Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

The Ray Hotel in Delray Beach Sold to TMGOC, Certares for $57.7M

Boca Raton-based TMGOC Ventures is led by co-founders Sunju Patel and Glenn Alba

 The Ray Hotel, a 141-room Hilton Curio Collection property in Delray Beach, Florida

TMGOC Ventures and Certares Acquire The Ray Hotel in Delray Beach

A JOINT VENTURE between TMGOC Ventures and Certares recently acquired The Ray Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, a 141-room property in Delray Beach, Florida. TMGOC Ventures, a real estate investment firm based in Boca Raton, Florida, is led by co-founders and managing partners Sunju Patel and Glenn Alba.

“The Ray is a bespoke property representing the best of both a city and beach escape in the highly sought-after market of Delray Beach,” Patel said. “This acquisition further solidifies TMGOC’s ability to cultivate key relationships with premier brands and partners.”


The Ray Hotel, which opened in September 2021, includes three dining outlets, a rooftop restaurant and bar, a rooftop pool deck, an 1,800-square-foot fitness center, and an event space, the companies said in a joint statement. The property is within a mile of Delray Beach and less than 20 miles from Palm Beach International Airport and downtown West Palm Beach.

“We are delighted to partner with Certares in this milestone acquisition,” said Alba. “Being headquartered locally, we have seen firsthand the rapid expansion of the Delray Beach market. The Ray was delivered at the highest quality, and we look forward to being great stewards of this gem of a hotel and delivering a top-notch lodging experience to both business and leisure guests.”

TMGOC, founded in 2019, has secured $1 billion in investments and development projects, the statement said. Its portfolio includes partnerships with Ritz-Carlton, Thompson by Hyatt, Autograph Collection, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Moxy by Marriott.

“Acquiring The Ray continues our thematic approach of investing in high-quality hotels in market pockets of high demand and low supply, which are poised for continued growth,” said Nolan Hecht, Certares’ senior managing director and head of real estate. “We look forward to working with our partners at TMGOC to unlock additional value in what we view as one of the finest quality lodging offerings in all of Palm Beach County.”

Certares, a global investment firm specializing in travel and hospitality, is led by Founder and Senior Managing Director Greg O'Hara.

NewcrestImage, led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, recently acquired the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Columbus Downtown, a 15-floor property with 194 suites, among the largest in the Columbus market.

More for you

Marriott International expands global hotel pipeline in Q2 2025

Marriott pipeline hits record 590,000 rooms

Summary:

  • Marriott International ended Q2 with a record pipeline of about 3,900 properties and more than 590,000 rooms.
  • Global RevPAR rose 1.5 percent, including a 5.3 percent gain in international markets.
  • Net income slipped 1 percent to $763 million; 17,300 net rooms were added.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL’S GROWTH continued in the second quarter, according to the company’s recent earnings report. Along with its active pipeline, the company saw rising revenue and launched a new brand.

Keep ReadingShow less
OYO Adds 150 U.S. Hotels in 2025, Plans Another 150
Photo credit: OYO U.S.

OYO adds 150 U.S. hotels, plans 150 more

Summary:

  • OYO added more than 150 U.S. hotels in early 2025 and plans 150 more by year-end.
  • Ten additions have more than 100 rooms, reflecting a focus on high-inventory properties.
  • It is targeting urban and suburban markets in the Sun Belt and Great Lakes regions.

HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY OYO added more than 150 hotels to its U.S. portfolio in the first half of 2025 and plans to add 150 more by year-end. The additions span Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, California, Michigan and Illinois.

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