When Le Méridien Chambers Minneapolis opened around a dozen years ago, the Tribute Portfolio "soft brand" did not yet exist — so it wasn't an option.

These days, hotel developers have far more choices — a bewildering array of brands from Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, Accor, and the others. And, supposedly, many in the Millennial Generation prefer independent lifestyle and boutique hotels over traditional chain hotels.

There are cases in Marriott where hotels have chosen to move from Renaissance or Ritz-Carlton to Autograph Collection.

There will still be cases when a hotel company prefers an identity based on the reputation and standards of a traditional brand such as Le Méridien or Renaissance — even when there's historical building involved.

The points I've tried to make in this thread is that Tribute Portfolio is an appropriate brand for the hotel going into Rand Tower (especially if Autograph Collection is not an option for some reason) — and that Tribute Portfolio is positioned quite differently than Delta Hotels.