Over the past 150 years, the hotel industry has been shaped by global events, technological advances, shifting consumer expectations and the unrelenting pursuit of hospitality. From small inns to the grand luxury properties of the 19th century to today’s AI-driven smart hotels, the journey of hospitality mirrors the evolution of our society.
Inside this monumental issue celebrating 150 years of Hotel Management, readers will see a look back at notable developments and defining moments from the past century and a half.
We have industry pioneers such as Jon Bortz, Walter Isenberg, Ron Swidler, Ben Perelmuter and Chris Hemmeter contemplating the concepts, the people, the designs and the technologies that make hospitality great. We have leaders from Marriott International and Days Inn by Wyndham sharing insights on the evolution of franchising in the industry.
Dan Lesser, a former Hotel Management columnist and the co-founder, president and CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors, writes about his 45 years in the industry—the ups, the downs and the “Oh my!” moments.
Also in this remarkable issue, Linda Hilton, granddaughter of industry icon Conrad Hilton and chair of the board of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, shares stories about growing up in her grandfather’s hotels where she had a front-row seat to the ins and outs of the hospitality industry.
In 150 years, hotels have evolved from basic lodgings for the elite to diverse ecosystems catering to every kind of traveler. Yet the principal promise remains unchanged—true hospitality. At the industry’s core, we want to offer comfort, connection and care for people who are away from home. As the industry looks ahead, it’s clear that hospitality will continue to innovate—just as it always has—guided by the timeless desire to make guests feel welcome, wherever they are in the world.
To see the digital timeline, visit here. To read the online stories from this issue, visit here. To read the digital edition of Hotel Management's October issue, visit here.