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
Brian Pearson, Mendocino Farms
Brian Pearson, the newly appointed Chief Technology Officer at Mendocino Farms, is a veteran of restaurant technology with a background in operations and executive leadership. He has overseen large‑scale projects such as POS modernization, digital ordering, catering platforms, and AI‑driven capabilities, aiming to make the brand faster and smarter. Previously CIO of Stacked: Food Well Built and a leader at Ruby’s Diner and BJ’s Restaurants, he also co‑founded RestaurantCIOs to guide hospitality tech strategy. Pearson frequently speaks on digital transformation, data strategy, and AI in the restaurant sector.
Marriott Elite Members Receive Shrinking Rebates, Loyalty Fails
Marriott Rewards Loyalty By Paying You Less — Capital One Shopping Shows Elites Get Smaller Rebates - View from the Wing https://t.co/RI8wd6Drh6
Grande Lakes Orlando Debuts Ritz-Carlton Signature Experiences
Grande Lakes Orlando has launched Ritz‑Carlton Signature Experiences, a curated portfolio of high‑end activities for guests at The Ritz‑Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The collection spans four pillars—culinary, wellness, adventure and family—featuring a Daytona Supercar Drive, a private helicopter Space Exploration...
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This Luxurious New Trekking Lodge Offers a Window Into One of the Most Stunning—And Spiritual—Regions in the Indian Himalayas
Travel + Leisure highlights Shakti Prana, a new luxury trekking lodge perched at 7,300 feet in Kumaon’s Indian Himalayas. Operated by Shakti Himalaya, the lodge replaces the dismantled Leti 360 and is reached via a multi‑day guided trek through remote villages. Guests...
Perkins Announces Plans to Open in Texas
Perkins American Food Co. announced its first expansion into Texas, signing a three‑unit development agreement with franchise partner Raj DFW LLC. Construction on the flagship restaurant in Carrollton will begin in spring 2026, featuring the brand’s newest prototype that blends...
Restaurant Chains Serve up Deals to Ease Pain of Tax Season
Restaurant chains are rolling out tax‑day promotions as consumers anticipate larger refunds under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Deals range from a $4.99 eight‑piece chicken combo at Church’s Texas Chicken to 15% off catering at Corner Bakery and $10.40...
Did You Know That Marriott Started With A Root Beer Stand In 1927?
Marriott began in 1927 as an A&W root‑beer stand in Washington, D.C., quickly rebranding to Hot Shoppes to serve hot meals during winter. The company expanded into airline boxed‑lunch catering by 1936, then went public in 1953 with shares selling...
Global Asset Solutions Releases Middle East Crisis Management Series
Global Asset Solutions has launched a four‑phase Middle East Crisis Management series aimed at hotel owners, investors, operators, and governments. The playbook addresses immediate financial stabilization, contractual protection, and talent retention, then moves through capex decisions, market‑shift forecasting, and institutional...
Delta Raises Checked Bag Fees as Industry-Wide Price Hikes Continue
Delta Air Lines announced a new baggage fee schedule effective April 8, raising the first checked bag price to $45, the second to $55, and the third to $200. The hikes represent roughly a 28% increase for the first bag and...
Fighting Back: How Restaurants Are Reclaiming the Customer Relationship
Restaurants are actively fighting delivery‑platform dominance by building first‑party ordering channels, adopting B2B order‑management tools, and pursuing regulatory relief. Large chains such as McDonald’s and Domino’s have launched branded apps to capture customers directly, while independents turn to services like...
Marriott Adds $20 Cash Fee for Westin LAX Point Redemptions
Marriott Lets Westin LAX Charge A $20 Cash Fee To Redeem Your Points [Roundup] - View from the Wing https://t.co/5tguhZfCYM
Eco-Friendly or Budget-Friendly Hotels? How To Market to Travelers Who Want Both
In 2026 sustainability has become a mainstream expectation for travelers, yet price sensitivity remains high. The TravelBoom Leisure Travel Study shows 21.8% of guests are willing to pay more for eco‑friendly hotels, while 45% are cutting back on dining and...
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Marriott Lets Westin LAX Charge A $20 Cash Fee To Redeem Your Points [Roundup]
Marriott has allowed the Westin Los Angeles airport hotel to impose a $20 cash co‑pay on Bonvoy point redemptions, sparking criticism of destination fees in the hotel industry. Unlike Hilton and Hyatt, which forbid extra charges on free‑night awards, Marriott’s policy...
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $26,000,000 Of First Mortgage Financing for Residence Inn By Marriott Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek, California
Sonnenblick‑Eichner Company arranged a $26 million first‑mortgage loan for the Residence Inn by Marriott in Walnut Creek, California. The non‑recourse, fixed‑rate loan is interest‑only for five years and replaces an interim bridge loan. The 160‑room extended‑stay hotel, located less than half a mile from...
Panasonic Avionics Furthers IFEC Integration in the Cabin Amid Astrova Milestones
Panasonic Avionics closed 2025 with its Astrova inflight entertainment system reaching 100 airline programs across 30 carriers, highlighted by wins with Emirates and flydubai in the Middle East. The company also rolled out its Converix open‑application platform and the Arc™...
WildPlaces Kulu Ora Lodge Now Open in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
WildPlaces Africa has opened Kulu Ora Lodge, a luxury eco‑lodge in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. The property features 11 canvas‑walled suites, each with a private plunge pool, and operates entirely on solar power. Guests enjoy crowd‑free wildlife viewing, river‑front...
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Offering 20% Off for a Limited Time
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort is offering up to 20% off room rates and complimentary breakfasts for reservations made through June 1, 2026. The discount applies when guests book directly on Hyatt’s website using the code SPRING. The 342‑acre waterfront property...
Extended Stay America Premier Suites Opens Near Denver International Airport
Extended Stay America has opened a new Premier Suites property near Denver International Airport, adding a four‑story, 124‑room hotel designed for extended‑stay guests. Developed by Integrated Hospitality Construction and Blueline Equity Partners, the hotel offers fully equipped kitchens, free healthy...
New York Needs To Up Its Game To Capitalize On The FIFA World Cup
On July 19, more than 1.2 million fans will descend on New York City for the FIFA World Cup, even though matches are staged in New Jersey. The regional host committee estimates a $3.3 billion economic impact, with a portion earmarked for New York,...
Hyatt Adds Four Properties to Unbound Collection Portfolio as Brand Marks 10 Years
Hyatt is adding four hotels to its Unbound Collection as the brand celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Georgian in Santa Monica, Hotel 1000 in Seattle, Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic, and The Clayfield in Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake, Ontario will join...
Marriott Makes The Switch To Coca-Cola, After 34 Years Of Pepsi Exclusivity
Marriott International announced it will replace Pepsi with Coca‑Cola as the exclusive soft‑drink provider across its global portfolio, ending a 34‑year partnership that began in 1992. The original Pepsi deal was driven by a loan arrangement rather than consumer preference,...
‘Music Tourism’ Map App Charts US Live Sector
Music Roadtrip, a fan‑focused map app launched by Amy and Ronnie Wright, now charts more than 100,000 live music events and festivals across the United States. The platform displays venues, record stores, and music‑heritage sites while offering one‑click booking for...
Marriott Switches to Coca-Cola After 34 Years
Marriott Is Finally Ditching Pepsi After 34 Years — Coca-Cola Takes Over Nearly 10,000 Hotels - View from the Wing https://t.co/yaw5UTYPfU
Eclipse at Half Moon Reopens in Montego Bay
Half Moon’s Eclipse hotel in Montego Bay reopened on April 7, 2026, marking a key step in Jamaica’s post‑Hurricane Melissa recovery. The luxury property offers 57 beachfront rooms, refreshed six‑ and seven‑bedroom villas, and a full suite of amenities including a spa,...
Sandpiper Hospitality Promotes John Barrar
Sandpiper Hospitality announced the promotion of John Barrar to senior vice president of technology strategy and innovation after more than three years leading its IT infrastructure and systems integration. In his new role, Barrar will steer the company’s enterprise technology...
Inline Plastics Unveils 4-Compartment Clamshell to Keep Foods Fresh, Separate, and Secure
Inline Plastics has launched the TSSB4CD, a four‑compartment clamshell that uses anti‑migration technology to keep flavors separate and maintain product integrity. The package includes a tamper‑evident tear strip and a leak‑resistant perimeter seal, enhancing food safety and security for grab‑and‑go...
Q&A: KulörGroup Reimagines Island Resort Architecture with .Here Maldives
KulörGroup’s new .Here Maldives resort reimagines island hospitality by stacking villas, public spaces and a 45‑metre elevated pool into a vertical journey from lagoon to sky. Founder Christopher Chua says the studio aligns place, people and purpose from the brief,...
Kansai Airports to Open New Stores at KIX in June
Kansai Airports announced that 24 new retail outlets will open in the international departure area of Kansai International Airport on June 2, 2026. The stores are part of Phase 4 of the Terminal 1 renovation, which began in 2021 and will finalize a five‑year...
NYC Bagel Bosses: Bagel Bosses of NYC on Tradition, Trends, and the Future of Bagels
In this lively episode recorded at the New York Restaurant Show, host Michael Schatzberg chats with three NYC bagel entrepreneurs—Melanie Frost of Es a Bagel, Matt Palmer of Zucker's Bagels, and Matt Kliegman of Black Seed Bagel—about their origins, growth...
Major Carl’s Jr Franchisee in California Files for Bankruptcy
Friendly Franchisees Corporation, a 65‑unit Carl’s Jr. operator in California, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy through multiple subsidiaries. The filing affects roughly 11 % of the brand’s 588 California locations but the franchisor says it won’t impact other restaurants. Carl’s Jr.’s average unit...
My Place Hotels Opens Second Arkansas Property
My Place Hotels of America opened its second Arkansas location, the My Place Hotel – Jonesboro, a four‑story, 63‑key property owned by Mataji LLC. The extended‑stay hotel includes in‑room kitchens, a My Store market, and electric‑vehicle charging stations, designed to...
More New Partners: Rove Miles Launches Transfers to Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Rove Miles announced new 1:1 transfer partnerships with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red, effective April 7, 2026. Members can now move Rove miles into Virgin’s airline loyalty program for premium‑cabin awards, including ANA and Delta flights, as well...
Tui to Expand Into Bhutan and Open First Hotel in the Himalayas
TUI will launch its first Bhutan property, TUI Blue Paro Taktsang, next month, marking the group’s entry into the Himalayas. The 34‑suite resort blends contemporary luxury with traditional Bhutanese architecture, offering wellness facilities, curated dining and proximity to iconic sites...
Rove Miles Adds Virgin Atlantic And Virgin Red As 1:1 Transfer Partners
Rove Miles has announced Virgin Atlantic and its retail arm Virgin Red as new 1:1 transfer partners, joining its existing roster across Star Alliance, oneworld, SkyTeam and non‑alliance carriers. The addition strengthens Rove’s SkyTeam connections and gives members access to...
The Silent Restaurant Guest and the Revenue You’ll Never See
Hospital operators are losing a hidden stream of revenue because today’s diners expect instant, multi‑channel communication and often abandon a restaurant before a reservation is made. The article calls this the “silent guest” – prospects who browse menus or inquire...
Delta Pilots Earn Up To $465.13 An Hour — They Want A Fast New Deal Before The Window Closes
Delta Air Lines and the ALPA pilots union have opened negotiations for a new contract ahead of the December 31, 2026 amendable date. The union’s opening proposal focuses on higher pay rates, improved layover hotels, expanded personal‑travel non‑revenue opportunities, and greater schedule...
Why Has Chick-Fil-A's Sales Growth Slowed?
Chick-fil‑A has posted two consecutive years of modest sales growth, signaling a slowdown after a decade of rapid expansion. Analysts point to a ceiling in unit volume as the chain approaches market saturation in key regions. Elevated gasoline prices are...
Gas Prices Do Impact Restaurants, Particularly Full-Service
Rising gasoline prices, now hovering around $4 per gallon amid the Iran conflict, are beginning to suppress restaurant traffic, especially for full‑service and family‑dining chains. Black Box Intelligence data shows traffic drops from a 2% baseline to 2.4% once gas...
Prince St. Pizza's Latest Investor Knows How to Grow Restaurant Chains
Prince St. Pizza, a fast‑growing by‑the‑slice Sicilian‑style pizza concept, has secured backing from one of the original and largest franchisees of Dave's Hot Chicken. The investor plans to accelerate expansion through a mix of company‑owned stores and franchising, leveraging the...
Earth Day Travel Ideas: Sustainable Cruises, Conservation Programs and Eco‑Friendly Experiences
Travelers are increasingly seeking purpose‑driven experiences, and three new offerings illustrate this shift. Ecoventura’s 20‑passenger yachts cruise the Galapagos while planting over 1,200 trees and partnering with local waste‑reduction programs. Casa Palopo in Guatemala blends luxury lodging with the Pintando...
What Are Hotel Day Passes? When & How to Book Mini Stays
Hotel day passes let travelers rent a room for a few hours, granting access to amenities without an overnight stay. They fill gaps caused by early check‑outs, long layovers, or flight delays, offering a private alternative to airports. Major chains...
Canalta Hotels Expands Alberta Presence
Canalta Hotels has rebranded two former Ramada properties in Olds and Wainwright, Alberta, adding them to its portfolio with 98 and 83 guestrooms respectively. The hotels will receive immediate upgrades—new TVs, mattresses, bedding—and undergo comprehensive two‑year renovations that will modernize...
Fairmont Tremblant to Debut Presidential Suite in September
Fairmont Tremblant will launch a 1,200‑sq‑ft Presidential Suite in September 2026, aligning with the resort’s comprehensive guest‑room renovation. The ultra‑luxury suite targets dignitaries and high‑profile guests, offering a master bedroom, spa‑inspired bathroom, private pantry, and sustainable high‑end finishes. Its debut...
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas Marks Brand First in Asia with LHW Membership
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas has become the first Anantara‑branded property in Asia to join The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW). The beachfront resort on Thailand’s Koh Yao Yai showcases immersive luxury, extensive wellness programs, and culturally rich experiences. LHW’s portfolio in...
Carrier Debuts Powerful New Tool to Drive High-Value Bookings
Carrier has launched “Limitless: Intimate Escapes,” a new ultra‑luxury travel volume aimed at smaller, high‑value groups. The offering follows a 45% rise in 2025 bookings between $75k‑$125k and reflects a shift toward intimate trips, with $125k+ bookings averaging 8.5 travelers...
Irish Tourism Sector Under Spotlight as Fifty Shades Greener Unveils New Sustainability Event
Fifty Shades Greener, Ireland’s leading sustainability training provider, is hosting a new event, “Less Shades, More Action,” on 28 April at Dublin’s Mayson Hotel to spotlight the tourism sector’s carbon impact. The global tourism industry contributes 7.3 % of greenhouse‑gas emissions, and...
Resilient but Restless: Fast Casuals Outpace Industry as 2026 Competition Heats Up
Fast‑casual restaurants outperformed other dining segments in 2025, posting a 3% traffic gain in the U.S. and a 0.8% global increase despite inflation and cautious consumer spending. Growth stemmed mainly from brand expansion and higher‑quality menu offerings, while average visits...
Airbnb Crowns Washington’s Sekiu as Top Off‑the‑map U.S. Getaway
Airbnb announced Sekiu, Washington, as the No. 1 destination on its inaugural “America off‑the‑map” list for 2026. The designation underscores a wave of interest in remote locales, with 86% of travelers seeking rural experiences and Airbnb hosts collectively earning about $10 billion...
Marriott Replaces GM Logo on Detroit’s Renaissance Center, Expanding Footprint
Marriott has taken over the exterior signage of Detroit’s Renaissance Center, removing General Motors’ logos and installing its own brand. The change highlights Marriott’s role as the building’s largest tenant and signals a broader push into the city’s downtown hospitality...
Miles & More Mileage Bargains for April 2026: Round-Trip Flights to Europe Starting at 25k Miles
Miles & More’s April 2026 Mileage Bargains let U.S. travelers book round‑trip award flights to Europe for as little as 25,000 economy miles, 42,000 premium‑economy miles, or 61,000 business miles. Only seven routes are available—JFK‑Brussels, SFO‑Warsaw, and IAD‑Brussels—each with strict round‑trip,...