Operations
Lodging Lowdown: Travel + Leisure Co. Completes Two Acquisitions, Peregrine Expands Napa Valley Footprint
This week's hotel industry updates: Travel + Leisure Co. announces the acquisition of Yes& Vacations and Spinnaker Resorts for a total of $343 million; Spire Hospitality appoints Richard Sandoval as new CEO; Peregrine Hospitality adds Hotel Yountville and Bardessono Hotel & Spa to its management portfolio.
Hilton Extends Partnership with ResortPass in Response to Consumer Demand for Flexible Wellness Experiences
Hilton and ResortPass announced a three-year extension of their existing partnership to meet growing consumer demand for flexible wellness experiences and restorative getaways near home. The collaboration will expand access to daytime facilities such as hotel pools, spas, and fitness centers, and introduce a new event series called "Off Hours."
Aging Acceleration in the US Makes Hotel Accessibility Experience Key to Winning Guests
With the share of the US population aged 65 and over projected to rise to 23% by 2060, the accessibility challenges facing the hotel industry are increasingly prominent. Experts say ADA compliance is only the minimum standard, and a true accessibility experience needs to cover booking, guest rooms, bathrooms, and entire property systems. This article brings together insights from multiple industry experts, exploring how hotels can seize the high-spending, high-loyalty older traveler segment through low-cost improvements and staff training.
This Week's Hotel News: Choice Hotels Adds AI Executive to Board, Aspen Hospitality Launches Luxury Brand Nell Hotels
This week, the hotel industry saw several major developments: European hotel operator Fattal Hotel Group completed its first acquisition in the United States; Hilton partnered with Reuben Brothers to bring W South Beach under the Waldorf Astoria brand; Amsterdam-based software company Mews announced a 15% workforce reduction to advance its AI-native strategy. Additionally, Choice Hotels added CVS Health executive Ali Keshavarz to its board, Aspen Hospitality launched a new luxury brand called Nell Hotels, Ascendant Capital Partners acquired an eight-hotel portfolio in the Southeast, and Beechwood Hospitality completed a merger with MMI Hotel Group.
6 Emerging Technology Solutions Impacting the Hospitality Industry in the First Half of 2026
In the first half of 2026, the hospitality industry is accelerating its adoption of emerging technologies, from AI-driven room service to smart energy management, which are profoundly transforming operational efficiency and guest experiences. This article outlines 6 key solutions and industry insights.
World Cup Host City Hotel Performance Exceeds Expectations: RevPAR Growth Surpasses Initial Forecasts
CoStar data shows that hotel RevPAR growth in World Cup host cities has exceeded the pre-tournament forecast of 13%, with an average increase "well above 20%" from June 11 to 27. Cities such as Miami and San Francisco performed strongly, but overall occupancy remained stable, with growth primarily driven by room rates.
This Week's Hotel News: Hilton Dual-Brand Project Lands in Colorado, Hyatt Launches Developer Financing Program
This edition of Lodging Lowdown summarizes key hotel industry developments this week: Hyatt, with Hall Structured Finance, offers a dedicated financing solution for Hyatt Studios developers; Aimbridge Hospitality launches the S.P.A.R.K. corporate operations platform; Hilton's dual-brand hotel project breaks ground in Gibson, Colorado; Tempo by Hilton Nashville Midtown officially opens; Marriott International signs a global brand residential health certification agreement with Fitwel.
Hotel M&A Activity Slows, Capital Focuses on Luxury and Wellness Sectors
PwC's latest report indicates that hotel and leisure M&A transaction volume fell 2.5% quarter-on-quarter in the first half of 2026, but investor interest in the high-end market remains strong, with luxury, upper-midscale, and midscale assets accounting for 73% of transaction volume, a two-year high. Luxury RevPAR is expected to grow 5.4%, large gaming deals are frequent, and AI and customer data capabilities are reshaping transaction valuations.
How Hoteliers Can Leverage Design to Create Unforgettable Moments
Hotel design is no longer just about aesthetics, but a strategic tool for guest experience and return on investment. Paige Harris of Valor Hospitality points out that by leveraging the 'peak-end rule' through small yet refined design details such as scent, lighting, and local elements, hotels can create emotional peaks at low cost, thereby earning positive reviews and repeat customers.
Design Hotels Reaches Agreement with Palisociety to Add 16 Hotels to Portfolio
Design Hotels, under Marriott International, announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with the owners of 16 hotels under Los Angeles-based boutique hotel brand Palisociety to include these hotels in its portfolio. The hotels are spread across 9 destinations in the United States, totaling approximately 1,000 rooms, representing the largest portfolio expansion in Design Hotels' 30-year history. This partnership will support Design Hotels' growth in the Americas market and reflects the continued growth momentum in the boutique hotel sector.