85% of hotels, in New York, closed on March 22, 2020, the day after the announcement of the pause order, which included travel restrictions within the state. The New York Hotel Association highlights the challenges for this industry whose situation, it estimates, has caused at least 25,000 jobless rates and to date it sees few options for recovery. Laura Sepúlveda, correspondent for the Voice of America, spoke with the president of the Association.

The Real Deal reports that the owner of the Soho Grand and The Roxy hotels is handing over the keys to both hotels to the lender, according to notes on the hotels’ securitized loan. I don’t think I need to emphasize that this is bad news for the neighborhood. Both hotels have been fixtures here for more than two decades, creating some buzz but more importantly, adding life and light to the streetscape.

The corona pandemic is having a drastic impact on the hotel industry in New York.

Struggling New York City hotels want Mayor Bill de Blasio to forgive the 18% interest they must pay when they are late on their property-tax bills.

Before leaving office, Mayor de Blasio is determined to prove he’s an “honest politician” — that is, one who stays bought. And nothing makes the case like his push to protect the hotel-workers’ union, despite the devastating blow it would deal the city’s economy.

As the New York City hospitality industry continues to reel from the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on tourism and business travel, plans are moving forward for a massive new hotel in Nomad. Fresh renderings of the 510-foot Virgin Hotel at 1225 Broadway, the first in the city, were recently released, showing off the hotel’s resort-like rooftop pool and bar.

Another New York City hotel owner is checking out.

New York City lost 7,500 jobs in December, state labor data released Thursday shows, primarily because of the shutdown of indoor dining. It marked the first decline in jobs since a low in April.