Thanks Trump! Historic Newport Hotel will lay off over 100 workers

I love Newport I have been to Newport in July in Nov Dec Jan Feb

Who the fuck wants to pay top dollar at an hotel and go to Newport in February?

R1 Apparently, you do since you listed that as being one of the months you visited.

They usually do quite well in the winter months with couples who find it romantic to spend a snowy weekend or Valentine's Day by the fireplace in an historic hotel. Their offering 'off-season' rates (as well as the restaurants who offer their 'winter menu' with less pricey options) and do some great package deals for their winter 'getaways' - which is why hotels like The Viking keep a nearly- full staff on. They know how to market to those who want a 'winter New England' escape without going to ski country. Not as busy as the Spring - Fall, but winters are usually quite profitable in Newport (more and more business owners have found this out, and have kept their doors open from January - March).

I always knew there were a considerable amount of Canadian tourists, but I didn't know how much until this all went down. It wouldn't occur to me that Canadians would go to the US during the Summer when they have good weather to enjoy.

Winter? Sure. But it seems odd to go to New England - don't they have similar weather in Canada? They have tons of lakes.

Vegas too.

Feels like half of Canada went to the US for vacations for this much of a drop all over the US.

AI says that 55% of all Canadian international overnight trips were to US in 2018. 25-34% of all international visitors to US were Canadian.

36% of Canadians who planned US trips canceled them this year.

And yet Trumpers still back him. Idiots.

Is this a place where well-off people go? If so, I’m okay with this happening.

^The people losing their jobs probably aren't so well off.

[quote]Thanks to Trump's unfriendly policies effecting foreign traveler

Oh, dear.

R3 He killed the tourism industry, and MAGA doesn't seem to care. What kind of world is this ?

I've heard from very good sources that Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket also took a huge hit this summer.

It's too bad that Rhode Island is feeling the repercussions of this because they didn't vote for Trump. Unfortunately Trump's nasty attacks on Canada have hurt a lot of people.

R2 I was there for reasons other than enjoying a lovely bitter cold windy day in Newport in Jan sitting by the fire in an expensive hotel.

Skiing in Jan that I can understand. A warm spot down south somewhere sure. I can see why Newport lays off people during the winter months because the hotel and town is just not that busy.

That is a guess based on the not very good weather and common sense..

I wonder how Hampton Beach, New Hamster did. Half of Quebec seemed to vacation there.

R9 Newport winter tourism has definitely picked up in the past decade or so, especially with the changes we're all feeling with 'global warming'. Our winters are not nearly as frigid as they used to be, our snow fall has been a fraction of what I remember from childhood - 40s. Hotels, restaurants and nightclubs have taken full advantage of this, and have done some very effective marketing - historic inns and B&Bs pairing up with nearby restaurants to offer special packages to couples looking for a 'weekend getaway' makes for a cozy and enjoyable weekend (for those who don't want a beach or island down south). There's plenty of marketing for this from New Year's Eve - Valentine's Week. Their travel & tourism bureau is on top of their game.

I'm not saying there aren't seasonal layoffs, but as mentioned in my OP - that particular hotel has never laid off more than half of its staff for any reason at all - not for the winter off-season, and not for remodels and renovations in the off-season. 20-30% each winter has been average (and expected), but 50 % ? Unheard of.

These people AI claims were fired by the hotel because of planned major renovations at the hotel. And the hotel itself has a long history of enduring bad times before since at last the 1960s.

That is in no way any support for Trump.

Renovations. And from what I know of hotel renovations is that they generally impact a hotels business when they are going on. Some hotels shut down 100% for weeks or months.

Dump always claims the opposite of what’s true, but hasn’t been out there claiming travel to the US has never been better. MAGA policies really are isolationist by design. They don’t want outsiders coming in. Think North Korea.

[quote] I wonder how Hampton Beach, New Hamster did. Half of Quebec seemed to vacation there.

The beaches in Maine as well.

[quote]These people AI claims were fired by the hotel because of planned major renovations at the hotel.

And AI knows everything, right? AI never gets it wrong. AI knows all and all should follow AI.

I seriously can't take this level of stupidity.

R12 R15 Who said the info came from AI ?

I wasn't responding to the OP. I was responding to the poster above trying to say this is due to renovations based on something AI claimed.

R16 said it came from AI,—- planned major renovations

i could go back and do much more research or call the hotel if R15 wants I guess,

. But R15 did not disagree that it was planned renovations because R15 has no fucking idea why those folks were fired

And R15 did not suggest hotel did not have previous ups and downs since 1960s when it was called the Viking motor hotel.

They went all DL prissy and called names because I said AI

Sorry

“R16 I said…”

Not “ R16 said :-)

^poor wittle troll

R20 still has no fucking idea of his own why those people were fired.

Answer

Planned Renovations

Now R20 is better informed.

Thread closed, folks. R21 has spoken. Everyone else is wrong and R21 is right so there's no more need to post here. Might as well shut DL down for good since R21 can just tell us all what's real and what's not.

Newport Business News —- do your own search if you doubt.

They say the hotel told them—-Planned Renovations

That is the reason those folks were laid

"I saw it on the internet so I know I'm right! I win I win! I'm a super special boy!"

Why R22 we can still discuss planned renovations at a historic Newport hotel. Just because you ended up looking like a dumb shit that had no idea does not mean the thread should be closed.

We can also blame Trump for those renovations.

Interesting

The hotel was bought out earlier this year by some large corp. The renovations are a part of an attempt to improve a hotel guests were complaining about in reviews as being kind of a dump. A hotel needing renovations..

All in all this is a happy thread and really has nothing to do with Trump it seems.

R25 why don't you just post the link?

AI and fake news.

I don’t post links. I don’t start threads. I have never FF anyone.

But thanks for asking and now despite having the real answer you are free go off to do your own research if this is at all important to you.

Personally I can’t wait to follow these Renovtions we could start a betting pool on how many weeks months or years they will take.

Color me excited that a hotel that needs improving will get some.

Best to do them when business is slow, I guess

I'm no Trump fan and think he should be put under the jail, but when you start blaming him for every single thing, it makes some people roll their eyes and question when you have a legitimate reason to blame him for something.

Bottom line: be more strategic in your Trump blame and you'll be taken more seriously.

The cost is over $600 a night, but it only has a 3.9 rating on TripAdvisor. There’s the problem. A summary of reviews:

“Hotel Viking offers a mix of experiences for travelers. Many appreciate its convenient location near Newport's attractions, though some note a need for renovation. The historic charm and inviting atmosphere earn praise, despite occasional complaints about outdated decor. While service is often described as friendly, some guests report inconsistencies. Room conditions vary, with some finding them cramped and not well-maintained. Amenities like the pool and bar receive mixed reviews, and the value is often questioned due to high fees and rates.”

High prices for a not great hotel. Of course people are going to avoid it.

There are several 4.9 review score hotels in Newport on TripAdvisor none are close to being named Viking which does have a crappy 3.9 TA score..

This thread is a good example as to why Trump is President and Harris lost. :-)

Praise the Lord

Our US economy is so strong that a Corporation will invest 300 million in fixing up a Newport dump. This country is on a fucking good role :-)

OP thanks for starting this one it’s been fun

More reading and it does appear that this mediocre 3.9 score hotel is on its was to being an upgraded true luxury hotel.

Another far too expensive hotel I can’t afford. Trump is fucking up my life and vacation plans.

This is cool. After the renovations the Viking Hotel will have a spa, and I mean a luxury spa, a new work out area, and modern equipment among lots of other upgrades. . People seem to be real excited about the improvements. 😎

.

... and no foreign tourism

Newport is fine. Whatever they lost in Canadians they’ve gained in Gilded Age fans. Not to mention that it’s a playground for the .01.%s and they are doing quite well. I’m literally here now (not at the hotel in question mind you since dog) and it is packed.

The Canadians were a longer and more sustained patronage that the fleeting fad of a TV show.

Well the title of this thread is a bit misleading. The hotel will be closed for renovations.

I fear your past tense is a bit displaced R39. We are at the height of the fad at the moment.

I hate Mango Mussolini as much as anyone, but Newport with its Campbell soup heirs and Blackrock and Oracle founders is probably the only part of the US not doing poorly at the moment.

Old Orchard Beach otoh…. Susan Collins should be concerned.

R15 do you feel stupid now?

[quote] We are at the height of the fad at the moment.

For the moment

R41 are you sure? They claim there are millions of jobs open, young people the not serving in the military were mny jobs with a large bonus awaits, , and people I know in construction say the work orders and contracts will keep them busy for years.

Over time at least days 5 days a week offered. And they are constantly hiring. You do have to be willing to get dirty. But the pay is great.

What I do see is a lot of negative vibes and fear and worry. But the jobs are there for those willing to work.

That saidTrump is a bad man. Bad bad bad.

Who says there are no foreign trolls on DL? It boggles the mind that they bother posting here, but yet here R44 is; apparently lost and slightly confused.

I got lost reading it EL

I have dual USofA / Canadian citizenship. Born in Manchester NH. Live in Quebec.

[quote]Well the title of this thread is a bit misleading. The hotel will be closed for renovations.

Once again, the hotel has gone through many extensive renovations in the past 60 years during the 'off-season' and never have they ever had to lay off half their staff. For some reason, people here on the DL keep missing that fact.

It's nice that the new hotel owners are blaming this on just 'renovations'. but when both The Newport Preservation Society as well as the Newport Hospitality Group are reporting tourism is off 20% for the summer season, and other hotels and restaurants are saying there were no visitors outside the USA this summer (starting with Canadians), it paints a different picture. But I guess its more Trump-friendly for the hotel to just blame 'renovations'.

This time the hotel will be entirely shut down, as in no fucking guests at all, and it’s reported that they have no idea how long it will be shut down. And they will be investing a lot of money to fix that 3.9 kind of dump.

I have seen hotels in other cites closed for over a year before reopening,

It’s an interesting story but it really has nothing bad at least to do with Trump.

Oh my a dummy reservation at the 3.9 Viking and it’s a non refundable $520 a night now. It is a double room though. This has nothing to do with Trump Biden or anyone else.

You have to be living in a very overly rich and fat country to have people that can afford that at what is a not all that well reviewed hotel. .