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The Lodging Lowdown is a series from Hotel Dive highlighting major headlines that hospitality professionals may have missed from the week.
This week in hotel news saw BWH Hotels rebrand to WorldHotels and debut a new unified loyalty program, as well as Hyatt Hotels announce plans to bring The StandardX brand to North America with an "expressive" flagship hotel in New York City featuring a free-fall thrill ride.
Additionally, earnings season forged ahead: Hilton posted third-quarter RevPAR gains, while Caesars Entertainment saw net revenues decline in Las Vegas in Q3.
Meanwhile, just before releasing its Q3 earnings results, MGM Resorts International shared a major update : it amended its Voting Agreement with People Inc., which recently dropped its bid to acquire the resort operator.
Finally, this month's Hotel Tech-in spotlighted Marriott International's innovative approach to enhancing the guest experience through the hotel room TV.
Here's what else hoteliers may have missed during the week and should keep in mind:
Trailborn appoints new CFO
Outdoors-focused hospitality group Trailborn Hotels & Resorts has named finance executive Jay Sarkar as its new chief financial officer, according to a news release.
In his new role, Sarkar is tasked with leading the company's "financial functions," including working with the executive team to drive financial performance and inform decision-making.
Sarkar, who brings 30 years of hospitality finance experience to the role, most recently served as chief financial officer of Meyer Jabara Hotels , per the release. He also previously held stints at Stepstone Hospitality as well as Pyramid Global Hospitality, where he supported the financial evaluation and transition of new acquisitions.
Sarkar joins Trailborn "at a pivotal stage" in its growth, with new property openings in Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Mendocino, California , according to the release. The Mendocino Hotel at Trailborn Mendocino is expected to open summer 2027, with more portfolio additions "on the horizon," according to the company.
Wyndham Rewards expands with new vacation rentals collection
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is expanding Wyndham Rewards with Homes & Havens, a collection of professionally managed vacation homes , villas and other accommodations, according to a news release.
Homes & Havens comprises nearly 800 vacation homes and villas across the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, per the release. "Hundreds" of additional accommodation types, including cabins, yurts and tiny homes, are expected to join in the coming months.
According to Wyndham, Homes & Havens gives the hotel company's roughly 129 million rewards members additional ways to earn and redeem points outside of a traditional hotel, ranging from poolside weekends in the Florida Keys to ski trips in the Rockies.
"Homes & Havens is one more step in creating a fully immersive travel rewards experience, one designed to meet members wherever their journey takes them," Michael Shiwdin, Wyndham's group vice president of integrated marketing, loyalty and digital, said in a statement.
The expanded loyalty program comes as hospitality players expand their loyalty programs with unique experiential offerings. Wyndham partnered with multiple independent property management and hospitality partners, including Brightwild, Simpson Travel, StayTerra and Thousand Trails, to launch the platform.
Sixth Street acquires Arizona Four Seasons from Braemar
Sixth Street, in partnership with Riller Capital, has acquired the 210-room Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North in Arizona for $372 million from Braemar Hotels & Resorts, according to a news release shared with Hotel Dive.
The news comes after Braemar announced the sale earlier this month, but did not disclose the buyer at the time. The real estate investment trust is deleveraging its portfolio and advancing its separation from Ashford Inc., with plans to become its own entity by mid-November.
The 38-acre property features 188 casitas and 22 suites; five food and beverage venues; a 9,000-square-foot spa; a fitness center; a multilevel pool; tennis and pickleball courts; as well as around 36,000 square feet in outdoor and indoor event space, per the release. Located in a "dramatic desert" setting, the Four Seasons Scottsdale offers sweeping mountain views and direct access to hiking trails.
"The Four Seasons Scottsdale is an iconic, irreplaceable luxury resort in one of the country's fastest-growing and most attractive destinations," Aman Gupta, principal at Sixth Street, said in a statement.
Sixth Street added that the investment reflects the company's "continued conviction in the long-term fundamentals of luxury travel, particularly for distinctive properties."
Sage Hospitality Group expands Pacific Northwest portfolio
Denver-based Sage Hospitality Group has added The Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa in Kirkland, Washington, to its management portfolio, expanding its presence in the Pacific Northwest, according to a news release.
The 100-room luxury boutique hotel, located along the shores of Lake Washington, brings one of the region's "most recognized waterfront destinations" into Sage's growing portfolio of independent and lifestyle hotels, per the release.
The 30-year-old landmark property features a spa, a restaurant and 9,000 square feet of event space, as well as convenient access to both Bellevue and downtown Seattle.
"The Woodmark represents the type of destination we seek to bring into our portfolio," Daniel del Olmo, president and CEO of Sage, said in a statement, and reflects the company's focus "on distinctive properties with strong community connections and a unique sense of place," per Sage.
