Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada. Owned and managed by VJ Management, the newly constructed 119-room hotel will delight business and leisure travelers with terrific service, comfortable and stylish guest rooms and everything guests need to travel the way they like for a great price. As a newly built hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Saskatoon exemplifies the brand’s revitalized look, showcasing the Four Points signature classic yet modern style.

The hotel’s lobby offers complimentary Internet terminals in the family room. The guest rooms and suites feature a work area, flat-screen television, free bottled water and free high-speed Internet. And guests can get a great night’s sleep in the brand’s signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed featuring a plush mattress, assortment of pillows and stylish duvet. Jacuzzi suites include more room to work and relax, plus pull-out sofa beds. All-day dining is available at Ric’s Grill, while local craft brews are served at Ric’s Lounge, courtesy the brand’s signature Best Brews program. Additional amenities include a beer and wine outlet, indoor pool, whirlpool and waterslide, state-of-the-art fitness room, and approximately 1,100 square feet of meeting and conference facilities. For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

The Resort Company LLC, a ski resort property management group operating in Vail, Beaver Creek and Steamboat Springs, Colo., has assumed management responsibility of BlueSky Breckenridge, in Breckenridge, Colo., beginning July 12. “BlueSky Breckenridge fits perfectly into our portfolio of one-of-a-kind vacation properties,” said Bob Milne, president and CEO for The Resort Company. “We have developed a niche for providing high-end hotel style services to condominium owners and guests, which will be complemented by the premiere condominiums and guest amenities at BlueSky Breckenridge.”

Located in the heart of Breckenridge, three blocks from town, BlueSky boasts ski-in/ski-out convenience to Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Snowflake chairlift accessing Peaks 8 and 9. The property includes 52 condominium residences with lodging options ranging from one to four bedrooms. Amenities include The Spa at Breckenridge, an outdoor heated swimming pool and three hot tubs, a game room, fitness center, lobby bar, Charter Sports retail and rental shop, ski valet service, slope-side resident’s locker room, business center, heated underground parking, complimentary shuttle service to downtown, and meeting space for up to 180 people. Under The Resort Company’s advisement, condominium amenities now include Wi-Fi, Aveda bath products, bathrobes and flat-screen HD televisions. The Resort Company also will offer a complimentary bottle of wine in guest rooms upon arrival in the wintertime.

Keith Odza has been named general manager of BlueSky Breckenridge. He has 16 years of property management experience and has run properties in Vail and Steamboat Springs. “Keith has been GM at Montaneros in Vail for the past eight years, a similarly upscale boutique property,” said Milne. “His philosophy of highly personalized service is exactly what we want for BlueSky. Under Keith’s management, Montaneros has enjoyed one of the highest repeat guest rates in our portfolio of properties, which we can attribute to the level of guest service and attention to detail provided by Keith and his staff.”

The Resort Company also will offer owners and guests of BlueSky access to its in-house reservations and travel department. The department will provide full-service planning and all-inclusive packages with airline travel, lodging, lift tickets, transfers and rental cars.

The Resort Company is offering introductory lodging packages for the summer and coming winter for reservations made by Aug. 31. Guests also can book their airfare, lift tickets and transfers. For more information, call 888-231-6613 or visit www.blueskybreckenridgecolorado.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada. Owned and managed by VJ Management, the newly constructed 119-room hotel will delight business and leisure travelers with terrific service, comfortable and stylish guest rooms and everything guests need to travel the way they like for a great price. As a newly built hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Saskatoon exemplifies the brand’s revitalized look, showcasing the Four Points signature classic yet modern style.

The hotel’s lobby offers complimentary Internet terminals in the family room. The guest rooms and suites feature a work area, flat-screen television, free bottled water and free high-speed Internet. And guests can get a great night’s sleep in the brand’s signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed featuring a plush mattress, assortment of pillows and stylish duvet. Jacuzzi suites include more room to work and relax, plus pull-out sofa beds. All-day dining is available at Ric’s Grill, while local craft brews are served at Ric’s Lounge, courtesy the brand’s signature Best Brews program. Additional amenities include a beer and wine outlet, indoor pool, whirlpool and waterslide, state-of-the-art fitness room, and approximately 1,100 square feet of meeting and conference facilities. For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

InterContinental Hotels Group announced that Priority Club members who become Topguest members will now be awarded loyalty points with each geolocation check-in at any one of its more than 4,400 hotels across the globe. Topguest is a new platform that gives travelers loyalty points and rewards for “check-ins” on all major location-based-services (LBS) applications, including Foursquare, Twitter, Gowalla, Yelp, Loopt and Google Latitude. IHG is the first global hotel company to partner with Topguest.

With each “check-in” on any major LBS application, members will receive 50 Priority Club points, up to 50 points per day. Points will be deposited into members’ Priority Club Rewards accounts within six weeks of the check-in. Priority Club points can be redeemed for rewards such as hotel stays, flights, or dining and shopping certificates. For more information on how to earn Priority Club points for geolocation check-ins, and to join Topguest, visit www.Topguest.com.  Membership into Topguest and Priority Club Rewards are free. For more information on InterContinental Hotels Group, visit www.ihg.com.

The European hotel industry posted mixed results in year-over-year metrics when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for June 2010, according to data compiled by STR Global. “The first half of 2010 showed again a split across Europe in performance,” said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. “Hotels in Western and Northern Europe led the way in ADR improvements (in euro-terms), whilst Southern and Eastern European hotels struggled to convert the occupancy gains into improved ADR. The month of June was the first month this year we saw ADR in Southern Europe improve over the same month last year. Whilst demand growth was stronger in Eastern Europe (10 percent year-to-date) than in Southern Europe (9 percent YTD), the additional supply entering Eastern Europe (up 3 percent YTD) limited performance. Southern Europe saw only a 0.7 percent supply increase for the first six months”

Highlights from key market performers for June include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in euros): Munich, Germany, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 26.3 percent to 77 percent, followed by Frankfurt, Germany, with a 20.7 percent increase to 66.5 percent. Four key markets posted occupancy decreases -- Malmo, Sweden (down 4.9 percent to 65.2 percent); Birmingham, England (down 2.1 percent to 64.6 percent); Gothenburg, Sweden (down 1.9 percent to 70.5 percent); and Manchester, England (down 0.9 percent to 71.2 percent). Four markets reported ADR increases of more than 15 percent -- Munich (up 35 percent to 123.10 euros); Tel Aviv, Israel (up 25.6 percent to 191.92 euros); Geneva, Switzerland (up 9.2 percent to 230.93 euros); and Stockholm, Sweden (up 16.6 percent to 119.12 euros).

Copenhagen, Denmark, fell 22 percent in ADR to 99.51 euros, reporting the largest decrease in that metric. Venice, Italy, followed with a 16.5 percent decrease to 287.60 euros. Munich experienced the largest RevPAR increase, jumping 70.5 percent to 94.79 euros, followed by Tel Aviv with a 47.7 percent increase to 165.05 euros. Three markets posted double-digit RevPAR decreases -- Copenhagen (down 17.8 percent to 77.36 euros); Milan, Italy (down 11.5 percent to 77.68 euros); and Venice (down 10.5 percent to 195.74 euros).

Looking at performances of key countries in June (all monetary units in local currency), Germany’s occupancy was at 68.9 percent, a positive increase of 12.7 percent. ADR was 90.97 euros, an increase of 15.9 percent, and RevPAR was 62.67 euros, an increase of 30.6 percent. Italy’s occupancy was 62.3 percent, a jump of 8.5 percent. ADR was 136.75 euros, a decrease of 3.9 percent and RevPAR was 85.26 euros, an increase of 4.3 percent.

Russia’s occupancy was 67.2 percent, a 16 percent increase. ADR was RUB 6,000.57, a decrease of 9.3 percent, and RevPAR was RUB 4,033.35, an increase of 5.2 percent. Spain’s occupancy was at 67.3 percent, an improvement of 9.3 percent. ADR was 81.23 euros, an increase of 2.7 percent, and RevPAR was at 54.63 euros, a jump of 12.3 percent. The U.K.’s occupancy was at 76.6 percent, an increase of 5.3 percent. ADR was GBP 84.41, an increase of 2.6 percent, and RevPAR was GBP 64.62, an improvement of 8.1 percent. For more information, visit www.strglobal.com.

Hotels in the Asia Pacific region experienced increases in all three key performance metrics for June 2010 when reported in U.S. dollars, according to data compiled by STR Global. In year-over-year measurements, the Asia Pacific region’s occupancy rose 14.5 percent to 63.9 percent, average daily rate increased 10.8 percent to $121.83, and revenue per available room jumped 27 percent to $77.83. “Asia Pacific and its sub regions were the winners of the regions across the first half of this year,” said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. “All its sub regions reported growth in all three performance indicators for the first six months driven by overall improving economic conditions and rising demand. The year-to-date demand (occupied rooms) was unsurprisingly up on year-to-date 2009 (up 16 percent), but also was up on year-to-date 2008 (up 2 percent) and just up on pre-crisis levels of the first six months of 2007 (up 0.4 percent). With an overall steady increase of new supply, the recovered demand creates a solid base for the region to continue its RevPAR recovery for the rest of the year.”

With a boost from the Expo 2010, held May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010, Shanghai, China, achieved the largest increases in all three key performance metrics. Occupancy rose 60.3 percent to 78.2 percent, ADR was up 30.5 percent to $135.51, and RevPAR soared 109.2 percent to $105.96. Three markets, besides Shanghai, reported occupancy increases of more than 20 percent -- Beijing, China (up 33.5 percent to 66.3 percent); Hong Kong, China (up 26.9 percent to 77.2 percent); and Osaka, Japan (up 22 percent to 72.7 percent). Bangkok, Thailand, posted the largest occupancy decrease, falling 25.8 percent to 34.9 percent. Phuket, Thailand, ended the month virtually flat with a 0.2 percent decrease to 36.3 percent.

Hong Kong (up 21.8 percent to $180.08) and Jakarta, Indonesia (up 21.5 percent to $81.21), reported the largest ADR increases behind Shanghai. Bangkok posted the only ADR decrease, falling 7.6 percent to $82.16. Excluding Shanghai, four markets ended the month with RevPAR increases of 30 percent or more -- Hong Kong (up 54.6 percent to $139.08); Beijing (up 41.2 percent to $63.52); Osaka (up 31.5 percent to $81.78); and Bali, Indonesia (up 30.1 percent to $103.47). Bangkok fell 31.4 percent in RevPAR to $28.68, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.

Looking at performances of key countries in June 2010 (all monetary units in local currency), Australia’s occupancy was at 70.1 percent, up 8.4 percent. ADR was at AUD 159.06, up 1 percent, and RevPAR was at AUD 111.46, an increase of 9.5 percent. China’s occupancy was at 62.4 percent, up 25.5 percent, and ADR was at CNY 750.36, a jump of 17.6 percent. RevPAR was CNY 468.41, up 47.6 percent. India’s occupancy was at 55.7 percent, up 9.6 percent, with ADR at INR 5,829.74, a decrease of 1.9 percent. RevPAR increased 7.5 percent to INR 3,247.77. Japan’s occupancy was at 69.2 percent, up 9.6 percent, with ADR at JPY 12,059.97, a decrease of 4.4 percent, and RevPAR at JPY 8,348.90, a jump of 4.8 percent. Occupancy in Singapore was at 87.4 percent, an increase of 19.5 percent; ADR was at SGD 269.58, an increase of 21.2 percent; and RevPAR was at SGD 235.66, an increase of 44.8 percent. For more information, visit www.strglobal.com.

The European hotel industry posted mixed results in year-over-year metrics when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for June 2010, according to data compiled by STR Global. “The first half of 2010 showed again a split across Europe in performance,” said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. “Hotels in Western and Northern Europe led the way in ADR improvements (in euro-terms), whilst Southern and Eastern European hotels struggled to convert the occupancy gains into improved ADR. The month of June was the first month this year we saw ADR in Southern Europe improve over the same month last year. Whilst demand growth was stronger in Eastern Europe (10 percent year-to-date) than in Southern Europe (9 percent YTD), the additional supply entering Eastern Europe (up 3 percent YTD) limited performance. Southern Europe saw only a 0.7 percent supply increase for the first six months”

Highlights from key market performers for June include (year-over-year comparisons, all currency in euros): Munich, Germany, achieved the largest occupancy increase, rising 26.3 percent to 77 percent, followed by Frankfurt, Germany, with a 20.7 percent increase to 66.5 percent. Four key markets posted occupancy decreases -- Malmo, Sweden (down 4.9 percent to 65.2 percent); Birmingham, England (down 2.1 percent to 64.6 percent); Gothenburg, Sweden (down 1.9 percent to 70.5 percent); and Manchester, England (down 0.9 percent to 71.2 percent). Four markets reported ADR increases of more than 15 percent -- Munich (up 35 percent to 123.10 euros); Tel Aviv, Israel (up 25.6 percent to 191.92 euros); Geneva, Switzerland (up 9.2 percent to 230.93 euros); and Stockholm, Sweden (up 16.6 percent to 119.12 euros).

Copenhagen, Denmark, fell 22 percent in ADR to 99.51 euros, reporting the largest decrease in that metric. Venice, Italy, followed with a 16.5 percent decrease to 287.60 euros. Munich experienced the largest RevPAR increase, jumping 70.5 percent to 94.79 euros, followed by Tel Aviv with a 47.7 percent increase to 165.05 euros. Three markets posted double-digit RevPAR decreases -- Copenhagen (down 17.8 percent to 77.36 euros); Milan, Italy (down 11.5 percent to 77.68 euros); and Venice (down 10.5 percent to 195.74 euros).

Looking at performances of key countries in June (all monetary units in local currency), Germany’s occupancy was at 68.9 percent, a positive increase of 12.7 percent. ADR was 90.97 euros, an increase of 15.9 percent, and RevPAR was 62.67 euros, an increase of 30.6 percent. Italy’s occupancy was 62.3 percent, a jump of 8.5 percent. ADR was 136.75 euros, a decrease of 3.9 percent and RevPAR was 85.26 euros, an increase of 4.3 percent.

Russia’s occupancy was 67.2 percent, a 16 percent increase. ADR was RUB 6,000.57, a decrease of 9.3 percent, and RevPAR was RUB 4,033.35, an increase of 5.2 percent. Spain’s occupancy was at 67.3 percent, an improvement of 9.3 percent. ADR was 81.23 euros, an increase of 2.7 percent, and RevPAR was at 54.63 euros, a jump of 12.3 percent. The U.K.’s occupancy was at 76.6 percent, an increase of 5.3 percent. ADR was GBP 84.41, an increase of 2.6 percent, and RevPAR was GBP 64.62, an improvement of 8.1 percent. For more information, visit www.strglobal.com.

The Resort Company LLC, a ski resort property management group operating in Vail, Beaver Creek and Steamboat Springs, Colo., has assumed management responsibility of BlueSky Breckenridge, in Breckenridge, Colo., beginning July 12. “BlueSky Breckenridge fits perfectly into our portfolio of one-of-a-kind vacation properties,” said Bob Milne, president and CEO for The Resort Company. “We have developed a niche for providing high-end hotel style services to condominium owners and guests, which will be complemented by the premiere condominiums and guest amenities at BlueSky Breckenridge.”

Located in the heart of Breckenridge, three blocks from town, BlueSky boasts ski-in/ski-out convenience to Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Snowflake chairlift accessing Peaks 8 and 9. The property includes 52 condominium residences with lodging options ranging from one to four bedrooms. Amenities include The Spa at Breckenridge, an outdoor heated swimming pool and three hot tubs, a game room, fitness center, lobby bar, Charter Sports retail and rental shop, ski valet service, slope-side resident’s locker room, business center, heated underground parking, complimentary shuttle service to downtown, and meeting space for up to 180 people. Under The Resort Company’s advisement, condominium amenities now include Wi-Fi, Aveda bath products, bathrobes and flat-screen HD televisions. The Resort Company also will offer a complimentary bottle of wine in guest rooms upon arrival in the wintertime.

Keith Odza has been named general manager of BlueSky Breckenridge. He has 16 years of property management experience and has run properties in Vail and Steamboat Springs. “Keith has been GM at Montaneros in Vail for the past eight years, a similarly upscale boutique property,” said Milne. “His philosophy of highly personalized service is exactly what we want for BlueSky. Under Keith’s management, Montaneros has enjoyed one of the highest repeat guest rates in our portfolio of properties, which we can attribute to the level of guest service and attention to detail provided by Keith and his staff.”

The Resort Company also will offer owners and guests of BlueSky access to its in-house reservations and travel department. The department will provide full-service planning and all-inclusive packages with airline travel, lodging, lift tickets, transfers and rental cars.

The Resort Company is offering introductory lodging packages for the summer and coming winter for reservations made by Aug. 31. Guests also can book their airfare, lift tickets and transfers. For more information, call 888-231-6613 or visit www.blueskybreckenridgecolorado.com.

The Kapalua Villas is offering the new “Villas Values” program that includes a $150 resort credit through Dec. 21. The credit is redeemable at the resort’s restaurants, stores, spa and other activity vendors. Rates start at $229 per night for a one-bedroom Gold Fairway. All Gold Villas feature private lanais, complete kitchens, and daily maid and laundry services. A four-night minimum stay is required for “Villas Values” reservations. The resort credit is a one-time $150 credit, per stay, and is not valid towards accommodations, the property’s resort fee, or taxes. The credit is automatically applied to the guest’s account upon check-out. For more information, call 800-545-0018 or visit www.outrigger.com/villavalues.