Front Desk

• Hoteliers react with uncertainty to FTC's probe on resort fees
  Most hotel firms have not yet disclosed their official stance toward the Federal Trade Commission's investigation into add-on or "resort" fees. AH&LA President and CEO Joe McInerney says members should take action based on their specific situation. "We suggest if hoteliers have any questions about it, they talk to their counsel to make sure they get the proper advice that fits in their community," McInerney said. Bjorn Hanson of the New York University's school of tourism and hospitality management speculates that the creation of regulations toward resort fees would lead to greater consistency in fee disclosure. HotelNewsNow.com (11/30)     

2024 SmartBrief Reader Survey SmartBrief is running a quick five-minute survey to better understand our readers' interests to develop the next iteration of our newsletter. As a thank you for completing the survey, you will be entered to win one of three $150 Amazon gift cards. Start the Survey Now ADVERTISEMENT

Business Update

• Blackstone affiliate buys Apple REIT Six for $1.2B
  A Blackstone Group LP affiliate is buying Apple REIT Six for $1.2 billion. The acquisition is part of Blackstone's push to increase its hotel holdings. Bloomberg (11/30)     

• Other News

• Resort development in Mexico goes on the auction block
  Travel Weekly (11/30)     

Market Trends

• Column: Content marketing, hotel websites will drive demand in 2013
  Hotel-website and content-marketing efforts will be the most vital tools for hotel marketers as consumers increasingly seek direct bookings and engagement with hotel firms when they shop for travel, writes Robert A. Rauch, president of R. A. Rauch & Associates. Travel demand will increasingly come from emerging markets such as China, Brazil and India, and mobile devices will continue to integrate more fully with the social media platform, Rauch writes. Hospitality Net (11/29)     

• Lenders are opening up to green hotel projects
  Sustainability is becoming the next big buzzword among hotel lenders and investors as more travelers show a preference for green lodgings, this feature says. Expected cost savings in the long run also add to the incentives for financing a sustainable hotel. HotelNewsNow.com (11/30)     

• Hotels offer after-dinner dessert and drink rolled into one
  Hotels are infusing liquor into their desserts so patrons can enjoy the flavor in their after-dinner treats. The W Westwood's Nine Thirty in Los Angeles serves alcohol-infused ice cream, and the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix infuses liqueur into marshmallows. HotelChatter (11/29)     

• Other News

• Hotel investors eye growth potential in Myanmar
  HotelNewsNow.com (11/29)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AH&LA SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Brand fees are called into question over rise of third-party demand drivers (HotelNewsNow.com)

• Owner of Four Seasons Hotel New York rejects $900M purchase offer (Bloomberg Businessweek)

• Interest grows for all-inclusive resort model in the U.S. (HotelNewsNow.com)

• 5 essential tips for hotel revenue managers (eHotelier.com)

• Analyst: Growth trend in U.S. room rates is expected to continue (USA Today/Hotel Check-in blog)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Best Practices

• Use a phased approach to optimize energy costs
  Hotels can optimize energy spending by using a phased approach to invest in efficient equipment and utility services. "There are multiple reasons to consider investment into equipment upgrades, employee training, and other areas relative to utility consumption," writes Kevin A. Goldstein, vice president of HVS Sustainability Services. Hotel Interactive (11/29)     

Development

• Hyatt Regency in Chicago is set to begin renovation's second phase
  The second phase of upgrades on the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago is set to begin this month. Plans call for the renovation of all guest rooms at the hotel's main tower, as well as its restaurant and lounge. The property's lobby and conference center will be upgraded in the third phase of renovations, scheduled for early next year. Travel Weekly (11/29)     

• Bill's Gamblin' Hall will close in February for $185 million renovation
  Caesars Entertainment said Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon in Las Vegas will temporarily close Feb. 4 to undergo a $185 million renovation. The hotel casino will reopen in 2014 with a new name. Caesars said it has completed a financing deal for the renovation. "The renovated property will provide visitors with a sophisticated, upscale experience, including a unique rooftop pool and club, which will have a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip," Caesars Chairman Gary Loveman said. Las Vegas Review-Journal (11/29)     

• Other News

• Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel will open in Oxford, Ala.
  The Anniston Star (Ala.) (11/29)     

• Full-service hotel is proposed for Burnsville, Minn.
  Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (11/30)     

AH&LA News

• Member Appreciation Month
  The Educational Institute is celebrating Member Appreciation Month throughout December. AH&LA members receive an additional 20% savings on top of the existing discounted member pricing on EI products (excludes professional certification and distance learning courses). Reference offer code MERRY when ordering online or by phone through Dec. 31. Visit www.ahlei.org or call (800) 349-0299 or (517) 372-8800.     

• Connect with leading women in the industry

  AH&LA's Women in Lodging (WIL) Connect is a network of more than 2,000 nationwide that enables you to connect with top women in the industry and gain career momentum. Access the Who's Who database of expertise, participate in the mentor program and in national and state events and educational programs. Membership is free if you are employed at a member organization. Visit www.ahla.com/WIL.     

SmartQuote

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." --Gladys Bronwyn Stern, British writer