Hospitality Design February - March 2024 - 87

Sculptural details define the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa in
Honduras, a collaboration with LPA Architects and Theresa Fatino Design
The bright and airy spa suite at the
Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa
The handiwork of Blink Design, a rendering of the soothing
lobby in the Six Senses Kyoto, debuting in May
The U.S. Forecast
Julienne Smith, chief development officer,
Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, says that " the
U.S. remains a vast development opportunity
across our portfolio and accounted for nearly 40
percent of IHG's signings as of Q3 2023. " One
notable undertaking was the launch of Garner,
a growing midscale conversion brand. This is in
line with a downshift in new-build projects, given
that " the cost of construction, financing, and
availability of new construction debt financing is
very limited and very challenging, " says Jonathan
Falik, founder and CEO of JF Capital Advisors,
which specializes in strategic and capital market
advising for the hospitality industry.
LE's data points to the same conclusion. " The
U.S. just hit the fourth quarter with a record
number of projects in the new construction
pipeline, " Ford adds, and many of them are
smaller keys or renovations and conversions.
Hyatt, for its part, is rapidly growing its
recently announced Hyatt Studios, its uppermidscale
extended-stay brand in the Americas
(200 deals are in various stages of negotiation
with both single-unit and multi-unit developers),
capitalizing on what Falik describes as a healthy
capital environment for the segment, while
Hilton is ramping up its footprint with the newly
launched LivSmart Studios brand (350 deals are in
the works). Brian Quinn, chief development officer
for Sonesta International Hotels, whose Sonesta
ES Suites brand appeals to guests looking for both
space and value, adds that " extended stay was hot
before the pandemic, through the pandemic, and
continues to be a bit of a juggernaut, " especially for
those traveling with families or for work.
Davidson Hospitality Group, which
primarily focuses on upper-upscale and luxury
segments and resorts, is also adapting to a
market that is challenging for full-service hotel
development. " Multiple revenue streams are
what get a development done, " explains CEO
and president Thom Geshay. Take the Embassy
Suites Orlando Sunset Walk, which Davidson
is managing. Slated to open this spring, the
property's location already includes elements
such as timeshares, multifamily residences, a
waterpark, retail, and a Margaritaville resort.
" We're seeing add-ons to existing destinations
or mixed-use developments where hospitality is
one component of a project that's either [already]
mature or is creating a new destination. "
New York
With 44 projects and 7,338 rooms under
construction and a current supply of 670 hotels
and 126,263 rooms, New York remains one of
the most competitive U.S. hotel markets. But
there are always standouts. Among them are Kit
Kemp's latest, the 57-room Warren Street Hotel,
resplendent in the hotelier's signature colorful,
layered aesthetic; the forthcoming Martin
Brudnizki-designed Surrey, now part of Corinthia
Hotels; and the highly anticipated reimagined
Waldorf Astoria, set to debut in December with
a design from Pierre-Yves Rochon and F&B by
AvroKO. " New York City was underperforming
and now the occupancies have rebounded, not all
the way, but significantly, " says Falik, " and ADRs
(average daily rates) are exploding. "
Marriott anticipates the 256-room, natureinspired
W Hotel Union Square will be a draw.
Emerging from a redesign by Rockwell Group,
the property is part of the launch of the brand's
new look. The firm's " deep history with both this
brand and hotel make them the ideal partner to
reinvent and reintroduce it to the world-right
back where it all started, " says Kristen Conry,
Marriott's senior vice president of global design,
continents. " Guests will feel the energy of largerthan-life
murals and projection art and the
richness of historic architecture juxtaposed with
modern elements, all topped off with a stunning
rooftop bar designed by AvroKO. "
hospitalitydesign.com February/March 2024
087
Photos and renderings by DIEGO RAMOS and courtesy of RITZ-CARLTON and SIX SENSES
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com
Hospitality Design February - March 2024

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