Early Check-In

Standard chief executive Amber Asher is one of the smartest people in hotels. But The Standard International has so much going on it, we wonder if the company can manage it all.

A recent acquisition of 89 hotels will almost certainly go down as the largest U.S. hotel transaction in the second half of the year. Notably, the dealmaker Flynn Properties remains in a shopping mood.

What's ahead for hotel investment in Europe? A survey of more than 100 hotel leaders points to both risks and a window for opportunistic acquisitions.

A top hotel asset manager sees too many hoteliers trying to restaff to 2019 levels and too many failing to upsell guests effectively. Heed her words.

Overall, analysts at investment banks like what they're hearing from public hotel companies about their financial performance in the near term. But some are revising downward their forecasts for growth in 2024, given worries about the impact of economic storms.

Most large lodging companies avoid owning real estate. This groupthink is dumb. One of the smartest strategic thinkers in hospitality, Inès Blal, is right to call for a more critical appraisal of the asset-light model.

Expect analysts in the next few weeks to be eyeing the group bookings recovery, Europe's energy supply shock, hubris about property pipelines, currency turmoil, China's fragility, and opportunities in lifestyle properties.

Independent hoteliers don't have a level playing field with the big brands when it comes to attracting direct bookings. But a savvy use of social media can improve things a lot.

Few people have the pulse of U.S. hotel dealmaking as does Kevin Davis of the advisory service JLL. So it's striking that he sees growing investor interest in hotels with limited amenities and staff.

For hoteliers in slow-to-rebound U.S. markets, forced sales will be more likely as costs and debts rise. That's one of a few insights from the top boss of First Hospitality, which is an active owner and manager.