Airbnb sues San Francisco: Airbnb filed a lawsuit over a new law that requires the short-term rental company to verify that hosts have registered with the city before publishing advertisements online. The suit, which argues that the new rules violate the Communications Decency Act, is intended to block the law from going into effect on August 1.
Barcelo, Plateno enter partnership: Barcelo Hotels & Resort signed a franchise agreement with Plateno, aiming to develop about 100 properties in China within the next 10 years. The first franchisee could be confirmed during the second half of 2016.
IHG grows on Mexico: IHG and Alkoer announced a joint venture to develop two Staybridge Suites hotels in Guanajuato, Mexico. The Staybridge Suites Irapuato and Staybridge Suites Silao are slated to open in late 217. Both 120-room properties will include a mix of 84 studios, 24 one-bedroom suites and 12 two-bedroom suites.
SPG Keyless expands: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is extending its SPG Keyless functionality, which allows mobile and keyless entry to a hotel room via smartphone, to select Le Méridien, Westin, Sheraton, and Four Points properties worldwide. Currently, Aloft, Element, and W properties already provide access to SPG Keyless at more than 160 properties in over 30 countries.
Read more at Starwood’s website
Ashford responds to proposal: Ashford Hospitality Prime sent a letter to the Wesiman Group stating that the US$1.48 billion buyout offer to buy the company “materially undervalues” it. Under the deal, the Weisman Group offered to pay US$20.25 a share for the common shares of the company and about US$25 apiece for the company’s preferred stock. Ashford’s board ruled out the possibility of any sale and will increase its 2016 quarterly cash dividend by 20% to US$0.12 per share. It also decided to offload four properties and pursue a stock repurchase plan.
Bourdain names hotel to ‘die’ for: In a recent interview with Travel + Leisure, Anthony Boudain said he “would not feel cheated by life” if he died in Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. “”It’s an organic entity — not like a chain or even a building — like a friendly version of the Overlook Hotel in ‘The Shining’ in the sense that it has a heart and a soul,” he said.
Read the full interview at Travel + Leisure
Maryland Live unveils hotel plans: Maryland Live Casino announced plans for a new luxury hotel at the casino in Hanover, Maryland. The US$200-million Live Hotel will include 310 rooms and is scheduled to open by the end of 2017.
Ramadan’s impact on hotels: Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was the only major hotel market in the Middle East to experience an increase in RevPAR during the first two weeks of Ramadan, according to recent STR data. Muscat, Oman, experienced the steepest RevPAR decline during the two-week period, falling 23.4%, while Dubai recorded a 2.9% increase in occupancy over the two-week period, but ADR was down 9%, resulting in a 6.4% decrease in RevPAR.
Read more at Hotelier Middle East
AMResorts signs in Mexico: Apple Leisure Group’s subsidiary AMReosrts signed a deal to manage Zoëtry Chamela Costalegre Mexico. Construction of the 120-room new-build hotel is expected to begin during the first half of 2017.
FibraHotel continues development: FibraHotel and Artha Capital will develop a full-service hotel inside the Villa del Mar mixed-use project in Mexico City. The hotel will have 179 full-service rooms with a brand and operator to be announced at a future date. The hotel is expected to open in the second quarter of 2018.
Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain acquired: As part of a new partnership, Cottonwood Properties and HSL Properties completed the purchase of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Resort, in Tucson, Arizona. The hotel was sold by affiliates of Cottonwood Properties and of Marriott International.