What ever happened to...?

Submitted by kayak99 on 7 January, 2006 - 23:13.

Anyone know what happened to the Jacobson family who once owned the Gran Hotel in downtown Managua during the 60's? (I know it was destroyed in the '72 quake. I once knew the daughter Kari and my father was friends with her parents. As I recall they also had a property in Guatamala.)

Just wondered.

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Last I heard of them was

Submitted by 111 on 8 January, 2006 - 01:46.

Last I heard of them was that they still were developing hotels. Heres a press release that mentions their operations and info about their company(CJ Hotels). Hope it helps:

Microtel Inn & Suites First International Hotel Breaks Ground in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

ATLANTA (Oct. 7, 1998) - Guatemala-based Connor/Jacobson Hotels (CJ Hotels) has broken ground on Microtel's first international hotel in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. San Pedro Sula, the industrial capital of Honduras, is one of the fastest growing cities in Latin America. Central America's first Microtel Inn & Suites is the closest hotel to the city's new international airport and the Lima-Progresso city districts. A mid-1999 opening is planned.

"The Honduras property is just the beginning of Microtel's growing presence in Latin America," said Mike Leven, president and CEO of US Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS), owner of the Microtel brand.

"We are continuing work with CJ Hotels to bring the Microtel concept to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama." Microtel is the fastest growing chain of all newly-constructed, interior corridor, budget hotels in the U.S.

The Microtel Inn & Suites in San Pedro Sula will be a two-story, 60-room property. Single, double and suite accommodations will offer queen beds, remote cable TV, CNN, ESPN, HBO and Pay-Per-View movies. In addition, there will be complimentary continental breakfast, exercise room, pool, and a 24-hour business center with fax, copier and computer/printer services. The hotel will also provide complimentary transportation to Central Plaza and other area shopping centers.

"Microtel is changing the concept of the hotel industry with its mixture of high value and comfort at an affordable price," said Mark Jacobson, COO of CJ Hotels. Founded by Jacobson's parents, Harry and Mollie Connor Jacobson, in 1952, CJ Hotels currently owns and operates properties in Guayaquil, Ecuador (Grand Hotel Guayaquil), San Pedro Sula, Honduras (Gran Hotel Sula) and Panama City, Panama (Executive Hotel).CJ Hotels also operated the Gran Hotel Managua in Nicaragua for many years. The company is run by brothers Mark, Peder and Tom Jacobson.

Thanks

Submitted by kayak99 on 8 January, 2006 - 09:41.

Looks like they did good. I'll have to assume Harry was her father's name since I can't remember. Those must be her brothers. I don't remember them but then again I can't remember a lot from 40 years ago! lol

Thnaks!

Hi, my grandfather was Harry Jacobson

Submitted by Jacoer1 on 26 April, 2007 - 11:56.

I ran across this thread accidentally on Google, my name is Erik Jacobson, grandson of Harry and Mollie, and one of the five children of Peder Jacobson. I thought I might be in a position to update you...My grandfather was in the doorway of his hotel in Nicaragua when it collapsed in the earthquake, but my grandmother survived him, running several hotels with her sons, as well as opening new ones, until she too passed away last night. We are a very close family, and the children of Mark,Tom,Kari,Brit,Jane and my father Peder have been meeting in Honduras in a house built by Harry every year since his passing. By last count we were nearing forty or more Jacobsons, spread from New York to Ecuador, with the majority in Florida or Guatemala. Hope that helps, and I was more than happy to write about them. Cheers

Erik,

Submitted by kayak99 on 28 April, 2007 - 17:27.

Erik,

Thanks for posting. That does help as I wondered how the family fared after the quake. As a young teen in the 60's I loved stopping into the Gran Hotel to eat fried platanos in the lobby before we headed off to the English speaking movie theater not far away. Your Aunt Kari and I were friends (6th grade as I recall) and at one time she bestowed upon me her pet, a white rat. The things one remembers. Long ago and far away it was. Sorry to hear how Harry passed away but I guess it's befitting for him to die in the Grand Hotel he loved. Also sorry to hear of your grandmothers recent passing. I can't remember her but I am sure we met. Good to hear the family is doing well though.

Cheers back,

Mike