RobertDouglas represented, as exclusive advisor, MetLife Inc. and Marriott International Inc. in arranging a $100 million refinancing of the Sheraton New Orleans through an international bank balance sheet lender. Further details of the transaction were not disclosed. The 1,110-key, downtown New Orleans hotel is co-owned in joint venture by affiliates of life insurance company MetLife Inc. and … [Read more...]

Marriott International Inc. has revealed that it will bring the City Express by Marriott brand into the U.S. & Canada, marking the company’s entry into the affordable midscale transient segment in the region. Previously referred to as Project Mid-T by Marriott, this brand expansion is part of the company’s continued focus on strengthening its presence in the affordable midscale … [Read more...]

When it comes to bringing technology into the hotel experience, there seems to be a fear among hoteliers that the human connectivity will be lost. Striking the right balance between technology that will elevate the guest experience and keeping that personal touch is a delicate game. In the latest Hotel Business Hot Topics session, “Empowering Guest Experience: How hotel tech shapes loyalty … [Read more...]

In the latest Hotel Business Hot Topics session, “Empowering Guest Experience: How hotel tech shapes loyalty and human connections,” in partnership with DirecTV Hospitality, Glenn Haussman, founder/host, No Vacancy Live podcast, joins a panel of industry leaders to find the best ways to strike a balance between technology and human interaction for an elevated hotel stay. The post Hear from … [Read more...]

Equus Capital Partners Ltd. has opened the AC Hotel Newtown Square in Newtown Square, PA. The brand’s first property in the Greater Philadelphia area features 140 rooms, 2,200 square feet of meeting and event space, a daytime café that turns into a nighttime lounge and a 24-hour fitness center. Gulph Creek Hotels manages the property. The hotel is part of the final development phase at Ellis … [Read more...]

In a significant legal victory, Marriott International Inc. has successfully concluded a lawsuit in federal court in Virginia against perpetrators responsible for tens of millions of illegal and fraudulent robocalls to consumers, misusing the Marriott name and the names of its portfolio of brands. Marriott initially filed the case as a “John Doe” lawsuit in May 2021, against anonymous bad actors … [Read more...]

Dreamscape Hospitality has revealed it will assume management of the Sheraton Denver West Hotel in Lakewood, CO. Located at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, the property features 242 guestrooms and suites and 18,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space,, as well as an outdoor pool and a fitness center. The hotel will soon undergo a multimillion-dollar, comprehensive renovation, … [Read more...]

Choice Hotels International Inc. has introduced Lobby in a Box—a proprietary and exclusive-to-Choice modular design package that allows hoteliers to transform public spaces such as lobby dining areas into multi-functional, revenue-generating spaces in as little as 120 days for its Suburban Studios and MainStay Suites brands. Delivered in a ready-to-assemble crate, the program allows hotel owners … [Read more...]

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched the Accelerator Circle, which gives Black Owners and Lodging Developers (BOLD) and Women Own the Room franchisees exclusive access to the company’s network of existing owners and industry experts through quarterly, small-group virtual meetups focused on fast-tracking hotel openings and maximizing performance. From networking and education to operational … [Read more...]

There are countless reasons to choose a honeymoon in Sri Lanka. The most compelling thing is that it offers everything you can want in one destination. Idyllic Sri Lankan beaches along the Indian Ocean with white sand, coconut palms, and crystal-clear waters, coupled with ancient ruins and temples. You’ll find majestic mountains, terraced tea fields, and wetlands perfect for wildlife … [Read more...]

The Hilton Garden Inn Bethesda Downtown has completed a $4-million transformation, including the lobby, meetings and events spaces, bar and lounge, restaurant and a new fitness center. The 216-room property also features new technological enhancements, such as enhanced WiFi capabilities, keyless locks and UNO Net television systems. Twin Bridges Hospitality is the hotel’s asset manager and HHM … [Read more...]

Extended Stay America has opened the 45 Extended Stay America Premier Suites, located in Pueblo, CO. The property was developed by BEP Pueblo Hospitality LLC, constructed by Integrated Hospitality Construction LLC and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality. The four-story, 124-room newly constructed Extended Stay America Premier Suites – Pueblo offers amenities, including free WiFi, complimentary … [Read more...]

The U.S. hotel industry reported positive year-over-year (YOY) comparisons, according to CoStar’s latest data through Sept. 28. September 22-28 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 68.4% (+2.6%) ADR: $170.24 (+7.5%) RevPAR: $116.50 (+10.2%) Among the top 25 markets, New York City saw the highest YOY increases in each of the key performance metrics: occupancy (+11.4% to … [Read more...]

HRI Hospitality has appointed Adnan B. Virani as SVP, capital markets and investor relations. “We are thrilled to welcome Adnan to our team,” said Michael Coolidge, chief investment and development officer, HRI Hospitality. “His extensive experience in fostering relationships, raising capital and structing investment funds with key partners will be instrumental in driving our long-term growth … [Read more...]

Peachtree Group has broken ground on a 19-story, dual-branded AC Hotel and Moxy Hotel development in Uptown Dallas. The development will bring 264 upscale rooms to the McKinney Avenue corridor. The property is expected to open in summer 2026. “Most hotels in Uptown cater to the upper-upscale and luxury segments, leaving the submarket lacking in upscale hotel options to meet the needs of a … [Read more...]

New York and Chicago are predicted to be the top North American business destinations according to American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), a software and services company for travel, meetings and expense, which has published the 2025 Top Destinations Study, as part of its annual Meetings & Events Forecast. The report identifies the top business travel destinations for meetings and … [Read more...]

Fifty-eight percent of Gen Y (Millennials) and Z travelers globally said they think “experiences are better than stuff,” according to a study by ibis. The “Go get it” report, conducted by ibis in collaboration with travel trend forecasting agency Globetrender, explored the travel intent of the world’s travelers and the trends shaping the new generation of global traveler. The report found that … [Read more...]

NewcrestImage continues to grow its portfolio of luxury full-service properties with the addition of The Beeman Hotel in Dallas, which features 296 guestrooms and suites over nine floors. “The Beeman is a very high-quality property that offers tremendous upside potential to help drive our ambitious growth goals,” said Mehul Patel, managing partner/CEO, NewcrestImage. “To further and fully optimize … [Read more...]

Choice Hotels International Inc. has relaunched Radisson Individuals in the Americas region as an upper-upscale soft brand focused on full-service, boutique and independent hotels. With this major investment in the Radisson Hotels Americas brands since their acquisition in 2022, Choice is now extending the brand to owners for the first time. “Our investment in Radisson Individuals is part of our … [Read more...]

Maverick Hotels and Restaurants has grown the company’s presence in the metropolitan Chicago market with the addition of the Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites Hotel to its portfolio. The property features 362 suites with separate living areas, room service and amenities including a fitness center, indoor pool, a market-style deli and three food and beverage outlets. It also includes more than … [Read more...]

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has completed the acquisition of the brands and most of the affiliates of lifestyle hospitality company Standard International, the parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands. The 100% asset-light portfolio includes management, franchise and license contracts for 22 open hotels with approximately 2,000 rooms, including The Standard, London; The Standard, … [Read more...]

Aimbridge Hospitality has launched a newly developed proprietary data reporting platform called Aimbridge Intelligence, built to provide greater transparency and collaboration with owners. Housed in OwnView, a dedicated portal exclusively available to Aimbridge owners, Aimbridge Intelligence creates new opportunities for owners with seamless access to information, including key performance data … [Read more...]

Outrigger Hospitality Group has appointed Crystall Ho as its new EVP/CFO. She succeeds Avery Aoki, who is retiring after nearly 40 years with the company. In her new role, Ho will serve as a key member of the executive team, providing financial leadership and supporting fact-based decision-making. She will be responsible for driving a broad range of strategic, financial and operational … [Read more...]

Azul Hospitality Group has added the Woodlark Hotel in Portland, OR, to its portfolio. The property combines two historic buildings: the Woodlark Building, constructed in 1912, and the Cornelius Hotel, built in 1908. “We are thrilled to expand our hospitality footprint into Portland as this market continues to grow,” said Alvaro Fraile, CEO, Azul Hospitality. “This is the type of asset we … [Read more...]

Stayntouch, a cloud hotel property management systems (PMS) and guest-centric technology provider, has entered into a new partnership with Cobblestone Hotels. Stayntouch deployed its PMS across 139 Cobblestone properties in 90 days. “We chose Stayntouch for their outstanding customer support and dedicated team members, who remain consistently available—a quality we truly value,” said Josie … [Read more...]

Imagine gliding through the icy waters of Alaska, surrounded by towering glaciers and playful sea otters – this is what a day cruise at Kenai Fjords National Park feels like. You can start your adventure from Seward, and you’ll be treated to breathtaking views and incredible wildlife encounters. Whether it’s spotting a majestic mountain goat on the cliffs or watching a glacier calve into the … [Read more...]

At its 2024 conference, held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, Red Roof unveiled a blueprint for continued profitable growth at its brand conference for more than 1,000 franchisees, team members and partners. In his address to the Red Roof franchise community, President Zack Gharib told conference attendees, “We are an iconic American brand, and we are living the American dream.” He outlined a … [Read more...]

Cendyn, a global hospitality cloud-based technology company, has acquired Knowland, a provider of data-as-a-service intelligence on meetings and events for hospitality. The strategic acquisition presents an opportunity to enhance sales prospecting by yielding greater bookings in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and events) space, according to Cendyn. Knowland’s platform includes market … [Read more...]

Fathom Companies, which includes Fathom Real Estate Development and Fathom Hotel Management, has engaged industry veteran, Larry Spelts to lead the company’s portfolio growth through both additional third-party management opportunities and development opportunities. Having grown four management company portfolios since 2009, Spelts brings a wealth of experience in scaling hospitality … [Read more...]

There are several areas hoteliers can focus on to impact their bottom lines, from property improvement plans (PIPs) and technology to implementing sustainable practices and lowering energy costs. Hotel Business recently held an executive roundtable, hosted and sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric, where industry leaders discussed best practices to achieve healthy hotel finances. Moderated by Christina … [Read more...]