February 2025 | Volume 25 #233
The Voice of Asian American Hoteliers
The cost of disaster
Hotels help recovery from L.A. wildfires, Hurricane Helene
Hotels go clean & green
Sustainable laundry procurement helps
reduce emissions
Hotel companies in the news include: Peachtree Group, Roxbury Group, Vision Hospitality
Georgia hotelier
remembers former
President Carter
Sharad Patel owned The Windsor
Hotel where Carter once stayed
13 MONTHS ON US OFFER: Offer ends 12/31/24. Offer is available to new Hospitality, Institutions, and Universities with a minimum 3-year programming agreement. Eligibility: new DIRECTV Customer with a minimum 3-year agreement. Customer’s selecting the Quick Connect, AEP, or Nonprofit Offer are not eligible for the 3 Months on Us Offer.
Excludes NFL Sunday Ticket Offer. If Customer adds any additional DIRECTV programming a�er the date of activation, such DIRECTV programming will be excluded from the 3 Months on Us Offer. Customer will receive one (1) upfront lump sum bill credit equal to the cost of three (3) months of the DIRECTV programming within 1 to 2 billing cycles.
Customer is responsible for any taxes, surcharges, and fees. Credit includes base package, tech fee and all add-ons. HD COM SYSTEM OFFER: Offer ends 12/31/24. Offer is available to new or renewing Hospitality and Institutions customers with a 5-year programming agreement. Properties must subscribe to SELECT™ ($7.15/room/mo.) or
above. SELECT™ promotional bundle price includes SELECT™ ($6.50/room/mo.) and technology fee ($0.65/room/mo.). Bundled rate will be listed as two separate line items on customer bill. Offer is eligible for an HD Equipment Subsidy of $80 per room for an HD COM System and HD COM System with NTSC-16 and Receiver-Less HD technologies.
Receiver-Less equipment is only for Institutions. 15 room minimum is req’d per property. IN THE EVENT YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REQUIRED PROGRAMMING PACKAGES YOU AGREE TO PAY AN EARLY CANCELLATION FEE EQUAL TO THE FULL SUBSIDY AMOUNT YOU RECEIVED PRORATED BY THE NUMBER
OF MONTHS YOU PAID FOR THE REQUIRED PROGRAMMING PACKAGES DURING THE COMMITMENT PERIOD. Payment is due within thirty (30) days of receipt of a notice of failure to complete the commitment period. INSTALLATION: Custom installation charges apply, and installation fee is based on property size. Applicable
use tax adjustment may apply on retail value of installation. Availability of DIRECTV service may vary by location. In certain markets, programming/pricing may vary. Make and model of system at DIRECTV’s sole discretion. Offers void where prohibited or restricted. Programming available separately. Receipt of DIRECTV programming subject to
terms of the DIRECTV Terms of Service for Hospitality Establishments and the DIRECTV Terms of Service for Institutions; copy provided with new customer information packet. Taxes not included. DIRECTV programming, hardware, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. 2HBO® AND CINEMAX® PACKAGE (New Customers):
Offer ends 12/31/24. Only available to new customers that have not received or subscribed to DIRECTV for 12 months prior to activation. Monthly rate is ($2.25/room/mo.) and requires a 3- or 5- year programming agreement. Customer must also subscribe to SELECT™ ($6.50/room/mo.) or above (with DRE or COM). University accounts excluded.
HBO AND CINEMAX PACKAGE (Existing Customers): Available to existing DIRECTV subscribers with a 3- or 5- year programming agreement. Monthly charge is ($2.75/room/mo.). University accounts excluded. IN THE EVENT YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR PROGRAMMING AGREEMENT, YOU AGREE THAT DIRECTV MAY CHARGE YOU AN
EARLY CANCELLATION FEE. CANCELLATION FEES ARE BASED ON PROGRAMMING PACKAGE SELECTION AND COMMITMENT PERIOD. In certain markets, programming/pricing may vary. Offers void where prohibited or restricted. Hardware and programming available separately. Taxes not included. DIRECTV programming, hardware, pricing,
terms and conditions subject to change at any time. HBO,® Cinemax® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. 3Paramount+ with SHOWTIME OFFER: Subject to change and may be discontinued at any time. The Paramount+ with SHOWTIME programming offer ($0.99/room/mo.) is available only
as a 2nd Premium add-on. Offer available to qualifying new or existing Hospitality accounts with a 3- or 5-year programming agreement and must not have received Paramount+ with SHOWTIME programming from DIRECTV or any other distributor at a greater retail value (i.e., $1.99 or more) from DIRECTV or any other distributor during the 24
months preceding the date of activation of the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Package. Customer must also subscribe to FAMILY™ ($3.50 room/mo.) or above (with DRE or COM). After the applicable promotional period (3- or 5-years) ends, then-prevailing rate for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME applies unless canceled or changed by customer calling
1.888.388.4249 prior to end of the promotional period. Offer may not be combined with any other Paramount+ with SHOWTIME offer. © 2024 Showtime Networks Inc., a Paramount Company. SHOWTIME and related marks are trademarks of Showtime Networks Inc. Paramount+ and related marks are trademarks of Paramount Pictures Corporation.
Individual programs, devices and marks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. ©2024 DIRECTV. DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
Offer ends 12/31/24. New or renewing approved H&I customers only. 5-year programming agreement req’d. Credit card required (except MA & PA). Early Cancellation Fee may apply.
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Wildfires in California and Hurricane Helene
on the East Coast have presented hotels with
an opportunity to help their communities,
but may lead to higher insurance costs
nationwide.
Cover Story
News
Profile
Design
Product Feature
20 | The cost of disaster
Hotels help recovery from L.A. wildfires,
Hurricane Helene
5 | Trump appointees backed by
associations
‘Kash’ Patel set to become first Indo American
FBI director despite controversy
6 | AAHOA PAC raises $1.5 million for
advocacy
The committee supports legislative and
regulatory initiatives for hotel owners
nationwide
8 | Mitch Patel to chair AHLA board in
2025
Navin Dimond, Jagruti Panwala, Ash Kapur,
Kris Kielsa and Pete Patek join
AHLA leadership
9 | CoStar, TE maintain growth forecast
for 2025
Occupancy was increased by 0.1 ppt to 63.1
percent
10 | Marriott added 123,000 rooms last
year
It signed 608 deals in the U.S. and Canada in
2024, a record high
11 | Hyatt hits record 138,000-room
pipeline in 2024
The company also expanded its lifestyle
portfolio with Standard International
acquisition
15 | Georgia hotelier remembers former
President Carter
Sharad Patel owned The Windsor Hotel where
Carter once stayed
18 | All part of the plan
New Hotel Indigo in Irving, Texas, is part of
Las Colinas mixed-use development
25 | Hotels go clean & green
Sustainable laundry procurement helps
reduce emissions
28 | Gujarati translation of top stories
begins
On the cover
12 | SiteMinder: Revenue up 60 percent
per 2024 bookings on hotel websites
Booking.com was the top revenue channel for
U.S. hotels for the third year
14 | IHCL signs a record 85 hotels in 2024
The Taj brand added 19 signings, expanding to
125 properties
COMING
NEXT ISSUE:
Is there a future for DEI?
Contents
05
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February 2025 | Issue 233
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No good deed
oteliers are at risk any time they take in a guest, particularly if that
guest is experiencing displacement. Their desire to help may end
up forcing them to fight to evict former guests who overstayed time
limits set by local law.
I think it behooves state and local governments, in times of crisis,
to make best use of hotels as a resource by pausing limits on the number of days
guests can stay before they are considered tenants. In the case of two states covered
in this month’s cover story, California and North Carolina, both experienced
disasters that displaced residents, but their approach to limiting hotel stays varied
significantly.
Struggling to recover from wildfires that consumed acres of land and entire
neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California temporarily suspended its 30-day limit
on hotel stays. On the other coast, according to Ashville, North Carolina hotelier
Himanshu Karvir, the state assembly declined to waive that state’s 90-day limit.
“Basically the answer we got was, we're not going to do that right now, so we're
stuck,” Karvir said in our article.
I have been unable to find any further explanation from the state for this decision,
so I’m not going to attack North Carolina in particular. However, I feel this opens a
discussion on the importance of local or state governments in handling disasters.
One difference between the two time limits is the extra 60 days allowed under
the North Carolina law. Still, due to the total devastation wrought by the hurricane,
many evacuees have already exceeded the time with no clear place to stay.
In Karvir’s case, he often simply moves the guest to another one of his five hotels.
Not everyone has that ability.
Failure to waive the 90-day limit, or other limits in other states, puts hotels in a legal
bind if one of the displaced person stays long enough to become a tenant. Evicting a
tenant can be costly and frustrating if the courts become involved, a problem for the
hotels and for the guests who find themselves in such an awkward position.
Cataclysms sometimes require special exemptions to laws that otherwise serve
legitimate purposes. It’s a question of flexibility, the type shown by California Gov.
Gavin Newsom.
Newsom also suspended permitting requirements under the California Coastal
Act for the duration of the rebuilding process.
“As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to
remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way,” Newsom said. “We will not
let over-regulation stop us from helping the L.A. community rebuild and recover.”
Others should follow that example.
Edward J. Brock, Senior Editor
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Editor's Letter
04
www.asianhospitality.com
February 2025 | Issue 233
05
News
www.asianhospitality.com
February 2025 | Issue 233
hree of President Donald Trump’s
cabinet nominees drew support
from hotel industry associations
as the Senate held their confirmation
hearings in January. One, Kashyap
“Kash” Patel, is set to become the first
Indo American FBI director.
Trump also nominated former
Oregon Republican Congresswoman
Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the
Department of Labor, with former Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission
member Keith Sonderling chosen
as deputy secretary. All three were
expected to win approval from the
Republican led Senate.
Staking a place in history
Kash Patel highlighted his Indian roots
at his confirmation hearing, greeting
his parents with “Jai Shree Krishna.”
If confirmed, he would be the first
Indian American to lead the nation’s top
investigative agency.
AAHOA backed Patel’s nomination,
citing his public service and national
security experience as crucial for
addressing challenges facing both the
FBI and the hospitality industry.
“Kash Patel's nomination is a
significant moment," said Miraj Patel,
AAHOA chairman. "His counterterrorism
and public service background offers
valuable expertise for tackling complex
security issues."
AAHOA combats human trafÏcking
through education, certification and
partnerships with organizations.
The association views Patel’s
counterterrorism expertise as a valuable
asset to this mission.
Kash Patel, a former House
Intelligence aide and federal prosecutor
during Trump’s first term, was
nominated in November to replace
Christopher Wray, who led the FBI for
over seven years.
“If confirmed, I will streamline
headquarters operations while
strengthening the presence of field
agents nationwide,” Kash Patel
wrote when outlining his priorities.
“Collaboration with local law
enforcement is crucial to the FBI’s
mission.”
Patel’s hearing was not without
controversy. He has publicly suggested
prosecuting journalists if confirmed as
FBI director and turning the bureau’s
headquarters into a “museum of the
deep state.”
In a news release, the U.S. Senate
Committee on the Judiciary called Patel a
“radical extremist.” The committee cited
a list he published of 60 “members of the
deep state” that included Democrats and
Republicans, including Bill Barr, former
U.S. attorney general during Trump’s
first administration who opposed
Trump’s claims that the 2020 election
was rigged.
“Kash Patel is an extreme MAGA
loyalist who would make our country less
safe. He is blindly loyal to Donald Trump
and Donald Trump only,” said Senate
Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, ranking
member of the committee.
However, Democrats faced an uphill
battle blocking Patel’s confirmation.
By the hearing's end, his nomination
seemed set for a full Senate vote, where
Republicans hold a 53 to 47 majority.
AHLA backs
DOL nominees
The American Hotel & Lodging
Association has called on the Senate to
swiftly confirm both nominees.
AHLA President and CEO Rosanna
Maietta expressed pride in endorsing
Chavez-DeRemer for secretary of labor
and Sonderling for deputy secretary.
“As a small business owner, Chavez-
DeRemer understands the challenges
businesses face and the need for a strong
workforce,” Maietta said. “In Congress,
she supported key AHLA priorities,
including defending the franchise model,
defining joint-employer liability, and
advancing apprenticeship programs.”
Sonderling, who previously served
at the EEOC, was acting administrator
and later deputy administrator of the
DOL’s Wage and Hour Division from
2019 through Trump’s first term. He left
the EEOC in July 2024 when his term
expired, creating another Republican
vacancy for Trump to fill.
“Sonderling brings extensive
experience to the deputy secretary
role, having served under the first
Trump administration as acting and
deputy administrator of the Wage and
Hour Division and as a commissioner
of the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission,” Maietta said. “He has
been a strong advocate for the franchise
model and understands the impact of
the department’s policies on businesses
nationwide.”
Maietta noted that hoteliers
face challenges, including onerous
regulations threatening the livelihoods
of owners, operators, and employees, as
well as a nationwide workforce shortage
hindering expansion.
Trump appointees backed
by associations
‘Kash’ Patel set to become first Indo American FBI director despite controversy
President Donald Trump cabinet nominees are, from left, former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-
DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor, former EEOC Commissioner Keith Sonderling as deputy
secretary and Kashyap “Kash” Patel as FBI director.
News
06
www.asianhospitality.com
February 2025 | Issue 233
AHOA's Political Action
Committee raised $1 million
in 2024, bringing its total to
$1.5 million during the 2023-2024
PAC fundraising period. This reflects
AAHOA members' advocacy efforts to
ensure hotel owners' voices are heard at
all levels of government.
The AAHOA PAC supports legislative
and regulatory initiatives impacting
hotel owners nationwide, the
association said in a statement.
"Reaching the $1 million mark
is a significant achievement, and I
want to personally thank our AAHOA
members for their contributions and
participation in the AAHOA PAC," said
Miraj Patel, AAHOA’s chairman. "The
funds raised will help AAHOA further
its mission of advocating for hotel
owners and supporting policies that
promote growth and protect owner
investments."
Patel, also chair of the 2024-25 PAC
fundraising, said this reflects AAHOA
members' understanding of the
importance of investing in advocacy to
shape hospitality's future.
"By 'Building Tomorrow Today,' we
are positioning AAHOA to advocate
effectively for the issues that matter
most to our members now and in the
years ahead,” he said.
The increased funding allows
AAHOA to strengthen its advocacy
for policies that support a favorable
business environment, including
access to capital, fair labor practices,
tax reform, and advancing industry
priorities at all levels, the statement
said.
Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president
and CEO, said that the record PAC
support reflects the strength of
AAHOA's collective voice.
"As an organization, we are not
just advocating for hotel owners; we
are standing up for the future of the
hospitality industry as a whole," said
Blake. "Together, we will continue to
make an impact for future generations
of hotel owners."
The AAHOA PAC is backed by
voluntary contributions from
members, ensuring AAHOA's
continued influence in policy making,
the association said.
AAHOA and the AAHOA Charitable
Foundation recently launched the
"Hope & Haven: California Wildfire
Recovery Initiative" to support affected
communities through room-night
donations, fundraising, and community
engagement.
“Hoteliers across the state are opening
their doors to provide shelter for families
displaced by these fires,” said Miraj Patel,
AAHOA’s chairman. “True hospitality
plays a vital role in offering safety, care,
and hope, and this initiative highlights
the compassion and leadership of AAHOA
members and hotel owners.”
Read more on the wildfire response
on p. 20.
AAHOA PAC raises
$1.5 million for advocacy
The committee supports legislative and regulatory initiatives for
hotel owners nationwide
AAHOA's Political Action Committee raised $1 million in 2024, totaling $1.5 million for the 2023-
2024 PAC period, reflecting members' efforts to make hotel owners' voices heard at all government
levels.
News
08
www.asianhospitality.com
February 2025 | Issue 233
itch Patel, Vision Hospitality
Group's founder and CEO, is
named chairman of the American
Hotel & Lodging Association board
for 2025. Anu Saxena, Hilton Supply
Management's president and global
head, is appointed chair of the AHLA
Foundation Board of Trustees.
Patel succeeds Kevin Jacobs,
Hilton CFO and president for global
development, who served as AHLA
board chair in 2024 and will remain as
immediate past chair, AHLA said in a
statement.
Patel said he looks forward to working
with a group of hospitality leaders.
“It’s our duty to tell the story of our
industry to lawmakers at every level of
government and show them that policies
supporting hoteliers lead to jobs and
thriving communities,” he said. “I’m
also excited to build on AHLA’s legacy
as a group that connects people in our
industry through must-attend events and
continues work in areas like anti-human
trafÏcking and sustainability.”
Liam Brown, Marriott International
Group president for U.S. and Canada,
will serve as vice chair. Thom Geshay,
Davidson Hospitality Group CEO and
president, will serve as AHLA’s secretary
and treasurer. Jon Bortz, Pebblebrook
Hotel Trust chairman and CEO, continues
as chair of the HotelPAC Advisory
Council.
Navin Dimond, Stonebridge founder
and chairman, and former AAHOA
Chairwoman Jagruti Panwala, president
and CEO of Wealth Protection Strategies,
join AHLA’s executive committee. Ash
Kapur, CEO of InTown Suites and Uptown
Suites at Starwood Capital Group; Kris
Kielsa, ECOLAB executive vice president
and general manager for Institutional
North America; and Pete Patek, Promise
Hotels president and CEO, are inducted
into AHLA’s board of directors.
“AHLA has assembled a diverse
group of hospitality leaders who will
help advance our issues as a new
administration takes ofÏce,” said Rosanna
Maietta, AHLA’s president and CEO.
“I’m confident this board will build on
our advocacy victories and ensure that
hoteliers across the country can thrive
and provide lasting careers for millions of
employees.”
The board of directors and executive
committee include leaders from
all sectors of the lodging industry,
including brands, owners, REITs,
management companies, branded
properties, independent hotels, and state
associations.
Other members for AHLA's 2025
executive committee include:
Carol Dover, Florida Restaurant &
Lodging Association's president and CEO.
Amanda Hite, STR's president.
Craig Smith, Aimbridge Hospitality's
CEO.
New AHLA board of directors members are:
Omer Acar, RafÒes and Fairmont,
Accor's CEO.
Jean-Luc Barone, White Lodging's
president and CEO.
Dina Belon, StayPineapple's president.
Laura Calin, Oracle Hospitality's senior
vice president.
Dawn Gallagher, Crescent Hotels &
Resorts' president for hospitality.
Clark Hanrattie, HEI's partner.
Luis Segredo, Data Travel, Hapi's CEO.
Chad Sorensen, CHMWarnick's CEO.
Jonathan Wang, EOS Investors' founder
and CEO.
AHLA recently named Luis Segredo,
CEO of Data Travel, as chair of the 2025
Global Technology 100 leadership team,
with Edward Malinowski, Aman CIO, as vice
chair.
Mitch Patel to chair AHLA
board in 2025
Navin Dimond, Jagruti Panwala, Ash Kapur, Kris Kielsa and Pete Patek join
AHLA leadership
Mitch Patel, Vision Hospitality Group’s founder and CEO, will chair the American Hotel & Lodging
Association board in 2025, while Anu Saxena, Hilton Supply Management's president and global
head, will chair the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees. Patel is pictured here celebrating Vision
Hospitality’s 25th anniversary in 2023 with wife Parul to the left of Mitch, and children, Aleyna,
Arjun and Ishani.
09
News
www.asianhospitality.com
February 2025 | Issue 233
oStar and Tourism Economics
made minimal adjustments to
their growth forecast in the
first 2025 U.S. hotel forecast, with ADR
and RevPAR gains unchanged at 1.6
percent and 1.8 percent, respectively.
Occupancy for the year was raised by
0.1 ppt to 63.1 percent.
The CoStar and TE joint study was
released at the Americas Lodging
Investment Summit in Los Angeles.
“While business optimism is on the
rise, economic data has not changed
significantly from our previous
forecast,” said Amanda Hite, STR
president. “The stronger performance
seen in the fourth quarter was driven
by one-time factors, including holiday
travel compression and weather-
related events, and does not constitute
a change in trend. Additionally, the
impact of the new administration has
not been factored into the forecast,
as significant policy changes have
yet to be implemented, and any
projected effect of those changes
remains unclear. Thus, our forecast
is relatively unchanged overall with
minor tweaks among the chain
scales. Based on current economic
conditions, we expect higher-end
hotels to continue to drive industry
performance.”
Aran Ryan, TE's director of industry
studies, said 2025 economic conditions
are expected to support travel activity,
including some actions by President
Trump.
“Unemployment is low, inflation is
slowing, consumers are spending -
particularly those in higher income
households, and business investment
activity is solid," Ryan said. "Trump
administration trade and immigration
policy priorities present downside
risks, particularly to inbound travel
(e.g., through trade war responses,
visa impediments, charged rhetoric
and general border and policy
uncertainty)."
Hite said normalized expense
growth and a slight increase in
TRevPAR are expected to drive profits
in 2025.
“Labor costs are forecasted to
stabilize in 2025 as hotels have
adjusted operations to current
labor trends, and these lower labor
margins will allow for slightly better
GOP margins,” she said. “With
continued growth in groups and
business travel, F&B departments
are expected to report some of the
highest growth rates this year. Rooms
and undistributed operating expense
growth will moderate, though utilities
departments will almost certainly see
increases.”
In November, CoStar’s STR and TE
downgraded their 2024 growth rate
forecast for the U.S. hotel industry.
In January, CoStar also reported
that the U.S. hotel industry achieved
record-high ADR and RevPAR in 2024
compared to the previous year, but
growth slowed to its lowest rate since
2020. New York City led the top 25
markets with occupancy up 3.3 percent
to 84.3 percent, according to CoStar's
year-end data.
Occupancy remained flat at 63
percent in 2024 compared to the
previous year, while ADR rose to
$158.67, a modest 1.7 percent increase
from 2023. RevPAR came in at $99.94,
reflecting a 1.8 percent increase over
the prior year.
Markets with the lowest occupancy
in 2024 included St. Louis at 58.1
percent, Minneapolis at 58.7 percent,
and Detroit at 59.1 percent. The top 25
markets recorded higher occupancy
and ADR compared to all other
markets, while markets outside the top
25 experienced a 0.5 percent decline in
occupancy.
CoStar, TE maintain growth
forecast for 2025
Occupancy was increased by 0.1 ppt to 63.1 percent
CoStar and Tourism Economics made minimal adjustments to their 2025 U.S. hotel forecast, with ADR and
RevPAR gains unchanged at 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively, while occupancy rose by 0.1 ppt to 63.1
percent.
News
10
www.asianhospitality.com
February 2025 | Issue 233
arriott International reported
record growth in 2024,
opening 123,000 gross rooms
and achieving 6.8 percent net room
growth. The company ended the year
with more than 577,000 rooms in its
development pipeline and signed
more than 1,200 deals—an average of
three per day—totaling nearly 162,000
rooms globally.
The company signed a record 608
deals in the U.S. and Canada last year,
Marriott said in a statement.
“2024 was a year of growth for
Marriott, with regional milestones,
segment entries, brand expansions,
and market debuts,” said Anthony
Capuano, Marriott’s president
and CEO. “We remain focused on
connecting people through travel, and
I’m excited about the work our global
teams are doing to drive growth,
innovation, and deliver strong results
for our owners and franchisees.”
The U.S. and Canada portfolio ended
2024 with more than 1 million rooms
across 6,307 properties, with nearly
263,000 rooms in the pipeline across
2,161 properties, the statement said.
The company also announced three
luxury additions in the region in June:
The Resort at Pelican Hill under the
St. Regis brand, The Ritz-Carlton
O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, and the Luxury
Collection Midtown Manhattan.
Marriott’s long-term license with
MGM fueled further growth, with
MGM Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
spanning 16 destinations by year-end,
including the newly converted W Las
Vegas at Mandalay Bay.
Branded portfolio
expansion
Marriott's luxury portfolio includes
seven brands with 658 properties
across 74 countries and territories.
The company signed a record 61 luxury
deals in 2024, ending the year with 266
in the pipeline, the statement said. It
also expanded its affordable midscale
presence, focusing on regionally
relevant lodging.
“We are thrilled to continue
innovating with world-class owners,
franchisees, and developers to meet
the needs of every traveler,” said
Leeny Oberg, Marriott’s chief financial
officer and executive vice president
for development.
Marriott announced the entry of
its conversion-friendly brand, City
Express by Marriott, in the U.S. and
Canada in October, marking its
first transient midscale offering in
the region. The brand has 153 open
properties with 17,777 rooms and
53 in the pipeline with 5,673 rooms.
StudioRes, a midscale extended-stay
brand, broke ground last January and
ended 2024 with 35 properties and
4,037 rooms in the pipeline, with its
first opening expected later this year.
The Marriott Branded Residences
portfolio generated $2.1 billion in
residential sales revenue for third-
party developers in 2024, nearly
double the previous year's total. The
company also expanded its outdoor-
focused lodging offerings with two
deals in December: the acquisition of
Postcard Cabins, formerly Getaway
Outposts, and a long-term agreement
with Trailborn. It plans to launch an
outdoor-focused collection this year,
offering guests and Marriott Bonvoy
members more options in traditional
and alternative accommodations at
nature-forward destinations.
Marriott announced a long-term
licensing agreement with Sonder
Holdings in August. The agreement
adds more than 9,000 rooms to
Marriott’s open portfolio and about
1,700 rooms to its development
pipeline, reflecting the company's
growing presence in this high-demand
segment.
Marriott added 123,000
rooms last year
It signed 608 deals in the U.S. and Canada in 2024, a record high
Marriott International reported record growth in 2024, opening 123,000 rooms with 6.8 percent net
growth, ending the year with more than 577,000 rooms in its pipeline.