Kim Woinski

DJIA and Nasdaq dropped significantly, 10-year yield surged, and lodging stocks declined. U.S. hotel industry saw lower occupancy but improved year-over-year comparisons. Peachtree Group announced multiple hotel acquisitions and new development projects, while other hotels are under renovation and expansion.

Sonder Holdings announces a 1 for 20 reverse split to maintain its Nasdaq listing, with Selina also considering a reverse split. STR reports US hotel data with a slight increase in US hotel RevPAR but a decrease in Group RevPAR for the week ending 9/16. Various hotel acquisitions and developments are underway, including Omni Hotels & Resorts in Raleigh, Travel + Leisure Co.'s sports-themed resorts, Life House in Palm Springs, and more.

B of A Securities gives IHG Hotels & Resorts a Buy rating. Sonder announces a 1-for-20 reverse stock split. Hyatt plans to expand with over 30 new hotels in the Americas by 2025, emphasizing luxury, resort, and lifestyle rooms. Miraval Resorts unveils its spa after a $60 million renovation. Raffles Boston and The Fontainebleau Las Vegas announce their openings.

CNBC discusses the repercussions of New York City's crackdown on Airbnb, suggesting that hotels will benefit from higher prices during the holiday season due to Airbnb's cancellation of bookings after December 1. Legacy Development & Management acquired the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North and plans a $22 million, two-year renovation, including room upgrades, new amenities, and exterior improvements. Various new hotel development projects are underway, including a Marriott Westin at the Indianapolis International Airport, a Hilton-branded hotel in Decatur, Georgia, a Four Seasons Hotel & Residences in Jacksonville, Florida, and a $2 billion theme park called American Heartland in Vinita, Oklahoma.

DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all experienced declines while the 10-year treasury yield rose to 4.32%. Lodging stocks had mixed performance. Truist updated price targets for lodging/hotel group stocks, with several adjustments both up and down. Various hotels announced renovations, expansions, and new locations, including the Westin Denver Downtown, Hyatt's growth plans, and the EV Evolution Venue Hotel in Tampa and Washington, DC.

Crescent Real Estate acquired the Element Orlando Universal Boulevard hotel, and the Delta Hotel in Wichita Falls, Texas, opened. Various hotel acquisitions and rebranding activities occurred, including the purchase of Hilton-branded hotels in New York, rebranding of properties as Trademark Collection by Wyndham, and the addition of Arlo Williamsburg to the Arlo Hotels portfolio. A $1.5 billion development plan for the Tennessee Titan's domed stadium area was announced, including a 40-story hotel, apartments, and retail spaces, with construction set to begin in 2025.

The J.D. Power 2023 North America Third-Party Hotel Management Guest Satisfaction Benchmark reveals that hotel management companies' investments in renovations, maintenance, and staffing have led to increased guest satisfaction in areas like guest rooms and staff service. The benchmark highlights that guest anticipation of needs is a crucial factor, with 82% of interactions meeting this goal. Many guests desire modern lobby designs, but only 13% of branded hotels fulfill this criterion. Additionally, there's a demand for electric vehicle charging stations, with 19% of guests expressing interest.

TD Cowen increased price targets for Hilton and Marriott, maintaining Outperform ratings. U.S. international travel spending surged in July 2023, with a trade surplus of $777 million. Various hotel developments and management changes were announced, including HEI Hotels & Resorts' management of Aloft Tampa Downtown and plans for new properties in New Brunswick and Denver, as well as a significant renovation of The Olana mansion in Texas.

Financial markets showed mixed performance with the DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 rising while the 10-year treasury yield also increased. JP Morgan expressed optimism about Hyatt's future, anticipating growth in RevPAR and an asset-light business model. Various hotel-related developments were reported, including property sales, renovations, and new openings, with several companies expanding their portfolios.

Marriott is planning a new Residence Inn in Cary, North Carolina, featuring 122 guestrooms, meeting facilities, and various amenities. Hilton has opened Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square, marking the second Motto by Hilton brand in the city and the sixth Motto by Hilton overall. IHG Hotels & Resorts has celebrated the opening of a new Holiday Inn property in South Philadelphia after a $10 million conversion, marking their first IHG-banded property in the area.