During the past couple of years, it's been hard to miss articles in the press concerning one or more aspects of the proliferation of the "condo hotel." Those articles have generally dealt with potential issues that might arise from the new mixed property uses, the soundness and reasons for investments in condo hotels, and legal issues relating to the purchase, sale, and management of the condo hotel. One potential issue that was the subject of many articles concerning the condo hotel boom - - including an article by this author - - was whether dissatisfied condo-hotel unit owners would seek to assert claims against developers alleging that the sale of a condo hotel unit constitutes the sale of a security, thus giving rise to the right to rescind a condo unit purchase contract and seek damages, under federal and state securities laws. READ MORE

Top fitness professionals stay abreast on current researches and advances in the field to forecast exercise trends and serve a crucial role in promotion into the general population. Health clubs must also chart these trends but have the additional burden of working within limitations of space and budget to provide their members to access to these trends. This is especially true for hotel fitness centers that, due to certain variables such as limited space and non-staffed facilities, must try to offer these trends to their guests when feasible. Following are ten current exercise trends that can be incorporated into the hotel fitness center.. READ MORE

With concern about climate change on the rise, consumers expect businesses to do their part to reduce their negative environmental impact. A recent survey by Tripadvisor.com indicates that environmental friendliness is an important travel-planning consideration for many individuals, with 34% of respondents stating they would be willing to pay more money to stay at an environmentally-friendly hotel. For this very reason, hotel executives are beginning to recognize the importance of turning their gardens green by using sustainable landscaping techniques. READ MORE

The wave of mergers and acquisitions activity, fueled by record hotel profits, globalization and an influx of private equity money, is increasing the market power of the big industry players. Hotel giants have been accumulating multiple brands - either in multiple market sectors or in a single sector - and that trend is expected to continue. As a result, fewer competitors hold larger market shares with more control over the nature of competition in various market segments. These industry trends can draw unwelcome attention from more than just the trustbusters. Competitors and business partners alike have significant incentives to engage in private antitrust litigation, and this only adds to the antitrust concerns that keep your lawyer up at night. READ MORE

Two dark horses have emerged in the current economic climate both competing for hospitality industry and real estate consumer and investment dollars. The contenders are Extended-stay hotels and Multi-family Apartments MFAs). Extended-stay hotels are competing by trading in their economy pedigree and emerging as upscale alternatives to traditional business traveler accommodations. MFA's are responding to the changing market place by offering short-term leases to market segments that traditionally would not be considered rental property consumers. The convergence of long-term stays and short-term leasing creates interesting legal issues as hoteliers and landlords blur the lines between traditional hotel stays and leases of rental property. READ MORE