South Carolina

Home2 Suites by Hilton announced its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown.

The  DJIA  fell 285 points,  Nasdaq  was down 174, the  S&P 500  fell 38 points, and the 10-year treasury yield was down nearly .10 to 3.91%. Let’s hope the first two trading days do not represent the rest of the year. STR’s  global “bubble chart” update through December 16, 2023 showed 75% of markets with growth in RevPAR compared to 2019. Could there be a hotel building moratorium in one of the most popular areas of Southern Florida?

Jefferies upgraded Park Hotels to Buy from Hold, reflecting positive changes like the removal of their San Francisco assets. Meanwhile, they downgraded Choice Hotels to Underperform from Hold due to concerns over its acquisition strategy, specifically regarding Wyndham Hotels. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. announced the acquisition of the Springhill Suites by Marriott Las Vegas Convention Center for approximately $75 million. Bradford Allen Hospitality acquired two hotel properties in Riverhead, New York, planning significant renovations for both. PEG Companies opened The Moxy in the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Hawkeye Hotels commenced construction of a Fairfield Inn & Suites in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, targeting a spring 2025 opening.

Wells Fargo initiated coverage on Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott, favoring operators targeting group and high-end travel, with strong growth outlooks and reasonable valuations. They predict a 3%-4% RevPAR growth in 2024. Accor added Hotel Andra Seattle to its portfolio and plans for new MGallery properties. International tourism is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with a 38% increase in travelers in 2023 compared to 2022. The Middle East leads the recovery, while Europe, Africa, and the Americas show significant improvement.

Hilton Grand Vacations is acquiring Bluegreen Vacations for approximately $1.5 billion, expanding its membership base and resort portfolio. HEI Hotels & Resorts takes over management of the Renaissance Times Square hotel in New York. Hyatt is collaborating with Parks Hospitality Holdings to develop four new properties in Mexico, including the Park Hyatt Cancun and Grand Hyatt Mexico Santa Fe.

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.

U.S. hotel industry saw positive growth in RevPAR and rates for the week ending September 30, with Group RevPAR showing significant improvement. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is expanding its branded residence portfolio especially in Europe. Various hotel projects and developments are underway in different locations, including downtown Springfield, Norfolk, San Antonio, Beaufort, and Las Vegas, with a range of amenities and timelines.

Canopy by Hilton in Scottsdale, Arizona sold for roughly $102 million, and Home2 Suites by Hilton in Colonie, New York was acquired for $12.75 million. The Floridian Palace Hotel in Tampa is undergoing a $30 million renovation to become "The Flor" and join Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, while Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal partners with Mattel for a Barbie-themed experience. Online travel companies, including Orbitz and Expedia, face a lawsuit in Nevada over alleged avoidance of hotel room taxes, potentially amounting to over $1 billion in damages.

Barclays expects a weak quarter for lodging REITs in 3Q23 and adjusted price targets for several hotel stocks. Various hotels across the US, including Marriott Vail and Signia by Hilton Atlanta, are undergoing construction or renovation. Hyatt Hotels plans to launch a vacation rental platform, Homes & Hideaways, while Sonesta opens a new hotel in Houston and Mandarina Oriental expands into Zurich.

Stock Market Performance: DJIA fell by 291 points, Nasdaq decreased by 158 points, and S&P 500 dropped by 34 points. The 10-year treasury yield increased to 4.31%. Lodging Industry Trends: Lodging stocks, including SLNA and BHR, traded lower. Truist held a conference call on US lodging supply growth, with Marriott having the largest pipeline, and Hyatt showing the largest year-over-year increase. Hotel Performance Forecasts: CBRE Hotels revised down its 2023 RevPAR forecast due to weak summer demand, expecting a 4.6% YoY growth in RevPAR. Hotel supply growth is projected to be 1%, below the industry's historical average of 1.6% over the next five years.