Corina Duma - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 4

2 min

Travelodge warns of rising costs as four-year revenues hit £1.04bn

🏨 Travelodge reported a 0.7% revenue increase to £1.04bn for 2025, despite forecasting a 6%-7.5% cost inflation for 2026 due to rising business rates and employment costs. 2025 saw 21 new UK hotels. Q4 revenues rose by 4.3% to £261m, but revenue per room fell 1.9% to £57. Cash at year-end was £131m. Business rates are expected to rise from £38m to £50m, with wage costs increasing by £9m in 2026. £100m is planned for capital expenditure.

2 min

IHG to launch first US Ruby hotel in Chicago

🏨 IHG Hotels and Resorts will debut its Ruby Hotels brand in the US via a franchise agreement to refurbish a historic Chicago property. The 22-story hotel, occupying the former Inn of Chicago near the Magnificent Mile, will feature 412 rooms. Renovation starts in late 2026, with the opening expected in 2027. Ruby Group will develop and operate the site for 30 years. This marks Ruby's first North American venture and aims to expand to 120 properties globally in 10 years.

2 min

Former bank with hotel planning consent brought to market for £1.5m

🏨 Former HSBC bank in Chipping Norton, Cotswolds, at 18-19 Market Place, is for sale for £1.5M. The 19th-century property has planning permission for a 31-room boutique hotel and restaurant. Spanning 11,342 sq ft, it includes two vacant buildings and a large rear garden. The Cotswolds attract tourists and celebrities, including JD Vance, Jeremy Clarkson, and the Beckhams. Watling Real Estate's Toby O'Sullivan notes significant local interest due to the area's tourism growth.

4 min

The decisions guests make when no one is there to answer

📈 Venues face revenue loss from missed inquiries during the "Golden Hour," when guest decisions peak. With UK weddings costing ~£25,000, missing 50 inquiries yearly can severely impact revenue. Guests prefer quick, clear responses, often choosing venues engaging promptly via social media. This demands emotional labor from staff, causing fatigue. Instead of major investments, incremental changes can protect margins and staff well-being, ensuring effective engagement without increasing headcount. Adapting to this shift benefits guests, staff, and businesses alike.

1 min

Evolution Hospitality to manage Balfour Miami Beach hotel

🏖 Evolution Hospitality takes over management of Balfour Miami Beach, an 82-room boutique hotel in the South of Fifth neighborhood, part of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. The Art Deco hotel, designed by Anton Skislewicz, has been operating since 1940. FullG CRE Investments selected Evolution Hospitality for its expertise with luxury hotels. The property features the Laurel Miami restaurant and SoFi Coffee cafe. Aimbridge Hospitality’s subsidiary aims to enhance profitability and brand value.

1 min

Samko Hospitality acquires Stanhill Court Hotel

🏨 Samko Holdings has acquired Stanhill Court Hotel in Surrey, located four miles from Gatwick Airport. The hotel features 59 bedrooms and spans 35 acres, including a one-acre amphitheatre. Originally built in 1881, it recently underwent refurbishment and continues to operate under the Radisson Individuals brand. This acquisition is part of Samko's strategy to expand its premium hotel portfolio in the UK, which includes properties like Crowne Plaza London Kingston and Warren House Hotel.

4 min

How boutique hotels will reinvent themselves in 2026

🏨 2026, the boutique hotel sector is optimistic despite cost pressures. With a focus on unique guest experiences, operators leverage technology for efficiency. Adaptive reuse of real estate is rising, with London leading investment activity. Key strategies include longer-stay programs, sustainability, and partner collaborations. Cost management is crucial due to potential rate hikes, while the emphasis is on operational discipline and guest connection for profitability. Boutique hotels are poised for quiet growth amid these market dynamics.

1 min

Hotel Il Pellicano appoints new general manager

🏨 Pellicano Hotels Group appointed Edward Leenders as the new general manager of Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole, Italy. Leenders, from the Netherlands, brings over 25 years in hospitality, with roles at Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria, Hotel De L’Europe, and 10 years with Rocco Forte Hotels. Educated at Hotel School The Hague and Cornell University, he has global experience, including the US, Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.

1 min

Joint administrators appointed for historic Colonnade Hotel

🏨 Joint administrators were appointed on 22 January for the Colonnade Hotel, located in Little Venice, London. The 43-bedroom Victorian townhouse, at 2 Warrington Crescent, will enter a formal marketing process by the month's end. Administrators from Coots and Boots aim to find a buyer for the property, originally built in 1865. Notable for its historical significance, Alan Turing was born here in 1912, and it housed Sigmund Freud in 1938. The focus is on preserving this historical landmark.

1 min

Radisson opens first lifestyle hotel in Indore

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group launched Radisson RED Indore on MR-10 Road, featuring 115 rooms and suites, a fitness center, and a rooftop infinity pool. Radisson, a major hotel operator in India, targets Tier II and III markets, with over 50% of their portfolio in such areas. The hotel offers venues for corporate and social events. This opening strengthens Radisson’s partnership with Bestech India, aiming for a lifestyle-led experience in urban India’s energetic and aspirational environment.

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