Latest news: Hilton debuts LivSmart Studios; Braemar sells in Seattle; Four Seasons adds in Florida

Hilton debuts LivSmart Studios. Hilton is partnering with Chattanooga, Tennessee-based 3H Group and Miami-based Aztec Group to debut its new extended-stay brand, LivSmart Studios, with the 89-key LivSmart Studios by Hilton Tullahoma in Tennessee. The brand’s second property owned by Indianapolis, Indiana-based Sun Management & Development Corp. is on track to open in Kokomo, Indiana, later this summer. It is Hilton expects to open 90 LivSmart Studios hotels in the coming years and has over 225 deals in various stages of negotiation.

Braemar sells Seattle hotel. Dallas-based REIT Braemar Hotels & Resorts has agreed to sell the 369-key Marriott Seattle Waterfront in Seattle for $145 million to an undisclosed buyer. Including anticipated capital expenditures of $7 million, the sale price represents an 8.1% capitalization rate on net operating income for the trailing 12 months ended May 31. The transaction is expected to close in August.

Four Seasons debuts on Florida Gulf Coast. Four Seasons will make its debut on Florida’s Gulf Coast this October with the opening of 220-key Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort. The property features 57 suites and 153 luxury residences, located in Old Naples and reimagined from the Naples Beach Hotel & Club.

Crestline adds in Ohio. Fairfax, Virginia-based Crestline Hotels & Resorts has been selected by Waxham, North Carolina-based Vision Realty Group in partnership with Villa Hills, Kentucky-based Ashley Builders Group, to manage the Well House Hamilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Hamilton, Ohio. The hotel originally opened in 1927 and was converted into an apartment building before its recent $16 million renovation and restoration. Crestline manages 133 hotels, resorts and conference centers in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

Nexgen acquires in Texas. Dallas-based Nexgen Management has acquired the 139-key Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso-Airport from an institutional seller for an undisclosed amount on June 25. Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the transaction.

Stonebridge adds in New Jersey. Denver-based Stonebridge had added the 244-key Marriott Saddle Brook in New Jersey to its management portfolio. Victory Worldwide owns the hotel and recently had renovations throughout the property. It is located 20 miles from New York City.

Peachtree launches newest DST. Peachtree Group has launched its latest hotel property structured as a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST). The 128-key SpringHill Suites Phoenix West Avondale is in Avondale, Arizona, within the Phoenix metropolitan area. The SpringHill Suites Phoenix West Avondale opened in August 2024 and is Peachtree’s ninth DST offering since the firm launched the program in 2022. 

New Ohio dual-branded hotel. A pair of Cleveland-based firms, Spark GHC and J ROC Development, have announced a joint venture to develop a dual-branded select-service hotel on the SouthPark Mall property in Strongsville, Ohio. The project, internally referred to as Project Mustang, will be situated adjacent to retail, dining, and entertainment destinations, including the potential future home of the Cleveland Browns’ stadium.

Blue Diamond adds in Cancun. Toronto and St. Michael, Barbados-based Blue Diamond Resorts is adding the 90-key Paraíso de la Bonita, A Luxury Collection Resort, Riviera Maya, Adult All-Inclusive in Cancun to its portfolio in the coming months. Blue Diamond has over 80 properties in the Caribbean.

Executive moves at HHM. Philadelphia-based HHM Hotels has restructured its leadership team. Promoted to executive vice president of operations were Cathy O’Brien, Hiram Negron, and Doug Wilkins. Ray Perez continues to serve as executive vice president of operations. Marsha Ray, executive vice president and head of Canadian operations, was hired to enhance the company’s Canadian foundation and position it for significant future growth.

New COO at Caliber. Scottsdale, Arizona-based Caliber has promoted Greg James to COO. He joined Caliber in October as head of hotel asset management and replaced Ignacio Martinez on July 7. James brings over 34 years of experience in hotel operations and asset management. Before Caliber, he spent nearly two decades at Summit Hotel Properties, where he served as senior vice president of operations and also worked at Marriott International.

Accor adds in Zimbabwe. Accor is partnering with Zimbabwe-based Eagle Real Estate Investment Trust to develop a new build project in Victoria Falls, marking the company’s first hotel venture in Zimbabwe. The 111-key Novotel Victoria Falls is scheduled to open in 2028.