Marriott becomes Fitwel's first Enterprise Partner and Champion+ hospitality company, piloting the program at Ritz-Carlton Residences Chicago with plans to certify properties across its 153-property global residential portfolio.
Set in Midway, Utah's Little Switzerland, atop 28 natural geothermal springs, Ameyalli Resort & Spa by Appellation advances toward a 2028 opening and a Villa Residences sales launch this Summer, as the move-in-ready Residence Club Alpine Chalets cross 81% sold.
Max Starkov argues that the rise of AI platforms as travel discovery tools is reshaping hotel distribution faster than most properties are prepared to handle but that chasing AI visibility without fixing the fundamentals of guest retention is a strategic mistake. The hotels most at risk, he contends, are independents that have neither invested in the tech stack needed to feed AI systems nor built the first-party data infrastructure to keep guests coming back.
NEWH's Structures of Hospitality Excellence program, now in its third year, offers up to $20,000 in scholarships for skilled trades students and an award for construction firms, with nominations open through October 1, 2026.
A data-backed examination of hotel industry workforce culture covering upward mobility, poverty wages, physical injury rates, high turnover, trafficking exposure, and the post-pandemic labor shift.
Kurt Weinsheimer draws on 25 years in online travel to argue that the shift to AI-powered discovery is categorically different from every platform change that came before it. When a search returns five options instead of fifty, being sixth is the same as being invisible — and most hotels have no idea how they appear, or whether they appear at all, on the shortlists AI systems are already building.
Conrad New York Downtown executive explores how concierges have evolved from gatekeepers to cultural curators who architect personalized experiences.
HITEC 2026 drew 6,100+ professionals to San Antonio's Henry B. González Convention Center, featuring 400+ exhibitors across 85,000 sq ft and a strong focus on AI, cybersecurity, and digital guest engagement.
Antonio Picozzi argues that the thirty-year paradigm of search-driven hospitality marketing is collapsing and that generative AI is replacing the logic of discoverability with an entirely different logic: one where being understood matters more than being ranked, and where a hotel's digital identity is only as strong as its least consistent data source.
Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation are donating 250 million Hilton Honors Points to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, with 10,000+ mentoring moments planned across six U.S. cities starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Bloomington Edina proudly unveils a renewed and modernized guest experience following a multimillion-dollar renovation and a transition to a new name.
The pre-stay booking funnel has fundamentally shifted, and most hotel tech stacks are nowhere near ready for it. Alessio Re maps the three-layer challenge hotels now face - getting cited by AI systems, owning accurate and structured data, and having a vendor stack capable of converting agent-driven discovery into actual bookings - and argues that treating this as an SEO problem with new vocabulary will not get the industry far enough, fast enough.
The 39-key Bower Coronado becomes SLH's first member in Coronado, CA, gaining access to the SLH Club loyalty program and Hilton Honors booking integration.
The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami, the first-ever exclusively residential project from the iconic global brand, today announced its completion, marking the opening of the first new residential building in Midtown in nearly a decade. Developed by Rosso Development, in partnership with Hyatt, and Midtown Development, the 12-story pied-à-terre-style building arrives as a milestone in the continued evolution of one of Miami’s most walkable and vibrant destinations.
AO, a leading full-service architecture and landscape design firm, has completed Element Mission Valley, a 150-key hotel developed for Driftwood Capital. The project marks the first Element by Westin Marriott property in San Diego County, introducing a brand centered on wellness and comfort. It also builds on AO’s extensive hospitality experience across California, with portfolios spanning leading brands such as Marriott and Hilton. “The central design challenge at Element Mission Valley was defining a unique identity and arrival experience for the new hotel while ensuring it felt connected to the existing property. Through close collaboration with our partners, we created a design that not only integrates effortlessly, but also reflects the authentic character of San Diego and aligns with a global brand,” said Bruce Greenfield, partner at AO. “We’re excited to see that vision come to life in a way that enhances both the guest experience and the overall destination.” The seven-story, 98,000-square-foot hotel is located minutes from Downtown San Diego and Mission Bay, with convenient access to Interstate 8. AO’s design is anchored by a choreographed arrival sequence, including a palm-lined drive, a dedicated drop-off zone, and a welcoming lobby plaza. The firm also incorporated expansive glazing, layered landscaping, and a raised exterior patio serving the lobby bar create a social environment. A six-story sculptural wood gateway frames the entry façade as well to establish a strong sense of place. A palette of neutral tones and wood textures draw from the surrounding coastal landscape, fostering a calm, residential atmosphere for guests. The project’s wood framing and use of natural materials helped it comply with California’s Title 24 energy standards. Element Mission Valley is designed to offer a residential-style experience, allowing guests to feel at home while traveling. The property features a range of accommodations—including guest rooms, studios, one-bedroom suites, and conference suites—suited for both short- and extended-stay visitors. Amenity spaces are thoughtfully designed to support wellness and flexibility. Its fitness center incorporates industrial tones, promoting focus and energy, while a 5,300-square-foot conference and ballroom space supports workforce development and special events. Strategically positioned near the arrival zone, the ballroom opens directly to a shared outdoor breakout area. This plaza connects to the existing Marriott Mission Valley ballroom, creating a flexible communal patio that extends event space while buffering the two properties. The development also provides a seamless pedestrian connection between the hotels, allowing guests to access shared amenities, including the pool deck and on-site dining. Partners on the project include general contractor, R.D. Olson Construction; structural engineer, Ficcadenti Waggoner and Castle; civil engineer, Kimley-Horn; MEP Engineer, RTM Engineering; and interior design by Linda Snyder Associates. Other notable hospitality projects within AO’s portfolio include The Inn at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano, Le Meridien Pasadena, and DSRT Surf in Palm Desert. R.D. Olson Construction also recently completed several projects across California including Appellation Healdsburg and AC Hotel Pasadena. The hotel is located at 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, California
Hyatt and Hall Structured Finance have launched a dedicated loan program for Hyatt Studios newbuild projects, offering developers higher leverage and faster capital access than conventional lending structures.
U.S. hotels posted a 7.0% RevPAR gain for the week of June 7-13, 2026, with NYC leading Top 25 Markets driven by NBA Finals and World Cup activity.
Giuseppe Italiano examines the pre-stay journey through the lens of behavioral economics and philosophy, arguing that algorithms have become the primary architects of traveler choice — nudging, filtering, and framing decisions in ways most guests never consciously register. The danger, he contends, is not that machines are making choices for us, but that we are gradually losing the discernment to notice, or care.
Memphis is investing over $23.7B in Downtown revitalization, including a $230M convention center renovation, a $130M Peabody overhaul, and a city-acquired former Sheraton being rebranded as a Marriott by 2029.
UMusic Hotel & Private Residences Austin was introduced today, setting a new standard for culturally immersive hospitality and modern residential living. The five-star destination will feature 150 guest rooms and 600 private residences, combining innovative design, aesthetically beautiful architecture, environmental sensitivity and the performing arts in Austin.