The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel New York Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Transformation
Sonesta International Hotels | September 20th, 2024
Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable
John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook | September 17th, 2024
News Top: September
The Wildbirch Hotel is on Track to Open in Early 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska
THE WILDBIRCH HOTEL | September 26, 2024
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Sept. 26, 2024 – Slated to open in early 2025 in the heart of Anchorage’s downtown Mushing District, The Wildbirch Hotel will offer guests a truly unique experience as the city’s first boutique property and newest lodging option in 20 years. The Wildbirch Hotel is anticipated to be the first JdV by Hyatt property in Alaska and is situated amidst the vibrant energy of the burgeoning West Fourth Avenue corridor. The hotel will serve as both a community hub and a centrally located basecamp for travelers seeking the full spectrum of Alaska adventure. The hotel will feature 252 modern and design-forward accommodatio...
HSMAI Announces the Passing of President and CEO Bob Gilbert
HSMAI | September 20, 2024
Gilbert Proudly Led the Organization for More than 30 Years, Through Industry-Changing Events Including the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, 2008 Recession, and Covid-19 Pandemic FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (September 20, 2024) – It is with profound sadness that the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas, HSMAI Foundation and HSMAI Global, announce that President and CEO, Bob Gilbert passed away on September 19, 2024. In July 2024, the organization announced that Gilbert had accelerated his retirement plan as a result of a serious health issue following 30 years of executive leadership for HSMAI. ...
An Overview of San Francisco’s Prolonged Recovery
Jason Lee | September 5, 2024
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco has been navigating a difficult and lengthy road to recovery. Concerns over safety and street conditions, record-high office vacancies, a weak convention calendar, and limited visitation from Asia are among the challenges for local hoteliers. However, the long-term outlook remains cautiously optimistic given the growing presence of artificial intelligence companies, the fuller rebound of convention activity, and major sporting events planned for 2026, including Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup. Lodging, Convention, and Travel Trends Following a rebound in 2022, San Francisco’s hotel perform...
CEO Pay in Hospitality 2024
AETHOS | September 3, 2024
With the pandemic largely in the rearview mirror, the last twelve months have been about interest rates, less transactions, and wild presidential election cycles worldwide. The hotel industry will be impacted in significant ways as these issues unfold. On the other hand, operational fundamentals have been strong, contributing to CEO pay marching upward. Average CEO pay in the industry rose to USD $9.8M, from the previous year’s $9.5M. Most of this increase came in the form of short-term incentive pay, making the correlation between stronger operating fundamentals and CEO pay. Interestingly, “other compensation” also increased indicat...
2024 HVS Lodging Tax Report – USA
Thomas Hazinski | September 24, 2024
Since room sales generate lodging tax revenues, an overview of hotel market trends provides a perspective on the industry's current and future fiscal impacts. While the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were unprecedented, as documented in our 2023 HVS Lodging Tax Study, nearly all lodging markets reached or exceeded pre-COVID average rates and revenue generation in 2022. The National Lodging Market has seen recent growth in occupancy, average daily room rates, and revenue per available room. The Average Daily Room Rate (“ADR”) represents the average revenue earned for each room rented in a hotel. Revenue per available room (“R...
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) Assumes Management of 232-Suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Bloomington/Minneapolis in Minnesota
Hospitality Ventures Management Group | September 12, 2024
HVMG to Oversee $9 Million Renovation Project to Upgrade Guest Rooms and Public Spaces BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Sept. 12, 2024—Hospitality Ventures Management Group, an Atlanta-based third-party hotel operator and investor, today announced it has assumed management of the 232-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Bloomington/Minneapolis. The company also will oversee a $9 million renovation project to upgrade guest rooms, public space, restaurant and back-of-house items. “Between our long standing history and familiarity operating this and other Hilton-branded projects and our expertise overseeing major hotel refurbishments, the Embassy Suites by...
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills Appoints Terry Buchholz as New General Manager
The London West Hollywood | September 11, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA (September 11, 2024) -- The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is pleased to announce Terry Buchholz as the new General Manager for the modern luxury hotel. In his role, Buchholz will oversee all aspects of the hotel's operations, ensuring the seamless flow of day-to-day activities, optimizing processes, and upholding the renowned standard of excellence for which The London West Hollywood is known. “I am delighted to join the team at such an iconic property in West Hollywood," said Terry Buchholz, General Manager of The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. "I look forward to working alongside this talented team, to...
Hotel Management Companies Drive Significantly Better Guest Experiences, J.D. Power Finds
J.D. Power | September 4, 2024
TROY, Mich.: 4 Sept. 2024 — The secret to a great branded hotel stay may be in an aspect that guests do not often realize: the third-party management company operating the hotel, which creates consistent, pleasurable and problem-free guest experiences. According to the J.D. Power 2024 North America Third-Party Hotel Management Guest Satisfaction Benchmark,SM released today, overall guest satisfaction with branded hotels run by the nation’s largest third-party management companies improves significantly this year, outperforming both chain-managed and independently operated hotels. “Third-party management companies operating branded ...
HerOwnership Conference Ignites Empowerment: AAHOA Unites Women Hoteliers for Leadership and Growth
AAHOA | September 18, 2024
REDONDO BEACH, CA, September 18—Women hoteliers from across the nation converged at the 2024 HerOwnership Conference by AAHOA, a dynamic two-day event crafted by women for women in the hospitality industry. Centered around the empowering themes of executive presence, hotel ownership, and mental health and wellness, the conference inspired attendees to connect, lead, and thrive in an industry where their voices and leadership are more important than ever. Some 300 people attended the event, which marked the third annual HerOwnership Conference for AAHOA. "The hospitality industry stands out because women comprise most of the workforce,...
Hotel Equities and UIP Open The Quincy, Ascend Hotel Collection, in the Heart of Washington, DC
Hotel Equities | September 17, 2024
Washington, DC – [September 17, 2024] – Hotel Equities and Urban Investment Partners proudly announce the opening of The Quincy, Ascend Hotel Collection, located in the heart of Washington, DC. The Quincy is an upscale boutique hotel that seamlessly combines comfort, convenience, and style, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers alike. Located at 1823 L St. NW, The Quincy is in the core of DC’s business district, steps from the metro and a short walk to the White House. The hotel, franchised by Choice Hotels International, is owned by 1823 Owner, LLC, a UIP affiliate, and operated by Hotel Equitie...
Portland Maine’s Historic Landmark Building to be Transformed into Independent Hotel
Fathom Companies | September 26, 2024
PORTLAND, Maine, September 26, 2024 - Local developers plan to transform the former Fidelity Trust Building at 465 Congress Street into a historic hotel that captures the beauty and detail of its 1910 architecture. Fathom Companies, in partnership with SwingPoint Development, will lead the historic Portland landmark’s restoration, which will match the style and level of historic preservation of the award-winning Press Hotel, which it developed and operates. “When we restore historic buildings, we revitalize neighborhoods and promote local businesses while protecting our environment,” said Jim Brady, president of Fathom Companies. “...
Boston and Cambridge Lodging Market: Navigating Post-Pandemic Realities and Future Prospects
Rachel Roginsky | September 25, 2024
By Rachel Roginsky, ISHC The Boston and Cambridge lodging market, one of the most vibrant and dynamic in the United States, has undergone significant changes in recent years. These changes, spurred by external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, economic fluctuations, and evolving consumer preferences, have created a complex landscape for hoteliers and investors alike. This article delves into the current status of the Boston/Cambridge market, examines historical data and trends, and offers short term projections for the future. Historical Overview: A Market Shaped by External Forces Pre-Pandemic Growth and Resilience (2015-2019) In the y...
Looking at the Halekulani for How to Continually Surprise Guests
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | September 11, 2024
By Adam and Larry Mogelonsky In the realm of luxury and ultra-luxury hotels, where room rates often exceed $1,000 USD per night, the stakes are incredibly high. These properties are not just selling a place to stay; they are crafting experiences that reinforce brand loyalty and elevate the guest's perception of value. In such a competitive market, using creativity to differentiate your offerings isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Even if your property hasn’t reached this price point yet, there’s much to learn from these high-end strategies. Competitive pricing and attractive packages are important, but they must be matched ...
Downtown San Antonio, TX: Building for the Future
David Bone | September 19, 2024
Downtown San Antonio boasts a diverse array of buildings built during multiple decades, as can be expected in a city that is more than 300 years old. These structures contribute to the city’s historical charm, and contemporary buildings were not prevalent in the past. However, spurred by the “Decade of Downtown” within the city’s SA2020 growth plan created in 2010, revitalization and new-build projects became more common in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The modernization was anchored by the 2019 opening of Frost Tower, the city’s first new high-rise since 1989. Since 2020, roughly 20 development projects, reportedly to...
Marriott International Announces 2024 Winners of Masters of the Craft Competition, Adds New Pastry Category
Marriott International, Inc. | September 17, 2024
Marriott International announced the winners of Masters of the Craft, a culinary, beverage and pastry competition designed to foster creativity and innovation while highlighting exceptional chefs and bartenders within the company’s food, beverage and pastry community. Adding pastry to the competition brought attention to a space that has extraordinary talent across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of brands. Over the past three months, over 1,600 exceptional culinary, pastry and beverage professionals from 181 Marriott Bonvoy properties across the U.S. & Canada competed in local and regional Masters of the Craft competitions to prove t...
Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable
John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook | September 17, 2024
By John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook September 2024 As technology evolves, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a valuable tool across industries, especially in hospitality. However, with this rapid advancement, misconceptions about AI's role in replacing human workers have also surfaced. Conversational AI systems like Annette, the Virtual Agent™ (Annette) from Travel Outlook, complement rather than replace human staff. Dive in below as we address some widespread myths and explain how AI supports hotel teams in providing an exceptional guest experience. Myth 1: AI Systems Work Right Out of the Box A misconception i...
Parking and EV Stations Charge U.S. Hotel Performance
Jim Hurless | September 9, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum and Jim Hurless Parking revenues have increased by 23.1% from 2019 to 2023, based on a sample of U.S. properties in CBRE’s Trends® in the Hotel Industry database, which is more than four times greater than the growth rate for total hotel revenues during that period. Not only is parking a growing source of revenue, but it is relatively profitable as well. In 2023, parking department profit margins for the CBRE sample were 61.3% of total department revenue, while the average profit margin for all other-operated departments was 58.7% at those hotels. While the contribution to revenues and profits is welcomed news to hot...
HEI Assumes Management of the Beacon Hotel in Washington, DC
HEI Hotels & Resorts | September 26, 2024
Norwalk, CT, September 26, 2024 - HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the nation's leading operators of institutionally owned hotels, added Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters to its growing portfolio of luxury, upper-upscale and upscale independent and branded hotels and resorts throughout the United States; a portfolio which now numbers more than 100 total properties. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., the hotel is steps from the White House and within walking distance to 38 million square feet of commercial office real estate, Embassy Row and the iconic National Mall. The Beacon Hotel features 199 oversized spacious and wel...
You Received a Hotel Property Improvement Plan. Now What?
Cicero Construction Group | September 6, 2024
In order to keep a hotel aligned with current brand standards, hotel franchisors will periodically issue hotel owners a Property Improvement Plan outlining required renovations and upgrades. PIPs are mandatory. If the hotel owner does not complete the PIP, the franchisor has the right to remove them from the brand entirely. PIPs differ for every brand and hotel. Newer hotels might simply require small cosmetic adjustments, but older ones may need complete overhauls to their mechanical and electrical systems. However, hoteliers should generally anticipate a PIP every seven to twelve years. Design components that are fundame...
November Opening is Set for Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Park City, Utah
Grand Hyatt | September 26, 2024
PARK CITY, UTAH (September 26, 2024) – Grand Hyatt Deer Valley will set a new standard of mountain adventure and hospitality as it anticipates welcoming its first guests in November 2024. This beautiful resort marks the debut of Deer Valley East Village and offers an exclusive first look at the expansive new terrain of Deer Valley. The new hotel will feature approximately 400 luxury accommodations, including 100 discounted rooms reserved nightly for our country’s service members, multiple exciting food and beverage experiences, and one of the largest mountainside event facilities in the U.S. In addition to Deer Valley’s expanded ski te...
How EAST Hotels Defines a New Luxury Hotel Category
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | September 4, 2024
By Adam and Larry Mogelonsky A great motto to live by is that the only constant is change. Right now, in late 2024, the hotel industry has been through the wringer over the past five years, with profound shifts to how we operate as induced by the pandemic, the experience economy, inflation, labor market changes, demographic shifts, climate action policy, the growth of wellness and a host of other forces. From this invisible yet chaotic hand, new brands are nevertheless emerging to triumphantly address the modern traveler. A problem with all this is that most trends can only be identified in hindsight based on concurrent and lagging indicato...
Hilton Annual Trends Report Predicts 2025 to Be the ‘Year of the Travel Maximizer’
Hilton | September 30, 2024
MCLEAN, Va. – 2024 was the Year of the Great Recharge, where sleep retreats made headlines, mindful drinking rose in popularity and wellness-themed guest rooms took off. Today, as the post-pandemic leisure travel boom normalizes, travelers surveyed in Hilton’s annual Trends Report are looking to pair their desire to relax and recharge with high-impact adventures and experiences to maximize their time and financial investment. “Our 2025 Trends Report uncovers what has been simmering for years – the intersection of work and play; of relaxation and adventure; of being alone but together. Travelers don’t just want to choose their o...
General Manager Kevin Kelly Tapped to Lead The Resort at Pelican Hill
The Resort at Pelican Hill | September 17, 2024
NEWPORT BEACH, CA (September 17, 2024) – Newport Beach’s five-star, five-diamond The Resort at Pelican Hill proudly announces the appointment of General Manager Kevin Kelly. Bringing over 25 years of hospitality experience to his new role, Kelly will serve as an invaluable leader ensuring the award-winning Resort’s enduring success as a Marriott luxury property. Responsible for the day-to-day operations, Kelly is focused on elevating the service culture and curating exceptional guest experiences while capitalizing on growth through Marriott channels. An established leader in luxury hospitality, Kelly’s extensive background and fa...
BDNY 2024 Set to Redefine Hospitality Design With Unmatched Innovation and Networking Opportunities
BDNY | September 9, 2024
NEW YORK, NY (September 9, 2024) — Boutique Design New York, the leading trade fair and conference for the hospitality’s boutique and lifestyle design community, returns to the Jacob K. Javits Center on November 10-11, 2024. This year’s two-day event promises to set new standards in the industry with cutting-edge products, groundbreaking design discussions, and an array of networking events that bring together the world’s most influential design minds. EXPERIENCE INNOVATION AT EVERY TURN BDNY will immerse attendees in the latest trends and innovations shaping the hospitality boutique design industry. Featuring a curated selection of...
Societal Factors Can Shape How Companies Best Respond After Customers Misbehave
Penn State’s School of Hospitality Management | September 11, 2024
Apologizing to customers who witness other patrons misbehave may not always be the best response for hospitality businesses, researchers find UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — From rule breaking and theft to verbal abuse and foul language, one customer’s behavior can negatively affect another customer’s experience. How hospitality businesses can best respond to instances of customer misbehavior can depend on the strictness of societal norms, according to a new study from researchers in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management. The study, published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, found that customers who observe m...
