Los Angeles Times
08/10/16

Queen Mary Is Getting a Bow to Stern Makeover — and a Club in the Boiler Room
By Andrew Khouri

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-queen-mary-renovations-20160808-snap-story.html

When Joshua Schwandt stayed at the Queen Mary several years ago, he loved the Art Deco woodwork and the way the Observation Bar oozed an old-timey feel.

He wasn’t as ecstatic about his aging hotel room. The shower only drizzled water, and the bed felt like “one of those dorm room beds that have been slept on for 50 years,” he recalled…

…Alan X. Reay, president of Atlas Hospitality Group, said existing hotels are increasingly renovating to remain competitive with new lodgings, which are under construction in Southern California at a record rate.

“Hotels that do not renovate or update are going to have a really hard time in the next three to five years,” he said.

In Urban Commons’ case, “they are [creating] the cruise ship experience without having to sail around down to Mexico,” Reay said. “That will definitely allow them to push rates — no question.”