CONTENTS 3 30 ■ ➔ news SPECIAL REPORT. IN THE HEADLINES. 6 The time to buy hotels is now—if you can; Asian investors look for prestige in European deals; J.D. Power recognizes hotel brand customer service winners 16 Top limited-service hotel chains survey DESIGN. ■ ➔ departments 22 The ins and outs of designing laundry spaces for today’s guest HOT PRODUCTS. TRENDS & STATS. 10 Major markets enjoy the benefi ts of raising rates 24 What’s new in housekeeping PROFILE . DEVELOPMENT. HotelManagement.net A Questex Hospitality Group Publication 30 Loews Hotels’ Paul Whetsell COLUMNS. 12 First Conrad hits New York; 5 Beekman to become latest Thompson Hotel ON THE BLOCK. 13 Money matters in midscale 4 11 27 27 28 Up Front | Ruthanne Terrero Training Trends | Jennifer Swan Ad/Editorial Index Marketplace Classifi eds 12 13 6 ■ ➔ The DNA of outstanding leadership Online columnist Renie Cavallari shares the qualities that set inspiring leaders apart. Search “Cavallari” on HotelManagement.net online Daily news, right to your inbox From the IHIF Hotel Investment News Daily to HM Technology and HM Operations, we have you covered. HotelManagement.net/newsletter-registrations Hotel Management surveys 22 Sign up online to receive notice when Hotel Management’s surveys are open. HotelManagement.net/hotelworld-network-surveys CONNECT WITH HOTEL MANAGEMENT HOTEL MANAGEMENT (ISSN 2158-2122) is published monthly, except semi-monthly in April, June and October (15 issues yearly), by Questex Media Group LLC, 306 W. Michigan St., Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55802. Subscription rates: $63 for 1 year, $100 for 2 years in the United States & Possessions; $85 for 1 year, $135 for 2 years in Canada and Mexico; all other countries $145 for 1 year, $245 for two years. Single copies (prepaid only): $5.50 in the United States; $6.50 in Canada and Mexico; $12.50 all other countries. Back issues, if available are $10 in the U.S.; $12 in Mexico and Canada; $24 for all other countries. International subscriptions will be subjected to $75 per annual order for air-expedited service. Include $7.15 per order plus $2.20 per additional copy for U.S. postage and handling. Periodicals postage paid at Duluth, MN 55806 and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Hotel Management, PO Box 1268 Skokie, IL 60076-8268. Canadian G.S.T. number: 840 033 278 RT0001, Publications Mail Agreement Number 40017597. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright © 2012 Questex Media Group LLC. All rights reserved.