Colin Tessier - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

3 min

AAHOACON26 Highlights AAHOA's Advocacy Wins, $431,000 Charity Effort, and Continued Member Empowerment Initiatives

🏨 April 8, 2026, Pennsylvania Convention Center hosted AAHOACON26 with over 5,700 attendees. AAHOA highlighted victories like the Safe Hotels Act and the "No Pay, No Stay" law. Efforts continue against a $38 hourly wage ordinance in Los Angeles. The AAHOA Charitable Foundation raised $431,000 for Chandra Nagamallaiah’s family. AAHOA advocates for members through advocacy, education, and community work, empowering members, protecting investments, and creating opportunities.

1 min

HEI Hotels & Resorts Adds The Westin Poinsett, Greenville to Portfolio, Expanding into South Carolina

🏨 HEI Hotels & Resorts adds The Westin Poinsett, Greenville to its portfolio, marking its first operation in South Carolina. The 200-room hotel, located on South Main Street in downtown Greenville, originally opened in 1925. It was renovated and reopened as a Westin in 2000, joining the Historic Hotels of America in 2002. The property features two ballrooms. This partnership with Highline Hospitality Partners is HEI’s second hotel management for the group.

3 min

Towne Park Rebrands to Towne and Launches Nexity Platform to Optimize Hotel Parking and Enhance Guest Experience

🛂 Towne's rebranding as an “arrival-through-departure” partner introduces the Nexity platform, integrating parking access and revenue optimization. With hotel occupancy projection flat for 2026, Towne's AI-driven dynamic pricing technology enhances hotel revenue by over 60% margins. Nexity, featuring AI and LiDAR, offers real-time decision-making, reducing operational inefficiency and costs. It streamlines parking management, enhancing both guest experience and long-term asset value by lowering maintenance expenses.

4 min

AI's Rise in Travel Search Forces Hotels to Prioritize Data Structure Over Traditional SEO for Visibility

🤖 Travelers are increasingly using AI for planning stays, transforming hotel digital visibility strategies. Hotels need structured and high-quality data to be selected by AI algorithms instead of traditional SEO methods. Online travel agencies (OTAs) currently have an advantage, providing AI with cleaner and more reliable data. However, if hotels prioritize data integrity and AI connectivity, they can reclaim direct bookings. This shift will affect revenue management, emphasizing direct AI-connected channels over traditional distribution methods.

4 min

Hyatt Hotels Reports Record Pipeline of 148,000 Rooms and Highest U.S. Signings in Five Years for 2025

🏨 In 2025, Hyatt Hotels Corporation reported a record pipeline of approximately 148,000 rooms, achieving its highest U.S. signings in five years. Over 65% of new deals came from brands like Hyatt Select and Unscripted by Hyatt. Jason Ballard, with nearly 20 years at Hyatt, will lead the Essentials portfolio's growth, focusing on international expansion and maintaining brand consistency. In 2025, 50% of new U.S. deals for this portfolio marked Hyatt's entry into new markets.

2 min

Peachtree Group Secures $18 Million Financing for Byways Hotel Portfolio Renovation in Texas Using USDA and C-PACE Programs

💸 In Atlanta, Georgia, Peachtree Group announced $12 million bridge financing and $6 million C-PACE financing for the 78-key Byways Hotel Portfolio in Alpine and Fort Davis, Texas. The portfolio includes Holland Hotel (27 keys, expanding to 28), Hotel Limpia (30 keys), and Maverick Inn (21 keys). USDA lending allows up to 80% loan-to-value with 30-year terms. The renovations aim to preserve 30 jobs and create 25 more, enhancing the local tax base.

4 min

The Spa at The Hotel Hershey Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Design Update by Earl Swensson Associates

🍫 The Spa at The Hotel Hershey, also known as The Chocolate Spa, marked its 25th anniversary with a renovation by Earl Swensson Associates. Initially a 17,000-square-foot facility, it expanded to 40,000 square feet in 2004. Key updates include neutral tones, quartz surfaces, and LED lighting, maintaining a chocolate-inspired design. ESa has collaborated with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company for over 30 years, emphasizing the spa's historic character influenced by Milton Hershey and High Point Mansion.

3 min

Hotel Equities Expands into Canada, Managing Moxy and Element Vancouver Hotels, Aiming for Intentional Growth.

🏨 Hotel Equities, following the retirement of founder Fred Cerrone in November, expanded into Canada with management of Moxy Vancouver Downtown and Element Vancouver Downtown, opening in 2028. After merging with Springboard Hospitality in May, CEO Ben Rafter and co-chairman Brad Rahinsky are steering the company, emphasizing intentional growth and specialized management across its three divisions. The company seeks growth with capital partners for turnaround opportunities and aims to pair sellers with visionary buyers.

3 min

Extended Stay America's Premier Suites Marks Fifth Anniversary with Nearly 60 Hotels, Fastest Growth in Midscale Segment

🏨 In 2025, Extended Stay America celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Premier Suites brand, which launched in 2021. The brand opened nearly 60 new hotels, expanding in Arizona, Tennessee, Florida, Colorado, and Texas. Despite facing high construction costs, the company achieved growth as the leading midscale extended-stay brand. With 70% of hotels owned and operated by the company, Extended Stay America plans to continue expanding, opening 10-12 Premier Suites annually, and addressing unmet demand in the U.S. extended-stay market.

3 min

37th Annual Hunter Conference Begins in Atlanta, Offering Expanded Networking and Educational Opportunities for 2,300 Attendees

📅 March 16-18, 2026, Atlanta: The 37th annual Hunter Conference takes place at Signia by Hilton Atlanta, attracting over 2,300 hospitality professionals. Founded by Bob Hunter in partnership with Georgia State University's Cecil B. Day School, the conference promotes networking and education, featuring 12 Focus Sessions, special guests like Tony Ressler, and an award for Glade Knight. New features include The Hub and late-night events. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta and AHLA President Rosanna Maietta are among the speakers.

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