Hotel Analyst Podcast

Is the glass half empty, or half full? A quick debate over the latest views of the UK hotel market, as investors adjust to the new normal - and wonder about upping their activity once more. Alternatives are thriving, notably hostels - so why are these businesses still largely the preserve of private equity? And as the Chinese get out and about once more, how will this massive tourism market spread...

Tougher lending conditions are forcing mid market hotel groups to dispose of individual properties, to buttress balance sheets ahead of refinancing discussions. With Travelodge and Village Hotels now quietly being offered for sale, who has deep pockets and a strong constitution? And new arrivals in the OTA space promise hard-up consumers a better deal, often on a subscription-only basis.

As we’re told investors are lining up to put funds into co-living developments, how big could this niche be? Or is it simply a stop-gap solution to a broader housing market failure? Airlines have struggled to get back in the air, but now they’re making money - and, like hotels, wondering how to deliver real value to the consumer. And as more companies commit to going green, the space remains a com...

Rumours swirl around a possible merger of Choice and Wyndham. Hotels wrestle with how to do wellness properly, and profitably. And consumers want more personalisation - how can hotels tackle the challenge successfully?

Picking apart views from the Berlin conference - optimistic overall, but aware of debt challenges ahead. Federico Gonzalez takes a second job, heading Louvre as well as Radisson - what’s he likely to do with Jin Jiang’s big Western investments? And economy secctor operators Travelodge and Motel One shine a light on the resilience of the low cost operators.

Everyone in investment is adapting to the new normal of inflation, and debt that’s more expensive, and harder to find. India, as it becomes the world’s most populous country, looks an increasingly interesting market for both domestic hotel groups and international brands. And market newcomers Soho House, Sonder and Selina display contrasting roadmaps to profitability.

The Ascott shows everyone how serviced apartments are done - as the big US groups line up to launch new apartment brands. Hyatt's acquisition pace shows no signs of slowing up, as it buys an umbrella brand. And as Keith Barr departs IHG, will it finally move its presence, and its listing, to the US?

It's been a strong results season for the listed hotel groups, so what are they going to do to move the needle from here on? We muse on Whitbread and its expansion into Germany; Marriott and Hilton, both deciding to launch new, economy extended stay brands as they move downmarket; and chew over stellar results from Wyndham and Accor, both enjoying an uplift from a strong snapback in Asia. 

Investors pile into luxury and lifestyle hotels - and we look to LVMH for further brand inspiration, while speculating on Accor’s future, too. Integrated resorts - complete with a casino - look to be moving forward both in Europe, and in Japan too, but pushing them to delivery is hard work. And Spain is enjoying an influx as the international brands take over hotels that were previously independen...

Who's winning the distribution game, as international travel opens up once more. Simple answer, Google - but what else is going on? Pubs with rooms get their act together, they're more boutique than budget accommodation these days. And the UK government makes clear the direction they want to head as they clarify regulation of short lets.

It’s getting harder, and more expensive, to borrow funds for hotel investment - and that’s no bad thing, we argue. Germany has seen its hotel market come back, good news for operators including Motel One and Deutsche Hospitality; but will DH remain in the ownership of Chinese group H World, or is the moment approaching for a sale? And can hotels be part of the revival of the UK’s ailing high stree...

Real estate investment values have been dropping, notably across retail and offices, as hotels are holding strong. Is the glass half empty, or half full? The sustainability debate - and where the hotel sector may face significant threats in the future. And Asian hotel groups finally get to see an uptick in business, as China eases open once more. The rest of the world will benefit, too, as the Chi...

Accor launches a fresh push into the expanding branded residences market; Soho House picks up its old name as it looks to pick up profitability too; and student accommodation providers continue to enjoy a demographic boost

Flexible office providers look to hotel-style franchising to accelerate their growth. But more importantly, will hybrid working provide opportunities for hotels? Marriott makes changes at the top - and those changes make it clear that it’s all about growth and brands. And Reits discover that big is beautiful, as well as providing a buffer of safety in uncertain times as debt markets tighten.

How Saudi Arabia is planning to outdo Dubai, with its megaprojects that will turn the kingdom into a post-oil tourism destination. Why vertical integration is working so well for Anglo-Irish group Dalata, and trans-European group PPHE. Plus how airlines, airports and air traffic control are letting the side down, when it comes to reinstating international long haul travel. The hotel rooms are wait...

Reasons to be cheerful, as those in the UK hotel market look beyond recent, and current market challenges. IHG and Accor, both with a heavy stake in the Chinese hotel market, look forward to the upside of Asia’s reopening. And online bookings soar - good for leader Booking.com - but they continue to pay an awful lot to advertise their inventory.

A conversation with Joe Stather, VP market leader for operational real estate at Questex, ahead of the International Hospitality Investment Forum taking place 15-17 May in Berlin. The event’s theme is “Fortune favours the bold” - so where should investors look for the best opportunities in the market, after the pandemic?

Big beasts Hyatt and Marriott lead the pace of hotel group recovery. Airbnb’s stock rose after a solid 2022 with growing profits, but where’s the next opportunity for the platform? And we wonder what franchise specialists Choice and Wyndham will buy next, as they generate cash.

A chat with Simon Allison of HOFTEL, ahead of the Gulf & Indian Ocean Hotel Investors' Summit 2023. Why has Dubai performed so strongly, where are new hotels in the region popping up?

What's likely to happen over the next few months, as investors with cash wonder how best to deploy it, or whether to sit on it, and those with borrowings wonder how to approach refinancing. Against a gloomy outlook, hotel businesses continue to deliver cash - and it can't be long before private equity is active in the sector once more. And third party managers rev up to sign up more branded hotels...

New brands - Spark from Hilton and Handwritten Collection from Accor - but who are they actually for? We mull over the leading hostel brands, and wonder who will buy into this successful niche over the coming year. And thoughts from a recent HOFTEL hotel owners conference in Madrid, dogged by economic uncertainty.

2022 saw hotel deal volumes drop almost a third in the UK - what’s the outlook for 2023? As several UK hotels are hired by the National Health Service to speed up hospital patient discharges, what about the opportunity more broadly of health tourism? And thoughts from Christie’s review of the market, how pricing might shift when and distressed opportunities may appear.

China opens up for travel once more - are we back to post-pandemic normality, finally? The UK’s student housing market looks to be maturing, and it’s a hotel investor who’s jumping in. And alternative accommodation providers embrace regulation, as they argue they’re not creating a housing shortage.

Hotel owners and investors are starting to focus more on the green credentials of their properties, and their targets - and there’s more pushback, too on regulation. More tax and regulation for the UK hospitality sector - but it’s not all bad. And we’re seeing major landlords shifting their approach to tenants, as French giant Covivio takes learnings from its substantial hotel portfolio, and creat...

The curious conundrum of new investors coming into the market, as established players halt further investment. Chains of pubs with rooms are growing, backed by private equity - but are they really a challenge to hotels? And what's actually changed, long term, after the pandemic?