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David Eisen

35 posts
Speaker on a stage addressing an audience at the 2026 Global Conference (May 12–14) for Preferred Hotels & Resorts, in Charleston, South Carolina; backdrop includes the conference logo and branding, with silhouettes of attendees in the foreground.
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  • 4 min

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Grows to Over 650 Independent Hotels Under Lindsey Ueberroth's Leadership as CEO

📰 Preferred Hotels & Resorts, led by CEO Lindsey Ueberroth since 2018, has expanded to over 650 independent hotels globally. At the 2026 Global Conference in Charleston, S.C., discussions focused on helping these hotels stand out amid rising costs and evolving traveler expectations. 20 new member properties joined in Q1 2026. Preferred emphasizes personalized, authentic travel experiences over uniformity, facilitated through global sales, marketing, and loyalty programs.
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Smiling woman with short curly hair wearing a striped blazer and black lace top in an office setting with glass walls behind her.
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  • 5 min

Rob Smith Leads Stonebridge Companies as CEO, Focuses on Growth Through Management of Underperforming Hotel Assets

📈 In 2024, Rob Smith became CEO & president of Stonebridge Companies, which manages over 160 hotels. Smith emphasizes profitability through guest service, talent retention, and optimal segmentation, rather than cutting costs. Despite muted transaction activity, growth has been achieved by improving underperforming assets. The focus remains on luxury and lifestyle segments, where experience and consistency are key. Paul Eckert was hired as COO to enhance organizational success, and the next year is expected to see more management changes to boost profitability.
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  • 3 min

U.S. Hotel Industry Faces Rising Costs in 2025, RevPAR Declines 0.3% Year Over Year, Reports LWHA

💸 In 2025, U.S. hotel occupancy and RevPAR fell for the first time since 2020, with RevPAR down 0.3% from 2024. Net operating income margins dropped by 0.6%, impacted by a 5.9% increase in property taxes. Utilities rose 7.4% YOY, driven by higher oil prices due to the war in Iran. Full-service hotels saw a 4.2% increase in room expenses, while extended-stay hotels faced the highest utility rise at 10%. Housekeepers in NYC negotiated wages over $61 an hour by 2034.
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Hilton Los Angeles Airport Completes $50 Million Renovation Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Events.

🛬 In April, the Hilton Los Angeles Airport concluded a $50 million renovation, upgrading its 1,234 rooms with soundproofing, modern designs, and anti-noise windows. This aligns with Los Angeles hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl 2027, and the 2028 Summer Olympics. The Grand Hyatt DFW also completed a $34 million renovation in February. U.S. airport hotels' average daily rate reached $139.54 in March 2026, a 2.2% increase from the previous year, with RevPAR up by 5.4%.
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Global Hotel Alliance Achieves 24% Revenue Growth in Q1 2023, Reaches $921 Million with 35 Million Loyalty Members

🏨 Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), founded in 2004 by four hotel chains, has expanded to over 50 brands and 1,000 hotels across 100 countries. In Q1, hotel revenues rose 24% year-over-year to $921 million, with cross-brand revenue increasing 40% to $135 million. GHA's loyalty program, DISCOVERY, boasts 35 million members using DISCOVERY Dollars, contributing to $3.2 billion revenue last year. CEO Chris Hartley emphasizes strategic collaboration for independent brands to thrive against consolidated competitors.
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Loews Hotels Expands Partnership with Universal, Opening 11 Hotels with 11,000 Rooms Including New Helios Grand Hotel

🏨 In 1996, Loews Hotels partnered with Universal Studios for a $2.6 billion expansion in Florida. By 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened, increasing attendance by 36%. As of 2025, Loews operates 11 hotels with 11,000 rooms in collaboration with Universal. Alex Tisch became Loews Hotels CEO in 2023, succeeding Jonathan Tisch. Loews maintains ownership of 27 hotels, avoiding the asset-light model. In Q1 2026, Loews reported $124 million in adjusted EBITDA, up from $81 million the previous year.
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Marriott Reports Q1 Global RevPAR Increase of 4.2% and Expands Development Pipeline to Over 4,100 Properties

📈 Marriott International reported a 4.2% global RevPAR increase in Q1, with 4% growth in the U.S. & Canada and 4.6% internationally. Luxury RevPAR rose 7%, while select-service increased by 3.5%. Marriott's development pipeline reached over 4,100 properties, with over 618,000 rooms, and conversions accounted for over 35% of signings. A 30% RevPAR decline in the Middle East was noted. Net rooms grew by 5%, and Marriott Bonvoy has 283 million members. AI technology advancements are ongoing.
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