Ritz-Carlton

Marriott International, Hyatt, CBRE, Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Airbnb, and others, experienced shifts in ratings, acquisitions, and expansions. Renovations & Openings: Numerous hotels underwent renovations, expansions, and rebranding across cities like Boca Raton, Key West, and Tempe. Ongoing projects in Virginia, Alabama, and Texas showcase substantial financial commitments, indicating growth and expansion in these regions.

Stock market rallied as treasury bond yields fell, with DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 gaining points, while lodging stocks like SOND, AHT, and others saw significant increases. Several hotel-related developments were announced, including renovations, new hotels, and property sales in various locations across the United States. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will introduce Rosewood Blue Palace in Greece in 2025, while the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas, will reopen on December 12 after a $100 million renovation.

Asian ultraluxury resort companies are expanding into Japan to cater to wealthy overseas travelers and take advantage of the weak yen, with Soneva Holdings planning to open resorts in Japan by 2027 and investing 100 billion yen in new properties. Foreign investment in Japanese hotels increased significantly in recent years, with 2022 seeing a sixfold increase compared to the previous year, and an expected total of 128.5 billion yen in investments in the first six months of the current year. International hotel brands like InterContinental, Wyndham, Marriott, Hyatt, and Accor are actively expanding their presence in various regions, including India, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Australia, offering a diverse range of accommodations and amenities.

HSBC initiates stock coverage in the leisure and travel sector, including Buy ratings for Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Host Hotels, along with Hold ratings for Park Hotels, Choice Hotels, and Service Properties Trust. Several hotel projects and acquisitions are highlighted, including the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Portland, a new property by Maverick Hotels and Restaurants in Rockford, and North American Properties' approval for a Margaritaville hotel in Newport, Kentucky. Notable developments and changes in the international hotel industry, such as Adrian Messerli's promotion at Four Seasons, Hilton's plans to open Italy's first LXR Hotels & Resorts property, and Riu Hotels and Resorts opening a new all-inclusive resort in Jamaica next year.

IHG reported strong earnings, including a 10.5% increase in Group RevPAR, but disappointed shareholders by deferring capital returns. The US group business is rebounding well, with top markets nearly fully recovered to 2019 levels. Prominent cities like Austin, Nashville, and Denver exceeded 2019 figures. Various hotel developments and acquisitions are ongoing in different locations, reflecting the industry's resilience and growth prospects. Notably, TMGOC Ventures secured approval to introduce the first Ritz-Carlton in Savannah.

Truist expects strong international and group earnings in 3Q lodging reports but weak domestic leisure. CoStar reports higher hotel performance in September 2023, with New York City leading in occupancy. Several hotel transactions and developments are mentioned, including Omni Pontoque Resort and Alt Hotel Calgary University District.

JP Morgan expects strong international performance in 3Q23 RevPAR, net rooms, and pipeline growth, particularly driven by ADR gains. Truist discusses potential challenges and concerns in the Choice Hotels and Wyndham Hotels deal, including antitrust issues and franchisee resistance. US hotel industry reports a modest 0.8% YoY increase in RevPAR, with ADR compensating for soft occupancy; group RevPAR up 0.9% for the week ending 10/14.

Morgan Stanley adjusted price targets for several hotel companies, maintaining Overweight ratings for Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham, but lowered the price target for Park Hotels. They also raised the price target for Choice Hotels and maintained an Underweight rating on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust. Marcus Hotels & Resorts' new Chief Investment Officer, Tiffany Leadbetter Donato, aims to expand the company's hotel portfolio beyond the Midwest for greater geographic and customer diversity. Hotel del Coronado, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, is investing over $160 million to restore and revitalize its historic Victorian building in Coronado, California, with a target completion date in Spring 2025.

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.

Foreign investors like Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Blackstone have invested $2 billion in Japanese hotel deals this year, driven by a hotel business rebound and favorable exchange rates. Hilton plans substantial growth in Southeast Asia, introducing a new Hilton Garden Inn prototype and adding seven new hotels in Malaysia, including new brands like Curio Collection and Waldorf Astoria. Accor expands across Asia with 30 new hotels, focusing on markets like Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India, while also partnering to introduce the Swissotel brand to Malaysia with Swissotel Genting Highlands.