Dolce Difference

The Dolce difference fuels big ideas and meaningful connection between its guests. At each destination, the Dolce Difference can be seen, tasted, touched, heard and felt resulting in meetings, events and conferences that are unique and expertly executed. Each property offers centrally-located, design-forward facilities, well-appointed accommodations, creative regional and international cuisine, full-service amenities, a selection of recreational activities native to each area, and an attentive, passionate and dedicated staff. Located in six countries including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Belgium and Spain, the Dolce portfolio consists of 24 one-of-a-kind meeting, event and conference destinations comprised of both Hotel/Resort properties and Conference Hotels. Dolce properties offer everything from a contemporary conference center, to an authentic alpine village, a historic mansion to a modern Spanish seaside resort.

Brand Contribution

When Dolce assumes operating responsibility for a property, we strive to secure its financial performance, provide customers and guests with the quality services they expect, and provide for the well-being of associates who work for the property.

In accepting these responsibilities, it is crucial that owner expectations are closely aligned with Dolce's strategic plan; as a brand and as an operating entity. It is important that business philosophies and corporate cultures are compatible.

Depending on a property's location and product type, business through the Dolce brand distribution channels represents a significant portion of a property's overall revenue. Our distribution strategies are accomplished by:

Global marketing programs that create awareness of the Dolce brand and that consistently differentiate Dolce destinations from competitors.
Global sales and regional sales offices that represent our entire portfolio to customers all over the world.
Our website, which is continually enhanced and updated, to provide constant exposure of properties to the global customer community.
Electronic Request for Proposal (eRFP) form allowing customers the ability to research properties of choice and request a full proposal online. Dolce inquiries, whether by phone or email, get a personal response within 24 hours of the inquiry (business hours).
Our global distribution strategy, with a 360-degree focus on both our group market and our leisure and transient markets. This strategy serves two purposes: First, to support our core group business electronically and second, to support our leisure and transient business by distributing mirror image inventory through all GDS (Global Distribution Systems) channels including third party Internet travel agencies. In support of the Dolce Best Rate Guarantee, guests can purchase rooms on Dolce.com and feel confident that they are getting the best value. Lastly, our central reservations office will aid the properties in elevating their service levels ultimately adding additional revenues.

Innovation

Dolce Hotels and Resorts have many different looks and meet many different group needs. Properties encompass conference centers, conference hotels, as well as captivating resort destinations. Each meets Dolce Hotels and Resorts high standards, and provides a snapshot of Dolce's diverse abilities. Examples include:

Conference Centers (IBM Palisades, Palisades, NY)
Conference Hotels (Dolce La Hulpe, Brussels, Belgium)
Resort Destination (Lakeway Resort & Spa, Austin, TX)

Criteria

In order for a property to become part of the Dolce family, it must meet certain criteria established by the Acquisitions and Development team. The successful formula for a Dolce Hotel, Resort and Conference Destination is:

Conference Hotels

Building Parameters:
225 to 500 guest rooms full-service properties. Existing or the ability to build meeting space, prefer 40-60 square feet (4-6 sq meters) meeting space per room for urban locations and 50 -100 square feet (5-10 sq meters) for suburban locations. Fitness center (spa optional) and ability to provide separate dining space for groups.
Quality:
Upscale and luxury buildings minimum 3 star in the US and 4 Euro star.
Market Location:
Primary and secondary, urban, and suburban markets in the North America and Europe.
Other Market Criteria:
Prefer markets with convenient primary or regional airport service, diversified demand generators; and multiple demand segments in corporate, group, and leisure. Property group base at or potential for 40%.
Development Component:
Redevelopment upside by adding sleeping rooms and or condos, and meeting space. Major renovation potential to reposition the underperforming asset in its market set. Ground up development will also be considered.
Brand:
Dolce brand

Resorts

Building Parameters:
175 to 400+ room full-service properties with minimum of 60 square feet (6 sq meters) meeting space per room. Meeting space should be large flexible rooms with a component of some smaller break out and board room style meeting rooms. Requires Spa and fitness, swimming pools and should include or access to golf, ski, team building and outdoor activities. Condominiums or town homes in rental pools are acceptable.
Quality:
Upscale and luxury buildings, minimum 4 star
Market Location:
Primary or destination resort area in North America
Other Market Criteria:
Prefer markets with convenient primary or regional airport service, strong drive in group and tour and leisure market. Require minimum of 50% group base
Development Component: Redevelopment upside by adding sleeping rooms and or condos, and meeting space. Major renovation potential to reposition the asset in its market set. Ground up development will also be considered
Brand: Dolce brand

Conference Centers

Building Parameters:
150 to 300 guest rooms or the ability to expand, full-service property with 100 square feet meeting space per guest room Require elements of fitness and spa or treatment rooms and separate group dining space in addition to typical space
Quality:
Upscale and luxury buildings 3 to 4 star plus. Meeting space which meets IACC standards
Market Location:
Primary and secondary suburban markets in North America and Europe clustering around major market
Other Market Criteria:
Prefer markets with convenient primary or regional airport service (within 1 hour), diversified demand generators; and multiple demand segments in corporate, group, and leisure
Development Component:
Redevelopment upside and or renovation potential to reposition the property. Ground up development will also be considered
Brand:
Dolce brand or Corporate identity

For more Information

We invite you to consider Dolce Hotels and Resorts as your partner in the successful operation of your property. If you have a property that fits the criteria (link to criteria page) described on our website, or has the potential of being converted to a Dolce conference or resort destination, please feel free to contact our Acquisitions and Development team.

For more information:
View our Acquisitions and Development brochure
Read about our Marketing & Technology services

To contact our Global A&D team:
Mark DePiero Senior Vice President
Phone: 201.505.4415
Email: mark.depiero@dolce.com

Executives

ANDREW J. DOLCE
Founder and Chairman, Dolce Hotels and Resorts
Andrew “Andy” J. Dolce is founder and chairman of Dolce Hotels and Resorts, formerly Dolce International. This forward-thinking executive’s big imagination and innovative ideas have made him a pioneer in the meetings and conference industry. Amongst Andy’s many accomplishments, he is most widely known for elevating the meeting and conference center model to reflect clients’ needs for environments that inspire creativity and learning. Andy also holds the distinction of being named one of the “25 Most Influential Executives” in the meetings and travel industries by both Meeting News and Business Travel News magazines.

Andy began his career in the meetings and hospitality industry at the American Management Association, where he managed 600 conferences a year throughout the U.S. During his tenure with the AMA, Dolce experienced the insufficient services and often counter-productive facilities that permeated the meetings and conference market. Shortly thereafter, Andy started working for Harrison Conference Centers as the executive vice president and improved the company’s brand by pioneering the first “Complete Meetings Package” for the conference industry.

In 1981, Andy struck out on his own, founding Dolce International and turning it into the world’s leading hospitality organization specializing in delivering an exceptional meetings experience. To prepare the company for even greater success, in mid-2008, Dolce International changed its name to Dolce Hotels and Resorts to more accurately reflect the breadth and caliber of services and amenities offered to its guests.

Past president of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) and Mel Hosansky Award recipient, the highest honor in the conference center industry, Dolce continues to be active in IACC and is also on the board of New York University’s Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Administration and serves on Iona College’s Legal Board of Trustees.

Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Dolce studied Economics at Iona College and later earned a Master’s Degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, where he wrote and published a book on economics for the food industry. Andy is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
STEVE GIBLIN
Chief Operating Officer
Appointed Chief Operating Officer, Steve Giblin oversees all property operations for the company including the implementation of brand-wide amenities and programs in the rooms, food and beverage, amenities and meetings and conference arenas. Giblin is also responsible for corporate support staff such as human resources, purchasing, technology, property personnel, customer service, and owner relations.

With Dolce since 2002, Giblin most recently served as Dolce’s President for North America. Prior to joining the company, he was President and CEO of Newmarket International, a hospitality sales and distribution company, where he was credited for quadrupling company revenues in a four-year span and completing a company recapitalization.

Giblin started his career in the hospitality industry with the Marriott Corporation in various sales and marketing positions. He was recruited from Marriott by Red Lion Hotels and Inns, where he spent six years as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Operations Support. Following Red Lion he joined Omni Hotels as Senior Vice President and Director of Operations for North America.

Giblin’s industry accolades include the Marriott Man of the Year Award in Sales and Marketing, and the Leader for the Next Millennium award from New Hampshire’s Business NH Magazine. A member of United Way of New Hampshire’s Great Bay Society, Giblin is also a member of Holy Cross College’s President’s Council.
CARL L. COHEN
Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Carl L. Cohen is Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Dolce Hotels and Resorts and is responsible for all sales and marketing activities for the global hospitality management company. As his primary areas of accountability, Cohen oversees global sales, global distribution, marketing services, advertising, branding, and public relations.

Before joining Dolce in 2008, Cohen was president of Dendrite International, a firm that delivers internet, direct response and relationship marketing, where he headed the Marketing Solutions business. Prior to Dendrite, Carl was a Senior Vice President at Starwood Hotels where he spent five years in various roles including launching a global broadband service at more than 600 hotels and leading Starwood’s redevelopment of its reservation and loyalty marketing systems including integration with all brand websites, call centers and the global distribution system (GDS).

Bringing more than 20 years of sales and marketing expertise, Cohen has had extensive experience in the hospitality industry with a proven track record of strong revenue growth and creating and executing marketing programs that drive sales and maximize return on investment and shareholder value. Prior to Starwood, Carl held senior marketing positions at consumer oriented companies including Philip Morris and Colgate-Palmolive.

Cohen has an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Spanish from the State University of New York at Albany.
DEBRA BATES
Chief Financial and Development Officer
Debra Bates is Chief Financial and Development Officer of Dolce Hotels and Resorts. In this role, she is responsible for global acquisitions and development, corporate finance, risk management, treasury, accounting and reporting.

Bates joined Dolce Hotels and Resorts in 1996 as a consultant and assumed the position of Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Development in 1998. After holding the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment and Financial Officer, she was promoted to her current role in 2007.

Bates developed a successful track record in finance, acquisitions and development in a variety of real estate sectors during her career, in the roles of Chief Financial Officer and real estate financial advisor. In these roles she raised capital and managed more than one billion dollars in transactions for numerous hospitality, office, retail and multifamily properties and companies. Degreed in Economics and Managerial Studies from Rice University, Bates also holds a Masters in Finance and International Business from Rice.