US$1B lawsuit filed against Wynn Resorts: The former owners of the Suffolk Downs racetrack Monday have filed a US$1 billion federal lawsuit against Wynn Resorts, alleging the casino giant fraudulently obtained a license for its Everett gaming palace at the expense of Suffolk, the initial front-runner for the Greater Boston license. (Many of the allegations in the 37-page civil complaint have been aired in prior legal proceedings.) The suit also names current and former Wynn executives, including former CEO Steve Wynn, and FBT Everett Realty, the company that sold its land to Wynn Resorts for the casino, as defendants, according to the Boston Globe. Wynn denied the lawsuit’s claims.
Disneyland union agreement: After a year and a half of negotiations and protests, the California-based Disneyland Resort has reached a tentative contract agreement with the union that represents about 2,700 hotel workers. The agreement reached early Tuesday by the leadership of Unite Here Local 11 and Disney management would raise the starting salary to a minimum of US$15 an hour, up from US$13.25, and pay workers a US$1,000 bonus that was promised after the Republican tax plan was approved last year, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Toxic gas affects eight at Sydney Pullman: At least eight people at the Pullman Hotel in Sydney were hospitalized Wednesday after breathing toxic gases flowing through the building’s air conditioning system, an ambulance official said. A worker accidentally mixed pool chlorine and hydrochloric acid, used as a cleaning agent, at the Pullman Hotel, Steve Vaughan, acting superintendent of New South Wales Ambulance, told Reuters. A spokeswoman for Accor SA, the hotel’s owner, had no immediate comment. Read more in the Telegraph.
Swiss-Belhotel in Philippines: Hong Kong-based Swiss-Belhotel International signed an upscale resort in Davao, Philippines, in partnership with Luxury Lifestyle Leisure and Resorts Corporation. The Swiss-Belresort and Villas Samal project will include 180 rooms and 100 villas, and is scheduled to open in late 2021.
Azul, Pinnacle contract: Azul Hospitality Group and Pinnacle Hotels USA entered into an agreement for Azul to manage eight Pinnacle properties totaling more than 1,600 rooms in the western U.S. It includes: the Hyatt Regency North Dallas, Texas; Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center, Riverside, California; Four Points by Sheraton San Diego Downtown, California; Courtyard by Marriott Del Mar/Solana Beach, California; Doubletree by Hilton Austin University/Downtown Area, Texas; Doubletree by Hilton Austin Northwest Arboretum, Texas; Comfort Inn & Suites San Diego – Zoo/ SeaWorld Area, California; and Days Inn Encinitas Moonlight Beach, California.
Kimpton debut in the U.K.: Kimpton Fitzroy London will open in the city’s Bloomsbury neighborhood in October. It’s the first of the hotels in the portfolio, currently operating under the Principal and De Vere brands, that will be rebranded in an agreement between Kimpton owner IHG and Covivio.
Riu in London: Spain’s Riu acquired a building near London’s Victoria Station that will be converted to a 4-star Riu Plaza urban brand. The 350-room hotel is due to open in late 2020.
Hogan invests in Marin: Hawaii-based Hogan Hospitality Group bought a majority interest in California-based Marin Management Inc. Marin Management operates hotels affiliated with 14 brands. Read more in Pacific Business News (registration required).
U.S. hotel growth: Here’s STR’s take on the month of August for U.S. hotels: In a year-over-year comparison with August 2017, occupancy rose 1.2% to 71.4%; ADR rose 2.3% to US$130.71; and RevPAR rose 3.5% to US$93.37. That’s a new monthly demand record and the highest August occupancy level since 2014. U.S. hotels have now posted 102 consecutive months of year-over-year RevPAR growth.
What do travelers want? According to a study by American Express Global Business Travel data, it’s convenience, efficiency and trust: Almost half of U.S. business travelers surveyed prioritize booking their transportation before their accommodations; 87% rank location as the most important characteristic of a property when booking – above price; and three out of four prefer a chain over a boutique or independent.