Welcome back to StaySmart, your monthly source for the trends shaping corporate housing, business travel, and extended stay. Today, we’re looking at new mixed-use living concepts entering major markets, rising labor costs that could impact hotel pricing, continued growth in the aparthotel sector, and Airbnb’s biggest platform transformation in years.
by · Jun 16, 2026
Welcome back to StaySmart, your monthly source for the trends shaping corporate housing, business travel, and extended stay. Today, we’re looking at new mixed-use living concepts entering major markets, rising labor costs that could impact hotel pricing, continued growth in the aparthotel sector, and Airbnb’s biggest platform transformation in years.
Sentral has opened Forme, a new mixed-use residential and extended-stay development in Houston’s Museum District. The project combines traditional apartment living with 30+ day hotel accommodations, supported by coworking space, hospitality amenities, and community-focused social areas. The opening reflects growing demand for flexible living models that blend residential comfort with hospitality services.
Explore how mixed-use developments are redefining the future of extended-stay housing.
A new labor agreement covering nearly 250 New York City hotels will significantly increase wages for hotel workers over the coming years. Industry analysts expect that rising labor costs could place additional upward pressure on room rates in one of the country’s most expensive lodging markets, creating new considerations for corporate travel programs and housing budgets.
See how rising hospitality costs could impact travel planning and accommodation strategies.
Roami has opened a 146-unit aparthotel in downtown Minneapolis, transforming a historic school building into modern apartment-style accommodations. The project highlights continued investment in adaptive reuse developments and reflects growing demand for flexible lodging options that combine the convenience of hotels with the space and amenities of apartments.
Learn why aparthotels continue gaining momentum across major U.S. markets.
Airbnb has announced its most significant app update in years, introducing hotel bookings, airport transfers, car rentals, luggage storage services, social planning tools, and AI-powered trip recommendations. The expansion signals Airbnb’s ambition to become a comprehensive travel platform while leveraging AI and personalized experiences to differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive travel landscape.
Discover how AI and integrated travel services are reshaping the booking experience.
