Even though the hotel industry is in a severe down cycle, many lodging properties are still prospering, as evidenced by this year's list of Top Performers. While in many cases sales and occupancy are down a little, most of these high-performance hotels, motels and resorts have found ways to remain full and profitable.

Each year, the editors of Lodging Hospitality poll the publication's readers, asking for basic operating data from individual hotels. We rank the properties on a sales per-room basis, so large and small hotels alike can be measured fairly.

The Top Performers study is open to all properties with subscriptions to Lodging Hospitality. Each year, the editors use e-mail and fax messaging to canvass owners and operators on the circulation list. Those properties that voluntarily provide operating data (number of rooms, total sales and annual occupancy) are considered for the list. The Top Performers calculations are based on total property sales (excluding casino revenues, where applicable) divided by number of guest units to produce sales per room.

If you have questions or comments regarding the Top Performers study, or if you want to receive a form for next year's project, send an e-mail message to Ed Watkins, editor, at ed.watkins@penton.com.

Thanks to all of our readers who participated.