Ed Brock is an award-winning journalist who has worked for various U.S. newspapers and magazines, including with American City & County magazine, a national publication based in Atlanta focused on city and county government issues. He is currently senior editor at Asian Hospitality magazine, the top U.S. publication for Asian American hoteliers. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Ed began his career in journalism in the early 1990s as a reporter for a chain of weekly newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama. After a stint teaching English in Japan, Ed returned to the U.S. and moved to the Atlanta area where he returned to journalism, coming to work at Asian Hospitality in 2016.
Aly-khan S. Merali is now president and managing partner of Stonebridge Cos. in Denver. Founder Navin C. Dimond will remain CEO and will assume chairman duties for the company.
Previously, Merali was president and chief financial officer of Turnberry Associates since 2013, according to Stonebridge. Prior to that, he was executive vice president and head of acquisitions for a U.S.-based investment firm with properties in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Merali also held leadership and ownership positions in real estate companies in the United Kingdom, Canada and East Africa with assets in hospitality, industrial, manufacturing, office and senior living.
“I have known Aly-khan for many years and have the utmost respect for him and his ability to lead Stonebridge Companies as we move forward and continue to grow and prosper,” said Dimond. “His background and extensive experience in the hospitality industry is impressive and makes him a perfect fit for this role.”
Merali said he was happy to join the company despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I sincerely believe that Stonebridge Cos. is well positioned to weather this pandemic and emerge stronger and even more fortified in the time ahead,” he said.
Dimond acknowledged that the industry has seen many challenges over the past months.
“In times such as these, it is essential to have a forward-thinking and collaborative team, and I am confident that we are taking steps to set this team in place,” Dimond said. “I am extremely optimistic about the future of our company and I am looking forward to working with our team to guide Stonebridge’s continued success and growth now and far into the future.”
In March, Stonebridge acquired and is managing the Residence Inn by Marriott Herndon Reston in Herndon, Virginia.
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
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