Latest news with #BestWestern
Skift
23-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Tax-Free Tips? Hotels Hope Proposed Bill Will Help Fill Jobs
Hotel companies are betting that a potential federal tax break on tips could be a helpful recruitment tool to fill thousands of open positions and keep experienced workers from leaving the industry. The U.S. Senate and House passed legislation this week that would affect the take-home pay of tipped workers, including hundreds of thousands of hotel employees who provide housekeeping, food and beverage, bellhop, and concierge services. The topics of tips and taxes and are politically sensitive. Many of the hotel companies we reached out to didn't want to speak about it. But here's what the industry's hope is: Tax-free tips might make the country's 2.17 million hotel jobs more appealing. "This tax exemption is huge," said David Kong, the former CEO of BWH Group (Best Western). "I hope it will hel
Trade Arabia
20-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
BWH Hotels signs contracts for eight new hotels at FHS
BWH Hotels, a global hospitality network comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, showcased its significant Middle East growth and commitment to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 tourism plan at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2025 in Riyadh. The company signed eight new hotels, including WorldHotels King Road in Jeddah, The Breeze Hotel in Al Khobar, Best Western Premier in Riyadh, Premier Madinah Hotel in Madinah, Best Western Centria Hotel in Riyadh, SureStay Plus in Madinah, SureStay Studio in Acacia Hotel, and SureStay Studio in Sweet Home Hotel. These landmark hotels join BWH Hotels' fast-growing portfolio in the region, which includes the WorldHotels Crafted Sunflower Resort, Aiden Shades Hotel, Best Western Plus Hotel in Makkah, and the Executive Residency Al by Best Western Shafa Hotel in Jeddah. Ron Pohl, President of International Operations for BWH Hotels and President of WorldHotels, headlined the TenX Leadership Talk with moderator and former BBC journalist Jessy El Murr. During the discussion Pohl shared insights on the critical role mid-scale and upscale hotels play in diversifying travel across the region, the importance of flexible brand architecture and industry trends surrounding technology and sustainability. 'The Middle East, and Saudi Arabia in particular, is a high-priority growth region for BWH Hotels. With Vision 2030 driving transformational investments in tourism, we see a significant opportunity to align with the Kingdom's goals,' said Pohl. 'With 19 hotels in the Middle East and 22 currently in the pipeline, we are embedding ourselves in the region's bright future.' -TradeArabia News Service
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police seek suspect in National City parking lot stabbing
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — An early morning fight in a National City parking lot turned into a stabbing and the suspect has not yet been caught by police. National City Police arrived at 700 Bay Marina Drive at 2:21 a.m. Saturday to find a man who had been stabbed and was bleeding a lot. His condition was unknown as of Saturday evening. Suspected DUI driver arrested after six-car crash in Pacific Beach According to the police department, the stabbing happened after an altercation broke out in the parking lot that houses the new Sessions by the Bay cannabis lounge, Kimball Bar & Eatery and Best Western Marina Gateway Hotel. Neither the cannabis lounge or the bar were open at that time. Officers reports several vehicles were involved and they believe the suspect took off in a vehicle toward I-5. Authorities report no arrests were made yet as of Saturday evening. Check back for updates on this developing story Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former Portsmouth track coach charged with attempting to pay for sex with minor
A former assistant track coach at Portsmouth High School is facing charges he attempted to pay cash for sex with a 14-year-old female who was an undercover federal agent last month at a Maine hotel. Joseph Auger, 27, of Portsmouth, was charged April 25 with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, alleging he "knowingly" attempted to "entice, obtain, patronize and solicit by any means a 14-year-old girl ... to engage in a commercial sex act." According to court documents, Auger allegedly gave $150 in cash to federal agents at a Best Western hotel in South Portland, Maine, according to a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Maine by HSI Special Agent Abby Mathieu. No minors were involved in the sting operation, the affidavit states. Portsmouth schools Superintendent Zach McLaughlin notified the high school community that Auger had been fired from coaching job on April 30, the same day a federal agent notified school officials of their investigation. Auger is a former athlete at Portsmouth High School, where he ran track. 'Effective immediately, Joseph Auger, an assistant coach from our track team, has been removed from his position due to a legal matter that has come to our attention,' McLaughlin's message said. 'While we understand that news like this can be concerning, I want to assure you that the current legal investigation is not directly connected to the coach's work with our students or athletic program. We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students.' According to the affidavit, on or around April 24, law enforcement agents posted an advertisement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts, containing images of what appeared to be two young females who were 'Ready 2 have some fun,' among other sexually-charged phrases. The ad contained a contact phone number monitored by law enforcement agents, and an undercover agent 'used it to communicate with potential sex buyers, including Joseph Auger,' the affidavit says. Agents monitoring the line pretended to be the sister of a 14-year-old girl available to perform sex acts for money. The affidavit alleges Auger texted the number from one phone saying it would be "messed up" to have sexual relations with a 14-year-old, but then allegedly texted the number from a different phone and arranged to meet the girl. The affidavit claims Auger went to the Best Western Hotel in South Portland after he was given the address by agents pretending to be the sister of the 14-year-old. 'The defendant arrived at the hotel in a Toyota Tundra, NH registration MONKEE,' the affidavit says. 'The defendant parked his vehicle at the front of the hotel, walked around the backside of the hotel and approached (an undercover agent) who was standing in front of the hotel room. The defendant confirmed he was there for the minor female. He said he had the money and pulled money from his front pocket and gave it to (the undercover agent).' The affidavit says Auger was given a hotel key to the hotel room. Law enforcement then arrested him and took him into custody, later locating his phone in the vehicle. Auger was escorted to a conference room in the hotel, where he was read his Miranda Rights and signed a form agreeing to waive his rights and speak with law enforcement, the affidavit says. He allegedly told investigators he communicated with advertisements on the website prior to that day. 'The defendant initially stated he was going to save the 14-year-old, but later stated that he wanted to have sex with the 14-year-old girl and brought the $150 as payment for a quick visit,' the affidavit says. 'He stated this is the first time he has tried to have sex with a minor female.' An attempt to reach Auger's attorney, William Bly, for comment was unsuccessful. A recent court filing shows federal prosecutors requesting an extension to indict Auger, with responses due by May 22.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The migrant hotel that has turned a quiet country idyll upside down. Locals complaine loitering asylum seekers ask for cash and even peer through our windows
Locals are pleading for a migrant hotel on a quiet country road to be shut down because its residents are making their lives a misery. The Sandpiper Hotel, just outside historic Chesterfield in rural Derbyshire, has been used to accommodate asylum seekers for around two years. But residents claim antisocial behaviour by the residents is now getting out of hand, complaining of noise, litter and groups of men 'loitering', asking for money and looking through people's windows. One said there had been a slump in local house prices. The hotel, which has 46 bedrooms, was previously a three-star Best Western popular with visitors to the Peak District before it closed down. The site was then reopened under a Home Office contract to house asylum seekers, though locals claimed they were 'not consulted'. In December 2023, a 27-year-old man living at the hotel was arrested on suspicion of possessing explosives, although he was later released on bail pending inquiries - with officers saying nothing found at the site posed any danger to the public. Today, locals living on an otherwise quiet and peaceful street near the hotel complained of the disruption it was causing to their lives. Shannon Freeman, 31, said: 'We see the comings and goings. 'They have been on the street looking through people's windows. We got cameras and that seemed to stop. 'The police were there just a couple of minutes ago. 'I have been here since this street was built three years ago and the asylum seekers have been here for two years. 'They were fine at first. It is only in the last six months they have started to behave in a bad way. 'We have been warned on Facebook not to walk on the trail behind the Sandpiper because of talk of men following women through the park. 'We don't know their history or where they come from and the walk backs directly onto the hotel.' Gary Cook's family used to own the hotel but it changed hands a number of times before the contract with the Home Office. Mr Cook, who lives nearby, said: 'I think there are about 80 blokes in there and it has lowered the value of the houses around here and it is not great for the hotel. 'I think it is totally run down now. So it will be hard to get over the stigma and turn it back into a hotel. 'It is not an ideal scenario. It is a shame to see it laid to waste. I do blame profiteering by the hotel groups.' Chelsea Lodge, a 23-year-old mother of two, declared: 'I have come off the bus three times and they have been running up asking for money. 'So, I would rather just get rid of them to be honest. I don't know why they have put them here. I know most of them are all right but there are a few that are not sensible to be around. 'It is not right that they are there and the homeless do not get anything. It is not an ideal hotel for them anyway. 'I have been walking in the woods at the back with my partner and we have had two guys walking behind us. We wondered what are they doing. 'There are a lot of kids around here. They are building a kiddie's play park too. It is just not the right area for asylum seekers.' Mother-of-one Marina Tamasauskas, 41, whose grandfather was from Lithuania, said: 'I am not racist but they are causing problems. 'They have been loitering on the streets. One of the blokes was filming out the windows. 'My girl is in Year Six and and normally walks home alone from school. 'But I had to walk up and get her a couple of months ago when we heard some men were hanging around.' Caroline Winn, a 38-year-old mother of four, said: 'It needs to stop. It used to be a beautiful hotel. 'We see groups of them walking up the road in the middle of the night with bats and golf clubs. They are not going to play golf are they? 'I cannot let my 14-year-old daughter walk my dog any more up and down the trail. Two girls got accosted, filmed, and harassed by them. 'There is no problem with people who come here and want to work and contribute. It is just sad that my daughter cannot walk her dog any more.' Rosie Furniss, 29, added: 'It is not ideal. I have a four month old boy and dare not take him for a walk with the dog because I have heard of them following young girls. 'The bomb squad were there not long ago. The hotel was meant to be accommodating women and children here but it is only younger men. 'I dare not leave my house sometimes on my own. It is good I have a big dog but I don't feel safe. We are actually considering moving because of this. 'The things I have heard about what is going on there make me feel we just have to move. It is a shame. But I just cannot see another way. 'If you complain you get called racist. But how they are acting has got nothing to do with race.' Residents living directly opposite the hotel were keen to give their opinions but not their names because of fear of being targeted. One woman said: 'They're just messy. They throw things on the floor and don't pick them up and put their washing on the shrubbery across the road. I just wish it was not happening. 'I take no notice of them most of the time but they are not very friendly. I was trying to get off the bus with a lot of shopping and had to squeeze past six of them getting on.' A male pensioner added: 'They are getting everything for nothing and don't know how to behave. When they have a drink of coffee they just chuck the cup away. They cannot be made to tidy up. 'You cannot go in to complain because when you get to the door someone from the Home Office comes out and tells us they can do what they like. 'There used to be a number so you could ring up the hotel but that has gone. It is getting out of hand and all we can do is complain to one another. 'I have never voted Tory but I would not not vote for Labour now to save my life. The local elections will show them which way the wind is blowing.' Another woman said: 'They keep themselves to themselves. But no one was consulted about them moving in. They just appeared. 'We had no idea. It was a derelict hotel they took over. The worst thing is they chuck litter everywhere or are sitting around smoking weed. 'If they come here for asylum they should at least put their rubbish in the bin. I have a sixteen year old daughter and don't feel she can walk on the trail behind the hotel because there are so many of them walking around in groups. 'We don't know their history. If you go off the beaten track you do not know if you are being followed. 'My daughter likes to go for a run but she cannot go where she wants because as a female she does not feel safe.' Police were called to reports of a man acting suspiciously at the Sandpiper Hotel in on December 21. A 27-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances, contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. Officers confirmed at the time nothing at the hotel was found to pose any danger to the public and the man was released on police bail while inquiries continue.
