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1. BDT & MSD near $1 billion acquisition of two Four Seasons hotels
BDT & MSD Partners is close to acquiring two Four Seasons properties from Host Hotels & Resorts for a combined price of more than $1 billion, Bloomberg reports. The two properties are the 444-room Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and the 156-room Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole.
Host acquired the Four Seasons Orlando in 2021 for $610 million and the Four Seasons Jackson Hole in 2022 for $315 million, according to CoStar data.
2. Hotels at center of ICE protests
Hotels have emerged as a front line in the conflict between the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and protestors, the New York Times reports.
Activists have gathered at hotels across the country to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that are presumed to be staying on property by making noises, organizing boycotts, and booking and then canceling rooms at the last minute.
"The pressure from both sides has put hotel owners in a bind. Brands’ strict standards require franchisees to welcome all guests, including ICE agents and other Department of Homeland Security personnel, even as officers are seeking out undocumented people with increasingly violent tactics," the Times reports.
3. Hotel CEOs concerned with state of international travel
This year presents a golden opportunity for international travel demand to the United States, with the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th anniversary celebration standing out as a couple of the major events in the U.S. in 2026. Hotel CEOs are concerned that the country isn't in a good spot, however, when it comes to capitalizing on what should be an influx of demand.
Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts, said during a session at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles that "the friction of travel [is] way, way too high, still."
"One of the benefits of our industry is we're in the business of live experiences," he said. "As long as we keep providing that great experience for our guests [that means] good returns for owners. We're in the business of live experiences, and that's not being disintermediated."
4. Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as Fed chair
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he will nominate Kevin Warsh to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, the Wall Street Journal reports. Warsh served on the Fed's board of governors from 2006 to 2011.
Warsh's nomination will have to be confirmed by the Senate. If confirmed, he will succeed Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May.
“I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best. On top of everything else, he is ‘central casting,’ and he will never let you down,” Trump said in a post on his social-media account.
5. Kempinski Hotels enters US with residential project
Geneva-based luxury hotel company Kempinski Hotels will enter the U.S. market for the first time with a branded residential project, Kempinski Residences Miami Design District, the company announced in a news release.
“Miami is where timeless luxury and visionary development converge at the highest level, making it the ideal setting to introduce Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality brand. Our ethos of ‘The Good Life’ will offer an elevated, urban lifestyle to residents that resonates deeply with the vibrant destination — celebrating culture, connection and authentic living while being supported by our European elegance, design, and legendary service,” said Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Group, in the release.