Latest news: Crescent adds in New Mexico; ESA growth; rising costs still a worry

Crescent adds in New Mexico. Fairfax, Virginia-based Crescent Hotels & Resorts has added the 157-key La Posada De Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico, back to its portfolio. Bryan, Texas-based William Cole Companies and New Mexico family office Abo Empire selected Crescent to run the asset. Dallas-based REIT Ashford Hospitality Trust recently sold the hotel for $57.5 million.

ESA’s Premier Suites growth. Charlotte-based Extended Stay America said its Premier Suites brand has become the fastest-growing midscale extended-stay brand, with nearly 60 open hotels. The company is on track to reach 100 Premier Suites hotels open by 2030.

New AHLA survey. A survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) found that rising operating costs and staffing challenges remain the top concerns for U.S. hotel owners. Among those surveyed, 71% said their financial pressures include costs of goods and supplies, 65% said labor costs, 59% said fluctuating demand and occupancy, 50% said utility and energy costs, 43% said insurance premiums and 42% said workforce shortages. More than half of the respondents said their properties are somewhat or severely understaffed. To attract and retain employees, they said they have offered higher wages (70%), flexible scheduling (54%), hotel discounts (54%) and enhanced benefits (31%).

NoMad promotes chief brand officer. New York City-based NoMad Hotels has promoted Kristen Millar to chief brand officer. Millar has 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, from leadership roles at New York restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park, to building the brand architecture of NoMad, where she previously served as global brand director.

Virgin Limited Edition adds in Morocco. Virgin Limited Edition, part of the hospitality group Virgin Hotels Collection, is developing a 37-key hotel on a 10-hectare organic farm near Marrakech, Morocco, set to launch in the first quarter of 2027. The hotel will launch with 22 rooms in 2027, with the final 15 rooms due to follow in the first quarter of 2028.

BWH growth in Africa. BWH Hotels said it continues to see rising confidence and sustained investor interest across African markets, driven by increasing regional stability and strong long-term inbound travel projections. The company said Ethiopia, Tanzania, Egypt and Morocco are markets showing particularly strong development momentum, supported by a wave of new pipelines and hotel projects, especially in Northern Africa. BWH has signed more than 25 new pipeline properties in Morocco, and said it is actively working on a dozen additional projects in Egypt. Strategic expansion across Africa continues with four new hotel openings planned for this year, including two new properties in Nigeria, one in Ethiopia and one in Tanzania.

Hilton Grand Vacations adds in Kyoto. Hilton Grand Vacations has opened the 63-key Tradimo Kyoto Gojo, marking the brand’s first resort in Kyoto and its third property in Japan. The company has operated in Japan since 2003 and has more than 75,000 members there.

Bob W adds in Northern Ireland. Helsinki, Finland-based Bob W has signed a long-term lease with Z Development for a newly built 84-unit serviced apartment property in Belfast, marking its debut in Northern Ireland. The ground-up development will open as Bob W Belfast City Centre in the second quarter. The company’s first development in Ireland strengthens its presence across the U.K. and Europe. 

Edinburgh hotel-anchored asset trades. The Lothian Pension Fund has acquired the Hanover Buildings in Edinburgh, Scotland from an undisclosed seller for £23.4 million. The hotel-anchored, mixed-use asset features a 145-key hotel, which is let to Hub by Premier Inn and five retail and leisure units. The hotel is secured on a long index-linked lease and accounts for approximately 70% of the scheme’s overall income.

Hyatt converts in Turkey. Hyatt Hotels Corp. has launched the 160-key Grand Hyatt İzmir İstinyePark, marking the second Grand Hyatt hotel in Turkey and reflecting the brand's growing presence across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Formerly managed under the Hyatt Regency brand, the property has undergone a redesign of its public spaces, including a new courtyard and lobby improvements.