Posts by author

LODGING Staff

310 posts
View Post
  • 1 min

Newmark Secures $94.36 Million Loan for Hotel Cala Refinance and Rebranding in Downtown Tampa

💵 Newmark arranged a $94.36 million loan for Newbond Holdings and Apollo to refinance Hotel Cala, a 281-key property in Tampa, Florida. The financing was provided by Bain Capital and Smith Hill Capital. Hotel Cala, formerly Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, is undergoing a full renovation and rebranding under the Curio Collection. Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, it offers access to key sites like the Tampa Convention Center and the $3.5 billion Water Street development.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 6 min

Accor Reports Q1 2026 Revenue Increase of 2.3% to €1.313 Billion Despite Middle East Conflict Impact

📈 Accor reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of €1,313 million, a 2.3% rise from 2025. Management & Franchise revenue increased by 8.3% to €332 million. RevPAR grew by 5.1%. The group opened 48 hotels with over 6,700 rooms, achieving a net unit growth of 3.8%. The Middle East conflict, starting February 28, impacted UAE results, yet Europe and Southeast Asia saw increased demand. Accor's Luxury & Lifestyle division recorded a 6.0% increase in RevPAR.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Hotels Risk Losing Bookings as 73% of AI Searches Shift Traveler Preferences to ChatGPT with 891M Users

📱 In 2026, hotel visibility is at risk as traveler search behavior shifts to AI platforms like ChatGPT, which captured a 73% share of AI searches with 891 million monthly users by March. Deloitte reported 25% of travelers using Gen AI tools for trip planning in late 2025, up from 8.3% in 2022. AI is favored for discovery (35%) and evaluation (32.9%) over traditional search engines. Access Hospitality stresses the need for hotels to adapt to maintain visibility.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group Launches $100 Million Renovation of Waikiki Beach Resort, with Completion Expected by 2026

🏝️ OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group has unveiled a $100 million renovation plan for the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. The project, which involves collaboration with local artists and designers, aims to reimagine the resort as a design-led destination while maintaining operations throughout. Key upgrades include a revamped Voyager 47 Club Lounge, three times its original size. Newly reimagined guestrooms are scheduled for completion by Q3 2026. The redesign celebrates the cultural essence of Waikiki.
View Post
Share

My Place Hotels Signs Franchise Agreement to Open Third Colorado Location in Westminster by Late 2027

🏨 My Place Hotels of America signed a franchise agreement with Indus Empire Investment to open a new hotel in Westminster, Colorado. Expected to open in late 2027, it will be the third My Place hotel in Colorado. The four-story, 71-key property will feature the My Place 3.0 prototype, including a 470-square-foot Business Suite. Managed by Legacy Management, this marks Indus Empire's first My Place property, emphasizing a people-first, value-driven approach.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Tripadvisor's 2026 Summer Travel Index Reveals Myrtle Beach and Cancun as Top Destinations for U.S. Travelers

🌍 Tripadvisor's 2026 Summer Travel Index highlights top destinations for U.S. travelers. 🚙 Myrtle Beach ranks first for domestic travel, with Cancun leading internationally for the third year. 🔍 Key holiday weekends show trending preferences: Anaheim for Memorial Day and Myrtle Beach for 4th of July. 🏖️ Top domestic destinations include New York, Chicago, and Vegas, while international favorites feature Paris, London, and Rome. 🌍 Trending destinations also include Orange Beach, Virginia Beach, and Aruba for various holidays.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 3 min

Kimpton Ashbel New York—Park Avenue Opens in Manhattan with 205 Rooms, Blending Luxury and Residential Design

🏨 Kimpton Ashbel New York—Park Avenue opened in Midtown Manhattan, New York, near Grand Central Terminal, in a building originally constructed in 1928. The hotel features 205 guestrooms, including 14 family-friendly connecting rooms. Designed by Busta Studio, it offers residential-style spaces and a café, Park & Bel. Guests enjoy amenities like the Kimpton Kickstart program and Social Hour, offering complimentary coffee, tea, beer, and wine. The hotel blends historic architectural elements with modern luxury.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Wyndham Hotels Expands Dolce by Wyndham Brand with New Openings in Miami Beach, Palm Springs, and Hudson Valley

🏨 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts expands its Dolce by Wyndham brand with three new openings in the U.S.: Miami Beach (90 rooms), Palm Springs (140+ rooms), and Hudson Valley (240+ rooms). These hotels offer boutique and group-friendly experiences. Miami Beach features ocean proximity and curated art; Palm Springs offers resort-style amenities; Sleepy Hollow has 30,000 sq. ft. of event space in New York’s Hudson Valley. This expansion enhances the brand's presence in high-demand locations.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 1 min

American Hotel & Lodging Association Supports SECURE Data Act for National Privacy Standards in U.S. House

📈 In September 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the SECURE Data Act, which aims to establish a national privacy standard. This legislation intends to enhance consumer protections, enable individuals to control their information, and provide businesses with the certainty needed for innovation. The American Hotel & Lodging Association supports the act, acknowledging the leadership of Chairman Guthrie, Vice Chairman Joyce, and the data privacy working group. This initiative is crucial for the hotel and lodging industry.
View Post
Share