Thursday, December 21, 2017

BAPS Helps with Hurricane Harvey Relief


For nearly two decades, Bharat Lall has served as the founding president and CEO of Pinnacle Hotels USA in San Diego, where he specializes in restoring distressed hotel properties in promising areas. A committed philanthropist, Bharat Lall is a longtime supporter of BAPS Charities. 

In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston, Texas, causing upwards of $200 billion in damage. In December, BAPS Charities was in the Cinco Ranch Canyon Gate area of the city to help with recovery efforts. 

Volunteers were on hand to assess the most important needs in the area, the most significant of which was drywall material to replace the soiled and molding walls in flooded homes. BAPS has spent more than 8,000 volunteer hours putting approximately 3,000 new sheets of drywall into more than 50 homes since arriving on the scene. The organization has also helped feed residents, serving approximately 4,500 hot meals.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Mahatma Gandhi Harnessed the Power of Peaceful Protest


Dr. Bharat Lall serves as president and CEO of Pinnacle Hotels USA, Inc., based in San Diego. The company offers travelers the choice of nine high-quality properties comprising more than 1,700 rooms in Southern California and Texas. Bharat Lall, MD, is also community involved. His contributions to the San Diego Indian American Society (SDIAS) and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Scholarship reflect pride in his Indian heritage.

The SDIAS-administered scholarship benefits the community’s high school graduates while honoring the contributions Gandhi made to bettering life for all of humanity.

Gandhi was born Mohandas Gandhi (“Mahatma” is an honorific that means “Great Soul”) in the latter half of the 19th century. By the time of his death at the hands of an assassin in 1948, Gandhi had become one of the world’s best-known champions of human rights and the non-violent resistance to oppression. He garnered headlines for leading massive protests against British rule in India, an effort through which he demonstrated the power of committed individuals to effect positive change.

In 1930, he led the Salt March in protest against the British colonial officials’ monopoly on production of the mineral - a monopoly that controlled production with tariffs and excluded Indians from profiting from the salt industry.

Gandhi’s march of more than 200 miles to the sea coast, where he symbolically collected mineral salts in defiance of the law, led to his arrest and that of tens of thousands of his followers while shining a light on their cause throughout the world.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Days Inn Encinitas - A Pinnacle Hotel


With almost three decades of experience in hotel management, Bharat Lall serves as the president and CEO of Pinnacle Hotels USA, managing properties in California, Texas, and Ohio. Bharat Lall oversees the acquisition of underperforming hotels to enhance their value by increasing their net income. One such property in Pinnacle's collection, Days Inn Encinitas, is an ideal location for both leisure and business stays. 

Located in an eclectic beach town between Los Angeles and San Diego, Days Inn Encinitas offers access to plenty of attractions. Encinitas is a city rich in culture and history, where hotel guests can enjoy attractive beaches, hilly landscapes, and a dynamic business district. Popular family tourist destinations in the area include Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, and Sea World.

The hotel has 124 reasonably priced rooms with ample amenities. Free Wi-Fi allows those traveling for business to stay connected, and microwaves and refrigerators in every room provide guests with the conveniences of home.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Museums and Attractions in San Diego's Balboa Park


Bharat Lall leverages more than two decades of experience in the hotel investments sphere to serve as president of Pinnacle Hotels USA. Among the premier properties Bharat Lall manages are Four Points by Sheraton San Diego Downtown, which is situated in close vicinity to many of the city’s highlights, including Balboa Park.

The large scale urban park encompasses numerous museums and attractions, from the Japanese Friendship Garden to the San Diego Natural History Museum. One of the highlights for many visitors is the Fleet Science Center, which offers a variety of hands-on exhibits and a pioneering IMAX dome theater. The San Diego Air and Space Museum brings focus to the region’s rich aviation history, while the Museum of Man explores the confluences of history, art, and the development of human civilization. 

Art lovers have both the Museum of Photographic Arts and the San Diego Museum of Art to choose from, with the latter featuring a wide array of works spanning Renaissance Europe and Southeast Asian art. Perhaps the most popular attraction in Balboa Park is the San Diego Zoo, which encompasses more than 100 acres and more than 800 species, from tigers to giant pandas.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Solana Beach’s Scenic Coast - Spanning Tide Pools and Surf Breaks


Bharat Lall engages as president and CEO of Pinnacle Hotels USA and oversees a portfolio of quality-focused hospitality properties that extends from Texas to California. Among Bharat Lall’s premier San Diego-area properties is the Courtyard by Marriott Solana Beach, which has recently been renovated and is situated in a picturesque beach town known for the Del Mar Racetrack and Cedros Avenue Design District.

For many visitors, the five Pacific Coast beaches that span the community are the prime attraction. Perfect for jogging, surfing, and whale watching, they include the northernmost spot, Seaside, which draws surfers seeking big southwest swells that form waves off Table Tops, an outer reef.

Family-friendly Fletcher Cove is accessible via Lomas Santa Fe Road and offers a playground and a grassy area that is often used for barbecues and picnics. Tide Beach just to the north has exceptional sand and allows for tide pool excursions in exposed reefs during low tide. Local favorites include Seascape Beach and Del Mar Shores, which are situated at the mouth of the San Dieguito River. One thing to be aware of is that only Fletcher Cove has dedicated restroom and shower facilities.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Radisson Hotel in North San Diego



Hotelier Bharat Lall is the president and CEO of Pinnacle Hotels USA. Bharat Lall’s company has nine hotels in its portfolio, including Radisson Hotel San Diego-Rancho Bernardo.

Suitable for both business and vacation travelers, the Radisson Hotel San Diego-Rancho Bernardo is located off I-15 within 30 minutes of downtown San Diego. The hotel is minutes from Northrop Grumman and Hewlett-Packard and within easy reach of the Del Mar beaches, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland, and dozens of golf courses. 

The hotel has a bilingual staff and 178 rooms featuring premium bedding, spacious work desks, and free high-speed Internet access. The hotel’s events facilities total nearly 4,000 square feet and accommodate 130. 

Catering and other support services are available for business meetings and social functions. Other hotel amenities include shuttle services, a fitness center, a year-round outdoor heated pool, and a restaurant and bar.

Friday, June 23, 2017

San Diego Public Library Reads by Design for Summer 2017


As president and CEO of Pinnacle Hotels USA, Inc., founder Bharat Lall directs operations of a portfolio of nine Sunbelt properties. He is also a devoted philanthropist in his own San Diego community and beyond. Thanks to Bharat Lall and other donors, the San Diego Public Library is better able to offer programs and services that enrich the lives of its patrons. 

In June 2017, SDPL kicked off the newest incarnation of its beloved summer reading program. As the problem of “summer slide”--the drop in children’s reading skills that can occur over summer break--becomes more widely known, public libraries and their communities are dedicating more resources to making reading and learning a fun part of vacation for the entire family.

This year’s SDPL summer reading theme is “Reading by Design.” Everyone, from babies to adults, is invited to participate, enjoy summer programs at the library, and collect prizes. Program finishers are invited to visit their local branch to receive age-specific prizes that include complimentary passes to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Air and Space Museum in historic Balboa Park.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Five Tips for Success in the Hospitality Industry


Pinnacle Hotels USA president and CEO Bharat Lall oversees the management of eight hotels, including multiple formerly underperforming properties with valuable potential. Bharat Lall leads the company with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Success in the hospitality industry requires a combination of best customer practices and technical knowledge. The following list details some tips for success. 

1. Make guest relations a priority. Guest services and satisfaction are at the center of the hospitality industry. Improving guest relations and providing your guests with positive experiences can increase your reputation and make guests more likely to return to your business. Successful guest relations means hiring friendly staff, being attentive to customer needs, and resolving problems quickly. 

2. Know your customers. No two customers are alike, and their specific needs may vary depending on their choice of hotel and their reasons for traveling. For example, a customer who selects a beachside resort while on vacation will express different expectations than one staying at a conventional hotel near an airport while on business travel. Try to tailor your services to the kind of guests your business normally serves.

3. Promote a positive work environment. To maintain the friendly and attentive team necessary for a positive guest experience, you must treat employees with fairness and respect. You can cultivate a good work environment by giving compliments, remembering birthdays and personal details, and hosting staff parties. 

4. Maintain good financials. Financials may pose a challenge to success in the hospitality industry without effective money management practices. Money management is especially important during the start-up phase, so make sure you begin setting aside funds early on if just starting out. 

5. Cultivate a comprehensive industry knowledge. A thorough knowledge of the hospitality industry will help you make effective business decisions and provide you with a framework for what to look for in industry trends.

Monday, June 12, 2017

KIVA’s Impact Around the World




The CEO and president of Pinnacle Hotels USA, Bharat Lall, MD, oversees a team of more than 550 people in his efforts to provide quality hotel experiences to consumers. Beyond his work, Dr. Bharat Lall supports several charitable organizations, including KIVA, a nonprofit that encourages people from all over the world to lend money via crowdfunding for use by entrepreneurs in developing countries. 

Since its formation in 2005, KIVA has had a demonstrable effect on entrepreneurship in its areas of operation, which include over 80 countries throughout Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. Over 12 years, supporters have loaned $979 million to 2.4 million borrowers via the KIVA platform. In total, KIVA has been able to provide funds to over 229,000 people in conflict zones throughout the world, in addition to supporting the efforts of almost 580,000 farmers and 800,000 borrowers in less developed nations.

KIVA places a particular focus on supporting female entrepreneurs, who may have difficulty attracting funding for their ventures. In total, 83 percent of KIVA borrowers are female.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Renovations Brought a Four Points by Sheraton to Downtown San Diego


Bharat Lall serves as president and CEO of Pinnacle Hotels USA, based in San Diego, California. Within the Pinnacle brand, the experienced real estate entrepreneur owns and manages nine hotel properties in California and Texas. Bharat Lall and his team work to offer high-quality experiences to all guests at locations that include the Four Points by Sheraton San Diego Downtown.

Situated close to San Diego’s convention center and the beauties of Balboa Park, the Four Points recently underwent extensive renovations. Pinnacle Hotels purchased the distinctive round building in 2011 and, after spending $3.5 million to upgrade it, unveiled its new look in 2014. The updates included a new lobby area, a restaurant and bar, gym facilities, and meeting room space. 

The original Four Points was constructed as a Holiday Inn in 1970. Pinnacle’s goal in the renovations of the 220-room hotel was to offer a more upscale lodging experience under the Sheraton brand, as well as that of affiliated Starwood Hotels and Resorts. The renovation and rebranding positioned the hotel as the first Four Points by Sheraton in the downtown part of San Diego.