Newport Hospitality Group Hotels Earn Top Brand Honors Across Hyatt, Wyndham and Choice Portfolios
Newport's hotels won top awards from Hyatt, Choice, and Wyndham, with some properties earning recognition for 8-10 consecutive years.
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U.S. Travel Demand Accelerates and Spending Hits Record Highs, According to Latest MMGY Research
Survey of 4,500+ Americans shows household travel spending projected at record $5,704 annually, with 50% now using AI tools for trip planning.
Politics Created the TSA Crisis—Congress Can Fix It Through Reconciliation
U.S. Travel Association calls for three-year TSA officer funding through reconciliation to prevent recurring airport staffing crises and passenger delays.
Hotel Solaya Debuts in Old Town Scottsdale, Joining JdV by Hyatt as a Reimagined Desert Oasis
A bold new chapter in Old Town Scottsdale hospitality is set to unfold this spring as Hotel Solaya has officially opened its doors, joining the JdV by Hyatt brand portfolio. Following an extensive transformation, the newly reimagined property introduces a vibrant desert oasis where modern Mexican influence, playful design, and the energy of Scottsdale come together to create an entirely new lifestyle destination for locals and travelers alike.
Armella Stepan has been appointed as Managing Director at AKA Beverly Hills
AKA Beverly Hills is pleased to announce the appointment of Armella Stepan as Managing Director. A seasoned luxury hospitality executive, Stepan brings a wealth of experience shaping elevated, experience-driven stays across some of the world’s most respected brands.
Duchamp Healdsburg Debuts in the Heart of Downtown Healdsburg
Duchamp Healdsburg today announces its official opening in downtown Healdsburg. The 20-suite boutique hotel marks a distinctive addition to California's most celebrated wine region, where residential-style accommodations, thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces, and genuine local expertise come together to create stays defined by authenticity and community.
Choice Hotels International Brand Sleep Inn Debuts New Design with Openings in Tennessee, Nevada, and Pennsylvania
Sleep Inn opens four new-construction hotels featuring its Scenic Dreams prototype, showing RevPAR premiums of +1.71 and improved guest satisfaction scores.
Three Little Bears Retreat Announces Summer Opening: Reimagined Safari-Style, All-Inclusive Mountain Escape in the Great Smoky Mountains
Three Little Bears Retreat in Bryson City, North Carolina – a private, wilderness, expedition retreat with luxury cabins and lodges – is set to debut this summer, introducing the region’s first safari-style, all-inclusive mountain retreat designed for families, groups, and meaningful gatherings. The retreat blends Appalachian heritage with the spirit of exploration, inviting guests to enjoy adventure, wellness, and conservation alongside comfort for a fully immersive Smokies experience.
New Study: LA Hotels Power City’s Economy, As New Council Policies Increase Operational Pressure
AHLA report shows LA hotels generate $12.5B annually but face rising costs and reduced investment, with 88% cutting staff due to city policies.
Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach Unveils Multi‑Million‑Dollar Transformation
Courtyard® by Marriott Waikiki Beach announces the debut of its comprehensive, multi‑million‑dollar transformation, unveiling a refreshed experience across its expansive 405‑room property. Every guestroom redesigned to embody a modern yet relaxed island aesthetic, including the complete renovation of its 850-square-foot Penthouse, now reimagined as an elevated residential‑style retreat in the heart of Waikiki. Led by design firm //3877, the property‑wide revitalization introduces guests to a collection of new experiences: an open‑air lobby and lounge overlooking a lush pool oasis; the debut of CRATE, a convenient grab‑and‑go concept; signature dining at Aloha Amigo and Peppermint Café & Pool Bar; and the artisan aromas of Ali'i Coffee Co.
New Study: 2026 World Cup Set to Spark Longer Stays, Higher Spending—If America Gets Ready
Study of 9,500+ respondents shows World Cup visitors will spend $5,000+ per person and stay longer than typical tourists, but safety concerns could limit economic gains.
U.S. hotel results for week ending 4 April
Easter calendar shift caused nationwide RevPAR to drop 5.1%, though Miami and Anaheim posted strong gains while Vegas fell 34.2%.
Preston Paine has been appointed as Food & Beverage Director and Executive Chef at Keswick Hall
Keswick Hall, the esteemed luxury resort set in the heart of Virginia’s wine country, is pleased to announce the appointment of Preston Paine as Food & Beverage Director and Executive Chef. A Dallas-born chef, restaurateur, and hospitality leader, Paine brings a globally informed perspective shaped by world-class kitchens and a deeply intuitive approach to the guest experience.
Gateway Jax Signs Agreement with Marriott International and The Indigo Road Hospitality Group for Hotel Merrydelle –– Downtown Jacksonville’s First Lifestyle Hotel
Gateway Jax, a leading developer in Jacksonville's urban core, today announced a signed agreement with Marriott International and The Indigo Road Hospitality Group to open Hotel Merrydelle, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel. Formerly the Ambassador Hotel, the building is set to undergo a transformative renovation as part of Gateway Jax’s development of Pearl Square. The Tribute Portfolio Hotel brand portfolio represents a collection of independent boutique hotels that showcase unique design, create spaces and experiences that connect guests to the surrounding community, and focus on unmatched, sincere service. Hotel Merrydelle is slated to be Downtown Jacksonville’s first lifestyle hotel.
The MOHI by Appellation Unveils New Name and Culinary Concepts
Appellation, the groundbreaking culinary-first hotel brand by Chef Charlie Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger, joins forces with visionary vintner and developer Frank Léal of Léal Hospitality to announce The MOHI by Appellation, formerly known as Hotel MOHI by Appellation. The hotel will debut in 2027 as Morgan Hill’s first full-service luxury boutique hotel, marking the next evolution of Léal’s vision to establish Morgan Hill as a compelling food and wine mecca in Northern California.
Hotel Association of NYC Foundation Bestows Grant to NYC Police Foundation, Bolsters Public Safety Initiatives Within Hospitality Sector
The $15,000 grant funds Crime Stoppers, an anonymous reporting program operating since 1983 that offers cash rewards for safety tips.
The Monarch Hotel to Open in New Orleans as Part of sbe's HQ Hotels & Residences Collection
The Monarch, a 34-key boutique hotel housed in a four-story, mid-19th-century Italianate building on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, is set to open on April 15, 2026. The property is incubated and operated by Sam Nazarian’s sbe Entertainment Group, one of the world’s pioneering icon hospitality groups behind globally recognized brands such as SLS, Mondrian, Katsuya, Hyde, and more, as part of its HQ Hotels & Residences Collection. Slated to open next Wednesday, April 15, The Monarch will blend Art Deco design with contemporary luxury, backed by sbe’s proven record of creating world-class concepts that set new industry standards.
Scott Berger has been appointed as General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announces the appointment of Scott Berger as general manager of the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, effective April 6, 2026. A seasoned hospitality leader with more than two decades of global luxury experience, Berger will oversee all aspects of the hotel, further elevating the property’s reputation as one of the city’s premier luxury destinations.
Newport Hospitality Group Teams Earn Top Apple Hospitality REIT Honors Showcasing Culture of Excellence and Impactful Leadership
Newport's Fairfield Inn Charlotte Matthews won Apple Hospitality REIT's Shining Apple Award while team member Tom Johnson earned individual Apple Award recognition.
Courtyard by Marriott Across Universal Orlando Opens Following Multimillion-Dollar Renovation and Conversion
Performance Hospitality, a Florida-based lifestyle hospitality management company, announced the completion of a multimillion-dollar conversion and rebranding of the Holiday Inn & Suites Across from Universal Orlando to the Courtyard by Marriott Across Universal Orlando (5916 Caravan Ct.). Centrally located in Orlando and in close proximity to the Universal Studios theme parks, this exciting brand conversion brings with it a new chapter of elevated hospitality, modern design, and access to Marriott’s globally recognized loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy®. A grand opening celebration is set for April 9, from 5 – 7 p.m.