- 19 Boyd casinos join Sonesta’s distribution platform.
- The Boyd Collection covers more than 9,700 rooms.
- No timeline for conversions and loyalty linking.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. and Boyd Gaming Corp. launched an exclusive strategic affiliation that will place 19 Boyd casino resorts, with more than 9,700 hotel rooms, on Sonesta’s distribution platform. Sonesta described the deal as part of its asset-right, franchise-focused growth strategy.
The companies announced the affiliation on Nov. 2. The first phase launches the Boyd Collection, which also includes 600,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Boyd operates 26 gaming entertainment properties in 11 states, according to the company. The collection will appear on Sonesta’s signature list of brands on Sonesta.com, which the companies said will give Boyd properties exposure to millions of visitors. Boyd properties will remain available through Boyd’s own distribution channels.
The 19 properties in the deal include: Aliante Casino Hotel and Spa; Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City; Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles; Belterra Casino Resort; Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa; California Hotel and Casino; Cannery Casino Hotel; Delta Downs Racetrack Hotel & Casino; Diamond Jo Worth; Fremont Hotel & Casino; Gold Coast Hotel and Casino; IP Casino Resort Spa; Main Street Station Hotel and Casino; The Orleans Hotel and Casino; Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino; Par-A-Dice Inn; Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall; Suncoast Hotel and Casino; and Valley Forge Casino Resort.
Sonesta expands its reach through Boyd’s casino resort portfolio. Pictured from left are Keith Pierce, Sonesta co-CEO, and Keith Smith, Boyd president and CEO.Photo credit: Sonesta and The Nevada Independent
Sonesta, which says it is the eighth-largest U.S. hotel company according to STR, has more than 1,000 properties and 100,000 rooms across 13 brands. The Boyd Collection equals nearly a tenth of that room count, though those rooms are distributed by Sonesta, not added to its portfolio. The deal also extends Sonesta’s reach. Much of its line-up sits in the select-service, extended-stay and economy segments, while Boyd brings casino resort inventory.
“This affiliation represents an exciting next step in Sonesta’s asset-right, franchise-focused growth strategy,” said Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s co-chief executive officer. “By aligning with Boyd, we are creating meaningful new ways to serve our guests and expand our distribution reach in markets where travelers are seeking full-service resort hospitality entertainment and casino gaming experiences.”
Keith Smith, Boyd president and CEO, said the company's casino portfolio reflects more than 50 years of guest service, customer relationships and amenities.
"Our exclusive affiliation with Sonesta provides a compelling opportunity to broaden our customer base across the country by introducing Sonesta users to Boyd's unique brand of hospitality and entertainment,” Smith said.
Boyd customers, the companies said, will benefit from Sonesta’s growing global distribution platform, expanding brand portfolio and Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
Why conversions matter
Sonesta and Boyd explore hotel conversions, rebrands and new builds across Boyd properties.Photo credit: Boyd Gaming
Sonesta and Boyd will explore hotel development tied to Boyd’s existing properties and future projects. This may include Sonesta hard-brand conversions, rebrands or new builds. The companies said this is designed to support Sonesta’s franchise growth while giving Boyd more pipeline options. No projects or timelines have been named.
Lodging Econometrics’ Q3 2026 U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report, released on October 26, puts brand-conversion activity at 1,516 projects with 146,544 rooms at the end of the third quarter. That is up 3 percent by project count year over year. Combined renovation and brand-conversion activity totaled 2,041 projects with 251,909 rooms. Meanwhile, LE projects 2026 to close with 598 new hotel openings and 68,191 rooms, a supply increase of just 1.2 percent.
For brands, slow new-build growth explains the appeal: affiliations and conversions can add rooms and market coverage faster than construction allows. For owners of non-hotel-led assets such as casino resorts, they offer access to a major hotel company’s booking channels and loyalty members while retaining their own identity. For developers, the deal could mean branded hotel capacity at existing casino sites or in future projects.
“Our guests increasingly want more choices, more recognition and more ways to make travel rewarding,” said Phil Hugh, Sonesta’s chief development officer. “Our relationship with Boyd gives us a platform to connect hospitality and entertainment in a differentiated way, while creating new avenues for franchise and development growth.”
The companies also plan to link Sonesta Travel Pass and Boyd Rewards, though no timetable or integration details have been announced. That timeline, and the first named project at a Boyd property, will show how far the partnership goes.
Separately, Sonesta brought 25 hotels across the U.S. and Canada under one meetings program to attract multi-city group business.
