Deanna Ting

This survey, which had Wyndham as its winner, only looked at the value you get when you redeem your points for free nights, and it didn't necessarily take into account other loyalty program perks or benefits that can transform a guest into a loyal customer.

Airbnb has made it clear it's not a hotel company in the traditional sense, but with its latest loyalty play, it appears to be taking its lead from hotel-airline partnerships. Which makes us wonder: Will it eventually launch its own loyalty program in the not-so-distant future? Are other airline partnerships in other global regions also in the works now that they've already formed deals in Australia and the U.S.?

For about $27 million and change, this deal, for 1,000 hotel properties, was definitely a steal for Red Lion.

Is Best Western's bet on a franchise model, its first in 70 years, a sure thing? We'll have to give SureStay some time to prove itself as a viable brand alternative for franchisees in the economy and midscale spaces, two categories that are often overlooked by the industry.

Given the popularity of alternative accommodations providers like Airbnb, should the hospitality industry rethink its definitions of hospitality and service? What can hotels learn from Airbnb about delivering hospitality and, by contrast, what is Airbnb learning from hotels? Here’s what Airbnb Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy Chip Conley had to say about hospitality’s continuous evolution.

Here's the former Starwood CEO's take on what's happening in the hospitality industry now, and why brands need to work harder than ever to be more agile and flexible in dealing with disruption. Oh, and he thinks the Marriott-Starwood deal could have been better for shareholders and employees.

If Generator Hostels' success — and yesterday's AccorHotels' announcement of the new Jo&Joe brand are any indication — hostels are a definite sector of hospitality that the bigger brands should be paying more attention to.

Arne Sorenson certainly had a lot to share at this year's Skift Global Forum. Read on for some insight into the company's unconventional decision to link Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest, as well as how he really feels about Airbnb and direct bookings.

It’s genuinely not enough for a boutique or lifestyle hotel to just look good anymore. Looks can only go so far, but real, genuine hospitality and customer service are what will convince customers to book, and to return, for years to come.

While we think it's prudent to avoid the Trump name for this brand, is it really so smart to use the same name as a line of budget-friendly cars?