67% of hotel investors believe YE 2023 total amount of lodging transactions will be greater than 2022, 27% anticipate count neutral, 6% down - per LIIC - Lodging Industry Investment Council via Hotel News Now roundtable held ALIS Conference; Dana Miller Sean McCracken @hnn Bryan Wroten

Interesting perspective from #ALISConference speakers: The industry missed an opportunity to reset some operations based on evolving customer needs. 'We had a customer that was willing to change, and we went back to the way we’ve always been doing business.'

Sonesta International has launched its 17th brand — Sonesta Essential — which executives describe as an upper-midscale, limited-service brand with a light touch to food and beverage and brand standards.
costar.com/article/212367…

Sonesta International has launched a new upper-midscale hotel brand: Sonesta Essential. CDO Brian Quinn tells us the brand is the result of a wave of investor demand. Sonesta Hotels

costar.com/article/212367…

Ding ding ding -- first new brand launch of 2023!

costar.com/article/142730…

Hilton's 19th brand, Spark by Hilton, is the company's first foray into the economy segment, and the conversion-only brand will require a rooms, lobby and exterior renovation package.
costar.com/article/142730…

In 2023, hotel investors will have to grow more comfortable with the increasing cost of capital, experts told Sean McCracken. Catch up on their predictions:

costar.com/article/201316…

While there's been a lot of talk about a wave of hotel debt maturities in 2023, lenders and experts said they think it will ultimately be dealt with without creating much disruption.

costar.com/article/201316…

Travel patterns normalized somewhat in 2022 as many countries across the globe loosened COVID-19 restrictions and booking windows increased. However, a lack of international travel continues to be a concern for the U.S. hotel industry. costar.com/article/516892…

Despite the seasonal slowing of hotel occupancy, demand for the week was strong and the highest for the 51st week of the past 23 years, with booked room nights reaching 21.1 million, up from 20.7 million a year ago.

Learn more via CoStar News: bit.ly/3GmQKSd

We launched another newsletter this year! Make Terence Baker's Christmas by subscribing to the Europe, Middle East and Africa Update, and you'll receive the final newsletter coming this Thursday.

costar.com/subscribe-hote…

In the latest episode of the #NextGenInLodging podcast, host Omari Head sits down at the Revival Hotel with General Manager Donte Johnson and Jason Bass, the hotel’s director of culture and impact.

costar.com/article/124197…

What a scene. So much to clean up after the tank burst.

The deadline is approaching for final comments on the National Labor Relations Board's proposed changes to its joint-employer standards, which for the hotel industry could mean temporary workers can join a hotel's labor union.

costar.com/article/713327…

Hotel owner and management firm Highgate will acquire Viceroy Hotels & Resorts in a deal slated to close early 2023. No price, other financial details were disclosed. Viceroy's latest hotel is in Serbia; Highate says it aims to quickly announce new hotels
costar.com/article/198976…

Hotel M&A, the perfect holiday gift!

We’re hiring. Reporter openings in major cities across the US. Copy editors in DC and LA. Talk to me!

Even with a recession looming over the U.S. economy in the near future, a lodging industry analyst (Ryan Meliker) predicts that groups are poised to book more rooms at U.S. hotels in 2023. costar.com/article/928790…

NEW: E-commerce giant Amazon officially is in the movie theater business.

Amazon Studios has soft opened its first theater, The Culver Theater, in Culver City, CA.

CoStar News went to the movies and checked it out today.

costar.com/article/884404…

Hotelier Christopher Hunsberger has teamed up with chef Charlie Palmer to form a new hotel brand called Appellation.

costar.com/article/184427…