FEATURED & QUOTED

2010:
October 8, 2010 — USA Today.com — Hotel Rates Rise as More People Travel
In New York City, fall rates are about 12% higher than a year ago, Travelocity says. Rates would be higher if the city hadn't seen a 27% increase in new rooms opening the last 24 months, says Vijay Dandapani of Apple Core Hotels, which has properties in Manhattan.

 

September 23, 2010 — The Wall Street Journal — Slight Comeback for Hotels
Travel professionals said room rates are stabilizing, though they remain below pre-recession levels. Vijay Dandapani, president of New York City hotel operator and owner Apple Core Hotels, said that, year to date, his company has booked an average 25% increase in revenue per available room compared to 2009. Yet, compared to the same period in 2008, revenue is down about 20%.

 

September 2, 2010 — Hotel News Now.com — Drop in Per Diems Leaves Hoteliers Livid
The rate in New York is dropping to US$269 a night from US$340 effective 1 October, a 20.9% nosedive. Vijay Dandapani, president of New York-based Apple Core Hotels, is fuming over the change. His company oversees five hotels in the city that comprise 800 rooms.
“If anything, these numbers should be reversed,” he said, mentioning the recent improvement in the sector.”
He added, “It doesn’t make sense at all. I don’t understand what some of these bureaucrats are thinking.”
The new per diems will affect the industry’s recovery, Dandapani said. “It’s definitely going to be a negative to the industry if you lose 5% here, 10% there,” he said.
The amount of government business at Apple Core’s individual hotels ranges from as little as 5% to as much as 20%.
“Every bit matters,” Dandapani said.

 

August 7, 2010 — The New York Times —  New York Hotels Entice Customers With the Lure of TV Life
But other hotels attach themselves to a program of film simply to get attention, whether of not they have a real connection. Vijay Dandapani, whose Apple Core Hotels offer packages involving “Sex and the City 2,” said the benefits were two-fold: Some travelers will buy the package, while others whose interest was piqued by it may opt to book a room without the extras.

 

June 16, 2010 — Hotel Online.com — Apple Core Hotels Takes its Mid-town Manhattan Red Roof Inn Independent with an Extensive Transformation to nyma, the new york manhattan hotel
Previously a Red Roof Inn, Apple Core Hotels transformed the property into an independent hotel. This move follows the successful brand de-flagging of another Apple Core Hotels property, The Hotel @ Times Square, which was formerly a Super 8.
“The decision to de-franchise our properties has two-fold benefits for both our company and the consumer,” said Dandapani. “Our independent properties are free of the rigid brand guidelines that must be followed when part of a chain and it gives us more flexibility with rates, offerings and amenities for the consumer. It also enables us to target discerning value-driven consumers who prefer to stay away from ‘cookie-cutter’ national brands.”
“Additionally, by eliminating the franchise fee on these two properties we have a higher stream of revenue share for our hotels,” added Dandapani. “Typically, a franchise property will pay between 8 percent and 11 percent of revenue to the franchisor. Operating independently, we can better designate those funds and offer additional amenities that are not found at other hotels at this price point.”

 

June 18, 2010 — Hotel Marketing.com — Apple Core Hotels say Good-bye to Brands at OTAs
Apple Core Hotels, which owns five properties in New York City, has stripped well-worn banners off two of its hotels and hopes to do so for all of them by the middle of 2012.
”You control your destiny in more ways than one,” Apple Core President Vijay Dandapani said in an interview.
This month, Apple Core removed the Red Roof Inn brand from its hotel on 32nd Street near Fifth Avenue adter the franchise agreement expired. It renamed the property “nyma,” which stands for New York Manhattan Hotel.

 

June 17, 2010 — Breaking Travel News.com — Apple Core Hotels Announces the Debut of nyma, the new york manhattan hotel
Previously a Red Roof Inn, Apple Core Hotels transformed the property into an independent hotel. This move follows the successful brand de-flagging of another Apple Core Hotels property, The Hotel @ Times Square, which was formerly a Super 8.
“The decision to de-franchise our properties has two-fold benefits for both our company and the consumer,” said Dandapani. “Our independent properties are free of the rigid brand guidelines that must be followed when part of a chain and it gives us more flexibility with rates, offerings and amenities for the consumer. It also enables us to target discerning value-driven consumers who prefer to stay away from ‘cookie-cutter’ national brands.”
“Additionally, by eliminating the franchise fee on these two properties we have a higher stream of revenue share for our hotels,” added Dandapani. “Typically, a franchise property will pay between 8 percent and 11 percent of revenue to the franchisor. Operating independently, we can better designate those funds and offer additional amenities that are not found at other hotels at this price point.”

 

June 15, 2010 — Yahoo News.com — NY Hotel Owner Sheds Brands, Attempts Solo Ride
Apple Core Hotels, which owns five properties in New York City, has stripped well-worn banners off two of its hotels and hopes to do so for all of them by the middle of 2012.
”You control your destiny in more ways than one,” Apple Core President Vijay Dandapani said in an interview.
By refashioning the hotel as a more upscale property and shedding the budget hotel image typically associated with Red Roof Inn, Dandapani hopes it can command higher rates.
Dandapani is betting that the steady influx of tourist and business traffic in New York each year and its advertising efforts will keep rooms full at his independent hotels.
The company hopes to strip off the brands of its other three New York properties, a move that could happen as soon as mid-2012, Dandapani said.
“(Going solo) will definitely boost our rates,” Dandapani said, “And it has at the hotel in Times Square.”

 

June 15, 2010 — ABCNews.com — NY Hotel Owner Sheds Brands, Attempts Solo Ride
Apple Core Hotels, which owns five properties in New York City, has stripped well-worn banners off two of its hotels and hopes to do so for all of them by the middle of 2012.
”You control your destiny in more ways than one,” Apple Core President Vijay Dandapani said in an interview.
By refashioning the hotel as a more upscale property and shedding the budget hotel image typically associated with Red Roof Inn, Dandapani hopes it can command higher rates.
Dandapani is betting that the steady influx of tourist and business traffic in New York each year and its advertising efforts will keep rooms full at his independent hotels.
The company hopes to strip off the brands of its other three New York properties, a move that could happen as soon as mid-2012, Dandapani said.
“(Going solo) will definitely boost our rates,” Dandapani said, “And it has at the hotel in Times Square.”

 

June 17, 2010 — Travel Weekly.com — New York Budget Hotelier Goes Independent
Apple Core Hotels, owner of five budget and midscale hotels in midtown Manhattan, is dropping its brand franchises and going independent. Apple Core President Vijay Dandapani said his Red Roof Inn at 32nd Street, west of Fifth Avenue is being renovated and renamed nyma, or the new york manhattan hotel.
“The decision to de-franchise our properties has two-fold benefits for both our company and the consumer,” said Dandapani. “Our independent properties are free of the rigid brand guidelines that must be followed when part of a chain and it gives us more flexibility with rates, offerings and amenities for the consumer. It also enables us to target discerning value-driven consumers who prefer to stay away from ‘cookie-cutter’ national brands.”

 

June 16, 2010 — Crain’s New York Business — Midtown Hotel Razing Red Roof Inn Brand
“Against the odds, that hotel has done wonderfully well,” says Vijay Dandapani, president of Apple Core Hotels. Since it became the Hotel @ Times Square, revenues per available room at the property have grown by 20%. Hotel room rates at the Times Square property are about $200, he said.
The benefits of becoming an independent property are manifold. For one thing, the company saves money on hotel franchise fees, which can cost between 8% and 11% of a hotel’s revenues. The franchises also have strict design and other requirements such as the brand of coffee their hotels may use.
“Our independent properties are free of the rigid brand guidelines that must be followed when part of a chain and it gives us more flexibility on rates,” said Mr. Dandapani.
Many hotel owners like to be part of a larger reservation system, but Mr. Dandapani says that because New York is a destination city, independent properties can afford to take the risk.
The property’s rooms were renovated last year.
“We had a bar there, but it was a Red Roof Bar,” said Mr. Dandapani. “We hope to make the new one a happening place.”

 

June 16, 2010 — CNBC.com — NY hotel Owner Sheds Brands, Attempts Solo Ride
Apple Core Hotels, which owns five properties in New York City, has stripped well-worn banners off two of its hotels and hopes to do so for all of them by the middle of 2012. “You control your own destiny in more ways than one,” Apple Core President Vijay Dandapani said in an interview. This month, Apple Core removed the Red Roof Inn brand from its hotel on 32nd Street near Fifth Avenue after the franchise agreement expired.

 

June 15, 2010 — USA Today.com — NYC Hotel Owner Dropping Big-Chain Names from Five Budget Hotels to Boost Rates
Apple Core most recently removed the Red Rood Inn signs from its hotel on 32nd Street near Fifth Avenue after the franchise agreement expired, the article says. The company is in the process of renovating the hotel and giving it a new name – “nyma,” which stands for New York Manhattan Hotel, the story says.
Dandapani told Reuters that he expects the hotel’s revenue per available room will jumpy by 25% by mid-2011 as it sheds hotel-chain fees, profits from its renovation and takes advantage of the city’s hotel rebound.
"You control your destiny in more ways than one," Apple Core President Vijay Dandapani told Reuters.
Dandapani hopes to remove the big-chain brands from his three other New York hotels, which consist of a Comfort Inn, La Quinta and Ramada, another Wyndham brand.

 

June 15, 2010 – Reuters — NY Hotel Owner Sheds Brands, Attempts Solo Ride
At a time when many hotels are vying to be part of a major brand, one lodging company has chosen to go at it alone. Apple Core Hotels, which owns five properties in New York City, has stripped well-worn banners off two of its hotels and hopes to do so for all of them by the middle of 2012.
"You control your destiny in more ways than one," Apple Core President Vijay Dandapani said in an interview….
Dandapani is betting that the steady influx of tourist and business traffic in New York each year and its advertising efforts will keep rooms full at his independent hotels.
Apple Core has spent $5 million upending every square inch of its Times Square hotel, ripping out carpets, revamping the bathrooms and adding flat-screen televisions.
The company hopes to strip off the brands of its other three New York properties, a move that could happen as soon as mid-2012, Dandapani said. Apple Core's other hotels are a Comfort Inn, franchised by Choice Hotels International (CHH.N); a La Quinta; and a Ramada, another Wyndham brand.
"(Going solo) will definitely boost our rates," Dandapani said, "And it has at the hotel in Times Square."

 

April 14, 2010 — Portfolio.com — The Brand Gangers
But there are limits to the power of branding, even in New York. Just ask Vijay Dandipani, president and chief operating officer of Apple Core Hotels, five Midtown Manhattan properties that focus on the mid-price lodging tier.
But now Dandapani has pulled the Super 8 flag off his hotel and gone independent as the Hotel at Times Square. And he’s considering a similar strategy for his other properties. Part of the reason is cost – he said he paid $800,000 a year in franchise fees to Super 8 – and part of the reason is tactical.
“When we cut the deal [with the chains], we basically cut our own deal,” he explains. “But the bigger brands get tougher as they get bigger, and it stopped being a good deal for us and for our customers.
Besides, Dandapani insists, “There are too many brands in the city now.”

 

April 19, 2010 — Hotel Online.com — Travel Tripper Takes Bigger Bite of the Big Apple with Apple Core Hotels
While they will continue to distribute through online travel agencies, Apple Core Hotels will shift more sales to their direct websites to reduce costs and increase Average Daily Rates, something they are confident they can do with Travel Tripper’s new booking engine.
“Travel Tripper’s RezTrip 2.0 booking engine is the piece of technology we need to reassert ourselves online, especially in the international market. Because of our central Manhattan property locations near so many landmarks, we source our business globally as well as domestically. RezTrip 2.0’s dynamic pricing capabilities will allow us to target offers based on market geographies and other market segments we revenue manage. We also like that it is multi-lingual and multi-currency and are counting on the up-sell and cross-sell features to increase ADR’s and overall revenue,” Vijay Dandapani, President of Apple Core Hotels, explains.

 

2009:
November 30, 2009 — Lodging Hospitality — Manhattan Super 8 Goes Independent
Following an extensive renovation and repositioning, the company relaunched its former Super 8 into The Hotel @ Times Square; a modern looking yet affordably priced (rates start at $119) property that offers guests a near-all-inclusive experience.
And according to Apple Core President & COO Vijay Dandapani, the debranding may not be the last. He says the company plans to convert the other four chain properties it operates in Manhattan to independents.
In addition to his executive duties with Apple Core, Dandapani is active in local and state hospitality associations and writes a lively and thoughtful blog on happenings in the New York City hotel market. We spoke with Dandapani recently about the new hotel and the state of the Manhattan lodging industry:
What’s been the reaction of guests to the new property?
Fantastic. We live in an age of new consumer awareness. There is a cloud over the tendency to splurge, which affects our industry, so we’re looking to take advantage of that while that cloud is still there. People always wanted value for their money, but they’re more conscious about it now. The hotel reflects all these things. We have flat-screen TVS, free WiFi, free breakfasts, free cappuccino, free long-distance calls—things that really don’t cost much but which annoys people when they have to pay for it. I just got back from London, and they charge you for using AT&T USA Direct, for your Internet and for everything else. Many hotels at our level have offered these things, but we go a step higher in quality.
Given the cost of doing business in New York, how are you able to offer these services at the rates you charge and be profitable?
Take the long distance, for example. It really doesn’t cost very much to offer. Cappuccinos are similar. Starbucks charges you four bucks for more froth than anything else, and it’s outrageous. There’s very little milk in it, so it’s nothing more than your regular coffee and it doesn’t cost anything to steam it. Consumers know all this, so we choose not to take the consumer for a schmuck. As far as rate, we’re like everyone else in that we alter rates based on demand and supply. If you come here on shoppers’ weekend, the rate won’t be the same as it is in January. In fact, it will be more than double our rates in January. But it’s still a value relative to most other hotels in the city.
Why did you decide to make this property an independent versus branded?
The answer is nine percent [the percentage of room sales many franchise chains charge]. New York City enables us to set ourselves apart, and here it can actually be a plus to be an independent and not have a brand affiliation because consumers want to stay in a place that has character. When you’re going to New York or London or Paris, you want to stay in someplace that is a little different. The hotel’s sign has a cutting-edge, Gen X kind of look to it, and that helps.
Obviously, the brands yield business for you. Can you market your hotel for the same amount of money or less than what a franchise costs and get the same results?
I’ve not spent one dollar more in advertising, and that’s no exaggeration. We’ve replaced that business by going through some select third-party distribution channels. The Internet has a big role to play in our marketing. If you Google “hotel in Times Square,” ours is the first one to come up. So it’s important to choose the right name and be sure you’re positioned correctly on the search engines. It’s nothing new, but it’s something we must constantly watch. We have a person on our staff whose entire job is monitoring us on websites around the world and with all the search engines. We’re a destination city; we’re not competing with Washington, DC or Boston, we’re competing with London and Paris.
Do you have any future development plans?
Our plan is to rebrand all of our hotels in this fashion. The New York market is pretty shaky right now in terms of ownership. There are hotels that have already defaulted on their conduit loans, and there are others that will probably do so too because we’re looking at 10,000 new rooms coming into the market on top an existing inventory of roughly 75,000 rooms. That’s a big increase, about 15 percent, so there will be some opportunities. I just don’t know where they are and how soon they’ll come up, but probably more near-term than long-term. 
When will the New York City market rebound?
It really depends on the shakeout of the new inventory coming on the market. We need the larger economy to come back, but I don’t know when that will be. If I were to guess I would say fourth quarter of next year in terms of rate stability and profitability. 
How does the upcoming shopping season look for you in terms of demand for your properties?
It’s fair to good, but I wish it looked better. It will be a profitable two weeks but I’m not as optimistic for January.

 

November 27, 2009 — Hotel Designs.com — The Apple Core Hotel Group, Owner and Operator of Five Centrally-Located Moderately-Priced Manhattan Properties has Unveiled The Hotel @ Times Square (TH@TS).
Apple Core Hotels, president, Vijay Dandapani: “It was Apple Core’s mission to make The Hotel @ Times Square unlike any other hotel in the area. As an independent property TH@TS was specifically designed to offer guests, especially business travellers, a sophisticated yet affordable experience. No other Manhattan property offers the extensive assortment of complimentary amenities that The Hotel @ Times Square provides, and at such an affordable price. In this economy it’s essential that the hospitality industry remain in tune with the needs of travelers. With the opening of TH@TS, we feel like we have finally mastered the ultimate balance between comfort and convenience, so that everyone wins when booking with us.”

 

November 18, 2009 — Travel Agent Central.com — Apple Core Hotel Group Debuts Times Square Property
“No other Manhattan property offers the extensive assortment of complimentary amenities that The Hotel & Times Square provides,” said Vijay Dandapani, president of Apple Core Hotels.

 

November 12, 2009 — Hotel Executive — Apple Core Announces Debut of The Hotel at Times Square
“It was Apple Core’s mission to make The Hotel @ Times Square unlike any other hotel in the area,” said Vijay Dandapani, President of Apple Core Hotels. “As an independent property, TH@TS was specifically designed to offer guests, especially business travelers, a sophisticated yet affordable experience. No other Manhattan property offers the extensive assortment of complimentary amenities that The Hotel @ Times Square provides, and at such an affordable price. In this economy it’s essential that the hospitality industry remain in tune with the needs of travelers. With the opening of TH@TS, we feel like we have finally mastered the ultimate balance between comfort and convenience, so that everyone wins when booking with us.”

 

November 12, 2009 — Hotel Interactive.com — Apple Core Hotel Group Announces Debut of The Hotel at Times Square
“It was Apple Core’s mission to make The Hotel @ Times Square unlike any other hotel in the area,” said Vijay Dandapani, President of Apple Core Hotels. “As an independent property, TH@TS was specifically designed to offer guests, especially business travelers, a sophisticated yet affordable experience. No other Manhattan property offers the extensive assortment of complimentary amenities that The Hotel @ Times Square provides, and at such an affordable price. In this economy it’s essential that the hospitality industry remain in tune with the needs of travelers. With the opening of TH@TS, we feel like we have finally mastered the ultimate balance between comfort and convenience, so that everyone wins when booking with us.”

 

October 22, 2009 — ABC News.com — Saving for a Family Vacation: 10 Ways to Go Away Without Going Broke
"Guests can start with a down payment of as little as $20," explains Vijay Dandapani, the President and COO of Apple Core Hotels. "Then 10 Ways to Vacation Without Going Broke they have the opportunity to build up the pre-payment in the time leading up to their trip."
For travelers, it's hard to argue with the combination of reasonable prices, flexible payments, and risk-free booking that comes with the Apple Core layaway plan. "There's a misconception that New York City is expensive," says Dandapani, pointing out that the rack rate for Apple Core Hotels is between $139 and $159 a night. "We don't impose a timeline with our layaway plan," he says. "Guests can pay little by little, or they can pay off the balance all at once when they check out of the hotel."
What if a guest changes her mind and cancels? "She gets her money back," says Dandapani. Best of all, opting for Apple Core's layaway plan guarantees that you nail the best price. "If the rates go up, your reservation is locked in at the lower rate," explains Dandapani. "And if the rate goes down after you book, we'll refund the difference."
The way Dandapani sees it, pay-before-you-go plans are an option whose time has come in the hotel industry. "We've seen that there's a huge hesitation on the part of consumers to spend money and build up debt," he says. "Our layaway plan lets our guests avoid a big charge on their credit card at the end of their stay. Frankly, I'm surprised more hotels aren't trying it."

 

October 15, 2009 — Cuny TV — The Stoler Report: Real Estate Trends in the Tri-State Region: "What’s Happening in the Hospitality Industry?"

 

September 29, 2009 — USA Today.com (“Hotel Check-In” blog) — Sarasota's Failed Waldorf Astoria Project; Should Hotels let Celebs Off Hook for Tabs?
Hotels shouldn’t let celebs off the hook for their tab: That’s what New York hotelier Vijay Dandapani – president of Apple Core Hotels, a group of five New York City hotels – argues in his new blog post, sparked by the recent arrest of Randy Quaid and his wife for allegedly skipping out on their tab at the exclusive San Ysidro Ranch (part of the tony Rosewood Hotel chain) near Santa Barbara, Calif.
“While Joe Sixpack is unlikely to get away without settling the bill for a hotel stay, celebrities seem to do so with unfortunate regularity banking on their name recognition to bamboozle staff and management into extending credit when it is not due,” he wrote. Dandapani says that hotels should put star clients “politely but firmly on notice” when credit limits are flouted.

 

September 11, 2009 — The Record (New Jersey) — High-Tech, High-End Hospitality: Hotels Stepping Up Game to Woo Guests
Apple Core Hotels, a group of five Midtown Manhattan properties owned by a group of investors that includes Kenny Greif of Englewood, has installed flat-panel televisions and iPod docking stations in all of its rooms.
“We did this a year ago,” said Vijay Dandapani, president and chief operating officer. “I’m not sure we would have done this after the recession took hold,” he said. The company planned to install TVs that double as mirrors in some of the bathrooms this year, but because business is slow the change was put off until early next year, he said.

 

August 28, 2009 — The Real Deal — Japanese Firm Plans Largest Borough Hotel
Despite the weak hospitality market, a no-frills Japanese hotel company is moving ahead with plans to build a 699-unit hotel across the street from the Citibank tower in Long Island City, Queens, which if built would become the city's largest hotel in the outer boroughs.
Vijay Dandapani, chief operating officer of Apple Core Hotels, an operator of mid-range hotels in New York City, gave a bleaker assessment of the local market. "It is mind reeling the number of projects" opening nearly every other month in the city, he said, where the number of rooms in the city is expected to jump by 10 to 20 percent in the next few years. Anyone who believes the city needs more hotels is "living in some fantasy land," he said.

 

April 6, 2009 — The Seattle Times — Wins and Losses for Travelers during Recession
One of the first things travelers noticed after the economy headed south was that resort amenities, such as washcloths and little bottles of lotion, had disappeared from their rooms. But that's only half the story.
"The downside — particularly to a long recession — is that many hotels fall down on both quality of service and product," said Vijay Dandapani, the president of Apple Core Hotels, a group of budget Manhattan hotels. Renovation programs are reduced or canceled, along with staff training programs. "Other items include diminished variety in breakfast items — if offered free — and lower staffing, resulting in longer wait times."

 

March 31, 2009 — MSNBC.com — Family Vacations Finances 101: Ten Ways to Boost your Family’s Money Smarts
Some hotels are introducing layaway programs to let guests pay off their bill even before they arrive. Since March 1, guests at Apple Core Hotels in New York City have had the opportunity to use layaway to finance a future hotel stay at any of the group’s five properties, including La Quinta, Red Roof Inn, Comfort Inn, the Hotel at Times Square and Ramada Inn. “Guests can start with a down payment of as little as $20,” explains Vijay Dandapani, the President and COO of Apple Core Hotels. “Then they have the opportunity to build up the pre-payment in the time leading up to their trip.”
For travelers, it’s hard to argue with the combination of reasonable prices, flexible payments, and risk-free booking that comes with the Apple Core layaway plan. “There’s a misconception that New York City is expensive,” says Dandapani, pointing out that the rack rate for Apple Core Hotels is between $139 and $159 a night in July 2009. “We don’t impose a timeline with our layaway plan,” he says. “Guests can pay little by little, or they can pay off the balance all at once when they check out of the hotel.” What if a guest changes her mind and cancels? “She gets her money back,” says Dandapani. Best of all, opting for Apple Core’s layaway plan guarantees that you nail the best price. “If the rates go up, your reservation is locked in at the lower rate,” explains Dandapani. “And if the rate goes down after you book, we’ll refund the difference.”
The way Dandapani sees it, pay-before-you-go plans are an option whose time has come in the hotel industry. “We’ve seen that there’s a huge hesitation on the part of consumers to spend money and build up debt,” he says. “Our layaway plan lets our guests avoid a big charge on their credit card at the end of their stay. Frankly, I’m surprised more hotels aren’t trying it.”

 

March 16, 2009 — MSNBC.com — 3 Things Travelers will Lose and Gain in Recession
One of the first things travelers noticed after the economy headed south was that resort amenities, such as washcloths and little bottles of lotion, had disappeared from their rooms. But that’s only half the story.
“The downside — particularly to a long recession — is that many hotels fall down on both quality of service and product,” said Vijay Dandapani, the president of Apple Core Hotels, a group of budget Manhattan hotels. Renovation programs are reduced or canceled, along with staff training programs. “Other items include diminished variety in breakfast items — if offered free — and lower staffing, resulting in longer wait times.”

 

February 16, 2009 — Crain’s New York Business — New York, New York
Apple Core Hotels, which operates five budget properties in the city, just launched Lay-Away & Stay, a program that allows customers to secure a room for a future stay for as little as $20 down. They can then pay off the tab with personal checks up to the date of their reservation.”
If the price goes up between now and the time of the visit, you still pay the lower rate,” explains Vijay Dandapani, president of Apple Core. “And if the price goes down, we’ll work with the customer. People are going through tough times.”

 

2008:
February 15, 2008 — hotelbusiness.com — Dandapani Named Chairman Of 2008 IH/M&RS Board

February 15, 2008 — hotel-online.com — Vijay Dandapani, COO of Apple Core Hotels Appointed Chairman of the Board  

2007:
October 30, 2007 — New York Daily News — Hotel rooms in Brooklyn may nearly triple by 2010

September 2007 — Hotel Interactive — What's For Breakfast?

June 2007 – 4Hoteliers – Do Happy Employees Really Make Happy Customers?

2006:
November 2006 – HSMAI – The Great Communicator, a Blogging Primer

July 2006 – Hotel Newswire – Vijay Dandapani Recognized for Operations Excellence by HSMAI

June 2006 – Forbes – Upgrading

APRIL 2006 – USA TODAY – Hotel prices, tax included

MARCH 2006 – Hotel Interactive – Sphere of influence

March 2006 – Forbes – Best Travel sites

2005:
JUL 2005 – Washington Post – Checking in with NYC's Chain Gang

2003:
DEC 2003 – Lodging Magazine – Barrier Grief

JUN 2003 – Travel Weekly

2002:
OCT 2002 – NY Times – Manhattan leads a surge in lower cost hotels

2001:
DEC 2001 – USA Today – New York Hotels winter bargains

OCT 2001 – USA Today – Big Apple Hotel Rates