Hotel Chains
HOTEL CHAINS
Hotel chains are groups of hotels, some of which owned by large companies, operating worldwide and with a prominent position in the accommodation industry.
A common trend in the hotel industry of today concerns the hotel ownership and management. Many hotels are owned by large Corporations. Leading world chains include the American companies Hospitality Franchise Systems (the largest hotel group based in the Americas which owns Days Inns, Ramada Hotels), Holiday Inn Worldwide, Choice Hotels International, Marriott, ITT Sheraton, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Hyatt Hotels. Major chains in Britain are Forte Hotels Plc, Mount Charlotte/Thistle Hotels, Queens Moat Hotels, Hilton International (owned in the UK by Ladbroke Group Plc), Whitbread Group (Travel Inns), Stakis Hotels, Copthorne Hotels and Holiday Inn International, Butlin’s Holiday Hotels, Chef & Brewer Inns, Granada Lodges. Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, which is still based in London, passed from American into British ownership and, since 1988, is owned by the Japanese Saison Group of Tokyo. Leading companies in France are Accor (the largest hotel group based in Europe which has developed the super-budget chain Formule 1, Compris, Novotel, etc.) Club Mediterranée, Société du Louvre, Meridien Hotels, Concorde Hotels. Other large organisations are Sol Group, Husa Hotels Group, Occidental Hotels and Fiesta Hotels in Spain. New World/Ramada International is the largest hotel group based in Asia at Hong Kong. There are also hotel chains, like Best Western, which are associations of independent hotels. Other hotels, like Forte Associate Hotels, have a close working relationship with Forte Hotels Plc. Hotel chains operate all over the world and have the advantage of having a centralized reservation system, common advertising, same standard of comforts and service. There are further advantages in being grouped into chains: hotels uniting into larger companies will be able to negotiate better deals when purchasing such items as food and drink from their suppliers. This in turn enables the company to employ specialist sales staff and releases more money for the marketing effort (promoting advertising campaigns, quoting hotel rates, granting discounts, launching special offers, etc.). Close links are established between the accommodation and transport services. The hotels owned by airline companies offer their guests flight and room reservations as well. The few airline companies which still own hotel companies include Scandinavian Airlines (SAS International Hotels), Air France (Meridien Hotels), Aer Lingus (Copthorne Hotels), Swissair (Swissôtel), Varig (Tropical Hotels, Japan Airlines (Nikko Hotels International). TWA and Pan American no longer own hotel chains.
Some of the hotel corporations operate on a franchise basis, whereby hotels are operated by individual franchisees paying royalties to the parent company for the privilege of operating under a brand name. These chains market their products working closely with large tour operating organisations, airlines and travel companies. They provide efficient distribution networks of computer reservations systems.
Forte Hotels is a worldwide organization owning over 800 hotels as well as a restaurant and catering empire. You'll find Forte Hotels in locations as diverse as Great Britain, the capitals of Europe, the USA, the Middle East, and the worlds most famous leisure resorts. Each hotel has its own individual character. Yet every single one provides the same care, attention and quality of service that has become the hallmark of Forte Hotels.
Catering Services
Forte is the largest catering company in the United Kingdom. The company is also deeply involved in catering in Europe and USA. It supplies an extensive portfolio of clients. These include the Bank of America in the USA, the Lord Mayor of London's Banquet and Royal Ascot in UK. It has also some 870 restaurants which serve more than 162 million customers each year. In addition it provides over 2800 clients with a million meals a day for the factories, offices, airports schools and hospitals in Europe.
Great Britain
Forte Hotels has over 200 hotels throughout the British Isles, with no less than 19 in London alone. Some of these, like London's Grosvenor House, rank amongst the most exclusive in the world. Britain's commercial centres and airports are well served by its luxury city-centre hotels, which provide every facility for the businessman. It has also 30 modern Post House hotels convenient for motorways or major roads and Travelodges in many handy locations. For those touring the country at their leisure, Forte has more traditional hotels in town centres and holiday resorts, long-established family hotels set in Britain's glorious countryside, and their historic Coaching Inns, some dating back to the 16th century. For business or pleasure, Forte Hotels has hotels throughout Britain for every occasion and requirement.
Europe and the Mediterranean
Across Europe, Forte International offers many of the greatest names in the hotel world - the aristocratic Ritz in Madrid, Paris' legendary George V and the luxurious and romantic Plaza Athénée or the gracious Hôtel Des Bergues overlooking Lake Geneva. Forte International has a fantastic choice of hotels throughout the pleasure playgrounds of the Mediterranean. You can relax in the gardens of Sardinia's Forte Hotel Village or enjoying our resorts in Portugal and Majorca offering the most varied sporting facilities.
Caribbean
In the Caribbean, too, Forte International offers a variety of luxurious holiday hotels in Bermuda, Barbados and the Bahamas. You will discover the Nassau Beach Hotel in the Bahamas, or the Sandy Lane Hotel on Barbados, or the Forte hotels in Guyana and Jamaica.
North America
Forte has a growing number of hotels in key cities in North America, including famous luxury hotels like The Westbury, New York; the Plaza of the Americas Hotel in Dallas; and the magnificent Palace Hotel of Philadelphia. In Toronto, Canada, it has the deluxe King Edward Hotel. For those touring America it also has the Travelodge chain of over 500 motor hotels stretching across North America and Mexico. There are Travelodges conveniently located in all the major cities of the USA; at airports, resorts, and on the major highways.
Practice
1. Comprehension Questions
1.What is a hotel chain?
2.What hotel chains do you know?
3.Which company owns Sheraton?
4.What is the advantage of joining a hotel chain?
5.Which hotels offer flight and room reservations?
6.What is Forte Hotels?
7.Where in the world does Forte Hotels own hotels?
8.In addition to hotels, what else is Forte Hotels concerned with?
2. Refer to 'Great Britain' paragraph and cross the box close to the correct meaning
exclusive limited to people who have a lot of money
used by a person who does not share with anyone else
convenient located near...
cheap, inexpensive
leisure doing it slowly
doing it when you don't work
glorious involves great fame and success
very beautiful and impressive
facility something that you find easy to do
equipment or buildings provided
3. Refer to 'North America' paragraph and answer these questions:
1.Say the opposites of 'growing', 'including', 'famous', 'luxury', 'major'.
2.What North American cities are mentioned?
3.Write the towns where these hotels are located:
The King Edward ______
The Westbury______
The Palace Hotel______
The Plaza of the Americas______
4.What are Travelodges?
5.Where are they located?
4. Fill in the blanks with appropriate expressions from the box below:
fifty, luxury, lady, long-established, view, magnificent, fascination, renowned, comfortable, towers, supervised
1.Elderly people prefer ...... hotels.
2.This is a ...... hotel. It dates back to the last century.
3.Our hotel is ...... for its friendly hospitality.
4.We can offer you the choice of ...... hotels all over the country.
5.I am touched by the ...... of this old traditional hotel.
6.He is rich enough to afford a ...... hotel.
7.This hotel is renowned for its romantic ...... view of the lake.
8.This hotel ...... 35 storeys above the main street.
9.Mrs. Cooper was a wealthy old-fashioned ...... who liked to stay in a small hotel.
10.The Beverley is a homely hotel personally ...... by the proprietor.
ITT Sheraton Corporation
Sixty State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 U£4
ITT Sheraton Corporation properties include nearly 450 Hotels, Resorts, All-Suites in 62 countries around the world and Inns in the United States and Canada.
HOTELS. Located in major gateway cities and business centres around the world, ITT Sheraton Hotels have recently been improved and renovated and feature high quality facilities and amenities including graciously appointed guest rooms, multiple dining and entertainment facilities, fitness centres, meeting rooms and business services.
Resorts.ITT Sheraton Resorts offer accommodation for leisure and business travellers in many exiting
and exotic destinations around the globe. From spectacular oceanfront locations to golf, tennis and ski resorts, ITT Sheraton Resorts offer abundant recreational facilities and personal services which make guests' holiday unforgettable.
All-Suites. ITT Sheraton Suites offer additional space and feature two-room suites with living/dining area, bedroom and luxury bath as well as additional comforts of excellent value.
Inns. ITT Sheraton Inns are designed to meet the needs and budgets of the midscale traveller. Generally smaller in size and more informal than hotels, Sheraton Inns are conveniently located in medium to large cities and suburban areas. They offer clean guest rooms, full restaurant and meeting facilities and consistent quality service.
Are these statements true or false? Tick () the correct box
Sheraton Hotels are owned by ITT T F
Sheraton hotels are nearly 450 T F
There are no Sheraton inns outside the USA T F
Dining facilities refer to restaurants and bars T F
Resorts are sporting and recreational places T F
Sheraton resorts are only seaside resorts T F
Sheraton suites include two rooms and a bath T F
Inns are less expensive than hotels T F
Consistent service is equivalent to fair quality service T F
A midscale traveller is one who travels on a limited budget T F
BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL
The world of Best Western is made of more than 3400 hotels in 46 countries. In Italy Best Western represents 76 three-, four- and five- star hotels in the most important artistic and business cities, and in selected tourist or spa location by the sea, by the lakes, in the mountain. The Best Western quality is the result of the successful combination of an independent, individual management of every hotel with the compliance of strict quality standards, set at international levels. Every year every hotel undergoes a complete check of its services, conducted by a specialized independent organization.
We are proud to introduce you to the Best Western hospitality, giving you the opportunity to become member of the new Best Western Gold Crown Club International, a privilege reserved to our preferred clientele. You can become member easily and free of charge. Ask for more information to your nearest Best Western office. The Gold Crown Club Card is acknowledged in all Best Western Hotels in Europe and throughout the world. Every stay in one of our hotels entitles the bearer to a preferred treatment and to receive a number of points based on the total expense. The points can be used for your next stay in our hotels.
Useful Verbs
to be made of (essere composto di), to set (stabilire), to undergo (subire, essere sottoposto a), to be proud (essere orgoglioso), to introduce (presentare), to entitle (dare diritto), to be entitled to (aver diritto a), to be used (essere usato), to lie (trovarsi, essere situato).
Practice
1. Refer to the table below and write ten sentences
IWe
This hotel
This card
This chain
This brochure / are
can obtain
lies
stay
illustrates
entitles
is made of
is renowned for
prefer
is provided with / at your hotel two weeks a year
the comforts of a luxury hotel
a computerized reservation system
open all the year
its excellent French cuisine
500 hotels spread in Europe and USA
the bearer to get several advantages
a free colour brochure on request
the range of our services
close to Congress Theatre
2. Comprehension Questions
How many hotels does Best Western comprise?
How many countries have Best Western hotels?
How many Best Western hotels are in Italy?
Where are they?
Are they all under the same management?
What does every hotel do to maintain the same quality standard?
How can you get the Gold Crown Club Card?
Shall we have to pay to become a member of the Gold Crown Club Card?
What advantages does the Card offer?
2. Use the following words and phrases in sentences of your own
made of / selected / combination / management / standard / undergo / be proud of / free of charge / entitle / based on
All Concorde Hotels offer the outstanding features of the grand hotel tradition, yet each exemplifies luxury and quality service in a truly distinctive manner. From exceptional grand hotels to traditional establishments, each has its own unique style and atmosphere. To facilitate your choice, we have grouped them into four categories:
PRIVILEGE GOLD
World-renowned grand hotels. Their superb locations, architecture and decor, services and gourmet cuisine set them apart. Hotels in this category are part of the cultural or historical heritage of the country in which they are located. A stay in one of these hotels is always a unique and unforgettable experience.
PRIVILEGE RED
World-class hotels offering prestigious locations in a city centre or a top tourist destination. The attentive, personalized service provided by these hotels meets your most exacting expectations.
TRADITION BLUE
For tourist or business travel, the finest traditional hotels in the city or neighborhood. They offer refined settings, gracious hospitality and high standards of service.
TRADITION GREEN
Intimate or discreet hotels ideally located near a leisure or business centre. They offer high quality, traditional service and all the comfort of a fine establishment.
In true grand hotel tradition, Concorde Hotels put their expertise at your service throughout your vacation. Many establishments offer package stays that bring you uncompromising Concorde comfort along with an opportunity to pursue your favourite activities according to four main themes:Winning Sensations(Intense stimulating activities which provide a real sense of challenge and accomplishment: race car driving, deep sea fishing, bull fighting...);Culture and Lifestyle( Culturally enriching excursions and visits which broaden your horizons as they acquaint you with the surrounding region: celebrated châteaux, arts and traditions, gastronomy, concerts...);Health, Fitness and Balance(Flexible programs geared to your pace... designed to energize your body and soothe your soul: hydrotherapy, Jacuzzi, relaxing, revitalizing care...);Sports and Leisure(A variety of team and solo sports to help you reach new levels of personal achievement, or simply learn something new: golf, tennis, water skiing, archery...).
Practice
1. Here is a table showing the categories of Concorde hotels. Fill in the blank boxes.
CATEGORY / HOTEL TYPE / HOTEL LOCATION / HOTEL FEATURESPrivilege Gold Hotels / World-renowned grand hotel
Privilege Red Hotels / They provide attentive, personalized service so as to meet the most demanding guests' expectations.
They are traditional hotels located in the city or neighborhood.
Tradition Green Hotels
2. Match the expressions on the left with their appropriate completion on the right.
1.A package stay is / a.a state or situation in which all the different parts involved have the right amount of importance, influence or strength.2.'Pursue' means / b.equivalent to 'feel calmer, relieved, alleviated, at one's ease'.
3.Challenge refers to / c.substituted by verbs like fit, suit, tailor, adapt
4.Lifestyle refers to / d.a trademark for a large circular bath which is fitted with a device that makes the water swirl around.
5.Pace is / e.the speed at which someone does something.
6.The word 'leisure' recalls / f.an offer which includes a number of items, all of which must be accepted if the offer as a whole is accepted.
7.A Jacuzzi is / g.a parson or group of people whose conditions, behaviour and habits are typical of them.
8.'Gear to' may be / h.something new and exciting or difficult which you have the opportunity of doing and which requires great effort and determination if you are going to succeed.
9.Soothe your soul is / i.to continue to do or carry out something we are interested in.
10.Balance refers to / j.relaxation. It is the time when you are not working and you can relax.
There are over 700 Ramada Hotels spread in the United States and Canada. In order to meet the customers’ various needs, they are grouped as follows:
RAMADA LIMITEDS provide business travellers with attractive accommodation at a comfortable price and feature a generous continental breakfast buffet. Many Ramada Ltds have swimming pools.