Assessors across the thousands of taxing jurisdictions in the United States are calculating the value of hotels for tax purposes. Often the most complicated part of determining the value of a property is how to include capital expenses. This problem is worsened by the lack of information assessors usually have on such expenses and projects, and the complicated rules around brand standards. In this article, Altus Group's hospitality tax specialists explore how to manage these situations through communication and information sharing through their combined seventy years of experience in property tax. READ MORE

"Experience" is the watchword for the Hospitality sector, but there is hidden exposure, both financial and physical in every operating property. As assets work to differentiate themselves by amenities, physical attributes and "one of a kind" offerings, there is the constant exposure to financial risk caused by natural and man-made physical damage to the asset as well as potential injury to guests and employees. This article identifies key issues in all of the phases of an assets operations: Development; Operational and Post-Loss Recovery. READ MORE

Hiring great people is critical to the success of a hotel or hotel tech company. It takes considerable effort and money to find employees that are the right blend of cultural and experiential fit. But hiring is only one part of the human resources equation. After going to great lengths to find the right employees, it is just as critical to keep them. This article looks at the ways many hotels are building employee engagement to increase retention, focusing on both obvious initiatives (like proper pay) and newer approaches (such as points programs). READ MORE

Just as multifamily developers aim to recreate the hotel experience, hoteliers are hoping to emulate the comforts of home. The two arenas feed into each other, spurring a friendly arms race that improves the experience of both. To compete with AirBnB and extended stay hotels for the coveted business guest, traditional hotels are taking a leaf out of the multifamily playbook. In this article, BLT Architects' Principal Eric Rahe explores how hoteliers are placing a tactful emphasis on the qualities that truly make us feel at home: personalization, continuity of routine, and a sense of belonging. READ MORE

Why is the current trend to search for the unexpected? Isn't it a risk to take away the comfort zone for our clients? Does unexpected design really favor social interaction or is the hotel just a place to sleep? What is the impact of the social life in a city of new experiences for the client? More and more designers and hotel developers are asked to create the unexpected experience and ones that tell an exciting story. READ MORE