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

Peachtree picked to manage six hotels
Photo credit: Peachtree Group

Peachtree picked to manage six hotels

Summary:

  • Peachtree adds six hotels to third-party platform.
  • Five are owned by La Posada Group, one by Decatur Properties.
  • Third-party portfolio totals 42 hotels.

PEACHTREE GROUP’S HOSPITALITY management division added six hotels to its third-party management platform. Five are owned by La Posada Group LLC and one by Decatur Properties Holdings.

Keep ReadingShow less
AHLA Foundation awards $710K in scholarships

AHLA Foundation awards $710K in scholarships

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation distributed $710,000 in scholarships to 246 students.
  • Nearly 90 percent of recipients come from underrepresented communities.
  • The foundation funds students pursuing education and careers in the lodging sector.

AHLA FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED $710,000 in academic scholarships to 246 students at 64 schools nationwide for the 2025–2026 academic year. Nearly 90 percent of recipients are from underrepresented communities, reflecting the foundation’s focus on expanding access to hospitality careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Congressional deadlock shutters government
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Congressional deadlock shutters government

Summary:

  • The U.S. government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to agree on funding.
  • About 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed daily, costing $400 million.
  • Key immigration and labor programs are halted.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT shut down at midnight after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on funding. Disputes over healthcare subsidies and spending priorities left both sides unwilling to accept responsibility.

Keep ReadingShow less
WTTC travel report

WTTC: U.S. tops travel sector with $2.6T GDP

Summary:

  • The U.S. led global travel and tourism in 2024 with $2.6 trillion in GDP, WTTC reported.
  • India retained ninth place with $249.3 billion in GDP.
  • The sector supported 357 million jobs in 2024, rising to 371 million in 2025.

THE U.S. LED global travel and tourism in 2024, contributing $2.6 trillion to GDP, mainly from domestic demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Europe accounted for five of the top 10 destinations, while India ranked 9th.

Keep ReadingShow less