Some more reading material:
A story from Bloomberg says hotel operators will need four years to get back to 2008 rate levels after slashing prices this year. The story also says this year may be the lowest annual occupancy level in 20 years. It seems as if everyone’s warnings were correct: Occupancy keeps falling even as rates come down, so cutting rates is the worst thing you can do. I guess the lessons from 2001 weren’t learned as well as we had hoped.

I was just thinking there’s been little news or developments with Starwood’s suit against Hilton and it’s new brand, Denizen, but then I found this interesting story on the saga. Certainly not much new there, but it’s an interesting and in-depth look by the Washington Post at the drama.
Not sure what’s next in this, but I can’t imagine the brand has legs anymore.

Four Points by Sheraton continues its impressive growth with a third location in New York City. The business-traveler friendly brand is getting quite a push from Starwood and the billboard location in Times Square will only help. Starwood and partners have put more than a billion dollars into the brand to reinvent it in the past five years. There’s been a 70 percent turnover in the portfolio during that time. The brand recently opened its first vacation resort hotel in Punta Gorda, FL and launched its first prototype hotel in San Antonio, TX. The next will open in Columbus, OH. Check out my Anatomy of a Development series for more on that location.
“We are delighted to debut Four Points by Sheraton at the epicenter of New York City as a key part of our global growth and brand rejuvenation,” said Brian McGuinness, senior vice president, specialty select brands for Starwood. “Our expansion in New York City also addresses the rising demand for affordable and stylish lodging in urban areas.”