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1. Many Americans feel pressure from economy
The U.S. economy proved itself to be resilient in 2025, outpacing expectations amid new tariff policies, shifts in the market and the longest government shutdown in the country's history. But many Americans don't feel good about where they are at financially, indicating in surveys that they are struggling with the cost of living, the New York Times reports.
Unemployment rose in November, wage growth has slowed and inflation remains elevated.
"Tariffs haven’t caused a spike in inflation, but they have pushed up prices for some consumer products. Homeownership remains out of reach for many Americans. Child care is still broadly unaffordable, electricity bills are rising and healthcare premiums are set to rise for millions of families when insurance subsidies expire at the end of the year," the Times reports.
2. Apple REIT acquires Motto by Hilton Nashville Downtown
Richmond, Virginia-based Apple Hospitality REIT acquired the 260-room Motto by Hilton Nashville Downtown for $98.2 million, or $378,000 per key, the company said in a news release.
The new-build hotel also officially opened, corresponding with the sale. According to CoStar data, M. A. Mortenson Company was the previous owner of the property.
"Through our longstanding relationship with one of the industry’s leading and most trusted developers, we secured a fixed-price, take-out contract ahead of development, enabling us to acquire this hotel at an attractive per-key price within market," Nelson Knight, president of real estate and investments at Apple Hospitality, said in the news release. "The overarching demand trends in Nashville continue to be strong, with resilient leisure demand supported by a wealth of entertainment and sporting venues and strengthening business demand bolstered by the continued movement of both large and small corporates into Nashville’s business-friendly environment."
3. Hotel designers underwhelmed by Pantone's color of the year
Pantone's color of the year selection for 2026 turned some heads, and not because it was a standout, flamboyant color. The company picked Cloud Dancer, a calming hue of white. Hotel designers don't believe this is a trend that will catch on in the hospitality business, CoStar News' Natalie Harms reports.
"Light, white colors in hotels are very, very difficult," said Molly Forman, interior designer at Washington, D.C.-based boutique design firm //3877. "We're designing for durability. We need longevity."
4. Rome to charge tourists to see Trevi Fountain
Rome is implementing a €2 ($2.34) fee on tourists who want to get close to the Trevi Fountain, Reuters reports.
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said the fee will begin on Feb. 1, 2026, and he expects it will raise €6.5 million a year. Gualtieri also made it clear that this will only apply to tourists, not citizens of Rome.
"Two euros isn't very much ... and it will lead to less chaotic tourist flows," Gualtieri said.
5. San Antonio hotel workers secure raise
Workers at the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency hotels in San Antonio, represented by Unite Here, ratified a new contract to raise their minimum wage to $20 an hour, the city's local NBC station reports.
The union said the housekeepers, laundry attendants and other hourly employees will be the first hotel workers in the city to earn a minimum wage at that rate. The contract will also reduce healthcare costs and make Juneteenth a paid holiday.
"I feel like I can breathe better. Sleep better. Why? Because it's taken me 44 years with Hyatt to reach this milestone. This is history for us," an employee said.