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Corporate rate agreements are hard to win. They are surprisingly easy to waste Mar 19, 2026 Securing a corporate rate agreement is one of the harder commercial achievements in independent…

This post was originally published on this site.In an era where travelers seek not just destinations, but memorable experiences, custom travel emerges as the perfect solution. Tailored to fit individual…

A new hospitality experience is arriving in Plano’s Legacy corridor this spring. The Clara Hotel , a fully reimagined hotel located at 8201 Preston Rd, Plano, TX 75024 , is set to open in Q2 2026 following an extensive renovation and brand transformation. The property, formerly operated as a NYLO hotel, was acquired in August 2025 by NewcrestImage , a Dallas-based family office investment firm with an extensive portfolio of hospitality and real estate assets across the United States. Known for repositioning and developing distinctive hotel properties, the firm is transforming the property through a comprehensive redesign while maintaining its affiliation with Hilton’s Tapestry Collection , Hilton’s full-service lifestyle division known for its independent spirit and distinctive food and beverage experiences. The Clara Hotel introduces an entirely new identity, aesthetic and guest experience. “We saw an opportunity to thoughtfully transform this property into something that feels deeply connected to its surroundings and to today’s traveler,” said Mehul Patel, Managing Partner at NewcrestImage . “The Clara Hotel represents our commitment to creating places that are not only beautifully designed, but intentionally experienced. From the materials and textures to the programming and hospitality approach, every element is being reimagined to deliver something distinctive for this market.” A Warmer, Design-Forward Identity The Clara Hotel draws inspiration from natural textures, layered light and organic materials, introducing wood finishes, refined paneling, greenery and a softer, more welcoming palette throughout guest rooms and public spaces. Guest rooms are being repainted and redesigned to create a warmer, more residential feel, anchored by tactile materials and calming tones. With 176 total guest rooms—including eight suites ranging from Junior Suites to One-Bedroom and Presidential Suites—the hotel is designed to serve both business and leisure travelers seeking comfort, intention and a sense of ease. The brand philosophy centers on presence, connection and restoration, shaping an environment where design slows the pace and hospitality feels attentive without being overstated. Field & Vine and The Library The Clara Hotel will introduce two distinct new hospitality concepts: Field & Vine , the hotel’s reimagined restaurant, will offer an approachable yet elevated dining experience designed for both guests and locals. The Library , a newly transformed space within the hotel, will operate as a library-inspired lounge by day and an intimate, reservation-only speakeasy Thursday through Saturday evenings. What was previously a multifunctional gathering space is being fully redesigned into this layered, mood-driven concept, bringing a refined evening energy to the property while maintaining the hotel’s overall sense of calm. Revitalized Courtyard and Event Spaces The hotel’s heated outdoor pool remains a central feature, complemented by a refreshed patio and courtyard experience. While the pool itself is intimate in scale, the surrounding 4,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard is being enhanced with new landscaping, turf and flexible seating, creating a versatile venue for events and gatherings of up to 300 guests. Indoor meeting spaces include: A 792-square-foot meeting room (capacity up to 50) A 598-square-foot meeting room (capacity up to 30) Two boardrooms accommodating 10 and 4 guests

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) today announced a US$200 million investment to reimagine three of its iconic Jamaican resorts : Sandals Montego Bay , Sandals Royal Caribbean , and Sandals South Coast . Following Hurricane Melissa last fall, Sandals Resorts International reopened five of its eight Jamaica properties in December with Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sandals South Coast remaining closed for assessment. As restoration efforts have advanced on the three resorts, the company has identified an opportunity to undertake a more comprehensive transformation aligned with its Sandals 2.0 vision. As a result, Sandals South Coast will reopen on November 18, 2026 , followed by both Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay on December 18, 2026 . The opportunity to completely reimagine three resorts at this scale, with full focus and without compromising the guest experience, is extraordinarily rare. With our doors closed, we were given something we almost never have in hospitality, a true blank canvas and having that clarity changed everything. We spent time walking the properties, speaking with our team and thinking about our guests. At a pivotal moment, it became clear: we shouldn’t simply restore what was there. We should dream bigger. When we welcome our guests back, they’ll see the transformation and they’ll feel exactly why we chose to use this moment to create something worthy of their loyalty Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International This reimagining will unfold across many aspects of the guest experience, from striking new arrival moments overlooking the Caribbean Sea to new accommodation categories, redesigned pools, and refreshed lounge and social spaces -- all while preserving the sense of place and unmistakable spirit guests have come to know and love about these iconic properties. Culinary offerings will also expand with the introduction of new dining concepts and bar experiences across each resort. SRI further emphasized that all other resorts in Jamaica continue to operate and welcome guests, including Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Negril, and Beaches Negril, ensuring guests can continue to experience the beauty of Jamaica while this exciting new chapter unfolds.

The confluence exposes hospitality's structural cost inflation: rising security requirements, marketing attribution waste, and persistent staffing gaps compound operational pressures even as revenue grows. Mandarin Oriental achieved 10% RevPAR gains while European markets fragment into selective pockets that reward luxury over budget. Hospitality Breach Costs Average $4.4M, SSO Now Free Mews removed paywalls on enterprise security features as hospitality faces $4.4 million average breach costs and 94% of incidents involve compromised credentials. The company eliminated charges for single sign-on, making enterprise-grade authentication available across all customer tiers regardless of property size. The security economics changed. Hotels can no longer treat authentication as premium feature when credential compromise drives nearly all breaches and average incident costs exceed most properties' annual technology budgets. Making SSO universal acknowledges that security failures cascade across entire platforms, making individual property breaches everyone's problem. The $4.4 million average masks variation, but even fraction of that cost justifies treating authentication as baseline infrastructure rather than upsell opportunity. Read the announcement → Hotels Pay for Guests Who Already Decided to Stay Hotels often pay for bookings from guests who already decided to stay there, with attribution models masking recycled demand problems. Properties credit channels for conversions when users simply searched brand names or property-specific terms on platforms that charged commission or took attribution credit despite not influencing the booking decision. The attribution waste compounds distribution costs. Properties pay OTAs, metasearch engines, and performance marketing channels for guests who typed the hotel name into search boxes and would have booked direct if the paid channel didn't exist. Last-click attribution credits whatever touchpoint preceded conversion regardless of whether it created demand or simply intercepted existing intent. The problem intensifies as more channels bid on brand terms and property names, creating auction dynamics where hotels compete against themselves to capture guests already looking for them. Read the analysis → Mandarin Oriental Posts 10% RevPAR Growth, Achieves 100% GSTC Certification Mandarin Oriental achieved 10% RevPAR growth and 3-point market share gains in 2025 while becoming the first hospitality company with 100% GSTC certified properties. The luxury group combined operational performance with sustainability credentials, demonstrating that certification programs can coexist with rate power when executed across entire portfolios. The GSTC milestone signals sustainability moving from niche positioning to competitive requirement in luxury segments. Properties achieving certification report that credentials now drive booking decisions and justify premium pricing, with sustainability-conscious travelers willing to pay more for verified commitments over marketing claims. The 100% portfolio certification distinguishes systematic implementation from selective showcase properties, creating authentic differentiation that competitors must match through similar comprehensive programs. Read the data → Signals European hotel market fragmenting by segment. The single European market ended in 2025 according to new analysis , with luxury maintaining momentum while budget segments must add experiential value beyond price to compete. Half of US hotels remain understaffed. AHLA survey of 246 properties shows 71% cite supply costs as top pressure, with over half understaffed heading into 2026 despite steady travel demand. Sustainability credentials drive

Crescent Hotels & Resorts welcomes La Posada De Santa Fe back to its portfolio. With the addition of this notable property to its collection, Crescent deepens its commitment to preserving landmark hospitality experiences while driving strategic growth. Plans are already underway to enhance and refine the beloved Santa Fe hotel, while remaining true to its southwestern roots and rich cultural connections. La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio property, is a historic hotel located in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, set on six acres. The property is centered around the Victorian-style Staab House and features 157 Southwestern-style rooms and Pueblo Revival-style adobe casitas. Nestled near the historic Plaza, it offers easy access to local shops and galleries. Amenities include a spa and salon, outdoor heated pool, hot tub, fitness center, a spacious event lawn for weddings and gatherings, and a dedicated art curator who showcases Southwestern art throughout the grounds. Stewardship of a landmark property demands both respect for its history and a forward-looking operational strategy. Crescent Hotels & Resorts is uniquely positioned to preserve La Posada's heritage while leading a strategic renovation that will elevate the resort for today's travelers.

This post was originally published on this site.Amenities are often used to surprise and delight guests with elevated touches they weren’t anticipating. Such amenities don’t have to break the bank.…

The leading hospitality investment company launches its refreshed visual identity and team organisation enhancements as it prepares for its next growth phase, ahead of major European openings including The Lake Como EDITION and Baccarat Florence. Europe-based luxury hospitality and real estate developer Omnam Group today unveils a significant evolution of its brand, marking a new chapter in its journey to becoming one of Europe’s most established and influential hospitality development and investment groups. Founded in 2011 and led by David Zisser , the group introduces expanded integrated capabilities, enhanced teams, and a refreshed visual identity. Together, these new developments illustrate the scale, maturity, and end-to-end scope of Omnam’s operations as the company advances a pipeline of landmark hospitality projects across Europe. The portfolio, representing a combined total project value of €2.6 billion, includes Baccarat Florence, Rosewood Bauer Venice, Park Hyatt Taormina, Four Seasons Puglia , a unique luxury project in Paris and the recently launched The Lake Como EDITION , among others. Now a team of fifty specialists, the group has built a distinguished presence across key markets in Europe. With ten projects and over 280k sqm in development, Omnam has earned a reputation for investing in- and shaping culturally resonant destinations, curating properties that balance long-term value for investors, while curating elevated experiences for guests. Omnam’s main strength lies in its expertise across the full lifecycle of a hospitality project - from acquisition through development and asset management to exit. The group’s enhanced workflow, which encompasses Investment, Finance, Legal, Engineering & Design, Development, Commercial & Marketing, Innovation & Technology, and Asset Management teams, enables stronger internal collaboration across departments, while continuing to collaborate closely with best-in-class external consultants and partners throughout the project’s life. Omnam’s investment team sources deals thanks to an extensive network of longstanding relationships, and proceeds with an in-depth analysis of hundreds of opportunities every year. Promising projects proceed to a detailed diligence phase involving all of the company’s departments, and an Investment Committee composed of senior executives. From the earliest stages, Omnam’s team shapes each property’s concept and positioning, and works closely with leading international hotel operators to determine the optimal brand selection. Then, the group leads and manages every detail, from design and planning to all construction, procurement, partnerships, creation of a culinary universe, wellness and styling elements, hiring and the pre-opening strategies, ensuring a successful opening for each project. After opening, the group continues to work closely with its partners to operate the property, shaping the experience utilising high level research and integrated technology. Then based on the business plan for each property, Omnam Group either proceeds to the exit phase or continues to build the hotel positioning in its market to become a generational asset. This fully integrated approach ultimately supports Omnam’s “Build to Core” strategy: creating institutional-grade hospitality assets in highly liquid markets, designed to attract long-term investors such as pension funds and high-net-worth individuals at exit. Distinct from traditional developers or investors in Europe, Omnam takes a deeply hands-on role,

Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has been recognized with four 2025 HSMAI Adrian Awards for its global brand campaign Your Story. Our Legacy. Led by the top tier Platinum Award for Multi-Channel/Integrated Marketing, the group’s achievements at this year’s ceremony underscore the impact of its strategic marketing shift to narrative-driven storytelling. The Group was further complemented by a Gold Award in the Innovation category, recognizing the campaign’s creative excellence across digital channels and formats. For 160 years, The Langham has served as the backdrop for history’s most influential figures, a legacy that continues to inspire the way we welcome guests today. These awards are not just a celebration of a marketing campaign, but an acknowledgment of our unique position in the luxury sector – where service, culture, and the human experience intersect. LHG Chief Executive Officer Bob van den Oord Commenting on the wins, LHG Vice President of Marketing and Communications Shelley Tso said: “The recognition across multiple categories is a resounding endorsement of the way we’re telling our brand story today. Your Story. Our Legacy. celebrates the genuine moments and shared experiences that take place in our hotels every day, reflecting our belief that at its heart, hospitality is about connection.” The HSMAI Adrian Awards are among the travel industry’s longest running and most respected marketing accolades, celebrating creativity, innovation and impact across the industry. The four awards received by LHG are: Platinum: Multi-Channel/Integrated Marketing category Gold: Innovation category Silver: Consumer Brand Campaign category Bronze: Relaunch of Existing Property or Product category Rooted in the legacy of The Langham, London as a gathering place for cultural icons and pioneers such as Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, Your Story. Our Legacy. introduces a new generation of Langham Luminaries, individuals whose journeys reflect the many facets of The Langham’s character. The curated roster spans the worlds of culture, sport, design and entertainment, continuing the brand’s longstanding tradition of hosting influential figures. Luminaries appointed so far include Olympic champions Cheung Ka-long and Wang Shun; architecture icon Dirk Lohan; Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell; celebrated musician and television star Dannii Minogue; renowned photographer Douglas Friedman; culinary tastemaker Brooklyn Peltz Beckham; and design visionaries Laura Kim and Fernando J. Garcia of Monse. As the Your Story. Our Legacy. campaign continues, new stories and personalities will be added to its living narrative.

Extended Stay America, the leading mid-priced extended stay hotel brand in the United States with more than 650 hotels, announced today the fifth anniversary of Extended Stay America Premier Suites. Since launching in 2021, Premier Suites has become the fastest-growing midscale extended stay brand, reaching nearly 60 open hotels. This growth reinforces Extended Stay America’s commitment to evolving alongside changing guest and owner needs. Premier Suites is a purpose-built brand designed to meet the needs of today's extended stay guests while offering owners an efficient new-construction and conversion-friendly model. As part of Extended Stay America's portfolio, Premier Suites provides an elevated, modern option that serves a distinct segment within the extended stay market, creating new opportunities for owners and developers in high-demand markets. For more than 30 years, Extended Stay America has defined the extended stay category. Premier Suites represents our continued evolution – applying everything we’ve pioneered and learned to create a purpose-built brand that addresses a clear opportunity in the midscale extended stay segment. The success the brand has experienced in the past five years reflects strong owner confidence, disciplined growth, and sustained demand for a modern extended stay product Greg Juceam, President and CEO, Extended Stay America Premier Suites hotels feature spacious suites, fully equipped kitchens, complimentary healthy breakfast, modern fitness centers, onsite guest laundry, and dedicated workspaces. The brand has been especially well-positioned in markets supported by infrastructure development, healthcare, education, defense and workforce-driven demand. Extended Stay America remains focused on scaling Premier Suites, while maintaining performance for owners across its entire portfolio. With nearly 60 hotels currently open, the company is on track to reach its next major milestone of 100 Premier Suites hotels open by 2030, further reinforcing the brand’s role as a key growth driver in the extended stay segment. For more information about Extended Stay America, including franchise development opportunities, visit franchise.esa.com .