Branded hotel managers are not bad people, but they’re sometimes bad managers if profitability is your objective. If you noticed that operating margins improved when brand standards were relaxed during the pandemic, and when the brands were forced to reduce corporate charges, you’re not alone. The brands will suggest that these were temporary measures reflecting their concern for their owners. But there were some important lessons learned during the pandemic—including some that are not often spoken about at hotel conferences—that astute owners and their asset managers should not soon forget.
