Edinburgh

CBRE Hotels' Robert Webster called this the second best buying opportunity of his career, as the Hunter conference buzzed with transaction optimism. Plus, more hotel deal and development news.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is set to go private as the controlling shareholder, Jardine Matheson, is in the process of acquiring the remaining 11.96%. Plus more hotel deal news.

Service Properties Trust sold ten hotels with a total of 1,525 keys located for $71 million. Plus, other deal news.

Mint House announced its expansion into Washington, D.C., with the grand opening of its newest property, and other hotel development news.

IHG and Choice were optimistic about the rest of the year, though Choice moderated its outlook. The lodging sector expanded with Kessler Collection and others breaking ground.

Barclays analysts weighed in with their views on the major U.S.-based hotel groups.

Hotel industry analysts at Baird expressed caution about softening March demand trends, noting that U.S. RevPAR growth is tracking over 200 basis points below initial expectations.

Despite rising costs outpacing revenue growth in 2024, the hotel industry sees potential for recovery in 2025 through increased guest spending, job growth, and major events.

Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting forecasts moderate growth in U.S. hotel performance, with rising RevPAR and hotel values through 2025, despite slight margin erosion.

Design Hotels reported 10% portfolio growth, highlighted by new agreements including new Firmdale properties, and expansion with Grupo Habita, Drift Hotels, and ASH.