Comments for Passions Of A Zealot

Comment on Starwood’s Caesars Brookdale in the Poconos Sold to Silverleaf Resorts by Achille

Achille — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:22 +0000

I just got a confirmation that Brookdale is still own by Starwoods (Cove Haven)! Just as I suspected! They have no plans of reopening it, as they want to focus on there “couples only” resort. What a shame!

Comment on Starwood’s Caesars Brookdale in the Poconos Sold to Silverleaf Resorts by Achille

Achille — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:01:17 +0000

I personally have talked to Cove Haven’s marketing Manager in February 2010, as I wanted to know about the brookdale’s existence. He opened up with me and told me that Cove Haven is still maintaining the property. When asked “who now owns the property” his reply was that there are still some “i’s” to dot and “t’s” to cross. I didn’t press, but I took his response as saying that the title deed didn’t go through to SilverLeaf. It’s been well over three years ago since the supposed transaction took place, and I think it’s safe to say that Cove Haven still owns it. Again they were maintaining it in 02/2010, from last I heard. Other things that was told to me by the manager was that Brookdale’s annual revenue sales since 2001 were number 1 up until 2007 vs. the other three resorts (Paradise Stream, Cove Haven, Pocono Palace). Brookdale shut down in early 2008. Brookdale has far much more land than each of the other resorts with the potential to build a new casino. Brookdale’s property is that massive! Me and my familiy have missed this resort. We’ve been there several times! The only relevant “all family resort” that resembles Brookdale in the Poconos now is Split Rock Resort. There is a so-so rating for the “Great Wolf Lodge”. If anybody else have any reccomendations for a GREAT family resort in the Poconos please let me know.

One more thing….. There is a slight chance that brookdale could be brought back to life by Cove Haven. They are wasting money on the property taxes and maintenance cost. There is so much potential there!

Comment on Starwood’s Annick Goutal Brand Direction by Vanessa Di Stefano

Vanessa Di Stefano — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:49:48 +0000

Hello, I am trying to get hold of the Annick Goutal hotel supplies range that you mention in your blog. Do you have any contact details for a supplier in the UK?

Thank you very much for your time.

Comment on MetroBank Gets Served First Lawsuit For Its Branding by THE DEVIL

THE DEVIL — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:59:37 +0000

metro bank can go to hell.

Comment on Starwood’s Caesars Brookdale in the Poconos Sold to Silverleaf Resorts by Pat

Pat — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:28:56 +0000

We vacationed at Brookdale for 20 years, even before it was purchased by Caesar’s. We have such fond memories, even though the last few times there it was evident that much was cut back, especially the quality of the food. I recently contacted Silverleaf Resorts and they replied that the deal did not go thru. I’m not sure who owns the property now, but I hope Brookdale comes back to life. I know many families would love to visit again. We miss the place sooooo much.
The Fantacone Family

Comment on Caesars Centurion Tower Changing to Nobu Hotel by Gail Gawenda

Gail Gawenda — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:52:21 +0000

“…dip its waters…”?

Comment on Starwood Capital Buys 1414 Ave of the Americas for Hotel Conversion by First Picture & Info on Starwood Capital & Tribeca Associates 53rd Street Hotel Project : Passions Of A Zealot

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:52:36 +0000

[...] the drawing board in NYC: The Donnell/Tribeca Associates project mentioned above, the conversion of 1414 Ave of the Americas, and another unannounced project that he’s keeping close to the vest. Once again, there is no [...]

Comment on Insights into Shopping Center Department Store Leases – And Apple’s Impact On Them by One Apple To Lead Us All? « Product To The People

One Apple To Lead Us All? « Product To The People — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:49:45 +0000

[...] seems pretty compelling. Yet as the blog Passions of a Zealot points out, as an inline tenant Apple pays many times the amount of rent that a department store would. Some people question whether the brand shouldn’t be elevated to [...]

Comment on Walmart Gets A New Logo by SA

SA — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:48:55 +0000

First off, I reckon you should probably do some research. I am guessing you don’t have a degree in marketing or public relations? There is nothing wrong with their logo, there has to be a certain amount of renewal at some stage in ANY company, otherwise the company stagnates and loses their market to newcomers that offer a fresher product or idea/design. The logo may have been effective in the previous generation, but it is plain to see that it is due for a revamp. As far as their “unethical” HR practices are concerned, there is a lot more to employment than you have considered. You are obviously prejudice towards the company which may or may not be related to your own personal experience, there is a lot more to the economy than just a few simple facts. The fact that other businesses are being closed down because of Wal-mart’s presence in the market is no one’s fault, it’s a dog-eat-dog world, if the businesses cannot compete, it is nobody’s fault but their own. It is sad that many people will lose their jobs and that many companies will have to close down, but that is the whole point of a market driven economy (capitalism), this working of the economy provides the opportunity for everyone to compete in the market and prevents companies from obtaining market positions where they have monopolies. The fact that Wal-mart can offer better prices than their competitors are obvious, they are a huge company with a lot of resources. But should they stop their business on account of a small store in a rural area? Those poor few may be out of a job, but Wal-mart is creating jobs for the people that manufacture their products, so in essence they’re only shifting the unemployment as opposed to causing it, they’re also creating new jobs in manufacturing, where there would’ve been none if they hadn’t opened a new store. Unfortunately business IS competition in a market economy, and they cannot simply NOT expand on account of a small shop in a rural area,that isn’t business. On the other hand, remember the reason WHY they would go out of business… The lose on price, variety, consistency and pretty much everything else, those are the things that the consumer WANTS. Now weigh the few people losing their jobs against the hundreds of people that are better off because they are getting better value for their money… Everyone can save money by buying from Wal-mart, and they’ll do so. If you could get the very same product elsewhere for cheaper than you are about to pay, it’s only logical that you’d buy it elsewhere. The people that are loyal to the shops that previously operated in the area still have the choice to support the shops, but they don’t… Is it Wal-mart’s fault that they ditch their loyalty to save a few bucks? No, it’s not, they just present the people with a choice, the people choose to go and shop there, so who is really to blame? Is it the person presenting the choice? Or rather the person making it? With regards to the comment about the Freemasons and the pentagram, that is a load of conspiracy bullshit, go and do some research about the Freemasons, they don’t have some kind of a plan to overthrow the government and rule the world, they don’t even have anything to do with Wal-mart, neither does the Roman Catholics, the Freemasons is a glorified “gentleman’s club”, not some kind of secret society. There’s a lot more money to be made on Wall street and a lot more influential people as well, if their goal was WORLD DOMINATION (shiver…) They would definitely not be looking at selling groceries to achieve that… In any case, why on earth would they possibly put some sort of stupid symbol in their logo? Some hidden meaning that will tyrannise the world? What would they achieve? Do you think they all sit there giggling in their sleeves about their little conniving plan to rule the world through groceries? Do you reckon the CEO is going to jump out of the closet one day and declare their victory over the world and do a little tap-dace? And then you would’ve been correct? Come on, get a life! The only conspiracy is the ones that retarded people make up in their own mind to fill a void inside themselves, to convince themselves that it’s not their fault that they are miserable failures that have achieves nothing and have nothing, but it’s because the government and major corporations have an agenda. To an intelligent person, which they obviously are, it would make no sense to put some kind of dodgy little sign in their logo to tempt fate and run the risk of losing their entire empire if some GENIUS like you (…not) would be able to figure out their MASTER PLAN of world domination… In any case if there was a plan, I KNOW it would not be that obvious that an uneducated idiot like yourself would be able to figure it out. Why on earth would they destroy the American economy? So that all the money they made can be worthless? They make money off the economy you idiot, has it every crossed your mind that THAT might be the secret motivation behind the multi billion dollar company? The Point is, there are no conspiracies, it’s a LOGO, there’s nothing else to it! Stop bitching because you’re poor and their not. In the end that’s always what it boils down to, a poor dumb guy that wants to blame all their misfortune and lack of achievement and intellect on everyone and everything else…

Comment on Walmart Gets A New Logo by Matt

Matt — Sun, 29 May 2011 16:17:26 +0000

Just a response to the “Spark” symbol. A “Pentagram?” , really? You must be an idiot. Its not a 6 pointed star, its not pointed at all, another stupid observation.
There is no other reason for the “Spark” other than new, inspiring ideas, like sustainability. You know, it’s just a place to buy things, that’s it, end of story. You can find better things or topics to be concerned about, like war and famine. Get real and get educated!