Hilton Announces Better Than Expected Earnings

The DJIA was down 126 points while Nasdaq was up 100, the S&P was up 22 points and the 10-year treasury yield was up .02. Lodging stocks were higher. HLT was up 5% to a new all-time high. Also setting new highs were WH, MAR, CHH, PLYA, and TNL while H was up 5% on the day.

Hilton’s earnings report ignited a Lodging C-Corp rally today. Results were in line to better than expected with many analysts saying there had been concerns the election could have impacted results in the quarter but that was not the case. The bullish analysts on HLT said the outlook for 2025 was good enough, slightly ahead of consensus. They also upped 2025 capital return expectations from 2024 by 10% to $3.3 billion. They bought back $744 million worth of stock in 4Q.

Rockbridge and Musselman Hotels announced the opening of the new Hampton Inn & Suites in Louisville, Kentucky. The newly developed Hampton Inn & Suites Louisville East Oxmoor, KY, offers 111 guestrooms, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. Musselman Hotels will manage the property.

Hotel Ardent - Tapestry Collection by Hilton is now open in Dayton, Ohio. Developed and owned by First Investors and operated and managed by First Hospitality, the hotel occupies the historic Barclay Building. Hotel Ardent - Tapestry Collection by Hilton offers 118 rooms and suites, an upscale fitness center, and intimate event spaces including a boardroom. In April 2025, the hotel will welcome an upscale Italian steakhouse.

The National Landing Hotel Crystal City, in Arlington, Virginia, has announced a new name to ring in its next chapter following a transformative total property renovation and rebranding slated to be complete as of May 2025. The 347-room hotel will unveil refurbishments to its exterior, guestrooms, and all public spaces, including opening a restaurant and lounge, as part of its progression and rebrand. Formerly Marriott Crystal City at Reagan International Airport, the National Landing Hotel will join another brand within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, to be announced following the multi-million dollar renovation in advance of the summer travel season.

Ridgeline Development Partners, a subsidiary of The Gettys Group, plans to resume redevelopment work on the planned 116-room Motto by Hilton hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the second quarter. Indy Propco LLC, a Gettys and Ridgeline affiliate that owns the 11-story building, received a two-year extension on the project’s certificate of appropriateness from the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.

Perform Management held a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Home2 Suites hotel in Helen, Georgia. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The hotel will offer 81 suites, meeting space, lower level parking, and a rooftop restaurant and bar.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with owner Gurfateh Investors, LLC, recently finalized the opening of a newly converted Holiday Inn Express & Suiteshotel in Tumwater, Washington. The 58-room hotel is managed by Hotel Management Solutions.

Sandpiper, LLC announced the acquisition of the Extended Stay America Premier Suites in Bradenton, Florida. Sandpiper Hospitality will manage the day-to-day operations of this hotel.

KHP Capital Partners is planning to convert the Johnson Building in Charlotte, North Carolina, into a 245-room hotel. KHP bought it from Spaulding & Slye Investments last year for $19.3 million.

A winter debut for the redesigned Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, has been delayed, most likely until the fall. Oetker Collection, the hotel brand that manages The Vineta, said on its website that the hotel is slated for a 2025 opening. The four-story landmarked building is owned by the Reuben brothers.

The Strathcona Hotel, a Victoria, B.C. landmark, is going on the market. The Olson family, who have owned the hotel for almost 79 years, are selling the six-story property.

Cushman & Wakefield brokered the portfolio hotel sale comprising the 180-room Sheraton and 129-room Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Mesa, Arizona. HSL Properties acquired the hospitality properties for a combined $50.25 million.

Paramount Lodging Advisors announced the sale of the seven-story Drury Inn & Suites in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Personnel Moves

Marriott International has announced the appointment of three leaders to key B2B customer-facing positions within the company. Shannon Patterson has been named Senior Vice President of Global Sales. Andy Kauffman has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer, U.S. & Canada. Gail Frazer has taken on the role of Senior Vice President of Sales and Distribution for the U.S. & Canada.

Europe Highlights

Hilton is bolstering its presence in Northern Ireland with the signing of DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast City Ten Square in partnership with the Loughview Leisure Group.

Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts announced its newest project, the Bvlgari Resort & Mansions Cave Cay, in the Bahamas, scheduled to open in 2029.

Bob W has exchanged contracts with Aroundtown to launch a 52-unit service apartment offering in a former post office building in Dortmund, Germany.