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ROYAL HOTEL INVESTMENTS has broken ground for a Home2 Suites by Hilton in Covington, Georgia. The hotel is expected to open in July of 2022. Covington is 35 miles east of Atlanta and is known as "the Hollywood of the South" because it served as the filming location for many well-known movies and television shows, such as "The Walking Dead," "The Vampire Diaries," "Selma," and "The Dukes of Hazzard." "This hotel emphasizes our company's long-term commitment to the community," said Navin Shah, RHI chairman. "When our country comes back from the current COVID crisis, we will offer a safe, comfortable place for people to come together - a trusted site to collect their thoughts, rest their bodies, and gather with friends and family." The 100-room hotel will be near two other hotels operated by RHI in Covington, a 110-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites open since 2017 and a 105-room Hampton Inn open since 2009.

THERE WAS A family in need, and California hotelier Sunil "Sunny" Tolani could not stand by and idly watch. So, he took action, even though the family was thousands of miles away in Afghanistan. A young girl's life was literally at stake. And now, Tolani is joining an effort to help other refugees from the war-torn country. It began when Tolani saw the story in the Wall Street Journal of Najiba, a 3-year-old girl who was facing being sold to a man to cover her family's $550 debt to the man. Najiba's mother, Saleha, is a housecleaner in western Afghanistan earning only 70 cents a day cleaning homes and her elderly husband does not work at all,according to the non-profit Afghan Assist. Saleha has six children altogether and also raises the children of her sister who died in childbirth. Najiba would not marry the man to whom the family owes money,the charity said.

A CONTINUING SENSE of optimism about the nation's recovery among investors sent the Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index up in October. Hotel brands led the increase as concerns about the COVID-19 Delta variant began to ease. The Baird/STR index rose 6.8 percent during the month, and it also was up 20.7 percent year to date through the first 10 months of 2021. The index rose 5.2 percent during September compared to August. Still, the index was behind both the S&P 500, which rose 6.9 percent in October, and the MSCI US REIT Index, which rose 7.6 percent. The hotel brand sub-index rose 9 percent from September while the hotel REIT sub-index increased 0.5 percent. "Hotel stocks increased for the second straight month, but performance was led by the hotel brands once again," said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "The hotel REITs were marginally higher in October, while the hotel brands were the absolute and relative winners. Delta variant concerns are in the rearview mirror now, and investors are looking forward to the recovery continuing in 2022, particularly in some of the harder hit segments, markets, and regions that are poised to rebound strongly."

Noble Investment Group has made three new appointments to its senior management lineup. They are Ben Brunt as chief investment officer, Jim Conley as chief compliance officer, and George Dabney as chief financial officer, and all three are principals, too. Noble, based in Atlanta and led by Mit Shah as CEO, is beginning its 28th year of operation. Brunt, who joined Noble in 2005, succeeds Rodney Williams, who retired as CIO in December. Williams will continue to serve on the firm's investment committee as a senior advisor. "Ben is a driven, results-oriented leader who has been instrumental in guiding our value-creating investment efforts," Shah said. Conley joined Noble in 2006 as chief financial officer. In his new role, he will oversee the administration of the firm's regulatory and compliance function. He also manage the company's environmental, social, and governance initiatives along with the firm's duties as a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment.

The Radisson Hotel West Sacramento is open in Sacramento, California. It was developed by 365 Hospitality and West Sacramento Hospitality, led by Ankit Panchal as CEO and managing member respectively. The 140-room hotel near Sacramento International Airport underwent an extensive renovation converting to a Radisson, including the lobby, atrium, fitness center and restaurant. Nearby attractions include River Walk Park along the Sacramento River, the Crocker Art Museum, the California Highway Patrol Academy, the California Department of General Services and several other company headquarters. Amenities include a fitness center, indoor spa and hot tub and an outdoor pool. The hotel has 4,000 square feet of event space across four rooms for up to 250 guests.

TWO HOTELS HAVE converted to the AmeriVu brand founded in 2015 by Wisconsin hotelier Nick Rai. Rai said the company's continued expansion despite the current economic downturn is because of its affordable business model. The hotels are both in Wisconsin. They are a 50-room former Super 8 in Shawano, about 40 miles northwest of Green Bay, and a 47-room former independent in Saint Croix, about 55 miles northeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul. "In today's financial environment, owners are drawn to our unlimited free online reservations and our modest $20 per room per month royalty / marketing charge," said Rai, who now is CEO of Vishav Hotels. "Also popular is our yearly exit opportunity and that we have few mandated amenities." Amerivu is now part of Atlanta-based Hospitality Lodging Systems after Rai signed a long-term exclusive licensing agreement with HLS in 2016. HLS also licenses the Budgetel and Haven Hotel brands. "After a year of economic pain in 2020, hotel owners are ready for the return to more stable, more profitable results that our three brands deliver," said Doug Collins, HLS chairman and CEO.

The Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Perimeter-Dunwoody opened March 24 with a ribbon cutting in Chamblee, Georgia. It is owned by Atlanta Hospitality Investment LLC, led by Mohammad Hossain as managing member, and operated by YM Hospitality led by Jay Patel as chairman and Nick Patel as CEO in Stockbridge, Georgia. A key feature of the 143-room hotel is its rooftop bar and restaurant, Spice & Sky, with a globally inspired menu from Atlanta chef, Archna Becker. The space is designed for year-round dining both inside and out, however. About 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, nearby attractions include Murphey Candler Park, Perimeter Mall, Stone Mountain Park and LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Amenities include a heated indoor pool, a fitness center and 4,500 square feet of event space.

HOTEL BRAND HIHOTELS by Hospitality International has partnered with Getaroom, a hotel distribution platform within OTA Priceline. The arrangement is expected to increase hihotels reservations capability through adding Getaroom's website and call center. The benefits for hihotels' five brands, Red Carpet Inn, Scottish Inns, Master Hosts Inns, Downtowner Inns and Passport Inn, include stronger distribution, access to more incremental guests and increased revenue, according to Hospitality International. "Hihotels is thrilled to announce this strategic alliance with Getaroom," said Gary Gobin, hihotels director of operations. "The opportunity to expand the distribution of our hotels is a top priority. This new relationship will help to bring more visibility to our hotels and offer budget-friendly accommodations to travelers."

THE U.S. HOTEL construction pipeline was slightly up at the end of the first quarter of 2022, according to Lodging Econometrics. Dallas was the top U.S. market for building. The pipeline stood at 5,090 projects containing 606,302 rooms, up 2 percent by projects, but down 3 percent by rooms, during the period. There are 961 projects with 128,784 rooms currently under construction in the first quarter, down 27 percent by projects and 28 percent by rooms compared to 2021, stated the latest trend report by LE. There are 1,911 projects with 223,030 rooms are scheduled to start in the next 12 months, up 2 percent by projects and 3 percent by rooms. Projects and rooms in early planning reached a record high in the first quarter, with 2,218 projects containing 254,488 rooms, up 24 percent by projects and 12 percent by rooms, compared to a year ago.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Justice will appeal the recent court ruling that overturned a federal mask mandate on public transportation. In response, the U.S. Travel Association said that the mandate is simply out of step with the current public health landscape. Last week, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa ruled that the CDC had overstepped its authority in issuing the mask mandate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked the DOJ to appeal the ruling. In a statement on April 20, the CDC said that an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health. CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary, it added.

Brian Leaf is now vice president and head of internal sales for Peachtree Hotel Group's broker-dealer affiliate Peachtree PC Investors. Previously, he was vice president for capital markets. Leaf joined Atlanta-based Peachtree in 2017, prior to which he was an internal wholesaler at Inland Securities Corp. in Oak Brook, Illinois. Before then he was a property manager for Colliers International in Atlanta. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration and real estate from the University of Georgia and holds the FINRA Series 7, 24 and 63 securities licenses.

The My Place Hotel-Green Bay is now open in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is owned by Asharam, LLC led by Principal Atul Patel. The 64-room extended-stay hotel is the 61st My Place hotel in the U.S. and the second in Wisconsin. It is part of My Place's Trend Hotels & Suites brand launched earlier this year. It is near Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. "My Place is the perfect fit for this area. With a seamless building and opening process, we are excited to continue bringing family like hospitality to our guests," said Patel. Terry Kline, My Place executive vice president for franchise sales, said the My Place Hotel-Green Bay is suited to the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. "As we continue to make sense of the new normal that continues to change around us, we look forward to the bright future ahead of us as we inspire future guests with our spirit of hospitality in Green Bay," said Kline.

The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Pierre is now open in Pierre, South Dakota. It is owned by Pramukhraj Pierre ownership group led by Yogin Patel as principal. The 53-room, recently renovated hotel is near Pierre Regional Airport, the South Dakota State Capitol, the LaFramboise Island Nature Area on the Missouri River, the Steamboat Park amphitheatre and the South Dakota Discovery Center. Hotel guests will find themselves within walking distance of as well as numerous downtown restaurant options. Those seeking to explore the outdoors have no shortage of activities to choose from, with seasonal fishing, cross-country skiing, biking, hiking and birdwatching options available via the nearby and. Other easily accessible attractions include, among others. Amenities include a fitness center and meeting rooms.

HILTON'S EXTENDED-STAY Homewood Suites brand is getting a new look. The brand's new Prototype 10.0 includes a smaller footprint but with more rooms, as well as changes to guest suites and common spaces. The new prototype draws from design ideas implemented during a 2019 update implemented in open Homewood Suites hotels as part of the brand's 30-year anniversary. Prototype 10.0 features a site size reduction from 2.49 acres to 2.36 acres and building area reduction by more than 3,350 square feet while increasing the number of rooms from 121 to 131 suites. Another developer-oriented change is new F&B options aimed at increasing revenue. The suites have been modified so they can be booked individually or as connected groups. The fitness center has been reimagined and guest laundry rooms have been expanded. More common areas have been added inside and outside in the prototype. "We modernized the brand to appeal to the evolving needs of our guests, who are going to love the functionality and flexibility of the innovations, which are intended to make them feel both empowered and cared for, whether they're with us for an overnight trip or an extended stay," said Rick Colling, global head of Homewood Suites.

The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Huntsville Downtown is now open in Huntsville, Alabama. It is owned by Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Vision Hospitality Group led by Mitch Patel as president and CEO. The 150-room hotel will be operated by Vision's subsidiary Humanist Hospitality. It is near the Von Braun Center multi-purpose indoor arena as well as various boutiques, restaurants breweries and craft coffee shops. Huntsville is home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal, along with the second largest technology and research-park in the nation. Hotel amenities include 1,800 square feet of meeting space and a lobby bar.

NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP has acquired two hotels in National Landing, a mixed-use development in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. The acquisitions come days after the Atlanta-based company, led by Mit Shah as CEO bought two hotels in Savannah, Georgia. The hotels are the 162-room Hampton Inn & Suites National Landing and the 248-room Hilton Garden Inn National Landing. The neighborhoods of Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard comprise the National Landing development, which includes of offices, residential, dining, retail, parks, bike paths, and walking trails. "National Landing is home to more than seventeen million square feet of office, a highly skilled workforce of more than 50,000 people, and an affluent residential population. Virginia's largest walkable downtown, National Landing, further benefits from billions of dollars in private and public investments," Noble said in a press release. "Most notably are the $2.5 billion Amazon HQ2 under development, which will create 25,000 new jobs in National Landing, and Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus, which is expected to drive a new era of technology for the greater Washington D.C. area."

Jennifer Stilwell is the new vice president of marketing for auroHOTELS, led by D.J. Rama as president and CEO. Previously, she served as chief marketing officer for VisitGreenvilleSC, the destination marketing organization for Greenville, South Carolina, where auroHOTELS is based. Prior to VisitGreenvilleSC, Stilwell led tourism brand marketing for Leslie Advertising, handling accounts such as the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. She also worked for New York ad agency Warren/Kremer representing NYCVB, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, La Cabana in Aruba and Club Med. A native of New Jersey, Stilwell graduated from Rollins College. While at VisitGreenvilleSC, where she also served as executive vice president and chief strategic officer, she directed and launched the "yeahTHATgreenville" rebranding campaign for the city.

REVPAR FOR U.S. hotels recovered to 83.2 percent of 2019 levels in 2021, according to STR. Also, in December 2021, ADR and RevPAR hit all-time highs. U.S. hotel occupancy in 2021 was 57.6 percent, down 12.6 percent when compared to 2019. ADR for the year was $124.67, down just 4.8 percent from 2019. RevPAR at $71.87, down 16.8 percent when compared to two years ago. "In addition to 2020, U.S. hotel occupancy failed to reach 60 percent for just the second time since 2011," STR said. "On a nominal basis, 2021 ADR was the fourth highest on record. The country's RevPAR level was its second lowest in eight years behind only 2020." According to the report, none of the top 25 markets experienced an occupancy increase last year over 2019. Tampa reported the highest occupancy at 68.4 percent, down 5.2 percent from 2019. The largest ADR increase in 2021 was in Miami, up 14.7 percent to $223.49, compared to 2019. Norfolk/Virginia Beach registered the highest growth in RevPAR, up 7.7 percent to $72.31.

The AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville Downtown is open in Greenville, South Carolina. It is owned by Auro Hotels led by Dharmendra D.J. Rama as president and CEO. The 8-story, 196-room upscale hotel is in Camperdown Plaza near Falls Park, the Reedy River, the Peace Center Performing Arts center, Kroc Center Greenville, the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Sirrine Stadium. It includes seven restaurants and bars, including the tapas bar Paloma, the rooftop Juniper and The Press Room speakeasy. "The opening of the AC Hotel Greenville Downtown and Paloma marks an exciting milestone for Auro Hotels," Rama said. "This project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity due to its location, scale, level of detail and amenities, as well as a unique opportunity to celebrate our hometown of Greenville. The hotel, along with the thoughtfully-curated food and beverage concepts, will be treasured by visitors and the local community for generations." Also, the hotel features more than 100 works by 35 local artists and 29,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

TO USHER IN 2022, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is offering a new program to allow guests Best Western Rewards to use points to cover the cost of booking a hotel room. The company said its "Pay with Points" will benefit hoteliers as well. Under the new program, BWR members do not have to reach a free room night threshold, but can redeem points for discounted room rates at hotels in North America immediately. During a beta test of the program in which a few Best Western hotels allowed BWR with at least 5,000 points to apply points to their hotel stays, one third used a combination of BWR points and cash to book stays of two nights or more. That ultimately boosted the bottom line for the participating hotels, the company said. Also, 35 percent of Pay with Points redemptions were for hotels where members had not previously stayed. "Pay with Points is designed to help both BWR members and our hoteliers. Our hotel owners will benefit because BWR members are being introduced to new properties within our portfolio," said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western's senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We're always looking to provide our rewards members with new promotions and benefits, and we're excited to introduce Pay with Points to Best Western-branded hotels across North America."