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Sofitel workers in DC narrowly vote to decertify union

Workers at the Sofitel Lafayette Square previously claimed parent company Accor and property owner Brookfield Asset Management were engaging in union busting.

Why TGI Fridays expects hotels to be a growth channel

The full-service chain, which opened a unit inside Hilton Garden Inn in Hollywood, California, says converting generic restaurants inside hotels decreases time and cost to develop.

LuxUrban Hotels continues leadership shakeups amid lawsuit woes

Michael James will take over as CFO and Alexander Lombardo will join the board of directors as the beleaguered hospitality company works to overcome setbacks.

Las Vegas led top 25 US markets for events volume growth in May: Knowland

The market outpaced Oahu Island, Hawaii, which saw increased events volume in the month from weddings as well as education and consulting events.

Marriott development execs talk new US midscale brand Project Mid-T

Marriott’s Noah Silverman and Diana Plazas-Trowbridge share details about the newly launched transient, conversion-focused brand.

Business travel ‘major boost’ to US economy: report

Business travel supported more than 600,000 accommodations jobs in 2022 and contributed to a significant number of hotel stays, according to the Global Business Travel Association.

Hard Rock’s Reverb brand is heading to Arizona

The 195-room, $60 million Reverb by Hard Rock Scottsdale — a music-focused property designed to foster creativity and connection — will open in 2026.

Hilton bets big on lifestyle category, plans to double hotels in 4 years

Former Graduate Hotels President Kevin Osterhaus will lead growth of Hilton’s lifestyle portfolio, which is expected to grow to 700 hotels.

Aimbridge Hospitality names William Davenport CFO

The finance executive previously served as CFO at restaurant chain Velvet Taco and sports entertainment company Topgolf.

STR, Tourism Economics ‘significantly’ downgrade US hotel forecast for 2024-25

Higher cost of living is reducing lower-to-middle-income households’ ability to travel, and increased operating expenses are impacting hotel profit margins, according to the latest forecast.

Marriott to convert 3 US luxury hotels under reservation system

The properties in California, Hawaii and New York add more than 1,000 rooms to Marriott’s luxury portfolio, which the company is prioritizing as traveler demand for the segment ramps up.

SBE unveils details for ‘smart lifestyle’ brand Project HQ

Project HQ will open its first U.S. location in Detroit, with plans to expand further across the Sun Belt in a bid to attract millennial, Gen Z and Latinx audiences.

More hoteliers will sell than refinance as loan maturity nears: JLL

High interest rates, rising insurance costs and other financial challenges will push hotel owners to consider transacting to repay debt that’s coming due by the end of 2024.

As business travel rebounds, hotels win: report

Business travel isn’t back to pre-pandemic levels, but conferences are gaining and Gen Z is making an impact on recovery, according to Morning Consult.

REIT bets on Phoenix with $43M Hilton extended stay buy

Chatham Lodging Trust acquired the downtown Home2 Suites hotel hoping to capitalize on strong demand from multiple traveler segments.

Hotel Tech-in: The app helping guests beat jet lag

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has tapped Timeshifter, which uses science to help travelers navigate time differences, to improve the guest experience.

Stonebridge names Rob Smith president and CEO

The hotel industry veteran jumps ship from management company Aimbridge Hospitality to assume the leadership position.

Gale Miami opens luxury hotel, residences in city’s downtown

The mixed-use project, featuring a convention center, will cater to “strong demand from worldwide travelers” to the South Florida market.

Host Hotels buys Hawaii’s Turtle Bay Resort for $725M

The 450-room resort will be rebranded under Marriott's Ritz-Carlton flag amid high travel demand on Oahu.

McKinsey on the future of travel — and the opportunity for hotels

Hospitality players will need to adapt to “nuanced and proliferating” traveler types to succeed, McKinsey Associate Partner Jasperina de Vries told Susibu.

New York leads top 50 US markets for most hotels under construction

The market’s pipeline includes a “noteworthy amount” of conversions, tracking with other cities across the country, according to Lodging Econometrics.

Omni Hotels & Resorts to invest $500M in New Orleans convention hotel

Local travel pros expect the 1,000-room property adjacent to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to set the city apart as a meetings and events destination.

DOL overtime expansion ‘unlawful,’ AHLA argues

The hospitality association, along with other business groups, filed a lawsuit claiming the rule expansion violates the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Virgin hotel labor dispute remains holdout in Las Vegas

Negotiations resumed last week after the Culinary Union ended its 48-hour strike, but union reps said they won’t accept the hotel’s latest “woefully inadequate” offer.

First Hospitality brings 3 Hilton lifestyle hotels under management

Among other hospitality management companies expanding in the segment, First Hospitality grows its 70-hotel portfolio to roughly 35% lifestyle properties.