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Hotel lawyers on terminating hotel operators: Turnberry Resort drops Fairmont flag

28 August 2011

Hotel Lawyer update on Hotel owners terminating hotel operators. Over the years we have spent a lot of time on the subject of getting a great hotel operator and terminating bad ones. Owner discontent seems to erupt when operators continue to deliver disappointing results and ignore owner’s requests to drive the top line and manage costs. Then the operators wonder why owners are upset. See for example “Terminating hotel management agreements when things don’t work” and “How to terminate a hotel management agreement when an operator really deserves it!“.

Turnberry Isle Resort back under founding family’s management and control.

Over the weekend, the owners of the Turnberry Isle Hotel & Resort in Aventura, Florida took control of their hotel and terminated their relationship with Fairmont Hotels.

The resort was created by the Soffer family’s Turnberry Associates in the 1970s, and reacquired in 2006. Turnberry recently completed a $150 million renovation. The hotel had been operated by the Fairmont chain until Sunday, August 28, 2011.


Looking to the future, C. Scott Rohm, President of Turnberry Hotel Group, said, “We’ve had a long relationship with Fairmont Hotels and thank the company for its efforts,” However, he said it was time for a change. “Turnberry Hotel Group is re-emphasizing the glamour, personalized service and experiences that reflect the iconic resort’s unique history and character.”

Nearly all staff members invited to stay. All reservations will be honored and no change in scheduled events

In a statement, the company said that nearly all Turnberry Isle staff members have been invited to stay. The management change should not affect existing reservations or scheduled events.

Founded more than five decades ago by Donald Soffer, Turnberry Associates’ signature properties include Aventura Mall, Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Porto Vita in South Florida, Turnberry Place and The Residences at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Union Station hotel in Nashville, Tenn., and Destin Commons in Florida’s Emerald Coast.

This development was carried as breaking news by the Miami Herald on August 28, 2011.

The owners of the Edition Waikiki in Honolulu also terminated Marriott as their operator and replaced Marriott with Aqua Hotels. See Marriott Loses Trendy Waikiki Hotel as Owner Changes Locks Overnight.

Other articles on Hotel Law Blog about terminating hotel management agreements

Marriott Loses Appeal in Eden Roc Case: Why all long-term hotel management agreements are now terminable

How to terminate a hotel management agreement: A Tale of Two Hotels — Marriott’s Edition Waikiki and Fairmont’s Turnberry Isle Resort

Terminating hotel operators: M Edition lawsuit against Marriott has a new twist — Marriott is replaced overnight

More on M Waikiki Edition lawsuit against Marriott – What Marriott’s General Counsel says

M Waikiki’s Edition lawsuit against Marriott and Ian Schrager – an owner’s HMA dispute with Marriott

Terminating hotel operators: Turnberry Resort drops Fairmont flag

Hotel management agreement terminations — Is there a better way?

Terminating hotel management agreements when things don’t work? Not easy, but not impossible either.

Hotel bankruptcy trump card. Terminating hotel management agreements without liability — the alchemy of lead to gold for troubled hotels and hotel loans?

Ritz-Carlton Bali hotel management agreement termination further court order

Ritz-Carlton breached contractual and fiduciary duties under hotel management agreement giving rise to free termination, $10.3 million in damages plus attorneys fees. When will hotel operators “get it”?

How to terminate a hotel management agreement when an operator really deserves it!

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This is Jim Butler, author of www.HotelLawBlog.com and hotel lawyer, signing off. We’ve done more than $87 billion of hotel transactions and have developed innovative solutions to unlock value from hotels. Who’s your hotel lawyer?

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Our Perspective. We represent hotel lenders, owners and investors. We have helped our clients find business and legal solutions for more than $125 billion of hotel transactions, involving more than 4,700 properties all over the world. For more information, please contact Jim Butler at jbutler@jmbm.com or +1 (310) 201-3526.

Jim Butler is a founding partner of JMBM, and Chairman of its Global Hospitality Group® and Chinese Investment Group®. Jim is one of the top hospitality attorneys in the world. GOOGLE “hotel lawyer” and you will see why.

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