At its 2024 conference, held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, Red Roof unveiled a blueprint for continued profitable growth at its brand conference for more than 1,000 franchisees, team members and partners. In his address to the Red Roof franchise community, President Zack Gharib told conference attendees, “We are an iconic American brand, and we are living the American dream.” He outlined a … [Read more...]
Cendyn acquires Knowland
Cendyn, a global hospitality cloud-based technology company, has acquired Knowland, a provider of data-as-a-service intelligence on meetings and events for hospitality. The strategic acquisition presents an opportunity to enhance sales prospecting by yielding greater bookings in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and events) space, according to Cendyn. Knowland’s platform includes market … [Read more...]
Larry Spelts to lead Fathom Companies’ growth plan
Fathom Companies, which includes Fathom Real Estate Development and Fathom Hotel Management, has engaged industry veteran Larry Spelts to lead the company’s portfolio growth through both additional third-party management opportunities and development opportunities. Having grown four management company portfolios since 2009, Spelts brings a wealth of experience in scaling hospitality … [Read more...]
HB Roundtable: Investments to improve your bottom line
There are several areas hoteliers can focus on to impact their bottom lines, from property improvement plans (PIPs) and technology to implementing sustainable practices and lowering energy costs. Hotel Business recently held an executive roundtable, hosted and sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric, where industry leaders discussed best practices to achieve healthy hotel finances. Moderated by Christina … [Read more...]
Bill Ryan joins BWH Hotels as SVP/CTO
BWH Hotels has appointed Bill Ryan as its SVP/chief technology officer. Reporting to Larry Cuculic, president/CEO, BWH Hotels, Ryan will oversee the technology management team and guide the brand’s digital strategy and transformation. “Bill is an innovative and inspiring technology leader with a track record of building strong relationships and growing brand capabilities,” said Cuculic. “His … [Read more...]
Rob Rain named OTO Development CEO
Rob Rain has joined OTO Development as CEO, where he will oversee strategic initiatives designed to drive growth across the company’s portfolio. Rain is carrying on the legacy of OTO’s former CEOs: the late Corry Oakes, who led the company for its first 18 years, and Todd Turner, who recently retired. “Rob understands OTO’s culture, and we are excited about the company’s prospects under his … [Read more...]
Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown completes renovation
The Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown, owned by Dreamscape Companies and Centerbridge Partners, has completed a multimillion-dollar comprehensive property renovation as part of Sheraton Hotels’ worldwide transformation of its guest experience. Managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, the 494-room property offers new brand programming and service signatures, such as the recently launched Gatherings by … [Read more...]
Kabani Hotel Group to host investment forum in Miami
Kabani Hotel Group will host its eighth-annual Hotel Investment Forum at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami on Oct. 14. “The Hotel Investment Forum serves as a pivotal platform for discussing the hospitality industry’s future in South Florida,” said Ahmed Kabani, founder, Kabani Hotel Group. “This year, we look forward to sharing insights on how we can collectively navigate the evolving market … [Read more...]
Hilton: 70% of ’25 travelers to seek active vacations
According to Hilton’s annual Trends Report, travelers are looking to pair their desire to relax and recharge with high-impact adventures and experiences to maximize their time and financial investment. “Our 2025 Trends Report uncovers what has been simmering for years—the intersection of work and play; of relaxation and adventure; of being alone but together,” said Chris Nassetta, … [Read more...]
Peachtree promotes Brent LeBlanc to EVP, business development
Peachtree Group has appointed Brent LeBlanc as EVP, business development. In this position, he will support the company’s efforts to grow and expand its vertically integrated investment platforms. LeBlanc’s responsibilities will include focusing on cross-marketing strategies, fostering business development and collaborating closely with the investment teams to drive innovation and … [Read more...]
Crystal Investment Property brokers sale of The Landing Hotel
Crystal Investment Property LLC (CIP), a member of Hotel Brokers International, brokered the sale of The Landing Hotel, Restaurant & Pub in Ketchikan, AK. CIP, a licensed Washington brokerage, represented the seller in the sale in cooperation with Mary Wanzer, a licensed Alaska broker. Joseph P. Kennedy, president, CIP, and his team worked closely with the buyer, seller and the parties’ other … [Read more...]
HB Exclusive: Greysteel arranges $19.4M refi
Greysteel, a national commercial real estate investment services firm, arranged the $19.4 million refinancing of a dual-branded Home2 Suites by Hilton Brunswick and Hilton Garden Inn Brunswick in Brunswick, GA. The 175-key hospitality property, originally constructed in 2019, is located off Interstate 95, near the Port of Brunswick and the city’s downtown area. Brunswick is a market known … [Read more...]
Stephen Funk joins Premier
Premier, an end-to-end architecture, design, procurement, project management and corporate engineering firm with specialization in hospitality, multi-family residential, student housing, adaptive-reuse and mixed-use development, has appointed Stephen Funk as the firm’s new VP, architecture. He has more than 22 years of experience, and has significant new-build architectural design expertise. … [Read more...]
AHLA adds Steven Okuley as SVP
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has hired Steven Okuley as its new SVP, conferences and events. He previously served at American Airlines, where he was director, B2B customer engagement and communication, and oversaw all global sales and distribution tradeshows, internal meetings, customer events, sales incentives and advisory boards. Prior to that, he was director, global … [Read more...]
U.S. hotel results for week ending Sept. 21
The U.S. hotel industry reported positive year-over-year (YOY) comparisons, according to CoStar’s latest data through Sept. 21. Sept. 15-21 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 68.9% (+0.5%) ADR: $168.80 (+2.0%) RevPAR: $116.22 (+2.5%) Among the top 25 markets, Houston saw the highest YOY lift in occupancy (+10.7% to 69.0%). Driven by Dreamforce 2024, San Francisco reported … [Read more...]
Mews raises $100M in new financing
Mews has raised $100 million in financing from Vista Credit Partners, the subsidiary of Vista Equity Partners and a strategic credit and financing partner focused on the enterprise software, data and technology markets. The new financing will expedite Mews’ growth and strengthen its M&A program, according to the company. The technology firm’s investment and corporate development arm, … [Read more...]
Catbird Hotel, Colorado Springs coming soon
Sage Hospitality Group, together with Norwood Development Group, have submitted a preliminary proposal to build a new Catbird Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs. The proposal envisions a new full-service, independent, extended-stay hotel, that will include 180-rooms, dining and meeting spaces. The hotel is the second in the Catbird brand, joining Catbird Hotel, Denver, which opened in 2021 in the … [Read more...]
Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid renovates
Essex Hotel Management LLC has completed a $1.8 million comprehensive renovation of the Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid in Lake Placid, NY. The hotel is owned by The Hotel at Mirror Lake LLC, and first opened in 2013. The 97 guestrooms, common areas, indoor pool area and exercise facilities were all refreshed, including upgrades to the carpet, artwork, soft seating and televisions. Case … [Read more...]
AAHOA welcomes OYO’s acquisition of G6
Following the announcement that OYO will be acquiring G6 Hospitality, which includes Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands, AAHOA released a statement that it welcomes the deal. With an estimated 98% of G6 Hospitality properties owned by AAHOA members, the deal “marks a promising opportunity for continued growth, collaboration and innovation in the budget hotel sector,” the organization reports. … [Read more...]
José Andrés to open first hotel in DC
José Andrés Group and Thor Equities are partnering to create the hospitality company’s first hotel: The Bazaar House by José Andrés. The 67-room luxury hotel will feature an exclusive private membership club, multiple F&B venues all curated by José Andrés Group, events space, a dedicated wellness center, high-end retail offerings and more, in Washington D.C.’s Georgetown slated to open in … [Read more...]