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THE U.S. HOTEL construction pipeline increased year-over-year in September for the seventh straight month, according to STR. Investor sentiment remains positive following the Federal Reserve's September interest rate cut, as shown by continued double-digit growth in the planning and final planning stages of the pipeline. In CoStar's pipeline, 157,253 rooms were under construction in September, a 7 percent increase from last year. An additional 268,190 rooms were in final planning, up 10.4 percent, while 336,205 rooms were in planning, up 38.4 percent. "Growth in rooms in construction has accelerated over the last seven months," said Isaac Collazo, STR's vice president of analytics. "Despite higher interest rates throughout 2024, developer appetite has remained strong. With the recent rate cut in September and more on the way, investor sentiment remains positive, as evidenced by continued double-digit growth across the planning and final planning stages of the pipeline. Upscale and upper midscale continue to account for about 50 percent of all rooms in the final phase, while luxury and midscale showed the highest growth in rooms in construction, up 48.5 percent and 34.5 percent, respectively."

HOTEL CONSTRUCTION DROPPED in December, falling 61,000 rooms below the peak reached in early 2020, according to STR. The number of projects under construction and in final planning is particularly down from the same time last year while many more are in the planning phase. There were 158,906 rooms in the construction phase in December, down 19.2 percent from the same month in 2020, according to STR. There were 185,231 rooms in final planning, down 20.6 percent from 2020, but there were 284,502 rooms, up 38.9 percent from the previous December. "This past year was the second in a row with far fewer rooms in construction and final planning, but the rise in planning activity could be an indicator that the pandemic's impact on the pipeline will be different than what we saw during the Great Recession," said Alison Hoyt, STR's senior director of consulting. "During the previous recession, construction declines persisted from 2008 through 2010, but with massive jump in planning today, the construction downturn may not last as long as more rooms advance to later phases of the pipeline."

HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST and KSL Capital Partners, LLC, have finalized KSL's acquisition of the REIT for approximately $1.4 billion. As of Nov. 28, Hersha became a private company and was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. The companies entered a definitive merger agreement on Aug. 27 under which affiliates of KSL acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Hersha for $10 per share in an all-cash transaction. The companies filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Nov. 28 to make it official. The independent transaction committee of Hersha's board of trustees recommended the merger and the board unanimously approved it, according to Hersha. A special meeting of shareholders was held Nov. 8 to give final approval to the deal.

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U.S. HOTEL CONSTRUCTION increased slightly in December after 25 consecutive months of decline, according to STR. Projects in the later stages of development saw a reversal in their decline and luxury projects were up. There are 159,344 rooms in construction during the month, up 0.3 percent, over Dec. 2021. As many as 213,066 rooms are in the final planning state, an increase of 15 percent over last year. STR pipeline data added that 240,092 rooms are under planning, a decline of 15.6 percent. New York City, Phoenix and Dallas are set to see the largest supply percentage increases from current construction. The luxury and upscale segments would see the most supply. "While the overall pipeline continued to contract year over year, December showed strength in the later phases of development," said Alison Hoyt, STR's senior director of consulting. "Over the past year, we've seen late-stage pipeline rooms consistently decline from 2021 levels, while rooms in the planning phase often showed double-digit growth. We started to see a change in this pattern in November, when final planning rooms significantly jumped year over year and planning rooms came down pretty firmly. The same occurred in December, with the only difference being construction increasing slightly over 2021. When looking strictly at volume, the in-construction phase has been fairly stable throughout the year, remaining under 160,000 rooms and showing month-over-month increases from July through October and again in December."

NEWCRESTIMAGE RECENTLY FINALIZED its purchase of the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, the final part of the company's acquisition of four LaQuinta-branded hotels in a joint venture between Highgate and Cerberus. The company closed on the other three hotels in the deal in August. The 281-room, 10-floor hotel, which will be managed by Highgate Hotels, along with the other hotels in the deal, will add 696 rooms to NewcrestImage's portfolio. The other hotels are the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Irving DFW North in Irving, Texas; LaQuinta Inn & Suites Anaheim in Anaheim, California; and LaQuinta Inn Phoenix North in Phoenix. "These four hotels symbolize our company's strategy of investing in properties and in markets that are well-positioned for long-term growth and prosperity," said Mehul Patel, managing partner and CEO of NewcrestImage.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the final week of 2022 compared to the week before due to favorable side of a holiday calendar shift, according to STR. When compared to the same period in 2019 performance also increased in the last week of December. According to STR, the comparable week in 2019 covered Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. Occupancy was 54.2 percent for the week ending Dec. 31, up from 43.9 percent the week before and increased 10.4 percent from 2019. ADR was $167.21 during the week, a steep increase from $132.29 the week before and up 21.7 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $90.63 in the final week of December, rose from $58.04 the week before and up 34.3 percent from 2019.

THE NUMBER OF U.S. hotel rooms under construction in June reached its highest level in 16 months, according to CoStar. The construction volume increased year-over-year for four consecutive months, with upscale and upper midscale segments dominating pipeline activity. "The number of rooms in construction has grown year-over-year for four consecutive months," said Isaac Collazo, STR's vice president, analytics. "While upscale and upper midscale continue to dominate, accounting for about 50 percent of all rooms in the final phase of the pipeline, the pace of activity in these segments has slowed compared to last year. Midscale and economy have shown the most growth, up 42 percent and 34 percent, respectively, with newer brands and extended-stay accounting for most of the new construction across the midscale segment." Approximately 157,713 rooms were under construction in June, up 5.5 percent from the same month last year. Additionally, 266,619 rooms were in the final planning phase, a 9.8 percent increase from June 2023. The planning stage saw 333,827 rooms, a rise of 38.7 percent compared to the previous year.

STR AND TOURISM Economics downgraded their growth rate forecast for the U.S. hotel business with their final revision of 2024. The forecast for next year remains uncertain as the impact of the presidential election becomes clear. For 2024, projected gains in ADR and RevPAR were each downgraded, down 0.5 percentage points to 1.5 percent growth for ADR and with RevPAR's projected growth dropping 0.6 ppts to 1.4 percent, respectively. Occupancy for the year was lowered 0.1 ppts to 62.9 percent, after the previous forecast projected the metric to remain steady from 2023. For 2025, the occupancy growth projection was downgraded 0.4 ppts, and the forecast for ADR and RevPAR increases were lowered to 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. "The outlook for 2025 remains somewhat in flux, with positive sentiment potentially offset by the higher cost of living," said Amanda Hite, STR president. "Based on current economic conditions, higher-end hotels will continue to drive industry performance. The change in the presidential administration is anticipated to yield stronger economic conditions at first, which is not yet reflected in the data."

THE FEDERAL TRADE Commission finalized a rule on Tuesday requiring industries, including hotels, to disclose all fees upfront in advertised prices. The rule bans hotels from excluding resort fees, often labeled "junk fees," from advertised rates for short-term lodging. It takes effect 120 days after publication in the Federal Register. The rule mandates businesses to prominently display the total price to prevent "bait-and-switch tactics, such as drip pricing and misleading fees," the FTC said in a statement. Outgoing President Joe Biden said he has always prioritized families and hardworking Americans and urged his administration to focus on lowering costs. "Today, the Federal Trade Commission is doing just that by banning hidden junk fees when you book a hotel or purchase event tickets," Biden said. "We all know the experience of encountering a hidden fee at the very last stage of checkout-these junk fees sneak onto your bill, and companies end up making you pay more because they can. Those fees add up, taking real money out of the pockets of Americans."

NEWCRESTIMAGE HAS COMPLETED its sale of 27 hotels to Summit Hotel Properties it first announced in November. The Dallas-based company, led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, also contracted with Aimbridge Hospitality to manage the hotels and will become a minority shareholder in the management company. The initial closing includes 26 existing hotels with 3,533 guestrooms, with final closing on the currently under construction 176-room Canopy by Hilton New Orleans expected to be completed in the first quarter, according to the company. It also includes two parking structures. The transaction costs $776.5 million for the hotels, or $209,000 per key. It also includes $24.8 million for the two parking structures and $20.7 million for the various financial incentives through Summit's joint venture with Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund GIC, made in 2019 to acquire hotels in the U.S.

Stonehill CRE, the real estate arm of Stonehill, has finalized a $52 million senior loan agreement with Starpoint Properties to fund the construction of Lotus Point Apartments, a 245-unit multifamily development in Mesa, Arizona, within the Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area. The construction of this four-story building is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2025, Stonehill said in a statement. "This investment mirrors our sought-after strategy - a quality property with an experienced sponsor in a growing market," said Taylor Pike, senior vice president at Stonehill CRE. "Phoenix stands as a strong job growth market due to diverse employment opportunities. Single-family home development has not kept pace, and with rising mortgage rates, well-located multifamily projects will remain in high demand." This 6-acre site, adjacent to a retail center and within walking distance of the metro light rail, will provide studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, along with amenities such as a fitness center, clubhouse, co-working area, pool, and parking options, Stonehill said.

THE HOTEL PROPERTY types most associated with business travel, upper upscale hotels, are well represented in the U.S. hotel construction pipeline. The volume of projects in the segment points to confidence in the future of business travel, according to STR. "Upper upscale saw the slowest recovery, but a steady climb in performance and the business travel indicators have supported developer confidence in the segment," said Isaac Collazo, STR's vice president for analytics. "The more than 23,000 upper upscale rooms in construction right now represent 3.4 percent of the segment's existing supply. That is well above the long-term growth average, up 2 percent in the U.S." According to STR, a total 154,284 rooms were under construction in March, down 0.5 percent compared to the same period last year. As many as 239,995 rooms are in the final planning state, an increase of 34.6 percent over last year. STR pipeline data showed that 232,517 rooms are under planning, a decline of 21.6 percent compared to March 2022. After three consecutive month-over-month increases, the overall number of U.S. rooms in construction fell slightly in March, which aligns with patterns in previous years. Among the chain scale segments, luxury shows the highest number of rooms as a percentage of existing supply. Luxury segment reports the highest increase in hotel construction in March, up 5.2 percent containing 7,136 rooms, followed by upscale, up 4.1 percent with 36,089 rooms and upper midscale, increased 3.7 percent containing 43,470 rooms.

HILTON HAS LAUNCHED a new extended-stay brand, Project H3, designed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding $300 billion workforce travel market, looking for apartment-style accommodations for 20 nights or more. Launching in the U.S. as Hilton navigates the final stages of the trademark process, this lower midscale, extended-stay brand is the newest addition to Hilton's portfolio, the company said in a statement. Hilton is engaged in more than 100 active development conversations with many owners expressing interest in multiple locations. According to the statement, the product provides a foundation for the long stay, allowing guests to make the most out of every day, and delivers an exciting investment option for developers looking to diversify their portfolio under the Hilton name. "Project H3 is perfectly positioned to serve the unique needs of the long-stay traveler, thanks to its innovative design, strong value proposition for our owners and of course, the hospitality our team members offer every day," said Chris Nassetta, Hilton president and CEO. "We aim to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need they may have, and this new brand represents a greater opportunity for us to grow our portfolio while providing the reliable and friendly service our customers expect from Hilton." Hilton's in-house research shows long-stay travelers, including traveling nurses, military personnel, and those experiencing workforce relocations, place quality time and comfort above all else. In addition, those looking for a long stay will book an average of 20 or more nights and desire a reliable home base that allows them to maintain their routines while delivering simplicity, consistency and convenience.

OCCUPANCY FOR U.S. hotels is now expected to finish the year a little down from the previous forecast by STR and Tourism Economics. However, projections for ADR and RevPAR recovery remain on track in the data firms' final forecast of the year. RevPAR is still expected to fully recover this year on a nominal basis, but not until 2025 when adjusted for inflation, according to the new forecast. The updated forecast lowered occupancy by less than a percentage point for 2022, standing now at 62.7 percent compared to the previously forecasted 63 percent released in August. "As expected, group business travel has been much more aligned with pre-pandemic patterns, specifically in October when group demand hit a pandemic-era high," said Amanda Hite, STR president. "Leisure travel has maintained its strength since our previous forecast update, and we expect these strong demand trends in both group and leisure to continue through the fourth quarter. Bottom-line performance has also persisted, with our most recent data showing strong profit margins due to lower employment levels and reduced services. The challenges around labor continue to be a concern, as high levels of hospitality unemployment and more spending on contract labor are pushing labor costs on a per-available-room basis above 2019 levels. We continue to take inflation and the likely recession into consideration, but the hotel industry has continued to show resilience through these tougher times, thus the steadiness of our updated forecast."

HOTEL INVESTMENT AND management company Banyan Group has announced that its $35 million Banyan Lodging Enhanced Value Fund has been fully subscribed. The final participants were domestic and foreign families, a statement said. The BLEV, or "Believe" fund offers an opportunity for investors to purchase hotels that have been impacted by the on-going COVID-19 crisis, the statement added. "Interest in our BLEV fund has risen steadily since our original announcement earlier this year, as evidenced by how quickly the raise was completed, to the point where we now actually are over-subscribed," said Rakesh Chauhan, managing partner and CEO, Banyan Investment Group. "We already have our sights on several respected hotels in strong markets with high barriers to entry and multiple demand generators to help offset any potential economic headwinds that could arise in the future. We look forward to a successful run with our partners and fully expect this to be a profitable endeavor for all involved."

THE U.S. HOTEL construction pipeline ticked up in September for the third consecutive month, according to STR. Also, year-over-year declines have been lessening each month since May. In STR's pipeline, 156,861 rooms were in construction during the month, down 8.9 percent from the same time last year. Another 173,932 rooms were in final planning, down 15.5 percent, and 282,225 rooms were planning, up 7 percent. New York City, Phoenix and Nashville are set to see the largest supply percentage increases from current construction, according to STR. Among the chain scales, the luxury and upscale segments led in that measurement.

STONEHILL PACE, THE Property Assessed Clean Energy financing division of Stonehill, has provided $16.3 million in its first commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing in Washington, a statement said. The loan is for the Cornus House, a new 199-unit multifamily project with 1,233 square feet of retail development in Tacoma, Washington. The C-PACE financing is over a 30-year term and will fund lighting, covered process, seismic and qualifying soft costs, according to Stonehill PACE. The project development is expected to start before the year end and is scheduled to be finished by Nov. 1, 2024. "For eligible projects, C-PACE financing remains one of the more attractive venues to get a project over the finish line," said Jared Schlosser, Stonehill's senior vice president and head of Stonehill PACE. "The Cornus House is a great project in a strong market led by a savvy ownership group with 30-plus years of commercial real estate experience and a portfolio of more than 800 apartments. This C-PACE financing is the final piece to complete the financing puzzle."

U.S. HOTEL CONSTRUCTION declined for the seventh consecutive month in June, according to STR. Rooms in construction in New York City and Nashville represent a significant percentage of existing supply in those markets. Though at a slower pace, planning activity increases across the U.S. and developers are showing interest in Miami, Nashville and Phoenix, the report said. According to STR, there are 146,198 rooms under construction in the U.S. in June, down 20.1 percent when compared to same period last year. As many as 178,809 rooms are at final planning during the month, decreased 11.3 percent from last year and 281,190 rooms are at planning phase, an increase of 6.1 percent from June 2021. "The U.S. hotel pipeline continues to decelerate as we enter the second half of the year," said Carter Wilson, senior vice president of consulting, STR. "The continued increases in debt costs combined with the ongoing supply chain disruptions will likely delay projects from breaking ground this year, which will lead to a further decline in rooms in construction. On a national basis, new supply will not be a significant headwind for the future." New York leads the major markets in rooms in construction at 13,568 rooms in June, up 10.8 percent compared to last year, followed by Nashville with 3,939 rooms, up 7 percent, Phoenix with 4,388 rooms, an increase of 6.3 percent over last year, Atlanta with 5,991 rooms, up 5.5 percent and Detroit with 2,382 rooms, an increase of 5.1 percent over June 2021.