Beyond Berlin and Munich: The Fontenay’s Thies Sponholz on Hamburg’s Luxury Moment
Thies Sponholz discusses winning Germany's Hotelier of the Year 2026 award and how The Fontenay has elevated Hamburg's luxury hotel scene since 2018.
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HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin - Week Ending 06 February 2026
Weekly roundup covers seven major European hotel transactions totaling over €100 million, including Deka's €92M Andaz Vienna acquisition.
Beyond Simplicity: Rethinking PMS Usability for Modern Hotels
Maestro PMS argues that effective hotel technology must balance simple interfaces with robust functionality to support complex multi-departmental operations.
By Lisa Jane Wheaton, Senior Project Strategist, Maestro
The Customer is Always Right
The article examines how Harry Selfridge's "customer is always right" philosophy, while revolutionizing service, led to guest exploitation costing hotels $250,000-$500,000 annually and widespread staff abuse.
By Nasir Zahir
The Great Hotel Reset and the Future of Independence with Ben Rafter, CEO of Hotel Equities
Hotel Equities CEO Ben Rafter discusses how market pressures favor operators with strong commercial capabilities while guests shift toward experience-based loyalty over brands.
By Benjamin Rafter and Sloan Dean
Kerten Hospitality Enters 2026 With Strong Momentum, Accelerating Expansion And Bolstering Leadership
Kerten signed 1,000 new keys in January 2026 after reporting 55% revenue growth and 69% GOP increase in 2025, with six openings planned for early 2026.
China’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Sees Record-High Brand Conversion Activity, Upscale and Upper Midscale Chain Scales Drive Growth at Q4 Close
China's Q4 2025 pipeline totals 3,608 projects with brand conversions hitting record highs, while upscale and upper midscale segments drive 64% of development activity.
Ascott signs record 19,000 units across 102 properties in 2025
The Asia-Pacific operator expanded into 10+ new cities including Wellington and Taipei, with 30% of signings from existing partners and strong franchise momentum in East Asia.
Riding the PortoBay wave: how people are shaping hospitality
The author visits PortoBay's Funchal property to interview staff for a podcast series exploring what makes the Portuguese hotel group's culture distinctive.
HVS Asia Pacific Hospitality Newsletter - Week Ending 6 February 2026
Three major hotel transactions across Singapore, South Korea, and Japan total over USD200 million, with notable per-key valuations ranging from JPY75M to SGD402K.
Airport Hotel Revival Done Right at Sonesta LAX
Sonesta LAX increased average length of stay to 1.7 nights after a $42M renovation by targeting weekend leisure travelers and local guests.
By Larry Mogelonsky and Adam Mogelonsky
GCSTIMES Environmental Policy Series Finale: Consumer Health & Safety & Our Sustainability Commitment
GCSTIMES concludes its environmental policy series by emphasizing consumer health protections and comprehensive sustainability framework for hotel suppliers.
A case for windowless rooms: mastering the art of the basics
Zedwell converts underused London buildings into windowless "cocoon" rooms focused on rest, with new capsule format offering £30 stays to capture spontaneous demand.
By Sarah Johnson, Senior Copywriter, Mews
International Luxury Hotel Association Reaches 1 Million Members Worldwide
ILHA reports 45% LinkedIn growth, 872 attendees at Las Vegas summit, and 50% website traffic increase as membership crosses seven-figure threshold.
Columbia Hospitality Tapped to Manage Seattle’s Hotel 1000
Columbia Hospitality takes over management of the 120-room luxury property starting February 1, with Hotel 1000 joining Unbound Collection by Hyatt.
Dreamscape Hospitality Expands Marriott Portfolio with Three Select-Service Hotels Across the South and Midwest
Dreamscape Hospitality announced today that it has assumed management of three Marriott-branded hotels across Oklahoma and Louisiana, further expanding its national portfolio and strengthening its presence within the Marriott brand.
Hotel Investment Momentum Builds as U.S. Market Posts $24 Billion in 2025 Transaction Volume
JLL reports luxury hotels drove performance with 3% RevPAR growth while midscale properties declined, with World Cup host cities expected to see mid-double digit RevPAR gains in 2026.
Travelers have had enough. It’s time to make hotel room bathrooms private again
The article critiques the trend of transparent bathroom designs in hotel rooms that compromise guest privacy and comfort.
Hapi Appoints Jeff Bzdawka to Chief Executive Officer
Bzdawka, former Knowland CEO with 30+ years experience, takes over from founder Luis Segredo who moves to chief strategy officer.
The AI Dilemma: Should Hotels Wait or Build?
The author argues hotels should create small experimental AI teams rather than wait for mature solutions or make large investments.
By Martin Soler, Partner, Soler & Associates