First Hospitality’s Outlook: What’s Next for Hotel Stays in 2026
First Hospitality outperformed industry benchmarks in 2025 with +3% occupancy growth and plans AI-driven search optimization tools for 2026.
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JW Marriott Las Vegas and Rampart Casino Announce Property-Wide Rebrand, Officially Becoming The Resort at Summerlin
-JW Marriott Las Vegas and Rampart Casino today announced a property-wide rebrand, officially uniting the celebrated resort and casino under a new identity, The Resort at Summerlin. Effective January 1, 2026, the rebrand marks a significant milestone in the property's ongoing $75 million, multi-year renovation and its evolution as a premier luxury destination in the heart of Summerlin.
Sheraton Charlotte Unveils $12M Renovation in Uptown
The Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, part of Marriott International's portfolio, proudly announces the completion of a transformative $12 million renovation encompassing all 305 guest rooms and suites. The ten-month enhancement project reimagines the hotel's accommodations with a fresh, light-filled design, modern technology, and thoughtful amenities tailored to today's business and leisure travelers.
Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel Now Open
Omni Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Broward County, Visit Lauderdale, and developer Matthews Southwest, today officially opened the doors of Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, welcoming its first guests. This debut signals the brand's flagship arrival to Greater Fort Lauderdale, introducing a new benchmark for sophisticated coastal luxury and elevated hospitality in South Florida. Marking a key achievement in the Broward County Convention Center District expansion, the hotel now serves as its definitive anchor, setting a new regional standard as a world-class destination for meetings, events, and leisure.
Kyle Lippe has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The National, Autograph Collection | Downtown OKC
With more than 28 years in hospitality and 14 years in executive leadership, Lippe is recognized for cultivating exceptional leaders, strong company cultures, driving operational success, and building community-rooted partnerships. His most defining chapter was at The Skirvin Hilton, where he led the historic hotel to national recognition, including the Historic Hotels of America "Hotel of the Year" Award win in 2021 and the Hilton Blue Energy Award. Throughout his career, Lippe has led major full-service hotels and renovations across Oklahoma and the Midwest, delivering record-setting service scores. He currently serves on the Board of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association and is committed to mentoring future hospitality leaders and advancing the state's tourism industry. In his new role as Hotel Manager at The National, Autograph Collection | Downtown OKC, Lippe will play a key role in driving operational excellence and elevating the overall guest experience.
AHLA statement on the Senate introduction of the American Franchise Act
AHLA supports legislation that would protect the franchise model supporting nearly 3 million hospitality jobs nationwide.
Hyatt Studios Huntsville Opens in Alabama, Bringing New Upper-Midscale Extended Stay Brand to ‘Rocket City’
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) celebrated the grand opening of Hyatt Studios Huntsville, marking a significant milestone in the upper-midscale extended brand's expanding pipeline. This opening further strengthens Hyatt's strategic collaboration with 3H Group, the same developer behind the first-ever Hyatt Studios property, which opened in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this year. Hyatt Studios Huntsville brings a modern approach to extended stay to one of the Southeast's fastest-growing cities, offering studio apartment-style suites with spacious, well-equipped kitchens, inviting lounge areas, and flexible workspaces.
Marriott International Celebrates 100 Signings for City Express by Marriott in the U.S. and Canada
The milestone comes just over a year after introducing the midscale brand to North America, with six properties already open in 2025.
Valencia Hotel Collection Announces the Closing of Tyler Hotel Partners, LP, Formed to Build a New Hotel on the Square in Downtown Tyler, Texas
Valencia Hotel Collection is proud to announce the official acquisition of property on the newly expanding Square in downtown Tyler, Texas, to build a new full-service hotel designed as a reimagining of the old Blackstone hotel of yesteryear. This marks a major milestone in the group's continued expansion. Slated to become another addition to the Valencia Hotel Collection, Hotel Blackstone will open as a high-profile, boutique property and a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott.
Atari Hotels Phoenix Reveals Design Plans and Amenities
Atari Hotels and Intersection Development are creating a new frontier of experiential entertainment. Construction on the long-anticipated Phoenix flagship, located at 840 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix on an acre-plus site, is slated to begin in late 2026.
Live Oak Charleston to Debut as South Carolina’s First Tribute Portfolio Hotel in April 2026
Scheduled to open in April 2026 in Charleston's historic district, Live Oak Charleston will introduce a wellness-forward expression of Lowcountry hospitality as South Carolina's first and only Tribute Portfolio hotel. The 120-room boutique property will blend simple, modern design with an authentic sense of place, offering guests a serene retreat rooted in Charleston's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Matt Dalrymple has been appointed as General Manager at Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Today, Margaritaville Resort Orlando announces the appointment of Matt Dalrymple to General Manager. With more than a decade of hospitality experience, Dalrymple will oversee all aspects of the resort's operations, focusing on elevating guest experience, driving revenue, and maintaining the resort's reputation as a premier destination.
Excellence Endowment Bolsters Senior Living Programing in Hospitality Management
Penn State's School of Hospitality Management receives $50,000 total from Liberty Lutheran and Waverly Heights to expand senior living career programming.
Hilton Milwaukee Completes $42 Million Transformation
The historic Hilton Milwaukee, the city's largest hotel, proudly announces the completion of its $42 million renovation, the most extensive in the history of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS). The project reimagines the hotel's ornate 1920s architecture and design into a new era of style and sophistication, unveiling a revitalized lobby and bar, transformed meeting and event spaces, and 554 fully restyled guest rooms.
Hyatt Accelerates Essentials Portfolio Momentum with Planned Brand Growth in New Markets and New Leadership
Hyatt's Essentials portfolio signed 20+ Hyatt Select deals and 70 total Hyatt Studios deals, with 50% of 2025 U.S. deals entering new markets under new leadership.
Where Deco Dreams Meet Ocean Breezes: Balfour Miami Beach Joins Wyndham's Registry Collection Hotels
With decades of iconic style and undeniable flair, Balfour Miami Beach makes its grand entrance into Registry Collection Hotels, adding a splash of classic Art Deco cool to the brand's curated lineup of independent gems. The 82-room South of Fifth landmark is where golden-era glamour meets modern Miami sophistication, ushering in a bold new chapter for one of the city's most celebrated and beloved destinations.
Borja Garcia has been appointed as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park is pleased to announce the appointment of Borja Garcia as general manager. With over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, spanning from the Americas to Europe, Borja brings a wealth of leadership expertise and industry knowledge to the property.
Roberto Alicea has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Hyatt Regency Chicago
Hyatt Regency Chicago, the Windy City's largest hotel and a premier urban destination, is pleased to announce a strategic appointment to its executive team. Following the retirement of long-standing General Manager Patrick Donelly, who concludes his 39-year tenure with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Roberto Alicea has been appointed Hotel Manager.
Mark Wagner has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Chicago
Hyatt Regency Chicago, the Windy City's largest hotel and a premier urban destination, is pleased to announce a strategic appointment to its executive team. Following the retirement of long-standing General Manager Patrick Donelly, who concludes his 39-year tenure with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Mark Wagner has been named General Manager.
Le Méridien Arlington Announces Hotel Renovation
Le Méridien Arlington announced today that it will begin a hotel renovation initiative in January 2026 as part of its comprehensive enhancement of the guest experience. The undertaking will encompass thoughtfully curated updates across the hotel's 154 guest rooms and public spaces, including the addition of a ballroom and a new restaurant concept.