Now that the sun’s out – famous last words – I’ve been dreaming of a holiday in balmy weather. Not too hot, not too cold, not too expensive, not crowded, nice food, a decent selection of cultural and leisure activities. I’m difficult to please, but generally I find that the weather’s best in May and October, in many parts of the world. What also prompted this week’s column was an article asking: Can you afford not to take a vacation?
The reasoning behind this, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May and, incidentally, also National Vegetarian Week), is that "many entrepreneurs, executives and self-employed people pride themselves on being too busy for a vacation. They perceive it as a sign of importance and commitment. [But] I've learnt the hard way that the most important thing is not being busy, but rather to work on the right things. In such a mindset, a holiday is actually an investment, not a sunk cost" – copied and pasted from aforesaid article.
So, I thought about looking at hotel groups this week. I had not expected to see such a consistent array of staggeringly good-looking charts. The world’s biggest is US-listed Wyndham Worldwide Corp (US:WYN). It operates in all segments of the hospitality sector with 8,140 properties in 66 countries. Rising at about 45 degrees across the page, it’s a steady rally since 2009 with neat consolidation in 2015. Chart support between $90 and the psychological $100 should provide a platform for another leg up.
Next on my list and the third-biggest is US operator and franchiser Marriott International Inc (US:MAR), it has more than 6,500 venues and has recently launched a short-term home rental arm in London. A similar chart with a very strong rally in 2017 – making it slightly less stable.
London-listed Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) owns and operates more than 5,000 properties in 100 countries, living up to its name. Incredible how similar to the other two this looks. Although it could struggle at the psychological 5,000p, the steady rally since 2016 looks as though it should continue.
Not the biggest of the luxury end (which is the Four Seasons group), but Mandarin Oriental International Ltd (SP:MAND) also works with top-end lodging, resorts and residences. Listed in Bermuda, London and Singapore, this chart, in Singapore dollars, is different. Rather more jerky, with higher historical volatility. The recent rally from the $2.00 area is very bullish and ought to lead to a move through the $3.00 point.
If, like Jean-Paul Sartre, you think "hell is other people", you’ll probably want to opt for something smaller than the world’s biggest: the Izmailovo in Moscow, which has 7,500 rooms. Or Las Vegas, for that matter, which has more than 20 2,000-room hotels.
A pioneer of the small scale is France’s Relais & Chateaux, which was established in 1954 to promote individually owned and operated hotels and restaurants. In the UK, Pride of Britain, set up 36 years ago, is a group of a maximum 50 leading luxury and boutique hotels. My daughter took me to the Goring Hotel for tea on Mothering Sunday; a real treat. Around the corner from Buckingham Palace, where the Middletons stayed for Kate’s wedding; good enough for them, it’s good enough for me. Now, where can I stay near Windsor tomorrow?
