One thing I love about hotels is that I know exactly what to expect when I check into one.
I know I'll receive my key card in its tiny folder, complete with my room number and internet access information. I can count on small soaps in their waxy envelopes waiting for me beside the sink, a safe in the closet that I'll briefly consider using before not touching it once during the duration of my stay and a bed with four pillows I'll play Goldilocks with later until I find the one that's just right for optimal neck support.
Usually when something unexpected happens while traveling, it's most certainly a negative experience. But I do admit that the unexpected can occasionally be to the traveler's benefit — your room is ready hours early, your rideshare booking resulted in a newer car without paying the $10 more to secure it or your flight landed 15 minutes ahead of the estimated arrival time.
These might be rare and, admittedly, small wins, but man are they exciting when they happen.
But when thinking about what to write about for my inaugural CoStar News Hotels blog post — it seems that exactly one year into my role makes me eligible to share my thoughts rather than just my reporting with readers — I knew I wanted to talk about this level of consistency and reliability a hotel stay provides its guests. And, how the industry as a whole can take inspiration from it.
Now, I do realize that striving for consistency as a business model might seem a little unambitious. However, following a year where "uncertainty" plagued the headlines for hoteliers — yes, many of them here on this very site — I'd consider consistency a marketable improvement. Especially since consistent growth should also translate to sustainable growth.
I don't think just because we turned our calendars to a new year that we can leave what happened in 2025 behind. Hoteliers are still grappling with disappointing performance results from last year and muted transaction and construction markets, and some of the industry trends are expected to continue.
But a new year always offers me — and many other optimists — with new hope. And my hope is that the hotel industry prioritizes reliability and consistency in 2026. And honestly, after years of "unprecedented times," can't we just finally have some precedented ones for a change? I'm manifesting predictability, personally.
I look forward to seeing what hotel experts at the upcoming Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) later this month have to say about what they expect to see this year. I'll be out there if you'd like to tell me what you think — I'm also available on LinkedIn if you'd like to connect.
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