SAN FRANCISCO— HOTEL BUSINESS® has learned that Hyatt Corp. and Hilton Hotels Corp. plan to file a petition for coordination here regarding the recent class-action lawsuits filed in California Superior Courts, according to Buddy Warner, managing partner/San Francisco office of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP (JMBM). The lawsuits, which were filed in several different state counties, all seek court orders to stop the addition of energy surcharges on hotel folios without the consent or full understanding of its guests. The petition for coordination is asking for all of the lawsuits to be transferred to the same county and heard by one judge. Warner noted most often the case is transferred to the county where the first lawsuit was filed— in the instance that would be San Francisco. “I’m guessing it will be in San Francisco or Los Angeles,” he said. He added that the petitions are still pending and that they could delay the case up to six months. Warner was unaware of whether Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International, who are involved in similar class action suits in California, have also filed petitions for coordination. –Diana M. Rodriguez
