Jennifer Kovacs

Features include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass walls, which open up to balconies with panoramic views and plenty of space for relaxing and entertaining. The units include modern kitchens complete with GE stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and custom cabinetry.

In these tough times, we can all use an excuse to celebrate. More than 150 hotel designers and operators did just that at the second HotelWorld Global Hospitality & Design Awards gala, held last month at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

One market's hardships have captured the attention of the industry as a whole--Las Vegas. Performance numbers hover around what was seen about three to four years prior. And, relatively speaking, that's not so bad. But the drop has been felt nevertheless. BY SENIOR EDITOR JENNIFER KOVACS

National Report–For those particularly perceptive, it may have been noticed as early as December 2007.

Industry prepares for how proposed law would change the workplace

While many timeshare companies have scaled back sales efforts because of the inability to sell consumer notes in the tight credit markets, it’s a controlled reduction and not one based on any noticeable dip in demand.

Despite both personal income and disposable personal income seeing dips in February, the Department of Commerce reported today that actual spending increased. BLOG BY SENIOR EDITOR JENNIFER KOVACS

You’ll never guess what I got in the mail today. One shiny, new stainless steel desktop coffee mug. So, what’s so miraculous about that? Well, let me tell you, it’s all about customer service.

Too soon after the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, that left dozens of employees and guests dead at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and the Oberoi-Trident hotels, we watched another hotel burn today. This time, thankfully, no injuries have been reported.

Eugene, Ore.–Real estate researcher Richard Ragatz forecasted that the luxury fractional segment of the timeshare market will be the first to rebound in the downturn, thanks to luxury vacation home ownership falling out of favor.