Phoenix American Hospitality

With group travel continuing to have high demand in 2025, here are some strategies to make the most out of those bookings 🏨From bachelorette parties to college reunions, these travelers book multiple rooms, spend more onsite, and rave about their stays.

Here’s how to win them over:
✔ Room blocks & group discounts
✔ Flexible check-in/out
✔ Social spaces (suites, pools, game rooms)
✔ Group perks (welcome gifts, activity concierges, shareable dining)

Friend groups don’t just check in—they celebrate. Make your hotel their go-to spot! 🥂

12 Must-Have Hotel Amenities to Attract Friend Groups | By Laure Cremers Friend groups represent a highly desirable guest segment that hotels shouldn’t overlook. By understanding their needs and tailoring your offerings accordingly, you can unlock significant opportunities to boost occupancy and revenue.

RevPAR was up again for the week of April 27, with 4.1% growth over the previous year. Occupancy was the big driver of RevPAR as Luxury and Upscale bookings accounted for the greatest percentage change, while Economy was the only subcategory to have a negative occupancy percentage change. This chain scale bifurcation was likely a reflection of Passover, as the chains’ performances drew closer together over the weekend.

Looking ahead, we expect the steady RevPAR growth to continue through May based on forecasted bookings.

Looking ahead, we except to the steady RevPAR growth to continue through May based on forecasted bookings.

https://str.com/data-insights-blog/str-weekly-insights-27-april-3-may-2025

The select-service and extended-stay hotel sector is redefining hospitality success in 2025. According to JLL's latest report, demand has surged by 232,000 room nights year-over-year, nearly reaching full recovery to 2019 levels, with projections to surpass them this year. This remarkable rebound is underscored by record-breaking RevPAR performance, reaching $78 in 2024 – a full 14% above 2019 levels.

What's driving this growth? The sector has masterfully adapted to post-pandemic traveler preferences, offering experiential stays at accessible price points through streamlined operations. This is another example in hospitality of travelers today prioritizing purpose over place and hotels capitalizing by offering memorable experiences at compelling values.

Select-service demand nearly at 2019 levels According to JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group’s U.S. | Revenue per available room, meanwhile, reached a record high of $78 in 2024, 14 percent above 2019 levels.

While U.S. RevPAR grew just 0.2% due to tough eclipse comparisons, during the week of April 6-12, excluding affected markets reveals a healthier 2.8% increase, driven by strong ADR (+2.0%) and robust Group demand ahead of Easter.

🔹 Top 25 Markets: +2.9% RevPAR
🔹 Non-Top 25 Markets: +2.7% RevPAR

Despite economic uncertainty, demand rose 1.7% over the past four weeks, proving travel remains resilient. Lower chain scales felt the eclipse comp most, but Group business and spring break (14% of students off) provided tailwinds.

STR Weekly Insights: 6-12 April 2025 U.S. RevPAR held steady last week—right in line with expectations given the eclipse comp. Over the past four weeks, despite economic uncertainty and tricky calendar comparisons, U.S. hotel demand still managed to rise 1.7%.

Happy Earth Day!

Travel opens our eyes to the breathtaking beauty of our planet, from coastal shores to mountain peaks. Yet this privilege comes with a responsibility. Tourism’s environmental impact is real, but so is our power to make a difference.

Every journey can be a force for good when we choose wisely: opt for ground transport, fly greener, stay at eco-conscious hotels, reduce waste, support local communities, and travel with purpose.

The places we love depend on how we explore them. Let’s protect the world we wander, one sustainable trip at a time. 🌿✈️

The first week of April, March 30 - April 5, saw some unexpected bifurcation as the top chain scales (Luxury, Upper Upscale & Upscale) saw RevPAR gains while the remaining chain scales (Upper Midscale, Midscale and Economy) saw RevPAR decrease. Both of these effects were mainly due to occupancy growth and decline, respectively.

STR Weekly Insights: 30 March – 5 April 2025 Unexpectedly low U.S. RevPAR; Demand around the U.S. borders remained mixed; Global performance soars with occupancy in the driver’s seat.

Gen Z now makes up nearly 20% of the workforce, and are introducing their own preferences and norms when it comes to work.

This generation values authenticity over everything, which means flexible schedules that respect work-life balance, mentorship programs that fuel real growth, and tech tools that keep teams connected.

Open-door policies and weekly check-ins can be important pieces to creating space for Gen Z voices to shape office culture. Investing in their success with clear career paths, recognition for great work, and support for life beyond the office are other ways to help everyone win.

The hotel industry runs on passion and people. As Gen Z brings their energy and digital savvy to our teams, it’s important to commit to practices that help them thrive.

What Can Companies Do to Improve Generation Z Retention? | By Heather Berti Generation Z is making headlines as it replaces millennials as the youngest generation in the workforce and introduces its own perspectives and approaches to work life. According to the United States Department of Labor, Gen Z accounts for almost one-fifth (18%) of the labor force, surpassing baby b...

RevPAR sailed in the final week of March with 7% growth year over year. While much of this is attributable to the shift in the Easter holiday, the growth in ADR and occupancy were up compared to the previous week.

Luxury chain growth, which has been dramatically strong, was matched by Economy chains, with nearly identical RevPAR growth between the two.

Overall, the industry continues to see the steady growth projected for 2025.

STR Weekly Insights: 23-29 March 2025 Given the comparison to Easter week last year, U.S. hotels saw RevPAR soar 7.0% year over year.

Following the expected slump in RevPAR in the previous week, the week of March 16-22 saw the expected equivalent bump in year-over-year RevPAR as a later spring break schedule propelled leisure travel. We expect another bump in RevPAR during the week of April 13-19, when a large percentage of spring breakers fall this year.

Spring travel is always a strong time of year for the hospitality industry, but with a solid weather pattern, RevPAR saw modest gains across almost all chain scales at 2.8%

STR Weekly Insights: 16-22 March 2025 Spring break and sporting events driving U.S. results; U.S. RevPAR growth strong Sunday through Thursday; ADR driving gains globally.

What's one online ad you've seen that actually makes you want to click on it?

Email remains the quiet powerhouse of hotel marketing, outperforming other marketing tools, and is an often overlooked component for attracting potential guests. Today’s travelers crave personalized, relevant, and visually compelling content that speaks directly to their needs. A sun-drenched pool photo that makes a family pause mid-scroll. A loyalty reward that feels personally handpicked. By using targeted, high-quality visual emails you can create an email that doesn’t feel like marketing at all, but like the first note of a great stay.

The final step? Ensuring each email has a clear link, optimized for mobile, to make their click to your bookings seamless.

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RevPAR was down across the board in the second week of March, dropping 4.2% year over year. However, this was expected as the calendar shift of spring breaks and the Easter holiday can account for a decline in holiday travel. We see this in occupancy rates, which fell 2.3%, almost entirely accounting for the decrease in RevPAR. While almost all metrics were during this week it was nothing the industry wasn’t expecting.

STR Weekly Insights: 9-15 March 2025 Event shifts impact many Top 25 Markets; U.S. border hotels mostly trending downward; rest of globe doing well.

March Madness isn’t just about basketball—it’s a game-changer for hotels. 🏀🏨 As fans, alumni, and teams hit the road to support their schools, hotels see a surge in bookings, turning what’s usually a slower season into a revenue boost!

For hospitality teams, events like this are prime opportunities to stay ahead of demand—leveraging predictive software and personalized offerings to maximize occupancy and elevate the guest experience. With a mix of families, alumni, and corporate sponsors in town, there’s also a chance to upsell premium services like dining, event spaces, and luxury stays.

Is your hotel ready for the rush?