ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The Disneyland Resort announced that it has proposed a wage offer that includes an increase to minimum rates of 36 percent over the three-year span of the contract. This would put its Master Services cast members at $15 per hour by 2020, two years ahead of California’s minimum wage. The offer was made in April as part of the resort’s ongoing contract negotiations with the Master Services Council, which represents the company’s two largest labor contracts, and includes approximately 9,500 hourly cast members. “Disneyland Resort has created 10,000 new jobs in the last decade—and that’s just the beginning,” said...

BOSTON—Executives from Omni Hotels & Resorts along with Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and New Boston Hospitality, broke ground on the highly anticipated Omni Boston Seaport Hotel. The city’s fourth largest hotel will reflect the rich history of the city of Boston. “This project’s hotel, retail, restaurant and outdoor space is a welcome addition to Boston’s Seaport District and will lead to expanded economic opportunities for many businesses within the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration looks forward to continuing to work together with partners at the local level and in the...

LAHAINA, HAWAII—Following on the heels of Earth Day, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa announced a new program, allowing guests to participate in thoughtfully-designed ocean adventures with paddle boarders, boat captains, canoe racers, and others who want to share their respect for the water and passion for the environment with travelers, while giving back to the local community. These watermen and women will also lead guests to learn about the national marine sanctuary fronting Ka’anapali Beach and the importance of “malama aina” (“protecting the land”) through the beach clean-up activity as the sun rises above the majestic Mauna Kahalawai...

AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE—ECI Development announced plans to introduce the Marriott Hotels’ namesake brand to Belize with a project designed for customers seeking a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle. The hotel will grace Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island known for its world-class scuba diving, fishing, water sports and white sandy beaches. “We are thrilled to bring the Marriott Hotels’ brand to Ambergris Caye, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful island destinations with famed access to the Belize Barrier Reef and dive sites,” said Michael K. Cobb, Chairman and CEO of ECI Development. “Known for developing inspired residences for adventurous souls across Latin America...

CAYE CHAPEL, BELIZE—Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announced plans for the development of Caye Chapel, a private island in Belize featuring oceanfront estates, private residences and overwater bungalows. Scheduled to open in 2021, the project is in partnership with Thor Urbana, Inmobilia Desarrollos and GFA Grupo Inmobiliario, three leading real estate development groups based in Mexico. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Caye Chapel, Belize will transform the intimate private island of Caye Chapel into a luxury destination for residence owners and leisure travelers, with approximately 50 Private Estate lots, 35 Private Residences, and 100 guestrooms and suites. Caye Chapel is...

KANSAS CITY, MO.—Josh Smith, Senior Transaction Counsel for CleanFund Commercial PACE Capital in Sausalito, Calif., is seeing changes in how hotel developers finance their efficiency projects and that is good news for the environment and hoteliers alike. “Hospitality is where we are seeing our largest growth,” says Smith, whose company specializes in long-term financing for energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy and seismic improvements for commercial, multifamily and other nonresidential properties in the United States. CleanFund provides private capital for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE), a financing structure adopted in 33 states and the District of Columbia that allows...

MOLINE, ILL.—Element Hotels, part of Marriott International, and Ctwo Hotels, announced the opening of Element Moline, marking the debut of the eco-conscious, extended-stay brand in Illinois. With the support and inspiration of the Moline Historic Society, Element Moline offers guests eco-friendly and wellness-focused amenities within the historical surroundings of one of Moline’s oldest buildings. Part of the hotel is housed in the O’Rourke Building, a warehouse that was originally built in 1916. “We are thrilled to be bringing Element Hotels to Illinois for the first time with the opening of this landmark property,” said Marlon Whyte, Senior Global Brand Director...

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF.—Montage Hotels & Resorts announced plans to manage and operate the new Montage Healdsburg. Owned by Ohana Real Estate Investors and developed by The Robert Green Company, the 130-room Montage Healdsburg will begin construction in spring 2018 and will open in the heart of California’s wine country in Sonoma County in spring 2020. A collection of Montage Residences is planned for a future phase of development and will include single-family built homes as well as custom home sites. Montage Healdsburg will be settled among the oak trees and vine covered hills just a short distance from historic and...

MINNEAPOLIS—Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, a leading upper midscale hotel brand, announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bakersfield, Calif., located at 2310 Wible Road. The hotel recently completed a $2 million renovation which includes upgrades throughout the hotel, along with the installation of new technology to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint. These additions include solar panels, LED lights, a temperature control system to reduce energy consumption and charging stations for hybrid cars. “We are proud to see this refreshed and environmentally friendly hotel be the first to open under our brand’s new name, Country Inn...

SAN FRANCISCO—Argonaut Hotel, an award-winning boutique hotel on San Francisco’s waterfront, announced it has been named an SF Green Business by the San Francisco Department of the Environment, as a result of its year-long efforts to implement comprehensive eco-friendly initiatives at the hotel and its popular Blue Mermaid Restaurant & Bar. Located in the historic Haslett Warehouse in the heart of the San Francisco Maritime National Park, the Argonaut is one of the most iconic San Francisco hotels leading the charge on sustainable hospitality, to preserve and protect the building and its environment. Originally built as a 200,000 square foot...