Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Sonesta Essential opens in Junction City, KS

Tapan Parekh is the hotel’s owner and general manager

Sonesta Essential opens in Junction City, KS

Sonesta Essential Junction City is now open in Junction City, Kansas. The 119-room upper-midscale property is owned by Tapan Parekh.

The hotel is near the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, and Milford Nature Center & Fish Hatchery, Sonesta said in a statement. Junction City is known for its proximity to Fort Riley, the Buffalo Soldier Memorial, and agritourism attractions.


“We are excited to expand our Sonesta Essential brand with the addition of Sonesta Essential Junction City,” said Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise and development. “Sonesta Essential has quickly become Sonesta’s fastest-growing brand, and this opening continues the brand’s momentum following its launch in January 2023.”

The new Sonesta Essential is near the Spring Valley Historic Site, South Park Junction City and the U.S. Cavalry Museum. It features a fitness center, the statement said.

Sonesta will enter a long-term franchise agreement for 114 hotels it currently manages after their sale by Service Properties Trust. This conversion will expand Sonesta's portfolio to over 862 properties and 58,095 rooms. Globally, Sonesta has around 1,100 properties with 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands in nine countries.

More for you

Report: Hotels hold margins despite revenue slump

Report: Hotels hold margins despite revenue slump

Summary:

  • U.S. hotels adjusted strategies as revenue fell short of budget, HotelData.com reported.
  • Hoteliers prioritized cost, labor and forecasting over rate growth.
  • Six 2026 strategies include shifting from static budgets to real-time forecasts.

U.S. HOTELS ADJUSTED strategies to protect profit margins despite revenue lagging budget, according to Actabl’s HotelData.com. RevPAR averaged $119.22 through Sept. 30, 9 percent below budget, while GOP margins held at 37.7 percent, 1.2 points short of target.

HotelData.com’s “Hotel Profitability Performance Report for Q3 2025” showed operators adjusting forecasts, controlling labor and costs and protecting margins as demand softens and expenses rise. The report indicates an industry shift, with hoteliers relying less on rate growth and more on cost control, labor strategies and forecasting to maintain profitability.

Keep ReadingShow less