Hotel News Now’s Independent Insights newsletter each month features a news roundup from the independent hotel sector. Subscribe to the free monthly newsletter here.
Recovery in boutique segment varies by location
Data from STR, parent company of Hotel News Now, and Horwath HTL presented at the recent online Boutique Lifestyle Digital Summit show that July was the worst month so far for boutique hotel revenue-per-available-room declines, and markets including Africa and North America might not hit pre-pandemic levels, or even break-even occupancy levels, until 2023, reports Hotel News Now’s Danielle Hess.
Vail Ross, SVP of global business development and marketing at STR, said during the “Hospitality markets operating outlook” session that location is a determining factor for performance in the current pandemic environment.
Year to date in July 2020, resort boutiques reported a 27.8% decline in RevPAR while properties in urban and suburban locations reported a 58.4% drop and a 54.1% drop, respectively.
Lark Hotels forms management arm to reach indie owners
Through the formation of its third-party management arm, Lark Hotels is providing independent hotel owners with its management services while allowing them to keep an individual identity, CEO Peter Twachtman told Hotel News Now’s Danielle Hess.
The idea to create a third-party management branch began in early 2020 when Twachtman and Lark founder Rob Blood were discussing how many properties it turns away because they don’t fall under the Lark umbrella from a brand and design standpoint.
“As we thought about that from our collective business standpoint, our infrastructure, our ability to manage properties, we said this seems a little crazy that we’re potentially turning away wonderful properties to work with and really great (owners) because those properties don’t fit into a Lark mold from design,” Twachtman said.
OLS Hotels & Resorts rebrands, launches tech platform
Hotel management company OLS Hotels & Resorts announced it has rebranded to Springboard Hospitality, according to a news release. The company manages more than 30 independent and branded properties across the U.S. In addition to the rebrand, it also launched a new Hospitality Intelligence platform providing customizable technology solutions for each property.
“Our new identity, Springboard Hospitality, encapsulates our abilities to uncover opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and drive more profit for owners and investors,” said CEO Ben Rafter in the release. “When I joined the company in 2016, we set out to infuse our operational success with investments in technology, people and culture. Since that time, I’m proud that we’ve steadily grown to over 30 properties in 10 states, and we’re looking toward continued growth and investments under our revitalized brand.”
Openings, management, people on the move
- The 120-room Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection, opened in Grapevine, Texas, on 3 September.
- The Winston, a 14-room upscale boutique hotel, opened in Solvang, California, in the town’s historic Old Mill Clock Tower.
- Tequila, Mexico, has welcomed the new 25-room boutique Casa Salles. It is located on the grounds next to a La Guarreña distillery, which produces El Tequileño.
- The 67-room boutique hotel 907 Main opened in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 9 September in the middle of Central Square.
Compiled by Dana Miller.