691 posts

1 Hotels Announces August 2026 Opening of 252-Room 1 Hotel Austin in Texas' Tallest Tower, Waterline

🏨 June 26, 2026, Austin, Texas: 1 Hotels, founded by Barry Sternlicht, is accepting reservations for 1 Hotel Austin, opening in August 2026. The hotel, part of the 74-story Waterline, will feature 252 rooms, including 60 suites, designed by Studio MAI, with interiors echoing natural materials. Chef Johnny Curiel leads the signature restaurant, Alteño Austin. The hotel includes a wellness floor and a rooftop restaurant. It's pursuing LEED Gold certification, emphasizing sustainability and local community engagement.
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  • 0 min

U.S. Hotel Room Revenue to Rise 1% in 2025, Reaching $207.9 Billion, with Occupancy Declining to 62.3%

📈 In 2025, U.S. hotel room revenue reached $207.9 billion, rising just 1%, with occupancy at 62.3%, marking a decline since 2020. The market has normalized post-pandemic, focusing on fundamentals. Projections for 2026 show room revenue hitting $214.7 billion. Challenges include international headwinds, evolving distribution, and AI's growing influence. OTAs are expanding, while branded direct remains steady. Phocuswright's report analyzes these trends and future prospects.
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  • 1 min

U.S. Hotel Industry Sees 9.7% RevPAR Growth, Driven by Strong Business Travel and Gains Across All Chain Scales

🏨 RevPAR gains in the U.S. hotel industry hit 9.7% year-over-year for the week ending June 20. Luxury led with a 17.4% increase, while upscale rose 9%, mid-market 3%, and motels 1.7%. Strongest demand is seen Monday through Thursday, indicating business travel. Risks such as the Iran conflict and rising costs could impact demand. The trend aligns with Hilton CEO's view of broadening demand across all market levels.
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  • 2 min

Aimbridge Hospitality Launches Global Sales Office to Unify Regional Operations and Enhance Revenue Opportunities

📈 Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest third-party hotel management company, has launched its Global Sales Office, unifying sales operations across the US, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa under one global structure. This initiative integrates sales, marketing, and revenue management via a unified Salesforce platform. Aimbridge will focus on global accounts and multi-region relationships, enhancing corporate and group travel expertise. This provides improved revenue measurement and visibility for owners across all regions.
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  • 3 min

Shiji's Daylight PMS Rollout Achieves Migration of Over 100 Hotels at Peak Rate of 9 Per Day

📅 Late October to mid-December, over 100 hotels successfully migrated to Daylight PMS with a peak rollout speed of 9 hotels per day and an average of 7. The rollout was executed with a wave-based model, emphasizing standardized, centralized data migration. Parallel teams ensured efficient execution across properties. Key strategies included clear communication, iterative improvements, and end-user readiness through a train-the-trainer approach, empowering internal champions to maintain consistency.
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McKibbon Equities Breaks Ground on 310-Key Dual-Brand AC Hotel & Moxy in Tampa's Channel District, Opening 2028

🏨 June 25, 2026, in Tampa, Florida: McKibbon Equities, McKibbon Places, and McKibbon Hospitality break ground on the dual-brand AC Hotel & Moxy Tampa Downtown, opening in early 2028. Located at 111 N. Meridian Ave., the 13-story hotel will feature 310 rooms, 10,531 sq. ft. of retail space, and over 6,500 sq. ft. of event space. President J.B. McKibbon emphasizes its pivotal role in Tampa's Channel District development.
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Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue Opens as Boutique Luxury Hotel in Historic Midtown Manhattan Location

🏨 June 25, 2026, New York City, Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue opens at 70 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, part of IHG's luxury portfolio. The boutique hotel, originally built in 1928, features 205 guestrooms, 14 of which are family-friendly. Designed by Busta Studio, it offers a residential feel with interconnected spaces. The hotel includes Park & Bel café and a curated art program. Guests enjoy amenities like Kimpton Kickstart coffee and tea and complimentary Kimpton Social Hour.
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Armella Stepan Appointed Managing Director of AKA Beverly Hills to Enhance Long-Stay Luxury Experience

🗽 June 25, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California, Armella Stepan becomes the Managing Director of AKA Beverly Hills. With a background in luxury hospitality at RIHGA Royal, Kempinski, Rosewood, Shutters on the Beach, and Hotel Casa del Mar, Stepan aims to enhance long-stay luxury with privacy, flexibility, and personalized service. Her leadership will focus on deepening ties with the local community and refining guest experiences, offering accommodations for long-term stays with full amenities in the heart of Beverly Hills.
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  • 2 min

Expedia AI Survey Misreported by Media: 8% Trust Figure Mistakenly Cited as Traveler Booking Confidence

📊 A recent survey by Expedia titled "The AI Trust Gap" found that 66% of travelers distrust AI for booking travel, implying 34% trust or consider it. Confusion arose when Skift reported only 8% trust AI to book, likely misinterpreting a survey finding that 8% currently rely on AI for trip planning. This misreported statistic spread within 48 hours, illustrating how quickly data can be misconstrued and accepted as industry truth.
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