Spain

Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World announced an exclusive strategic partnership that will welcome Hilton guests to hundreds of independently minded luxury hotels in the most sought-after destinations around the world.

Accor will open 100 luxury and lifestyle hotels by 2025, with plans to sign at least 50 more projects per year.

A new report for 2023 shows 85% of markets with RevPAR higher than 2019. In terms of top-line performance, that means most markets have recovered from the significant declines caused by the pandemic.

Hilton announced LivSmart Studios by Hilton is the official name of its new studio apartment-style, extended-stay hotel brand. LivSmart Studios already has more that 350 deals in various stages of negotiation.

Apple Hospitality REIT declared a regular monthly cash dividend and a special distribution. Bluegreen Vacation Holdings' acquisition by Hilton Grand Vacations moved forward with the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Several new hotel openings and acquisitions were announced, including AC Hotels by Marriott in Naples, Moxy by Marriott in Houston, IHG's first Garner hotel, and Choice Hotels International's 100th Suburban Studios hotel.

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.

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.

CBRE U.S. Hotels State of the Union (October 2023) shows August RevPAR declined by -0.7%, with a -1.7% occupancy drop. Total revenue growth outpaced RevPAR growth in July by 2.5%. U.S. loan origination decreased, and hotel job openings continue to decline. Hotel rates are expected to rise globally in 2024, with potential increases of up to 17.5% in some cities, according to American Express Global Business Travel's Hotel Monitor 2024. The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index was down -2% in September. Year-to-date, the Hotel Brand sub-index increased by 23%, while the Hotel REIT sub-index decreased by -1.5%.

Jefferies downgraded Marriott Vacations to "Hold" from "Buy" and reduced their target price, expressing concerns over the macroeconomic outlook, particularly in consumer credit and interest rates. The 2023 survey from the Hospitality Asset Managers Association indicates optimism about RevPAR's return to 2019 levels, while various hotels announce new completions, renovations, and sales across the U.S. Key personnel appointments are announced in major hotel groups, and international brands like Wyndham, Accor, and Hyatt unveil expansion plans and new properties in locations such as Barbados, France, and Spain.

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.