July 2025 | Volume 25 #238
The Voice of Asian American Hoteliers
Bringing it all
together
Hotels are consolidating tech platforms
for better efficiency
Hotel companies in the news include: Westcor JD Royal Hospitality, Sagemont Hotels, AURO Hotels
Throwing away
the key
Doing business
on demand
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 after 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.
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. NFL, the NFL Shield design and the NFL SUNDAY TICKET name and logo are registered trademarks of the NFL and its affiliates. ©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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HBO AND CINEMAX
Cover Story
News
Spotlight
Product Feature
20 | Bringing it all together
Hotels are consolidating tech platforms for
better efficiency
5 | Immigration raids on hotels continue
Reportedly the immigration was on again,
off again about the policies
Indian students must unlock SM for U.S.
visa
The new rule is now in effect for U.S. F, M or
J student visas
6 | Air India reducing flights after deadly
crash
The airline said the reductions were for
safety inspections, will last until at
least mid-July
7 | Auro launches $2M scholarship for
employees’ children
Company founder H.P. Rama launched the
first family-named scholarship in 1998
8 | Hyatt trims 30 percent of Americas
GCC staff
‘Decisions and conversations with impacted
colleagues were handled with respect and
care’
9 | Conversions drive 60 percent of
IHG’s Q1 openings
Boutique brand Ruby is expected to be
franchiseready in the U.S. later this year
10 | Survey: U.S. hotel owners confident
despite challenges
Owners and developers continue to focus on
extended-stay hotels
11 | G6 rolls out AI-powered My6 app
The technology captures one-third of "Motel
6 near me" searches
15 | Doing business on demand
Dhar and Babita Patel turned hotel
experience into Hospitality1
25 | Throwing away the key
Hotels continue to move toward keyless
entry, new lock tech
Gujarati translation of top stories begins
on page 28
On The Cover
Running a hotel today takes a lot of
technology and it all must work together.
Today, software venders are making their
products easier to integrate into other
systems and hotel franchisers are driving
this movement in order to provide a more
unified experience for their franchisees.
13 | BEST launches anti-trafficking
training for hotel staff
It aims to give more employees the tools to
address this crime
14 | OYO launches naming contest for
parent firm
The new name must be one word, global and
fit for use beyond hospitality
Report: India’s hospitality sector to
attract $1B by 2028
RevPAR rose 16.3 percent in January-March
year-on-year
COMING
NEXT ISSUE:
Trump policies that impact the hotel business
Contents
08
12
10
o6
14
18
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
Design
18 | All in the house
NexGen’s Claridge House in Chicago to join
Tapestry Collection
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Whither goest thou,
Discovery?
bout four years ago, on a family trip that included Washington, D.C.,
we drove to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven
F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, where we saw the space
shuttle Discovery. It was a big moment for all of us, though probably
mostly for me.
After all, I was fascinated with the shuttle program from its beginning. In high
school, we all stood out on the school’s football field to watch the shuttle Enterprise,
which never flew in space, ride a Boeing 747 through the sky in 1984 after its visit to
Mobile, Alabama’s Brookley Field.
Two years later, at the same school, we gathered in the library to watch the
news about the shuttle Challenger exploding shortly after liftoff, killing seven crew
members. I always wanted to see a launch but never had the opportunity.
Discovery flew 39 missions between 1984 and 2011, more than any other U.S.
spacecraft, according to Space.com. It also was kept more intact than the other
two surviving, spacefaring shuttles, Atlantis and Endeavour, leading it to be sent to
the Smithsonian as an engineering example. Endeavor was sent to the California
Science Center in Los Angeles when the shuttles were retired, and Atlantis, is on
display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex.
Now, Discovery might be moving to Houston. Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act
contains $85 million to cover that move. That’s $85 million of federal tax money to
fund a project that really only benefits one city. On top of that, the Smithsonian
seems none too fond of the idea, based on what they said in a message to Congress.
“It would be unprecedented for Congress to remove an object from a Smithsonian
collection and send it somewhere else,” the museum said.
You know who probably is happy about it, though? Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John
Cornyn, who introduced the "Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act" in April. I’ll leave
it up to all of you to figure out why this little project, which may cost well over $85
million, was included in a bill already under fire for adding $5 trillion to the debt
ceiling while cutting funding to Medicaid and food assistance programs.
Look, obviously Houston played an important role in the U.S. space program, but
it seems to me that they just need to find another way to recognize that.
I’ll close with perhaps one of the most famous quotes related to this nation’s space
program:
“Houston, we have a problem.”
Edward J. Brock, Senior Editor
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Editor's Letter
04
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
05
News
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
n June, President Trump reportedly
ordered Immigration and Customs
Enforcement to halt arrests of
undocumented hotel workers, as well as
restaurant and farm workers, various media
sources reported. However, the raids were
soon restarted and as of late June were
continuing.
Trump’s order to halt the raids was
intended to address industry concerns about
labor shortages. Citing internal emails and
other sources, the New York Times reported
the orders were to pause raids and arrests
in hotels, restaurants and the agricultural
industry. A source told CBS News that Trump
was not aware of the scale of the agency's
operations.
"Once it hit him, he pulled it back," the
source said.
Department of Homeland Security
spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said
immigration enforcement operations would
continue, Reuters reported.
"There will be no safe spaces for
industries who harbor violent criminals or
purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts,"
she said in a statement.
Trump acknowledged the impact of his
immigration policies on some sectors and
said he would issue an order "soon," without
giving details, according to the Post.
"Our farmers are being hurt badly and
we're going to have to do something about
that. We're going to have an order on that
pretty soon," Trump said at the White House.
He added that it would also cover the
hotel sector, which includes the Trump
Organization, his private business now run by
his adult sons.
"Our great farmers and people in the hotel
and leisure business have been stating that
our very aggressive policy on immigration
is taking very good, long-time workers away
from them, with those jobs being almost
impossible to replace," he wrote on his social
media platform before his Thursday remarks.
"Changes are coming!"
In April, Trump presented a plan to his
cabinet allowing undocumented hotel and
farm workers to leave the U.S. and return
legally if backed by their employers.
Also last month, protesters in Los Angeles
and other cities marched against Trump’s
policies, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“No Kings” protests against Trump’s executive
actions were held across Southern California
and the country after a week that included
National Guard and Marine deployments
to L.A. in response to unrest over federal
immigration enforcement.
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
Immigration raids on hotels continue
Reportedly the immigration was on again, off again about the policies
As President Trump’s immigration roundups
continue, reportedly the administration has
gone back and forth on making policy changes
to exempt hotel or leisure workers, along with
others, from deportation. Protests against the
deportations took place in Los Angeles and
other cities nationwide.
ndian citizens applying for U.S. F, M or
J student visas must make their social
media accounts public before the visa
interview, according to the U.S. Embassy in
India. The U.S. grants F visas for academic
courses, M visas for vocational courses and
J visas for exchange programs.
The U.S. administration directed
embassies in May to halt student visa
appointments while expanding scrutiny of
applicants’ social media, according to a BBC
report.
“Effective immediately, all individuals
applying for an F, M or J non-immigrant
visa are requested to set the privacy settings
of all their social media accounts to ‘public’
to facilitate vetting required to establish
their identity and admissibility to the United
States under U.S. law,” the U.S. Embassy in
New Delhi posted on X.
“Since 2019, the U.S. has required visa
applicants to provide social media identifiers
on immigrant and non-immigrant visa
application forms,” the diplomatic mission
of Washington, D.C., in New Delhi said. “We
use all available information in our visa
screening and vetting to identify applicants
who are inadmissible to the United States,
including those who pose a threat to U.S.
national security.”
The U.S. consular team in India issued
more than 140,000 F-1 student visas in
2023—the highest for any country for the
third consecutive year. The consulates
in Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and
Chennai were the top four student visa
processing posts globally. Indian students
became the largest group of international
graduate students in the U.S., making up
over a quarter of the more than one million
foreign students.
In 2024, India became the top sender
of international students to the U.S. for
the first time since 2008–09, with more
than 331,000 enrolled. Graduate student
numbers rose 19 percent to nearly 200,000,
keeping India the largest source for the
second year.
However, President Donald Trump’s
administration moved to restrict the flow
of foreign students to the U.S., subjecting
visa applications to increased scrutiny,
especially following protests against Israel’s
military action in Gaza affecting Palestinian
civilians.
On June 19, the U.S. Embassy said a visa
is “a privilege, not a right,” and screening
continues after issuance. Authorities may
revoke a visa if the traveler breaks the law. It
also said using illegal drugs or violating U.S.
laws while on a student or visitor visa could
make one ineligible for future visas.
Ranjani Srinivasan, a graduate student
at Columbia University, self-deported from
the U.S. after her visa was revoked over
alleged participation in protests against
Israel’s military action in Gaza. Badar Khan
Suri, another Indian student, was arrested
during a similar protest at Georgetown
University in March, but a U.S. court stayed
his deportation and ordered his release
from detention.
Indian students must unlock SM for U.S. visa
The new rule is now in effect for U.S. F, M or J student visas
News
06
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
ir India will reduce international
service on widebody aircraft by 15
percent through at least mid-July,
according to media reports. The decision
comes less than a week after the June 12
crash of an Air India airliner carrying
230 passengers and 12 crew members in
Ahmedabad, India, that killed 246 but left
one survivor among the passengers.
The airline said the reduced service
due to the safety inspection of aircraft
and ongoing geopolitical tensions in
the Middle East, which have disrupted
operations, resulting in 83 flight
cancellations over the six days prior
to the report, according to ABC News.
Passengers can either reschedule their
flights at no additional cost or receive a
full refund.
“The reductions arise from the
decision to voluntarily undertake
enhanced pre-flight safety checks, as
well as accommodate additional flight
durations arising from airspace closures
in the Middle East,” the airline said in a
press release. “The objective is to restore
schedule stability and minimizing last-
minute inconvenience to passengers."
Air India also said 26 out of the
33 Dreamliners in its fleet have now
been returned to service following
the required safety inspections by the
Directorate General of Civil Aviation,
according to ABC. The airline also is
performing "enhanced safety checks" on
its Boeing 777 fleet as a precaution and is
cooperating with authorities.
Air India flight AI171 went down in a
crowded area near the airport shortly
after takeoff. While the causes of the
Ahmedabad crash are still under
investigation, Reuters reported that
India's Directorate General of Civil
Aviation said spot checks in May on
three Air India Airbus planes found that
they were operated despite mandatory
inspections being overdue on the
"critical emergency equipment" of escape
slides.
In one case, DGCA found that the
inspection of an Airbus A320 jet was
delayed by more than a month before
being carried out on May 15, but data
shows that during the delay the plane
flew to several international destinations.
Another case, involving an Airbus A319
used on domestic routes, according to
Reuters, showed checks were over three
months late, while a third showed an
inspection was two days late.
"The above cases indicate that aircraft
were operated with expired or unverified
emergency equipment, which is a violation
of standard airworthiness and safety
requirements," the DGCA report said.
Regarding the investigation into the
crash of flight AI171, BBC News reported
that investigators flight recorder data
from the airplane’s Enhanced Airborne
Flight Recorders. However, it could take
several weeks for authorities to release
information from the recorders.
India’s aviation ministry said data
from the recorder was accessed by a
team led by India's Aircraft Accident
Investigation Bureau with the US
National Transportation Safety Board,
according to the BBC.
"The analysis of CVR and FDR [flight
data recorder] data is underway. These
efforts aim to reconstruct the sequence
of events leading to the accident and
identify contributing factors to enhance
aviation safety and prevent future
occurrences," the ministry said in a
statement.
NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy told
Reuters news agency that she hopes the
Indian government will be able to share
details from the investigation into the
crash in short order.
"For aviation safety and for public
safety and public awareness we hope
that they will make their findings public
swiftly," Homendy said.
Air India reducing flights
after deadly crash
The airline said the reductions were for safety inspections, will last until at
least mid-July
Air India said it will reduce its international service on widebody aircraft by 15 percent through at
least mid-July in the wake of the June 12 crash of an Air India airliner in Ahmedabad, India, that
killed 246.
Photo by Sam PANTHAKY / AFP
07
News
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
URO Hotels launched its $2 million
Rama Legacy Scholarship endowment
for employees' children, continuing
a tradition started by company co-founder
H.P. Rama. Several students received
scholarships in this inaugural year, reflecting
the company’s view that its success depends
on its people.
As founding chairman of AAHOA and
past chairman of the American Hotel
and Lodging Association, Rama believes
the hospitality industry’s strength lies
in developing its people, Auro said in
a statement. He established the first
scholarship under his family’s name in 1998.
The Rama Scholarship for the American
Dream began through AHLA, where a $1
million commitment has supported more
than 700 hospitality students, the statement
said. In 2008, the Rama Memorial Scholarship
Fund for the Greenville City Fire Department
was established and has provided more than
$110,000 to more than 120 students.
Rama established AURO University in
Surat, Gujarat, India, in 2011. Since then, the
university has graduated more than 2,200
students across more than 30 undergraduate,
postgraduate and doctoral programs.
Through industry engagement and practical
training, AURO prepares students for careers
in hospitality and other fields.
“The Rama Legacy Scholarship is more
than financial assistance—it is an investment
in the future of the hospitality industry,” the
company’s statement said. “By supporting
employees' children, Auro Hotels is creating
opportunities for the next generation
to achieve their educational and career
aspirations.”
For Rama, these scholarships link his
company’s success to its responsibility to
the community that made it possible. As
the hospitality industry changes, he shows
that success includes supporting others and
helping secure their futures.
Based in Greenville, South Carolina,
with offices in Atlanta and Surat, India,
Auro Hotels has developed, owned, and
operated hotels for more than 50 years. It
runs 37 hotels with over 6,700 guestrooms
in the United States and India under
brands including Marriott, Hilton, and
Hyatt. H.P. Rama, with brothers M.P. and
J.P. Rama, founded JHM Hotels that later
became Auro Hotels in Greenville. Both
M.P. and J.P. Rama.
Auro launches $2M scholarship
for employees’ children
Company founder H.P. Rama launched the first family-named scholarship in 1998
Auro Hotels launched its $2 million Rama
Legacy Scholarship endowment for employees'
children, with several students receiving
support in the first year.
News
08
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
yatt Hotels Corp. recently
reorganized its Americas Global
Care Center operations, cutting
about 30 percent of staff across guest
services and support teams, the company
said in a statement. It did not disclose the
total number of employees affected or any
plans for additional reductions.
View From The Wing, a travel blog run by
Gary Leff, earlier reported that about 300
U.S.-based employees were let go as some
operations shifted to El Salvador, where
outsourced agents reportedly earn about
$400 a month.
A Hyatt spokesperson confirmed the
layoffs but did not comment further
on whether severance, job placement
assistance or benefits continuation were
offered.
“Decisions and conversations with
impacted colleagues were handled with
respect and care,” a spokesperson said.
Hyatt dismissed 18 managers and most
of the U.S. chat team, leaving about 36 chat
agents, View From The Wing reported.
Employees were given 24 hours’ notice.
All remaining U.S.-based agents now work
remotely, as physical call centers have
closed.
Former Hyatt employees shared layoff
experiences on Reddit, TikTok, and Leff’s
blog.
“No more U.S. phone agents,” a person
claiming to be a laid-off employee wrote
on Reddit. “So today, Hyatt finished what
they started six months ago and terminated
the rest of their U.S. call team. Enjoy the
customer service, y’all!”
Another Reddit user said they were laid
off over Zoom. On TikTok, a former Hyatt
employee posted a video on June 18 showing
themselves being laid off, including a
recording of an alleged group video call.
“We have made the very difficult decision
to reduce the number of guest services and
support [staff],” a voice is heard saying in the
video, according to the UK’s Daily Mail.
A commenter on View From The Wing
identifying as a former staffer said they
received 60 days of paid leave after the layoff.
The Hyatt spokesperson reiterated that
the changes reflect “the evolving nature
of guest inquiries and shifting business
needs.” The spokesperson said global care
centers in Marion, Illinois, and Omaha,
Nebraska, continue to operate, including
Loyalty, Social, Customer Care, and Chat
teams, as well as My Hyatt Concierge
contacts, who were not affected by the
staffing changes.
“We remain committed to delivering
elevated levels of care to all of our guests
and World of Hyatt members,” the
spokesperson said.
In November, Marriott International
reportedly laid off more than 800 corporate
employees in a move estimated to save $80
million to $90 million annually. Marriott
CEO Anthony Capuano told CNBC it was
not a “traditional cost-cutting measure” but
aimed to shift decision-making from the
U.S. to other regions.
As of March 2025, Hyatt Hotels Corp.,
founded in 1957 by the Pritzker family
and led by president and CEO Mark
Hoplamazian, operated more than 1,450
hotels and all-inclusive properties in 79
countries across six continents. At the end
of 2024, it had a record pipeline of about
138,000 rooms.
The company recently added the
Unscripted brand, part of Dream Hotel
Group, to its Essentials portfolio. Rebranded
as Unscripted by Hyatt, it targets growth
through adaptive reuse and conversion-
friendly projects, filling a gap in Hyatt’s
offerings.
More than 40 hotels globally are in
discussions to join the brand, which offers
independent properties and small portfolios
an operating model with minimal oversight
and flexible brand standards, Hyatt said in
a statement. In 2022, Hyatt acquired Dream
Hotel Group’s lifestyle brands—Dream
Hotels, The Chatwal Hotels, and Unscripted
Hotels—for about $300 million.
“The Unscripted by Hyatt brand gives
owners a flexible path to join the Hyatt
system while still delivering the dependable
experience guests expect from Hyatt,” said
Dan Hansen, Hyatt’s head of development
for the Americas.
Hyatt trims 30 percent
of Americas GCC staff
‘Decisions and conversations with impacted colleagues were handled with
respect and care’
Hyatt Hotels Corp. recently reorganized its Americas Global Care Center operations, cutting about
30 percent of guest services and support staff, a company spokesperson said in an email.
09
News
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
HG Hotels & Resorts nearly doubled
its global conversion signings from
2023 to 2024, with conversions
accounting for about 60 percent of global
openings and 40 percent of signings in
the first quarter of 2025. IHG brands
including Vignette Collection, voco hotels
and Garner Hotels recorded highest
openings and signings last year.
Also, the company expects Ruby, its
recently acquired European boutique
brand, to be franchise-ready in the U.S.
later this year and plans to open more
than 120 branded hotels in the next
decade, IHG said in a statement.
The early 2025 acquisition of Ruby,
IHG’s 20th global brand, adds more
than 30 hotels to the portfolio. Ruby’s
“urban micro” model is used for new
build, conversion and adaptive reuse
projects across European cities, including
openings in former office buildings and
non-traditional commercial spaces, the
statement said.
“Owners’ growing interest in
converting hotels to IHG brands signals
that they continue to see value in our
brands and in the ability to plug into
IHG’s enterprise system,” said Jolyon
Bulley, IHG Americas CEO. “While new-
build development will always remain
important globally, our broad portfolio
of soft brands and those suited for
conversions across the chain scales give
owners more choice and avenues for
success.”
Vignette Collection, launched in 2021
for the luxury and lifestyle segment, is on
track to nearly triple its global estate and
has surpassed 60 percent of its goal to
reach 100 hotels in its first decade, IHG
said. Similarly, voco hotels, catering to
the premium segment, aims to reach 200
open or pipeline properties globally by
2028.
Garner Hotels, launched in 2023, has
surpassed 120 open and pipeline hotels
and aims to quadruple its global reach in
the coming years, it said. The brand has
attracted owners with its competitive
conversion cost per key, flexible design
standards and lower pre-opening costs
through a rapid conversion process.
Conversions drive 60 percent
of IHG’s Q1 openings
Boutique brand Ruby is expected to be franchise-
ready in the U.S. later this year
IHG Hotels & Resorts nearly doubled global
conversion signings from 2023 to 2024. Also, its
recently acquired European boutique brand Ruby,
pictured, will be franchise-ready in the U.S. later
this year.
News
10
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
.S. hotel owners
and developers
remain confident in
the industry’s resiliency
despite ongoing headlines
about tariffs, inflation and
interest rates, according to a
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
study. Support in marketing,
revenue management,
operations and access to
executive leadership are key
factors they consider when
choosing a brand.
Wyndham’s inaugural
“Hotel Owner Trends Report,”
which the company said is
based on a survey of hundreds
of owners and developers,
found that extended-stay
hotels remain a focus.
“There’s a lot of noise in
the marketplace right now, and yet
more than 90 percent of hotel owners
and developers are optimistic about
what the next five years hold for them,”
said Amit Sripathi, Wyndham’s chief
development officer. “That’s because
they know that in hospitality, they’re
playing the long game. For example,
while most admit to concerns over
current economic volatility, four out of
five say they still plan to expand their
portfolios over the next five years.”
Nearly 98 percent of those surveyed
are open to new branded offerings,
highlighting the value brands add
over independent operation. About
55 percent prefer traditional brands,
while just under 45 percent seek soft
brand options.
More than 80 percent of hotel owners
and developers say a strong loyalty
program is critical to a hotel’s success,
with about 62 percent of those open to
joining or switching brands ranking it
among their top five factors, Wyndham
said.
Interest in expansion spans nearly
all segments, with 39 percent targeting
lifestyle and boutique hotels, 36
percent focusing on midscale and
upper-midscale, and 35 percent on
economy.
Extended-stay tops list
Extended-stay hotels remain a focus
for owners and developers, with
96 percent of those surveyed citing
opportunity driven by demand and
developer return on investment,
the report said. Nearly 59 percent
recognize that operating in extended-
stay requires a different approach from
traditional brands and that adopting
this model is key to success. Wyndham
launched extended-stay brands ECHO
Suites in 2022 and WaterWalk in 2024.
All respondents expect new business
to grow over the next five years as
multi-year infrastructure spending
rises, including beyond the extended-
stay segment, driven by projects
funded through these investments, the
survey found.
More than 80 percent of hotel
owners and developers, in extended-
stay and other segments, say cross-
sell and upsell opportunities are key,
calling them critical or very important
to their hotel’s success.
Tech integration
is key
The majority of owners
and developers list access
to technology as a top-five
factor when choosing a
brand, the study said. About
20 percent say investing
in technology is how they
plan to differentiate their
hotel from the competition.
Wyndham has invested
nearly $350 million in
technology since going public
in 2018.
Scott Strickland,
Wyndham’s chief commercial
officer, said the message
from hotel owners and
developers is that they want the right
brands and partners.
“They want the best technology, the
best rewards program, and the best
support,” he said. “That’s exactly what
Wyndham offers, and it’s why our
franchisee retention rate has grown
to nearly 96 percent, including our
economy brands, which are among the
highest in the industry.”
About 61 percent of hotel owners
have invested or are considering
investing in streaming, digital room
keys, and self-service kiosks to
enhance guest experience. Nearly 46
percent have done or are considering
the same for EV charging stations.
More than 90 percent of hotel owners
use AI in some capacity, with over
70 percent applying it to operations
and more than 60 percent using it for
guest services, the survey found.
Approximately 33 percent of hotels
already use guest messaging platforms,
with nearly 30 percent planning to
invest or increase investment. Similarly,
33 percent offer mobile tipping, and
nearly 30 percent expect to invest or
increase investment in it.
Survey: U.S. hotel owners
confident despite challenges
Owners and developers continue to focus on extended-stay hotels
U.S. hotel owners remain confident in the industry’s resiliency despite
headlines about tariffs, inflation and interest rates, according to a Wyndham
Hotels & Resorts study. Amit Sripathi, Wyndham’s chief development officer,
pictured, said owners “know that in hospitality, they’re playing the long game.”
11
News
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
G6 rolls out AI-powered
My6 app
The technology captures one-third of "Motel 6 near me" searches
G6 Hospitality launched a
new My6 app with AI-based
personalization to improve
performance speed and booking
efficiency.
6 Hospitality, parent of the Motel
6 and Studio 6 brands, launched a
new version of its My6 consumer
app with an AI-based personalization
feature. The app increases performance
speed and reduces latency, increasing
booking efficiency and supporting
property visibility and occupancy.
The new app is built around a
proprietary AI-powered recommendation
engine that connects guests with
properties based on their preferences, G6
said in a statement.
“Our customers deserve a seamless,
personalized booking experience and My6
2.0 delivers exactly that while also driving
more bookings to our properties,” said
Sonal Sinha, G6 Hospitality’s CEO. “The
AI-powered features help guests find
what they’re looking for faster, resulting
in higher conversion rates and increased
occupancy at our locations.”
The technology helps capture internet
searches for "Motel 6 near me," ensuring
properties gain exposure to relevant
potential guests, the statement said. The
app introduces a dynamic homepage and
deal offers based on guest preferences,
helping drive conversion and bookings.
Key features include AI-driven
recommendations and listing rankings
to match guests with properties based
on timing and fit. The homepage reflects
guest preferences and location. Users
can also save and compare properties to
support decision-making. Property pages
feature AI-powered amenity tags, with Gen
AI-based updates planned.
An interactive map supports navigation
and highlights nearby points of interest.
Visual presentation is streamlined
with grouped images and clearly
displayed policy information to improve
transparency.
Additional features include
neighborhood maps, a save-and-compare
function and a booking process designed
to reduce abandonment.
Early data shows the app led to a 14
percent year-over-year increase in direct
bookings and fewer drop-offs during
reservations. Planned updates include AI
ranking improvements, more
filters, Google Pay and Apple
Pay integration, Tripadvisor
reviews and post-checkout
rating tools to support
engagement and revenue.
G6 also recently reported
that properties enrolled in its
“G6 Revenue Management
Services” program saw 11
percent year-over-year
revenue growth in the
first quarter of 2025, more
than double the rate of the
rest of the portfolio. They
also recorded a 10 percent
higher ADR than non-RMS
properties.
The RMS program uses
proprietary automation
tools, daily competitive
set monitoring and bi-
weekly strategy calls with
revenue managers, G6 said
in a statement. The RMS
program’s impact is visible
on G6’s app and website.
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Openings & Aquisitions
12
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
Openings
Homewood Suites by Hilton Fremont in Fremont, California,
128 rooms, June 27. The five-story property is operated by Sagemont
Hotels, led by President and CEO Hiral Patel. It is near Levi Stadium,
the University of California Berkeley, Stanford University, Cal State East
Bay, Mission Peak Regional Preserve and San Jose Mineta International
Airport. Amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, EV charging
stations, covered lower-level parking, an outdoor patio with a fire pit
and 600 square feet of meeting space for up to 40 people.
Courtyard by Marriott San Bernardino Loma Linda in Loma
Linda, California, 125-rooms, June 19. It is operated by Sagemont Hotels,
led by President Hiral Patel. The hotel is near Loma Linda University
Health, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Jerry L. Pettis
Memorial Veterans Hospital, San Bernardino National Forest and San
Bernardino Industrial Park, according to a statement. It also is near
Redlands Industrial Park, University of Redlands and California State
University, San Bernardino. Amenities include a fitness center and 594
square feet of meeting space for up to 20 people..
In June, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ dual-brand
avid hotels Coralville and Candlewood Suites
Coralville – Iowa City in Coralville, Indiana,
opened. The property is owned by Westcor JD
Royal Hospitality, led by Mona and Pankaj Patel.
This is the brand’s 80th property in the
U.S., second in Iowa and fourth dual-brand
ed avid hotels and Candlewood Suites since
the prototype launched in 2021, IHG said in a
statement.
“We’re proud to introduce the first avid
hotels and Candlewood Suites dual-brand
property to Coralville, as this hotel is one of
the largest of its kind in the U.S.,” said the
Patels. “This pairing is designed to meet the
needs of both short-term and extended-stay
guests, delivering a stay that feels just right. At
avid hotels Coralville – Iowa City, every detail
focuses on the essentials—no matter where
your travels take you.”
The 71-room avid and 68-room Candlewood
are near the University of Iowa and the Antique Car
Museum of Iowa and includes a fitness center.
Avid hotels, IHG’s second-largest brand by
system size, is its fastest-growing new-build
brand with 131 hotels in the pipeline. Karen
Gilbride, IHG’s vice president for avid hotels,
Atwell Suites and Garner hotels, said avid
hotels drive strong commercial results and
guest loyalty, reflected in some of the highest
satisfaction scores in the IHG portfolio.
“Since opening our first property in 2018,
we’ve grown to 80 hotels and are accelerating
our momentum—expanding into new markets
and strengthening our presence in existing
ones,” she said. “One key initiative this year is
our revamped breakfast offering—delivering
more of what guests want at a reduced operat
ing cost to owners—which we’re excited to roll
out at avid hotel Coralville – Iowa City.”
To have your newly opened or converted property featured in
Asian Hospitality magazine, send your information to
Ed Brock, senior editor, at [email protected].
News
13
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
usiness Ending Slavery and
Trafficking is offering a free version
of its “Inhospitable to Human
Trafficking” training for hospitality
employees. Any hospitality worker can now
access the 30-minute online video through
BEST’s website.
The hospitality industry sees frequent
human trafficking incidents because
traffickers use hotel premises to commit
crimes and house victims, BEST said in
a statement. The non-profit aims to give
more hotel employees the tools to address
this crime.
“Inhospitable to Human Trafficking is
designed to equip hotel staff in various roles
to recognize indicators of human trafficking
and take effective action,” said Kirsten Foot,
BEST’s CEO and executive director. “People
who take this training are better able to
assist victims while protecting themselves,
their guests, colleagues and hotel."
Sex trafficking is not the only form of
trafficking that occurs in hotels, BEST
said. Controllers of people forced to work
in other industries also use hotels. For
example, traffickers running sales or
construction crews may house workers in
hotels and abandon them if they fail to meet
a quota. Labor trafficking victims are often
financially controlled and made to work for
little or no pay.
Labor and sex trafficking victims
have reported staying at hotels during
exploitation and not being acknowledged
or assisted by staff, the statement said. It
is important that staff understand both
forms of trafficking to recognize the specific
indicators of each. Training hotel employees
to identify and respond to signs of
trafficking can help prevent such situations.
Hospitality staff can register and
complete the English- or Spanish-language
course at their own pace.
The AHLA Foundation’s No Room for
Trafficking initiative has
delivered more than 2
million anti-trafficking
training sessions
to hotel employees
nationwide and
contributed more than
$2.2 million to support
survivors, according to
its website.
Red Roof also
is expanding its
efforts to combat
human trafficking,
said the company’s
President Zack Gharib. The company
mandates human trafficking training
for all franchisees. It also partners with
organizations like AHLA and AAHOA to
promote awareness and prevention.
“This is a heinous crime and we condemn
it at all levels,” Gharib said.
In February, the Illinois Senate Local
Government Committee approved SB 1422,
strengthening the hotel industry’s efforts
to combat human trafficking by mandating
employee training. The legislation allows
local government and law enforcement to
oversee compliance and issue penalties for
violations.
BEST launches anti-trafficking
training for hotel staff
It aims to give more employees the tools to address this crime
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14
India News
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
itesh Agarwal, CEO of OYO,
announced a contest to rename
parent firm Oravel Stays, with a prize
of ₹3 lakh or nearly $3,500. The new name
must be one word, global and suitable for
use beyond hospitality.
Agarwal, who also serves as chairman of
G6 Hospitality, parent company of Motel
6 and Studio 6, shared on Instagram that
entries are open but will close soon. He
said the name should be one word, bold,
global, and not tied to any single culture
or language. It should feel tech-forward,
human and memorable, with potential
to grow beyond hospitality. Availability
of a “.com” domain related to the name is
preferred. He’s also offering a chance to
meet him.
“We're renaming the corporate brand
behind it all. Not the hotel chain, not
a consumer product — but the parent
company powering a global ecosystem of
urban innovation and modern living," Ritesh
wrote on Instagram. "We believe it's time
the world had a new kind of global brand
— born in India, but built for the world.
We’re inviting brand thinkers, creatives,
entrepreneurs, and curious minds to help
us craft this new identity — one that reflects
our evolution and opens doors to where we
go next.”
OYO is reportedly planning a separate
app for its premium and mid-to-premium
company-serviced hotels, following growth
in this segment in India and global markets.
“There is a strong possibility that the
name chosen through this exercise could
become the name of the premium hotels app
OYO is planning to launch soon,” PTI quoted
people familiar with the development as
saying.
OYO has also arranged for five investment
banks to present to key shareholder
SoftBank in June at its Grosvenor Street
office in London, PTI reported. The meeting
could assess OYO’s path to a public listing,
as the company targets an IPO in the last
quarter of the current fiscal year.
The company aims to increase booking
revenue from company-serviced hotels to
44 percent, up from 22 percent, by year-
end.
OYO launches naming
contest for parent firm
The new name must be one word, global and fit for use
beyond hospitality
ndia’s hospitality industry is
expected to attract $1 billion in
investments by 2028, up from $340
million in hotel transactions last year,
according to JLL India. RevPAR rose
16.3 percent from January to March
compared to the same period last year.
It also rose 8 percent from the fourth
quarter of 2024.
Around 79 hotels with 9,478 keys
were signed during the quarter, while
31 branded hotels with 3,253 keys
opened, the report said.
“The pipeline of 79 new hotel
signings, representing 9,478 keys this
quarter, reflects investor confidence in
India’s hospitality fundamentals,” said
Jaideep Dang, JLL India’s managing
director for hotels and hospitality
group. “With JLL projecting $1 billion
in investments by 2028, we are seeing
a market shift that balances short-
term performance gains with strategic
long-term positioning across all tiers
and segments. This growth follows $340
million in hotel transactions last year.”
The report showed Bengaluru led
with 38.3 percent year-on-year RevPAR
growth, driven by the Aero India 2025
event, which boosted occupancy and
ADR, JLL said. Delhi and Mumbai
followed with RevPAR growth of 26.2
percent and 21.3 percent, supported by
occupancy levels.
Chennai recorded 18.7 percent RevPAR
growth, driven by increased corporate
travel, the Annual Leather Fair and the
USICON event at Chennai Trade Centre.
Hyderabad posted 15.1 percent RevPAR
growth despite a slight occupancy decline,
showing strength in rate growth.
The pipeline remained active with
31 new branded hotels and 3,253 keys
opening in the first quarter.
The upscale and midscale segments
had the most openings and signings.
During the quarter, 10 upscale hotels
with 843 keys opened and 21 hotels with
2,734 keys were signed. The midscale
segment had 12 openings with 934 keys
and 29 signings with 2,821 keys. Upper
upscale and luxury followed, while the
economy segment had one opening
and six signings.
Most branded hotel openings and
signings were in tier 2 markets. During
the quarter, 15 hotels with 1,307 keys
opened and 50 hotels with 5,904 keys
were signed in tier 2 cities, exceeding the
combined total in tier 1 and tier 3 markets.
Transaction activity included Chalet
Hotels Ltd acquiring the 141-key Westin
Resort & Spa, Rishikesh, for about ₹530
crore, approximately $62 million. The
quarter also saw Hilton partner with NILE
Hospitality to launch 75 Hampton hotels
starting in 2026.
Report: India’s hospitality sector to attract $1B by 2028
RevPAR rose 16.3 percent in January-March year-on-year
India’s hospitality industry is expected to attract $1
billion in investments by 2028, up from $340 million in
hotel transactions last year, according to JLL India.
OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal recently announced
a contest to rename parent firm Oravel Stays,
offering a prize of about $3,500.
Spotlight
15
ike the narrator in Robert Frost’s
“The Road Not Taken,” Dhar and
Babita Patel, when founding their
hotel amenities direct supply
company Hospitality1, took the path
less travelled. Like the poem, they were
better off for it.
The Indian-turned-British-
turned-American couple began their
entrepreneurial journey in 2004,
supplying television sets to a few hotels
in the U.S. Today, Hospitality1 is among
the top hotel amenity suppliers in the
country, offering a range of products,
including commercial TVs, PTAC/
AC/VTAC units, compact fridges and
microwaves, appliances, mattresses and
more.
Their success may have stemmed
from a family background in hospitality.
Or simply, the couple said, it was
perseverance and a belief that they could
fill a gap in the amenity supply market.
In truth, a mix of timing, experience and
opportunity helped shape their path.
“Dhar had experience managing his
family’s motel business, investing in
franchise properties and helping his
parents retire,” Babita said. “In the early
2000s, the hospitality industry wasn’t
ready for new technology. At that time,
Dhar was approached by a company that
wanted to introduce plasma TV units
into hotels. So, we pivoted.”
In 2004, the couple bought out the
company that had approached them and
started Hospitality1—then known as
HospitalityLCD—selling TVs to hoteliers.
Business spark
Dhar’s family is from Degama in Tapi
district and Babita’s from Vaghech
in Surat, Gujarat, India. His family
moved to the United Kingdom and
lived in Luton before settling in Duarte,
California, in 1976. Babita’s family also
immigrated to the UK, living in London
before moving to Dallas, Texas, in 1978.
“Dhar and I were introduced in 1995
by aunts who had married into each of
our families,” Babita said. “After getting
to know each other, we decided to get
married in 1996. Both of our families
had come from England and invested in
motels, so we both grew up working in
the hotel business. When we decided to
start a family, I gradually transitioned
and started a telemarketing company
that focused on real estate leads for my
partner and equipment financing leads
for Dhar.”
Before becoming an entrepreneur,
Dhar worked for an equipment finance
company that was later acquired by
American Express. There, he helped
build the equipment finance division and
connected with AAHOA, which offered
financing options for FF&E, and they
have continued that relationship to this
day. Babita worked in the marketing
department of the same company.
During a renovation at the Aloha Hotel
in Long Beach, California, one of his
family’s hotels, Dhar saw a clear gap in
the amenity supply process. He realized
how time-consuming and difficult it was
to source products and services. With
his background in equipment finance
and experience in his family's motel
business, he and Babita were confident
they could meet this need.
That was when the couple decided to
address it by offering hotel amenities
tailored to brand standards and
budgets, allowing hoteliers to choose
from a curated portfolio. They started
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
Dhar Patel and Babita Patel, founders of hotel amenities direct supply company Hospitality1, man
their booth at a recent tradeshow.
Doing business on demand
Dhar and Babita Patels
turned hotel experience
into Hospitality1
Dhar and Babita Patel, founders of hotel amenities direct supply company Hospitality1, man their
booth at a recent tradeshow.
Spotlight
16
with electronics, focusing on Philips
televisions, thanks to Dhar’s existing
relationship with the brand.
“That was the beginning of the
Hospitality1 idea—offering a wide range
of products and services, making it easy
for hoteliers by taking on the burden of
sourcing in-demand items,” Babita said.
Hospitality1, with more than two
decades of experience in the hospitality
industry, helps hoteliers identify
products that align with brand standards
and offer long-term value. It also ensures
the technology it supplies continues to
meet hotel needs over time.
“We’ve always looked for reputable
manufacturers to ensure we offer quality
products,” Babita said. “We aim to stay
ahead of the industry by keeping up with
cutting-edge technology. We’ve worked
with both franchise and independent
properties and over the years, we've
expanded to include purchasing groups,
boutique hotels and organizations
beyond AAHOA.”
Product portfolio
Today, Hospitality1 supplies amenities
tailored to the hotel industry. Its
offerings span several categories,
including televisions and accessories
from Philips, Samsung, LG, RCA and
Starburst Technologies. For climate
control, it provides PTAC units and
thermostats from GE, Amana, VTECH
and Verdant. Microwave and fridge
options include products from Danby,
MicroFridge and Magic Chef.
Additional amenities include alarm
clocks and charging stations from
Nonstop and Brandstand, as well
as hospitality phones from VTECH
and Bittel. Hospitality1 also supplies
commercial ice machines from
Hoshizaki, Manitowoc and Scotsman.
For properties with electric vehicle
needs, it offers Tesla Universal EV
Chargers. The appliance lineup
includes GE Appliances and bedding
products feature Beautyrest mattresses,
Sleep Nest bed frames and Clean
Brands encasements.
“Over the years, we’ve built
relationships with all the major
manufacturers—LG, Samsung, Philips,
GE, Amana, MicroFridge and others,”
Babita said. “Our purchasing power
allows us to offer discounted pricing
to our clients. When our children
were younger, we also owned a Baskin
Robbins and a bar. In 2005, we sold
both businesses and I began working
full time with Dhar.”
Hospitality1 continued to grow,
adding new products and services
each year. It signed several major
clients in the hospitality sector, whom
it continues to serve. The company is
a preferred member of Best Western
Hotels & Resorts, a partnership that
enables it to supply state-of-the-art
Philips TVs to those properties.
“From our humble beginnings of
sourcing hotel electronics for our
own properties, we’ve aligned with
high-demand, brand-approved
manufacturers across the hospitality
industry,” she said. “This allows us to
pass along our discounted pricing.”
Some of Hospitality1’s clients in
Tennessee have been working with the
company for over 20 years.
“They continue to trust us for their
hotel amenities,” she said. “They’ve
been great advocates for our company
and regularly send referrals.”
Dhar, who oversees the supply side,
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
Hospitality1 offers televisions and accessories from Philips, Samsung, LG, RCA and Starburst
Technologies. For climate control, it provides PTAC units and thermostats from GE, Amana, VTECH and
Verdant. Microwave and fridge options include products from Danby, MicroFridge and Magic Chef.
Originally, Hospitality1 was known as HospitalityLCD and focused on selling TVs to hoteliers.
Spotlight
17
said the company caters to all segments
of the industry, from budget to premium.
“All items are drop-shipped from
our manufacturers,” Dhar said. “We
only sell proven products from large
manufacturers, all backed by proper
warranties. Our PTAC units meet the
latest EPA gas standards. We also offer
Tesla Level 2 EV chargers.”
Adapting to market shifts
The U.S. hotel amenity market, valued
at $18.34 billion in 2024, is projected to
reach $30.12 billion by 2033, growing at
a 6.5 percent CAGR from 2026 to 2033,
according to Verified Market Reports.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic,
supply chains were still recovering and
parts for products like TVs were in high
demand but often unavailable.
“The industry has recovered
from COVID,” the Patels said. “We
use a drop-ship model with all our
manufacturers, so we don’t need to
raise costs for storage.”
However, tariffs and inflation have
pushed up prices—for products, labor
and shipping. This trend is affecting
all manufacturers and contributing to
overall cost increases. As a one-source
solution, the Patels said, Hospitality1
provides products and services
through a single point of contact,
saving hoteliers time otherwise spent
coordinating with multiple vendors.
“Being hotel owners ourselves,
we understand the daily challenges
hoteliers face,” Dhar said. “We use our
hotel and product experience to help
hoteliers make the right decisions.”
Next phase of growth
Over the past 20 years, Hospitality1
crossed several major milestones and
adopted modern operational strategies.
The company now plans to expand into
a new, high-tech offering.
“In the next phase of our growth,
we’re preparing for supplying a hotel
robot concierge,” according to the
company’s website. “The concierge will
help your hotel with daily tasks such as
towel and meal delivery. The new line
of hotel amenities will include console
integration with Google Assistant.”
The Patels are encouraged by how the
hotel industry has evolved to recognize
the role of amenities in shaping the
guest experience. They advise aspiring
entrepreneurs to stay patient while
building their client base.
“Don’t oversell and underperform,”
the Patels concluded.
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
During a renovation at the Aloha Hotel in Long Beach, California, Dhar Patel saw a gap in the amenity
supply process that inspired him to start his own company.
“We aim to stay ahead of the industry
by keeping up with cutting-edge
technology. We’ve worked with both
franchise and independent properties
and over the years, we've expanded to
include purchasing groups, boutique
hotels and organizations beyond
AAHOA.”
Babita Patel, co-founder of Hospitality1
Hotel Design
18
laridge House Chicago
in Chicago’s Gold Coast
Historic District has been
through some changes since
its construction in the 1920s.
Its most recent iteration is becoming
part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection.
Itasca, Illinois-based NexGen Hotels,
led by President Chris Patel, acquired
the 165-room hotel in May. NexGen
sought to rebrand the
hotel into the Tapestry
Collection, which will
happen in August.
“We are excited to bring
the remarkable Tapestry
Collection by Hilton brand
to the Gold Coast section
of Chicago,” said Patel.
“This hotel is a testament
to our dedication to
providing exceptional
accommodations for our
guests. With its prime
location and upscale
amenities, we are
confident that it will become a premier
destination for visitors coming to
Chicago.”
Claridge House, designed by Chicago
architect Walter Ahlschlager, first
opened in 1923 as the Claridge Hotel.
Originally the initials “CH” and the
Claridge name remained inscribed on
the exterior of the 12-story building.
In 2005, it was renamed as Hotel
Indigo but later reopened as the
Claridge House after a 2018 renovation.
The lobby features a custom chandelier
comprised of silk-wrapped rings.
Custom millwork is in the lobby and
an elevated linear fireplace wrapped
in marble is flanked in blonde oak. The
hotel also has a restaurant and lobby
bar.
The property is near Wrigley Field,
360 Chicago, the Lakefront Trail,
Lincoln Park Zoo, the Magnificent Mile,
Soldier Field and Navy Pier, according
to NexGen. The hotel includes a fitness
center, spa and 685 square feet of
meeting space
All in the house
NexGen’s Claridge House in Chicago to join Tapestry Collection
The hotel features more than
10,000 square feet of event space,
including a ballroom with a marble
floor, stained glass windows, and
25-foot ceilings, making it a popular
wedding venue.
This sculpture is one
of several art pieces
displayed in Claridge
House’s lobby.
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
Chris Patel-led NexGen
Hotels acquired the
165-room Claridge House
Chicago in Chicago’s Gold
Coast Historic District.
Hotel Design
19
The lobby features a custom chandelier comprised
of silk-wrapped rings, custom millwork and an
elevated linear fireplace.
A door in the hotel leads to The
Southern Theatre, which is
currently owned and operated
as a home for live concerts,
plays and opera by the
Columbus Association for the
Performing Arts.
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
In 2005, the hotel
was renamed as
Hotel Indigo but
later reopened as the
Claridge House after a
2018 renovation.
Rooms at Claridge House
feature pillowtop beds
and spa-style showers.
Claridge House,
designed by Chicago
architect Walter
Ahlschlager, first
opened in 1923 as the
Claridge Hotel.
unning a hotel today takes a lot of
technology. Property management
systems and related software
packages set rates, take reservations, run
operations and communicate with guests,
and they all must work together.
For that reason, software venders are
making their products easier to integrate
into other systems. Hotel franchisers are
driving this movement in order to provide
a more unified experience for their
franchisees.
The trend also provides an opportunity
for independent hoteliers. Vipul
Dayal, president of VNR Management
in San Diego, whose portfolio is half
independent hotels, said technology, used
properly, allows independents to stay
competitive.
“Independent hotels need it more
because the big brands now are using
AI,” said Dayal, who also is chairman
of AAHOA’s Independent Hoteliers
Committee. “They have access to AI more
readily than the small, independent hotels
do. Independents just don't know how to
access AI for their property.”
Stacking the deck
Hospitality software company Unifocus
discussed the need for technology
consolidation in a blog based on
a podcast during the HITEC 2024
conference with James Turnbull, chief
information officer at KSL Resorts.
According to the blog, in the past,
many hospitality businesses relied
on bespoke technology solutions
tailored to individual properties
that allow for customization but
create inefficiencies and data silos,
hindering comprehensive analysis and
optimization.
“By standardizing vendors and
integrating systems across all
properties, KSL Resorts aims to
streamline operations, reduce
complexity and enhance data
consistency,” the blog said. “This shift
not only facilitates better management
Cover Story
20
Hotels are consolidating
tech platforms for better
efficiency
Bringing it all together
www.asianhospitality.com
July 2025 | Issue 238
As hotel technology becomes more and more important, third-party software venders are making it easier
to consolidate their products into unified systems.