U.S. hotels reconsider free breakfast perks

Hyatt leadership shake-up after Epstein files revealed

Thomas J Pritzker has retired as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation following public release of documents showing his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Pritzker, 75, acknowledged “terrible judgment” for maintaining contact and will not seek re-election to the board. The company’s president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian will take over the chairman role. The development is part of a broader fallout affecting leaders linked to Epstein’s network. Read more.

ALIS conference discussions on costs and hotel financing

At the recent American Hotel & Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), chief development officers and hotel owners discussed current challenges facing hotel projects. Conversations focused on rising construction costs, the increasing use of key money in deals, and trends in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) that affect funding and investment for new developments. Panelists shared insights on navigating higher expenses while maintaining investor interest in hotel assets. Read more.

The “Fresh” Seafood Myth You’ve Probably Fallen For

A lot of people think frozen seafood is the backup plan — something you buy when you can’t get it fresh. But here’s the truth: when it comes to quality, frozen can actually be fresher than what’s behind the grocery store counter.

Most “fresh” fish has already been frozen for transport, and is then thawed for display (sometimes even thawed and refrozen many times!). By the time you see it on ice at the seafood counter, it may have been sitting there for days. Not exactly what you pictured when you thought “fresh,” right? How to Make Frozen Fish Your Go-To.

New Italian travel retreat partnership launches

Design Hotels and travel service Fora have teamed up to offer a curated retreat that highlights local food, craftsmanship, and cultural immersion. The multi-day experience, set at Palazzo Daniele in Italy’s Puglia region, blends culinary classes, artisan workshops, and shared meals for a small group of guests. The retreat spots are limited, targeting travellers who want a relaxed, experiential stay rather than a standard hotel visit. Read more.

Florence by the Water opens at Los Angeles landmark

An Italian-inspired coastal restaurant called Florence by the Water has opened at the historic Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Los Angeles. The venue sits by the hotel pool and serves coastal Italian dishes from chef Giuseppe Gentile, marking the hotel’s 100th anniversary with a fresh dining attraction. This addition gives guests and visitors a Mediterranean-style dining option overlooking the city’s iconic pool space. Read more.

U.S. hotels reconsider free breakfast perks

Many hotels in the United States are reducing or removing complimentary breakfast offerings as cost pressures rise and travel spending shifts. Major brands, including Hyatt Hotels Corporation at about 40 properties, have paused free breakfast options to cut operational expenses. Research shows that while a large share of guests value free breakfast, few actually pay for it, prompting brands to rethink their breakfast strategies. This shift reflects broader industry moves to balance guest expectations with tighter profit margins. Read more.

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