The Chetrit Group

Hilton said they ended 2023 with the strongest development quarter in its history while Marriott International, Inc. announced the company’s record year of global signings with 52% more organic rooms signed in 2023 than the previous year.

Lodging stocks were higher. ABNB led the group with a 7% rise while MCG was up 5%. Raymond James upped their price target on Hilton to $165 from $150. They maintained their Outperform rating. Ian Schrager and Ed Sheetz have stepped in to possibly partner with Chetrit Group , to rescue its landmark Bossert Hotel , located in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

Lodging stocks were mixed but the biggest movers were to the upside. VCSA and SLNA both rose 6% on the day. The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index fell -10% in December. That put all of 2022 down -15% from 2021. The Hotel Brand sub-index was down -9.2% in December from November while the Hotel REIT sub-index was down -12.8% Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced the expansion of its global development strategy to include The James brand as part of the Sonesta Franchise portfolio in the U.S. and in Latin America.

Morgan Stanley re-launched coverage on the lodging sector, saying they prefer C-Corps over REITs . Truist updated their estimates and price targets on some hotel names in their coverage. According to the NY Daily News, more than 10,000 Airbnb listings for short-term rentals in New York City are likely to disappear when tight new housing rules take effect next year.

The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index was up 14.3% in July. Year to date the first seven months of 2022, the stock index is still down by -10.4%. According to Bloomberg, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is exploring options, including a possible sale of the Miami Beach Edition hotel . AC Hotels by Marriott announced the opening of the new AC Hotel by Marriott Monterrey Valle , its first hotel in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon

The vast majority of lodging company earnings, both REIT and C-Corp , have been very positive, with the REITs being the biggest surprise. Crescent Hotels & Resorts has added The Viv, Anaheim, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel , to its Latitudes: Lifestyle by Crescent collection. Black Creek Mexico announced that Grupo Alojica completed the Westin Resort & Spa acquisition, in Puerto Vallarta , from affiliates of Marriott Vacations Worldwide .