FREDERICKSBURG, VA-Two separate announcements this week illustrate the steady strength of the regional hospitality market. One is the new launch of a new hotel at the University of Mary Washington. The other is a Mid-Atlantic third party manager that has expanded its portfolio—and now is eying development prospects as well.

Locally,  Hyatt Hotels and Interstate Hotels & Resorts have opened Hyatt Place Fredericksburg-Mary Washington. The hotel is located on the campus of the University of Mary Washington. Besides serving the university community, the hotel aims to draw visitors to Historic Downtown Fredericksburg and the Mary Washington Health System.

The 93-key new hotel is located in the middle of the university's Eagle Village, a pedestrian-friendly 23-acre mixed-use development.

Further north, in Greenbelt, MD, Chesapeake Hospitality has announced it has taken over management of the InnPlace Hotel Bensalem in Bensalem, PA, the Comfort Suites BWI in Linthicum Heights, MD, and the Holiday Inn Express Mt. Holly in Westampton, NJ. These deals bring its management portfolio to 27 properties.

Chesapeake Hospitality posted exponential growth in 2013, says president Kim Sims in a prepared statement. These three new property additions are part of a continuing strategy, she says.

"While advancing our third-party management business will continue to be integral to our growth plan in 2014, we foresee implementing a multifaceted approach that also includes potential development prospects."