Cover Story
Reborn on the River
The transformation of the Historic Rocky Waters Inn By Cathleen Draper In 2005, Mahavir Patel’s family purchased the Rocky Waters Motor Inn, a historic property in the heart of Gatlinburg, TN, a mountain town on the precipice of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The motel opened its doors in the 1930s – roughly a decade before Gatlinburg was officially incorporated in 1945. When Patel, CEO of investment, development, and management firm AATMOS, and his brother Dev, the firm’s CRO, assumed proprietorship of the historic property,…
Featured
Balancing Act
Modern hotel design supports well-being for busy travelers By Amy King Today’s travelers are looking for more than a comfortable bed and a clean room. They want hotels that help them feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally during their stay. Wellness has shifted from a niche amenity to an essential component of the guest experience, and it…
Lobbying for Change
The evolution of a hotel’s primary public space By A.D. Thompson Times were once that the lobby of your hotel was a ‘just passing through’ kind of space. A space for check-in and check-out. A stop to hit the ATM. The gateway to your room and your destination, but not much more. Times have changed. Hotel lobbies…
Something Old, Something New
Marrying history and modernity in restoration and reuse By Cathleen Draper For years, Vijay Patel drove three hours from Pendleton, OR, to Portland to attend Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association board meetings. The drive meanders along the Columbia River, passing Hood River, a small city on the precipice of the Columbia River Gorge. It was there, as…
Columns
The Thread of Human Connection
Building spaces for belonging By Courtney Messersmith There’s been a shift. Walk into any hotel today to see it: The buzz of laptops in the lobby, a couple sharing drinks near a charging station, and a group of coworkers having a quick meeting on the couch by the window. Guest behaviors have evolved. The rise…
Designing for Longevity
Why the smartest hotel investment might be outside By Megan Pierson Not long ago, hotel outdoor spaces were considered nice-to-have amenities, a pleasant patio or a pool deck that came alive for a few warm months each year. Today, those spaces have moved to center stage. As travel habits evolve, outdoor environments are emerging as…
AAHOACON26 Registration Now Open
Experience liberty, leadership, and legacy at the world’s premier gathering of hotel owners By AAHOA Staff The countdown is officially underway. In 2026, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, AAHOA – the largest hotel owners association in the world – will bring the hospitality industry together in Philadelphia for AAHOACON26, April 8–10. AAHOACON26 will ignite…
Design as a Differentiator
How independent hotels can stand out through thoughtful design By Aaryan Patel and Jin Laxmidas Independent hoteliers continue to shape the character and diversity of America’s lodging industry. While branded hotels rely on uniformity to reinforce identity and recognition, independent properties have the freedom – and the opportunity – to distinguish themselves through design, creativity,…