Hotels - Azzet - Business news, investments companies & executives

Sign inJoin Now

Hotels

Hotels
Marriott beats, lifts guidance despite travel disruptions
Marriott International beat earnings and revenue estimates last quarter, and has lifted its guidance despite travel disruptions in the Middle East. Earnings per share were US$2.72, up from $2.32 one year ago and above the Zacks consensus estimate of $2.58. Revenue increased 6% to $6.65 billion, surpassing estimates by 0.90%. “We delivered excellent first quarter results, reflecting the strength of our brands, our unmatched global footprint, and the resilience of demand for travel,” said CEO and president Anthony Capuano. “As we look ahead to the rest of this year and beyond, we are confident that our leading global scale and strong brand portfolio, our powerful Marriott Bonvoy travel platform and loyalty program, our dedicated associates, and our asset-light business model continue to position us very well for sustainable, long-term growth.” Revenue per available room (RevPAR) grew 4.2% globally. It rose 4.0% in the United States and Canada to $128.80, and increased 4.6% to $112.01 internationally. Operating income was up 12% to $1.06 billion. Operating expenses fell 5% to $5.59 billion due to an increase in reimbursed expenses. Travel disruptions in the Middle East during the Iran war began to impact both Middle
Hotels
Marriott profits miss, shares jump on strong guidance
Marriott International missed profit estimates last quarter, but shares surged 8.5% after the company issued strong guidance. Earnings per share were US$2.58, up 5% but below Zacks estimates of $2.64. Revenue was up 4.1% to $6.69 billion, passing estimates of $6.68 billion. “Marriott delivered excellent results in 2025, reflecting the strength of our brands, delivery of great experiences to our customers and continued momentum in development activity,” said CEO Anthony Capuano. “For the full year, net rooms grew over 4.3 percent, worldwide RevPAR [revenue per available room] increased 2 percent, and our fee‑driven, asset‑light business model continued to generate substantial cash, enabling over $4.0 billion of capital returns to shareholders.” The company expects net rooms growth of 4.5-5% in 2026. It forecast earnings per share of $2.50-2.55 in the year’s first quarter, above estimates of $2.48. RevPAR last quarter rose 1.9%, driven by 6.1% growth in international markets. United States and Canada RevPAR fell 0.1%, which the company said was largely due to the U.S.’ 43-day government shutdown. Adjusted operating income was $1.16 billion, up from $1.07 billion one year ago. Franchise and base management fees r
Hotels
Luxury Nairobi hotel joins IHG portfolio
IHG Hotel and Resorts has added the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi to its portfolio. The property is the first in Africa to join its Vignette Collection, a group of hotels which aims to offer a more authentic touch to travel and accommodation. The hotel has 99 rooms of 20th century bluestone architecture, botanical gardens and courtyards. It features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, three restaurants, nine meeting and event spaces and a hidden underground Pango Wine Cellar.Credit: IHG HotelsThe Vignette Collection has 27 hotels with 41 more lined up, just three years after its launch. IHG ’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio is the second largest of its type globally while IHG is the fifth largest hotel chain. IHG sits at a lower fee cost point than larger competitors Marriot and Hilton but they offer more locations and prestige as brands.
Hotels
Sonder shuts down after Mariott ends partnership
Short-term rentals company Sonder will file for bankruptcy and wind down its operations immediately, after Marriott International terminated its licensing agreement with the company. Marriott said over the weekend that its agreement with Sonder had ended due to Sonder’s default. The companies first announced their partnership in 2024. “We are devastated to reach a point where a liquidation is the only viable path forward,” said interim Sonder CEO Janice Sears. “Unfortunately, our integration with Marriott International was substantially delayed due to unexpected challenges in aligning our technology frameworks, resulting in significant, unanticipated integration costs, as well as a sharp decline in revenue arising from Sonder’s participation in Marriott’s Bonvoy reservation system. These issues persisted and contributed to a substantial and material loss in working capital.” Sonder plans to begin Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings for its United States business, as well as insolvency processes in the other countries it operates. It will wind down all its operations immediately, it said. The company sent its guests emails on Sunday asking that they leave Sonder’s properties as soon as possible. The Sonder-Marriott
Hotels
Rosewood Hong Kong tops World's 50 Best Hotels list
Rosewood Hong Kong has taken the top spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list, with hotels in Asia dominating the rankings. Six of the top 10 hotels are in Asia, with three of these located in Bangkok. Hotels in Italy, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates round out the top 10. "We are delighted to share the list of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 and to celebrate Rosewood Hong Kong's No.1 spot - a property that has featured in the top three since the inception of the awards in 2023. This exceptional hotel offers world-class service and sensational guest experiences in the heart of one of the world's most bustling and dynamic destinations,” said The World’s 50 Best Hotels head of content Emma Sleight. “Rosewood Hong Kong's positioning as No.1 further consolidates Asia as a leading luxury travel destination for both business and leisure travellers.” Rosewood Hong Kong, a 413-room skyscraper on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, opened in 2019. It includes 11 bars and restaurants, a 25 metre infinity pool, and views across Hong Kong’s harbour and Kowloon Peak. Of the list’s top 50 hotels, 20 are in Asia. Four hotels in Tokyo feature on the list, the most of any city, with Hong Kong and Bangkok following at three hotels each.

Hotels
Hilton beats estimates, cuts guidance on low US demand
Hilton beat estimates on earnings per share last quarter, but has lowered its guidance as demand in the U.S. declines. Earnings per share were US$2.11, up from $1.92 year-over-year and above Bloomberg-compiled estimates of $2.05. Revenue was $3.12 billion, rising from $2.87 billion. “Our third quarter results continued to demonstrate the resilience of our business model, delivering strong bottom line performance despite softer industry RevPAR [revenue per available room],” said Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta. “We remain optimistic, that in the U.S., lower interest rates, a more favourable regulatory environment, certainty on tax policy and a significant investment cycle will accelerate economic growth and travel demand, and, when paired with limited industry supply growth, should drive stronger RevPAR growth over the next several years.” Operating income was $777 million, up from $623 million. Net income grew to $421 million, from $344 million. Occupancy rates in the U.S. dropped to 74.5%, from 75.5%. System wide occupancy was down by 0.5 percentage points. European occupancy declined by 0.1 percentage points, while the Americas, excluding the U.S. and the Asia Pacific both reported growth of 0.5. The Middle Eas
Hotels
Hilton unveils Outset Collection, its 25th brand
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has unveiled Outset Collection by Hilton, its 25th brand and the eighth addition to its rapidly expanding Lifestyle portfolio, as the hotel group looks to tap into rising demand for distinctive, design-led stays with local character. The new brand aims to give guests and owners more flexibility while broadening Hilton’s reach into the upscale conversion market. The first Outset Collection properties will open for bookings on Hilton.com in November, with guests able to check in at select hotels later this year. At launch, the collection will feature more than 60 hotels in development and is expected to grow to over 500 properties across the United States and Canada over time. The initial lineup includes a basecamp-style hotel in Moab, Utah, catering to adventure travellers, and a boutique property in Chicago, blending local design with Hilton’s hallmark service. “At Hilton, we continue to reimagine what’s next in hospitality, and today, we’re delivering it. Outset Collection is an expression of our commitment to growth, innovation and meeting the evolving needs of travelers around the world,” said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton. “By expanding our Lifestyle portfolio, we are broadeni
Hotels
Noosa’s five-star Sofitel begins renovation
Noosa’s only five-star hotel, the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, has begun its first major renovation in more than a decade as fresh competition prepares to enter the local luxury market. The resort, which opened as a Sheraton in 1989 and rebranded to Sofitel in 2013, has long held its position as Noosa’s sole five-star accommodation. Strict development controls and strong community resistance have kept other operators out for more than 35 years, with only a handful of four-star hotels, such as Peppers Noosa and Essence Peregian Beach, making their mark. Owned by The Pacific Collection — a joint venture between the Laundy and Karedis families — the 175-room Sofitel is undergoing a “transformation” while remaining open to guests. Accor, which has managed the property since 2012, says the redesign will embrace “natural textures, custom detailing, and a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors” to reflect Noosa’s relaxed coastal spirit. Renovated rooms are set to roll out this month, while the high-profile Noosa Beach House Restaurant and Bar, a Hastings Street landmark, has closed temporarily and will reopen ahead of the summer season. The refurbishment comes as Noosa prepares for two significant new develop
Hotels
European hotels sue Booking.com for best price clause
More than 10,000 European hotels are suing Booking.com, claiming the site owes compensation for “inflated costs” over 20 years. Hotels in the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes in Europe (Hotrec) claimed that the booking sites parity clause stopped them from offering lower prices and better availability on other platforms or their own website. The lawsuit is set ot be one of the largest filed in the European hospitality sector and has been backed by 30 national hotel associations, including Britain. “Over 10,000 hotels have already joined the pan-European initiative to claim compensation for financial losses caused by Booking.com’s use of illegal ‘best price’ (parity) clauses,” Hotrec said in a statement. In September of 2024, the European Court of Justice found that the rental platform’s parity clauses had “breached EU competition law”. According to Hotrec, these clauses led to inflation in commission rates, suppressed direct booking and distorted online market competition. The association added that hotels may be eligible for commission from Booking.com from 2004 to 2024. In response to the overwhelming support, Hotrec has extended the deadline for venues to join the lawsuit until 29 August. “Th