Latest news: Marriott gets Pelican Hill; Reubens' big plans in P.R.; summer travel intentions

Marriott gets Irvine Co. indie. The 204-room Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California, is going to reflag under Marriott International’s St. Regis brand, starting on July 1. The independent hotel owned by The Irvine Co. also has 128 villas and two golf courses. The owner has sold its other hotels, including the 536-room Hotel Irvine, now a Hyatt, and the Fashion Island Hotel, which was sold to Montage International and Eagle Four Partners.

Reuben Brothers go big in Puerto Rico. London’s Reuben Brothers and Three Rules Capital have reportedly filed a master plan for a more than $2 billion development in Puerto Rico. The project, called Esencia, will include luxury hotel rooms and branded residences operated by Aman Group, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. The property sits on the island’s west coast and includes more than 2,000 acres (809 hectares) of land. It will feature two golf courses, an equestrian center and a bilingual K-12 school. The plan will be implemented in five phases, with the first expected to be completed three years after starting construction.

American’s summer travel plans. Deloitte’s 2024 Summer Travel Survey said 48% of Americans plan to travel and stay in paid lodging this summer, a slight decrease from 2023. At the same time, an 8-percentage point increase in the cost of travel is causing 32% of survey respondents to stay home this summer. As a result, high-income Americans are expected to make up a bigger share of the traveling public this summer, 44% versus 35% in 2023. Overall, Americans will take fewer vacations this summer, 2.3 trips compared to 3.1 in 2023.

Harder than buying a car. Accenture’s 2024 Consumer Pulse Survey revealed that in the last three months, 73% of respondents report that they’d given up and walked away from making a hotel booking. Among the top challenges impacting consumer decision-making for hotels and resorts: choice complexity is draining consumer confidence in their booking decisions with 70% feeling that they need to check too many sources to understand the available accommodation options and 77% wishing they could identify options that would meet their needs more quickly and easily. In addition, 79% of respondents agree price is the deciding factor when booking a hotel or resort with 89% of consumers reporting a hotel or resort purchase has a significant impact on their expenses. Lastly, consumers say time investment can be daunting with 71% wishing it took less time to research potential purchases.

Ascott grows lyf in Singapore. The Ascott Ltd., Singapore and Warees investments Pte Ltd. have announced their second strategic partnership for the lyf Chinatown Singapore. Ascott’s strategic partnership with Warees began in 2004 with the launch of Somerset Bencoolen Singapore. In 2019, Somerset Bencoolen Singapore. Commissioned by Warees through WJC Heritage Pte. Ltd. and managed by The Ascott Ltd., lyf Chinatown Singapore which is the fifth property in Singapore under the lyf brand. Slated to open in mid-2026, it will comprise 90 accommodation units along with social spaces such as a coworking lounge, social kitchen, launderette, gym, roof top swimming pool as well as outdoor courtyard and terrace.