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LODGING Staff

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Dexter Hotel Opens in Elk Rapids, Michigan with 29 Rooms and Noble Lounge Overlooking Lake Michigan

🏨 Elk Rapids, Michigan, witnessed the opening of the Dexter Hotel, a 29-room property designed by Shore North Development and Kinship Hospitality, near Traverse City. Known for its custom Michigan-made furnishings and decor, the hotel incorporates local artistry and craftsmanship. Its Noble Lounge offers a culinary and drink experience led by Beverage Director Anthony DiMaria and Executive Chef John Korycki, featuring seasonal Northern Michigan ingredients. The project emphasizes regional design collaboration and hospitality innovation.
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Amadeus Report Identifies Lead Quality and AI Adoption as Key Drivers for 2026 Hotel Sales Growth

📈 In 2026, Amadeus research surveyed over 315 global hotel and venue sales leaders, revealing key challenges in group and corporate sales. Lead quality was crucial for growth, with 63% citing demand and 60% pointing to third-party channels. Corporate meetings were the top growth opportunity, favored by 70% of leaders. Simplifying RFPs and sales technology focused on ease of use were essential. AI adoption was at 86%, enhancing proposal personalization and market insights.
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Dreamscape Hospitality Takes Over Management of Homewood Suites Hartford South-Glastonbury in Connecticut

🏨 Dreamscape Hospitality, based in Dallas, Texas, has taken over management of the Homewood Suites Hartford South-Glastonbury. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the all-suite hotel offers access to downtown Hartford. Features include spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and a seasonal outdoor pool. Additional amenities are WiFi, EV charging stations, and pet-friendly accommodations. Under new management, the focus will be on operational excellence and guest satisfaction while maintaining brand standards.
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Portman Acquires 1,073-Key Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, Plans Renovation Before Super Bowl 2028

🏨 Portman acquired the Westin Peachtree Plaza, a 1,073-room hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, from Marriott International. Originally designed by John C. Portman, Jr., the 73-story tower opened in 1976. Portman plans a comprehensive renovation, targeting completion by Super Bowl LXII in 2028. The building, rising 723 feet, remains under Marriott's management. Portman aims to leverage its integrated platform for design, development, and operations to enhance the hotel's value.
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Stay Cal Hospitality Opens 51-Room Voco Ardez Hotel Sunnyvale by IHG, Built to LEED Gold Standards

🏨 Stay Cal Hospitality launched the voco Ardez Hotel Sunnyvale by IHG in Sunnyvale, California. This 51-room hotel, inspired by nature, includes a living moss wall and a glass wine cellar. It adheres to LEED Gold standards, featuring recycled-material bedding and sustainable amenities. The hotel offers a craft cocktail lounge, a golf simulator suite, and is strategically located near Silicon Valley employers and San Jose International Airport for easy access to local attractions.
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Cloudbeds Launches Ask Signals AI Platform to Enhance Hotel Operations and Personalized Guest Experiences

💻 SAN DIEGO, California—Cloudbeds launched Ask Signals, a conversational AI for hotel teams, as part of their Spring 2026 release. Built on Cloudbeds' unified hospitality intelligence architecture, it connects reservations, revenue, payments, guests, and marketing. Ask Signals provides operational, guest, and revenue insights instantly, enhancing guest experiences and decision-making. CEO Adam Harris emphasizes its unified platform's ability to understand hotel operations fully. Key features include analyzing booking trends, Average Daily Rate (ADR), and guest preferences.
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Atrium Hospitality Completes Comprehensive Renovation of Embassy Suites Franklin Cool Springs, Adding 2,200 Sq. Ft. of Event Space

🏨 In May 2026, Atrium Hospitality announced the completion of a full renovation at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Franklin Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee. All guest suites and public spaces were upgraded, including 2,200 square feet of new event space, bringing the total meeting space to nearly 29,000 square feet. The renovation includes modern furnishings, energy-efficient lighting, and water-saving fixtures, enhancing guest experiences and promoting sustainability.
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Drury Hotels Opens Sixth Florida Location with Drury Inn & Suites Destin Miramar Beach Featuring 116 Suites

🏨 Drury Hotels has opened its sixth Florida location, Drury Inn & Suites Destin Miramar Beach, in St. Louis, Missouri. Featuring 116 guest suites with in-room kitchens, the hotel offers amenities like a hot breakfast, Drury's 5:30 Kickback, WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Managed by Joshua Hager, the hotel employs 25 team members. In 2026, Drury will begin constructing the Drury Plaza Hotel Destin with 320 rooms and extensive facilities.
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98% of Hoteliers Utilize AI in Operations, Yet 59% Favor Human-Led Front Desk and Check-In Experiences

💻 In 2026, Mews surveyed over 500 hotels globally, revealing that 98% of hoteliers have used AI in the past six months. AI was involved in 11 out of 19 key tasks, handling over 50% of the workload. Despite AI's widespread adoption, 59% believe front desk interactions should remain human-led. 92% are optimistic about AI, yet 41% lack formal AI policies. Revenue growth is a priority for 52%, with AI tools needing property-specific insights to maximize value.
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JLL Completes Sale of Moran Hotel CITYCENTRE in Houston to MetroNational in Joint Venture Acquisition

🏨 JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group completed the sale of the Moran Hotel CITYCENTRE, a 244-room lifestyle hotel in Houston's 47-acre CITYCENTRE district. MetroNational acquired it in a joint venture. Opened in 2009 as Hotel Sorella, it rebranded in 2020 as the Moran and underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2024. The property includes amenities like a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and five food and beverage outlets. The offering also featured 22 condos and 14,645 sq ft of retail space.
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