The Indiscriminate Home: Why hotels are the exemplar of hospitality
The Indiscriminate Home: Why hotels are the exemplar of hospitality
https://hotelsmag.com/news/the-indiscriminate-home-why-hotels-are-the-exemplar-of-hospitality/?
Story contributed by Daniel Peek, president, JLL Hotels & Hospitality.
Hotels occupy a singular place in the fabric of our lives. They are buildings designed solely to shelter strangers—temporary homes that belong to no one and, for a price, to anyone.
For the road warrior, a hotel room is an annex to the office, where deals are closed over room-service coffee and laptop screens sit aglow well past midnight. Whether it’s a Marriott in Mumbai or a Hilton in Houston, guests find familiar elements: blackout curtains, centered desk lamps, in-room coffee makers and minibars promising refreshment.
It’s predictability, wrapped in frequent guest points.
The same corridors and public spaces traversed by early-morning business folk later echo with barefoot children sprinting toward the pool. Hotels host family vacations, honeymoons, first international adventures, anniversary toasts and more. They frame the photographs we actually print: a toddler napping on a hotel towel, grandparents raising plastic cups in the lobby bar, teenagers slipping out after curfew. Chlorine and industrial carpet somehow become associated with lasting memories.
When disaster lands, hotels remember their oldest calling. Lobbies fill with evacuees clutching pets and photo albums. Clerks who once upsold suites now press toothbrushes and blankets into trembling hands. Profit gives way to refuge—no questions beyond, “How can we help?”
In many U.S. cities today, that refuge has stretched into something more permanent. Extended-stay hotels, originally meant for relocated executives or vacationing retirees, now house people priced out of the local rental market. Children complete homework on folding tables, parents microwave dinner in rooms without stoves and housekeepers learn the names of people they’ll see for months instead of nights. These makeshift homes expose both the flexibility of the hotel model and the gaps in our housing system.
The staggering part is the democracy. Someone closing a large business deal and a mother fleeing floodwaters may sleep three doors apart. Same linens, same two-in-one shampoo, same generic landscape images bolted above the bed. For one night, the world’s hierarchies pause at the threshold.
Hotels trade in ambiguity. Those fluorescent corridors can feel like exile; the same keycard can unlock absolute freedom—no dishes, no beds to make. These spaces have absorbed joys and sadness, victory dances in underwear and difficult calls that begin, “I don’t think I can do this.” Confessionals without priests; stages without critics.
Their deepest lesson is adaptability. We hang tomorrow’s shirt in a closet we’ll never open again, set an alarm in a room we’ll forget by next week and still manage to sleep. Home, it turns out, is portable. It lives in small rituals and the quiet acceptance: “This will do for now.”
As remote work untethers millions from fixed addresses and the evolving business model pushes others into perpetual motion, the hotel is no longer just a stopover but a prototype for the future. Flexible, neutral, instantly habitable space that asks only that you leave it as found.
It matters not whether you arrive triumphant or in despair. Guests simply open the door, flick on the light, turn down the bed and stand witness to whatever chapter they’re living that night. They then move forward by morning, with the hotel ready to welcome the next stranger with a story.
I Thought I’d Hate Christmas Markets. And Then I Did This…
https://www.fodors.com/news/cruises/the-best-christmas-themed-cruises-in-europe
Who knew a cruise with no kids, no crowds, and no casinos would be the best way to restore my Christmas spirit?
I’m not going to lie, when I was first invited on a holiday-themed cruise along the Rhine, I rolled my eyes. A full week of Christmas markets? For someone who felt like the holiday season had lost its lustre, the idea sounded more exhausting than enchanting.
I used to get swept up in the magic of Christmas, but in recent years, as a mother of three, the holidays have become more about making the magic happen for everyone else than about enjoying the magic myself. Still, I had high hopes that wandering through Europe’s most festive towns would reignite my love for Christmas, just in time to share it with my family. I didn’t know it yet, but this cruise would unwrap more than just the twinkly trinkets I took home in my tote–it would help me reacquaint myself with the wonderment of Christmas.
Begrudgingly Boarding in Basel
I arrive fully cloaked in Christmas cynicism. When I step aboard, I expect to see kitschy Christmas décor: Plastic trees plastered in tri-colored tinsel and candy canes, and a crew donning oversized Santa hats and bright, clashing-patterned sweaters, jingling bells and chanting carols in unison. But there is none of that here. Instead, classy Christmas trees sit tucked in the corners, bright baubles and white lights giving off a warm glow. Quiet jazz renditions of holiday classics fill the air, and the crew welcomes us with friendly smiles–no Santa hats in sight.
I’m joined by my cousin, who arrives sharing the same sentiment–she has also never been to a Christmas market and is also wary about getting maxed out on merriment over the next week’s winter-themed festivities. But we quickly discover there’s more to this trip than the stalls, shops, and sweet treats found in the markets.
Misty-Eyed Market Meander
Trinkets and treats sit stacked on stall tables, and crowds crisscross the aisles, buzzing with chatter and Christmas cheer. The smell of roasted chestnuts fills the air. Darkness falls quickly and I warm my hands on my mug of mulled wine as I take in my surroundings. In the center of the town square, three women dressed in Victorian caroller costumes sing in harmony as they belt out the words, “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht…” I can’t make out the lyrics, but I recognize the tune: Silent Night. Their voices fill the air, and some passersby join in, singing along, while others stand silently, taking it in.
I look around at the twinkling lights, smiling faces, couples holding hands, and kids jumping up and down with excitement, and I feel it. It’s…magical. Over the following days, we visit Christmas markets across four countries, and it doesn’t take long for me to realize that each stop has something different to offer. Basel’s market is refined and high-end, set in a beautifully preserved old town, serving Swiss specialties like raclette and fondue. In France, Strasbourg is recognized as the country’s “Capital of Christmas,” with a massive market, timber-framed stalls, and a rich mix of French and German goodies. Germany brings variety: Cologne impresses with a market that weaves around the grand cathedral; Rüdesheim offers a cozy, wine-country feel; Mannheim’s modern city setting delivers big crowds and global flavors; Freiburg leans into regional cuisine, showcasing festive treats from the Black Forest; and Breisach, though smaller, feels authentic and personal. In Koblenz, a scenic gondola soars over the Rhine to a fortress that overlooks the city–a unique experience that sets the stop apart. And finally, in the Netherlands, Dordrecht hosts the country’s largest Christmas market, full of Dutch treats, bright lights, and festive fun for all ages.
With each market, new memories are made, and with each sip of hot mulled wine I feel my cold heart warming up to the holiday cheer. Could exploring Europe’s best Christmas markets be giving me the time and space I needed to rekindle my love for Christmas?
Rhined and Dined
Between stops, we cozy up on the rooftop patio of our two-story ship and cruise past castles (I count more than a dozen), sipping on hot cocoa and sharing stories while snapping photos of our surroundings. The stretch between Rüdesheim and Koblenz delivers the most scenic sights–a 40-mile stretch often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. It’s one of the most castle-dense regions in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its extraordinary landscape and historic architecture. We take breaks dining on delectable dishes downstairs, where floor-to-ceiling windows ensure we don’t miss a moment of the views while devouring delicious multi-course meals.
On board, we become kids again, decorating gingerbread cookies with sweet icing and rainbow-colored sprinkles, the scent of Christmas spices filling the air. We share laughs with new friends over dinner, and even sing along to carols while sipping cocktails in the lounge. We chat with other guests, and learn that many are enjoying their second, fourth, and even sixth Christmas market river cruise–they loved it the first time, and now they’re hooked.
By the end of the week, I’m giddily glugging gluhwein, and buying a mug from every Christmas market I visit. I’m humming along to holiday tunes while strolling through the sparkly stalls, and unabashedly buying tiny trinkets and Christmas keepsakes for my kids (did I really need a mini glass tree?). Without the pressure to make the holidays magical for everyone else, I’ve finally found the magic for myself. It’s not just the beauty of each town or the charm of the cruise that has me swooning for Christmas; it’s the permission to slow down and enjoy the experience. I wasn’t just collecting souvenirs, I was slowly finding something I thought I had lost: a love for the holiday season that I thought I’d outgrown. With a new outlook, I’m now heading into the holidays with a renewed love for Christmas and a restored desire to share the festive cheer with my family. Consider this Grinch converted–and already dreaming of adding to my mug collection.
The Best Luxury Hotels for Children
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/the-best-luxury-hotels-for-children
The baby concierge is in.
For new parents, a truly relaxing vacation can feel like a myth—somewhere between a full night’s sleep and an uninterrupted meal—but a new generation of luxury hotels is working to change that.
While high-end resorts have spent years perfecting their kids’ clubs and family amenities, the focus is now shifting even younger. From baby concierges to infant massages and organic purées, hotels are reimagining travel for their littlest guests, and for the parents who bring them along. The idea is no longer to escape family life, but to elevate it.
“Our approach goes beyond providing childcare—it’s about creating an environment where parents can truly relax and little ones can thrive,” explains Michelle Catin, vice president of marketing at Club Med North America. At Club Med, she continues, “Our philosophy is simple: we’ve taken care of everything.”
That sentiment has reshaped the very idea of luxury family travel, redefining expectations across the world, from Europe to the Caribbean. As John O’Sullivan, regional vice president and general manager at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, puts it: “Today’s parents aren’t pressing pause on the way they love to travel, they’re simply bringing their little ones along for the journey.”
From infant massages in Mexico to hand-stitched bibs and designer baby gear in St. Barts, luxury hotels around the world are proving that even the tiniest travelers deserve VIP treatment.
WHERE: Mexico
At Mexico’s Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita,
Even the youngest guests are pampered, thanks to the Babies for All Seasons program, which makes the logistics of traveling with an infant almost effortless.
“Families have always been at the heart of our story,” says O’Sullivan. “The program ensures parents don’t have to choose between a luxury vacation and the practicalities of caring for an infant.”
Launched in March 2025, this initiative was specifically designed for infants up to 18 months old and features Baby Yoga and Baby & Me Reflexology classes that promote bonding and relaxation for both parents and infants. When families check in, everything is already in place. Suites are stocked with cribs, strollers, and bottle sterilizers; rooms are subtly baby-proofed; and certified sitters are available on call. Parents can also take advantage of complimentary premium gear, including baby bathtubs, changing pads, play mats, and breastfeeding pillows.
At Mexico’s Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita,
Even the youngest guests are pampered, thanks to the Babies for All Seasons program, which makes the logistics of traveling with an infant almost effortless.
“Families have always been at the heart of our story,” says O’Sullivan. “The program ensures parents don’t have to choose between a luxury vacation and the practicalities of caring for an infant.”
Launched in March 2025, this initiative was specifically designed for infants up to 18 months old and features Baby Yoga and Baby & Me Reflexology classes that promote bonding and relaxation for both parents and infants. When families check in, everything is already in place. Suites are stocked with cribs, strollers, and bottle sterilizers; rooms are subtly baby-proofed; and certified sitters are available on call. Parents can also take advantage of complimentary premium gear, including baby bathtubs, changing pads, play mats, and breastfeeding pillows.
Martinhal Resorts
WHERE: Portugal
In Portugal, Martinhal Resorts blend contemporary design with genuine warmth to redefine family travel.
“Everything—from the babyproofed accommodations and spacious villas to the play areas and flexible dining experiences—has been developed with families in mind from the outset,” says Chitra Stern, the brand’s founder and CEO, as well as a mother of four. “The Baby Concierge isn’t just a service we offer; it’s part of our ethos to go above and beyond for families with young children so they can relax and make lasting memories in Portugal.”
That philosophy takes shape through thoughtful details at every turn. Guests can pre-book cribs, highchairs, strollers, bottle sterilizers, and other essentials before arrival, ensuring they can travel light without compromising on essentials. Suites and residences feature fully equipped kitchenettes—complete with baby-safe utensils and hypoallergenic dish soap—underscoring the brand’s attention to even the smallest details. Restaurants prepare freshly made purées and organic baby menus, while the sleek, modern design of each property strikes a balance between style and practicality for families.
Beaches Resorts
WHERE: Jamaica and Turks & Caicos
At Beaches Resorts in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, luxury meets play through the brand’s long-running partnership with Sesame Street.
“We’re making the ‘baby era’ of travel as joyful, memorable, and stress-free as it should be,” says Heather Effs, the company’s Corporate Manager of Entertainment. That ethos comes to life in every detail, from cheerful parades and character breakfasts to bedtime tuck-ins with Elmo, Cookie Monster, and more beloved Sesame Street characters. The latter two experiences can be seamlessly arranged by your very own private butler (offered in select suite categories).
The same attentiveness extends to the common areas as well. In calm, climate-controlled nurseries, certified nannies, trained under the U.K.’s prestigious National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB), guide babies through gentle sensory play, soft music, and, of course, nap sessions. Outside, infant-friendly pools and shaded splash zones invite discovery, while the newly launched Tiny Traveler’s First Passport initiative turns a practical step—the cost of a little one’s first passport ($135)—into a sweet milestone with a matching resort credit.
Club Med Cancún
WHERE: Mexico
Once known for adult freedom, Club Med now defines all-inclusive luxury through something far more meaningful: peace of mind—and at Club Med Cancún, that evolution is on full display, starting with the newly debuted Baby Club Med. Conveniently located beside the Aguamarina family suites, it offers calm and nurturing space for infants as young as four months. With soft flooring, a soothing color palette, and sensory toys, it’s specifically designed to foster comfort and curiosity under the attentive care of trained resort staff (also known as G.Os or “Gacious Organizers”) who specialize in early childhood development.
That same thoughtfulness continues beyond the playroom. The Baby Corner in the main restaurant features an assorted buffet and a selection of small savory and sweet purées, while 24-hour bottle rooms—stocked with sterilizers, microwaves, and other essentials—ensure no midnight need goes unmet. When evening falls, the Pajama Club welcomes the tiniest travelers for quiet stories and lullabies, giving parents a chance to enjoy dinner or a rare nightcap by the sea. There’s also the Baby Restaurant, a space created just for little ones to enjoy balanced, freshly prepared meals, either with their parents or as part of Baby Club Med.
Velas Resorts
WHERE: Mexico
In Mexico, Velas Resorts’ Baby Concierge program anticipates nearly every need, from cribs and strollers to hypoallergenic linens and freshly prepared organic purées.
At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, one of three all-suite, all-inclusive Velas resorts, the brand’s family-first philosophy reaches new heights, inviting even the youngest guests to unwind alongside their parents. The 25-minute Sunrise Massage uses gentle touch, soft textures, and the music of Mozart to support sensory and cognitive development, creating a much-needed sense of calm. Parents can also mark a tender milestone with the resort’s “My First Haircut” experience—complete with a keepsake certificate and photo—a thoughtful detail that transforms an everyday moment into a lasting family memory.
Sani Resort
WHERE: Greece
Set on Halkidiki’s pine-fringed coast, Sani Resort brings a quietly confident kind of luxury to family travel—one shaped by nature and ease. The Baby Club by Carol Mae Consulting, run by early-years childcare specialists, welcomes infants from four months with gentle, play-based care that gives parents a chance to truly unwind. For guests staying in one of the family-centric Port-Sani suites, sessions at the club are complimentary.
Down on the beach, the resort’s signature Babewatch service (complimentary for up to 30 minutes for all guests) extends that same sense of care to the shoreline: trained staff look after little ones while parents take a dip or linger over a coffee, at no extra cost. Practicalities are handled seamlessly—sterilizers, pushchairs, cots, and bottle warmers arrive on request, while chefs prepare fresh baby purées alongside modern Mediterranean dishes.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth
WHERE: St. Barts
Along the serene shores of St. Bart’s Flamands Beach, Cheval Blanc St-Barth brings its signature artistry to even the smallest guests. Before arrival, the resort’s Alchemists (its dedicated concierge team) outfit suites with Baudou-designed baby amenities: a cot with protective barriers, bed linens embroidered with seahorses and stars in the hotel’s hallmark taupe and blush pink palette, and hand-stitched bibs to match. A changing table, wicker highchair, baby crockery, and toys complete the setup, making the space feel quietly considered rather than staged.
Come evening, the resort’s signature “Good Night & Sweet Dreams” ritual turns bedtime into a moment of calm, especially for older babies. Each tot receives a plush white-horse toy, along with warm milk, honey, and a reading from À la poursuite de Cheval Blanc, an original bedtime story created exclusively for the property.
Could 2026 see return to normal for foreign inbound?
Colliers’ 2026 CRE outlook hits on familiar themes, while also offering up opportunities for hospitality growth over the next year.
The World Cup could bring an increase of foreign inbound travelers to the U.S. in 2026.
https://www.hotelinvestmenttoday.com/Forecasts/Could-2026-see-return-to-normal-for-foreign-inbound?
INTERNATIONAL REPORT — Bifurcation in the hospitality industry will continue in 2026 as high-income individuals continue to drive demand for hotel rooms in the U.S. over the next year, according to Colliers 2026 CRE Outlook.
Affluent travelers will continue to drive demand, as revenue for luxury and upper-upscale properties is expected to outperform that of more economical brands, according to the study. The report said that travelers with lower incomes in the U.S. are moving away from global destinations and toward domestic value destinations, which should help occupancy at economy and midscale hotels. Click here for a copy of the report.
While the report also said that foreign tourism numbers are continuing to vacillate with Canada, Western Europe and East Asia, sending fewer visitors to the United States. Mark Owens, vice chair and hospitality practice group leader for Colliers, said there is a sense that things could be changing.
“The other thing that has been interesting to see, and it was echoed over the meetings the last couple of days with our international team, is while there has been and continues to be noise of the international traveler, I’d say the return to normalcy and/or acceptance of this is the way things are, is becoming more common,” he said. “I don’t know if Canada gets back to our prior levels anytime soon, as an example, but there is going to be a period of time as people resume traveling, even when the world may be becoming a bit more insular from a country-by-country perspective.”
Events like the World Cup will draw many foreign visitors, but Owens also said it’s a return to normalcy from a business-travel perspective.
“We don't expect, barring anything unforeseen, a reduction necessarily in business that takes place,” he said. “We have to be there and, just as you see in New York City, whether it’s domestic travelers or international travelers, they have to be here. [New York City] is having one of the greatest runs of Q4 that we’ve seen in a long time, and we’re still below our historic highs when you look at the international visitation penetration level.”
AI effect
The Colliers report also said that generative AI will continue to change how hotels are booked in 2026, noting that the use of AI tools for travel planning almost doubled from 2024 to 2025, increasing from 10% to 18%, according to Oxford Economics. This creates growth opportunities for AI-integrated platforms and hospitality marketers to capture an increased market share.
AI will also create opportunities for operators to control costs in an environment where NOI growth is expected to decline next year, from -3.6% in Q1 to -1.2% in Q4, according to Green Street. Rising labor, materials, insurance, and management costs, along with softer demand in some markets, are limiting 2026 supply growth to 1.3% and keeping NOI forecasted in negative territory.
“That is an area, hopefully, where AI will help, from an operator efficiency perspective, but it is really hugely dependent on the operators being able to maximize expense savings,” Owens said. “Were also continuing to see cost pressures, although they're stabilizing, at least on the property tax line of the equation.”
Labor costs remain the most significant question, Owens said, noting they can vary widely from market to market.
“You have some markets that may be impacted by some of what’s going on. Just from a national perspective, you have others that have adapted, and are more or less stable right now,” he said. “That’s a big question that everyone has, and hopefully, with all of the tools that are coming out of technological advancements, that can help owners and operators be as efficient as possible.”
Other observations from the Colliers report:
- *- As leisure travelers increasingly seek unique experiences, traditionally less popular destinations are gaining attention, and vacationers are seeking local experiences, wellness amenities, and authentic engagement. This is creating opportunities for hotels to expand ancillary revenue through tour packages and partnerships with local operators.
- *- While demand is expected to grow next year, it could come at some cost to ADR, as hotel operators moderate pricing to attract value-conscious travelers. This could be especially true in markets like New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami that are heavily reliant on international travelers. ADR is expected to remain flat on the industry side over the next year, as Oxford Economics notes that 90% of consumers cited “value for money” as their primary travel decision factor in 2025, up from 83% in 2024.
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