Depressing compression: Morgan Stanley Research suggests compression nights in the top 25 U.S. markets is down 34% year to date, which means demand is soft and short-term rentals like Airbnb are not helping hoteliers maximize business during peak periods. The research showed compression nights have declined due to a weaker corporate demand environment. Through Q3, there have been 132 compression nights, down from 199 over the same period last year. New York City has only had 27 compression nights YTD, down from 42 in the year-ago period. San Francisco has seen only six compression nights YTD, down from 28 over the same period last year. The one piece of good news: Average rate premium for compression nights are up a bit over last year, at 28%.—Jeff Weinstein
Adaptive reuse, with a view: There’s lots to love – and lots of lessons – in Space & Matter’s approach to saving historic buildings. When the Dutch government shut down the little control houses perched on canal bridges in Amsterdam, the design firm stepped in and found a solution that is about as local and experiential as it gets. The 28 bridge houses, built between 1673 and 2009, are now part of Sweets Hotel, each with a unique design. The first one opened last year. I love this detail about how Space & Matter took its idea to the authorities: In collaboration with a candy company, it designed 28 sweets, each in the shape of a bridge house, as part of the pitch. Read Dezeen’s story about the development.—Barbara Bohn
New imperatives: Everyone is predicting sustainability initiatives will continue to grow in importance to booking consumers and it is smart for Accor get out in front of this with a program to reduce food waste and a promotion to launch a Zero Waste Recipe Collection, an ebook featuring recipes by its luxury hotel chefs from properties across Canada and the U.S. Recipes were shared on social media and hotels celebrated World Food Day on October 16 with on-property events and special menus. This program falls under Accor’s Planet 21 program sustainable development program, which underscores the group’s commitment to positive hospitality through impactful projects and initiatives, including its successful Health and Sustainable Food Charter. Programs like this are becoming business imperatives.—J.W.
Gray in green: Back in Chicago, the Kimpton Gray has put together a pop-up that truly is of the moment – a weekend promotion where guests can rent one of five rooms that have been decked out with live plants. Simple, right? It’s also a nod to a recent survey by Orbitz – which is the only place that the rooms could be booked – that showed millennials are basically obsessed with greenery. I love seeing live greenery in a hotel room, although it can be a trick to maintain long-term (and perhaps you don’t want to be reminded of how your greenery at home might be languishing during your trip). But it’s a fun idea and a win-win-win: After the pop-up ends, the plants will be given to partners of the local Garfield Park Conservatory, according to the Chicago Tribune.—B.B.