Mitesh Patel (Left) and Jonathan Bogatay (Right) Just four years after arriving in the United States from India with their parents, brothers Rinkesh and Mitesh (Matt) Patel purchased their first hotel—the Days Inn in Phenix City, Alabama—operating the property under RAM Hotels. Over the past two decades, the co-founders grew their portfolio of owned and managed hotels to encompass 26 … [Read more...]
Remington Goes ‘Green,’ Elevating Former Chesapeake Chieftain to President
Chris Green, President, Remington Hotels When Remington Hotels acquired Chesapeake Hospitality in April, the company gained more than a portfolio of premium branded properties, many of which were in major Midwest markets. Just as importantly, the company also bolstered its leadership team with Chesapeake CEO Chris Green, who was recently tapped to take the reins of the Dallas-based … [Read more...]
Geoff Ballotti to Participate in Bharat Shah Speaker Series at 2023 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference
ATLANTA—The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, Noble Investment Group, and Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, Georgia State University announced Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, will join Mit Shah, CEO of Noble, for the ninth annual Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series. Starting his professional journey as a dishwasher, Geoff Ballotti is now … [Read more...]
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes Six New Member Properties
The Elser Hotel and Residences NEW YORK, NEW YORK—Preferred Hotels & Resorts welcomed six new member properties to its portfolio between October 1 and December 31, 2022. Ranging from an Italian wellness location in the village of Brufa to a 17th-century manor on the Celtic Sea in Ireland, the additions offer experiences for adventures in 2023 and beyond. The properties … [Read more...]
AHLA’s Chip Rogers Makes Statement on International COVID Vaccination Travel Requirement
WASHINGTON—American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President and CEO Chip Rogers spoke after the House passage of H.R.185. This legislation would end the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international visitors to the United States. “International travelers are key to recovery for hotels. They stay longer and spend more money. These … [Read more...]
Super Bowl Week SPECIAL REPORT with Chip Rogers
In this special report, LODGING Editor-in-Chief Dennis Nessler catches up with AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers to discuss the issue of human trafficking as the Super Bowl approaches. Rogers emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness, employee training and a recent fund generated for survivors, all aimed at helping the industry take the lead on fighting human trafficking throughout the … [Read more...]
Sage Hospitality Group Adds The Pierside Hotel to Its Portfolio
DENVER—Sage Hospitality Group announced the recent addition of The Pierside Hotel (The Pierside) in Santa Monica, California, to the company’s portfolio of more than 110 hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues in 14 states. The Pierside joins the Sage Independent Hotel Collection, bringing the number of fully independent, lifestyle hotels that Sage operates to 18. “The Pierside Hotel is … [Read more...]
Naples Hotel Group Acquires Management for DoubleTree by Hilton in Gainesville, Florida
DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville Naples Hotel Group has acquired the management contract for the DoubleTree by Hilton in Gainesville, Florida. Naples Hotel Group has a growing presence in Florida with a total portfolio of 20 hotels and restaurants. The Gainesville hotel has 205 guestrooms, a resort-style outdoor pool, and a courtyard space. The property has food and beverage outlets … [Read more...]
WorldHotels ‘Crafts’ Continued Growth With Eye On North America
BWH Hotel Group continues to boost its global presence in large part on the strength of its WorldHotels Collection. The luxury soft brand recently added 13 new properties and entered Canada for the first time. The 51-year-old WorldHotels Collection—which includes more than 170 locations globally—was acquired by BWH Hotel Group in 2019 to give the company an offering at the high end of the … [Read more...]
CBRE: Commercial Real Estate Lending Activity Slowed in Q4 2022
DALLAS—Heightened market volatility amid higher interest rates continued to slow commercial real estate lending activity in the final quarter of 2022, according to the latest research from CBRE. The CBRE Lending Momentum Index, which tracks the pace of CBRE-originated commercial loan closings in the United States, declined by 15 percent from the third quarter of 2022 and 27 percent … [Read more...]
KSL Resorts Adds Five Hotels on California Coast
Pismo Lighthouse Suites IRVINE, Calif. — Adding to its growing portfolio of premier resorts and hotels, KSL Resorts has taken over the day-to-day management of five independent, boutique hotels—Avila Lighthouse Suites in Avila Beach, Pismo Lighthouse Suites and Shore Cliff Hotel in Pismo Beach, and Paso Robles Inn and The Piccolo in Paso Robles—all situated in San Luis Obispo County, … [Read more...]
Supporting Role: AHLA’s 2023 Vice Chair Kevin Jacobs to Help Move Strategic Plan Forward
Kevin Jacobs, CFO and president of global development, Hilton, recently assumed the role of AHLA’s 2023 board vice chair after serving as secretary/treasurer during 2022. Jacobs has spent nearly 30 years in the lodging industry, the last 15 of which have been with Hilton. LODGING checked in with Jacobs recently to discuss some of the top priorities for the association, the trajectory of his … [Read more...]
Leveraging Experience: Veterans Dowling, Maher Detail New Roles With Horwath During ALIS
With an eye on “raising its brand to a more premium level,” global advisory firm Horwath HTL recently secured two accomplished industry brand veterans with the addition of Dorothy Dowling and Melissa Maher as managing directors. Dowling and Maher, as well as Horwath HTL Global Chairman John Fareed, sat down with LODGING during the recent ALIS (Americas Lodging Investment Summit) event to … [Read more...]
STR: Weekly U.S. Hotel Performance Improves
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—U.S. hotel performance increased from the previous week, according to STR’s latest data for the week of Jan. 22-28, 2023. U.S. hotel occupancy for the week of Jan. 22-28, 2023, came in at 56.3 percent (0.3 percent below the week’s 2019 comparable), while average daily rate (ADR) reached $142.66 (up 13.4 percent over 2019) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) hit … [Read more...]
Sonesta Added 74 Franchised Hotels in 2022
In November, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced that The Royal Sonesta brand was available for franchising in the United States. (Photo courtesy of Sonesta) NEWTON, Massachusetts — Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced it added 74 properties to its franchised portfolio during 2022. The new properties further expand Sonesta’s global presence and … [Read more...]