kasia russell
How the Right Asset Management Firm Helps Optimize Hotel Investments
Kasia Russell | June 27, 2024
When implemented effectively, partnering with the right asset management firm can help maximize investor returns and real estate property values. Asset management is particularly important in this post-pandemic environment where macroeconomic conditions are in constant flux, geopolitical issues continue to intensify, and domestic monetary policy has considerable implications for real estate wealth management. These factors present both challenges and opportunities; however, without the proper analysis and expert tactics of skilled asset managers, risk becomes more difficult to anticipate and opportunities more challenging to harness. The ...
The Benefits of a Small Hotel Management Company
Kasia Russell | March 13, 2024
By Kasia M. Russell The last few years have been fraught with mergers and acquisitions in the hotel management space. Companies have grown larger and less personalized, more streamlined, increasingly technologically advanced, and geographically agnostic. The benefits of a large management company may seem obvious: efficiency and economies of scale, technology and innovation, specialized knowledge and resources, and distribution channel advantages, among others. However, when choosing a management company for your hotel, I encourage you to look beyond the seemingly obvious and evaluate whether a more personalized and strategic approach is a...
Anchorage Lodging Market: Winter 2021 Update
Kasia M. Russell | February 23, 2021
By Kasia Russell and Breanna Smith Amid a worldwide pandemic, the Anchorage lodging industry continues to experience a downturn that is greater than the past two lodging-market declines combined. The major factors that have affected this market since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 are highlighted below. Key Factors in 2020 Unlike many other U.S. markets, Anchorage did not initially experience the severity of the pandemic given that oil and gas operations, Alaska’s largest economic driver, remained essential; thus, no major layoffs or furloughs were instituted, and workers continued to travel to/from drilling locations. F...
HVS U.S. Franchise Fee Guide
Kasia M. Russell | January 18, 2021
By Kasia M. Russell Published each fall, the HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide provides a comparative review of various hotel franchises based on their applicable franchise fees. Selection of an appropriate franchise affiliation affects a property’s ability to compete in its local market, generate profits, and achieve a desirable image and market orientation. HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2020 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2019 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2018 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2016/17 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2015/16 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2014 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fe...
Center Stage at ALIS: An HVS Perspective
Tanya J. Pierson | February 6, 2017
By Tanya J. Pierson , Kasia M. Russell , Jessica White The 2017 ALIS conference registered the strongest attendance since 2008, with the theme of "Please Stand By…" reflecting the uncertainty regarding the outlook for the hotel industry at this time. It was also the platform for the introduction of Hilton's newest soft brand, Tapestry by Hilton. And the consensus is… While many were speculative entering the second half of 2016, ALIS attendees were cautiously optimistic about 2017 given recent gains in the stock market and the pro-business focus of the new administration. The industry has experienced a "soft landin...
