LODGING Staff - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 30

1 min

Crescent Hotels & Resorts Adds Renovated 202-Room Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore to Portfolio in Downtown Baltimore

🏨 Baltimore, 2025: Crescent Hotels & Resorts adds the 202-room Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor to its portfolio. Located in the historic 1906 Beaux-Arts B&O Railroad Headquarters, the hotel has undergone a complete renovation, preserving its marble staircases, Tiffany-stained glass windows, and crystal chandeliers. Modern updates include Double King rooms, featuring two king beds.

3 min

HITEC 2026 in San Antonio Draws Over 6,100 Attendees, Highlights AI's Growing Role in Hospitality Technology

💻 In June 2026, HITEC welcomed over 6,100 professionals to San Antonio, Texas. The event featured a sold-out 85,000 sq. ft. exhibition with 400+ companies. Highlights included the Workforce 20X: AI Innovation Lab and the Entrepreneur 20X competition, showcasing AI's role in hospitality innovation. James Taylor's keynote emphasized leveraging AI while maintaining a human-centered approach. Stayfull and Abra Hospitality won top honors, and industry leaders Bob Gilbert, Mary Gerdts, and Steven Gay were recognized for their contributions.

1 min

Phillip H. McNeill, Sr., Pioneering Hotel Investor and Equity Inns Founder, Passes Away at 87

📕 Phillip H. McNeill, Sr., passed away at 87 in Germantown, Tennessee. In 1984, he opened the second Hampton Inn in Little Rock, Arkansas. McNeill founded Equity Inns, expanding it from 8 hotels worth $40 million to 138 hotels sold for $2.2 billion to Goldman Sachs. His roles included chairman of McNeill Investment Company, CEO of Schumacher Mortgage Company, and president of the Memphis Mortgage Bankers Association.

2 min

AAA Projects 72.2 Million Americans to Travel for Independence Day, Surpassing Last Year's Record of 71.8 Million

🌎 AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel 50+ miles for Independence Day from June 27 to July 5. By car, 61.4 million people will travel, representing 85% of travelers, despite high gas prices. Air travel is up 0.2% with 5.85 million flyers. Other modes like cruises see a 5.3% growth, with 4.93 million travelers. Top U.S. destinations include Seattle, New York, and Orlando, while Vancouver, Rome, and Paris lead internationally.

Aimbridge Hospitality Launches S.P.A.R.K. Platform to Enhance Operational Performance and Visibility Across Global Properties

📈 Aimbridge Hospitality, a global hotel management company based in Plano, Texas, launched its enterprise platform, S.P.A.R.K., in 2025. This platform enhances operational standards through standardized checklists and real-time tracking across the U.S., LATAM, and EMEA regions. It provides property health insights via integrated dashboards. Leaders Keryn McNamara and Chris O’Donnell highlight its efficiency in resolving issues faster and improving guest experiences.

BWH Hotels Launches New Global Upscale & Luxury Sales Division to Drive Commercial Growth in Key Markets

📍 BWH Hotels announced the launch of its Upscale & Luxury Worldwide Sales division in Phoenix, Arizona. With the global business travel market projected to exceed $2 trillion, BWH aims to drive commercial growth for its upscale and luxury properties. The division will employ nine sales leaders covering the U.S., Canada, and Europe, focusing on high-yield sectors like finance and healthcare. This initiative seeks to streamline corporate travel integration and capitalize on the rise of 'bleisure' travel.

2 min

Grevon Launches Kore Connectivity Layer with AI-Driven Booking and Voice Agents for Hotels, Reducing OTA Reliance

📈 Grevon launched a connectivity layer, Grevon Kore, in San Diego, California, using Model Context Protocol (MCP) backed by OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft. Grevon Kore supports Pulse, Echo, and Ops products, allowing hotels to integrate features like a booking agent in two minutes. Pulse and Echo streamline reservation processes and reduce OTA dependency. Initial rollouts start this month for various properties. CEO Tom Buttigieg emphasizes AI's role in enhancing direct booking experiences.

RoomPriceGenie Launches Price Explanations to Enhance Hoteliers' Understanding of Market-Driven Rate Recommendations

💸 June 2026, Steinhausen, Switzerland: RoomPriceGenie launched price explanations to enhance pricing transparency for hoteliers by elucidating market conditions, demand signals, and property settings. This tool aids hoteliers in understanding the rationale behind rate recommendations and the impact of pricing rules. CEO Chas Scarantino emphasized its role in boosting confidence and expertise in revenue management, aligning RMS settings with performance outcomes, and transforming pricing decisions into learning opportunities.

Design Hotels Expands Portfolio with 16 Palisociety Properties Across Nine U.S. Destinations, Adding Over 1,000 Keys

🏨 Design Hotels partners with Palisociety to expand its portfolio with 16 hotels across 9 U.S. locations, totaling over 1,000 keys. The hotels include Palihouse West Hollywood (95 keys) and ARRIVE Albuquerque (137 keys). As part of Marriott International, Design Hotels is set to surpass 100 hotels in the Americas by 2025. This collaboration allows Palisociety to access Design Hotels' services and Marriott Bonvoy. Avi Brosh and Kirsten Leigh Pratt lead Palisociety with a focus on design and cultural relevance.

1 min

Hotel Equities Announces Conversion of Grand Rapids Hotel to Ascend Collection, Completion Targeted for 2026

🏨 Hotel Equities is converting a Grand Rapids, Michigan hotel to The Gerald under Ascend Collection by Choice Hotels, with renovations ending in late 2026. Owned by Legendary Capital, this hotel will feature updated interiors inspired by the city’s furniture legacy. Located near the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and local attractions, The Gerald is part of Hotel Equities' expanding Ascend Collection, including recent conversions in Washington, DC, and near Walt Disney World.

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