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U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE increased in the second week of November compared to the week before, according to STR. All performance metrics improved during the week compared to same period in 2019 as well. Occupancy was 64.6 for the week ending Nov. 12, up from 62.4 the week before and increased 0.9 percent from 2019. ADR was $148.43 during the week, improved from $147.48 the week before and up 17.1 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $95.89 during the second week of November, increased from $91.99 the week before and up 18.2 percent from 2019. Among STR's top 25 markets, Norfolk/Virginia Beach reported the largest occupancy increase, up 14.3 percent to 63.6 percent, over November 2019. San Diego posted the largest ADR increase, increased 35.2 percent to $202.86, over 2019.

DALLAS-BASED NEWCRESTIMAGE recently acquired of 45 hotels with around 3,300 rooms in 11 states in the U.S., a statement said. The properties include 35 Marriott, seven Hilton, and three Choice-branded hotels in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas, according to the company. NewcrestImage retained the management companies Aimbridge Hospitality and HHM Hospitality to operate the properties. It announced the deal in September. "Each of these hotels represents a strong opportunity for generating revenue in the short-term, as well as for building long-term asset value," said Mehul Patel, NewcrestImage's managing partner and CEO.

U.S. HOTELS REPORTED higher performance in October compared to September, according to STR. However, performance during the month weakened when compared to 2019. Occupancy of U.S. hotels were 67.2 percent for October, increased from 66.7 percent from the month before and decreased 2.4 percent from 2019. ADR was $155.63 for the month, up from $154.32 in September and up 16.8 percent from three years ago. RevPAR was $104.59 for the month, improved from $103 the month before and up 14 percent over 2019. STR's top 25 markets showed higher occupancy and ADR than all other markets in October mainly due to continued improvement in business travel and groups.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE was down in the fourth week of November compared to the week before due to the Thanksgiving holiday, according to STR. However, hotel performance was mixed when compared to same period in 2019. Occupancy was 50.4 percent for the week ending Nov. 26, down from 63 percent the week before and decreased 0.5 percent from 2019. ADR was $135.49 during the week, down from $144.50 the week before and up 20.4 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $68.27 during the week, down from $91.02 the week before and up 19.9 percent from 2019. Minneapolis reported the largest occupancy increase among STR's top 25 markets, up 7.6 percent to 42 percent, over 2019.

STONEBRIDGE COS. RECENTLY acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Las Vegas Airport, marking the Denver-based companies entrée in the Las Vegas market. The company, led by Aly-khan Merali as president and managing partner and founder and CEO Navin Dimond, plans to renovate the 190-room hotel. The DoubleTree, built in 1998, is near both the Harry Reid International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip. The planned renovations will include guest rooms and common areas, with work is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2023 and anticipated to end in the fourth quarter of that year. "We are excited to continue our growth with the recent acquisition of the DoubleTree Las Vegas Airport hotel. Our new partnership with TowerBrook Capital Partners and other private investors provides us a tremendous platform for us to achieve our significant growth plans throughout the U.S. and this acquisition is the first of many going forward," said Tom Brinkman, Stonebridge's president and chief operating officer. "Through our growth, we look forward to not only creating new jobs but also providing our team members exciting new opportunities, and we look forward to welcoming our newest team members at the DoubleTree to our Distinguished Hospitality team here at Stonebridge."

THE U.S. HOTEL construction pipeline showed positive trends in the third quarter of 2022 as total projects stood at 5,317 containing 629,489 rooms, according to Lodging Econometrics. That's up 10 percent by projects and 6 percent by rooms year-over-year. There are 987 projects with 135,050 rooms under construction in the U.S. at the end of the third quarter, according to the U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report from LE. As many as 987 projects with 135,050 rooms are under construction during the period. According to LE, 2,074 projects containing 236,894 rooms will start construction in the next 12 months, up 14 percent by projects and 13 percent by rooms year-over-year, respectively. Projects in the early planning stage reached record in the third quarter, with 2,256 projects containing 257,545 rooms, a 14 percent increase by projects and 7 percent increase in rooms when compared to same period last year.

THERE WAS A slight slip in U.S. hotel performance in the third week of October compared to the week before, according to STR. However, numbers improved during the week when compared to 2019. Occupancy was 69.9 percent for the week ending Oct. 22, down from 70.3 percent the week before and down 0.5 percent from 2019. ADR was $157.43 during the week, slightly dropped from $157.52 the week before and up 16.7 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $110.11 in the third week of Oct. 22, just dipped from $110.78 the week before and up 16.1 percent from 2019. Among STR's top 25 markets, Tampa reported the largest increase in occupancy during the week, up 7.4 percent to 75.9 percent and RevPAR, increased 39.2 percent to $117.28, over 2019. It has been one of the markets in Florida that have seen a performance lift associated with post-Hurricane Ian demand.

GOPPAR FOR U.S. hotels improved in September compared to the month before and it exceeded the pre-pandemic levels, according to STR. Meanwhile, the cost of labor per available room came in higher than the pre-pandemic comparable for the first time. GOPPAR was $84.03 for the month, up from $64.26 reported in August. It was $78.30 for July and $91.23 in June. The performance index was $88.63 in May and stood at $90.96 in April. EBITDA PAR was $60.71 for September, TRevPAR was $222.97 and labor costs per room were $71.52. "Labor costs moved ahead the 2019 comparable due to continued high levels of hospitality unemployment and more spending on contract labor," said Raquel Ortiz, STR's director of financial performance. "Total labor costs were up 5 percent year to date, with all departments reporting higher expenses, except F&B, due to less group demand earlier this year. GOPPAR was the strongest since June 2022, and profit margins came in higher than September 2019. Profit margins have been strong for some time caused by lower employment levels and reduced services."

HILTON IS ONE of the largest hotel companies in the world, known usually as parent company to higher end brands, such as Hilton Garden Inn and Canopy by Hilton. Now, the company is moving into the "premium economy" segment with its new brand, Spark. Spark will include several features meant to appeal to owners, according to Hilton, primarily by providing the company's reservation network, business model and commercial engines. It also includes supply chain management, a cost-effective pricing model and automated customer offerings such as digital check-in and Digital Key. "Spark by Hilton was developed in close collaboration with our developer community, and we are thrilled by the positive feedback and excitement we have received to date," said Alissa Klees, brand leader, Spark by Hilton. "In fact, we already have more than 100 deals in various stages of development across the U.S., with the first properties anticipated to open this year." Each hotel will feature colorful exterior walls and artwork. The public space will feature multi-functional seating, such as communal tables and rocking chairs, for guests to eat breakfast, socialize or work throughout the day. Guest rooms will have practical amenities, including an open closet, in-room refrigerator, multi-purpose work surface and bathroom. To ensure a consistent, quality guest experience, each hotel will be required to complete a full renovation, encompassing all guest-facing areas of the hotel, prior to joining Spark by Hilton. The new brand will fill a certain niche, said Matt Schuyler, Hilton's chief brand officer.

ROB PALLESCHI, G6 Hospitality CEO for five years, is stepping down to move to a new position. Julie Arrowsmith, Carrollton, Texas-based G6's president and chief financial officer, has been appointed interim CEO. Palleschi is transiting to the position of CEO of American Campus Communities, a student housing manager, owner and developer, according to G6, the parent company of the economy Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands. A former executive at Hilton Worldwide as well as CEO and president of the restaurant chain TGI Fridays Inc., Palleschi succeeded former G6 CEO Jim Amorosia in 2019. "It has been a great honor to be CEO of G6 for the last five years," said Mr. Palleschi. "I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated team members, talented management team and valued franchisees across the nation for their tremendous contributions to G6. With Julie's energy, commitment to G6's values and nearly three decades as part of the G6 team, I could not be more confident in the company's next chapter."

Joel Eisemann is now the senior advisor of real estate investment managing firm Noble Investment Group, the company said in a statement. Previously he was chief development officer for the Americas for IHG Hotels & Resorts. He will work with the Noble team to develop and scale the company's investment strategies as the firm continues the meaningful growth of its platform that serves institutional investors around the world, the statement added. Eisemann was with IHG for the past 11 years and retired last year. Under his leadership, IHG launched five new brands in the Americas and grew to approximately 5,000 hotels open and in the pipeline.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE was down in the first week of 2023 compared to the week before mainly due to post-holiday seasonality and an unfavorable calendar shift, according to STR. Performance metrics for the week was down compared to same period in 2019 as it was a full business week. Occupancy was 47.2 percent for the week ending Jan. 7, down from 54.2 percent the week before and decreased 11.5 percent from 2019. ADR was $142.82 during the week, decreased from $167.21 the week before and up 11.2 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $67.40 in the first week of 2023, dipped from $90.63 the week before and down 1.5 percent from 2019. Orlando was the only STR top 25 market to report an occupancy increase, 2 percent to 71.3 percent, over 2019.

U.S. HOTELS REPORTED improved performance in the second week of January compared to the week before, according to STR. The weekly performance was mixed over the same period in 2019. Occupancy was 54.8 percent for the week ending Jan. 14, up from 47.2 percent the week before and decreased 5.5 percent from 2019. ADR was $144.81 during the week, increased from $142.82 the week before and up 15.7 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $79.38 in the second week of 2023, sharp increase from $67.40 the week before and up 9.3 percent from January 2019. None of STR's top 25 markets reported an occupancy increase during the week when compared to 2019. However, Dallas came closest to its 2019 comparable, down just 2.1 percent to 69 percent.

SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. recently launched Sonesta Essential, a new upper-midscale select-service brand. The company now offers 15 brands. Sonesta Essential is meant to offer easier new builds and conversions with modest brand standards, limited food and beverage requirements and simplified conversion processes, according to the company. "Sonesta Essential is a fresh, new brand carefully designed by Sonesta to deliver a core selection of services compared with other hospitality experiences," said Brian Quinn, Sonesta chief development officer. "With tremendous demand in the select-service category, we are confident that Sonesta Essential will become a leading brand in an exciting, timely and relevant segment." The first two Sonesta Essential hotels will be a franchise in Vacaville, California, which is set to open in late spring 2023, and a managed property in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which will be converted from a Sonesta Select in the fall of 2023.

THERE WAS A slight dip in U.S. hotel performance in the fifth week of July compared to the week before, which was the traditional summer travel peak, according to STR. Performance metrics for hotels were lower during the week compared to the week before, but higher when compared to 2019. Occupancy was 71.9 percent for the week ending July 30, down from 72.8 percent the week before and dropped 3.8 percent from 2019. ADR was $158.32 for the week, a slight dip from $158.79 the week before and increased 18.3 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $113.90 during the week, down from $115.59 the week before and up 13.9 percent from 2019. Nashville reported the largest occupancy increase during the post summer travel peak week, up 4.2 percent to 77.8 percent, over 2019 among STR's top 25 markets. The highest occupancy were in San Diego (87.4 percent), Boston (85.5 percent), and Oahu Island (85.3 percent) during the week under review.

HAWKEYE HOTELS RECENTLY acquired the Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh East Liberty in Pittsburgh. It is the company's third hotel owned and operated in Pennsylvania. The 135-room Indigo is a restored boutique hotel in Pittsburgh's historic East Liberty Neighborhood, according to the Hawkeye. Nearby are the Carnegie Museum, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Phipps, Heinz Chapel, St. Paul's and East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Its interior décor reflects the neighborhood's community's theater, entertainment and charitable heritage. Hawkeye closed on the transaction 21 days after executing the contract. It has recently acquired, developed and operated dozens of hotels in over 20 states across the U.S. "We continue to be bullish on the hospitality market recovery and look forward to seeking out additional opportunities to acquire hotels across the U.S.," said Parth Patel, Hawkeye's head of investments. The company is considering acquiring an upscale extended stay hotel in Erie, Pennsylvania, where it recently opened Holiday Inn.

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 SureStay Hotel by Best Western Rockford East is now open in Rockford, Illinois. It is owned by Bankim Hirpara. The 122-room hotel is near Rockford University, Midway Village Museum, Hurricane Harbor Rockford waterpark, CherryVale Mall, Discovery Center Museum, Aldeen Golf Club and Rock Cut State Park. "We're excited to join the SureStay brand and open our doors in East Rockford," Hirpara said. "We look forward to welcoming guests to our convenient location, which is within proximity to some of Rockford's most exciting destinations. Our staff is eager to provide our guests with a stay they can be sure about."

FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL Ashley Moody is targeting fake postings offering vacation rental properties. The state's campaign against these specific scams plays into AAHOA's call for more short-term rental regulation, the association said. The scams involve fake postings offering vacation rental properties with requests for application fees or security deposits, according to Moody's office. Victims of the scam pay the deposit, only to find the listing has disappeared and so has the deposit money. The would-be vacationers often show up at the property and find that the actual owners have no record or intention of renting. "Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the nation," Moody said. "Scammers will take advantage of this by creating fake vacation rental listings in hopes of stealing personal information and money. Whether you are traveling within the state or from out of state, make sure to take extra precautions when renting a vacation home to avoid being burned this summer vacation season."

AMERICINN BY WYNDHAM has launched the State Fair Family contest with a $15,000 family payday, a statement said. The winning family will get a $10,000 travel stipend and $5,000 cash as prize. To participate in the competition, families need to attend at least three separate Midwest state fairs in one week. They then document their experience in photos and videos on social media and contribute to the future AmericInn Best of the Midwest Fair Guide, the statement added. A social-media savvy family with active social media accounts (TikTok and Instagram preferred) over 21 years old can participate in the contest. They must be a U.S. resident with a valid federal or state-issued ID. Entries should be submitted by Aug. 3 along with a 300-word minimum written entry and family photo or 1- to 3-minute video describing what makes your family the ideal candidate for the job. The winner will be selected during the week of August 4, the company said.