Latest news: US results mixed; deals in Georgia, Alabama; Marriott debut in Congo

US hotels mixed last week. The U.S. hotel industry for November 23-29 reported mixed year-over-year comparisons last week, according to CoStar data. Occupancy was 49.8% (-1% YOY); ADR was $141.31 (+0.2% YOY), and RevPAR was $70.42 (-0.7% YOY). Markets affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024 impacted comparisons. Among the top 25 markets, Tampa reported the 2024 Hurricane-related declines across all three key performance metrics: occupancy (-21.0% to 54.4%), ADR (-9.8% to $138.84) and RevPAR (-28.7% to $75.50). San Francisco registered the largest increases in occupancy (+11.4% to 48.0%) and RevPAR (+14.9% to US$77.47).

RAM acquires in Georgia. Columbus, Georgia-based RAM Hotels has acquired the 91-key Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbus in Columbus, Georgia, from an undisclosed seller for an undisclosed amount. The hotel was built in 2008 and Hunter Hotel Advisors brokered the transaction.

Aurora acquires in Alabama. Perdido Hotel Partners, an affiliate of Aurora Hospitality Partners, along with Terry and Nick Saban, Joe Agresti and a small group of investors, has acquired the 344-key Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama, from an undisclosed seller for an undisclosed amount. Aurora Hospitality Partners will manage the resort.

InterContinental returns to Prague. IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed the 137-key InterContinental Prague, marking the InterContinental brand's return to the Czech capital city. The luxury property is expected to open in the first half of 2029 and joins two existing IHG hotels in the city. The hotel will be located in Prague’s Old Town in an historic building that dates back to 1839.

Marriott debuts in Congo. Marriott International has made its debut in The Democratic Republic of the Congo with the openings of Protea Hotel by Marriott Kinshasa and Four Points by Sheraton Kinshasa. The third-party management company, SARV Management, manages both hotels.

NexPoint closes $28M DFW fund. Dallas-based NexPoint, a multi-billion-dollar alternative investment firm, has fully subscribed to its NexPoint Lodging I DST, a $28 million Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) offering. The closing marks a significant milestone for NexPoint’s first DST vehicle focused exclusively on the hospitality sector. The offering includes the 99-key Residence Inn Salt Lake City – West Jordan in the West Jordan area of Salt Lake City. NexPoint partnered with Provo, Utah-based PEG Hospitality Group (“PEG”), which operates and manages the hotel.

Royalton adding in Cancun. Benito Juarez, Mexico-based Royalton Hotels & Resorts is adding the 376-key Royalton Vessence Cancun, an adults-oriented resort that is scheduled to open in fall/winter 2026. This represents the continued expansion of the Royalton Vessence Resorts brand. Royalton Hotels & Resorts has a portfolio of 24 resorts in the Caribbean.

KEC, Archipelago launch Saudi brand. Knowledge Economic City has formed a joint venture with Jakarta-based Archipelago International to launch a hospitality management platform and hotel brand for Saudi Arabia. The joint venture’s first project includes adevelopment with approximately 2,500 keys – one of the largest assets KEC will launch. When complete, the hotel will debut as a new Saudi hotel brand, inspired by national identity and the cultural spirit of Madinah. The brand is structured for growth through franchise and licensing models across the Kingdom.

Hilton debuts in Hyderabad. Hilton is partnering with C.K.R Resorts Pvt. Ltd. to open the 115-key Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa, marking the company’s entry into Hyderabad. Located in India’s Biotech Hub, the urban resort marks a significant milestone in Hilton’s robust South Asia expansion.