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Opinion Article Operations & Strategy

Immersive Hospitality: Redefining the Guest Experience

Immersive experiences are not entirely new to hospitality and leisure—theme parks, destination hotels and resorts, and cultural attractions have long found ways to draw guests into unique worlds. What is changing is how properties are increasingly using technology to push those experiences further, creating spaces that blur the lines between the physical and digital and redefine what guests expect from leisure destinations.

Joseph Pierce
By Joseph Pierce, Director of Appraisal & Consulting Services, Hotel & Leisure Advisors (H&LA)
United States
Development Pipeline

Now Taking Reservations: The Compton, Downtown Bentonville's Newest Boutique Hotel

The Compton, a new independent lifestyle hotel, will open its doors in late fall 2025, bringing a new dimension of hospitality to the heart of Bentonville. Named for beloved preservationist Dr. Neil Compton, the 142-room hotel celebrates the region's rich past and testifies to its bright future. The project is being developed by Blue Crane, a local company dedicated to vibrant, community-focused development throughout Northwest Arkansas.

The Compton
Bentonville, Arkansas, United States
Appointment

Anthony Beach has been appointed as General Manager at Thompson Hotel Chicago, by Hyatt

The Thompson Hotel Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Beach as General Manager. Anthony officially assumed the role on August 4, 2025, bringing with him more than two decades of hospitality leadership across both upscale and luxury properties. His career includes successful hotel openings, brand repositionings, and award-winning management experience in key markets.

Thompson
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Development Renovation

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club Unveils First Phase of Renovation and Celebrates 90 Years with New Guest Experience

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Southern California's iconic coastal retreat renowned for its timeless charm and storied legacy, has completed the first phase of its $60 million renovation. The unveiling aligns with the Club's 90th anniversary and reflects a thoughtful balance of modern coastal living and enduring family traditions. Members and guests arriving at the iconic 90-year-old beachfront resort will experience a transformed pool deck, revitalized outdoor gathering spaces, resurfaced tennis courts, and new services.

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
San Diego, California, United States
Supplier News Technology

Revinate appoints seasoned SAAS executive Ankur Bhandari as CFO to accelerate next phase of growth

Revinate, hospitality’s leading direct booking platform, today announced the appointment of Ankur Bhandari as Chief Financial Officer. Bhandari brings over two decades of finance and operational leadership experience from Fortune 500 companies and leading private equity-backed firms across SaaS, healthcare, and financial services.

Revinate, Inc.
San Francisco, California, United States
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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
Development Opening

Residence Inn Reno South Now Open at the Foot of Sierra Nevada Mountains

Residence Inn by Marriott Reno South is now open in South Reno's burgeoning business, shopping, and entertainment district, anchored by the adjacent Tamarack Casino and nearby Shayden Summit Shopping Center. The hotel's convenient location also places guests just minutes from Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Resort, Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, downtown Reno and Reno-Tahoe Airport. Guests are welcome to relax and enjoy the spacious lobby with a central stone fireplace, an expansive outdoor pool and whirlpool with stunning mountain views, and relaxed outdoor seating around the cozy firepit. The hotel's signature putting green is ideal for casual entertainment and team building events hosted in the hotel's intimate meeting space.

Residence Inn
Reno, Nevada, United States
Press Release Markets & Performance

Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting (LARC)’s 2Q-2025 Hotel Industry Outlook and Market Intelligence Reports

While the macro-economic environment in the U.S. is one of heightened uncertainty, partly driven by lack of clarity on economic policy, Real GDP increased 3.0% in 2Q2025 and is forecasted to remain positive moving forward. Nonetheless, the strength of the underlying economy may be far more modest than the 2Q GDP print implies. For example, when excluding a tariff-induced net trade imbalance, Real GDP declined roughly 2% in the quarter. 

LARC
United States
Ad Guide
The next-gen metrics that move hotel P&L

Hotel tech has changed what's possible – and measurable. RevPAR and ADR aren't enough; discover the metrics that really matter. 
Mews
Development Opening

AC Hotel Arlington National Landing Celebrates Official Ribbon-Cutting in the Heart of National Landing

AC Hotel Arlington National Landing marked its official debut with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 22, 2025, in partnership with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Local leaders, business partners, and community members gathered alongside the AC National Landing hospitality team to celebrate this milestone moment.

AC Hotels by Marriott
Arlington, Virginia, United States
Press Release Development

HP Athens and Southern Hospitality Group Sell Hyatt Place Athens Downtown

Hunter Hotel Advisors (Hunter) today announced the sale of the 190-key Hyatt Place Athens Downtown in Athens, Ga. HP Athens, LLC, advised by Paul Breslin of Horwath HTL, and Andrew Cajka of Southern Hospitality Group, the hotel’s part owner and operator, sold the property to a local investor on August 20, 2025. The buyer has selected Pyramid Global Hospitality to manage the hotel.

Hunter Hotel Advisors and Pyramid Global Hospitality
Athens, Georgia, United States
Development Groundbreaking

AATMOS Breaks Ground on the Scoundrel Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN

Construction has officially begun on The Scoundrel Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel located in the heart of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Designed to reflect the area's rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted ties to moonshining, the hotel will offer an elevated experience with moody, upscale interiors and lush, nature-inspired landscaping throughout the property.

AATMOS
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States
Development Renovation

David Netto to Lead Redesign of The Hedges Inn

The Hedges Inn, a historic cornerstone of East Hampton's heritage and hospitality, is set to undergo a full-scale restoration led by acclaimed interior designer and author David Netto, bringing his distinctive voice and East End roots to the project. Netto was handpicked by Sarah Wetenhall, Owner and CEO of the property, for his sophisticated yet irreverent style and deep personal connection to the area.

The Hedges Inn
East Hampton, New York, United States
External Article Human Resources

L.A. passed a $30 minimum wage for tourism workers. Then came the warring ballot measures

It’s the summer of the burn-it-down ballot measure in Los Angeles. For the past three months, labor unions and business groups have been locked in a protracted fight over a law, approved by the City Council in May, hiking the minimum wage for hotel employees and workers at Los Angeles International Airport to $30 per hour by 2028.

Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, California, United States
Development Opening

GLō® Best Western Debuts in the Bronx, Expanding its Presence in New York City

BWH Hotels, the global hospitality enterprise comprised of WorldHotelsTM, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels, is proud to announce the opening of the GLō Best Western Bronx, a 72-room, newly constructed hotel located in the heart of the Bronx in New York City. The property joins the rapidly growing portfolio of GLō hotels across the United States.

GLō
New York, New York, United States
Appointment

Mark Weatherill has been appointed as General Manager at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Weatherill as General Manager. Weatherill brings with him over four decades of hospitality leadership experience across managed and franchise hotel operations, with a proven track record of team development, financial performance and property transformation. In his new role, Weatherill will oversee all aspects of the resort's operations, guest experience and strategic growth, with a focus on elevating service standards and deepening the resort's cultural connections to the destination.

Marriott
Waikiki, Hawaii, United States