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GUJARAT JHM HOTELS, owned by the Rama family along with U.S.-based Auro Hotels, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Gujarat to develop the JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa in Surat in the state of Gujarat, India. It is GJHM's third Marriott hotel in the city after the Surat Marriott Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott Surat. The upcoming property will feature more than 300 guestrooms and villas, according to a joint statement by GJHM and Auro Hotels, according to a release on the Press Trust of India website. "This transformative project, backed by more than $120 million (Rs 1,000 crore) investment, aims to create jobs for 800 individuals, offer crucial infrastructure for the city's growth, and establish Surat as the commercial capital of Gujarat," said D.J. Rama, director of GJHM and president and CEO of Auro Hotels. "Aspiring to be a 'Smart City,' this strategic investment underscores Gujarat JHM's commitment to fostering inclusive development. Surat is poised to emerge as a beacon of urban advancement, seamlessly combining financial strength with technological innovation."

JUST OVER ONE year ago, Marriott International severed its support for AAHOA over the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising and support for franchise reform legislation in New Jersey. At AAHOA's 35th Annual Convention & Trade Show this year in Orlando, Marriott came back, albeit with its status remaining unclear. Also, AAHOA made alterations to the 12 Points aimed at providing more protection for members in the event of the franchiser's acquisition by another company. Also at AAHOACON24, Miraj Patel became the youngest chairman in the history of the association, Pinal Patel became its new secretary and immediate Past Chairman Bharat Patel and AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake spoke on how the history of the association led to its success.

NEWCRESTIMAGE RECENTLY ACQUIRED the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Dallas Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. It is the most recent acquisition for the Dallas-based investment firm led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, and the company plans to fully renovate the property, which opened in 1998 and was last renovated in 2014. The 3-floor, 135-suite property offers three types of guestroom: studio, one-bedroom, and two bedroom, according to NewcrestImage. It is near two major airports, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field, and two major convention centers, the Irving Convention Center and the Gaylord Texan Convention Center. Amenities at the hotel include a fitness center and an outdoor pool. "This extended-stay property is in the heart of a high-traffic corridor that's a popular destination for both corporate and leisure travelers," Patel said. The acquisition of the TownePlace Suites is important to Marriott, said Loren Nalewanski, the company's vice president franchising for the Element, Residence Inn, Fairfield, TownePlace and SpringHill Suites brands. "Our industry is built on strong partnerships between brands and owners," Nalewanski said. "This acquisition enhances the long, valued, and successful partnership between Marriott and NewcrestImage, which has owned and operated 30 Marriott-branded properties since 2013."

NEXGEN HOTELS, LED by Chris Patel as president, acquired the 120-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Waukegan/Gurneein in Waukegan, Illinois. The purchase is part of the company's strategy in the market. The hotel is near to Naval Station Great Lakes, Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor, Gurnee Mills Mall, Waukegan Municipal Beach and other shopping, dining and entertainment options, a statement said. "Acquiring the SpringHill Suites by Marriott strategically aligns our company's growth in the Waukegan area," Patel said. "Having an existing presence in the market with our TownePlace Suites by Marriott Chicago Waukegan/Gurnee, will help us collaborate between the hotels, and enhance our partnerships with other area businesses."

Moxy Boulder, a new hotel on University Hill in Boulder, Colorado, is now open. It is the first hotel to open in Boulder since 2018. The hotel was developed by Vision Hospitality Group, led by Mitch Patel as president and CEO, The Nichols Partnership, led by President and Founder Randy Nichols, and BMC Investments, led by Jarret Posner as chairman and founding partner. "We are thrilled to collaborate with The Nichols Partnership and BMC Investments on this project in this sought-after location and continue our longstanding partnership with Marriott," said Patel. "We look forward to introducing this unique experience to the Boulder community." Moxy Boulder has 189 rooms, 5,300 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and a fitness center. Marriott International's Moxy Hotels brand operates more than 125 properties in 25 countries.

PEACHSTATE HOSPITALITY, LED by President and CEO Danny Patel, recently chose TPG Hotels & Resorts to manage its two Marriott-branded properties in Augusta, Georgia. These properties are the 124-room Residence Inn and the 88-room SpringHill Suites. "Our ongoing partnership with TPG continues to allow us to remain an active investor in the hospitality space through our development platform," said Ricky Raman, PeachState Hospitality's chief operating officer. "We are extremely impressed with TPG's operating expertise and capability to enhance both the top and bottom line, thereby increasing the value of our assets. We look forward to exploring additional opportunities to expand this partnership." The hotels are located near I-20 and I-520, providing access to local attractions like Fort Gordon, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta Museum of History, Morris Museum of Art, and Riverwalk Augusta. Both hotels have fitness centers and SpringHill Suites also has an indoor pool.

In our exclusive Leadership Series interview, Pat Pacious, president and CEO of Choice Hotels International, reflects on his organization's relationship with AAHOA, his opposition to the proposed New Jersey State legislation on fair franchising and why Asian hoteliers are still important to the company. In the end, he said, it's about keeping state governments out of a dialogue that should be held between franchisers and their franchisees regarding subjects such as selling loyalty points and revenue from preferred vender programs. Pacious also discussed other key topics in the conflict between AAHOA and several large hotel companies, including Choice as well as Marriott International. Also in the interview, held at Choice's recent 67th Owner & Franchisee Convention in Las Vegas, Pacious discusses topics addressed at the convention, such as Choice's recent acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas. He also comments on the company's offering to current and future franchisees and the importance of Asian American owners. 'This is not about fair franchising' In February, Choice announced it would "pause its partnership" with AAHOA, according to an alert to AAHOA members. AAHOA said Choice's decision came in response to AAHOA's 12 Points of Fair Franchising and its public support for New Jersey Assembly Bill A1958, which would make changes to the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Prior to Choice's action, Marriott had announced it was withdrawing its support for AAHOA for the same reason, and both companies chose not to attend the 2023 AAHOA Conference and Trade Show in Los Angeles in early April. Other companies, including Hilton and IHG Hotels & Resorts, also did not attend.

Brent LeBlanc is the new executive vice president of business development at Peachtree Group. In this role, LeBlanc will focus on growing the company's vertically integrated investment platforms by fostering business development and collaborating with investment teams to capture new opportunities. LeBlanc joined Peachtree in 2012 to lead a growth strategy, expanding the company's footprint in the western U.S. and strengthening relationships with premium hotel brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG. During that time, he participated in more than $4 billion in real estate transactions across the enterprise, the statement said. Before joining Peachtree, LeBlanc held roles as vice president of franchise development at both Starwood Hotels & Resorts and La Quinta Inn & Suites. He has launched hotel brands and completed complex transactions with major U.S. hotel operators and developers, Peachtree said in a statement. Peachtree is led by CEO and managing principal Greg Friedman, CFO and managing principal Jatin Desai, and principal Mitul Patel.

PEACHSTATE HOSPITALITY RECENTLY selected TPG Hotels & Resorts to manage 10 properties. The contract includes eight Marriott select service hotels and two IHG Hotels & Resorts select service hotels in Georgia. Both the firms have entered into an exclusive strategic agreement for the management of additional hotels in the current and future pipeline to be developed by PeachState Hospitality which is headed by Danny Patel as president and CEO, the statement added. "PeachState Hospitality is a leading owner and developer in our industry, and we are pleased to welcome them as a new partner and these exceptional properties into our portfolio," said Tim Muir, chief development officer, TPG Hotels & Resorts. "We look forward to growing our partnership as they accelerate their development platform over the next few years."

DALLAS-BASED INVESTMENT firm NewcrestImage will acquire four LaQuinta-branded hotels in a joint venture between Highgate and Cerberus. The properties, with 696 rooms total, include the LaQuinta Inn & Suites at Los Angeles International Airport that is NewcrestImage's first gateway location in California. The company, led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, also has received the Partnership Circle Award from Marriott International, a statement said. NewcrestImage closed on the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Irving DFW North, located two miles from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, on July 14. It expects to close in August on the other three hotels, including the LaQuinta Inn & Suites LAX, as well as LaQuinta Inn & Suites Anaheim and LaQuinta Inn Phoenix North. "These properties are uniquely-positioned in strategic destination locations, making them very appealing as we structure a strong investment-based portfolio," Patel said. Mahmood Khimji, Highgate's managing principal, said the four hotels are "well-located and well-positioned." "We are excited to expand our activities with Mehul and the talented NewcrestImage team, along with our friends at Wyndham - all of whom share Highgate's commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and operational results," Khimji said.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL has become the second hotel company to withdraw its support for AAHOA over the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising. Specific reasons for the split remain unclear, but AAHOA said it was due to the association's "united front behind fair franchising principles." Like Marriott International in January, Choice has informed AAHOA it will not participate in the upcoming AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, according to a LinkedIn.com post from Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA's president and CEO, as well as a member alert from Nishant "Neal" Patel, AAHOA chairman. "As a result of AAHOA's united front behind fair franchising principles, and for doing exactly what this organization was created to do, I'm writing to inform you that Choice Hotels International has chosen to pause its partnership with AAHOA, including to not attend the industry's upcoming largest convention and trade show," said both alerts. "AAHOA has enjoyed a successful, long-term relationship with Choice, and we're disappointed to hear that because of AAHOA's support for increased fairness and transparency, and for wanting to engage in dialogue on tough issues, Choice no longer wants to be involved."

"BE ONE BODY" and roar like a pride of lions, Pujya Brahmviraharidas Swami, one of India's leading saints, told attendees of the 2023 AAHOA Conference and Trade Show in Los Angeles last week in his keynote speech. However, his call for unity came at a time when several large hotel companies boycotted AAHOACON23 over AAHOA's support for franchising reform. The association's new chairman, Bharat Patel, will have to lead the effort to follow Pujya Brahmviraharidas Swami's guidance and unite the membership in light of the split with Marriott Hotels International, Choice Hotels International and others. The leadership required will take courage, said Pujya Brahmviraharidas Swami, who spearheads the global outreach of BAPS in the U.S. to spread harmony and collaboration and who the Indian government and heads of state have called upon for guidance. "This is not just a story of celebrating the past or creating the future, but also of recalibrating the present. This is not a story of a motel and a mouse," Brahmaviharidas said. "This is a story of an empire of hospitality and a pride of lions. Roar in the right direction, in the right way, and the world will listen." Also during AAHOACON23, which set a record level of booth sales for the trade show, members elected new board members. The association also announced a new charity organization dedicated to helping victims of natural disasters, and software company Virdee took the top prize in the inaugural AAHOA Tech Pitch Competition. Change of command New Chairman Bharat Patel officially moved into the top spot on the board on the last day of the conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center. He replaced Nishant "Neal" Patel and will be followed next year by Miraj Patel, who is now vice chairman. "Like the theme from AAHOACON23, I look forward to honoring the past and creating a bolder future by working with AAHOA's nearly 20,000 members to ensure we reestablish strong partnerships with our state associations

PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY signed a long-term agreement with Southfield, Michigan-based Group 10 Management, adding 14 hotels and 1,648 rooms to its managed portfolio. This expansion brings Peachtree's total managed properties to more than 100, primarily Marriott, Hilton, and IHG-branded hotels in the metro Detroit area, Peachtree said in a statement. Peachtree is led by CEO and managing principal Greg Friedman, CFO and managing principal Jatin Desai, and principal Mitul Patel. "Our extensive experience in hotel operations allows us to partner with Group 10 to elevate third-party management," said Vickie Callahan, president of Peachtree's hospitality management division. "A substantial portion of Peachtree Group's portfolio is third-party managed, underscoring our commitment to delivering strong financial results for our partners and exceptional guest experiences." Peachtree's hospitality management division operates limited-, select-, and full-service hotels, primarily in the upper-midscale and upscale segments, the statement said. The division now manages 107 hotels across 27 brands, totaling 13,485 rooms in 27 states, including Washington, D.C. With the Group 10 addition, Peachtree's third-party management portfolio expands to 31 hotels.

AAHOA IS GEARING up for the 2025 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, set for April 15 to 17 in New Orleans. The event, themed "New Ideas, New Opportunities, New Orleans," features three days of education, networking and a trade show. Spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will be a keynote speaker at AAHOACON25's general sessions, AAHOA said in a statement. "AAHOACON25 is more than just a conference-it's where the industry comes together to spark fresh ideas, find new opportunities, and strengthen partnerships," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. "This year, set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, we're bringing together the best minds in hospitality to explore what's next for our industry. I encourage every hotel owner, industry partner and aspiring leader to join us for a transformative experience."

WESTIN HOTELS & RESORTS, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio, and goop, actress Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle brand, recently launched "Sleep Training for Grown-Ups," a three-part video series to help travelers improve sleep at home and while traveling. The series follows the 2024 launch of the next generation Heavenly Bed, a mattress developed and offered by Westin, and extends the brand's focus on sleep through guidance from wellness professionals. The program features Paltrow and Dr. Cheri Mah, a sleep physician and research scientist, who explore how daily routines affect sleep and share science-based guidance on building habits in sleep, diet and exercise, Westin said in a statement. "For over 25 years, Westin has focused on sleep while traveling, starting with the Heavenly Bed," said Peggy Roe, Marriott's executive vice president and chief customer officer. "Sleep is a core commitment. Through this partnership with goop and Gwyneth Paltrow, we're combining wellness guidance with Westin's sleep offerings to help travelers wake up rested."

WHITESTONE CAPITAL RECENTLY partnered with PJD Capital to purchase the 152-room Holiday Inn East Mountain in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, marking the first joint venture between the two real estate companies. Whitestone Capital, a division of Whitestone Companies, is led by CEO Jay Batra, while PJD Capital is headed by CEO Prakash Datwani. The Holiday Inn East Mountain features 152 guestrooms and more than 6,000 square feet of event space, the companies said in a joint statement. "We are excited about our new partnership with PJD Capital to reposition this property into a product the Wilkes Barre community has been craving," said Batra. "We expect the transformation to happen in two phases, with the first phase starting later this year. The property will be converted to a very select class of DoubleTree Hotels. A DoubleTree in name, driven by the power of Hilton, but not a typical DoubleTree. This property will feel more like a soft brand with design centered around a community-focused, light resort feel."