Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

Sept. 30, 2014 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.) — Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is investing in more than physical renovations in getting ready for 2015. The resort that celebrated a year of independence in April 2014 is putting into place a management structure that throws away the corporate mold, and invests in the resort’s front line -- its staff.
http://www.tahoeresorthotel.com/

“Since we are no longer tied to a corporate office, we took the last year to really understand how our management structure could work most effectively,” said Bill Cottrill, the resort’s new chief managing officer.

Cottrill’s title is part of the change. Formerly the resort’s director of sales and marketing, Cottrill is now responsible for not only the sales and marketing, but also, food and beverage, front office operations, outside vendor agreements with valet parking and concierge, and accounting / finance.

Lorraine Turner, Cottrill’s counterpart for the back of the house, is the resort’s former director of human resources. Turner’s new title, chief administrative officer, represents her expanded duties that include not only human resources and payroll, but loss prevention, security, liability and IT.

“At the end of the day, my priority is to ensure the direction, the goals and the new culture we are trying to achieve are carried out,” said Turner.

John Steinbach, the hotel’s former general manager, will now be vice president. John will also spend time working with ownership in transitioning their Anaheim property into an independent property, currently slated for next spring.

The reason behind these changes Cottrill said is to continue the initial transitional goal to align positions with the vision for the culture of the property. He added that there will be additional position changes and opportunities moving forward and these adjustments allow the hotel team to have a stronger impact for guest service.

Along with new titles and responsibilities is a significant investment in leadership and cross training for all resort employees.

“The goal is investing in our team and giving them the tools they need to be successful as well as strengthening their skills in other areas of the resort,” explained Steinbach.

“We have a lot of talent here at the hotel,” Turner added. “We want our team members to realize their full potential and be able to apply it. If the positions are not there for the team to move into right away, we want them to know we are enhancing their skill set to improve their chances for handling new opportunities in the future. We want them to know we are investing in their future.”

The focus going into 2015 is creating a training program that will be offered during work hours and be incorporated into the present work day. Turner said the classes will offer management skill training on topics like; coaching employees, business development, time management, budgeting, and learning what it takes to lead. There will also be service training classes for front line staff.

“We are lucky in that we have many employees that have been with the resort for more than 20 years and our employees are a big part of the guest experience,” Turner said. “When we went independent we learned that for our guests, what mattered most is that we were still in Tahoe and we still had the same staff, not necessarily the name over our door.”

Lake Tahoe resort is currently in phase two of a total of $8 million in property renovations.
Renovations this fall include:
• Dual sided fireplaces added to the four balcony suites.
• Premium and specialty suites to receive:
— New chandeliers, end table lights, bar and vanity area lights.
— New sofa sleepers, love seats, and ottomans.
• Banquet rooms to be outfitted with:
— New carpet, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, chandeliers, 800 banquet chairs, 300 Chiavari chairs, sound system, enhanced lighting, portable bars, digital signs and digital reader boards.
• New carpet, wallpaper, and lighting for the lobby seating area to match recent upgrades in Atrium 1.
• Poolside indoor and outdoor lounge furniture, new decking, ceiling wood and wood trim.
• New slate flooring in each of three entrances.
• New carpet to all floor hallways and grand staircase.
• Many back of house items which insure the property will constantly be comfortable to guests’ expectations.


Upgrades from the first $5 million phase included renovations to all 400 suites with new 42-inch HD flat screen TV’s in the living room and in the bedroom, 300-thread count linens, new headboards, nightstands, wet bars, vanities, carpet, end tables and dressers, bath upgrades, granite countertops, new mini refrigerators and microwave ovens.

Also, well received from the first phase of renovations were changes to the resort’s atrium including a large dual-sided fireplace featuring comfortable sofas, love seats, coffee tables, lighting, and game board tables.

Located in the center of South Lake Tahoe’s outdoor and indoor amenities -- mountains, the beach, towering pine forests, shopping and nightlife – guests are within walking distance from just outside the hotel’s four main doors. Nearby attractions include the Van Sickle bi-state park with hiking trails that meander past waterfalls or go all the way to the Tahoe Rim Trail. Just down the road visitors can pick up the newest section of America’s Most Beautiful Bikeway and bike or walk to two of Tahoe’s most popular beaches, Nevada and Round Hill Pines Beaches.
Heavenly Village, directly to the left of the resort, offers a wide range of dining and shopping options as well as the Heavenly Gondola with access to Heavenly’s Epic Discovery park. And newly opened this summer, directly across the street, is 30,000 more square feet of retail.

Located in South Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border, just steps from casino entertainment, the nine-story all-suite hotel has 400 rooms, 10,000 square-feet of meeting space, and restaurant and bar. It is the largest and only full-service hotel in South Lake Tahoe.

Contact: Christina Proctor or Phil Weidinger, Weidinger Public Relations, 775-588-2412 or christina@weidingerpr.com


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About Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is South Lake Tahoe’s only all-suite hotel. Located at the base of Heavenly Ski Resort and moments from world-class gaming, dining, ice-skating, golf, shopping, hiking, biking, entertainment, and lake activities, the resort’s stylish Lake Tahoe accommodations are perfect for families, corporate meetings & retreats, social functions and groups, or an adventure vacation. Every hotel reservation at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel includes a comfortable two-room suite, free breakfast buffet, and a free nightly cocktail and refreshments.

Sept. 3, 2014 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.) — Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel has begun work on a $3 million second phase that will add alpine mountain ambiance touches to its premium and balcony suites, lobby, banquet rooms and pool area in time for the holiday season. This follows an investment of $5 million in nine-story top to bottom renovations last April after the resort went independent. http://www.tahoeresorthotel.com/

In a gesture aimed squarely at exceeding customer expectations, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel management sought input from guests. Results from visitors and suggestions from staff laid the foundation for this round of renovations, said Bill Cottrill, the resort’s chief managing officer, adding that the move to independent from corporate management has also resulted in an employee culture shift.

“We went into this with an open mind, asking guests real questions about their experiences. Whether it’s carpeting, fixtures, furniture and lighting in their suites, to the overall atmosphere as they walk in the door and through the hotel, we wanted to know and they told us what they saw,” said Cottrill. “Many of our staff have worked more than 20 years at the resort, the loyalty has always been there but there is new pride in our independence and their input is helping to shape our vision.”
Renovations this Fall to include:
— All new lighting package for all premium suites and specialty suites; new chandeliers, end table lights, bar and vanity area lights.
--- New sofa sleepers, love seats, and ottomans in the premium and specialty suites.
— Dual sided Fireplaces added to the four balcony suites.
— Banquet rooms to be outfitted with new ceiling enhancements, carpet, 800 banquet chairs, linens, sound system, wallpaper, enhanced lighting, portable bars, digital reader boards.
— Lighting and seating were noted in the feedback among guests attending weddings and receptions. Guests asked for and the resort will deliver decorative 300 Chiavari chairs for wedding receptions and banquet events.
— New carpet, wallpaper, and lighting for the lobby and front desk area to match recent upgrades.
— Poolside indoor and outdoor lounge furniture, new decking, mosaic tile and wood trim.

Upgrades from the first $5 million phase included renovations to all 400 suites with new 42-inch flat screen televisions in the living room and in the bedroom, 300-thread count linens, new headboards, nightstands, wet bars, vanities, carpet, end tables and dressers, bath upgrades, granite countertops, new mini refrigerators and microwave ovens.

Also, well received from the first phase of renovations were changes to the resort’s atrium including a large dual-sided fireplace featuring comfortable sofa’s, love seats, coffee tables, lighting and game board tables.

Located in South Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border, just steps from casino entertainment, the nine-story all-suite hotel has 400 suites, 10,000 square-feet of meeting space, and restaurant and bar. It is the largest and only full-service hotel in South Lake Tahoe.

Contact: Christina Proctor or Phil Weidinger, Weidinger Public Relations, 775-588-2412 or christina@weidingerpr.com


###

About Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is South Lake Tahoe’s only all-suite hotel. Located at the base of Heavenly Ski Resort and moments from world-class gaming, dining, ice-skating, golf, shopping, hiking, biking, entertainment, and lake activities, the resort’s stylish Lake Tahoe accommodations are perfect for families, corporate meetings & retreats, social functions and groups, or an adventure vacation. Every hotel reservation at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel includes a comfortable two-room suite, free breakfast buffet, and a free nightly cocktail and refreshments.

March 1, 2013 (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.) — The Corporation that owns the Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe – Hotel & Ski Resort announced Friday that as of April 1, 2013 the hotel will be operating as an independent property with a new management company. PHR Management, Inc., an affiliate of Ken Corporation, LTD., the Japan-based ownership group, will assume management of the hotel. Max Saito, vice president of PHR Management, said the company will retain the hotel’s 220 employees.

Ken Corporation is also planning to invest $5 to $7 million in property renovations starting in early summer. Saito indicated ownership’s confidence in the property, its employees and the long term prospects and reputation of Lake Tahoe as a leading vacation destination as the impetus for the move.

John Steinbach, a former executive with the property will be returning as general manager, a position he held from 2004 to 2010. Steinbach, whose history with the hotel traces to its groundbreaking in 1990, said Ken Corporation’s enthusiasm for the property reflects their long held support since 2000 in the South Tahoe market as well as the expanding economy.

The new Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel will focus on integrating the guest with the Tahoe environment, said Bill Cottrill, director of sales and marketing since 1998.

“As an independent hotel we can plan and respond to exactly what our customers want in their Tahoe visit,” Cottrill said. “We’ll utilize our local partners to enhance the guests’ experience. The hotel has four doors and each leads to a unique Tahoe amenity – the beach, skiing, the forest, and entertainment. We’ll connect our guests to all the Tahoe lifestyles and all they have to offer.”

Located in South Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border, just yards from Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, the nine-story all-suite hotel has 400 suites, 10,000 square-feet of meeting space, and a full service restaurant and bar. The hotel opened in 1991. It is the largest and only full-service hotel in South Lake Tahoe.

Ken Corporation is based in Tokyo with an affiliate office in Los Angeles, Calif. The company specializes in asset management, real estate investment, international real estate, office and retail real estate, property management, and residential leasing.