David Eisen - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

3 min

Tom Pritzker steps down as chairman of Hyatt Hotels in wake of Epstein links

🛋 Thomas Pritzker stepped down as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels, a position he held since 2004, due to ties with Jeffrey Epstein, effective immediately. Mark Hoplamazian, CEO since 2006, takes over. Pritzker's resignation follows the Wall Street Journal's 2023 report on his frequent visits to Epstein's New York townhouse. His family's association with Hyatt dates to the late 1950s. Pritzker remains executive chairman at the Pritzker Organization. A search of Epstein's files shows 7,000 results linked to the Pritzker name.

6 min

Lodging CEOs question the value of a hotel investment. Is the industry at an inflection point?

🏨 U.S. hotel revenue per available room fell by 0.3% in 2025, but a minimal increase is expected in 2026. Inbound U.S. travel dropped by 5.4%, with international arrivals declining from 72.4M in 2024 to 68.5M in 2025. Canada led U.S. travel spending at nearly $16B despite a 25.1% visitation decrease. Noble Investment Group saw a strong 2025, with Q4 up 7% and January 2025 up 8%. Marriott's luxury segment and conversions fueled growth, with 40% of new openings attributed to conversions.

3 min

Marriott CEO message on ICE is clear: prioritize safety of guests and staff, first

🏨 Marriott's CEO Tony Capuano addressed ICE booking concerns, emphasizing employee safety and compliance. Marriott expanded in 2025 with over 700 properties and 100,000 rooms, including 400 conversions. CitizenM's acquisition added 37 hotels. The luxury segment thrived with 114 new projects, despite some market closures like Baltimore's Sheraton due to local infrastructure issues. Capuano discussed these challenges with Mayor Brandon Scott. Notably, 12% of undocumented U.S. workers are in accommodations, impacting the sector.

3 min

The one hotel investment strategy with the greatest chance for success might surprise you

📈 Hospitality transactions in 2026 may see an inflection point. Interest rates have decreased over the past 18 months, but remain high at 7-9%. Cap-rate expectations haven't adjusted, impacting transaction volumes. Key investment strategies include developing high-end hotels with RevPAR above $250, repositioning underutilized hotels, and reinvesting in existing assets. Reinvestment offers reliable returns due to deferred maintenance. Andrew Carey, CEO of Newport Hospitality Group, shares these insights, highlighting the need for discipline in hotel management.

4 min

Hilton moves into apartments “For the Stay”

🏠 Hilton’s latest venture into apartment-style accommodations, Apartment Collection by Hilton, launches in partnership with Placemakr. Initial U.S. bookings begin in 2026, adding up to 3,000 new units to Hilton’s inventory. This move follows Hilton’s strategy to diversify beyond traditional hotels, similar to competitors like Marriott. The collaboration taps into the growing demand for standardized, flexible stays, allowing Hilton Honors members to earn and use points. Placemakr, established in 2017, enhances credibility and inventory access for Hilton's 235 million members.

7 min

Independent hotels turn to affiliations or soft brands for exposure. It’s a welcome addition for lodging companies and rep groups.

🏨 Soft brands have surged in popularity as lodging companies like Hilton, Marriott, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts grow collections of independent hotels. As of 2023, Hilton’s Curio Collection is set to open its 200th hotel, and The Luxury Collection in Madrid reopened in 2025 after renovation. These brands offer independence with global sales platforms and loyalty programs. Preferred Hotels boasts over 600 hotels worldwide. LHW and Relais & Châteaux maintain exclusivity, accepting only 5% of membership inquiries.

7 min

All-around game: Kurt Alexander leads the multidimensional Omni Hotels & Resorts

🏨 Duke University's basketball program, led by Coach K for nearly 45 years, influences Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. Omni, a vertically integrated company, operates around 50 properties, including the newly opened 801-room Omni Fort Lauderdale (December 2025). Celebrating 30 years under TRT Holdings, Omni is expanding with projects in Texas, North Carolina, and Mexico. Omni prioritizes guest experience over rapid expansion, with a $170 million renovation completed at The Omni Homestead in Virginia.

4 min

Trio of investors bet big on The Big Apple with Intercontinental Times Square buy

💸 Three investment groups—Gencom, Argent Ventures, and Highgate—acquired the InterContinental New York Times Square, a 607-room, 34-story hotel, for $230 million, or approximately $379,000 per room. The sale involved a $190-million loan from Monroe Capital. The hotel, opened in July 2010, features 20,000 square feet of meeting space and plans for renovations. Highgate will manage the hotel under a franchise agreement, and Eastdil Secured facilitated the transaction.

2 min

At Great Wolf Lodge, guests can now buy unlimited fun

🏊 Unlimited waterpark fun at Great Wolf Lodge starts at $65 per person with the new Season Pass. Valid from January 2026 to April 2026, it’s available at Perryville, Md.; Webster, Texas; Atlanta; and Naples. Weekday passes are $65, while anytime passes are $269. The demand for day passes has increased by 25% over the past two years. More than 50% of day-pass users expressed interest in a multi-day option, leading to the introduction of this pass for flexible family enjoyment.

3 min

Hilton isn’t building a cruise ship. But its loyalty members can soon earn and burn on one.

🛢 Hilton, in collaboration with Explora Journeys, will allow Hilton Honors members to earn and use points for cruises starting summer 2026 in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean. Explora Journeys plans a fleet of six ships by 2028. A limited-time offer till June 7, 2026, includes 100,000 bonus points per suite and up to $/€400 Journey Experience Credits. AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will cruise in 2026, an increase of 4.5% from 2025. Hilton Honors has 235 million members.

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