Kentucky

Starwood Capital Group signed a deal with SPAC Jaws Mustang Acquisition to merge. If completed, the SPAC will become the direct or indirect owner of Starwood entities’ interests in an initial portfolio of 10 properties, including the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

Hospitality Ventures Management added 15 new hotels in 2023 to its portfolio of select-service, full-service and resort properties. Most of these additions are Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt brands.

Citigroup downgraded Sonder Holdings from Buy to Neutral, with a new price target set at $4.Choice Hotels criticized Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for misrepresenting the lodging industry's competitive landscape. This criticism came after Wyndham's recommendation for shareholders to reject CHH's exchange offer and their discontinuation of discussions regarding a potential transaction with CHH. Hyatt announced plans to open over 35 luxury hotels and resorts globally through 2025, including new Park Hyatt locations in the UK, Mexico, and Malaysia, and expanding the Thompson Hotel brand in Europe.

Apple Hospitality REIT reported a modest beat in 3Q results but lowered 4Q guidance due to higher expenses, offsetting improved RevPAR guidance. STR reported that for the week ending November 4, US RevPAR was down by -2.1%, with a -4% decrease in occupancy, and a -7.4% drop in Group RevPAR. Latin America's hotel construction pipeline shows growth with 579 projects and 95,144 rooms in Q3 2023, up 6% in projects and 5% in rooms year-over-year, with Mexico leading the way.

Choice Hotels has urged Wyndham Hotels to consider a merger, but Wyndham has firmly declined any interest in the proposal. The chairman of Wyndham revealed they almost acquired Choice Hotels 20 years ago. The U.S. construction pipeline shows growth, with over 5,700 projects and 672,000 rooms, driven by a strong upper midscale chain scale presence. Renovation and conversion projects are on the rise, and new hotel openings are expected to increase in the coming years. Several hotel and resort projects are underway, including Westin Washington, DC Downtown, Opry Entertainment Group's renovation in Austin, Four Seasons expanding its Private Retreats collection, and Tommy Bahama's debut resort in California. Additionally, new developments in Florida, Rhode Island, and Indiana are on the horizon.

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.

Stock markets experienced mixed performance, with DJIA and Nasdaq rising, while S&P 500 increased. Mortgage holders who didn't lock in rates may regret their decision as the 10-year treasury yield rose. Several lodging stocks had varied results, with SHCO and SLNA showing gains, while AINC rebounded and INN, AHT, and VAC hit new lows. SOND declined. B of A Securities raised the price target for Soho House, Argus Research initiated coverage on Choice Hotels, and Baird discussed Hersha Hospitality Trust's preliminary proxy statement.

Stifel reduced Hyatt Hotels' target price to $115/share while maintaining a Hold rating. Pebblebrook Hotels warned of 3Q impacts due to storms in California and Florida, affecting same property RevPAR. U.S. Travel Association reports a federal government shutdown could cost the travel economy up to $140 million/day, causing negative consequences for air travel and travelers' plans.

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.

Market Performance: DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 experienced declines while the 10-year treasury yield increased. Lodging stocks showed mixed to modestly lower results. BHR traded down to a new low. Hotel Investment Insights: Baird reported on meetings with Xenia Hotels & Resorts' management, highlighting patience required due to leisure trends and Scottsdale renovation disruption. S&P upgraded XHR's ratings based on improved RevPAR and EBITDA outlook. Industry Developments: Hilton plans automatic housekeeping, Courtyard Wichita completes renovation, District Hospitality Partners acquires Westin Annapolis, Cascade Hotel Kansas City to open, Aimbridge to manage Marriott properties, Hyatt introduces Hyatt Studios brand, IHG launches midscale brand Garner, various expansion and renovation projects noted.