Hilton Adds AutoCamp in Loyalty Licensing Deal for U.S. Glamping

Hilton is set to become a leading hotel player in college towns and cities across the U.S.

Hilton will spend $210 million to acquire Graduate Hotels, a hotel brand that builds and runs 33 hotels near U.S. and U.K. universities, it said Thursday. The brand caters to college alumni, students, and communities with hip, nostalgic-themed design and campus-centric amenities.

Choice Hotels on Monday dropped its $8 billion hostile takeover bid for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts it launched last October.

LXR is a Hilton brand with 14 luxury hotels and resorts. Last week, Hilton announced a deal for an LXR resort in Saudi Arabia, and it has seven other properties in its pipeline worldwide.

Last July, Marriott International and MGM Resorts announced a licensing tie-up where members of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program could earn and redeem points for activity at MGM Resorts’ properties. On Wednesday, travelers became able to take advantage of this partnership at 16 MGM Resort locations.

Award-Winning Firm to Drive PR for Hilton Cabana Miami Beach Resort, Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa, Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street and Embassy Suites by Hilton Miami International Hotel

Hilton Grand Vacations reported financial results on Thursday, following recent reports from timeshare operator rivals Marriott Vacations Worldwide and Travel and Leisure Company.

Gilda Perez-Alvarado surprised some hotel industry vets when she joined Accor last October, becoming its chief strategy officer. She switched from being the Global CEO of hotel broker JLL.

Walt Disney World is making it even more appealing to book a vacation at the Orlando park in 2025.The entertainment giant just announced that Disney Resort hotel guests visiting next year can enjoy free admission to one of its popular water parks – Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach – on check-in day as part of a stay.The free day at the water parks, which feature lazy rivers, wave pools, and interactive play areas, will only be made available to guests staying at properties within the Disney Resorts Collection.“With this water park benefit, it’s easy to unwind on the day you arrive. Get ready to zip down thrilling water slides, relax on sandy beaches, float along a lazy river... and let your cares drift away,” states the Disney website announcement.Additional details about the new water park benefit will be made available by Disney later this year. Details will also be provided to guests who have booked a stay at a Disney Collection property in advance of arrival at the park.But Disney has confirmed that the water park benefit is exclusive to registered guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with check-in dates between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025.  Additionally, all guests must be on the room reservation.And to be clear, the water park benefit is only available on the day of check-in at a resort property.Walt Disney World resort stays and theme park tickets for 2025 are available for purchase starting tomorrow (February 27, 2024).

CoStar Group, the real-estate data giant, was hit last week with a consumer class action lawsuit alleging it enabled several hotel operators, such as Marriott and Hilton, to artificially boost their hotel rates.

Marriott said Monday that the 200 millionth person had joined its loyalty program as the company aims to retain its title as having the world’s largest hotel rewards program.

If you missed your chance last week at a seat on Delta Air Lines' solar eclipse flight, you may want to head right back to the airline's booking site.