Veteran in Hospitality, Amit Sripathi, Appointed as Chief Development Officer at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for Real Estate and Growth Strategy

Veteran in Hospitality, Amit Sripathi, Appointed as Chief Development Officer at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for Real Estate and Growth Strategy

Real estate and hospitality veteran to lead Wyndham’s accelerating growth strategy

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) appointed Amit Sripathi Chief Development Officer reporting to the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Ballotti. Sripathi will lead Wyndham’s North American franchise sales team as they help hotel owners tap into the power of the world’s largest hotel franchise company and its iconic brands.

“Amit’s deep experience in mergers & acquisitions and capital markets focused on the real estate and hospitality sectors at Deutsche Bank and RLJ Lodging are instrumental as we increase our focus on growing our midscale-and-above portfolio while reinforcing our leading position in the resilient select-service segments,” said Ballotti. “Since joining Wyndham, Amit has demonstrated a strategic approach to growth. He’s helped divest our owned and managed segments leading to a pure-play U.S. franchise business and worked with our sales teams across the country and around the world deploying over $250 million in development support for our owners. He hits the ground running, knowing what our franchise sales teams need to continue outperforming expectations.”

“With 15 consecutive quarters of organic net room growth and our largest development pipeline ever, it’s clear that existing and prospective franchisees appreciate Wyndham’s market-share leading brands and the world-class sales, marketing and distribution systems curated for their individual needs,” said Sripathi. “Together with the best franchise sales team Wyndham has ever assembled, we will help even more owners discover the power of partnering with Wyndham and experiencing our Owner-FirstSM approach.”

After a successful career, which began at Wyndham’s predecessor company, Hospitality Franchise Systems, Chip Ohlsson, Chief Development Officer, will be leaving the Company in June. During his tenure, Chip helped expand the Wyndham portfolio from 14 to 25 brands including ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham, the industry’s fastest-growing, new-construction brand launch. A champion for diversity on the franchise sales team and for owners, Chip was instrumental in creating groundbreaking programs like Women Own the RoomSM (an industry first) and BOLD SM by Wyndham, which help make our industry more diverse while bringing new owners into the Wyndham family.

“From launching his sales career with us in 1993, to returning nearly ten years ago to lead our North America franchise sales teams, Chip has shown unwavering commitment to Wyndham and our franchisees,” said Ballotti. “We are extremely grateful for his proven leadership and ability to attract, promote and develop a best-in-class sales team that consistently delivers, and we wish him all the best.”

Images associated with the above release can be downloaded here.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 876,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 106 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

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Oaxaca’s Hotels Maintain Uniqueness through Cultural Authenticity, Architecture, Design, and Boutique Experiences

Oaxaca's Hotels Maintain Uniqueness through Cultural Authenticity, Architecture, Design, and Boutique Experiences

In 2002, there were plans to open a McDonald’s in the historic central square of Mexico’s Oaxaca City. Legendary Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo wasn’t having it — not in the beautiful, 500-year-old Zócalo of his beloved hometown. He vowed to stand naked in front of the site, handing out free tamales and reminding locals of the importance of their own ancient culture and the tourism it inspires. “The presence of McDonald’s would homogenize and distort what is unique,” he wrote.

Hundreds of people joined his protest, which was ultimately successful. City officials rejected the restaurant. And in the end, no one even had to take their clothes off.

Toledo understood that authenticity is the strongest form of cultural currency. Enlightened travelers are in steady search of destinations that defy globalization and the creep of mass commercialism. Places like Oaxaca. You probably know Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal and mole. You might also know about its iconic Dia de los Muertos celebrations and its colorful alebrijes sculptures. What you might be less aware of is Oaxaca’s growing reputation as a hotspot of architecture and design.

We’ve collected some of Oaxaca’s most compelling hotels below. Among them you’ll see groundbreaking concepts and bold ideas that trade heavily on the traditions of the region (along with a lot of concrete). Progress and change aren’t bad, but we should insist they happen as authentic expressions of culture that preserve and promote the local heritage. Here, they do.


Monte Uzulu Boutique Hotel

San Agustinillo, Mexico

You wouldn’t mistake Monte Uzulu Boutique Hotel for a big all-inclusive resort. The buildings, by architects At-te and designers Taller Lu’um, are a contemporary version of traditional thatched-roof palapa structures, and the experience perfectly balances sensitivity to the locale and the environment with the demands of modern boutique hospitality.

Book Monte Uzulu Boutique Hotel on MICHELIN Guide →


Casona Sforza

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

There’s nothing on the Oaxacan coast — or anywhere else — quite like Casona Sforza, an 11-room luxury boutique hotel whose unmistakable arched volumes stand mere yards from the beach on the south end of Puerto Escondido. Architect Alberto Kalach designed these distinctive structures, which are placed to maximize their views, their privacy, and their exposure to the breeze.

Book Casona Sforza on MICHELIN Guide →


Flavia Hotel

Oaxaca City, Mexico

The archetypal Oaxaca City luxury hotel is a colonial palace in the historic center, but everything about the Flavia Hotel is unconventional: its mountainside location on the edge of town, its monumental Brutalist construction, and, perhaps unexpected given its exterior silhouette, its exceedingly warm and livable.

Book Flavia Hotel on MICHELIN Guide →


Casa Silencio

San Pablo Villa de Mitla, Mexico

Casa Silencio finds itself in the rugged, mountainous mezcal-producing lands to the east of the capital city. What was previously just a working distillery owned by the El Silencio mezcal brand is now one of the most extraordinary hotels in all of Mexico, a spectacular compound of modern buildings constructed from rustic rammed earth, timber, and tile.

Book Casa Silencio on MICHELIN Guide →


Hotel Terrestre

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Puerto Escondido is a well-established destination — but it’s never seen anything like Hotel Terrestre. Then again, neither has anywhere else. Set between the mountains and the sea on the verdant coast just to the west of town, it’s a dramatic structure, a spaceship made of humble, locally sourced brick and concrete by architect Alberto Kalach.

Book Hotel Terrestre on MICHELIN Guide →


Hotel Escondido

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Hotel Escondido is “barefoot luxe” at its apex, a sort of impossibly stylish version of beach-bum living, its sixteen bungalows smallish and spare but perfectly formed. The restaurant serves can’t-miss local seafood, the bar shows off the Habita talent for hospitality, and the pool lounge mixes modern design with the most primitive of elements, to the greatest possible effect.

Book the Hotel Escondido on MICHELIN Guide →


Hotel Escondido Oaxaca

Oaxaca City, Mexico

The historical center of the city of Oaxaca is a wonder — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic tapestry of every era from the 16th century to the present. Hotel Escondido Oaxaca is a blend of its own, a 19th-century house and an attached neo-Brutalist structure, combining to create a contemporary boutique hotel designed with an eye towards blurring the distinctions between old and new.

Book Hotel Escondido Oaxaca on MICHELIN Guide →


Casa TO

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

On the southern fringes of Puerto Escondido, along the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Casa TO is an architectural statement: an austere beauty almost entirely composed of raw concrete, designed by architect Ludwig Godefroy with just a few economical gestures towards luxe comfort and Oaxacan tradition.

Book Casa TO on MICHELIN Guide →


Pug Seal Oaxaca

Oaxaca City, Mexico

Pug Seal’s inventive, pocket-sized boutique B&Bs feel like perfect little secrets in the vastness of Mexico City — in the compact historical center of Oaxaca City, however, a 20-suite boutique hotel looms larger. Not to worry: Pug Seal Oaxaca is just as tranquil, just as residential in atmosphere as its cousins in the capital, designed as it is around a central courtyard decorated with colorful murals.

Book Pug Seal Oaxaca on MICHELIN Guide →


Otro Oaxaca

Oaxaca City, Mexico

With Otro Oaxaca, Grupo Habita and local architect João Boto Caeiro have masterfully mixed traditional Oaxacan textures and materials — and overt references to Zapotec archaeological sites — with modernist geometries and minimalist interiors. The result is both unmistakably Oaxacan and quite unlike anything else in town.

Book Otro Oaxaca on MICHELIN Guide →


Zoa Hotel

Santa Maria Tonameca, Mexico

They call Zoa a “hotel secreto,” and it’s not much of an exaggeration; it’s set on a hillside above the coast, between the two beaches, and its elevation offers not just privacy but far-ranging views. With just five thatched-roof bungalows, it keeps its footprint small, as do its ecologically sensitive practices, from its onsite vegetable garden to its biodegradable bath products.

Book Zoa Hotel on MICHELIN Guide →

Top image: Casa TO — Puerto Escondido, Mexico

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“Seeking Unique and Personalized Luxury: Next-Level Bespoke Experiences at Luxury Hotels”

"Seeking Unique and Personalized Luxury: Next-Level Bespoke Experiences at Luxury Hotels"

Heli-hiking on a remote slice of Vancouver Island in Canada. Concocting your own perfume in southern France. Planning a shoot with a New York fashion photographer.

Now that amenities like infinity pools and posh spas (rebranded as wellness centers) are practically de rigueur at upscale lodgings, many properties are trying to distinguish themselves with activities that are ever more bespoke and brag-worthy.

“All of this is part of the trend we’ve seen for a while, especially since the pandemic, when everyone wants what they want and they want everything hyper-customized to their interests and their requirements,” said Ashley Isaacs Ganz, the founder and chief executive of Artisans of Leisure, a luxury tour operator.

Indeed, said Janelle Ruhumuliza, a travel adviser with Embark Beyond, “experiences have to go further than what they were before.” She notes that social media has amplified travelers’ desire to “one-up” what others are doing online.

Hotels are feeling the urgency. “We have guests that are almost aggressive in how they want to experience something,” said Philippe Gills, who oversees the concierge team at the Langham, Chicago. “Even if it’s something that they’ve experienced before, they’re looking to do it new now, so we have to be creative.”

Next-level activities

Activities and experiences have long been part of luxury hotel offerings. But many current offerings come with extra cachet.

“We are constantly trying to find cool things for our guests to do,” said Olivier Lordonnois, who, as managing director of Aman, oversees the luxury resort company’s properties in the Americas, including its newest in New York City. That could mean an invitation to an artist’s private studio to learn about their process ($7,500) or mastering fish butchery and handcrafted sushi ($750).

The resort also partners with the camera manufacturer Leica and offers master classes, such as photography with the fashion photographer Mark de Paola, who will help guests run a true-to-life shoot that includes hair, makeup and styling. Guests photograph models at iconic New York backdrops (starting at $7,000, lunch at an Aman restaurant included).

Set in a rainforest on Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers canyoning, horseback riding, salmon fishing and more. You can also take it to the next level and charter a helicopter to whisk you away for mountaintop adventures (650 Canadian dollars, or about $475, per person). “When you get to the top of the mountain, you’re talking to God,” said the general manager, Sarah Cruse. “I’ll send you up there with a bottle of Champagne and say, ‘Just sit down and have a chat.’”

Even all-inclusive resorts, with their many set activities, take pains to develop special offerings. “Guests are paying a high room rate, so we need full programming and activities on the calendar,” said Corey Lens, the assistant general manager of Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, Maine. That means no additional charge for forest-bathing sessions, watercolor lessons, and visits with orphaned owls, turtles and other wildlife. But you can also pay for extra sessions with a forest therapist to take you on a mindfulness hike ($85 per hour) or mixologists ($60) to level up your cocktail-making skills.

Exclusive access

Personalized experiences are something Annabel Rayer, a global communications director for IHG brands, which includes Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental and others, sees as nonnegotiable. “It’s not just the case of going for a Michelin-star meal,” she said. Our guests want to meet the chef, and they want to understand everything that’s going on.” At the InterContinental London Park Lane, that Michelin-starred chef is Theo Randall, and guests can learn from him in a kitchen master class before indulging in a four-course meal (from 185 euros, or about $200).

In France, at Carlton Cannes, a Regent hotel, guests explore the perfume capital of Grasse in a vintage Citroën 2CV and create their own fragrance with some of the world’s best perfumers (from 109 euros), and at the Regent resort on the Vietnamese island Phu Quoc, guests can get lessons from an expert sailing crew aboard a catamaran (64,000,000 Vietnamese dong, or about $2,520, for up to 12 guests).

In Chicago, the city where the architect Frank Lloyd Wright established himself, the Langham tempts guests with an intensive tour of his home, which he built for himself in 1889 in Oak Park, west of downtown.

The three-hour excursion ($1,240) includes a chauffeured ride to Oak Park, which has the highest concentration of Wright-designed houses in the world, along with a tour of Wright’s own home and studio. The experience, said Mr. Gills, of the Langham, gives guests a new perspective on someone they thought they knew. “It’s a different kind of ‘wow,’” he said.

Jesmine Hall is director of communications for Raffles Singapore. “We see a hotel being a destination for not just rest and rejuvenation,” she said, “but a setting for cultural immersion.” The hotel’s Enlightenment Retreat (from 7,800 Singapore dollars, or about $5,745) features four days of holistic treatments — including yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy herbal body wraps — along with personalized menus from the hotel’s restaurants. It also includes visits to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Intan, a private house museum devoted to Peranakan culture — a mix of local and Chinese heritage. Tea with the owner, Alvin Yapp, well known in Singapore’s cultural circles, gives it that extra insider’s feel.

Exceptional locations

Sometimes the location itself is the experience. Rather than choosing downtown San Diego when it opened a new California location three years ago, Alila Hotels and Resorts went 28 miles north to Encinitas, Calif. “It’s this little beach town that’s always been known as a surf destination, always been known as laid-back and friendly,” said Emily Teachout, director of marketing for the 130-room Alia Marea Beach resort. Through Fulcrum Surf, a top-tier surf school, guests can take a one-hour lesson ($200) on the resort’s beach. Or they can opt for a private coastal tour ($925) to scope out the best breaks, take in the local scene and get an extended lesson on different surfboards.

Other resorts make the most out of their natural environment. When Jon Borschow, 72, and his wife, Galina, 68, of San Juan, P.R., arrived at Amanpulo resort on the private Pamalican Island in the Philippines, they noticed a lot of birds. Being amateur birders, they inquired about them and were offered a tour with the resident naturalist. “I would say we saw at least 30 different species,” said Mr. Borschow, including Thai imperial pigeons and a Philippine megapode.

Personalization. Personalization. Personalization.

“Travelers really just want to be taken care of by hotels and have them provide and arrange everything,” Ms. Hall, of Raffles Singapore, said. Responding to that desire, Raffles offers a personalized shopping extravaganza, in which guests consult with a personal shopper before arrival, and then enjoy a chauffeured four-hour trip to some of Singapore’s best boutiques (from 3,900 Singapore dollars, or about $2,860, which includes two nights in a suite and breakfast).

Hotels also seize opportunities to deliver a personal touch.

When David Anderson, 78, of St. Louis, took his extended family on a trip to the Clayoquot lodge, he emailed Ms. Cruse, the general manager, in advance, sharing a bit on each of the nine family members.

“She guided us toward taking a family hike,” said Mr. Anderson, acknowledging they had been inclined to split up and do different activities. “She knew that we were working on communication as a family. We were going to pass on the hike. She really pushed us,” he said about the outing with experienced guides.

A year and a half later, Mr. Anderson still feels the effects on his family. “I can honestly say after that trip, our communication has gone to a higher level.”

What’s next

Hotel experts say that the arms race for bigger, bolder, more creative experiences will continue. “Guests are starved for something new because everything around them has been turned into an algorithm,” said Mr. Gills, who is constantly digging deeper to come up with the novel.

So, if hotels want to stay competitive, it seems that no experience is too “out there.” Not even a mountaintop chat with the gods.

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“Off-Menu Pandan Cocktail at Singapore’s Warehouse Hotel Showcases Southeast Asia’s Trending Ingredient”

"Off-Menu Pandan Cocktail at Singapore's Warehouse Hotel Showcases Southeast Asia's Trending Ingredient"

Known as “the Asian vanilla,” the blade-like leaves of Pandan add brilliant green color and seductive aroma to curries, cakes, and even better, cocktails.

Singapore’s flush with sexy, singular hotels, but the vertical ascension of its skyline on this land-poor nation-state has led to a dizzying effect. Finding low-rise hotels, especially in meticulously restored heritage buildings, seems near impossible. Yet, The Warehouse Hotel, located on the bank of the Singapore River in Robertson Quay, offers exactly that—a historic façade housing an expansive and contemporary lobby and bar inside, replete with an excellent cocktail bar.

After strolling the river on a hot May day, I fled for the cool dark interior of The Warehouse Hotel and grabbed a seat at the lobby bar. I’d just returned from Indonesia (and Vietnam a month earlier), where I’d sucked down a few pandan-infused drinks, so I asked the bartender if he had a cocktail with this regional ingredient in mind.

“Not at the moment, and I personally think it’s become overused in drinks; however, people love it,” said bar manager Jae Min.

“Well, we rarely see it in the United States,” I replied. He paused, and said, “give me a range of flavors you like, and we’ll put something together.”

I rattled off a few notes like sour and citrus, floral, and creamy, perhaps thinking subconsciously about a Peruvian pisco sour.

Min pulled a few bottles from behind the bar and got to work, pouring, dry shaking, wet shaking, fine straining, and finally presenting me with a muted pea-green cocktail with a creamy trim.

“This is off the menu, but it’s a drink we’ve been working on behind the bar,” he said, nodding at his part-time colleague Ron Ong who was the brainchild behind the recipe. Ong, who has worked at some of the finest bars in Sydney, Australia, took inspiration from the Hotel Georgia Cocktail, a classic believed to have been created in the mid-1940s. The team plans to call it The Warehouse Hotel Special as a tribute.

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I took a sip, immediately imagining a pandan version of a pisco sour. It was smooth, complex, creamy, a little nutty, and tasted of that grassy vanilla flavor I’d come to love in my recent travels.

“Outstanding,” I said. I asked for the recipe but lamented to Min the lack of access I had to fresh pandan in the United States. Min said pandan concentrate, easily found at nearly every food store in Singapore, might be available online. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to shop for concentrate on my travels, so I searched and found quite a few options on Amazon.

As for the recipe, here ya go. Happy shaking and sipping.

Pandan Sour or The Warehouse Hotel Special

Ingredients

3 Drops of Pandan Concentrate*

30 ml Egg White

25 ml Lemon

15 ml Orgeat

5 ml Caramel

60 ml Gin

Recipe

Add all ingredients into a shaker. First dry shake* to emulsify the egg white. Add ice, then wet shake. Fine strain into a coupe glass and serve.

Pandan Concentrate: Common to Asian food stores, one can make it at home by steeping the leaves in simple syrup, though it’s far easier to buy the concentrate online. Amazon sells a few options.

Dry shake: Dry shaking is the technique used to get egg white cocktails to froth. Shake the egg white with all the other cocktail ingredients without ice to allow the mixture to combine without dilution.

The Warehouse Hotel, 320 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169628

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“Discover the Best Hotels in Santorini, Greek Islands”

"Discover the Best Hotels in Santorini, Greek Islands"

When the world dreams of the Greek Islands, it’s Santorini that they picture. The view of white-washed villages dangling on the edge of the volcanic caldera may be a romantic cliché, but it still takes your breath away. And while day-trippers clamor to capture that overworked sunset shot, the best hotels in Santorini serve it up on a platter. Draw a curtain, order a cocktail, or take a dip at these beloved addresses and you’ll enjoy a front-row seat to Santorini’s sensational views. It’s not just the sun-soaked backdrop that these Santorini hotels promise; privacy is also part of the innate appeal. On this list you’ll find boltholes hidden at the end of dirt tracks, intimate villas with uninterrupted sunset views and fish baked in vine leaves served at guest-only restaurants. It’s the Greece of dreams. Make it a reality with our edit of the best hotels in Santorini.

How we choose the best hotels in Santorini

Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location, and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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700 Union Workers at Virgin Hotels Casino Near Las Vegas Strip Launch 48-Hour Strike

700 Union Workers at Virgin Hotels Casino Near Las Vegas Strip Launch 48-Hour Strike

LAS VEGAS — About 700 workers walked off the job at a hotel-casino near the Las Vegas Strip at dawn Friday, in what union organizers said would be a 48-hour strike after spending months trying to reach a deal for new five-year contract with Virgin Hotels.

The Culinary Union, the largest labor union in Nevada, said the action marked its first strike in 22 years. The union authorized a citywide strike late last year, but it reached agreements with all the major hotel-casinos on the Strip for about 40,000 workers before the end of the year, and with most downtown and off-Strip properties in early February for 10,000 workers.

Guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry and kitchen workers were among those walking a picket line in front of Virgin Hotels, formerly the Hard Rock Las Vegas, just west of the Strip, union organizers said.

Virgin Hotels filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday ahead of the anticipated strike, accusing the union of failing to negotiate in good faith “despite our sincere efforts to meet and negotiate.” It said union officials were engaged in “unlawful ‘take it or leave it’ bargaining.”

“Because the Union has not told us what agreements it believes are necessary to avoid a strike, we have asked the Union to join us in mediation as soon as possible,” Virgin Hotels said. “The goal of mediation is to reach an agreement without disrupting our guests and our team members’ lives with a work stoppage.”

While the weekend strike is far smaller in scale than the union’s planned strikes last year on the Strip, the hotel-casino is still a notable Sin City landmark because of its proximity to the Strip and the airport, and because an 80-foot-tall (24-meter-tall) neon guitar sign stood on the plot for decades before it was removed for the property’s transformation into Virgin Hotels.

The last time Culinary Union members went on strike was in 2002 at Golden Gate hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas.

Earlier this year, union members at other Las Vegas-area properties reached deals giving them a roughly 32% salary increase over five years, including 10% in the first year.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, said they had called off a strike deadline at Virgin Hotels in February when the looming Super Bowl helped put pressure on other hotel-casinos to come to the bargaining table in order to give management more time to address its financial situation and reach a settlement at the 1,500-room hotel-casino.

But he said they had waited long enough and were hopeful the 48-hour strike would help expedite a new agreement on wage and benefit increases.

“It’s been nearly one year since the contract at Virgin Las Vegas expired on June 1, 2023 and workers are still working without a contract,” he said in a statement.

Pappageorge told reporters at a news conference on Thursday that the complaint to the NLRB had no merit.

“The charge is just a company stunt, and it’s unfortunate and sad that they’ve waited until the eve of the strike to even have that kind of discussion,” Pappageorge said.

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“Newly Opened Hotels in the Industry Anticipate a Surge of Travelers”

"Newly Opened Hotels in the Industry Anticipate a Surge of Travelers"

After several years of daunting challenges, the hotel industry has rebounded with a vigor and now is on a record run of new and refurbished hotels. The major groups have recorded a sizeable number of openings and rooms in 2023, and are forecasting equally dynamic expansion in 2024, according to the Hospitality ON website. For example:

Wyndham: introduced five brands into new countries; signed 46 contracts, representing over 8,300 rooms and opened nearly 20 hotels.

Hilton: 132 openings in the fourth quarter and net growth of 4.9% by 2023

Marriott: net growth of 4.7% and record pipeline of 573,000 rooms

Accor: major global expansion planned for 2024

Minor Hotels: more than 200 new hotel openings by 2026

According to the U.S Travel Association, 93% of the population reported that they are gearing up for some exciting travels in the next six months. With such a surge in demand for travel, it’s no surprise that the hospitality industry is bustling with new opportunities in the realm of hotel openings and new accommodations worldwide.

South Bank, Turks and Caicos

South Bank, Turks and Caicos, features four distinct waterfront neighborhoods, Boathouses; Lagoon Villas; Ocean Estates and Arc, along 31 acres of quiet shoreline in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The oceanfront resort and marina, managed and operated by Grace Bay Resorts, exudes a thriving coastal personality, integrating elegant oceanfront living with the adventure of boating and yachting, promoting indoor/outdoor living. Each property within South Bank features natural design elements complementing South Bank’s position on the Caicos Bank, South Bank inlet and Juba Sound wetland. Guests and homeowners alike will have access to transformative amenities and handmade experiences including a calm, swimming lagoon; a chic white sand beachfront; innovative drinking and dining experiences; tennis and pickleball courts; and an energizing spa and fitness center. South Bank’s Grand Opening will be November 1, 2024.

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Hotel AKA Back Bay, Boston, MA

Relaunching in Q2 2024, Hotel AKA Back Bay opens its doors with a modern new design transformation led by celebrated architectural firm, Selldorf Architects, across guestrooms and public spaces. The reopening of the hotel will see a complete visionary transformation of this iconic limestone building, with sophisticated guestrooms and suites filled with designer furnishings envisioned by Annabelle Selldorf. The hotel amenities will include a living-room inspired library and lounge ideal for relaxing or working, and a new fitness center. The hotel will also unveil a brand-new culinary concept – an everyday French bistro with a curated menu blending classic French fare with touches of New England influence. Located in the heart of Back Bay, this hotel boasts a storied past as the former home of the Boston Police Department Headquarters, and it is deeply intertwined with the cosmopolitan culture of this vibrant section of Bean Town.

The Mining Exchange Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO

The new Mining Exchange Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs has been completely reimagined from the historic Mining Exchange building that was originally established in 1902 and served as a bustling hub for mining magnates and investors. The high-design haven for modern travelers offers 128 newly designed guest rooms, two innovative food and beverage concepts, versatile event spaces and more. The hotel lobby, which doubles as a living room for locals, embraces original elements like the mining exchange safe and vault doors while guest rooms feature vibrant wall coverings, historic brick accents and custom furnishings. At BLK MGK, the hotel’s high craft, full-service coffee bar, guests can enjoy a full menu of breakfast and lunch menu items, a range of specialty coffee and tea beverages featuring a unique selection of tincture add-ons, along with coffee-based cocktails, wine and beer.

OMO5 Hakodate by Hoshino Resorts, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

Opening July 6, 2024, OMO5 Hakodate by Hoshino Resorts is located at city center for guests to fully savor the freshest seafood, exceptional night views from Mount Hakodate and the area’s charming streets. Just a five-minute walk from Hakodate Station, the hotel houses 245 guest rooms and a dozen room types. Visitors can relax at the OMO Base including a café & bar serving local sweets and an outdoor terrace. Other highlights include: a morning market specialty shop tour led by passionate hotel staff; an interactive ‘Go-KINJO’ neighborhood map at the OMO Base with local recommendations and a natural hot spring onsen on-site. Guests can elevate their morning with a luxurious breakfast buffet. The ‘Hakodate Round Free Bus’ (free of charge for hotel guests) also makes visiting local sites easy by taking guests around the city.

Asher Adams, Salt Lake City, UT

Asher Adams, the first Autograph Collection hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, under construction by The Athens Group with its partner, Hatteras Sky, will open fall of 2024. Asher Adams is an adaptive reuse of the historic Union Pacific Depot Train Station, which first opened in 1909. The hotel’s design preserves the train station’s iconic French empire architecture and showcases original pieces including the stained-glass windows and oil on canvas murals. Asher Adams will incorporate the historic train station with the addition of a new, eight-story guestroom tower with 225 guest rooms and suites including signature rooms in the train station itself. The boutique luxury hotel will feature a signature restaurant, a patisserie, two bars including a specialty bar located on the second floor of the Union Pacific building that will enjoy expansive views of downtown and the Wasatch Mountains.

Marriott Vacation Club, Waikiki, Hawaii

Opening October 2024, The Marriott Vacation Clubs will introduce a new Hawaiian property to its portfolio in Honolulu’s iconic Waikiki neighborhood in October 2024. This new resort will feature a variety of amenities including rooftop spaces, a pool, fitness facility and culinary outlet. As a part of The Marriott Vacation Clubs City Collection, the property will be within walking distance of some of Waikiki’s most notable shopping experiences and beautiful beaches on the south shore. The property will be seven stories with 110 guestrooms featuring studios and one-bedroom villas, equipped with kitchenettes and washer/dryers, perfect for large gatherings. Upon opening, in addition to rental options, the new resort will have villas available for exchange to existing owners.

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“Over One-Third of Adaptive Reuse Projects Now Include Hotel Conversions, According to Yardi Matrix Data”

"Over One-Third of Adaptive Reuse Projects Now Include Hotel Conversions, According to Yardi Matrix Data"

For the first time ever, hotel to apartment conversion projects have overtaken office-to-residential conversions. In 2023, hotels accounted for over one-third of all adaptive reuse projects in the U.S. with over 4,500 units delivered.

In its analysis of Yardi Matrix data, RentCafe finds that of the buildings converted in 2023, hotels comprised 36% of the total—the largest share among the group. Office buildings made up 28% of adaptive reuse projects, followed by factories (15%), warehouses (9%), and others (12%).

adaptive reuse top building types converted in 2023
Source: RentCafe analysis of Yardi Matrix data

The adaptive reuse scene is poised for even further growth as 151,000 apartments are currently in various stages of conversion, according to the RentCafe analysis.

“The adaptive reuse market does show a bifurcation between high-end and low-end markets,” says Doug Ressler, Senior Analyst & Manager of Business Intelligence, Yardi Matrix. “This is particularly evident in the commercial real estate sector, where a sizable portion of office vacancies are found in older buildings with reduced functionality and lack of modern amenities.”

Overall, over 12,700 new apartments were converted in 2023—a substantial 17.6% increase from the previous year. Hotels made up 4,556 of those units.

Are Hotels More Equipped for Residential Adaptive Reuse Conversion?

Most of the hotel to apartment conversions come from Class B hotels. Though not without its challenges, hotel-to-residential projects can be completed faster and at a lower cost than office building conversions. This is due in part to already existing floor plans, water systems, and waste lines that are relatively easier to modify.

hotel to apartment conversion chart adaptive reuse projects
Source: RentCafe analysis of Yardi Matrix data

Thought while some underutilized hotels are located in city centers, other potential conversion candidates are in “less desirable locations next to airports or off major highways far from residential communities—factors that can suppress the value and appeal of residential conversions,” said Chris Walker, Planning and Community Development Project Manager, Aufgang Architects.

These issues can be of less concern in converting hotels to affordable or supportive housing rather than market rate, according to Aufgang.


RELATED: Hotel vs. office: Different challenges in commercial to residential conversions


Top Metros for Hotel To Apartment Conversion

Manhattan, N.Y., has become a hotspot for hotel conversion projects. All of its 733 converted units in 2023 came from repurposing hotels. Manhattan now holds nearly 6% of all converted apartments in the U.S., according to RentCafe.

Top 10 Metros with Most Converted Apartments from Hotels in 2023

  1. Manhattan, N.Y., converted 733 apartments in 2023.
  2. Albuquerque, N.M., converted 300 apartments.
  3. Richmond Va., converted 291 apartments.
  4. Hialeah, Fla., converted 251 apartments.
  5. Overland Park, Kan., converted 220 apartments.
  6. Sterling Heights, Mich., converted 213 apartments.
  7. Richland, Wash., converted 207 apartments.
  8. Las Vegas, Nev., converted 199 apartments.
  9. Salt Lake City, Utah, converted 184 apartments.
  10. Ruskin, Fla., converted 158 apartments.

Click here to read the full RentCafe report.

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“Choice Hotels Enhances Global Pipeline Amidst Travel Demand, Focuses on Conversion Hotels”

"Choice Hotels Enhances Global Pipeline Amidst Travel Demand, Focuses on Conversion Hotels"

Skift Take

Choice Hotels is shrugging off concerns about softening travel demand.

Choice Hotels International said Wednesday that its global pipeline grew in the first months of the year, particularly for the development of conversion hotels.

The Rockville, MD-based hotel franchisor — whose nearly 7,500 hotels span 22 brands, such as Comfort and Quality Inn — said its global pipeline of rooms increased by 10% in the first quarter to a company record of more than 115,000. The pipeline for conversion rooms climbed 36% worldwide and surged 59% in the U.S. during the same period.

Adjusted EBITDA, a measure of profit, climbed 17% from a year earlier to $124 million — a company record for the first quarter.

Executives touted the performance of the roughly 600 Radisson Americas hotels it bought for $655 million in 2022.

“We’re unlocking the revenue synergies from the Radisson Americas acquisition, which has meaningfully enhanced our growth profile and opened new incremental earnings streams,” said CEO Patrick Pacious.

To further capitalize on travel demand, Choice Hotels redesigned and relaunched its Park Inn by Radisson brand in April to target value-conscious guests. The first hotel under the flag is expected to open in the third quarter.

Choice’s first quarter

The hotel group has been focusing on increasing its presence in the higher-revenue-generating upscale, extended-stay, and midscale segments.

Given that context, executives said they’ve been seeing demand for the group’s brands hold up against a backdrop of broader economic uncertainty.

Choice Hotels’ domestic revenue per available room, a key hotel sector metric, was 8.2% above pre-pandemic levels. But U.S. inflation has risen 22% since March 2022, so that performance suggested a softening. Compared with a year earlier, the revenue-per-available room was down 5.9%.

Despite a possible softening in the pace of travel growth, Choice Hotels left unchanged its full-year guidance for adjusted EBITDA between $580 and $600 million. This steadiness suggested that executives believe overall profitability metrics will remain consistent with prior forecasts.

Accommodations Sector Stock Index Performance Year-to-Date

What am I looking at? The performance of hotels and short-term rental sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets, including international and regional hotel brands, hotel REITs, hotel management companies, alternative accommodations, and timeshares.

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more hotels and short-term rental financial sector performance.

Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

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“How the Closure of Two Major Hotels Could Prevent Syracuse University from Hosting NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Games”

"How the Closure of Two Major Hotels Could Prevent Syracuse University from Hosting NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Games"

Syracuse, N.Y. – Syracuse University last hosted an NCAA men’s basketball tournament regional in 2015.

In the wake of recent announcements regarding the loss of close to 500 hotel rooms in the area near the SU campus, it could be a long time before March Madness returns to Syracuse.

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