIS — HEI Hospitality, a privately held hospitality investment firm, today announced it had acquired the Omni Indianapolis North hotel in Indiana from a subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Merritt Hospitality, a wholly owned subsidiary of HEI, will manage the hotel.

“The hotel will undergo a $4.6 million renovation beginning at year-end 2004 and be repositioned as an upscale Hilton Hotel, which provides significant upside potential for our investors,” said Gary Mendell, HEI Chairman and CEO. “The property is well located in the city’s primary suburban office market and is adjacent to the Roche Diagnostics headquarters. The hotel has excellent meeting facilities and also will appeal to transient business and leisure travelers.”

It is the fourth property acquired since HEI announced in June the formation of HEI Hospitality Fund, a $275 million private equity investment fund, which plans to acquire up to $800 million of hotels over the next 24 to 36 months.

The six-story hotel is situated on the northeast side of Indianapolis, at 8181 North Shadeland Avenue, and features 215 rooms, including nine suites, and 14,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space. The property will remain under the Omni brand until the end of the year, at which time it will begin the refurbishment program to upgrade the property. The hotel will remain open during the renovation, which will be done in phases to avoid disruptions to guests. Renovations will encompass all aspects of the property, including improvements to all guest rooms, meeting space, the restaurant and lobby. Following the completion of the upgrades near the end of the first quarter, the property will convert to the Hilton flag.

“The fund has more than $700 million available to acquire both stabilized and turn-around hotels or portfolios. We seek first class, full-service hotels and resorts with 200 to 500 rooms in the top 50 U.S. markets,” said Stephen Mendell, Executive Vice President - Acquisitions & Development.

Pinnacle Realty Investments represented the seller in the transaction.

HEI Hospitality, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is an ownership/investment firm that owns and/or operates 23 first-class and full-service hotels throughout the United States under such well-known brand names as Marriott, Sheraton, Westin and Hilton. Merritt Hospitality is an independent hotel management company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of HEI Hospitality.

Cancun plans to open its doors in a big way–with a three-day long festival spanning over eight miles of beach. The activities will include a sand sculpture contest, a kite festival, art exhibits, a sailing regatta, a food festival, aquatic demonstrations and beach parties throughout the entire Hotel Zone. A spectacular firework extravaganza will be held on Saturday night with fireworks being launched over Cancun’s majestic waters at every kilometer marker for thirteen kilometers.

Cancun’s celebration is well-deserved as the destination has just completed its greatest island-wide revitalization efforts to date, including a US$20.33 million beach recovery project that fully restored eight miles of beach. Thanks to the project, which was completed ahead of schedule in April 2006, all of Cancun’s 15.5 miles of coastline are now accessible and available for use.

“We’ve spent more than US$20 million on beach renourishment alone,” said Artemio Santos, CEO of the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau. “When you see our beaches, you’ll see that it was worth every penny.”

In addition to beach re-openings, 83 percent of Cancun’s 27,822 hotel rooms have been fully restored and are operating as usual.

“The island is more beautiful than ever,” Santos continued. “So many of our hotels have been completely refurbished or entirely rebuilt. This celebration not only marks the grand opening of an all-new Cancun but also applauds our determination and commitment to renew our destination.”

With so many renovations, returning visitors may not recognize Cancun, which boasts more luxurious properties and amenities than ever before.

“We’re aiming at a much more upscale market,” added Santos. “Cancun is now home to more than fifteen world-renowned spas.”

“And most people don’t realize that Cancun is home to the second largest coral reef on the planet,” Santos continued.

Beyond the flurry of spectacle and excitement at the world’s largest beach party, travelers can explore the island’s lush jungles, snorkel or dive in the magnificent reef, tour the ancient ruins of the Mayan culture or just relax beachside, taking in the seven different colors of Cancun’s turquoise waters.

“We call that color Cancun blue,” Public Relations Director Patricia Lopez Mancera added. “You won’t find that color anywhere else in the world.”

About Cancun - http://www.cancun.info

Cancun, located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea at the northeastern tip of the scenic Yucatan Peninsula, is renowned for its 15.5-mile long stretch of white sandy beaches, world-class hotels, exceptional recreation features and the destination’s proximity to historic Mayan archeological sites. Visitors to Cancun are able to enjoy the world’s second largest coral reef, the Mesoamerican Reef, and action-packed participatory sports activities that capitalize on Cancun’s exceptionally clear, blue waters. The water activities, shopping, cultural attractions and beautiful natural environment all complement the area’s renowned restaurants and nightlife.

Having completed a US$20.33 million beach recovery project in April 2006, all of Cancun’s renewed coastline has since been re-opened and is accessible and available for use. In addition to the recent beach re-openings, 83 percent of Cancun’s 27,822 hotel rooms have been fully restored and are operating in normal fashion, and most restaurants, discos, marinas and other attractions in downtown Cancun and along the Hotel Zone are open as well. To provide for the destination’s new growth and development, the Cancun International Airport is currently undergoing two renovation projects to better serve its 800,000 passengers per month in high season and will continue to increase its already 170 direct or connecting flights to Cancun every day.

Cancun is a relatively new destination made especially for tourism purposes by the government of Mexico with its development starting in 1970. Cancun is situated at the eastern most point of Mexico and is connected to land only by two bridges therefore you can get there it by air, road or ship. Cancun enjoys the benefit of warm weather year round but that is not the only reason why people from around the world choose it as a favorite destination above most places in Mexico. Cancun is dedicated to tourism and therefore you will find yourself choosing from a wide range of hotels that cater to your every need and desire. Most Cancun hotels are resorts and usually they will offer packages year round that includes accommodation, food, beach activities and some spa facilities of choice. Depending on the purpose of your visit choosing a Cancun hotel can become quiet a task as each package will sound better then the other.

Planning and Choosing a Cancun Hotel

Contact a local travel agent because they are the ones that have the first hand at discounts and usually the best deals for any destination; let the travel agent know the purpose for your visit so he or she can find he best location possible for the same. There are Cancun hotels that are dedicated to honeymooners, even if it is not your first one, and there are hotels dedicated to catering for families where activities are included with everyone in mind. Cancun is a destination in demand year round and if you want to get the Cancun hotel of choice, ensures that you plan in advance. A great way to view most of the choices available in Cancun hotels as well as their prices is through the Internet; here you will find pictures, packages and prices, which you can then compare to those made available by your local agent.

Helpful Tip

You will find a Cancun hotel to match any budget and desired activities if you plan your trip in advance. Also by planning in advance you may have a choice of getting a cruise instead of flying in or driving and start your vacation even earlier on a stylish all inclusive ship trip. Due to the fact that Cancun was made with tourism in mind, it is extremely easy to find a hotel that will meet all your demands and more, as most of them are located in breath taking locations with staff that are there to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

The Omni Detroit Hotel at River Place is Detroit’s own secluded oasis nestled in the quaint River Place District. This historic luxury hotel reflects the beauty and sophistication of a European classic.

So whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, as your limo or luxury sedan drop you off at the our front door, you’ll be greeted by our four-diamond services and guest room accommodations will make you feel at home.

When you’re hungry, you can indulge in sumptuous dishes prepared by our expert culinary team at Fender’s Tavern or the riverfront patio. You’ll be confident that our polished team of professionals will make your visit a truly memorable one. The Omni Detroit Hotel is just 7 miles from Detroit City Airport and 18 miles from the Detroit Metro Airport.

This touch of Europe meets gracious, all-American hospitality in this quaint, yet sophisticated hotel is the ideal setting for pleasure or business. European accents make this an especially charming place to stay and our downtown location puts convenience on the schedule of any type of traveler.

As you’ve experienced, hectic flights, long meetings and eating on the run can make staying committed to a healthy routine difficult.

Don’t worry. The Omni Hotels Ideal Living program is designed to help you maintain a healthy attitude and lifestyle while you’re traveling. Our Ideal Nourishment Program provides you with healthy meal options, and our Get Fit Rooms are set up for a private, in-room workout. In addition, we have recently renovated all of the Omni Hotels’ fitness centers, complete with top-of-the-line equipment.

And when it comes to your children, the Omni Sensational Kids program provides four-diamond service to Omni Hotels’ youngest guests. Your children will enjoy plenty of kid-minded amenities, including suitcases filled with games and books, a goodie bag upon check-in and menu choices prepared especially for young travelers.

Parents are provided with a list of top family attractions in Detroit, local emergency numbers and a safety/first-aid kit, which includes a night light and outlet covers.

The Omni Guest Room Summary includes

* 108 total guest rooms and suites
* 71 Standard Rooms
* 18 Deluxe Rooms
* 10 Junior Suites
* 6 Penthouse Suites
* 1 Stroh’s Suite
* 1 Brigg’s Suite
* 1 Governor’s Suite

When it comes to fitness and leisure, you can find:

* Complimentary health club with sauna and whirlpool
* Get Fit Kit available at front desk
* Indoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool
* Championship croquet court (only USCA sanctioned court in Michigan)
* Tennis court complimentary to guests
* Nearby golf course and driving range

Omni’s guest services include:

* The Power of One ® - Excellence in Service
* Business services available Mon. - Fri. 8 am – 6 pm
* Check cashing
* Concierge
* Dry cleaning and laundry service
* Evening turndown service upon request
* Express check-in/check-out
* Full-service restaurant
* Guest room dining
* High-speed wireless Internet access
* In-room fitness
* Multilingual staff
* Omni Sensational Kids Program
* On-site audio/visual services
* Pets under 25 lbs. allowed ($50 non-refundable fee)
* Post/parcel service
* Safe deposit boxes located at front desk
* Shoe shine services
* Spa services available

Checker Sedan is a premier mode of transportation that Detroit visitors can use to take them back and forth to the hotel. Checker, www.checkersedan.com, was established in March 2000 and has become the fastest growing chauffeur-driven licensed luxury sedan company in Metropolitan Detroit.  Checker Sedan is an affiliate of Soave Enterprises, a privately held management and investment company founded by Detroit businessman Anthony L. Soave.  Checker Sedan is the official curbside luxury sedan provider for Detroit Metro Airport.

If I crack my eyes open, just a tiny bit, I can watch the brunette sink slowly into the hot water, her face crinkling with pleasure as the water slips over the tops of her breasts. Keeping my eyes open, however, seems to be an effort I can’t sustain. Instead, I close them, lean my back against the worn teak planks of the communal hot tub, and let the warm New Mexico breezes bring scents of pine and juniper and just a hint of a mournful Japanese flute. A thought washes over me. They can’t make me go home.

I first heard often Thousand Waves, the near-legendary Japanese health spa nestled in the mountains outside of Santa Fe, almost a decade ago. I’d been climbing down around Alamogordo, and my friend, a veteran ski patroller, had suggested we go to Ten Thousand Waves at the end of a hard day on the rocks.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Let’s put it like this,” she said. “If you’ve been a very, very good person, when you die you’ll go to Ten Thousand Waves.”

Wait a minute, you’re thinking. Chicks go to spas. Well, more guys are joining them than ever before–calls from men have increased almost 900 percent in the past four years, reports Spa Finder, a travel-reservation service (see “Find a Spa Near You,” page 31). The reasons for this surge in interest might surprise you.

The first is simple–your hard-trained body needs a break. There’s a reason why world-class athletes take their own massage therapists and body workers on the road with them. The more, and the harder, you train, the more micro-injuries you get. What you call “soreness” is actually an accumulation of small injuries to the muscles. Your joints creak; your muscles knot up in response to the repetitive stress. You feel stiff, achy. Massage therapy, coupled with a nice dose of relaxation, is a balm for the body.

MASSAGE MAINTENANCE

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage therapy can go a long way toward reducing the trauma of exercise. “Like a finely tuned sports car, keeping an athlete in top physical form requires regularly scheduled proactive maintenance,” the AMTA says.

In my case, more like a 1956 Chevy truck than a finely tuned sports car. Nonetheless, regular massage, according to the AMTA, can do five things for the active man:

* Lessen the chance of injury, through deep-tissue massage, education on stretching, and event preparation.

* Improve range of motion, strength, and performance times.

* Shorten recovery times between workouts.

* Maximize the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles through increased blood flow.

* Enhance the elimination of metabolic wastes, such as lactic acid, that are by-products of exercise.

And what better place for a massage than a spa? According to the Orlando-based National Travel Monitor, which tracks these kinds of things, more and more business travelers are finding refuge in hotel spas (four in 10 say spa services are a very desirable amenity). And why not? A spa is a cool place to do business. Tired of transactions between holes on the old golf course? Consider closing the deal in a hot tub. This used to be a California-only quirk, but according to a goodly percentage of the spa owners I talked with, a day at the spa can work wonders on both sore muscles and stalled deals.

Spas divide roughly into two categories–destination (or resort) spas and day spas. As a general rule, a destination spa is a place you might travel to and spend a week, sweating off that Christmas goose. A day spa is just that–a place you visit for a day. I say generally because many of the day spas, including Ten Thousand Waves, for instance, offer multiday programs and have housing facilities, and most of the destination spas have single-day, or individual, programs.

CHOOSING A SPA

Unlike, say, politicians’ campaign promises, all spas, day or destination, are not the same. They break down into three types–fitness, pampering, and places you’ll visit as soon as you win Lotto.

Fitness spas are, as you might’ve guessed, oriented toward fitness, usually with a host of exercise programs. Pampering spas want to relax you, with features that often include facials and body wraps in addition to massage. High-end spas want your wallet. If you can afford them, then go for it, but understand they’re mere indulgences. Fitness and pampering spas will serve you just as well.

Ten Thousand Waves leans toward the pampering end, but it has an amazing 116 massage therapists on call, providing 11 different massage styles. And this is in Santa Fe, the massage capital of the Southwest. Ten Thousand Waves picks off the cream of the crop, then trains them in the spa’s very specific, very Japanese manner.

THIS WAY TO NIRVANA

My first massage at Ten Thousand Waves was a Thai massage from James Peckham. Eschewing any bad puns about “Thaiing one on,” I settled down, fully clothed, on a mat on the floor. I’d never had a Thai massage. It was something completely different–no fragrant oils or deep massaging of the muscles. Instead, Peckham focused on compression (pressing on pressure points in the body) and yogalike stretches.

Omni Hotels ranks No. 1 among 13 upscale national hotel brands, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. This is the second consecutive year for Omnia to tank No. 1 and its third time overall as the lead hotel in the upscale segment.

Earning this top position is a testament to Omni Hotels’ commitment to enriching the guest experience with the industry- first sensory initiatives we continued to roll out in the last year, said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels.

The Omni Royal Orleans is at St. Louis at Royal in the French Quarter. The hotel has received the four-diamond luxury award the past 27 years and has earned the Pinnacle Award for meeting services. The hotel also boasts the Rib Room-Rotisserie Extraordinaire.

According to the study, Omni Hotels scored 809 overall compared with the average 788 score for the upscale segment. The study is based on responses from 42,211 guests who stayed in a hotel between January and June.

Omni developed a Sensory Advisory Board composed of representatives from Apple, Sirius Satellite Radio, Whole Foods, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, and the National Cotton Council of America, which convenes several times a year to discuss everything from guestroom and bath amenities to lobby lighting, music and food. The Sensory Advisory Board provided feedback about Omni’s new Sensation Bar, a tray of unusual, upscale indulgences for each of the senses, including a mini Zen garden, eucalyptus bath salts, pomegranate lip balm, mojito-flavored jellybeans, a sleep-inducing CD and a magnifying lens.

Irving, Texas — Riding on a wave of development projects in San Diego, Orlando and Atlanta, Omni Hotels is stepping up its growth initiative.

Earlier this year, the company brought John Rosen on board as v.p. of acquisitions and development.

“We’re very interested in not only expanding the brand but also expanding our real-estate investment holding in the hotel industry,” Rosen said.

In 2004, Omni, a privately-held company, opened the 511-room Omni San Diego Hotel and the 730-room Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. The Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta opened a 600-room, $100-million addition in late 2003.

Omni has spent a lot of time cleaning up its portfolio since being acquired by TRT Holdings in 1996, according to Mike Deitemeyer, president. The company acquired or built properties in major cities, disposed of some assets and renovated all other properties.

Omni’s 40-hotel portfolio consists of 28 owned and managed properties, five managed properties, four franchised properties, two leased and managed properties and one hotel under development for a total of 15,155 guestrooms.

“If you look at how the company is set up and the balance of the portfolio and the balance of our operating philosophy, there’s a lot of opportunity going forward,” Deitemeyer said. “We are now pushing off an incredible amount of cash flow from our organization and we need to redeploy that.”

Scott Johnson, v.p. of acquisitions and development, said the company has something that is lacking in the marketplace.

“We’re a company that brings a combination of a recognized upscale flag, a very talented management team and an enormous amount of capital that we can bring to projects,” he said. “Those three things put us in a very strong position to be a major player in the upcoming years.”

Omni’s next project will be a 600-room convention center hotel possibly with a condominium component in Fort Worth, Texas. The project is scheduled to break ground in early 2006 and open in 2008, according to Johnson.

The company expects to finalize projects in California and Washington within the next 90 days. Possible condo-hotels in the Midwest and acquisitions in Florida also are in the works, Rosen said. Toronto, Seattle, Vancouver, Scottsdale, Ariz., Palm Springs, Fla., and Minneapolis also are target markets for Omni. The company is looking to grow in New York, Washington and Chicago, where Omni properties are already located.

Because the Omni Orlando is outperforming its budget, golf and spa resorts also are a focus for the company.

All in all, the company plans to add five “high-quality” hotels to its portfolio each year, Rosen said.

“But we’re not tied to any growth thresholds that would lead us to do deals that don’t make sense,” he added.

Achieving AAA’s four-diamond status is a goal, Deitemeyer said. Eighty-five percent of the hotels already are there.

“We’ve found a way to accomplish [success] through capital deployment and more importantly through the right type of service initiatives,” he said. “If you look at the amenity creep in our industry, a lot of what we’ve done over the last five and six years is continue to push our service.”

Deitemeyer said Omni’s top two hotels, the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington and the Omni Parker House in Boston, are scheduled to get new bedding and other amenities.

“That shows you the amenity the consumer wants is service and execution of service,” he said. “You can have all the amenities in the world, but if you don’t get the reservation right at check-in, none of that matters.”

Challenges, concerns

The biggest concern for Omni is the evolving labor market, Deitemeyer said.

“We have low turnover, we’re proud of our associate base, but there’s outside influences that we continue to manage through,” he said. “Especially as the economy rebounds and there’s more job opportunities in the service sector, it becomes very difficult.”

Disrupted by union disputes, rising health-care costs and visa issues, labor is the most volatile expense, Deitemeyer said.

“We mitigate all of that by focusing on the right type of leadership,” he said. “An individual’s value is defined more by relationships, their feeling of worth to the organization.”

Johnson and Rosen cited the challenge of increasing awareness of the company to the investment community.

“We’re ramped up and we’ve grown our development department extensively this year, and we’re ready to be in the forefront of deals where in the past we’ve been quiet,” Johnson said. “We’re not going to be quiet any longer.”

WASHINGTON–Cafe Beaux Arts, a new restaurant in the Omni Georgetown hotel, is rapidly building a loyal following in the fashionable Georgetown section here through a calculated combination of serious cuisine and less-than-serious decor.

The most recent addition to Omni International’s collection of bistro-style restaurants, the 200-seat cafe ironically derives much of its contemporary style from post-World War I Europe.

The menu, while eclectic, relies largely on the less formal French dishes popularized in the casually low-budget Parisian cafes of the 1920s. The decor, on the other hand, is a tribute–although somewhat tongue-in-cheek–to the profoundly intellectual work of the Russian abstract expressionist painter and theoretician, Wassily Kandinsky, whose work flourished during that period.

The resulting union of those seemingly unconnected influences, however, has clearly sparked some widespread interest among the local Georgetown residents. Open only two months, Cafe Beaux Arts is already doing more than 400 covers daily, for breakfast, lunch and dinner–and only about 5% of that total is generated by in-house guests.

“This place has hit a home run,” said Walter Staib, vice president of food and beverage operations for Omni. “It makers an overall thematic statement, and it offers quality food at moderate prices.”

Staib is no newcomer to the bistro concept–or to Washington, for that matter. In fact, he is probably the man most responsible for the ongoing “bistrocizing” of the Omni chain. Other bistros he has developed include Nicole’s in New York, Jacqueline’s in Baltimore and Monique’s in the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. Future bistros are also slated to open in Jacksonville, Fla.; Richmond, Va.; and Providence, R.I.

“We’ve done a lot of these restaurants,” he explained. “And we’ve had the benefit of a lot of trial and error. We don’t make the same mistake twice.”

The point of the more casual bistro theme is essentially to ensure that the customers feel at ease while dining, Staib explained. An all-day menu–offered from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.–and moderate prices reinforce the theme. “Having one menu with a few daily specials tells the customer that the restaurant is meant to be uncomplicated familiar,” Staib said. “There’s not a lot of pretension.”

Like the traditional Parisian bistros, Cafe Beaux Arts offers a number of dishes prepared on grills and rotisseries. For example, grilled and rotisseries. For example, grilled chicken, beef or veal paillards are available for $12.75 each and are served with a choice of herb butters or sauces. Additional grilled items include salmon for $12.50, swordfish for $14, lamb chops for $17.50 and filet mignon for $15.

Roast chicken is a staple of nearly all rotisserie menus, but executive chef Anthony Sindaco adds his own signature to the cafe’s version. The chicken is first flavored with a Cajun-sounding mix of chili powder, curry, garlic salt, powderd thyme and oregano before spit roasting. Half of a chicken is served semiboneless with a side order of corn fritters for $9.50.

A second rotisserie item, roast prime rib of beef, is similarly dusted with fresh thyme and marjoram before cooking and served with horseradish. An English cut sells for $9.50, while the regular cut is $11.

Cassoulet, another popular bistro dish, is also offered, but once again, it has been customized for the cafe. Instead of hewing to the traditional preparation, which calls for haricot beans, Sindaco uses black beans instead. The other main ingredients, such as lamb, pork, duck and sausage, are more in keeping with the original version. The dish sells for $8.50. Other bistro-style dishes featured are steak au poivre for $13, coq au vin for $7.50, assorted pates and Brie for $4.50, fresh shellfish at market price and croute aux champignons for $3.

To some degree, the serving staff also follows traditional European service steps. For instance, the cassoulet is presented to the table in a large ceramic tureen and then plated there by the waiter. Presentoirs–classical metal serving platforms–are also being used on the tables to hold the serving plates. “The talbes are small, and the presentoirs help keep things from getting too cluttered,” staib said.

But while the menu is clearly anchored in bistro cooking, the cafe does not shy away from offering contemporary dishes. Individual gourmet-style pizzas with such toppings as lamb sausage, goat cheese, Cajun ham, sun-dried tomatoes, jalapenos, and Canadian bacon are prepared in a stone pizza oven and sold for anywhere from $5.75 to $9.50. Pasta dishes–such as lobster ravioli with a beurre blanc sauce for $11.75 or red pepper linguine with baby clams and basil for $7.50–are also on the menu.

According to the hotel’s general manager, Richard Cotter, dinner and late-night dining are the strong dayparts for the cafe. Breakfast and lunch covers total about 180, while dinners–the kitchen is open until 1:30 a.m–are topping 225. “We’re doing well with late-night dining,” he explained. “This is a late town with no place to go. You have to search for a late-night place in Georgetown that offers more than just a hamburger menu.”