The Lodging Lowdown is a series from Hotel Dive highlighting major headlines that hospitality professionals may have missed from the week.
This week in hotel news saw the launch of Alum, a Derek Jeter-backed luxury college-town hospitality concept set to debut in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Additionally, Airbnb struck an agreement with boutique hotel management company Lark Hotels in an effort to scale its hotel business.
Second-quarter earnings season also forged ahead: Choice Hotels International raised its full-year outlook for U.S. RevPAR and global net rooms growth, while Wynn Resorts cited solid demand fundamentals in Las Vegas.
And to follow up on TravelAI’s acquisition of the Sonder brand, Hotel Dive spoke with TravelAI’s CEO to learn more about how it plans to capitalize on the Sonder name.
Here are some other headlines from the week that hoteliers should keep in mind:
Accor makes Las Vegas debut with Treasure Island hotel
Treasure Island TI Las Vegas opened this week under Accor’s bespoke Handwritten Collection, according to a Monday news release.
The 2,884-room hotel marks French brand Accor’s foray into the Vegas market and is the largest hotel in the company’s network worldwide, per the release. The opening also represents an important milestone in Accor’s “continued expansion across the Americas.”
The property features a 24-hour casino, sports betting arena, outdoor pool, spa, theater, game room and tattoo studio, along with other entertainment spaces.
Potomac Hotel in Washington, DC, opens under Marriott’s Autograph Collection
The Potomac Hotel in Washington, D.C, has joined Marriott International’s luxury lifestyle Autograph Collection, following the hotel’s rebrand from Salamander Washington DC, according to a Wednesday news release.
As part of its transition, the 373-room property is now managed by Pyramid Global Hospitality, per the release. Located along the Potomac River, the waterfront property features 38,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, a two-level spa, a fitness center and a heated indoor pool.
The hotel is still owned by Henderson Park, which acquired the building in 2022, while Salamander Collection Founder and CEO Sheila Johnson will remain a minority partner, per the release.
“Since acquiring the property, we've invested in elevating every aspect of the guest experience, and this evolution is a natural extension of that work,” Nick Weber, CEO of Henderson Park, said in a statement.
Crestline to manage dual-branded Marriott hotel in Vail, Colorado
JMA Ventures has tapped Crestline Hotels & Resorts to manage a dual-branded Marriott property near Vail, Colorado, according to a Tuesday news release.
Crestline will oversee the 116-key SpringHill Suites by Marriott Avon Vail Valley and the 127-key TownePlace Suites by Marriott Avon Vail Valley, which both offer access to skiing and year-round recreation, per the release.
Shared amenities include 1,515 square feet of meetings and events space, a fitness center, a heated pool and shuttle service to nearby skiing and snowboarding.
First Hospitality expands management portfolio with 5 new lifestyle properties
Chicago-based First Hospitality has added five new lifestyle properties, all under Hilton and Marriott brands, to its management portfolio, according to a news release.
The additions mark an “important milestone” as the company enters into five new markets and “continues to grow its presence in high-demand leisure and lifestyle destinations,” according to David Duncan, president and CEO of First Hospitality.
The five properties include the 109-key Sky Rock Sedona, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, in Sedona, Arizona; the 87-suite Steward Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Santa Barbara, California; the 160-room Hotel Northland, Autograph Collection in Green Bay, Wisconsin; the 93-room Hotel Elkhart, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Elkhart, Indiana; and the 96-room Le Méridien St. Louis Downtown in St. Louis, Missouri.
All five properties have unique on-site dining options and gathering places, with some featuring wellness programming.
