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Briefs: U.S. room revenue jumps | Kempinski to debut in Singapore

U.S. hotels advance in April. gained by 4.2% to US$88.54 in April, according to data from STR. Occupancy rose 0.9% to 67.9% compared with April 2017. And ADR increased 3.3% to US$130.33. The increase in ADR was the largest for any month since January 2017, and the industry has posted 98 consecutive months of RevPAR growth year over year. Two of the largest 25 markets tied for the largest RevPAR gains: San Francisco/San Mateo, California, up 19.2% to US$204.76, and New Orleans, up 19.2% to US$137.91. Houston and Denver also advanced while Orlando, Florida, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia, and St. Louis experienced setbacks.

 


Kempinski signs for first Singapore property. Swiss luxury group Kempinski Hotels SA plans to open The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore at Capitol Singapore in the city-state’s downtown Civic District. The property will be owned and managed by Singapore-based Perennial Real Estate Holdings. Housed in the restored Capitol Building and Stamford House, the hotel will have 157 guest rooms and suites. Services will be phased in following the September opening.

 


MGM phasing out plastic straws. MGM International is joining other hotel companies in eliminating plastic straws at its hotels, starting with Aria and Mandalay Bay. The Straw Reduction Initiative is part of a larger environmentally conscious trend being embraced by hotels and restaurants. It takes hundreds of years for a straw to break down naturally and the company uses 250,000 a day, or about 100 million a year. Straws still will be available on request.

 


Margaritaville landing in north Alabama. The Margaritaville hotel chain inspired by the iconic Jimmy Buffett song plans its first property in Alabama, in metro Huntsville. The 150-room property will be adjacent to a new minor league baseball stadium under construction at the 563-acre Town Madison development. Town Madison developer Breland Companies said the hotel will include a water park, meeting space and Margaritaville retail store. Chance Partners LLC will develop the project scheduled to open in 2020.

 


Tennessee law protects home-sharing. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed into law a bill that protects home-sharing, a big win for Airbnb. Nashville is one of Airbnb’s largest markets. The law provides certainty for homeowners offering short-term rentals in cities that don’t have ordinances regulating the rentals. Tennessee is the sixth state to pass legislation protecting short-term rentals while large cities including New York and San Francisco seek to regulate home sharing. The bill still empowers municipalities to develop their own rules on short-term rentals.

 


Gunman shot at Trump Miami hotel. The gunman who unfurled an American flag and fired shots inside the Trump National Doral Miami resort on May 18 appeared in court Monday morning and was ordered held without bond. South Africa native Jonathan Oddi, 42, a stripper and porn actor, suffered police gunshots to his legs and faces charges of attempted murder when he became embroiled in a firefight and chase with police. Agents raided his apartment to recover phones, electronics and other evidence that might reveal what led to the incident. In court, Oddi admitted that he had set off a fire alarm as well, according to the Miami Herald.

 


 

Fattal sells Munich hotel. Israel’s Fattal Holdings 1998 Limited is selling the Leonardo Royal Hotel in Munich for US$157 million in a leaseback deal with an unnamed buyer, according to the Globes news service.

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