Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

HomeTowne Studios opens in Tampa, FL

Dhruv Development began construction on the hotel in January

HomeTowne Studios opens in Tampa, FL

HomeTowne Studios Tampa – Airport is now open in Tampa, Florida. The 124-room hotel will be operated by Dhruv Management, led by President and CEO Vijay Patel, and was developed by Dhruv Development, headed by CEO Amit Patel.

“The HomeTowne Studios Tampa – Airport is the first in the brand to feature the new prototype, which sets new standards for updated guestroom aesthetics as well as improved operational efficiency,” said Zack Gharib, Red Roof’s president. “Guests in central Florida have the opportunity to experience a new kind of economy extended-stay lodging—one that also meets the needs of the franchising community and of which we can all be proud.”


The hotel is near Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, Egypt Lake-Leto, the Florida Aquarium, Historic Tampa Gulf Coast Railroad Trestle Bridge and the Museum of Science and Industry. It features a business center and other amenities.

Dhruv Management and Dhruv Development are also building a HomeTowne Studios in Bradenton, Florida, with four additional properties in various stages of development, Red Roof said in a statement.

“Tampa is the perfect market to introduce the new and improved HomeTowne Studios, and Vijay Patel at Dhruv Management and Amit Patel at Dhruv Development, along with their teams, are the perfect partners in this endeavor,” said Matthew Hostetler, Red Roof’s chief development officer. “This addition to the Red Roof family of hotels will offer guests a reimagined and elevated extended-stay experience.”

Amit Patel expressed excitement about partnering with Red Roof on their new extended-stay hotels, HomeTowne Studios in Tampa and Bradenton.

“Red Roof is more than a franchisor; they are deeply involved in every franchisee partnership from the moment a deal is signed,” he said. “Their support has been invaluable, from securing approvals to breaking ground. With Red Roof’s continued commitment to hospitality fundamentals, we are confident in the future of this hotel.”

In January, Dhruv Development began construction on this hotel and a new HomeTowne Studios in Bradenton, Florida. In December, Red Roof opened a 41-room Red Roof Inn in Hutchins, Texas, owned and operated by Jay Patel, who was introduced to the brand by an existing franchisee friend.

More for you

Choice Hotels
Photo credit: Choice Hotels International

Choice posts $81.7M Q2 profit, 93K-room pipeline

Summary:

  • Choice Hotels International reported Q2 net income of $81.7 million.
  • Domestic RevPAR fell 2.9 percent due to macroeconomic conditions.
  • Extended-stay portfolio rose 10.5 percent YoY, with a domestic pipeline of 43,000 rooms.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL reported second-quarter net income of $81.7 million, down from $87.1 million a year earlier. Its forecast for the year remained positive, but was downgraded some to account for changes in macroeconomic conditions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Choice Hotels campaigns

Choice launches campaigns for extended-stay brands

Summary:

  • Choice launched two campaigns to boost bookings across its four extended-stay brands.
  • Based on guest feedback, the campaigns focus on efficiency, cleanliness, value and flexibility.
  • They will run through 2026 across social media, Connected TV, digital display and online video.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL launched two marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness and bookings across its four extended-stay brands. The "Stay in Your Rhythm" campaign promotes all four brands by showing how guests can maintain daily routines, while "The WoodSpring Way" highlights the service WoodSpring Suites staff provide.

Keep ReadingShow less
US Hotel Employee Background Checks
iStock

Survey: Employee background checks up for hotels

Summary:

  • U.S. hotels increased background checks by 36 percent in early 2025.
  • The trend follows President Trump’s immigration policies impacting seasonal labor.
  • Immigrants making up a third of the travel workforce.

U.S. HOTEL HIRING managers requested 36 percent more background checks in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to Hireology. The move follows President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and proposed visa fee hikes affecting seasonal labor.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel industry leaders unite at AHLA Summit to support trafficking survivors
Photo credit: AHLA Foundation

AHLA Foundation hosts human trafficking summit

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation held its No Room for Trafficking Summit and announced Survivor Fund grantees.
  • The summit featured expert panels and sessions on survivor employment and trafficking prevention.
  • Since 2023, the program has awarded more than $2.35 million to 27 organizations.

AHLA FOUNDATION RECENTLY held its annual “No Room for Trafficking Summit” to advance practices and reinforce the industry's commitment to addressing human trafficking through collaboration, education and survivor support. It also announced the 2025–2026 NRFT Survivor Fund grants, which support organizations providing services and resources for survivors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fed interest rate July
Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Fed holds rates steady despite Trump pressure

Summary:

  • The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and gave no signal of a September cut.
  • Developers and brokers are calling for lower borrowing costs to unlock supply and revive stalled deals.
  • The Fed’s decision followed surprise news that the U.S. economy grew 3 percent in Q2.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE held its key interest rate steady and gave no indication of a cut in September, despite growing pressure from President Trump and his Fed appointees, USA Today reported. The July 30 decision keeps the Fed’s benchmark rate at 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent for a fifth straight meeting.

Keep ReadingShow less