Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Sonesta hotels open in San Jose, CA, Houston

The San Jose hotel is owned by Anil Patel, the Houston property by Sachin Patel

Sonesta hotels open in San Jose, CA, Houston

Signature Inn San Jose and Simply Suites Houston are now open in San Jose, California, and Houston, respectively. The 47-room San Jose hotel is owned by Anil Patel and the 85-room Houston property is owned by Sachin Patel.

“We are proud to announce the opening of Signature Inn San Jose,” said Anil Patel. “This recently renovated hotel offers a unique, retro-modern choice for travelers seeking an exceptional experience. We are eager to provide travelers in the San Jose area with excellent service and a comfortable space to serve as a home base throughout their stay, similar to what we do for guests at Signature Inn San Francisco.”


With Signature Inn San Jose's opening, Sonesta now operates 13 upper-economy Signature Inn locations across the U.S., including San Francisco, San Diego and Houston, Sonesta said in a statement.

The Signature Inn is near San Jose International Airport, the San Jose Convention Center and San Jose State University. The Simply Suites is close to the Downtown Aquarium, NRG Park and the Museum District.

“We are excited to continue expanding our Simply Suites brand with the opening of Sonesta Simply Suites Houston Brookhollow,” said Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president for franchise and development. “Sonesta’s franchising capabilities operate under a ‘Fast, Friendly, and Flexible’ model that enables our team to execute deals and conversions faster than many competitors, making franchising with our portfolio more appealing.”

In October, Sonesta announced 30 franchise agreements signed in the third quarter, expanding seven of its 13 brands and adding nearly 2,150 keys to its pipeline. The company recently opened the 88-room Sonesta Essential Columbus in Columbus, Georgia. The property on Veterans Court is owned by Kamlesh Halvawala.

More for you

Choice Hotels
Photo credit: Choice Hotels International

Choice posts $81.7M Q2 profit, 93K-room pipeline

Summary:

  • Choice Hotels International reported Q2 net income of $81.7 million.
  • Domestic RevPAR fell 2.9 percent due to macroeconomic conditions.
  • Extended-stay portfolio rose 10.5 percent YoY, with a domestic pipeline of 43,000 rooms.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL reported second-quarter net income of $81.7 million, down from $87.1 million a year earlier. Its forecast for the year remained positive, but was downgraded some to account for changes in macroeconomic conditions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel exterior of Motel 6 Las Vegas under G6 Hospitality and Galaxy Hotels partnership
Photo credit: G6 Hospitality

G6, Galaxy aim to grow Motel 6, Studio 6

Summary:

  • G6 Hospitality and Galaxy Hotels Group are expanding Motel 6 and Studio 6 in the U.S.
  • Galaxy said G6 brands outperform others in guest satisfaction and value.
  • One Galaxy hotel generates $8–10M annually; the full G6 portfolio is expected to reach $50M.

G6 HOSPITALITY AND Galaxy Hotels Group are now working to expand the Motel 6 and Studio 6 footprint in the U.S. About 10 Galaxy-managed hotels, totaling more than 1,300 rooms, will operate under the G6 brands, with more to follow.

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