Lodging is an industry full of innovation — whether it's happening in human resources, marketing, development or design and décor. In this issue, Lodging Hospitality honors five companies for their outstanding examples of what's possible in hospitality.

The honorees are as diverse as is the business they're in. Here's a preview of what is explored in-depth on the following pages:

• Even though the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on Maui has been one of the chain's most successful properties, ownership and management decided not to rest on their laurels. The property recently completed an astonishing $180-million top-to-bottom renovation that creates a strong sense of place.

• Kimpton Hotels is hip, relevant, forward thinking and successful. San Francisco-based Kimpton, the industry's first boutique hotel chain, built its business on high style, whimsy and superior service. Now it is championing initiatives such as green hotelkeeping and marketing to guests with alternative lifestyles.

• Miami-based Tecton is a full-service management company operating a variety of branded and independent hotels. In 2005, it launched Desires Hotels, a subsidiary that operates some of the most innovative and successful boutique properties in the business.

• Marketing prowess is evident in Holiday Inns' ad campaign in conjunction with Major League Baseball and Courtyard by Marriott's viral marketing efforts on behalf of its radical new look.