For many decades, visitors to the Hawaiian island of Oahu had just one neighborhood to choose from when booking a hotel. Waikiki–that iconic mile-and-a-half strip of white-sand beach ringed by more than 26,000 hotel rooms–was the only place where hotels could be found.
Travel industry leaders William D. “Bill” Talbert, III, former president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Christopher L. Thompson, former president and CEO of Brand USA, were inducted into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders on Wednesday.
Retro Hospitality, the leading operator of boutique hotels in Virginia, is excited to announce the December 5 opening of Hotel Petersburg, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton property. An architectural gem in the heart of Old Towne Petersburg, the building has been a city cornerstone since its establishment in 1916. The newly restored 64-room upscale boutique hotel masterfully blends historical preservation with modern amenities.
Extended Stay America®, the leading mid-priced extended stay hotel brand in the United States, announced today the opening of the Extended Stay America Premier Suites — Asheville, located in Asheville, North Carolina. TGC Group developed the property.
Two significant changes will impact travel in the U.S. this holiday season. First, Thanksgiving is a week later, meaning there are five less days between Thanksgiving and Christmas and likely more travel compression between the two holidays. Second, Christmas and New Year’s Day move from a Monday last year to a Wednesday this year.
HVS, the leader in global hospitality consulting, is pleased to announce the expansion of its North America Brokerage & Advisory division with the addition of Matthew (Matt) Omansky as Senior Vice President.Matt assists investors with acquisition and disposition services of hotel properties of all classes and sizes, with a specialized focus in Central/West Texas and New Mexico. He has been instrumental in providing solutions for clients, with hotel transactions across the United States totaling over $200 million in value.
HomeToGo, the marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, today revealed the top 15 destinations for Thanksgiving trips, alongside state-by-state travel trends, using extensive user search and pricing data. Driven by a +31% year-on-year uplift in searches for domestic Thanksgiving travel, HomeToGo’s latest analysis uncovers which states have the highest holiday travel interest among residents, the typical distance of their trips, the durations of their stays, and more.
The U.S. hotel industry reported higher performance results from the previous month, according to October 2024 data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
InnQuest Software, a leading provider of hotel management solutions, proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary, commemorating three decades of transforming the hospitality industry. Since its establishment in 1994, InnQuest has empowered over 5,500 properties worldwide, offering cutting-edge tools designed to streamline operations and enhance guest satisfaction.
Due to the Veteran’s Day calendar shift, the U.S. hotel industry reported mixed year-over-year performance comparisons, according to CoStar’s latest data through 16 November. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.
Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver is pleased to announce the appointment of Kaylin Miller as its new Catering Event Sales Manager. With over 13 years of experience in the events industry, Miller brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for crafting memorable, tailored experiences. In her role, she will be responsible for curating impactful, high-quality events, and collaborating closely with clients to transform their visions into seamless realities. Her commitment to excellence will ensure that each event at Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver reflects the brand's standards for service and sophistication.
Opening today, the extraordinary Grand Hyatt Deer Valley welcomes guests as a premier destination for sophisticated travel and all-season adventure. This captivating resort features approximately 436 luxury accommodations, including 55 residences, and introduces a variety of culinary concepts, promising an exceptional experience for all. The resort anchors the newly developed Deer Valley East Village-the first luxury alpine village of its kind in North America since 1981, which is being developed by the visionary Extell Development Company-and is set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. Grand Hyatt Deer Valley provides direct access to Deer Valley Resort, including the 300+ new skiable acres, 20 debut runs, and three new chairlifts, and is expected to open for the 2024/2025 season in December, conditions permitting.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Tiffany Cooper as Head of Development, Americas. Tiffany will play a pivotal role in leading the development and investment initiatives for the Americas region, focusing on the important U.S. market, Canada, and Latin America for the Group.
North Point Hospitality announces its newest hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott Savannah Historic District, is slated to open early 2025. Nestled in the center of the city's famed Historic District at 601 E River Street, this new hotel blends the brand's sleek, European-inspired design with the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Savannah, making it a distinctive new destination for travelers in the South.
Arlo Hotels, the independent lifestyle hotel brand with properties in New York, Chicago and Miami, is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated Arlo Washington DC will officially open on November 18, 2024. Located within the heart of downtown D.C., within walking distance of Penn Quarter, Judiciary Square and Capitol Hill, the hotel is surrounded by the city's top attractions, including the National Mall, museums, the convention center, and top dining, shopping and entertainment venues. The property is Arlo Hotels' seventh location and its first in the nation's capital.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of world-leading hospitality group Accor, in partnership with Long Beach-based investment and development group Pacific6, today announced the opening of Fairmont Breakers Long Beach. Nestled in the heart of downtown Long Beach, the landmark hotel debuts after a multi-million-dollar transformation, blending historic grandeur with contemporary luxury.
Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and advocate for public policy that promotes transparency, competition, and innovation, moderated the second annual Soapbox Industry Debate at the Phocuswright Conference in Phoenix, AZ.
Raines, a leading hospitality management, development, and investment organization, is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista in Columbia, SC. Developed and managed by Raines, this will be the second Shepherd Hotel in South Carolina. With design and architecture by Garvin Design Group and built by Mashburn Construction, the Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025. The first Shepherd Hotel opened in downtown Clemson, SC, in September of 2022. The brand was co-founded by Rick Hayduk, a seasoned hotel visionary; Rich Davies, a third-generation real estate developer; and Dabo Swinney, Clemson University Head Football Coach. Inspired by his two children with Down Syndrome, Rick had long been interested in opening a hotel that employed individuals with disabilities. The Shepherd Hotel Downtown Clemson opened in collaboration with ClemsonLIFE, a Clemson University program that empowers students with intellectual disabilities to follow their career goals and experience life on a college campus. The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista will partner with the University of South Carolina's CarolinaLIFE program to offer similar opportunities through the University's School of Hospitality and Tourism. "The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista celebrates our passion for the hospitality industry and our commitment to our communities," said David Tart, managing partner, Raines. "We are excited to provide valuable skills and career opportunities for students and young adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly in college towns." "The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista is a special milestone for us, as it builds on our mission to provide exceptional hospitality experiences through creating sustainable employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities in the industry," added Hayduk. "We are thrilled to partner with Raines Co to bring the second Shepherd Hotel to life." The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista will transform the historic Columbia Central Fire Station into a 59-key boutique hotel. The address, 1001 Senate St., Columbia, SC, is in the heart of The Vista, a historic development project in proximity to the University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Statehouse, Colonial Life Arena, and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The location in the Vista is prime location, within walking distance to a variety of restaurants and leisure activities. This adaptive reuse project will honor the history of the Columbia Central Fire Station, one of the city's oldest fire stations, while incorporating modern amenities like a fitness center, board room, lounge, and valet parking. Kevin Johnson, James Beard Nominee and University of South Carolina alumni, will lead the hotel's food and beverage program. The on-site restaurant will serve both locals and hotel guests offering small plates, craft cocktails, and a robust beer and wine selection. "We're proud to be a part of this project, which blends our passion for historic preservation and our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality spaces," said Lee Mashburn, president, Mashburn Construction. "Working with the Raines team is an exciting opportunity. We are honored to contribute to the revitalization of this iconic building. We are also thrilled to be constructing the second Shepherd Hotel in South Carolina, just blocks from Mashburn's corporate headquarters."2024 has been a landmark year for Raines. The company added more than 20 properties to its management portfolio since January, including 16 hotels in a landmark deal with Atlantic Hotels Group. Raines has been dedicated to holistic, sustainable growth, especially in the lifestyle sector, where they continue to expand their lifestyle division, Woven by Raines. In 2023, the company commemorated its 35th year in the hospitality industry and acquired third-party management company HP Hotels, among other accomplishments.
Staypineapple Hotels Inc., a Pacific Northwest-based hospitality management and licensing company, most notably recognized for its management of the 10 Staypineapple hotels across the United States, announces that Sohal Hotels, a Pacific Northwest-based multi-unit hotel franchisee company, has purchased Watertown Hotel. The hotel, located in Seattle, Wash., near the University of Washington campus, will undergo a significant transition that marks a new chapter for both companies, as Staypineapple Hotels Inc. will now manage the property under its first management and licensing agreement.
With 10+ years of experience as an executive committee member in the hotel industry, Adrienne is a seasoned leader with a focus on driving company growth and revenue. Breaux joins The Royal Sonesta New Orleans from the Hyatt Centric French Quarter where she served as Director of Sales & Marketing and was responsible for managing teams, setting goals, creating and implementing strategies, and generating business. Adrienne was born and raised in Louisiana and is a member of the Louisiana Travel Association, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and the MPI Gulf States Chapter.