Plus: Pay equity isn’t a slogan | F&B that drives revenue
If there’s a theme this week, it’s this: performance follows intention.
Satisfaction scores rise because teams choose consistency and responsiveness every single day. Culture strengthens when women aren’t carrying the expectation to over-deliver just to stand still—which is why pay equity, sponsorship and flexibility need structure, not slogans. And the F&B outlets driving real traffic are the ones rooted in local partnerships and cultural fluency.
Strategy shows up everywhere—or it should.
Cost-per-key reality check. If you're wondering what today’s “pencil” is looking like, HVS has the per‑room numbers in black and white—it’s looking like ~$167K–$169K for limited‑service builds and north of $1M a key for luxury. Those medians suggest the market may be finding its footing after some wild swings.
Neutral? Not really. We'd love to say hotels stay out of politics, but when you operate at the crossroads of real estate, labor, visas, taxes, and public gatherings, you’re already in the arena.
Event-driven energy. With marquee drivers like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th celebrations on the calendar, investors are buzzing about lodging demand that could bump performance in big markets. JLL’s annual Global Hotel Investment Outlook has investors thinking about RevPAR spikes not just in peak season but across 2026.
The roundup that reads like a travel diary crossed with a mood board. For hoteliers who care about space that resonates, these stays are the kind other operators quietly benchmark against. This is a list of the "Best, Buzziest, and Most Beautiful Places" Architectural Digest editors stayed in 2025.
⚜️Party on your porch! Hotels on the Mardi Gras parade route are the perch where the party practically walks up to your doorstep.
Spatial storytelling
If you missed the recent Independent Lodging Congress confab in San Juan, Puerto Rico, you’ll be pleased to at least acquaint yourself with the impeccable property they chose as the host property. Hotel Convento, a 17th-century Carmelite convent turned boutique hotel, offers a blend of Old World structure and modern guest spaces that invite guests into a sublimely layered story.
Why it matters: From cloistered corners to rooftop verandas with views of Old San Juan, every space whispers significance. Andalusian tile, mahogany beams and a central courtyard—complete with a 300-year-old Nispero fruit tree from Spain—deftly weave history into the guest experience. Thoughtful restoration and adaptive space planning has turned design details including arches, red-tile roofs, colonnades and rooftop terraces into places that feel both timeless and inherently local. (Historic Hotels of America)
Hotel Convento. (Courtesy)
"We are watching some of the most exceptional women in our industry walk out the door." – ANNA BLUE, IMPACT LEADER, STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Progress needs protection
Anna Blue pulls no punches: while hospitality celebrates progress, women are still absorbing layoffs, burnout, stalled promotions and the quiet expectation to prove they can do the job (while doing said job). She zeroes in on the lived reality behind the headlines—women stepping back because flexibility vanished, leadership pipelines narrowed, emotional labor continually goes uncompensated—and her remarks challenge owners to look critically at their own org charts and promotion patterns.
Why it matters: The industry may be moving forward on paper, but the day-to-day tells a messier story. When budgets compress and priorities shift, equity is often the first thing to soften. Blue gets specific about how regression shows up: fewer advancement opportunities, heavier workloads without title changes, a creeping normalization of imbalance. Guardrails around pay equity, sponsorship and flexibility aren’t “extras;” they’re strategic decisions that shape who stays and who leaves. (Anna Blue on LinkedIn)
Benchmarking for better stays
After analyzing 40+ million guest voices and over 12,000 properties worldwide, Shiji's Guest Experience Benchmark Report 2026 shows where guest sentiment is strongest and where room for delight still exists. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at who’s winning high marks (and why).
Why it matters: Guest satisfaction doesn’t just trend up on its own; it reflects intentional choices in service, consistency and responsiveness. The benchmark report highlights how performance trends, like steady Global Review Index growth and the rise of new review platforms, are reshaping how guests talk about their stays. Understanding which segments are gaining traction and where expectations are tightening gives you a real edge when it comes to designing experiences that feel both personal and competitive. (Shiji Insights)
The direct link between F&B and profitability
Blending your F&B concept with its broader community—whether that’s the hotel’s style or the local scene—turns a good restaurant into a beloved one. When your culinary spaces feel like they belong both to your guests and the neighborhood, buzz starts before guests even check in.
Why it matters: Thriving hotel F&B strategy leans into partnerships and local culture, not isolation—and brilliant concepts need operational freedom. Design your F&B spaces with both your team and your turnover goals in mind so they're not a cost center but an engine that supports your whole property’s profitability. A clear market-driven concept aligned with the right culinary talent and designed with a killer layout puts you well on your way to success. (Hotel Dive)
Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at newsletter@mintpillow.co. We enjoy hearing from you.
Interested in advertising? Email us at newslettersales@mvfglobal.com
Mint Pillow is curated and written by Jennifer Glatt and edited by Bianca Prieto
