Southwind Hospitality increases occupancy for Howard Johnson-Jacksonville, and signs to take over property

Online, March 30, 2010 (Newswire.com) - INDIAN SHORES, Fla. (March 23, 2010) -- Southwind Hospitality, a full-service hotel management company that specializes in turning around underperforming/distressed properties, is pleased to announce that the Howard Johnson Inn & Suites at 4300 Salisbury Road, in Jacksonville, Fla., has hired Southwind to take over full management services.

In many cases, a lender will bring on a new hotel management company after a property goes into foreclosure. But in this case the lender was more proactive, recommending that the current owner hire Southwind, with its strong track record of success with distressed hotel properties, to help turn the property around.

The relationship started about two months ago. Southwind president Gilles Arditi did a preliminary survey of the property for the lender and the owner, made five recommendations, and in February increased occupancy 65% year-over-year, with a 25% year-over-year increase in revenue (info on specific recommendations made by Southwind available upon request).

Management of the Howard Johnson was officially taken over by Southwind on March 17. As part of its overall management responsibilities, Southwind oversees budgeting, sales and marketing, property operations, safety checks, and some minor renovations (business will not be interrupted).

About the hotel:
The Howard Johnson Inn & Suites is centrally located at the intersection of I-95 and SR-202 in Jacksonville (32216), near Tinseltown (movie theater and restaurants), the St. John's Town Center (new outdoor mall), Windsor Parke Golf Course, Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Veteran's Memorial Arena, Wolfson Park, Patton Park, Dave & Busters, Jacksonville Indoor Sports, and the Mayo Clinic; plus easy access to downtown, the stadium, airport, zoo, and the cruise port. For more information, call 904-281-0198 or visit www.HoJoJacksonville.com.

About the company:
Southwind Hospitality is a full-service hotel management company that specializes in properties in receivership and foreclosure - a one-stop shop that can handle all management responsibilities for a lender or property owner.

Southwind boasts particular expertise in Florida properties, including detailed knowledge of feeder markets and deep understandings of sales, marketing, e-commerce, front desk operations, food/beverage services, and more; an ability to move quickly, providing plans and budgets within 30 days of taking over a property; and experience in management of both branded and non-branded properties.

Further information is available at www.SouthwindHospitality.com.