Sonesta International Hotels and Boyd Gaming announce exclusive Strategic Affiliation to expand guest choice, loyalty benefits and growth opportunities. Nov 02, 2026, 15:00 ET NEWTON, Mass. and LAS VEGAS, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Sonesta International Hotels Corporation ("Sonesta"), and Boyd Gaming Corporation ("Boyd") today announced the launch of an exclusive strategic affiliation between the two companies that will introduce Boyd's nationwide portfolio of casino resorts to millions of Sonesta customers nationwide. The first stage of the partnership will be the launch of the Boyd Collection - placing Boyd's 9,700+ hotel rooms, 600,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and 19 casino resorts nationwide onto Sonesta's distribution platform. With this launch, Sonesta travelers will receive direct access to Boyd resorts nationwide, gaining new options for both leisure and business travel in key regional markets. The Boyd Collection will also appear directly on the Sonesta signature list of brands as part of Sonesta's brand portfolio presentation, providing exposure for Boyd properties to millions of visitors to Sonesta.com. Boyd properties will remain available on Boyd's traditional distribution channels. The affiliation brings together two companies with complementary strengths across hospitality, entertainment, gaming, loyalty and development. Through the exclusive relationship, Sonesta guests will gain access to a broader range of resort and casino-hotel destinations, while Boyd customers will benefit from Sonesta's growing global distribution platform, expanding brand portfolio and award-winning Sonesta Travel Pass(TM) loyalty program. "This affiliation represents an exciting next step in Sonesta's asset-right, franchise-focused growth strategy," said Keith Pierce, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Sonesta International Hotels. "By aligning with Boyd, we are creating meaningful new ways to serve our guests and expand our distribution reach in markets where travelers are seeking full-service resort hospitality entertainment and casino gaming experiences." "Boyd's nationwide portfolio of casino entertainment destinations is built upon over 50 years of best-in-class guest service, strong customer relationships and best-in-market amenities," said Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming. "Our exclusive affiliation with Sonesta provides a compelling opportunity to broaden our customer base across the country by introducing Sonesta users to Boyd's unique brand of hospitality and entertainment." Strategic Affiliation In addition to the enhanced distribution element of the affiliation, Boyd and Sonesta plan to further expand their partnership in the future, including: Enhanced Development Pipeline: Building on this exclusive affiliation, Sonesta and Boyd will explore hotel development opportunities connected to Boyd's existing properties and future development projects, which may include Sonesta hard-brand conversions, rebrands or new-build hotel projects. The development element is designed to support Sonesta's continued franchise growth while providing Boyd with additional optionality as part of its growth pipeline. Linked Loyalty Programs: Future integration plans include Boyd and Sonesta linking their award-winning loyalty programs, Sonesta Travel Pass(TM) and Boyd Rewards(TM). "Our guests increasingly want more choices, more recognition and more ways to make travel rewarding," said Phil Hugh, Chief Development Officer of Sonesta International Hotels. "Our relationship with Boyd gives us a platform to connect hospitality and entertainment in a differentiated way, while creating new avenues for franchise and development growth." *The 19 casino hotels that will be included in the Boyd Collection are: Aliante Casino Hotel and Spa; Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City; Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles; Belterra Casino Resort; Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa; California Hotel and Casino; Cannery Casino Hotel; Delta Downs Racetrack Hotel & Casino; Diamond Jo Worth; Fremont Hotel & Casino; Gold Coast Hotel and Casino; IP Casino Resort Spa; Main Street Station Hotel and Casino; The Orleans Hotel and Casino; Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino; Par-A-Dice Inn; Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall; Suncoast Hotel and Casino; and Valley Forge Casino Resort. About Sonesta International Hotels Sonesta(R) International Hotels Corporation is the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. according to Smith Travel Research (STR), with over 1,000 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta(R); The James(R); Classico Collection by Sonesta(TM); Sonesta(R) Hotels & Resorts; MOD Collection by Sonesta(TM); Sonesta Select(R) Hotels; Sonesta Essential(R) Hotels; Sonesta ES Suites(R); Sonesta Simply Suites(R); Red Lion Hotels, Inns & Suites by Sonesta(TM); Signature Inn by Sonesta(R); Americas Best Value Inn by Sonesta(TM); and Canadas Best Value Inn by Sonesta(TM). Through its award-winning Sonesta Travel Pass(TM) loyalty program, Sonesta offers guests the opportunity to earn and redeem points for value and personalized experiences. For more information, visit Sonesta.com. About Boyd Gaming Corporation Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading geographically diversified operator of 26 gaming entertainment properties in 11 states. The Company also manages a tribal casino in northern California, and owns and operates Boyd Interactive, a B2B and B2C online casino gaming business. Boyd Gaming's nationwide portfolio is connected through Boyd Rewards, recognized as the nation's favorite casino loyalty program by readers of both USA Today and Newsweek. Named by Forbes and Time magazines as one of "America's Best Companies," and led by one of the most experienced teams in the industry, Boyd Gaming is dedicated to delivering an outstanding entertainment experience and memorable guest service. For additional Company information and press releases, visit https://www.boydgaming.com. Media Contacts Sonesta International Hotels Lorie Juliano Global Head of Communication 617.421.5429 [email protected] Boyd Gaming Corporation David Strow Vice President of Corporate Communications 702.792.7386 [email protected] SOURCE Sonesta International Hotels Corporation

Sonesta opens new hotel in Billings, Montana. October 28, 2026 NEWTON, Massachusetts - Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta) announced the opening of Signature Inn Billings, a 99-room, upper-economy hotel in Billings, Montana. "Signature Inn Billings is a great example of Sonesta's growth for this brand with over 20 frequently visited destinations," said Keith Pierce, co- CEO of Sonesta. "Located in the historic city of Billings, this hotel provides a reliable, affordable, and retro experience for travelers venturing to the Magic City for business or to explore Yellowstone National Park or The Rimrocks." Signature Inn by Sonesta draws inspiration from the golden age of travel and provides a retro-modern twist. The brand competes with upper economy and midscale brands for road trip destinations, coastal towns, and urban locations. The design package was recently reimagined to offer three new regional color schemes: Poolside Palms, Iconic Mod and Heritage Horizon. Owners Ravin Ahir and Akshay Aswani commented, "We are excited to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Signature Inn in Billings, Montana. This renovation and rebranding represent our commitment to providing guests with a refreshed, comfortable, and welcoming experience while continuing to serve the needs of travelers visiting our community. We look forward to welcoming guests and are proud to be part of the Billings community and its continued growth as a destination for business and leisure travel."

Sonesta launches 25-hotel meetings offer. Selling a network could reshape group sales economics Sonesta International Hotels Corp. connected 25 hotels to test whether a network can win multi-city group business. * Sonesta combines 25 hotels in one meetings offer. * It represents about 2 percent of Sonesta's properties. * Owners must distinguish new demand from shifted bookings. SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS CORP. grouped 25 hotels into a single meetings program across the U.S. and Canada, according to an Oct. 9 announcement. The move tests whether a network can win multi-city group business more effectively than individual hotels. The Sonesta F1RST Meetings Collection covers The Royal Sonesta and Sonesta Hotels & Resorts properties in markets such as Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Toronto. Each hotel has 200 to 500 guest rooms and four to 26 meeting rooms. Together, the hotels offer 500,000 square feet of event space. "With the goal of making planning easier, Sonesta acts as one coordinated partner across the properties within the collection, simplifying the planning process and appealing to events of all types," said Jim Mooney, Sonesta's vice president of sales for managed portfolio. Mooney said the program is designed to give planners high-touch support, seamless execution and specially designed packages. Sonesta said planners receive coordinated support and can earn two Sonesta Travel Pass Planner Perks points per dollar spent. The sales equation Sonesta targets the underserved middle market with flexible meeting spacesPhoto credit: Sonesta International Hotels Corp. The figures show who the program targets. Sonesta said meeting space ranges from 10,000 to 65,000 square feet per hotel. Dividing the network's 500,000 square feet by 25 hotels gives an average of 20,000 square feet per property, although actual capacity varies. That points to mid-size programs rather than convention-scale events. Sonesta positions the collection for what it calls the underserved middle market. The larger change is what a planner can source through one program. Organizers running events in several cities can work with one coordinated network rather than sourcing each venue separately. The company said the collection offers concession packages aligned with planner priorities and a consistent experience across locations. The launch comes as Sonesta expands its wider portfolio. In its July 22 update, the company reported 22 hotel openings and 28 franchise agreements in the first half of 2026. The agreements covered brands including Signature Inn by Sonesta, Americas Best Value Inn by Sonesta, Sonesta Essential and Red Lion Inn & Suites by Sonesta. Sonesta's Oct. 9 announcement describes a portfolio of approximately 1,100 properties across 13 brands. Against that base, the meetings collection represents about 2 percent of properties. What to watch Meeting planners seek measurable returns, raising expectations for hotel servicePhoto credit: Sonesta International Hotels Corp. Meeting planners are also weighing the returns from events. In its 2026 meeting rankings release, Cvent said planners are choosing destinations, venues and suppliers more carefully and want proof of results. That puts pressure on hotels to compete on service and execution, not just available space. The risk is that the network shifts business rather than creates it. A booking transferred from one Sonesta property to another may benefit the receiving hotel without increasing revenue across the group. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International advises hotels to assess group business against its total value, including incremental spending, concessions and revenue that might be displaced. That makes contract profitability, not booking volume alone, a key measure of the collection's performance. Owners in the collection should track lead sources, conversion rates, repeat bookings and total event profitability. They should also establish who approves concessions and which party bears their cost. HSMAI's guidance on group sales and revenue management highlights the importance of weighing concessions, incremental revenue and displaced business when evaluating contracts. Operators outside the collection should watch whether coordinated networks become a competitive factor in winning multi-city contracts. Investors should look for evidence that the network generates incremental business, supports weekday room demand and improves returns on meeting facilities. According to Cvent's 2026 Planner Sourcing Report, 63 percent of surveyed planners identified attendee engagement as their primary success metric, while 72 percent expected event costs to rise. These findings suggest hotels must demonstrate value beyond available space, but they do not establish whether Sonesta's collection will improve financial performance. Until results appear, the collection remains a strategy to evaluate, not proof of stronger returns. In January, Sonesta reported 26 percent franchise net unit growth in 2025, driven by organic franchise expansion and the sale of 112 Service Properties Trust hotels with long-term Sonesta franchise agreements. The meetings collection represents a different growth strategy: coordinating sales across selected properties rather than expanding the franchise network alone.