Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Lafayette is Best Western chairman of the board

Previously he served as vice-chairman and a governor

Lafayette is Best Western chairman of the board

THE BWH HOTEL Group board of directors elected Danny Lafayette as board chairman for 2023. Previously, Lafayette served as vice-chairman of the board of directors and has been a Best Western owner for more than 40 years.

Lafayette also served as a Best Western governor for more than 25 years, according to the company. He was elected to the board of directors in 2018 to represent Best Western’s District VII, which includes the Northeastern region of the U.S. and the eastern provinces of Canada.


“I’m pleased to announce Danny Lafayette as our new chairman of the board,” said Larry Cuculic, BWH Hotel Group president and CEO. “Danny has been a trusted member of our organization for over four decades. His deep knowledge of our brand, together with his extensive industry experience, make Danny the ideal selection to serve as Chairman. I look forward to working alongside Danny and his colleagues on the board of directors as we continue to grow our brand, deliver industry-leading customer care to our guests, and drive superior revenue to our hoteliers.”

Lafayette has been involved with the Maine Innkeepers Association, where he served as president and a member of the board for several years. Lafayette was also named the recipient of the association’s Community Service Award and was chosen as the association’s “Innkeeper of the Year.”

“It is an honor to be elected as the chairman of the board for BWH Hotel Group,” said Lafayette. “As a longtime member and leader of Best Western, I have witnessed first-hand our journey to becoming a global hospitality powerhouse. I am proud to be a part of this incredible family of hoteliers and I look forward to working with my fellow directors and our outstanding team of associates to help lead our great brand into an even brighter future ahead.”

In 2009, Lafayette and his wife raised funds to help build the Lafayette Family Cancer Institute. He also served on the board of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce as well as the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross, and was president of the Bangor Breakfast Kiwanis Club. Lafayette served on the board for Northern Light Health for 14 years until he termed off the board in 2020. He was also involved with Northern Light Health’s finance and safety/quality committees.

Lafayette graduated from Hampden Academy in 1973. He later went on to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1977. He served five years as an Infantry Officer on active duty in the U.S. Army, and several years in the inactive reserves.

In addition to the election of Lafayette as chairman, the board also elected Phil Payne as vice chairman and Steve Wahrlich as secretary treasurer. Recently, Rajesh “Raj” Patel and Santosh Khanjee also were elected to the board of directors as directors for District IV and District V respectively.

In December, BWH Hotel Group announced it would offer cashless tipping to guests via eTip and Visa. The function will allow guests to express gratitude to hotel associates through pre-selected or custom tipping in the U.S. and Canada.

More for you

Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less
Newly renovated Marriott Saddle Brook hotel in New Jersey, now managed by Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge to manage Marriott in Saddle Brook, NJ

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. has added the Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service portfolio.
  • The renovated property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.
  • Located 20 miles from New York City, it is near the Meadowlands Sports Complex, Garden State Plaza and Hackensack University Medical Center.

STONEBRIDGE COS. RECENTLY added the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service managed portfolio. The property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.

Keep ReadingShow less
International bookings drop at US mountain hotels; occupancy dips despite rate hikes, DestiMetrics reports

Report: Travel decline weighs on western resorts

Summary:

  • International tourism to U.S. western mountain destinations fell in May, lowering occupancy 0.7 percent, according to DestiMetrics.
  • Summer booking hesitancy persisted as bookings from Canada, Europe and Mexico declined.
  • DestiMetrics tracks data from about 28,000 lodging units across 17 mountain destinations in seven western states.

MOUNTAIN DESTINATIONS IN the western U.S. saw a drop in international tourism in May amid economic uncertainty, affecting resort occupancy, according to DestiMetrics. ADR rose 2 percent, while occupancy fell 0.7 percent year over year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salamander D.C. Joins Preferred Hotels’ Legend Collection
Photo credit: Salamander Collection

Salamander D.C. joins Preferred’s Legend Collection

Summary:

  • The 373-key Salamander Washington, D.C. joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection after a full renovation.
  • The hotel is part of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, led by founder and CEO Sheila Johnson.
  • Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the largest independent hotel brand, with more than 600 properties in 80 countries.

SALAMANDER WASHINGTON, D.C., located on the city’s southwest waterfront, joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection. The 373-room hotel recently completed a property-wide renovation that includes updated communal spaces, redesigned guest suites, a two-level Salamander Spa and Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi.

Keep ReadingShow less