LAS VEGAS-Radisson Hotels & Resorts levels the playing field between franchiser and franchisee by eliminating monetary penalties for canceled pacts. The upfront cost will be more, but Radisson's betting the change will keep people in the system.

NEW YORK CITY-An industry source confirms that the lodging behemoths have been in sporadic merger talks for several months and that negotiations intensified last month. But the deal is far from done and the list of major obstacles to be overcome could very well scuttle the plan in the end.

LOS ANGELES-The mid-price lodging giant, sponsored by locally based Hilton Hotels Corp., introduces a new type of facility geared toward communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. Many of the inns will be on the West Coast.