HOTEL CHAINSHotel 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.

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

Hotel Chains

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.

CaribbeanIn 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

Hotel Chains

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.

Hotel Chains

Practice1. 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.

Hotel Chains

ITT Sheraton CorporationSixty 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 £

Hotel Chains

B E S T W E S T E R N I N T E R N A T I O N A L

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

Hotel Chains

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).

Practice1. Refer to the table below and write ten sentences

IWeThis hotelThis cardThis chainThis brochure

arecan obtainliesstayillustratesentitlesis made ofis renowned forpreferis provided with

at your hotel two weeks a yearthe comforts of a luxury hotela computerized reservation systemopen all the yearits excellent French cuisine500 hotels spread in Europe and USAthe bearer to get several advantagesa free colour brochure on requestthe range of our servicesclose to Congress Theatre

2. Comprehension QuestionsHow 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 GOLDWorld-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 REDWorld-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

Hotel Chains

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 GREENIntimate 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...).

Practice1. Here is a table showing the categories of Concorde hotels. Fill in the blank boxes.

CATEGORY HOTEL TYPE HOTEL LOCATION HOTEL FEATURES

Privilege 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

Hotel Chains

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.

RAMADA PLAZA HOTELS, the premier hotels in the chain, provide a full range of facilities and services: swimming pools, fitness centres, business centres, extensive meeting facilities, extended room service, banqueting service, and refined restaurants.

RAMADA HOTELS are located at airports, in suburban office parks and in city centre. They provide fine restaurants, lounges, room service and a range of meeting and conference facilities.

RAMADA INNS are located within easy reach of most major motorways and offer families and business travellers a full-service hospitality at affordable rates. They also are provided with fine restaurants, attractive lounges, and sparkling pools.

Hotel Chains

RAMADA RESORTS offer extensive recreational facilities and comfortable accommodation at competitive rates. They provide families, couples and groups with swimming pools, whirlpools, health facilities, tennis courts and golf courses, restaurants, lounges, meeting facilities, and room service.

Practice1. Refer to the above text parts and find out synonyms to these words

1. abundant ......................................2. satisfy ......................................3. supply ......................................4. situated ......................................5. arranged ......................................6. appealing ......................................7. adequate ......................................8. present ......................................9. sitting-rooms ......................................10. equipment ......................................

2. Form compound nouns adding the appropriate item to the list below

Corn ........................... Football ..................... Play ........................... Golf ........................... Sports ........................ Tennis ....................... Ski ............................. Oil .............................

3. Answer these questions

1. Which type of hotel do you expect to find downtown?2. Which hotel does a motorist in transit prefer?3. Which hotel do well-to-do people go to?4. You love sports and recreational facilities. Which hotel would you like better?5. You want to find accommodation near the airport. Which hotel would you go to?

CAMPO

pitchrunsfield

coursecourtground

Hotel Chains

6. You are a group of business people intending to discuss business matters as well as to enjoy yourselves. Which hotel would you prefer?

Hotel Chains

Welcome to the World of

Space Hotels

Space Hotels is an association of individual hotels that are linked together by a reservations network. Space Hotels is run by its members and guarantees the highest level of service and reliability. Space hotels incorporates 50 hotels in Italy and over 600 worldwide, all of which are members of Supranational. All our hotels enjoy their own unique ambiance while guaranteeing the

highest level of service. The various categories of hotels offering a wide range of facilities and with hotels in both business cities and resorts we are able to accommodate your hotels requirements both in Italy and around the world. By calling our Toll Free number 1678-13013 you can book any of the 50 hotels in Italy or the 600 Supranational Hotels worldwide. We can help you select the most appropriate hotel to meet your needs free of charge.

Hotel Chains

Practice1. Read Space Hotels again and complete these sentences.

1. Space Hotels is a ............................................. operating worldwide.2. Every individual hotel ................................... the highest standard of service.3. We provide a wide range of facilities which meet the ........................... of the most

demanding guests.4. If you want to book call our ......................................... 1678 - 13013.5. Space Hotels ............................ over 600 hotels all over the world.6. Every hotel is ................................ to the others by a reservations network.7. You can find Space Hotels establishments in both ................................ and resorts.8. We incorporate various ........................... of hotels offering a wide range of

facilities.9. We can help you ............................ the most appropriate hotel free of charge.

2. Match the words in the first column with their opposites in the second column.

1. able a. separate / split off2. appropriate b. commonplace3. enjoy c. separately4. free d. unreliable5. high e. low6. incorporate f. unable / incapable7. linked g. local8. reliable h. costly9. together i. abhor / detest10. unique j. inappropriate11. wide k. narrow12. worldwide l. separated

3. Match the words in the first column with their synonyms in the second column.

a. linked a. suitable / fit / relevantb. together b. answer for / make certainc. network c. extensive / larged. run d. unequalled / incomparablee. reliable e. personalf. incorporate f. appreciate / take pleasure ing. enjoy g. combine / includeh. own h. faithful / trustworthyi. unique i. operate / administerj. wide j. interconnections / gridk. guarantee k. as one / side by sidel. appropriate l. connected

Hotel Chains

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF INTER-CONTINENTALThis group comprises Inter - Continental and Forum Hotels International.

Inter-Continental Hotels is the leading international company serving the needs of the international business traveller. A familiar name around the globe, Inter-Continental has been the preferred hotel brand of the world's business community for over 40 years with an unrivalled

network of over 85 luxury hotels in 42 countries.

Forum Hotels International was established in 1972 to complement the wide range of Inter-Continental hotels and to satisfy the requirement for high quality, moderately priced accommodation. Forum International is a

rapidly expanding brand within the Inter-Continental family with nearly 20 hotels worldwide.

Global Partner Hotels

In cities where Inter-Continental or Forum has no representation, the group has formed partnerships with selected hotels and resorts providing the frequent traveller with an even wider choice of luxury and first class accommodation at world renowned properties in key destinations around the globe.

Throughout the group you will find a philosophy which focuses clearly on understanding the needs of the business traveller by providing consistently high levels of comfort and service in the world's most important destinations. Because Inter-Continental concentrates on the needs of the international business traveller it has been the preferred hotel brand of the world's business community for more than 40 years. Therefore, we at Inter-Continental and Forum Hotels International are proud to be active participants in the Frequent Traveller Programmes of the following airlines:® American Airlines® Austrian Airlines® Canadian Airlines® Cathay Pacific

Hotel Chains

® KLM® Malaysian Airlines® SAS® Singapore Airlines® Swissair® TWA® United Airlines® Virgin Atlantic

Six Continents ClubDiscerning travellers regard membership of the Six Continents Club as indispensable. Through its history of more than twenty five years, the Six Continents Club has consistently provided frequent international travellers with the special recognition and service that they deserve.

The Six Continents Card

Some of the valuable membership privileges are:® Priority Reservations® Upgrade to Superior Room® Fresh Fruit and Mineral Water® Late Check-Out® Single Rate for Double Occupancy

Hotel Chains

Hotel Chains

Practice1. What is the meaning of these words? Cross the correct box.

brand £ a particular make of goods£ an identifying trade mark£ a strong alcoholic drink

consistently £ in harmony£ solidly, substantially£ with foundation

discerning £ having a good sight£ being able to judge£ being able to understand

leading £ very active£ keeping control over someone£ very important

partnership £ the state of working together£ a joint business£ a relationship between two people

network £ an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines£ a system of connected electrical conductors£ a chain of interconnected people, institutions, etc. working together as a system

recognition £ identification£ appreciation£ public acknowledgment

*focus on £ to set fire to£ to draw special attention to something£ to adjust an instrument

*complement £ to add, to enhance£ to conclude£ to stand on ceremonies

proud £ satisfied£ arrogant, disdainful£ honoured and pleased

2. Write the adjectives corresponding to these nouns

family ....familiar............

globe .................................

preference .................................

satisfaction .................................

world .................................

frequency .................................

representation .................................

consistency .................................

pride .................................

importance .................................

Hotel Chains

recognition .................................

reservation .................................

rapidity .................................

width .................................

3. Answer these questions

1. What does Inter-Continental group comprise?2. What is Inter-Continental?3. What kind of hotels does it incorporate?4. How many hotels does it comprise?5. In how many countries does it operate?6. What is Forum Hotels International?7. When was it established?8. What kind of hotels does it comprise?9. How many hotels does it represent worldwide?10. What is Global Partner Hotels?11. Which clients are mostly welcomed at Inter-Continental hotels?12. Which airlines are connected with Inter-Continental in the Frequent Traveller

Programs?13. What is Six Continents Club?14. What are the privileges allowed by the Six Continents Card?

Hotel Chains

MOUNT CHARLOTTE THISTLE HOTELS

UK Reservations Centre - London: 071 937 8033

All hotels are bookable on the Global Distribution SystemsInternational Sales Offices: London Tel 071-937 6423 Fax 071-938 3658

USA - New York: 1-800 847 4358 - GERMANY - Wiesbaden: 0130 851212

Hospitality Inn is a division of the Mount Charlotte Thistle Hotel group with 12 hotels throughout the UK.

, one of Britain's leading four star groups, is a division of Mount Charlotte Thistle Hotels offering the business and leisure traveller a choice of over 100 hotels in key business and tourist centres throughout the country, including 24 in London.The group includes over 600 affiliated Supranational Hotels worldwide.All Mount Charlotte Thistle hotels maintain a reputation for quality, service and value.

PracticeAnswer these questions

1. How many hotels does this hotel group operate?2. Where are they situated?3. How many of them are in London?4. What is Hospitality Inn?5. How many Hospitality Inns are there throughout the U.K.?6. Where is the group Reservations Centre in the UK?7. What is Supranational Hotels?8. Where are the International Sales Office?