Whether a hotel is still open during the coronavirus pandemic or hoteliers are looking for ways to kickstart business once lockdowns are lifted, Larry Mogelonsky suggests "a laser-focus on local leisure" to capitalize on potential guests who want to avoid airports but still want a vacation. He discusses how small-scale events, specific packages and data utilization play a role.

Kids, pets and spouses aren't always conducive to work-from-home lockdowns, so hotels such as Hilton Sacramento Arden West in California and the Red Roof chain are opening their doors with affordable day rates for those who want a regular getaway space, some deadline peace and quiet or interruption-free conference calls.

Winston Churchill led Britain through World War II by making tough decisions, projecting a sense of confidence to the country and being personally affectionate even as he was often severe about the work, writes Steve McKee. "He could get very emotional, but after bitterly criticizing you he had a habit of touching you, of putting his hand on your hand -- like that -- as if to say that his real feelings for you were not changed," British wartime official Lord Beaverbrook said of Churchill.

Approximately 15,000 US hotels have registered to serve as medical and social services venues in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the American Hotel & Lodging Association reports. An undetermined amount of government compensation will be forthcoming for some participants in the AHLA's Hospitality for Hope Initiative.

Market uncertainty has prompted Xenia Hotels & Resorts to announce it cannot assure closure of three planned asset sales. Properties at stake are the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center ($155 million), Renaissance Austin Hotel ($100.5 million) in Texas and a seven-hotel portfolio for $483 million.

Demolition of the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans is on hold due to a disagreement between the city and the developer, 1031 Canal Street Development, over which method to use. Three workers were killed last October when the hotel partially collapsed while under construction.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi made the tough decision to close his Afro-Caribbean restaurant, Kith/Kin and lay off staff as the coronavirus continues to impact Washington, D.C. "I'm hopeful that we will get through this -- we just need help from the government at this point," he says.

Chicago has seen an influx of boutique hotels in recent years that bring far-from-cookie-cutter decor and plenty of local flavor. For example, the Hotel Lincoln's J. Parker rooftop bar is a great hot spot, and The Robey's rooftop pool has a swoon-worthy view.

Australian hotels such as the five-star Crown Promenade in Melbourne and Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney have received a much-needed boost from the government, which is paying to quarantine people arriving from overseas. About 1,600 people have come in since Saturday.

Stay-at-home orders and border closures make cultural immersion harder, but meeting people from far-flung places can still happen in isolation. Compatipal, Wanderful and Worldwide Snail Mail Pen Pals are just a few of the diverse websites and social media groups that foster connections around the world.