Know What's Happening in Hotels
Know What's Happening in Hotels
Proper Hospitality and Realberry lock $298M financing for Cal Neva redevelopment
Proper Hospitality and Realberry have secured a $298M financing package to redevelop the historic Cal Neva Hotel into the Lake Tahoe Proper Resort and Casino, slated to open in 2027. The capital stack includes a $223M C‑PACE loan from Nuveen Green Capital, the largest ever in Nevada, and a $75M senior secured construction loan from Banc of California.
Japan Airlines has permanently deactivated the aisle seat in row 15 of its domestic Boeing 737‑800s by installing a custom cushion, effectively turning the seat into a fixed bulkhead. The row, normally three‑seater, now seats only two passengers, prompting viral online attention and the nickname “Cheek Splitter 9000.” The airline chose a permanent blocker over tape or placards to avoid repeated safety checks. This measure addresses a safety hazard caused by the lack of a proper bulkhead ahead of the aisle seat.
Travel industry updates this week include Marival Group’s COO detailing how the hotel chain protected guests during the Jalisco cartel‑related unrest and confirmed that flights to western Mexico have fully resumed. TSA PreCheck will remain operational despite a partial federal...
El Pollo Loco unveiled a "Protein Packed Menu" featuring 24 items priced under $15, each delivering 23 to 74 grams of protein. The lineup includes burritos, bowls, salads and a chicken side, all built around the chain’s citrus‑marinated, fire‑grilled chicken....
The National Retail Federation’s Retail’s Big Show in New York is now a proving ground for restaurant technology, showcasing AI, automation, and data‑driven loyalty tools that were once retail‑only. Sessions highlighted Dine Brands’ 34% cut in ticket‑resolution time and the...
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association hosted its 2026 Helping Young Professionals Evolve (HYPE) conference in Miami, gathering emerging hospitality leaders for two days of education and networking. Sessions covered leadership, extended‑stay performance, AI‑driven operations, financing through AAHO Lending, and...
Hotel executives at a recent industry forum championed asset‑heavy ownership, citing control over development, favorable debt terms, and stronger ESG execution. Whitbread, Fattal and Essendi disclosed that a majority of their portfolios are owned outright, enabling rapid market entry and...
Travelers face a complex tipping landscape as customs vary worldwide, from modest European gratuities to mandatory U.S. percentages. Google searches for travel‑tip guidance jumped 121% this year, highlighting growing anxiety. In the United States, digital payment presets push tip rates...
Las Vegas’ casino and hotel market showed modest declines in 2025 visitation compared with 2024, yet resilience persisted thanks to a robust calendar of major events and sports‑driven traffic. Per‑visitor spending rose, shifting performance drivers from sheer volume to premium...
The Airport Experience (AX) Awards Gala celebrated top performers in airport concessions, hospitality, and property management, drawing more than 450 North American executives. The ceremony recognized excellence across nearly 40 categories, including best passenger service, sustainability initiatives, and DE&I leadership....
Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab has completed a property‑wide renovation that revamps its lodge, 79 guest rooms, and 31 riverfront cabins, while introducing Ember, a new signature restaurant and cocktail lounge. The redesign emphasizes natural materials, floor‑to‑ceiling river views, and...
The HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin for the week ending 20 February 2026 lists a series of high‑profile hotel deals across the continent. Indian conglomerate SanRaj, via Clearsense Ventures, bought three Accor‑branded hotels in the UK (478 rooms) from Ares and EQ....
On The Go (OTG) announced Matt King as its new chief executive officer, replacing Jeff Yablun who moves to a senior‑advisor role. King brings over 30 years of multi‑unit foodservice, hospitality and airport‑concession experience, most recently as president of Elior...
Peter Anderson’s article uses the seemingly trivial choice between disposable and reusable spa slippers to illustrate how micro‑level decisions shape the financial performance, brand identity, and sustainability of resort spas. He argues that spas are no longer ancillary amenities but...
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) has named Jerald Humphrey senior manager of airside operations. Humphrey brings more than two decades of United States Navy experience, most recently as air operations officer at Naval Air Station Oceana. He highlighted the airport’s growth,...
Miami International Airport has secured 12‑year extensions with concessionaires Hudson and HMSHost, allowing them to continue operating existing venues and launch new concepts across the North, Central and South terminals. The extensions are part of the airport’s $9 billion Modernization in...
Avolta has launched its health‑focused "Eat Well. Travel Further." concession line at Chicago O’Hare, with Los Angeles International and Phoenix Sky Harbor slated for later rollout. The collection offers high‑protein, plant‑based, macro‑balanced items free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors, high‑fructose...
Frontier Airlines denied boarding to a passenger of Indian descent during a June 13, 2023 overbooked flight, offering vouchers but no seat. The passenger, an attorney representing herself, sued for $15 million alleging racial discrimination and breach of contract. The 10th Circuit dismissed the...
London City Airport outlined a plan to lift annual traffic to 9 million passengers, following 2024 government approval to increase capacity without adding flight movements. Aviation Minister Keir Mather visited the airport, meeting new CEO Andy Cliffe and frontline staff. The growth...
Choice Hotels International launched its 11th annual Mastery technology and innovation summit in Scottsdale, gathering more than 800 associates for a week of hands‑on workshops, competitions and knowledge‑sharing sessions. The agenda centers on artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, data analytics, and...
Six Senses announced that its Palm Jumeirah resort will welcome guests starting September 1, 2026. The property will host 61 luxury suites and 172 privately‑owned branded residences, designed by SAOTA with stone and timber elements. A 60,000‑square‑foot spa will feature...
Green Lodging News announced its role as media sponsor for the AHLA Responsible Stay and Food & Beverage Summits taking place March 3‑4 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, Virginia. The two‑day event will feature high‑profile sustainability leaders and crossover...
Nigeria’s EFCC testified that Arik Air funds were used to pay insurance premiums for rival carrier UmzaXpress, indicating improper financial flows. The testimony was delivered during the Lagos Special Offences Court trial of former Arik executives, AMCON officials, Union Bank...
The hospitality sector is grappling with three distinct "agentic" booking models—AI‑assisted, AI‑mediated, and AI‑executed—each demanding its own technology stack, payment rails, and data architecture. Meanwhile, hotels continue to lose 10‑25% of potential revenue when phone inquiries are not converted into...
Agentic hotel booking is a buzzword covering three separate models: AI‑assisted booking via consumer AI platforms, AI‑mediated booking within a hotel’s own digital environment, and AI‑executed agent‑to‑agent booking where autonomous agents complete transactions. Each model demands different technical stacks, payment...
World of Hyatt announced that tennis star Jessica Pegula will continue as its brand ambassador and that the chain is the official hospitality partner for the Taste of Tennis event at Indian Wells. The activation will take place at Grand...
The 2026 hotel market forecast from STR and Tourism Economics shows uneven growth across regions. Europe’s RevPAR is projected to rise to 1.1% driven by the Milan‑Cortina Olympics and luxury demand in Paris, while 11 European markets face occupancy pressure...
TTG Media’s new Black Book luxury travel trade show debuts in London, gathering a curated roster of destination specialists, cruise lines, hotels and tour operators. The event partners with XO Private to link elite experiences with travel designers, offering one‑on‑one...
Stayntouch introduced an AI‑powered guest messaging tool embedded within its property management system, debuting at ITB Berlin. The solution consolidates SMS, WhatsApp, Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb chats into a single inbox, adds real‑time language translation, and automates routine requests. It...
The article frames phone calls as the "last mile" of hotel distribution, where a direct inquiry can convert online interest into a profitable reservation. It highlights hidden costs of OTA commissions and booking engine fees that can be avoided when...
The 2026 TravelBoom Leisure Travel Study pinpoints the six factors that dominate leisure travelers’ booking decisions: room value and price (76.6%), hotel location (71%), guest reviews (51%), flexible booking options (29.4%), unique experiences or amenities (20%) and sustainability practices (12.4%)....
The article argues that by 2026 hotel revenue management will evolve from a tactical, RevPAR‑centric function into a strategic lever for asset performance. Asset managers will demand that pricing decisions be tied directly to NOI, risk mitigation, and long‑term value...
PM Hotel Group announced that the independent Hotel Arboretum in Northeast Washington, DC will rebrand as City Express by Marriott Washington, DC Northeast, owned by Rocks Hospitality. The transition aligns the property with Marriott’s global distribution network and the Marriott...
Frankfurt Airport has completed its new Terminal 3, with airlines beginning a staged move starting April 23 2026. The terminal sits on the former U.S. Rhein‑Main Airbase, a considerable distance from existing Terminals 1 and 2. A new driverless Sky Line people‑mover will link all...
Comfort Inn & Suites Orlando Sanford Airport opened across the airport, owned by AirSan Investments, the Hickman family’s entity. The four‑story property, developed with Newport Hospitality Group and Lamm & Company, targets airport passengers, Boombah Sports Complex teams, and cruise...
Air Canada’s Aeroplan switched from fixed to so‑called dynamic pricing in March 2025, but the change effectively doubled many award costs. United‑partner economy awards that were 10,000 points now cost 15,000 points, and median North American economy awards rose between...
Marcus & Millichap announced the sale of the 107‑room Best Western Swiss Clock Inn in Pecos, Texas, to a private investor group. The exclusive listing, managed by senior managing director Allan Miller, represented seller Catering of Central Texas, LLC, and...
Holiday Inn Express Fargo‑West Acres announced the completion of a comprehensive renovation. The upgrade refreshed guest rooms and public areas with new décor, beds, fresh‑ground coffee, and expanded plug‑in access. Fargo‑inspired design touches blend brand consistency with local character. Brandt...
Jet2 has been crowned Britain’s favourite short‑haul airline in the Which? consumer survey, achieving a 76% customer satisfaction score. The Leeds‑based carrier was praised for reliability, value for money and service, while Ryanair fell to the bottom with a 55%...
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks announced strategic supply‑chain partnerships with Amoroso’s Baking Co. and Philly’s Best Steak Company to support its national franchise rollout. Amoroso’s will supply a custom‑cut baguette, while Philly’s Best becomes the exclusive, Halal‑certified protein provider, standardizing menu quality...
Canadian hotels closed 2025 with a record RevPAR of $142.89, a 4.1% year‑over‑year increase, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Growth was uneven, as Ontario and Quebec fell short of the national average while domestic leisure travel buoyed other regions. New...
Jim Knight argues that modern leaders must balance employee autonomy with structured support to reshape culture, spark innovation, and lift performance. He outlines five practical strategies—shifting from control to collaboration, building trust, equipping teams, granting ownership, and phasing autonomy—to make...
For‑Sight has launched a new Loyalty Module in partnership with Inspire Loyalty, embedding loyalty program management directly into its hotel CRM platform. The module automates points accrual, supports tiered and paid memberships, and feeds loyalty activity into guest profiles for...
Afghanistan and Pakistan, despite a deadly war, will still exhibit at ITB Berlin, hoping to promote culture and adventure tourism. Prior to the conflict, both nations were experiencing fragile tourism recoveries, with Pakistan seeing domestic travel growth and Afghanistan grappling...
At CARICOM’s 50th heads‑of‑government meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Washington’s renewed focus on the Caribbean, tying security, energy and investment to the region’s tourism‑driven economies. He warned that transnational crime and energy instability threaten visitor confidence, while...
Angola will headline the opening gala of ITB Berlin’s 60th edition on 2 March 2026, using the platform to unveil its new tourism brand “Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life.” The event will host 700‑800 high‑level guests, showcasing Angolan culture,...
![[Extended] Get 300k Lufthansa Miles, 150 GHA Dollars, Lounge Access, and Several Elite Statuses via ASmallWorld](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://awardwallet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lufthansa-A350-Kyle-Fritz-Unsplash-Featured.jpg)
ASmallWorld is offering its Prestige membership at a roughly 10% discount for €4,950, granting members 300,000 Lufthansa Miles & More, 150 GHA Discovery Dollars, and elite status across several hospitality and car‑rental partners. The promotion runs through March 31 2026, after which all perks...
Manchester City and Ohana Development have announced a joint‑venture to build Manchester City‑branded residences on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, with sales slated to begin on 1 March 2026. The waterfront project covers 1.67 million sq m and will offer studios through five‑bedroom villas priced between...
Fat Brands, the parent of Fazoli's and 15 other restaurant chains, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2024. Lenders have pushed for a court‑appointed trustee, alleging CEO Andy Wiederhorn misused company funds for personal loans, bonuses, and an unauthorized stock...
Restaurants are responding to a surge in specialty beverage demand by partnering with equipment manufacturers to replace legacy soda fountains with advanced, high‑tech drink dispensers. The new machines integrate IoT connectivity, real‑time analytics, and modular ingredient cartridges, allowing on‑the‑fly customization....
Six long‑standing, family‑owned restaurants across the United States have been named the 2026 James Beard America’s Classics. The honorees include The Serving Spoon in California, Oyster House in Philadelphia, Johnny’s Café in Omaha, Eng’s in Kingston, Figaretti’s Italian Restaurant in...
