Sean O'Neill

Sean O’Neill is Skift’s Senior Hospitality Editor. Sean’s forte is reporting, and he’s broken multiple hotel industry scoops. He has also conducted 1:1 interviews on stage with the CEOs of Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and Wyndham.

Hotels

Hotel Brand Selina Sees Upswing in Financial Performance

Selina, a hotel and experiences brand focused on youth travelers, said on Wednesday that its financial metrics were trending in the right direction as it reported earnings results.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Kayak Tries a Corporate Travel Side Hustle for Big Businesses

The American Express GBTs of the world won't lose sleep over this. But Kayak's effort should be a wake-up call to the sector. Technologies like blockchain may be seeding more competition at last.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

hyatt centric new york city Rooftop-Nighttime-View source hyatt

Business Travel

Hyatt Sees Signs of a U.S. City Rebound That Could Boost Business Travel

Hyatt loves all its guests. But business travelers, especially ones traveling internationally, are typically its most profitable ones. The company is adjusting how it markets its loyalty program to reflect new realities.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Marriott’s Giga-Resort in Saudi Arabia Banking on Cash-Rich Locals

The next generation of Saudi Arabian hotels is coming, marked by the opening of the Kingdom’s multi-billion-dollar giga-projects. Marriott is showing what is possible at these spare-no-expense properties: Asking for…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Inside EasyHotel’s Turnaround: CEO Strives to Double Hotel Count by 2026

With a turnaround artist at its helm, EasyHotel is finally poised for its long-awaited expansion. Recent investment in the company is a wager that affordability will matter more to some travelers than whether a hotel is Instagram-ready.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

the swimming pool at the Twin Bridges Marriott, in Arlington Va. In 1957 marriott international

Hotels

Hilton vs. Marriott: Things We Learned From the Business Wars Podcast

At heart, the hotel business is an old-fashioned affair. That's precisely why histories of titans like Hilton and Marriott can be so valuable. Lessons from past crises can shed light on today's dynamics.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

U.S. Hotels Likely to Finish Year Strong Thanks to Group Bookings

A top investment bank points to signs that augur well for fourth-quarter hotel company performance. One key factor is rising bookings for group events. Plus, other news in hotel deals and development worldwide.

Alan Woinski and Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Hilton to Install Tesla Next-Gen Electric Vehicle Chargers at 2,000 Hotels

Vying for market share breeds opportunity and risk. Hilton's oneupmanship in electric vehicle charging is more than just a win for Tesla. It will prompt hotel rivals to sharpen their strategies.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Ritz-Carlton Ultra-Luxury Cruise Brand Seeks up to $400 Million to Add Ships: Report

The Marriott-controlled ultra-luxury superyacht brand The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection would like to raise as much as $400 million to add two superyachts to its current three, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

an airbnb host in new york city source airbnb

Hotels

Airbnb’s Impact on NYC Hotels: Winners, Losers, and Dueling Forecasts of New Law

You'd think a shrinking supply of short-term rentals would be a big boost to hotels. But it's not at all clear how it will play out, and some will benefit more than others.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago