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The AAA Four Diamond rated Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, owned by Duke University, has joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a global independent hotel brand with more than 625 hotels in 80 countries. It is now the only property in North Carolina in the L.V.X. Collection. The recognition follows significant renovations completed in 2024 and 2025. The inn has held a AAA Four Diamond rating for 26 consecutive years. As of October 20, eligible guests can earn points through I Prefer Hotel Rewards.
Placemakr is opening its second Arizona property, Placemakr Tempe, Apartments by Hilton, on Dec. 2. The newly constructed luxury property within the Shorehaven community offers 87 furnished studio to three-bedroom accommodations and amenities including a resort-style pool, game lawn, clubroom and fitness center. CEO Jason Fundin said demand for apartment-style stays is outpacing supply, and Tempe's mix of business, university and leisure demand makes it a natural fit. The opening follows Placemakr's first Arizona location in downtown Phoenix and is part of Hilton's Apartment Collection category launched in January with Placemakr.
Choice Hotels International saw U.S. RevPAR increase 3.8% year over year in Q3 2026, driven primarily by higher occupancy and accelerating rate growth, according to CEO Dom Dragisich. The company raised its full-year 2026 RevPAR growth outlook to 1.5%-2.5% amid stronger demand trends. Business travel led demand growth, and infrastructure-related demand, including data center development, contributed significantly. Extended stay remains a key growth driver, delivering 13 consecutive quarters of double-digit rooms growth and representing over 40% of the U.S. pipeline. Choice's global pipeline totaled 78,200 rooms, with 96% concentrated in extended stay, midscale and upscale brands. U.S. room openings increased 17% year over year for the first nine months, and the U.S. conversion pipeline grew 29%. The company also acquired Harvest Hosts and progressed on its AI deployment strategy.
Hyatt Hotels has upgraded its Hyatt Leverage program for small and midsize businesses, providing exclusive rates at more than 1,300 hotels and end-to-end travel management via a modern booking experience. The platform, first launched in 2018, is now powered by Spotnana to enable an integrated booking experience, allowing clients to book, view and manage reservations and payments in one place. The move comes as SMEs remain a critical segment for Hyatt, and follows similar offerings from Hilton and Omni Hotels & Resorts. Hyatt Leverage also offers loyalty benefits through World of Hyatt.
Marriott International's Q3 2026 earnings report showed a 6.5% year-over-year increase in RevPAR, with 7.4% growth in the U.S. and Canada and 4.4% internationally. CEO Anthony Capuano attributed the growth to robust travel demand despite geopolitical uncertainty. Leisure RevPAR rose 7% globally and 9% in the U.S. and Canada, while group RevPAR increased 6% globally and 7% in the U.S. and Canada. Business transient RevPAR was up 4% globally and 5% in the U.S. and Canada. Luxury and resort hotels led U.S. and Canada RevPAR growth at 12%. Marriott raised its full-year 2026 global RevPAR growth outlook to 4.5%-5%. The company's global pipeline grew more than 6% year over year to a record 634,000 rooms, and its global portfolio added roughly 20,100 rooms, representing 4.6% net rooms growth. Marriott Bonvoy membership reached approximately 309 million members. The company also progressed on its technology transformation and announced hotel conversions and brand expansions.
MGM Resorts International reported third-quarter 2026 earnings on Wednesday, revealing a 1% year-over-year decline in consolidated revenues and a 20% drop in adjusted EBITDA. The results followed the announcement that MGM amended its Voting Agreement with People Inc., its largest shareholder, after People Inc. withdrew its proposal to acquire MGM in a go-private deal valued at over $18 billion. The amended agreement requires People Inc. and associated persons to vote with MGM's board on future change of control transactions and caps their ownership at 29.9%. People Inc. currently holds 66.8 million MGM shares, about 27% of the company. In Las Vegas, revenues fell 2% and segment adjusted EBITDAR dropped 12% year over year, with RevPAR and ADR each down 8% and occupancy flat. CEO Bill Hornbuckle cited macroeconomic headwinds and rising fuel prices affecting leisure and transient customers, but noted October has rebounded favorably. CFO Jonathan Halkyard highlighted the digital portfolio and MGM Osaka as pivotal growth drivers.
Caesars Entertainment's Q3 2026 earnings report shows Las Vegas net revenues down 2.3% year over year and adjusted EBITDA in the segment down 9.5%. Systemwide net revenues rose 2.5%, with regional and digital segments growing 5.9% and 4.8%. For the first nine months, systemwide net revenues increased 2.7% while Las Vegas was down 2%. The company did not host an earnings call due to its pending $17.6 billion acquisition by Fertitta Entertainment, which shareholders approved in September and which still requires antitrust clearance and gaming jurisdiction approvals. The deal is expected to take Caesars private and delist its stock from Nasdaq.
Hilton launched Pay with Points, enabling Hilton Honors Silver, Gold, Diamond and Diamond Reserve members to apply points to eligible hotel charges through a fully digital checkout in the Hilton Honors app. The program is available at 150 U.S. hotels and is expected to expand to 800 by year-end and over 6,000 in the U.S. and Canada by early 2027. Hilton claims it is the first major hotel brand to offer this fully digital points-payment option, responding to member feedback that 70% want to use points for on-property purchases.
Hilton announced it will move its common stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq, beginning trading on Nov. 5 under the ticker HLT. The company said the move aligns with its growth ambitions and innovation focus. CEO Chris Nassetta noted Nasdaq's alignment with Hilton's goals, while Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman welcomed the hotel giant. Hilton's business strategy and capital allocation remain unchanged. The transfer ends a relationship with the NYSE that began in 1946 and follows a similar move by competitor Marriott in 2013.
Sandpiper Hospitality plans to add over 12 hotels to its management portfolio in the next 90 days, including in the Southwest and Midwest. The expansion introduces four new brands: Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hampton Inn by Hilton, Fairfield Inn & Suites from Marriott International and Holiday Inn Express from IHG Hotels & Resorts. It also adds hotels under three extended stay brands: Extended Stay America, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' Echo Suites and Choice Hotels International's WoodSpring Suites. The Richmond, Virginia-based firm currently has more than 75 hotels open or under contract and manages 16 brands across 15 states. President and CEO Jim Darter said the growth reflects client trust and a focus on financial results and ROI.