The US leads with 12 selections in the new listing of the world's 41 best hotel rooms by Forbes Travel Guide. Seventeen countries are represented in the rankings, which are drawn from as many as 900 standards of luxury.

A third all-suites brand aimed at business travelers will join the InterContinental Hotels Group portfolio. Atwell Suites will bring IHG's total brands to 17.

American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines have received tentative approval to launch service to Haneda International Airport in Japan, Tokyo's downtown airport. American will offer an additional daily flight from Los Angeles and new service from Dallas; United will fly from Chicago International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Los Angeles and Newark, N.J.; and Hawaiian Airlines will offer service from Honolulu.

Lucky Arrow Retreat outside Austin, Texas, features a selection of cabins and yurts for guests. "Fun fact, we have the most yurts in the state of Texas," owner Mike Paclik says.

American Airlines on Thursday opened its newest Flagship Lounge in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal D. The lounge is reserved for Flagship First and Flagship Business travelers and features showers, luxury seating, hot and cold foods, wine and a selection of craft beers.

Starting Aug. 9, Taco Bell will offer a limited-time hotel in Palm Springs named The Bell: a Taco Bell Hotel and Resort, which it describes as a "Tacoasis in the desert" with a brand-themed experience. A 15-second spot teases the hotel, which Global Chief Brand Officer Marisa Thalberg says "stands to be the biggest expression of the Taco Bell lifestyle to date."

Efficient delivery combined with flexibility is what companies should try to deliver to customers, no matter what "customer" means in your business, writes Don Sweeney of Ashling Partners. This can be accomplished by adopting new technologies, improving core processes or removing friction from the customer experience, he argues.