Sean O'Neill

Sean O’Neill is Skift’s Senior Hospitality Editor. Sean’s forte is reporting, and he’s broken multiple hotel industry scoops. He has also conducted 1:1 interviews on stage with the CEOs of Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and Wyndham.

accor ceo sebastian bazin at skift global forum 2022 source skift

Hotels

Accor CEO Defends Hotel Giant’s Latest Reorg

Many hotels needed refurbishment after the pandemic chaos, and Accor needed a refurb of its own. CEO Sébastien Bazin argues that his latest reorganization gives Accor the capability to become the world leader in luxury while preparing for a hybrid hospitality future.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Sortis Execs Reveal More About Their Ace Hotel Acquisition

Sortis executives have given more details on their plans for Ace Hotels, the hip U.S.-based lifestyle brand that the company will acquire for $85 million in cash.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Global Hotel Investment Volume Decelerated in 2022

While 2022 was a post-pandemic boom year for hotel demand in much of the world, total global hotel investment volume decelerated slightly to $71.9 billion, a decline of 2 percent…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Marriott Bets Big on Luxury and Extended-Stay Hotels

Marriott International revealed on Monday its full-year totals for hotel development in 2022. The most notable figures highlighted a further push by the world's largest hotelier into the luxury and…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Lifestyle Hotel Manager Springboard Steps Up by Marketing Direct to Guests

Independently owned lifestyle hotels lack resources to battle against the global conglomerates with their streamlined loyalty machines. But Springboard thinks it can boost quirky properties by revamping the playbook for third-party hotel management.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

AlmaLusa Comporta reception area soruce AlmaLusa

Hotels

Portuguese-Owned Boutique Hotel Brand AlmaLusa Aims to Lure Travelers From Big Chains

The boutique brand AlmaLusa is betting that more tourists want to stay in places that deeply reflect Portuguese culture. It's testing whether luxury travelers care about authenticity rather than just location and amenities when picking hotels.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Accor Challenges Rival Hotel Groups in Branded Residential

Hotel groups have been eager to introduce branded residential offerings. Plus, Marriott tests "magic" beds, Macau may cap room occupancy, and other recent hotel news.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Virgin Unites Its Hotel Companies Under New Entity Virgin Hotels Collection

Entrepreneur Richard Branson and Virgin Group announced a reorganization of their hotel brands on Thursday. Virgin Group, which owns a half-dozen luxury Virgin Hotels, will take control of Branson's private…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

accor handwritten collection guestroom Hotel Les Capitouls Toulouse Centre source accor

Hotels

Accor Redefines Soft Brand Potential With New Handwritten Collection

Accor isn't the first large hotel company to let members of its loyalty program book independently designed lifestyle hotels. But it is the first to move the concept downscale in rate and amenities. Can it democratize access to quirky hotels worldwide?

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Hyatt Pledges to Open 5,000 Rooms in Mexico’s Tulum and Isla Mujeres

Top Hyatt executives said on Tuesday they planned to create hotels and resorts in two destinations on Mexico's Caribbean coast — Tulum and Isla Mujeres — with about 5,000 rooms together.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago