Categorizing…

The move deepens Google’s role in influencing booking decisions and capturing intent at the property level Apr 20, 2026 Google has introduced a new feature that allows travelers to track…

Global hotel groups shift from brand control to flexible platform models to capture conversion-driven expansion Apr 20, 2026 Marriott and Hilton are redefining how they grow their portfolios by moving…

Health, sustainability, and supply resilience converge to redefine how hotels design menus and operate kitchens Apr 20, 2026 Accor highlights a fundamental shift in hospitality food and beverage strategy, as…

Hotels are using loyalty to drive direct bookings, increase guest value, and reduce reliance on third-party channels Apr 20, 2026 Hotel loyalty programs are evolving into a core commercial lever…

Mews – the most talked-about platform in hotel technology lost a deal it should have won Apr 20, 2026 Earlier this year, Motel One completed the migration of its entire…

The company’s pilot signals a shift from strategy to execution, as hotels become a core part of Airbnb’s distribution model Apr 20, 2026 Airbnb is moving beyond announcements and actively…

The influence of women in the hotel and lodging industry took center stage as the AHLA Foundation brought its flagship annual leadership event back to Atlanta for FORWARD/26, convening hospitality professionals from across the country at the Signia by Hilton. With a theme centered on influence, the two days featured bold conversations, practical leadership insights, and high-impact programming for trailblazing executives and leaders, and early to mid-career professionals across different business functions. Together, these experiences elevated and empowered women while reinforcing the event’s role as one piece of a larger industry movement behind a more inclusive and dynamic future for hospitality leadership. While women continue to represent a large share of the hotel workforce, they remain underrepresented in executive leadership roles. The FORWARD initiative continues to address this gap by creating intentional pathways for advancement through mentorship, education, and community. “Our industry thrives when we invest in people and create opportunities for growth,” said Kevin Carey, President & CEO of the AHLA Foundation . “FORWARD/26 was designed to turn intention into action, giving women across the industry the tools, access, and networks they need to lead with confidence and wield their influence. This event brought together trailblazing executives, rising stars, and committed allies, creating the kind of dynamic exchanges and authentic connections that ignite real change.” “FORWARD has become a powerful force across our industry, bringing people together to support and elevate the next generation of leaders,” said Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association . “Seeing 1,000 talented professionals gathered in one room, committed to advancing themselves and others, reinforces that our industry’s present and future are in strong hands.” From the main stage to the 20 unique breakout sessions, the FORWARD/26 experience offered a vast selection of content led by 50+ speakers. Speakers included executives from across the industry, and select speakers from adjacent industries, including Bobbi Brown, Chief Creative Officer & Founder at Jones Road Beauty; Tiera Kennedy, Singer-Songwriter for Tiera Music; and Justin Knight President & CEO of Apple Hospitality REIT. Sessions included: ● A Cross-Industry Perspective on Leadership and Influence panel featuring Alicia Tillman, Delta Airlines Chief Marketing Officer, and Dagmar Boggs with The Coca Cola Company. The panel was moderated by Anu Saxena, President & Global Head of Hilton Supply Management and Chair of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees. ● Empower Hour: Negotiating Successfully as a Woman breakout session with Kathryn Valentine CEO, Worthmore Strategies. ● Own the Room: How to Talk So Your Audience Will Listen (And Act) conducted by Anna Goldsmith, Producer at TEDxPortsmouth. ● Leading With Influence panel discussing how influence shows up across a career—through mentors, advocates, and relationships that help shape confidence and leadership. ● Women Leaders on Hotel Ownership discussion with women leaders across ownership, operations, finance, development, and industry advocacy sharing what it’s really like to own, manage, and finance hotels. Beyond the main stage, the FORWARD/26 experience brought this year’s theme of influence to life with the Community Hub –

Grand Beach, MI — At Experiential Capital Group (ECG), we recently completed a comprehensive analysis of all 158 TripAdvisor reviews published for The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach. This was a full-dataset review, not a sample. What the data reveals is both exceptional and instructive: guests are not simply rating a hotel stay. They are describing an experience that they struggle to categorize using existing hospitality vocabulary — something between a retreat, a residential rental, and a boutique hotel — set on a wooded ravine property minutes from Lake Michigan. The result is the highest review volume and one of the strongest average ratings in the ECG portfolio. Performance Consistency Across Four Years The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor, with 96.8% of all reviews rated five stars and 98.7% rated four stars or above. That performance has held consistent from 2022 through early 2026 — across seasons, guest types, couples, families, and group travelers alike. The two sub-five-star reviews acknowledge specific and isolated concerns: one flags noise from other guests in a shared property environment; the other reflects a former guest's nostalgia for a previous ownership era. Neither points to a structural experience problem under current management. Both reviewers praise the property's physical quality, cleanliness, and amenity program even within their critical framing. A Setting That Does Substantial Work Location and natural setting are cited in 66% of reviews — and unlike an urban property where location means walkability and neighborhood access, Grand Beach guests are describing something closer to a sensory experience. The ravine, the wooded grounds, the proximity to Lake Michigan, and the feeling of genuine escape from city life (75 miles from Chicago) all appear as primary motivators. "The area was quiet and felt like we were truly getting out of the city." "The Neighborhood Grand Beach hotel is a great destination for family trips, friend getaways or a romantic vacation. The grounds are beautiful — it's set back in a wooded area just a short walk from the beach." "Who doesn't love waking up to deer in your back yard." Guests from Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit describe the 60-to-90-minute drive as a meaningful threshold — far enough to feel like an escape, close enough to be accessible for a two-night stay. That drive-market positioning, combined with a setting that delivers genuine natural immersion, makes Grand Beach a durable leisure destination rather than a convenience play. The Grand Beach area itself — quiet, residential, with nearby beach access, a local playground, and proximity to New Buffalo's restaurants and shops — is described repeatedly as a discovery. Guests who expect a generic beach town are surprised by the quality and character of the surroundings. The Apartment-Hotel Format Resonates at Every Guest Type The residential format — kitchenette, in-unit amenities, separate living spaces, in-unit washer and dryer — is cited in 46% of reviews and functions as the core product differentiator. The format performs across a notably wide range of guest archetypes: