Hotels Want Airbnb to Play Fair and 7 Other Hospitality Trends This Week

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines hospitality.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>The next generation of boutique hotels, according to Ian Schrager, is about adding technology and business smarts to the tried-and-true formula that he and other boutique pioneers perfected nearly 40 years ago: Interview: Ian Schrager on the Next Generation of Boutique Hotels

>>Hotel brands are developing more all-encompassing wellness retreats and partnering with trendy health brands in an attempt to deliver transformative travel experiences: Upscale Hotel Brands Are Forgoing FitTech to Focus on Holistic Wellness

>>A quick, no-nonsense guide to where to stay for business trips in one of the world's most spectacular cities: Hong Kong: A Scenario-Based Guide to Hotels for Business Travel in Hong Kong

>>Most CEOs said the same thing they’ve said about Airbnb countless times before — ‘We need a level playing field’ — but there are signs that some are starting to take the $31 billion alternative accommodations provider a bit more seriously: Most Hotel CEOs Dismiss Airbnb’s Impact But Demand Level Playing Field

>>With these new features, it's clear Airbnb wants to reduce discrimination on its platform, sign on more vacation rental managers, and generate more bookings. But is this enough to keep hosts happy? Airbnb Ramps Up Push to Get More Hosts to Choose Instant Booking

>>Hyatt, like every other hotel company out there, wants to get better rates from online travel agencies like Expedia. But does it have the scale (and the muscle) to do it? Hyatt Plays Hardball With Expedia Over Contract Negotiations

>>With online travel agencies offering their own loyalty programs consumers are faced with endless programs in the hotel space. Everyone is a loyalty program member everywhere, that's loyalty in 2017: Consumers Are Facing a Glut of Loyalty Programs in Hospitality

>>If nothing else, Airbnb will be hoping the funding gets it some much-needed good public relations at a time when it is coming under increasing pressure in several key European cities: Airbnb Promises $5.6 Million For Community Tourism Projects in Europe