Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Government agencies are using hotels, including one in Georgia, to house COVID-19 patients

AAHOA encourages members to hire a lawyers, check insurance

THE OLD RADISSON Hotel in the Franklin Gateway corridor of Marietta, Georgia, is easy to overlook, sitting as it does somewhat off the major road. A strong metal gate with black screening surrounds the property now with federal marshals guarding the entrance.

Despite the subdued exterior, the building is now at the center of the biggest drama to sweep the small city north of Atlanta, and the nation as a whole; the COVID-19 pandemic. The 218-room former 3-star hotel now houses patients who have tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 but who do not yet need medical treatment, according to the Marietta Daily Journal.


“My understanding is that it will house patients that need to be separated, but not hospitalized,” Mayor Steve Tumlin told the newspaper.

Locally based Apsilon Hotels LLC, founded in 1984 by Ashwin Patel and currently led by CEO Raj Patel, owns the building. They did not return a call for comment in time for this article.

‘One opportunity’

U.S. Health and Human Services is the agency that secured the hotel, but similar occupations are taking place in different states under the authority of various agencies, including local health departments and the military.

“One opportunity that has arisen in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis is the potential utilization of hotels and motels as sites for coronavirus patient care or quarantine zones. It is also possible that a government entity may order you to turn over your hotel to them,” AAHOA said in a guidance document on its website. “While these possibilities are in their early stages of development, there are several things to keep in mind if you are interested in pursuing or approached to consider this unique lodging arrangement.”

The first step for hotel owners approached by a government agency to surrender their property for this use is to consult an attorney and contact their insurance company to get, in writing, assurance that they are covered.

Franchisees should determine whether third-party leases are allowed and whether they will still be required to pay brand fees. The part of a hotel being used for quarantine should be closed to the public and all employees should be made aware of the situation and be allowed to stay home if they choose.

“Don’t undertake any responsibility for observing and monitoring guests,” the AAHOA document said. “Comply with all protocols established by all government agencies, including sanitizing protocols for disinfecting all areas after housing the affected individuals.”

Determine who would pay for damage to the property and whether the use will affect any loans on the property. Then there’s booking, utilities and suppliers to consider.

“Any agreement related to a housing arrangement with a government entity should be carefully examined by your attorney,” AAHOA said.

Doing community service

Jyoti Sarolia, principal and managing member of Ellis Hospitality Group in Temecula, California, supports the state’s decision to convert hotels to house coronavirus positive people and the homeless. The same has been done in other parts of the world, she said.

“Hotels are an important role within in a community.  Our hotels welcome visitors and host meeting spots, so why not become a temporary hospital when we have a shortage of hospital beds,” she said. “I am not expecting our team members to be medical professionals, but we offer those rooms for those in need.  We must all help where we can while trying to maintain our livelihood.”

Miraj Patel, president of Wayside Investment Group in Houston, said state health departments have been approaching hotel owners about taking over their properties for isolation.

“They will take over your whole hotel for the next 90 days,” Patel said. “It’s a win-win. In many states the health department will even clean your hotel. Basically, you’re just going to be on autopilot.”

At the same time, he also has several concerns about letting his hotels be used for isolation units.

“I have standards. We have brand standards, and then we have our company standards of how we want to be clean,” Patel said. “If we have a third party coming in and cleaning, number one, we have to lay off our housekeeping staff. Then I’ll have to train all my employees all over again when this is all over.”

And then there’s the question of how it would affect future visits, he said.

“After four months down the line, when everything is OK, are people are going to feel like ‘Hey, this is one of those quarantine hotels and I’m not sure I want to stay there,’ Patel said. “It could scare away future guests.”

Patel recently opened a 66-room Red Roof PLUS+ in Galveston, Texas, that has suffered from unexpectedly low occupancy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s dampening of travel.

Housing the helpers

Oyo Hotels and Homes announced on March 24 that all of its hotels will offer free stays to medical workers who are traveling to fight the virus.

“All of us at OYO are grateful for the bravery and sacrifices all the medical personnel are making to save lives and stop the spread of Covid-19,” said Ritesh Agarwal, founder and group CEO for OYO.  “Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this terrible illness.”

Reservations can be made at 628-213-7020 with the code OYO4FIRSTRESPONDERS.

More for you

U.S. Hotel Construction Hits 20-Quarter Low in June

CoStar: Hotel construction drops in June

Summary:

  • U.S. hotel rooms under construction fell year over year for the sixth straight month in June, hitting a 20-quarter low, CoStar reported.
  • About 138,922 rooms were under construction, down 11.9 percent from June 2024; the luxury segment had 6,443 rooms, up 4.1 percent year over year.
  • Lodging Econometrics recently said Dallas led all U.S. markets in hotel construction pipelines at the end of the first quarter, with 203 projects and 24,496 rooms.

THE NUMBER OF U.S. hotel rooms under construction declined year over year for the sixth straight month in June, reaching a 20-quarter low, according to CoStar. Additionally, more than half of all rooms under development are in the South, mostly outside the top 25 markets.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. travelers using mobile devices to book independent boutique hotel stays with personalized offers and smart tech in 2025

Study: Personalization boosts independent hotel bookings

Summary:

  • Around 95 percent of U.S. travelers are more likely to book independent hotels with personalized offers, according to TakeUp.
  • 59 percent plan more travel in 2025, with 78 percent favoring weekend getaways and 65 percent domestic trips.
  • Top booking deterrents are few reviews at 39 percent, unclear cleanliness or quality at 38 percent and inflexible cancellations at 29 percent.

PERSONALIZED OFFERS BASED on interests would make 95 percent of U.S. travelers more likely to book at an independent hotel, according to TakeUp, a revenue management platform for independent hotels. About 85 percent are open to technologies such as smart check-in, recommendations and AI-based pricing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chart showing decline in U.S. extended-stay hotel occupancy and RevPAR in May 2025

Report: May fifth month for drop in extended-stay occupancy

Summary:

  • Extended-stay occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth straight monthly decline; ADR and RevPAR also dropped for a second consecutive month.
  • May marked 44 straight months of supply growth for the segment at 4 percent or less, with annual growth below the 4.9 percent long-term average.
  • Extended-stay room revenues rose 0.5 percent, while total industry revenue grew 0.9 percent, led by segments with little extended-stay supply.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTEL occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth consecutive monthly decline, exceeding the 0.7 percent drop reported for all hotels by STR/CoStar, according to The Highland Group. Extended-stay occupancy was 10.5 percentage points above the total hotel industry, at the lower end of the long-term average premium range.

Keep ReadingShow less
Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less