LOS ANGELES, CA— Attendees at this year’s Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) here may well have been wondering: Who was most surprised by the 2002 Transaction Of The Year Awards— the winners, the losers… or those who ended up in a tie? Indeed, such was the scenario that unfolded at this year’s edition of the annual industry conclave here as the Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach, CA finished neck-and-neck with Hilton Hotels Corp.’s acquisition of the outstanding portion of the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii for “Single-Asset Transaction Of The Year” honors. In the realm of Mergers & Acquisitions, the nod went to InTown Suites’ purchase of Suburban and GuestHouse, while top New Development kudos were accorded to the Westin Times Square in New York City. Following on the heels of the ALIS Deals-Of-The-Year proceedings was the bestowal of the ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award to Marriott International Chairman/CEO J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr.
