Quotes of the Week: Arbor Lodging, Marriott, Hilton, Dalata

“We care a lot more about in place cash flow. We are not leaning into big value-add plays and big upside stories in the way we could a few years ago. I’d rather look at all of those as getting lucky on the potential upside than being a core part of the business plan.” – Vamsi Bonthala, Arbor Lodging   Read story

“More than half of all rooms under development are in the Southern region and mostly outside of the top 25 markets. Like most of the pipeline, these rooms are mostly in the two planning phases, and many will likely not be built shortly.” – Isacc Collazo, STR   Read story

“Reflecting on my tenure, I am most proud of my teams and what we have accomplished together. While it’s never easy to leave a company and job you love, I have the utmost confidence in the leaders who will assume these roles and am very optimistic about the strategic path Marriott is on.” – Leeny Oberg, Marriott International    Read story

“In many ways, Waldorf Astoria New York is the most important hotel in the world. It is the original luxury property and the place where luxury service was perfected. It not only holds a special place in Hilton’s history, but also in modern history. Today, we build on this legacy as we mark the start of a new chapter for this iconic property. We look forward to once again welcoming guests to experience its timeless charm and modern enhancements, as this hotel and Waldorf Astoria properties around the world set the standard for luxury stays.” – Chris Nassetta, Hilton   Read story

“Many companies are on the sidelines and only transact opportunistically. But since PE firms have the biggest ‘checkbook’ they will continue to trade trophy properties at high prices.” – Jan Freitag, CoStar   Read story

“[For San Francisco] the good news is things are really looking up and turning around. The bad news is it’s not like a one- or two-year turnaround. This is going to take some time, but it’s exciting that the turn is happening.” – Rob Stiles, RobertDouglas   Read story

“I’m proud to continue to lead our team in close partnership with our new owners. Together, we will unlock new opportunities for the Clayton and Maldron brands as we continue to expand as a leading international hotel company.” – Dermot Crowley, Dalata Hotel Group   Read story

“With Wild Origins, I’m looking ahead to redefine how instinct and purpose shape hospitality. We’ll partner with innovators who share the belief that true impact comes from intuition, not formulas. Our goal isn’t to replicate existing models, but to ignite new ones that give back, spark creativity, and pioneer sustainable experiences. I’m excited about what we’ll build together over the coming year and beyond.” – Neil Jacobs, Wild Origins   Read story

“We believe hospitality is a driver of development. City Express by Marriott in the Northeast is not just a new hotel — it’s the connection between a global brand and the region’s economic potential.” – Tarcysio Malheiros, Fabrica de Hoteis   Read story

“Inclusion might simply be part of a room block. Or maybe it’s about investing in infrastructure to position [a hotel] as gaming- and esports-friendly. It could even mean activating in the influencer and content creator space.” – Neil Johnson, Associated Luxury Hotels International   Read story

“Much as [music] festivals are no longer isolated events culturally, nor are they isolated in the wider spheres of travel and government, with destinations and tourism boards working together to support and encourage them.” – Alex Sogno, Global Asset Solutions   Read story