Front Desk

• Starwood Hotels plans growth for Latin American portfolio
  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide says it is looking to expand its portfolio in Latin America to 100 properties open or in development by the end of 2013. The hotel firm has 20 hotels in its development pipeline in the region, accounting for 3,300 new rooms. "There is still a great deal of opportunity, in world-class travel destinations like Mexico and Costa Rica, under-hoteled markets such as Brazil, top performers like Chile and Peru, and foreign investment favorites such as Colombia and Panama," said Ricardo Suarez, a vice president at Starwood Latin America. News Times (Danbury, Conn.) (3/8)     

Business Update

• Hilton to add 3 UK hotels to DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio
  Hilton has agreed to rebrand three hotels in the U.K. under the DoubleTree by Hilton brand. The properties are the 139-room former Point Hotel Edinburgh, the 106-room former Nottingham Gateway Hotel in Notthingham, and the 201-room former Jarvis hotel in Bristol. "Following an outstanding year for British tourism in 2012, we are delighted to be at the forefront of expanding our brand in this market with new properties in three key cities," said John Greenleaf, global head of DoubleTree by Hilton. HotelsMag.com (free registration) (3/7)     

• Other News

• Hilton agrees to operate luxury hotel in the Philippines
  Manila Standard Today (Philippines) (3/8)     

Market Trends

• Number of hotel deals is expected to increase in 2013
  The number of hotel transactions in Europe was down 21% in 2012 versus 2011, but the number of deals is expected to rise this year thanks to better financing opportunities. "There are early signs that this will be the strongest hotel-transaction year since before the crisis," said Frits van Paasschen, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide CEO and president. Reuters (3/7)     

• Survey: Americans' sentiment toward travel is higher than before recession
  A new survey by MMGY Global indicates that consumers' travel sentiment has improved, surpassing even a benchmark rating established in March 2007. The study found that about 57% of all U.S. adults are looking to go on a vacation within the next six months. Business-travel sentiment also grew, with 20% of respondents indicating plans to take at least one business trip over the next six months. TravelPulse (3/7)     

• Hotel spas focus on indulgence, but also guest wellness
  Hotel spas are shifting some focus from indulgent treatments to ones that have health and medical benefits such as information from on-site nutritionists. More hotels also are offering medical-based services to treat guests holistically. Some spas are not huge moneymakers, but four- and five-star hotels are expected to have them, this feature says. HotelNewsNow.com (3/7)     

Hot Topics

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

• Marriott and IKEA parent partner for new economy hotel brand (Reuters)

• Wyndham announces rebranding of 8 hotels in U.S. (TravelPulse)

• AH&LA outlines effects of federal spending cuts on travel (HotelsMag.com (free registration))

• Room rates will continue to fuel hotel growth in 2013, study finds (TravelPulse)

• Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, resort in Hawaii may be headed for the market (Bloomberg Businessweek)

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

Spotlight on Technology

• The hotel lobby -- wired so you don't have to be
  Marriott Hotels and Resorts will offer free Wi-Fi in its lobbies to meet the growing demand from guests and nonguests who use the areas for meetings. Free service in hotel lobbies is nothing new for DoubleTree, Hilton and Sheraton, which offer complimentary connectivity. USA Today/Hotel Check-in blog (3/7)     

Best Practices

• Marketing should focus on content and experience, experts say
  An effective marketing strategy in today's tech-heavy environment provides engaging content through a variety of channels, said experts during an event organized by the Association of Travel Marketing Executives. "Today, it's about experience messaging. People are coming out of a three-, four-year hole and it's more than just about branding. It's about, 'I have X number of vacation days, what do I want to do?' " said Andrew Capone, a senior vice president at NCC Media. HotelNewsNow.com (3/7)     

Development

• Vornado drops demolition plans for NYC's Hotel Pennsylvania
  Vornado Realty Trust, owner of the landmark Hotel Pennsylvania in New York, announced that it will be renovating the 1,700-room hotel instead of demolishing it as previously planned. Chairman Steven Roth says the company is searching for development partners to support the project. The Seattle Times/The Associated Press (3/7)     

• Other News

• Trump eyes luxury with remodel of Doral resort in Fla.
  The Miami Herald (free registration) (3/7)     

AH&LA News

• Fund the future
  The AH&LEF 2013 Annual Giving Campaign, supported solely by the hospitality sector, funds hundreds of scholarships and essential industry research, as well as workforce development initiatives. All AH&LEF contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law and there are many campaign donor recognition benefits. Support AH&LEF: the industry's charitable foundation.     

• Gain F&B know-how through distance learning
  Broaden your skill set with food and beverage courses from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI). Complete a five-course Food and Beverage Management Certificate of Specialization or 12-course Food and Beverage Management Diploma. Courses are available in paper-based and online formats.     

SmartQuote

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be." --Socrates, Greek philosopher