Front Desk

• Hotels are updating their lobbies into gadget-friendly common spaces
  Hotel lobbies around the world are undergoing a transformation from sterile and useless spaces into comfortable common areas where guests can meet people while using their mobile devices, this feature says. "I was in Berlin two weeks ago for a conference and everyone was sitting around the lobby of the hotel, working on iPads and iPhones and computers," recalls Joseph McInerney, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Some hotels are completing the laid-back atmosphere at the lobby by offering drinks and light snacks. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (3/29)     

Business Update

• Marriott is considering sale of Edition hotels
  Marriott International may opt to fund a planned expansion of its Edition brand by selling its three existing Edition hotels, said Arne Sorenson, incoming CEO of Marriott. "We already have interested buyers," Sorenson said in an interview. The hotel firm is looking at Bangkok, India and the United Arab Emirates as possible locations for Edition's expansion, Sorenson said. Bloomberg (3/30)     

• Walt Disney World hotels show improving room rates
  A survey conducted over the past weekend by UBS Investment Research revealed that room rates at Walt Disney World hotels have risen year over year in all categories. Rates for deluxe-category rooms rose 6% against 2011 figures in a 12-week average, while midpriced and value-priced rooms climbed 4% and 5%, respectively, analysts reported. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (4/1)     

• Goldman Sachs analyst upgrades outlook for Wyndham Worldwide
  The brisk U.S. economic recovery will significantly boost Wyndham Worldwide's operations, as a majority of its business is located in the U.S., predicts Steven Kent, an analyst at Goldman Sachs. Kent's comments and his upgrade of Wyndham stocks from "Neutral" to "Buy" sent the company's stock higher by 3.8%, to $46.83 in late-day Friday's trading. Bloomberg Businessweek/The Associated Press (3/30)     

• Other News

• Park Hyatt opens its second property in India
  Travel Weekly (3/30)     

• Dallas-based hospitality group will manage Setai resort in Miami Beach, Fla.
  The Miami Herald (free registration) (4/1)     

Market Trends

• Sofitel ups focus on children with new dedicated TV channel
  A partnership between Sofitel Luxury Hotels and broadcasting network TV5MONDE has resulted in a new children's TV channel that will become available at Sofitel's U.S. properties this year. Called Tivi5MONDE, the new channel will air educational shows for children 3 to 13 years old 24 hours per day. It is part of the hotelier's Magnifique Family children's program. USA TODAY/Hotel Check-in blog (3/30)     

• Forecast: Tourism spending in Mich. will rise 6% in 2012
  The Michigan tourism industry will follow up a strong 2011 with a 6% increase in tourism spending, Michigan State University reports in its annual forecast. The state enjoyed a 7.8% growth in tourism spending during the previous year, which coincided with a boom in business reported by hotels in metro Detroit, the university says. Several hotels say they are enjoying strong growth in demand. The Detroit News (3/28)     

• Hawaii's resorts, restaurants like the taste of local food sources
  Several resorts and restaurants in Hawaii have embraced the farm-to-table concept and have updated their menus to offer locally sourced dishes to guests, this feature says. A number of tour operators are also offering food-themed tours that highlight the state's diverse cuisine. Travel Agent Central (3/29)     

• Other News

• Atlantic City Alliance unveils new slogan
  Philly.com (Philadelphia)/The Associated Press (3/30)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AH&LA SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• High-end hotels join in on food-truck trend (USA TODAY)

• New Orleans hotels draw local crowd with creative bar offerings (The New York Times (tiered subscription model))

• Hilton Garden Inn redesign is set for completion by 2013 (HotelNewsNow.com)

• Loews Lake Las Vegas is rebranding as a Westin (Las Vegas Sun)

• More hotel developers eye conversions of historic buildings (MSNBC)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Sponsored Content

Best Practices

• Column: How to measure training effectiveness through metrics
  Hoteliers should employ metrics to gauge the efficiency of training activities, which can be done simply by measuring a specific input of a training activity against its output, writes Jim Hartigan of OrgWide Services. "In the simplest of terms, productivity can be defined as 'results as a function of effort,' " Hartigan writes. HotelNewsNow.com (3/30)     

Development

• Las Vegas Sands CEO eyes NYC's Javits Center for casino
  Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson is reportedly looking at a Manhattan convention center as the possible home for a Las Vegas-style resort. "There's a little noise in New York now, and we're going to take a look and see if we can put something... maybe in Manhattan and be able to maybe do something with [the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center] ... and put our complex there," said Las Vegas Sands Corp. President Mike Leven. New York Post (3/30)     

• Other News

• IHG plans to build 115-room Holiday Inn in Springfield, Ill.
  The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Ill.) (3/31)     

Government Affairs

• GOP lawmakers weigh in on ADA pool lift rules
  Several Republican members of Congress have taken a stand against new rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act that will require fixed pool lifts at hotels. Proposed measures seek to block the rule from taking effect. The debate rages on concerning costs and liability issues as the extended deadline of May 21 looms closer for operators. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (4/1)     

AH&LA News

• New ADA regulations in effect
  AH&LA obtained a 60-day extension to the pool lift compliance date and DOJ is weighing a possible six-month extension in order to allow additional time to address misunderstandings. In the meantime, there are other ADA regulations that have gone into effect, and AH&LA has resources for members, including the top things to know for your property and employees, webinars and the new 2012 ADA guide. Visit the members-only section of www.ahla.com under "governmental affairs" in the business section. It's time to be in compliance -- or be subjected to a fine.     

• Strengthen expertise, affect industry change
  Sit side-by-side with industry professionals working in your same capacity in a forum dedicated to furthering your specialty. AH&LA members can participate in more than 30 committees, ranging from HR to technology and F&B and everything in between. Most meet twice a year and there's no cost to join. Learn more at www.ahla.com/committees.     

SmartQuote

A camel is a horse designed by committee." --Sir Alec Issigonis, Greek-British car designer