Last year Ikea announced its intention to open a chain of economy hotels in western Europe; now comes news that the Swedish furniture merchant will be assisted in this venture, called Moxy, by Marriott International.
Travel sites like Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and Priceline say they offer the best deals -- but are we being played? A new lawsuit alleges they not only don't give us the lowest prices, but actually conspire with hotel chains to fix prices and prevent competitors from offering cheaper rooms.
Hilton's ego may have taken a bruising blow from its settlement with Starwood, but its finances likely won't, analysts say. As part of the deal, Hilton has agreed to take itself out of the boutique-hotel-style market to settle allegations that it stole trade secrets from Starwood.
Every company promises a better product -- a better burger, a better search engine, a better hotel room. For these companies, their secret for a superior product is worth millions -- or even billions.
If you fly into many major U.S. cities late, don't count on getting room service at your high-end hotel -- or even finding a decent meal nearby: Late-night dining options are frequently off the table, even if you're staying at the best hotel in town.
A year ago, the sector suffered from both recession and a stigma against frivolous spending. Now, the mood has reversed, bookings are up and the industry is hiring again.
