Today's Hotels Pulse
FAA says Spirit’s LaGuardia slots belong with another low‑cost carrier
The FAA Administrator argues that the coveted take‑off slots Spirit Airlines holds at New York’s LaGuardia should be reallocated to a different low‑cost carrier. Meanwhile, Spirit is preparing to auction off those slots to the highest bidder.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
American Express Expands Centurion Lounge Network At U.S. Airports
American Express announced a three‑airport expansion of its Centurion Lounge brand, adding a two‑story lounge at Boston Logan, a second “Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge” concept in Charlotte, and a 50 percent larger lounge at Dallas Fort Worth. The Boston lounge, slated for 2029, will feature an outdoor terrace, workstations and premium dining. Charlotte’s Sidecar, opening in 2027, targets solo travelers with QR‑ordered small plates and cocktails. Dallas Fort Worth’s renovation, also expected in 2027, adds a new bar, extra seating and a walk‑up ice‑cream window, while all three locations will showcase menus from James Beard‑winning chefs.
American Airlines Strips Basic Economy Perks From Elites, Raises Bag Fees
American Airlines announced a $10 increase to its checked‑bag fees, raising the first bag to $50 and the second to $60 on domestic and short‑haul international flights. Starting May 18, basic‑economy passengers will also pay a $5 surcharge per bag,...
New NACO Report Highlights Value of Real Estate and Non-Aero Revenue
A new NACO white paper argues that airport real estate and non‑passenger revenues are essential for financial resilience, especially as nearly 90% of airport income remains tied to passenger traffic. The study shows the pandemic nearly erased earnings, highlighting the...
Louis Vuitton Announces London Hotel Pop-Up Experience
Louis Vuitton is launching a two‑month pop‑up hotel in London’s Mayfair, opening on April 24. Housed in a historic townhouse, the experience dedicates each room to an iconic bag—Speedy, Keepall, Alma, Neverfull, and the Pharrell‑designed Speedy P9. Guests can stay,...
The 8 Best Luxury Resorts in the Catskills
The Catskills have transformed from a faded Borscht Belt into a luxury hotspot, attracting major hotel groups such as Auberge, Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, and the soon‑to‑open Soho House. Eight resorts—including Inness, Wildflower Farms, The DeBruce, and Chatwal Lodge—offer high‑end amenities...
Aloft San Antonio Airport Changes Hands
Hunter Advisors has brokered the sale of the 141‑room Aloft San Antonio Airport hotel to Armada Investments LP. The Marriott‑branded, select‑service property, built in 2009, sits adjacent to San Antonio International Airport, which is slated for a $2.5 billion expansion. The...
What Are JetBlue TrueBlue Points Worth?
Frequent Miler leveraged Points Path’s database of over 1.4 million JetBlue TrueBlue flight searches to refine the program’s point valuation. The analysis shows a median value of 1.25 cents and an average of 1.29 cents per point across economy and business cabins. By...
The Ricardo Marriott DFW Westlake Unveils Renovation, Rebranding
The Ricardo Marriott DFW Westlake has reopened after a complete renovation and rebranding, offering 293 rooms near Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The property, formerly Marriott Westlake, was bought in September 2023 by a NewcrestImage‑Dabu Group joint venture and is...
Dominican Republic Trade Show Showcases Culture, Connectivity and Tourism Growth
The fourth annual Dominican Republic Trade Show opened at Miami Beach Convention Center, blending cultural performances with business networking. The destination reported a record 11.6 million visitors in 2025, cementing its lead in Caribbean tourism. Cruise traffic hit 2.8 million passengers, a...
Marriott’s Indian AI Push Is About Enhancing Staff, Not Replacing Them
Marriott International is deploying artificial intelligence across its Indian operations to streamline recruitment, human‑capital planning and routine tasks. The technology is positioned to boost staff productivity and retention rather than replace frontline employees. By automating transactional work, associates can devote...
Skift Travel Health Index Flatlines
The Skift Travel Health Index fell to 100 in February 2026, down from 105 the month before, signalling a halt in global travel momentum. The decline is linked to sudden military conflict in the Middle East, which forced airspace closures and...
Kristie Byrd Named Lodging Dynamics CCO
Hospitality management firm Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group has promoted Kristie Byrd to the newly created chief commercial officer position. The CCO role consolidates sales, marketing, revenue management and business development under a single leader to implement a fully integrated commercial...
Skillcations Blend Learning and Leisure, Redefining Travel in 2026
Travelers are embracing 'skillcations,' a hybrid of skill‑building and vacation, as the newest trend in 2026. Destinations from Arizona ranches to California wine country are packaging hands‑on lessons with lodging, appealing to guests who want personal growth alongside leisure.
Buy Southwest Rapid Rewards Points With up to a 40% Discount Through April 13
Southwest Airlines is offering a targeted promotion that lets Rapid Rewards members buy up to 60,000 points per day at a 40% discount, pricing the points at 1.8¢ each, until April 13, 2026. The discount applies from a minimum purchase of 2,000...
Last Resort
Chef and hotelier Charlie Palmer debuted Appellation Healdsburg, a new resort north of downtown Napa, in September. The property includes a flagship dining venue, Folia Bar & Kitchen, which showcases Palmer’s farm‑to‑table ethos. A rooftop bar adds a premium nightlife...
Amherst Proposes Bed Tax on Hotels and Short‑Term Rentals
Amherst officials announced a proposal to impose a bed tax on the town’s 17 hotels and short‑term rental properties. The measure aims to generate new municipal revenue, but local hoteliers warn it could erode margins and deter visitors.
The Wolseley Hotels To Debut US Flagship in New York
Minor Hotels is launching the Wolseley Hotels brand in the United States with a flagship property slated to open in 2027. The Wolseley Hotel New York will occupy the landmark 1905 Lambs Club building near Bryant Park, offering 76 guest rooms...
UAE Hotels Watch and Wait as Ceasefire Promises — But Doesn’t Yet Deliver
UAE hotel chains and short‑term‑rental operators are adopting a cautious stance after the U.S. and Iran announced a two‑week ceasefire. While search activity and domestic bookings have nudged upward, most operators have kept cost‑saving and staffing measures in place. Radisson...
Ohio's Lake Erie Beachfront Resort Could Be Crowned Best Amusement Park Hotel In America
Hotel Breakers in Sandusky, Ohio, captured the USA Today 10Best title for America’s best theme‑park hotel in 2025 and is again a finalist in 2026. The resort leverages its Lake Erie beachfront location, offering guests lake‑view rooms, free beach access, eight...
Daniel Lofton, Marissa Beauregard Join Outrigger
Outrigger Hospitality Group has named Daniel Lofton as vice president of Hawaii revenue strategy and Marissa Beauregard as its new social media director. Lofton arrives from Duetto Research, where he led revenue‑optimization solutions for hotels and resorts worldwide. Beauregard joins...
Judging Panel for AHEAD Americas 2026 Revealed
The AHEAD Americas 2026 awards have unveiled their judging panel, led by Brad Wilson, Chairman of Ace Hotel Group and Atelier Ace. The roster features senior architects, interior designers and developers from top hospitality brands such as Hyatt, Four Seasons,...
Days Inns – Canada Recognizes 2025 Award Recipients
Days Inns – Canada unveiled its 2025 Awards of Recognition, honoring hotels and teams that excel in guest experience and operational excellence. The ceremony highlighted winners across categories such as Guest Choice, Property of the Year (both small and large...
Fairmont Pacific Rim Welcomes New Executive Pastry Chef
Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver has hired Chad Yamagata as its new executive pastry chef, bringing over 20 years of luxury hotel pastry experience. Yamagata previously owned SEE WHY Patisserie in Seoul and collaborated with high‑end fashion brands such as...
Overprotective Staff Ruin United Club Food Experience
MyPOV: gotta love when the staff would rather put 4 people to guard the food then just open it up. Bad #CX @UnitedClubs @ORDAirport B gates. @united. https://t.co/EwsEVTfKCg
Boutique Hôtel Lili Opens in Beverly Hills with $325 Rooms, Redefining Affordable Luxury
Hospitality group Palisociety opened Hôtel Lili on April 1, a 44‑room boutique hotel in Beverly Hills with rates starting at $325 per night. The property aims to fill a scarce segment of affordable‑luxury lodging in an area dominated by $1,000‑plus hotels,...
How Restaurant Merch Became Cultural Currency
Restaurant merchandise is evolving from a souvenir to a strategic brand asset, with nearly 20% of hospitality businesses now offering branded items. In high‑performing cases, merch accounts for 11% of monthly revenue and can reach as much as 27%. Limited‑run...
Logistics and Little Necks
Chef Joe Frillman’s new Chicago restaurant, The Radicle, required a $1 million renovation despite occupying an existing space, and faced two years of delays due to licensing, inspections, and scheduling hurdles. The Eater series documents the costly and time‑intensive process of...
Enhancing Restaurant Profitability Immediately with Real-Time Insight
Hospitality operators are grappling with soaring labor costs, higher business rates and lingering inflation, prompting many to cut staff or hours. Yet restaurants can instantly improve margins by leveraging real‑time data on inventory, staffing and menu performance. The article argues...
This Central London Hotel Is Launching an ‘Afternoon Cheese’ Experience
London’s Covent Garden Hotel is debuting an "Afternoon Cheese" experience at its Brassiere Max bar starting May 1. The menu, created with local cheese specialist Neal’s Yard Dairy, swaps traditional sweet tea treats for British cheese‑centric dishes such as cheddar scones...
Boerne Stage Airfield Joins Avfuel Network
Boerne Stage Airfield (K5C1), the only FBO at the Texas Hill Country general‑aviation airport, has joined Avfuel’s branded network. The recently renovated facility offers fueling, maintenance, detailing, a pilot lounge, conference room, crew‑car access and 240 hangars that can accommodate...
Kempegowda Trial Offers Glimpse of Future Era of Contactless Travel
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, together with IndiGo, Digi Yatra and IATA, completed a first‑of‑its‑kind biometric proof‑of‑concept for international passengers. The trial demonstrated a fully contactless journey from ticketing through boarding using self‑sovereign identity and app‑to‑app data sharing. The success positions...
Malaysia Considers Extending Visit Malaysia 2026 Campaign to 2027
Malaysia is weighing a one‑year extension of its Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism drive, pushing the campaign’s end date to December 2027 pending cabinet approval. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the extra time will help the country counter rising...
Azumi Japan Debuts Inaugural Azuma Farm Destination
Azumi Japan, in partnership with East Japan Railway Company, will launch its first Azuma Farm destination, Azuma Farm Koiwai, in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, slated for 2026. The boutique nature retreat sits on the historic Koiwai Farm estate and embodies a...
Brunei Tourism Names Global Agency for Digital Content and Strategy
Brunei Tourism has appointed Denver‑based ELMNTL as its first international agency of record to drive social media strategy and content production. The partnership gives ELMNTL responsibility for creative direction, paid‑media optimisation, and performance reporting across key markets, while collaborating with...
Explora Journeys to Enter Asia-Pacific with 2027 Cruise Itineraries
Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s luxury cruise brand, announced its first Asian itineraries slated for launch in 2027‑2028. The new routes will cover key gateway cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City, featuring longer port stays and overnight calls....
Deliverect Launches AI Agents and Smart Assistants to Boost Restaurant Sales and Protect Digital Revenue
Deliverect has introduced Deliverect AI, a suite of autonomous agents and smart assistants that continuously rewrite digital menus, resolve technical issues, and launch themed promotions in minutes. The technology is live for UK clients and will roll out to Australia,...
7 Airlines With The World’s Most Efficient Widebody Fleets
The article ranks seven airlines with the world’s most efficient widebody fleets, highlighting how modern jets like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 cut fuel burn by roughly 20% per seat versus older models. It details each carrier’s renewal...
Abtot Steps up Parliamentary Advocacy as Member Hosts Local MP
Abtot, the UK outbound travel lobby group, hosted local MP Julia Buckley at Activ4 School Tours to spotlight the economic and social value of specialist educational travel. The meeting highlighted Activ4’s commitment to inclusive trips for neuro‑diverse children and the sector’s...
Sanya to Stage PATA Annual Summit in May 2027
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) confirmed that its 2027 Annual Summit will be held in Sanya, China, from May 17‑19. The three‑day event, organized with the Sanya Tourism Board, will feature a conference, board meetings, a youth symposium and...
Dorsett Melbourne Welcomes New Rooms Division Manager
Dorsett Melbourne has appointed Anthony Leung as its new rooms division manager. Leung brings nearly 15 years of hospitality experience across Accor’s Art Series, Mantra, Quest Apartment Hotels, and operations in Switzerland, Hong Kong and Australia. The move follows a...
ALL Accor North & Central America + Brazil Double Points April 8 – September 8, 2026 (Book By August 8)
Accor’s ALL loyalty program is offering a limited‑time double‑points promotion for stays in North & Central America and Brazil from April 8 to September 8, 2026. Members who register and book by August 8, 2026 can earn 2× reward points on up to five qualifying...
Peter Millar Creates Branded Suites for Two Omni Resorts
Peter Millar, the Raleigh‑based apparel brand, has teamed with Omni Hotels & Resorts to launch Peter Millar‑branded suites at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, and the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa in Texas, both opening this month. The suites showcase cashmere blankets, custom plaid pool‑table felt,...
Bits: 80% Bonus Buying IHG Points, Bonus Virgin Holidays Tier Points, Save £30 with Turkish
IHG One Rewards is offering an 80% bonus on point purchases, allowing up to 360,000 points for roughly $1,860, with a low 5,000‑point minimum. Virgin Atlantic Holidays runs a promotion through April 20 that adds 300 tier points on bookings of...
Phoenix Unveils Ambitious Downtown Revamp Plan to Create New Entertainment District
Phoenix officials released a comprehensive downtown redevelopment strategy that proposes mixed‑use towers, new public spaces and financing tweaks to transform the core into a vibrant entertainment district. The plan, led by HR&A Advisors and Multistudio, will be debated by the...
How to Spend an Extra Day in Yokohama, Japan
A recent roundup highlights several hospitality and travel developments: Air India’s CEO Campbell Wilson resigns, prompting a leadership overhaul; Kerzner International adds South Africa’s Shamwari Private Game Reserve to its Rare Finds portfolio; hotel minibars evolve with tech‑enabled, sustainable offerings;...
Etihad Operates 97 Passenger Flights Ex-Abu Dhabi This Thursday (April 9, 2026)
Etihad Airways increased its Abu Dhabi departures to 97 passenger flights on Thursday, April 9, 2026, up from 75 the day before and representing roughly 60% of its pre‑Iran‑War schedule. The airline has been adding flights each day since early April,...
Iran Ceasefire Still Leaves Airlines Facing High Fuel Costs, Even if Peace Endures
A two‑week cease‑fire announced on 8 April temporarily eased financial markets, but oil prices remain well above pre‑conflict levels. Reduced refinery capacity in Iran and a lingering backlog of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed jet‑fuel prices to...
Bratislava’s Expansion Tests the Limits of the LCC-Driven Central and Eastern Europe Airport Model
Bratislava’s M.R. Štefánik Airport has rebounded to passenger levels exceeding its 2019 peak, driven by a surge in low‑cost carrier routes slated for summer 2026. Ryanair’s announced base at the airport and Wizz Air’s planned return are set to deepen the LCC footprint,...
Delta Air Lines Reportedly Plans New Premium-Heavy Airbus A330-900neo Debut To London
Delta Air Lines is reportedly planning a premium‑heavy configuration for its Airbus A330‑900neo on London routes, targeting more than 60% premium seats and over 50 Delta One seats. The airline highlighted premium demand during its Q1 earnings call, noting that...
Best Foot Forward: Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards Opens with New Categories
The 2026 Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards have opened, expanding the program to reflect the evolving travel‑marketing landscape. New categories recognize AI‑driven campaigns, content creators, and a split between print and digital publications. A multi‑tiered Brand of the Year award now...