The article evaluates the most rewarding hotel credit cards in 2025 based on big spend bonuses, such as points multipliers and free night certificates. It compares cards from major hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, and Wyndham, assessing their total value and return on spending. While hotel points are generally less valuable than airline miles, certain cards offer compelling incentives like free nights or elite status. The Hilton Surpass card is identified as the top performer with a return near 5%, despite the discontinuation of the Sonesta card. The analysis emphasizes personal preference and travel habits over generic reward metrics, noting that some cards are better suited for specific travelers due to geographic or program limitations.

The U.S. hotel industry reported negative year-over-year performance in occupancy, average daily rate, and revenue per available room according to CoStar's data through 9 August 2025. San Francisco showed the strongest performance with increases in occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, attributed to the World Transplant Congress. Houston experienced significant declines in occupancy and RevPAR, primarily due to the post-Hurricane Beryl displacement demand period.

Hera Hospitality Group is repositioning the historic Hotel Elysée in New York City into a luxury lifestyle boutique hotel, with Colliers arranging $25 million in financing for the renovation, which will include expanding suite offerings. Developers OKO Group and Access Industries have begun vertical construction on the Aman Residences Miami Beach project, secured with $85 million in mezzanine debt from Aman Miami Beach Mezz LLC, an affiliate of GoldenTree Asset Management, with the tower expected to top out in early 2026 and open in 2027. The restored Versailles Hotel will feature 56 rooms designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. Mahaveer LLC has acquired the AmericInn by Wyndham Detroit Lakes in Minnesota from Cwikla Hospitality LLC for an undisclosed amount. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts declared a $0.41 per share quarterly dividend. Grupo Posadas launched Devossion by Live Aqua, an adults-only lifestyle brand, at the former Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen in Mexico, with a soft opening on August 1 and grand opening in October. IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to open a 175-key voco hotel in Phuket, Thailand by 2029. Hyatt has entered into management agreements for two properties in Thailand, marking the debut of its Unbound Collection brand, with The Barai Hua Hin opening in late 2026 and Narai Hotel reopening in 2028. Mandarin Oriental is opening a 166-key property in Xi'an, China in 2029, its first urban resort in Northwestern China, developed by Xi'an Wolong Real Estate. SJM Holdings Ltd. has acquired a commercial property in Hengpin, China for approximately RMB724 million, which will be converted into a mass-market hotel with renovation expected within 24 months.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.41 per share, payable on September 30, 2025, to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2025. The company, the world's largest hotel franchising company by number of franchised properties, operates approximately 8,300 hotels across 100 countries with around 847,000 rooms and a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, and Wyndham®. It also manages a loyalty program with approximately 120 million enrolled members. The announcement includes forward-looking statements about future performance, subject to various risks including economic conditions, global trade disputes, and health crises.

Airbnb forecasts weaker year-over-year growth for the second half of 2025, attributing the slowdown to difficult comparisons with a strong year-ago period in Asia and Latin America. The company reports a 7% increase in nights and seats booked and an 11% rise in gross booking value to $23.5 billion during the second quarter, driven by U.S. domestic travel and Easter timing. Revenue for the quarter reached $3.10 billion, slightly above analyst estimates of $3.04 billion, with a per-share profit of $1.03 versus Wall Street's 93 cents. Despite a recovery in U.S. travel demand, the company expects growth to moderate in the third and fourth quarters, with implied take rate remaining flat. Shares fell more than 6% after the announcement.