ABOUT THE RANKINGS

Data for HOTELS ’ 325 is gathered through an online survey completed by hotel company contacts . Individuals are asked to report the number of guestrooms and hotels in operation systemwide as of December 31 , 2013 . Companies that do not respond are subject to an estimate through public records , previous years ’ data , industry sources and independent research .

In some cases , rooms and hotels are counted more than once because HOTELS chooses to separately report data from owner-operators , managers and franchisors on the same list . Thus , a single property that is owned by one party , managed by another and branded by a third would be counted three times . Furthermore , this ranking omits companies that exclusively or overwhelmingly own hotels ; only companies that also manage or franchise hotels are included . That is why REITs and private equity companies are excluded . Noteworthy changes :

• Emerging Chinese companies such as 99-Inn Management Co ., Shandong Inzone Grace Inns and Shijiazhuang Guoda Hotel Management Co . are included on the list this year .

• Among the consortia , Keytel has been merged with Hotusa Hotels , while InnDependent Boutique Collection Hotel has been added .

• Among companies discovered or rediscovered : Princess Hotels & Resorts

( 130 ), Redefine BDL Hotel Group ( 215 ), CSM Lodging Services ( 238 ).

• Big dropper : Swiss-Belhotel International , from rank 100 to 213 .

• Big gainers : Narada Hotels Group , from 8,395 to 14,927 guestrooms ; Centara Hotels & Resorts , from 7,271 to 13 , 000 guestrooms .

Special thanks to the following companies and individuals who helped

HOTELS collect data :

• Beijing International Studies University

• Horwath HTL

• HVS

• PHG Hotels & Resorts

• Chris Scott , freelance contributor

LED SATURN www . aliseo . de

DECO TANGO 1800

Hotel Hair Dryers Cosmetic Mirrors Bathroom Accessories Kettles & Trays Luggage Racks Ironing Centers Scales

www . hotelsmag . com July / August 2014 HOTELS 41