Deanna Ting

More hotels are following Soho House's lead and integrating members-only clubs into their business models. Whether this is enough to help a boutique brand like Publica Isrotel is something we'll have to wait and see, but perhaps joining Marriott's Autograph Collection can help.

The answers vary but there's at least one overriding shared sentiment. Even if times are good, there's always room for improvement in any industry.

More conservative folks might talk about being "cautiously optimistic," but positivity is the prevailing sentiment this year in the hospitality industry.

In short, Airbnb’s message is: “We’re not an Uber, guys. And we haven’t forgotten about the people who made us a $31 billion company.”

Details are scant about Ace Hotels' new sister brand. But if Ace Hotels' track record is any proof, perhaps this could be a hit. But the bigger question is how do you balance travelers' desires for more local experiences versus feeling like they can escape the city they're in?

Whether or not you agree with this, it's certainly an idea worth contemplating as everyone and everything in the travel industry are beginning to converge. Whatever you decide, please don't shoot the messenger.

Think of this as mixed-use 2.0. As consumer demands and mobile technology evolve, hoteliers are becoming smarter about designing their spaces to accommodate our multitasking lives.

Everyone suspected the efficiency and consistency of the Marriott "machine" would be a perfect match up for Starwood's creative and innovative lifestyle brands. While it appears to be working for Aloft and Element, the true measure of success will be what Marriott can do with a brand like Sheraton.

Just a hunch, but does this mean more acquisitions are in the works over at Hyatt?

Wyndham CEO Geoff Ballotti wasn't kidding when he told us he had big plans for 2018 at last year's Skift Global Forum.