A refresh at Travelodge, as the UK's economy hotel players rev up for a strong 2022. Why KSL has its trotters in the trough over at Pig Hotels. And as Australia reopens, so its hotel sector is awakening, with deals in the offing - and a new third party manager.

As plenty look to buy European hotels, there are few signs of distress in investment pricing. Say goodbye to Covid, as much of the world - excluding China - heads back to normal. Plus, new funders including Topland and Cynergy come into the hotel market.

Chinese hotels are stuck in stop-start mode, due to the government's zero-covid policies. Calls for more action from international brands, to pull out of Russia. Plus those getting into operational real estate look forward to a bright future.

More thoughts on how the hotel sector is setting about its carbon reduction journey; why flex office providers are excited about the future - and are becoming increasingly hotel-like; and as Europe's serviced apartment sector booms, why have so few US extended stay brands crossed the pond?

Hybrid accommodation gets a boost as new brand LyvInn launches - taking over former Meininger premises in Frankfurt. Students are back on campus - and investors are equally keen to buy into student accommodation. Plus we talk through Hotstats' review of 2021 - and what comes next.

A Ukraine war special, as we take an in-depth look at the humanitarian and economic impacts - plus some of the supportive acts as hospitality once again comes together to support those facing hardship

Hotels get to the carbon reduction challenge; franchise giants Wyndham and Choice power on with the pandemic in the rear view mirror; and CEOs at Accor and IHG ponder the return of business travel - pessimists or realists?

Results season - so how are listed companies around the hotel space faring? Hyatt is leading Hilton and Marriott in the race for growth, while CEOs were optimistic about the return of business travellers. Hotel owners Pandox, Host and Park see contrasting fortunes - largely defined by whether their hotels favour leisure travellers, or big business events and conferences. And Airbnb says it wants to sign lots more amateur hosts - but will it ever repay investors in its stratospheric valuation?

Corporates insist their staff will never travel to the same extent as they did pre-pandemic - but do we believe them? The allure of branded residences, as Marriott and Four Seasons build more stand-alones; and where are we with rent arrears?

Like a frog slowly coming to the boil in a pot, the hospitality sector has finally realised it has a problem - and it's time to look after its people better. Hotel brands and collection affiliations win, with more signups as brands outperform OTAs. And we're surely seeing a travel recovery as 2022 unfolds.