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VIRDEE AND HOTELKEY recently launched an improved guest relations platform with streamlined check-in and more support. Salt Lake City-based LivAway Suites is the first hotel chain to adopt the Virdee-HotelKey solution. Virdee, a self-service technology and check-in automation company, is led by cofounders Nadav Cornberg and Branigan Mulcahy, while HotelKey, a cloud-based hotel property management system, is led by cofounder and president Aditya Thyagarajan. "The ability for our property management system to integrate with Virdee's self-service check-in solution ensures that guests receive excellent service whether interacting with staff or using our automated systems," said Thyagarajan.

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS marked the 15th anniversary of the IHG Army Hotels military lodging program, part of the U.S. Army's Privatization of Army Lodging initiative. The program offers military guests, veterans and their families on-post accommodations under the Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites brands. Army Hotels provided more than 40 million room nights across 40 on-post installations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico since its founding in 2009, reinvesting $43 of every $100 to improve facilities and services, IHG said in a statement. "It's incredible to see the evolution of our first-of-its-kind military lodging program and our team's dedication to its success," said Chuck Sourbeer, IHG Army Hotels' vice president of hotel operations. "The program is a testament to our commitment to serving those who serve, with quality accommodations that reflect the high standards our guests expect from IHG brands. We're proud of the impact we've made on our guests and communities and the relationship we've built with the Army, and we look forward to the future of our hospitality journey."

PEACHTREE GROUP BAGGED multiple Marriott Select Brands Awards at this year's Marriott Select Brands Owner & Franchisee CONNECT Conference in Orlando, Florida. The awards recognize hotels for service, innovation and commitment to guest satisfaction. Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman as managing principal and CEO, Jatin Desai as managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel as principal. "These awards are a testament to the exceptional work our hotel associates deliver every day," said Steve Mackenzie, Peachtree's senior vice president of operations, hospitality management. "These hotels have consistently excelled in guest and F&B satisfaction, setting a benchmark for unparalleled service, and we are proud to have them as part of the Peachtree family. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to our partners who entrust us with managing their properties. Their collaboration has been instrumental in achieving these accolades, showcasing our shared commitment to superior quality."

The SureStay by Best Western Livingston Merced County, owned by Tushar Patel, is now open in Livingston, California. The recently renovated hotel features 76 guest rooms, Best Western said in a statement. "The SureStay by Best Western Livingston Merced County provides guests with the excellent comfort, outstanding value and warm service they are looking for in a hotel stay," said Dave Panas, SureStay Hotels' managing director of operations. "After spending more than half a million dollars on our renovation, we are thrilled to introduce visitors to Livingston to this new and superior hotel experience." The property is near the University of California, Merced, Castle Air Museum, and several government offices, the statement said. It also serves as a stopover for travelers heading to Yosemite National Park or Pinnacles National Park, both less than a two-hour drive from Merced.

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS will continue expanding its economy and midscale brands while adding new upscale and lifestyle offerings in 2025. The company also aims to add technology and digital capabilities to improve experiences for its owners and guests. The company will continue leveraging its scale to provide franchisees with tools, solutions, and technology to drive business, Wyndham said in a statement. "We navigated an unforgettable year in 2024, remaining steadfast in our ability to deliver for guests, owners, and shareholders," said Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham's president and CEO. "From welcoming our 25th brand and expanding into new markets to broadening our portfolio of aspirational hotels and generating new owner revenue streams through the industry's best tech platform - 2024's successes have both Wyndham and our franchisees well-positioned for the years ahead."

Bo Patel is the new chief operating officer of Coury Hospitality, a Dallas-based hospitality management firm that recently added nine hotel management agreements in California. He will oversee the firm's West Coast growth, operations, and brand partnerships, focusing on the Concert Hospitality division, which manages branded full- and select-service hotels. Previously, Patel led a team managing a family office real estate portfolio worth more than $1 billion, Coury Holdings, the parent company of Coury Hospitality, said in a statement. "Bo's deep expertise and strong West Coast relationships make him the ideal leader for our California expansion," said Paul Coury, Coury Holdings' founder and CEO. "His leadership will be crucial in positioning us as a dominant force in the branded hotel sector, delivering exceptional value to our ownership partners and creating elevated experiences for our guests."

The SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Odessa in Odessa, Texas, is now open. It is owned by Shivbkrishna LLC led by Manish Bhakta. The 110-room hotel is near the Odessa Meteor Crater, the second largest meteor crater in the U.S., the Parker House Ranching Museum and Monahans Sandhills State Park. Amenities include a fitness center, indoor pool and two different spaces for meetings and events. "Our fully-renovated hotel offers the most value and best service for both business and leisure travelers staying in Odessa," Bhakta said. "The SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Odessa provides guests with the excellent comfort, value and service they are looking for in a hotel stay," said Rob Mentnech, managing director of SureStay Hotel Group.

MHG Hotels LLC recently acquired the Hampton Inn Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Florida. The hotel, near Florida Atlantic University and adjacent to Lifetime Athletic Club, features an outdoor pool among other amenities. MHG Hotels is led by President and CEO Sanjay Patel. "This acquisition is a testament to our commitment to growth and excellence in the hospitality industry," said Patel. "As part of our strategic expansion, we are thrilled to increase our presence in South Florida. This vibrant region offers tremendous opportunities, and we are dedicated to leveraging them to achieve our growth objectives. We are excited about the opportunities this property presents and are confident in our ability to enhance the guest experience." MHG Hotels, headquartered in Indianapolis and Boca Raton, specializes in development, construction and management services. Their diversified portfolio includes franchise affiliations with Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Choice Hotels International.

VISION HOSPITALITY GROUP, led by Mitch Patel as president and CEO, recently broke ground on a dual-branded Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton in Cleveland, Tennessee. The upcoming development, slated for completion in mid to late 2025, will comprise a combined total of 140 keys across five stories. The project will include 768 square feet of flexible meeting space and an outdoor pool, Vision Hospitality said in a statement. "We are thrilled to continue to strengthen our partnership with Hilton by expanding our portfolio with the addition of these two thriving brands and grow in a city that means so much to us," said Patel. "This development reflects our commitment to hospitality excellence and our dedication to providing our guests with exceptional service and experiences." Founded a quarter century ago, Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Vision Hospitality Group manages more than 4,500 rooms across 40+ hotels in nine states.

EAST INDIA HOTELS-OWNED Oberoi Hotels & Resorts will debut in the United Kingdom with a luxury property in London's Mayfair. The London-based property group Grosvenor received planning permission in 2022 to restore the 33,000-square-foot listed building as part of its South Molton development and began renovations in November 2023. The luxury boutique hotel is scheduled for completion in 2027, the companies said in a joint statement. EIH recently established a U.K. company with an authorized share capital of $37.5 million, around £30 million. Besides India, the luxury hotel chain has a presence in Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Mauritius. "Our partnership with Grosvenor marks an important milestone in our international growth," said Arjun Oberoi, The Oberoi Group's executive chairman. "London has always been a key market for our guests. We are excited to bring our distinctive hospitality experience to the heart of London. The Oberoi, Mayfair, will not only celebrate our brand at a prime location but also showcase our service excellence."

Signature Inn San Jose and Simply Suites Houston are now open in San Jose, California, and Houston, respectively. The 47-room San Jose hotel is owned by Anil Patel and the 85-room Houston property is owned by Sachin Patel. "We are proud to announce the opening of Signature Inn San Jose," said Anil Patel. "This recently renovated hotel offers a unique, retro-modern choice for travelers seeking an exceptional experience. We are eager to provide travelers in the San Jose area with excellent service and a comfortable space to serve as a home base throughout their stay, similar to what we do for guests at Signature Inn San Francisco." With Signature Inn San Jose's opening, Sonesta now operates 13 upper-economy Signature Inn locations across the U.S., including San Francisco, San Diego and Houston, Sonesta said in a statement.

THE PASSING OF former President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29 left the nation in morning. For Sharad Patel, it marked the loss of a longtime friend and inspiration. Patel is the former owner and operator of The Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia, where Carter sometimes stayed. The ex-president was more than just a guest, however. "So many good memories spending time with him, whether it's building houses for Habitat for Humanity or coming to the Windsor for dinner, or whether it's an Indian night or involving his project in Plains where he restored the Plains Inn." Carter, who was the 39th president of the U.S. and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, was 100 when he died at his home in Plains, Georgia, according to his obituary. He the longest-lived president in U.S. history and is survived by his children, Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, as well as 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Josh Rubinger is the new senior vice president of national accounts at Peachtree Group's broker-dealer affiliate, Peachtree PC Investors. He will oversee broker-dealer and registered investment advisor relationships, drive business development, and support the distribution of the firm's investment offerings, Peachtree said in a statement. Atlanta-based Peachtree Group is led by Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO; Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO; and Mitul Patel, principal. "This strategic hire underscores our focus on growth and strengthening Peachtree's position as a trusted partner within the investment community," said Brian Cho, PPCI's president. "Josh's extensive experience and strong network of relationships with broker-dealers and RIAs position him as a key asset to our team. His expertise will be instrumental in shaping our selling group and broadening our market reach."

BRITISH INDIAN HOTELIER Joginder Sanger, 82, passed away in London on Friday night after being hospitalized following a stroke, Eastern Eye newsweekly reported. Jalandhar-born Sanger started in the UK with a travel agency and an exclusive Air India contract before establishing London hotels, including the Washington Mayfair, Courthouse Hotels in Soho and Shoreditch, as well as the Bentley in Kensington. His hotels have hosted Indian celebrities, politicians, former prime ministers and Bollywood stars, Eastern Eye reported. "He was a dear friend of mine since the 1950s; I will miss him terribly," NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, 94, was quoted as saying in the report. "Like me, Joginder was also born in Jalandhar, and we shared so many experiences together. He will be missed by the Indian community in Britain, to which he made immense contributions."

APPROXIMATELY 48 PERCENT of businesses in the accommodation industry consider "staffing issues" the biggest risk to their operations over the next 12 months, according to a new report by Expert Market. Rising labor costs were identified as the second-largest risk by 34 percent, followed by "rising maintenance costs" at 27 percent. The Expert Market Accommodation Industry Report surveyed more than 400 U.S. accommodation businesses on upcoming challenges and strategies to address them amid the industry's highest quit rates since 2022. "The accommodation industry has faced a number of challenges since the pandemic, but none greater than those around staffing," said Chris Maillard, Expert Market's editor. "At a time when quitting rates remain higher than other industries, the report recommends that accommodation businesses prioritize their staff, from recruitment through to promotion."

INDEPENDENT HOTEL OPERATORS must refine their strategies to stay competitive in 2025 amid labor shortages, price-sensitive travelers and the growing dominance of branded hotels, which now account for 72 percent of U.S. properties, according to Cloudbeds. Furthermore, independent hoteliers are focusing on 2025 as the "year of optimizing performance." Cloudbeds' 2025 State of Independent Lodging Report provides a data-driven analysis of the global independent lodging segment, highlighting key trends across often-overlooked property types. "Hospitality is fundamentally human-and independent properties represent its heart and soul," said Adam Harris, Cloudbeds' cofounder and CEO. "Cloudbeds is helping these businesses transform challenges into opportunities, proving that being independent doesn't mean being alone. Together, we're building a future where independent hospitality businesses don't just survive-with access to technology like Cloudbeds Intelligence, they lead the way forward."