Best Western

North America

First Marriott Branded All-Inclusive Resort in the World

US stock indexes rose slightly on Friday, but lodging stocks were mixed with SOND surging 23% after a downgrade of Park Hotels & Resorts by ISI Evercore Group. Chicago broke hotel occupancy records last weekend thanks to Taylor Swift concerts and other events, generating more than $39 million in hotel revenue. Marriott International announced its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Cancun, expected to open in 2024, and JW Marriott Mexico City completed renovations of its guestrooms and suites, with more upgrades to come by 2023.
Asia-Pacific

New Marriott and Pan Pacific Properties in Singapore

Marriott International partners with Hiap Hoe Limited to bring the Aloft Hotels brand to Singapore, opening the largest Aloft branded hotel in the world with 785 rooms in Zhongshan Park. Pan Pacific Hotels Group unveils its flagship hotel, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore, featuring terraced greenery and a unique Atelier-in-Residence program, along with three dining concepts and a gin distillery. Gran Melia Nha Trang in Vietnam is set to open as an all-villa property with private pool villas, Asia's first outpost of the Spanish restaurant Hispania, and a range of wellness offerings.
North America

Service Properties Trust Completes Sale of TravelCenters to BP

Last week BP plc completed the acquisition of TravelCenter of America Inc . Service Properties Trust received $379.3 million in cash as part of the transaction. Sonder Holdings was cut to Perform from Outperform by Oppenheimer and InterContinental Hotels Group was upgraded to Neutral from Sell by Redburn. The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index rose 1.4% in April from March. The Hotel Brand sub-index rose 2.5% from March while the Hotel REIT sub-index was down -2.6%.
Asia-Pacific

China's YoY RevPAR Growth Nearly Doubles

STR  reported China hotel RevPAR was up 99% year over year for the week ended May 13 . According to Lodging Econometrics’ latest China Construction Pipeline Trend Report , China’s total hotel construction pipeline stand sat at 3,659 projects/680,959 rooms at the end of Q1 2023. Macau visitor arrivals rose 16.2% in April from March, up 275% year over year, to 2,274,050.
North America

Hyatt Buys Boutique Booking Platform

JP Morgan upgraded their rating on Accor to Neutral from Underweight with a price target of €30, up from €24.50. Hyatt Hotels Corporation  and  Mr & Mrs Smith  announced an agreement for a Hyatt affiliate to acquire Mr & Mrs Smith, a platform offering direct booking access to boutique hotels.
North America

Hotel Brands See Guest Satisfaction Boost

Upper upscale hotels, the property types most associated with business travel, are well represented in the U.S. development pipeline . According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index Travel Study 2022-2023, satisfaction across all four industries measured, airlines, hotels, car rentals, and online travel agencies, is up . STR reported US lodging data for the week ended 4/15. US hotel RevPAR was up 8.6% year over year.
North America

Oyo Says It Will Add 100 U.S. Hotels This Year 

B of A Securities initiated coverage on Hilton Grand Vacations with a Neutral rating and $50 price target. OYO plans to expand its market presence in the U.S. with an addition of over 100 hotels in CY2023. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Park Hotels to $13 a share from $14 while maintaining their Equal Weight rating.
North America

Record Sign-Ups for Hotel Loyalty Programs

Heading into the upcoming 1Q earnings season, JP Morgan said they expect relative upside in 1Q23 RevPAR results and, for the C-Corps, at least in-line net rooms growth with both operating metrics benefiting from improvements in China. A record number of loyalty program members should help hotel brands lower their customer acquisition costs, increased direct-to-consumer engagement and offset any occupancy shortfalls during an economic downturn. Corporate travel spending is tracking toward full recovery to 2019 levels by 2024 or 2025 , but higher costs and climate concerns will keep trip volumes smaller than pre-pandemic levels in real terms.
North America

Club Med to Shift Upmarket

Club Med said it was beginning a new chapter. Taking inspiration from the original Club Med philosophy, creating simple moments of happiness, the lifestyle brand will be providing a more premium, family-friendly and eco-conscious experience. Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts with a Buy rating and $79 price target. STR reported US lodging data for the week ended April 1. US hotel RevPAR was up 10.9% year over year.