Hotel Analyst Podcast

We start this episode by combining two big themes emerging from the first-quarter reporting season from the global hotel majors: the impact of the Iran conflict on trading patterns, and growing evidence that the industry’s long-running “two-speed” recovery may finally be broadening beyond luxury. We then move on to Kempinski’s highly unusual decision to acquire a hotel in Prague and what that says about the future direction of luxury hospitality models. And finally, we look at a cluster of recent European hotel transactions that suggest investors are increasingly diverging on where hotel value actually sits: in the real estate, the operations, the brand platform, or the income stream.

Using tech does not make a company a tech company. Otherwise, all companies would be in the technology sector. Alongside chatting about tech enablement in the hotel industry, we discuss real estate investment trusts and the Millwall of the hotel sector, Britannia.

A bumper Berlin conference special, covering tariffs, Trump and tantrums. A fast-shifting series of threats around tariffs has already played havoc with stock markets, what will it mean for travel and hospitality? Hotel professionals in Berlin wonder what's coming next, as they enjoy a relatively strong performance still, across Europe. Will we see more publicly listed vehicles taken out by private equity? And alternative living formats are making their way onto the mainstream agenda.

Both new build and refurbished hotels are setting new environmental standards, as investors realise the investment upside of more efficient buildings. But has the whole green debate moved on? Why is Dalata undergoing a strategic review? And lessons from a visit to the 2025 edition of the MIPIM property fair, as investment in new living sectors was debated.

IHG has acquired the Ruby hotels brand, and with it a growing portfolio of European lifestyle hotels - smart move? Choice and Accor are talking about moving upmarket, but have other structural issues to attend to. And at the OTAs, who will win the battle for the customer's eyeballs, as AI comes into play.

Starwood Hotels is back, as the original creator of the brand, Barry Sternlicht, revives the name - what will he do with it? Private equity investors are cashing out after a good run in Spain, both in the real estate asset world, and in hotel tech too. And hotels retain their crown as the most preferred asset class for hotels, according to Andrew’s poll taking at recent industry events.

Airline easyJet wants to more than double its package holiday business. Will it deal direct with hotels, where will it steal market share from - and will we all be using AI to choose our hotel and flight packages in future? The holiday park market has seen a new entrant in the UK, with GBP500m to spend - as the main players jostle to grow their portfolios. And an Australian operator of pod hotels is heading to London; Andrew shares his Japanese pod hotel experience.

Experiential is the latest travel fad, or maybe it’s a trend. Marriott has marched in and signed up two new brands, as glamping becomes the latest must-have for the big brand groups. In select service, northern European markets look tough, but private equity investors are lining up to buy into Spain. For those in the UK, such at Travelodge, employment cost rises are a big hit. And there’s a feeling abroad that deal volume is rising, as sellers temper their pricing expectations, while buyers wrestle with continuing high debt costs.