AHLA Warns NYC Budget Proposal Could Raise Costs for Hotels, Threaten Jobs in Testimony Before City Council
AHLA warns that NYC's proposed tax increases and regulatory costs could harm hotel recovery while international visitor numbers decline 5%.
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Hotel Yearbook Article The Hotel Yearbook 2026 - Sustainability Edition
Green sprouts of hope in the regeneration question
Starting from her own skepticism, Dr Natasha Montesalvo explores where regenerative tourism is already moving from rhetoric to reality, highlighting destinations and hotels that build regeneration into governance, design, and operations from day one. Through examples like Red Sea Global, Capella Ubud, Maroma and TTNQ’s Reforest partnership, she shows that measurable positive impact on ecosystems and communities is possible – but only when strong policy, thoughtful design, and long-term performance tracking replace vague “do good” intentions.
By Natasha Montesalvo, Director of Research and Policy and Principal Consultant – Destinations, Strategy and Insights, EarthCheck
AHLA Survey: Rising Costs, Staffing Challenges Persist For Hotels As Travel Demand Expected to Hold Steady
AHLA survey of 246 hoteliers shows 71% cite supply costs as top pressure, with over half of properties understaffed heading into 2026.
An Iconic Santa Monica Landmark Enters its Next Act: The Georgian Joins The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that The Georgian, a storied oceanfront hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, has joined The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a global portfolio of distinctive luxury hotels known for their individuality and character.
Charlestowne Hotels Expands National Footprint with Impactful Development Pipeline
Charlestowne Hotels announced eight development projects opening through 2028, including adaptive reuse properties in Santa Fe and Milwaukee, plus Tribute Portfolio hotels in Mississippi and Utah.
Hotel Yearbook Article The Hotel Yearbook 2026 - Sustainability Edition
Where Will You Place Your First Needle?
Using Camiguin Island in the Philippines as a living laboratory, Mahe Besson explores regenerative tourism through the metaphor of acupuncture: small, precise interventions that unlock a destination’s own capacity to heal. Rather than rebuilding systems from scratch, she argues for carefully chosen “acupuncture points” such as teaching resorts, youth ocean programs, and co-created (un)Summits that let local ecosystems and communities regain their flow.
By Mahé Besson, Project manager, 7Generations
LivAway Suites® Expands Arizona Footprint with Glendale Opening, Its Third Hotel Debut in 2026
LivAway Suites®, one of the nation's fastest growing affordable extended stay hotel brands, today announced the opening of its newest property in Glendale, marking another major milestone in the company's rapid expansion across Arizona and the greater United States.
Highline Hospitality Partners Acquires Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas
The 397-room lakeside property brings Highline's portfolio to 18 hotels and $1.5 billion in assets under management.
Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center Celebrates its Debut Following a Full Property Transformation
Colwen Hotels and XSS Hotels, today announced the completion of a multi-year transformation of Framingham’s historic “Castle Hotel” and the official launch of The Framingham Hotel Collection. Originally opened in 1975 as the Sheraton Tara Hotel, the castle-inspired building has long been a landmark along the Massachusetts Turnpike and an iconic symbol of Greater Boston’s hotel landscape. Today, that legacy enters a new era: what was once a single full-service hotel has evolved into a connected three-hotel integrated campus, known as The Framingham Collection, comprising the Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, Fairfield Inn & Suites Framingham, and TownePlace Suites Framingham, totaling 371 guestrooms and suites, with offerings across full-service, comfort-forward, and extended-stay options. The reimagined destination also includes refreshed public areas, technology-forward meeting spaces, a reinvigorated sense of place that blends heritage architecture with modern hospitality, and three reinvented culinary concepts: Malone’s Irish Pub & Social - A modern rebirth of the beloved Molly Malone’s Irish Pub (est. 1991) offering elevated pub fare, locally crafted brews, Irish Coffees, and live entertainment. Provisions Hearth & Kitchen - A New England-inspired breakfast restaurant built on Honest Food and Thoughtful Hospitality. Tara Cafe - A convenient lobby cafe serving espresso beverages, refreshers, teas, and grab-and-go items. Proudly Serving Starbucks® Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center: A Landmark Reimagined At the center of the transformation is the Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, which anchors the collection as the full-service flagship property. The Renaissance Framingham introduces an elevated full-service experience through design-forward guestrooms, inspired public spaces, and a reimagined weddings and events destination, one of the region’s most captivating meetings and events environments. Guestrooms and suites feature contemporary furniture, refreshed baths, and design elements that echo the castle’s European-inspired architecture. Public spaces blend co-working-friendly zones, lobby lounges, and gathering areas that support both business and leisure travelers. Renaissance Framingham Weddings & Events is the crown jewel of the property, offering more than 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting, wedding, and conference spaces. The fully reimagined venue supports modern events ranging from intimate board meetings to 1,000-person galas, with refreshed ballrooms, pre-function areas, and breakout rooms equipped with upgraded technology and luxury finishes. Throughout, sophisticated décor and a contemporary palette create a modern “castle moment” for a new generation, reflecting the broader renovation philosophy—respecting the past while embracing an elevated guest experience. The three hotels participate in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. Hotels that make up the new reimagined destination include: Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center 1657 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA | 508-879-7200 | Website: A refined full-service hotel blending historic character with modern elegance. The Renaissance offers elevated accommodations, expansive event space, and a sophisticated guest experience ideal for meetings, weddings, and elevated leisure stays. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Framingham 1659 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA | 508-270-8510 | Website: A contemporary, comfort-forward hotel offering spacious rooms, complimentary amenities, and an approachable stay designed for short-term business and leisure travelers. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Framingham 1659 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA | 508-270-8500 | Website: An extended-stay hotel featuring suite-style accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and residential comforts, ideal for longer visits, relocations, and project-based travel.
LBA Hospitality Expands Management Portfolio, Strengthening Presence in Mississippi
LBA adds two Hilton Garden Inn properties in Mississippi, expanding its Gulf Coast presence and Hattiesburg market share.
Hotel Yearbook Article The Hotel Yearbook 2026 - Sustainability Edition
Values over value: adding to place rather than extracting from it
David Leventhal challenges tourism’s “growth is always good” mindset, arguing that low-density, values-driven, regenerative hospitality can deliver both better guest experiences and stronger profitability. He explains how Playa Viva optimises resources, rebuilds degraded landscapes, involves local communities, and experiments with inclusive pricing models, while also tackling tough questions on aviation emissions, greenwashing, and how to scale without becoming extractive.
By Willy Legrand and David Leventhal
Marriott to Bring St. Regis Hotels & Resorts to Kapalua Bay, Hawai'i
Marriott assumes management of the 146-unit Maui oceanfront resort in March 2026, with St. Regis branding planned for 2027 after renovation.
Red Roof Delivers Results, Innovation and Impact in 2025; Well Positioned for Continued Profitable Growth in 2026
Red Roof gained market share in 2025 with a 3,500-room development pipeline and 35% increase in new hotel executions.
Trademark Collection by Wyndham Marks Milestone, Surpasses 100 U.S. Hotels
The soft brand has doubled its U.S. portfolio in five years, reaching nearly 350 hotels globally with 100+ more in the pipeline.
Hotel Yearbook Article The Hotel Yearbook 2026 - Sustainability Edition
When Hospitality shapes places, not just stays
Regenerative hospitality reframes hotels from standalone assets into locally embedded infrastructures that strengthen ecosystems, communities, and destination resilience. Diane Binder argues that the real shift is from “doing less harm” to actively serving place – with independent and franchised hotels acting as catalysts for land restoration, cultural vitality, and shared prosperity, supported by new governance, measurement, and blended finance models.
By Diane Binder, Founder & CEO, Regenopolis
Hotel Yearbook Article The Hotel Yearbook 2026 - Sustainability Edition
What Hospitality Might Become
Yves Carnazzola argues that the real shift facing hospitality is not from sustainability to regeneration as competing trends, but from seeing hospitality as an industry managing impacts to seeing it as a participant in living systems. Regeneration is framed as a reorientation of purpose: from efficiency and control to coherence, shared responsibility, and place vitality, supported by new governance, financing, and accountability structures.
By Yves Carnazzola, CEO, AxessImpact
Leading North American Hotel Wellness with Marriott’s Suzanne Holbrook
Holbrook discusses Marriott's rollout of wellness technology across luxury properties, including red light therapy, cold plunges, and vibroacoustic treatments to boost spa revenue.
By Adam Mogelonsky and Larry Mogelonsky
Hotel Yearbook Article The Hotel Yearbook 2026 - Sustainability Edition
What Is This Place Asking of Us?
Amanda Ho argues that sustainability, while valuable, is no longer enough for a hospitality industry facing climate instability, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. Regeneration is proposed as a deeper, place-based paradigm that asks a fundamental question: “What is this place asking of us?” Instead of treating hotels as isolated assets, it frames them as actors within living systems of community, culture, and ecology, illustrated through examples like Fogo Island Inn, Basata Eco-Lodge, and African Bush Camps.
By Amanda Ho, Co-Founder & CEO, Regenerative Travel
ALH Grows to 3,000 Rooms with Major Central Texas Expansion
The family-owned management company added 1,000 rooms across Central and South Texas, elevating Scott Austin to COO to oversee the expanded operations.
New Report: Phoenix Hotels Fuel $7 Billion in Economic Activity
Oxford Economics study finds Phoenix hotels support 42,000+ jobs and generate $1.1 billion in tax revenue annually.