b.courtin - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 8

2 min

Groupe Barrière Expands Fouquet's Brand Internationally with New Luxury Hotel and Villas in Mykonos

📍 Groupe Barrière, renowned for its Fouquet's brand, is expanding its international luxury hotel portfolio to Mykonos, following successful entries into New York and Saint-Barthélemy. Fouquet's Mykonos, designed by Divercity Architects, includes 61 suites and 3 private villas on Paraga Beach. It features an indoor pool and a rock-face basketball court. Culinary and wellness experiences are offered in partnership with ROKA and Dr. Barbara Sturm, enhancing its appeal to global high-net-worth travelers.

Whitbread to Dispose of Nearly 200 Restaurant Sites, Risking 3,800 Jobs Amid Strategic Shift to Hotels

📈 Whitbread plans to dispose of nearly 200 restaurant sites across the UK, speeding up a two-year process. Under its Accelerating Growth Plan, the company aims to convert restaurant spaces in 112 hotels into 3,500 guest rooms and add 10,000 new rooms by 2031. Around 3,800 roles are at risk, with £50 million already recouped from 50 disposals. A new F&B format is being tested, while trade unions criticize the "cruel redundancies.

2 min

Minor Hotels Launches Anantara Private Jet Journeys, Expanding Luxury Travel to Remote Resorts by 2027

✈ Anantara Private Jet Journeys, announced by Ian Di Tullio, CCO of Minor Hotels, offers luxury air travel to remote resorts. Routes include the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, and Tanzania. This initiative aligns with a growing demand for seamless, immersive travel experiences. Minor Hotels plans to expand from over 560 properties to add 300 more by 2027, alongside launching two new brands to enhance its Anantara brand.

Georges Nagelmackers Founded Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, Launching Orient Express on June 5, 1883

🚄 Georges Nagelmackers, a Belgian engineer, was inspired by George Pullman's sleeping cars during a U.S. visit in 1867. By 1876, he founded the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, launching the first Orient Express on June 5, 1883, from Paris to Constantinople, with King Leopold II's support. The Orient Express became an icon in the 1920s, offering luxurious travel with notable figures like Agatha Christie aboard. The original hotel for travelers is now a future Louis Vuitton palace hotel.

2 min

Corvex Management Acquires 6% Stake in Whitbread, Presses for Strategic Review of £3.5 Billion Investment Plan

💰 In December 2025, Corvex Management, led by Keith Meister, revealed a 6% stake in Whitbread, urging a review of its £3.5 billion investment plan. Whitbread CEO Dominic Paul plans an update by April's end. Whitbread may sell 20% of its hotel properties, raising £1.5 billion, while a €2.3 billion share buyback is considered. This marks a shift to an asset-light model, differing from its historical approach. Whitbread's strategy may change as it remains an active acquirer.

Palais Built by Frank Jay Gould in 1929 with 30 Million Francs, Survives Decades of Challenges and Changes

📅 Frank Jay Gould, an American billionaire, launched the Palais in January 1929 on the French Riviera, investing 30 million francs (about €20 million today), just before the global financial crisis. Co-founded with Édouard Baudoin and Joseph Aletti, the Art Deco palace faced stiff competition from the Casino du Ruhl. Despite high-profile acts, financial strains and a 1934 fire plagued operations, leading to its demise and later revival in 2004.

2 min

The Leela to Expand Luxury Hotel Portfolio with 10 New Projects, Including First International Venture in Dubai

🏨 In 2025, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is a finalist in the Hospitality Awards, marking its place in India's growing luxury market. Founded in 1986, it operates 13 five-star properties across 11 cities, with over 3,500 rooms. Plans include 10 new projects, increasing their inventory to over 5,000 rooms, with three openings set for 2026 in Coorg, Jaisalmer, and Mumbai, plus an international debut in Dubai. The brand emphasizes "True Indian Luxury" to compete with giants like Indian Hotels and Oberoi Group.

1 min

UnderTheDoormat Raises $7 Million for Expansion After Merging with Veeve, Acquires 200 Homes from Onefinestay

💸 December 2023, UK: Veeve and UnderTheDoormat merged to expand holiday rental portfolios. September 2025: UnderTheDoormat raised $7M for tech growth and expansion in the Middle East and North America. Veeve acquired 200 homes in London and Paris from Onefinestay. Meanwhile, Onefinestay focuses on Southern Europe, the Caribbean, and the US, with Accor and Exclusive Resorts leading management. The new entity, Exclusive Collective, includes Exclusive Resorts, Inspirato, and Onefinestay.

1 min

Minor Hotels Launches Colbert Collection in London with WestDill Hotel Mayfair Opening in Q4 2023

📰 The Colbert Collection launches with the WestDill Hotel Mayfair opening in London in Q4, transforming a former NatWest bank into a 50-room hotel. Owned by Royal Group of Companies Singapore, it’s part of Minor Hotels' strategy to create a global portfolio of unique hotels. Led by Dilip Rajakarier, the collection emphasizes cultural and culinary experiences. Minor Hotels also owns The Wolseley Hospitality Group, managing several upscale UK venues.

2 min

French Hotel Sector Shows Resilience in March 2026, with Overall RevPAR Growth of 4.3% Led by Upscale Segment

🏨 March 2026 in France saw the hospitality sector's resilience against economic disruptions, with overall hotel occupancy increasing by 1.7 percentage points YoY. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose by 1.4%, pushing Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) up by 4.3%. The upscale segment led with a 4.1% RevPAR growth, while midscale recorded a 5.0% increase. The budget segment struggled, with a 7.5% RevPAR decline compared to two years prior. Q1 2026 saw a 3.5% RevPAR growth overall.

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