The introduction of City Express by Marriott in the U.S. & Canada marks the company’s entry into the transient midscale segment in the region.

Today, Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR, “Marriott”) announced the expansion of the City Express by Marriott brand into the United States & Canada, marking the company’s entry into the affordable midscale transient segment in the region.

Previously referred to as Project Mid-T by Marriott, this brand expansion is part of the company’s continued focus on strengthening its presence in the affordable midscale segment and offering regionally relevant lodging options for every trip purpose and every price point.

“Since entering the affordable midscale space with the acquisition of City Express in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region just over a year ago, we have seen tremendous interest for the brand and are pleased with its growth across the region,” said Diana Plazas-Trowbridge, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Select Brands. “With this announcement, Marriott is excited to continue our growth in the affordable midscale segment and provide a new welcoming, affordable, and reliable option for value-conscious travelers in the U.S. & Canada.”

In May 2023, Marriott announced the acquisition of the City Express brand portfolio in CALA, which marked the company’s entry into the affordable midscale segment. With over 17,000 rooms across Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Chile, the deal increased Marriott’s footprint in the region by approximately 45 percent. Since the acquisition, consumer and owner interest has fueled growth of the brand, with expansion plans extending beyond the original markets to new upcoming markets, such as Bolivia and Nicaragua. Additionally, the company recently announced plans to expand City Express by Marriott in Brazil.

“Marriott remains focused on providing best-in-class offerings and a wide-range of investment opportunities for our development stakeholders, and the initial reaction to our midscale products has been extremely positive,” says Noah Silverman, Global Development Officer, U.S. & Canada. “We have been listening closely to our owners and franchisees to design a highly efficient operating model, and we are confident that City Express by Marriott will offer a strong value proposition for those looking to invest in a transient midscale product in the U.S. & Canada.”

The City Express by Marriott brand is designed to be conversion-friendly, with an opportunity for new builds in the future. Offering a light operational model and functional modern design, City Express by Marriott will give owners in the U.S. & Canada the opportunity to capitalize on consumer demand, while taking advantage of Marriott’s powerful sales, distribution, and marketing engines.   

Marriott has already received extensive interest from owners and franchisees, and the company anticipates having signed agreements, with possible hotel openings, in the U.S. & Canada under the City Express by Marriott brand over the next few months.

Existing City Express by Marriott properties have been integrated into the Marriott Bonvoy® program and are available for booking on Marriott channels for members to earn and redeem points. Additional City Express by Marriott properties will similarly be part of Marriott Bonvoy upon opening. For more information on the City Express by Marriott brand, visit this page.

The global hotel industry is expected to gross $426 billion this year, and more than one-third of that value will come from Asia. Besides topping in total revenue, the region is also home to some of the world's most luxurious hotels, which outperform those in the United States and Europe by a large margin.

According to data presented by Stocklytics.com, eight out of ten of the best hotels in the world in 2024 are in Asia; only two are from Europe, and the United States had none on this list.

Asia has the Most Luxurious Hotels and the Fastest-Growing Hotel Industry

For years, Asia has been the single largest player in the global hotel industry in terms of revenue and the number of users, and there are many reasons for that. The growing middle class, with increased disposable income, has been fueling both domestic and international tourism, while destinations like Thailand, Bali, and Japan continue attracting millions of visitors each year. Medical and wellness tourism is also thriving, particularly in Thailand and India. At the same time, business hubs in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo drive demand for business hotels and MICE tourism.

In response to the influx of tourists, Asia started investing heavily in new hotels, both for luxury travelers seeking high-end experiences and budget travelers looking for affordable accommodation. Many of these in the first category are among the best hotels in the world.

According to the World's 50 Best Hotels list, Asia convincingly dominates this year`s edition, with 19 hotels appearing in total, four of which are in Thailand’s Bangkok. In comparison, Europe has 13 listed hotels in France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, while North America has only nine properties featured.

The top ten list also proves Asian dominance in the luxury hotel segment. The ranking, based on the answers of anonymous voters from across the globe, including travel journalists, hoteliers, and seasoned luxury travelers, showed eight out of ten best hotels in the world in 2024 are in Asia, with Capella Bangkok, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, as the first name on the list.

Only two hotels from the top ten list are from Europe- Passalacqua on Italy’s Lake Como, which placed second, and Cheval Blanc in Paris, which ranked fourth. North America, particularly the United States, didn`t have a single hotel on the top ten list. The top-performing US hotel is The Carlyle, located on New York’s Upper East Side, ranked 30th on the top 50 list.

Besides being the home country to most luxury hotels, Asia also has the fastest-growing hotel industry, outgrowing even the global market. According to a Statista insights survey, the region`s hotel sector will grow by 21% and hit over $182 billion value by 2029. The North American and European markets will increase by 20% and 15% in this period, generating $151 billion and $131 billion in revenue, respectively.  

Asian Hotels to Gross Almost $850 Billion in the Next Five Years

With luxury and budget hotels in Asia counting more visitors than ever, the region`s hotel revenue will explode in the following years. According to Statista, the Asian hotel industry is expected to gross almost $850 billion in the next five years, $150 billion more than hotels in North America and $220 more than those in Europe.

Also, the number of people visiting Asian hotels each year will jump by 70% in this period, rising from 560 million to 950 million, making nearly half of all hotel visitors worldwide.

The full story and statistics can be found here: https://stocklytics.com/content/the-worlds-best-hotels-in-2024-only-two-from-europe-and-none-from-the-united-states/

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 1, 2024 – Hilton (NYSE: HLT), a global leader in hospitality, announces that 59 of its properties have earned prestigious spots in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, as voted by discerning travelers from the U.S. and U.K. This recognition reflects Hilton’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class experiences across the globe, with resorts from six Hilton brands, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, NoMad Hotels, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Curio Collection by Hilton ranked throughout the coveted lists. Three Hilton properties received first-place rankings from readers in their respective categories, and 25 Hilton properties were ranked in the top five in their markets.

The results of the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards survey in the U.S. included 15 properties from the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand, with Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills awarded the No. 1 Best Hotel in Beverly Hills and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal the No. 1 Best Resort in Western Mexico. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, which recently unveiled a property-wide transformation and renovation in December 2023, and Waldorf Astoria Park City, were all named No. 2 Resorts within the regions of Southern California, Orlando, and the Mountain West, respectively. Receiving more awards across the U.K. and US surveys than any other Hilton brand, the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand once again demonstrated its longstanding commitment to timeless elegance, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and sophisticated accommodations for its guests.

Known for its purposeful service and bold design, 12 Conrad Hotels & Resorts were recognized by U.S. readers, with Conrad Dubai as the No. 2 Hotel in the Middle East, Conrad Nashville as the No. 4 Hotel in Nashville, and Conrad Punta de Mita as the No. 4 Resort in Western Mexico. Conrad Tokyo was also named the No. 4 Hotel in Japan. Within LXR Hotels & Resorts, four properties received awards, including Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts as the No. 6 Resort in the Caribbean Islands, and Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts as the No. 10 Resort in the Southwest.

NoMad London, the brand's first luxury hotel bookable under Hilton's portfolio, located in Covent Garden’s historic Bow Street Magistrates Court, was named the No. 24 Hotel in London. 

Curio Collection by Hilton continues to make an impact on U.S. travelers, immersing guests in one-of-a-kind experiences at the 14 hotels recognized across the United States and Europe. Two hotels, The Starling Atlanta Midtown, Curio Collection by Hilton, named the No. 4 Hotel in the South and LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton recognized as the No. 5 Hotel in Chicago, were named to their respective lists for the second year in a row. In the resorts category, Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton was named the No. 9 Resort in the Florida Keys.  

For the first time in five years, Condé Nast Traveler featured separate survey results for the United Kingdom, where an impressive 126.9K readers eagerly cast votes for the best in travel. In the U.K. awards, readers selected six properties from the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand, four of these appeared in the top 5, including Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah as the No. 2 Hotel in the Middle East, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam as No. 2 Hotel in Europe, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi as the No. 2 Resort in the Indian Ocean, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal as the No. 3 Hotel in Mexico and Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund as the No. 4 Hotel in China.

Additionally, three Conrad Hotels & Resorts were recognized by U.K. readers, including Conrad Centennial Singapore and Conrad Singapore Orchard at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively in Singapore. Conrad Bangkok was also named No. 10 in Southeast Asia.

Moreover, LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton, was selected as the No. 1 Hotel in the U.S. by travelers in the U.K.. The hotel was recognized in both regional surveys. 

Hilton’s flagship brand demonstrated its ongoing commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality in Europe, with Hilton Amsterdam being voted No. 29, in the overall Europe Category. Additionally, Hilton London Bankside was recognized as the No. 32 Hotel in London, showcasing the brand’s ability to inspire travel and welcome the world to meet and connect.

"We are capping off a very strong year of award wins, with over 50 Hilton properties recognized by the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler U.S. and U.K. in 2024,” said Chris Silcock, president, Global Brands and Commercial Services, Hilton. "With several properties across multiple brands ranked in the top five in their respective destinations around the world, we appreciate our guests, whose loyalty to our brands keep us energized and motivated to deliver the best stay experience. I’m grateful to the Hilton team members, whose commitment to service and creating memories has led to global recognition.”

Returning for its 37th year, the annual Readers’ Choice Awards from Condé Nast Traveler continues to capture the travel experiences its readers love best. From hotels and resorts to airlines, airports, cruise lines, cities and more, a spot on this annual list represents a prestigious celebration of the leading brands and businesses within the travel industry.

The 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards are currently featured on cntraveler.com and will also appear in the October print issue of the magazine.

MCLEAN, Va. – Sept. 30, 2024 – 2024 was the Year of the Great Recharge, where sleep retreats made headlines, mindful drinking rose in popularity and wellness-themed guest rooms took off. Today, as the post-pandemic leisure travel boom normalizes, travelers surveyed in Hilton’s annual Trends Report are looking to pair their desire to relax and recharge with high-impact adventures and experiences to maximize their time and financial investment.

“Our 2025 Trends Report uncovers what has been simmering for years – the intersection of work and play; of relaxation and adventure; of being alone but together. Travelers don’t just want to choose their own adventure – they want to maximize every moment of their time away,” said Chris Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton. “This new data reveals a fascinating dichotomy and growing focus on experiences that will keep us on our toes, constantly evolving to meet the needs of tomorrow’s traveler.”

Report findings were uncovered after extensive global research, involving 13,000 travelers across 13 countries, feedback from over 4,100 Hilton team members and in-depth interviews with dozens of Hilton travel experts. Trend highlights include:

Adventure-Seeking “Go Getaways” Take on Restorative Sleep Retreats and “Hurkle-Durkling” Go Getaways: 7 in 10 global travelers enjoy being active when they travel, with 1 in 5 leisure travelers planning outdoor adventures in 2025.

Sleep Retreats & Hurkle-Durkling: 1 in 5 global travelers indulge in Hurkle-Durkling, the Scottish phrase for “lounging in bed all day” while on vacation, and more than a quarter of travelers will book a spa or wellness treatment to enhance their sleep.

• “Time Travel” and “Slow Travel” Accelerate Time Travel: 58% of global travelers who travel with their kids revisit destinations from their own childhood, embracing nostalgia.
• Slow Travel: 1 in 4 leisure travelers are planning to explore the world and different cultures in 2025, leaning into the Slow Travel trend: the act of traveling and immersing yourself into a destination for an extended time as a local to fully experience the culture.
• “High-Tech Travel” Meets “Digital Detox” High-Tech Travel: 63% of travelers place importance on having the option of a digital room key, allowing them to go straight to their room without stopping at the front desk.
• Digital Detox: 24% of global travelers admit to disconnecting from social media more than they used to during vacations.

• Fido and Frolleagues Take the Stage Pet-Friendly: 25% of MeMooners, or solo travelers, often travel for leisure with their pets – more often than the average leisure traveler (19%).
• Frolleagues: Today, nearly 30% of global travelers often travel with Frolleagues, friends who are also colleagues, on their leisure adventures.
• Gen Alpha and MeMooner Travelers Surge The Gen Alpha Effect: 70% of global respondents with children choose vacation destinations based on their kids’ preferences.
• MeMooners Rising: 64% of solo travelers consider a good book their favorite travel partner.

• Foodie Exploration and Tempo Drinking Will Travel for Food: Nearly 1 in 5 of global leisure travelers seek out new restaurants or culinary experiences, with 50% of travelers booking restaurant reservations before their flights.
• Sober Curiosity Evolution: In just the past year, 1 in 4 global travelers* has either reduced or stopped their consumption of alcohol, reflecting the growing Tempo Drinking trend, or the mindful practice of moderating the pace and volume of drinking alcohol.
• From Inner Discovery to Outward Cheering Soft Travel: More than 1 in 5 travelers plan to getaway for self-discovery or mental health when traveling for leisure, leaning into “Soft Travel,” or travel that encourages simplicity or spontaneity.
• Surge in Sports: From 2019 to 2024, Hilton Worldwide Sport Sales revenue tripled in volume - 80% of which is driven by youth or amateur sports.

Hilton continues to innovate to meet the needs of travelers globally through an unmatched portfolio of industry-leading brands plus exclusive partnerships that create more experiences for guests to dream about. From Hilton dramatically expanding its portfolio of luxury hotel experiences with the addition of nearly 400 boutique properties from the exquisite Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection, to its exclusive partnership with premier outdoor hospitality company AutoCamp, Hilton is providing exceptional stay experiences for every traveler for every stay occasion.

For more information on how Hilton is staying ahead of travel trends and to view the findings, read the full 2025 report at stories.hilton.com/2025trends. To start planning 2025 travel, visit Hilton.com.