Key Takeaways

• A hotel company refers to an organization that manages and operates hotels and lodging facilities. Typically, hotel companies are also involved in hotel development, ownership, franchising, management and operations.

• Some of the top hotel companies that investors should look out for include: Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Host Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Radisson Hotels and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

• For investors looking to venture into hotel investing in Portugal and the Bahamas, consider investing with Bay Street. By investing through our Alt Path hotel fund, you get to enjoy cash incentives and portfolio diversification.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article are for educational purposes only. They are not intended to be a source of professional advice. You will find experts on financial and hotel investing here.

Invest With Bay Street

For investors looking to diversify their investment portfolios by investing in hotels, Bay Street is currently venturing into Portugal and the Bahamas hospitality industry through its Alt Path hotel fund. With two existing properties in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles, Bay Street is working to build and operate boutique hotel properties in these thriving tourist markets. In Portugal, the firm has secured 45-55% cash incentives from the Portuguese government. This can be beneficial to investors looking to diversify their portfolios across different markets.

For all approved projects, hotel operations will be run by a qualified team of top operators. In addition, our team can also offer support to investors who are interested in acquiring a Portugal Golden Visa, by guiding you through the application process and qualifying investments. With a Portuguese Golden Visa, you gain visa-free access to 185+ countries globally.

To get more information on the Alt Path hotel fund, book an appointment with us today. To read more on the Portugal Golden Visa, access the latest insights here.

What is a Hotel Company?

A hotel company is an organization that manages and operates hotels and lodging facilities. These hotels range from budget hotels to luxury resorts. These companies are typically involved in various aspects of hotel management including hotel development, ownership, franchising, management and operations.

Hotel companies may own and operate their properties directly, or they may franchise their brand and management services to independent hotel owners. In a franchise agreement, the hotel company provides branding, marketing and operational support to ensure consistency across its portfolio of properties.

The primary goal of a hotel company is to provide accommodation for local and international travelers, whether they choose to stay at a budget hotel or in a luxury hotel brand. Hotel companies contribute significantly to the tourism and travel sector and are key drivers of the economy as they help create employment and promote cultural exchange.

Top Hotel Companies

Here are some of the top hotel companies for investors and travelers alike.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts

Best Western is a leading hotel company with 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. With 19 unique hotel brands ranging from budget to luxury hotel brands, the company caters to a wide segment of travelers. Some of the brands under its portfolio include Best Western Plus, BW Premier Collection and WorldHotels Luxury.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels is one of the largest franchisors globally with 7000+ hotels in 40+ countries and territories. The brand operates hotels ranging from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. It caters to both business and leisure travelers, providing them with a variety of accommodation options.

As of April 2024, the company has a market cap of $5.94 billion.

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is a hotel company that manages a luxury collection of hotels, residence clubs and resorts. With 128 hotels and resorts under its portfolio that are located in top tourist markets, the brand is committed to offering personalized services to its clients. Hotel guests can enjoy premium stays in the different hotel chains that are in the part of the hotel's portfolio.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality brand with a collection of 19 hotel brands, in more than 7,000 locations globally. With a diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts, the company has properties that cater to a wide range of travelers including luxury and budget travelers.

Some of the brands in its portfolio include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton and Curio Collection by Hilton. The company also boasts of its award winning guest loyalty program which has 170+ million members.

As of April 2024, the company has a market cap of $53.05 billion.

Host Hotels & Resorts

Host Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest lodging real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the world. With a diverse portfolio of luxury and upscale hotels across the United States, the company is very committed to sustainability by creating long-term value through responsible investing in the environment and surrounding community.

As of April 2024, the company has a market cap of $14.30 billion.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a global hospitality company that is well known for its commitment to providing clients with exceptional guest experiences. With a diverse portfolio of over 1,300 properties across 75+ countries, Hyatt offers a range of luxury, lifestyle and select-service brands to cater to every traveler's needs and preferences. Some of the hotels under Hyatt's portfolio include Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Thompson Hotels and Hyatt Vivid.

The company is committed to sustainability and works to reduce environmental impact as much as possible. It is also keen on supporting local communities in an effort to promote diversity and inclusion.

As of April 2024, the company has a market cap of $15.79 billion.

IHG Hotels & Resorts

With 19 hotel brands across 6,000+ global destinations in its portfolio, IHG is a leading global hospitality company known for its wide range of accommodation options that cater to both luxury and budget travelers.

Some of the brands in its portfolio include InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses and Holiday Inn Express. The company also runs the IHG One Rewards, an award winning loyalty rewards program that enables people to earn points while traveling.

As of April 2024, the company has a market cap of $13.31 billion.

Marriott International

Founded in 1927, Marriott is a top hotel company that is involved in the management, franchising and licensing of properties under different brand names. With 30+ brands and 8,700+ properties under their portfolio across 135+ countries, Marriott is known to provide its clients with exceptional service and memorable experiences.

Marriott's portfolio includes a wide range of brands, each catering to different segments of the market. The company operates some of the best luxury hotel brands like The Ritz-Carlton as well as select brands like Four Points.

As of April 2024, the company has a market cap of $71.41 billion.

Radisson Hotels

With 10 distinctive brands and 1,160+ hotels in 95+ countries, Radisson Hotels is an international hotel group known for its upscale accommodations and exceptional service. Radisson caters to different travelers including those on business trips, family vacations and luxury getaways. The brand prides itself on delivering memorable and personalized services to its guests.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is a global company that operates 9,000+ hotels across 95 countries. As a leading brand in the hospitality industry, the company operates both luxury hotels and budget hotels that cater to different groups of travelers.

Their great client service and thoughtful amenities are some of the features that set this hotel brand apart from the rest.

As of April 2024, the company has a market cap of $6.01 billion.

Criteria for Evaluating Hotel Companies

When evaluating hotel companies, it is important to consider key factors that contribute to overall success of the company. By doing so, investors can easily identify hotel assets that align with their investment goals. Here are the key factors to consider when evaluating hotels.

Reputation and brand recognition

A company with a good reputation is often associated with reliability and good quality service. As an investor, look for companies with established brands that are known to offer top notch services to their customers.

Customer reviews and satisfaction

Customer reviews give investors insight into the quality of service that a brand offers. Be sure to pay attention to online reviews and ratings on platforms like TripAdvisor and Google Reviews to gauge the level of satisfaction among guests who have previously stayed at the property.

Amenities and facilities

The best hotel companies offer a wide range of amenities and facilities to cater to the diverse needs of their guests. As an investor, be sure to consider what kind of amenities hotels have as this is a main factor that guests consider before making a booking.

Sustainability initiatives

With increasing awareness of environmental issues, many travelers are seeking eco-friendly accommodation options. Investors should pay attention to the sustainability initiatives that hotel companies are running, in a bid to enhance sustainability and reduce waste.

Brand consistency and standards

Consistency in brand standards ensures that guests receive the same quality of service across all properties within a hotel company's portfolio. It is therefore important that investors look for companies that maintain strict brand standards to ensure a consistent guest experience.

Trends for New Hotel Companies

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve and competition increases, it is essential that hotel companies keep up with the latest trends. Here are some key trends in the hospitality sector that hotel companies can implement.

Integration of technology

Many hotels are making use of technology to enhance guest experiences, by integrating systems such as mobile check-in, keyless entry systems and personalized mobile apps for concierge services and recommendations.

Sustainability initiatives

Environmental sustainability is a growing priority for both hotel companies and guests. As a result, hotels are implementing eco-friendly practices such as energy-efficient lighting, water conservation measures and waste reduction.

Wellness and health-focused amenities

With a rising focus on health and well-being, hotels are incorporating wellness amenities such as fitness centers, yoga studios and spa facilities for their guests.

Alternative accommodation options

The rise of alternative accommodation options such as vacation rentals and serviced apartments is reshaping the traditional hotel landscape. Hotel companies are now diversifying their portfolios to include these alternative options to cater to the needs of different travelers.

Focus on Local Experiences

Guests are increasingly seeking authentic local experiences, from dining at neighborhood restaurants to exploring off-the-beaten-path attractions. Hotels are partnering with local businesses and artisans, organizing cultural events, and offering curated experiences that immerse guests in the local culture and community.

Conclusion

With the ever changing needs and preferences of business and leisure travelers, it is important that hotel companies keep up with emerging trends so they can stay competitive. By offering services that meet your clients' needs, your success rate is likely to be much higher.

For investors looking to get into hotel investing, get in touch with us today for more information on our Alt Path hotel fund.

Bay Street Capital Holdings

Bay Street Capital Holdings is an independent investment wealth management and hotel investing firm. The firm's main focus is on growing client portfolios while managing overall risk.

For more information on our Alt Path hotel fund, schedule an appointment with us today.

Sources

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/061015/top-5-most-profitable-hotel-companies.asp

https://www.revfine.com/hotel-companies/

https://hoteltechreport.com/news/100-hotel-trends

https://www.internationalbrandequity.com/best-hotel-brands/

https://companiesmarketcap.com/hotels/largest-hotel-companies-by-market-cap/