1. Accor’s Bazin Bets on Lifestyle, Leisure
In an exclusive interview with HNN's Terence Baker, Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin said his company continues to “enhance and build in its recent pushes into the lifestyle hotel segment," which has great growth potential.
“The existing lifestyle, branded room supply is less than 3% of the total hotel network, and 50% or more of the revenue from that is [food and beverage], two-thirds or more of which is from local community," Bazin said.
Bazin also discussed Accor’s partnership with Buenos Aires-based Faena Hotels.
2. Davidson Hotels & Resorts Now Davidson Hospitality
Atlanta, Georgia-based hotel management company Davidson Hotels & Resorts has rebranded to Davidson Hospitality Group, according to a news release.
The company’s four main operating divisions — Davidson Hotels, Davidson Resorts, Pivot and Davidson Restaurant Group — will all be repositioned under the new name.
The repositioning includes a new website and logos for the brand and its key operating verticals.
3. Tips for Mitigating Risk
Getting insurance coverage in the hospitality industry has been tough during the pandemic, but there are a few tips hoteliers can follow to mitigate risk, HNN’s Dana Miller reports.
Mike Marshall, president and CEO of Marshall Hotels & Resorts, said in a panel discussion during the online Hotel Optimization conference that “finding an insurer to write hospitality right now is very difficult.”
Jackie Collins, senior director and vice president of real estate and hospitality practice at Arthur J. Gallagher, said hotel companies are taking a conservative approach on renewals.
4. Hoteliers Urged to Amplify Accessibility on Websites
To avoid lawsuits related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, hotels must include information about accessibility on their websites, JMBM partner Martin Orlick wrote in a blog.
There was a surge of such lawsuits in 2020, alleging the failure to comply with the ADA, "which requires hotels to list their accessible features on their websites as well as on the websites of online travel agencies,” Orlick writes.
The law applies to branded hotels and small hotels.
5. Some Hotels Closed Indefinitely
The hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have led some hotels to close their doors indefinitely, The Points Guy reports.
Many of these hotels were in New York City, and the question is whether these properties will “reopen anew” or be “rebranded for tomorrow.”
Hotels that have closed include the New York Marriott Eastside, W New York Downtown and the Roosevelt Hotel.
Compiled by Danielle Hess.