Cynera Rodricks - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 2

Rows of striped lounge chairs with folded towels, overlooking desert hills and mountains under a blue sky.

2 min

UK Government to Close 13 Asylum Hotels, Saving £51M and Reducing Usage to Fewer Than 160 Sites

🏨 Blackpool and Stratford-upon-Avon's historic hotels will cease housing asylum seekers as part of the UK government's initiative to reduce reliance on asylum hotels. The closures are projected to save £51 million, decreasing hotel use from around 400 to below 160. Future accommodation will shift to former military sites like Barnham, Bicester, and Linton-on-Ouse, potentially housing 3,750 people. The government aims to eliminate asylum hotels by the next general election, despite concerns raised by The Refugee Council.

Row of striped lounge chairs with towels at a resort pool, desert mountains in the background under a clear sky.

3 min

Queens Hotel Leeds Appoints Bob Fairweather as New GM to Lead Enhancements and Oversee Investments

🏨 Bob Fairweather was appointed as the new general manager of Queens Hotel, Leeds, in March 2026. The hotel, owned by Swedish investor Pandox, underwent a £16 million refurbishment in 2021. Fairweather, with over 20 years of hospitality experience, aims to enhance guest experience and oversee investments, including a new café bar. Pandox acquired the hotel for £53 million in 2023. The hotel achieved Green Key accreditation by October 2025, meeting 13 environmental criteria.

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3 min

IHG Reports 10% Increase in Operating Profit to $665M, Opens 31,500 Rooms in First Half of 2026

📈 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) reported a 10% increase in operating profit to $665 million for the six months ending June 30, 2026. Revenue from segments rose 7% to $1.26 billion, and adjusted EBITDA grew 11% to $1.39 billion. Global RevPAR increased 4.1%, with the Americas up 4.8%. IHG opened 31,500 rooms in 197 hotels, expanding its estate to 7,109 hotels. Profit before tax fell 9% to $578 million due to higher costs. IHG plans shareholder returns of $1.2 billion in 2026.

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2 min

HOSPA Secures Savoy Educational Trust Grant to Fund Scholarships for Finance and Revenue Management Courses

📖 HOSPA Professional Development received a grant from the Savoy Educational Trust to fund scholarships for hospitality workers pursuing finance and revenue management qualifications. The funding targets self-funded learners, not employer-sponsored, aiding their professional education while they continue working. By July 2021, HOSPA transferred its education programs to Heyward Group under a five-year agreement. By December 2025, the professional development arm was running 19 courses with a 95% success rate.

Close-up of a curious gray squirrel standing on a gravel path, facing the camera with its paws forward.

2 min

John Sutherland Returns as General Manager to NoMad London, Strengthening Hotel's Position in Luxury Market

🏨 John Sutherland returns as general manager to NoMad London in Covent Garden, after serving at Park Hyatt London River Thames. Previously, he was part of NoMad's original team in 2020 and helped launch the brand in the UK. With 17 years in luxury hospitality, Sutherland aims to enhance NoMad's presence. A £73m refinancing was secured in October 2023. Hilton acquired control of Sydell in April 2024, integrating NoMad into its platforms and planning up to 100 NoMads globally.

Close-up of a hand sprinkling flour, creating a powdery dust in the air.

3 min

The Cumberland Hotel Appoints Matthew Hurry and Stefano Tortelli as New Head Chefs to Enhance Dining Experience

🍴 Matthew Hurry and Stefano Tortelli have joined The Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch as head chefs, enhancing the culinary team. Hurry, with previous roles at The Angel Inn and The Grove Hotel, oversees the food operations, including Lírica. Tortelli leads Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen after a tenure at Bulldozer Group. The hotel, which rebranded in September 2023, continues investing in dining, appointing new directors and managers to strengthen its offerings, including a leadership change in March 2026 at Hell's Kitchen.

Aerial view of a large white beachfront resort with palm trees along a sandy shore at sunset.

1 min

Hilton Reports Q2 Net Income of $482M, Opens Over 200 Hotels, Launches New Graduate Brand for Universities

📈 Hilton reported a Q2 net income of $482m (£363m), with RevPAR up 3.9%. Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.05bn (£790m), and diluted EPS rose to $2.29 (£1.70). Over 200 hotels were opened, adding 24,100 rooms. The company approved 42,900 rooms, bringing the pipeline to 541,300 rooms, up 6% YOY. Hilton launched the Graduate brand targeting universities. Capital returns hit $966m (£717.3m) for Q2, with 2026 projections of $3.5bn (£2.6bn) in returns.

Chef in a white coat and black cap flambéing a pan on a gas stove in a busy commercial kitchen.

2 min

Dunkeld House Hotel Appoints Duncan McKay as Permanent Executive Chef to Lead Culinary Operations in Perthshire

🍳 Duncan McKay becomes the permanent executive chef at Dunkeld House Hotel, Perthshire, part of Crerar Hotels. With 20 years' experience, McKay previously worked with Manorview Hotels, Trump Turnberry, Buzzworks Holdings, and Bannatyne Hotel Group. In August 2023, Dunkeld House Hotel unveiled an £800k refurbishment. Acquired by Crerar Hotels in December 2023, the hotel aims to elevate its culinary status, catering to upscale dining and events under McKay’s leadership.

Man wearing a black flat cap and brown jacket stands at a rocky overlook with a green valley and hills in the distance.

2 min

Whitbread Appoints Stuart Hookins as Estates Director to Oversee £1.5 Billion Property Strategy in UK and Ireland

🏨 Whitbread appoints Stuart Hookins as estates director for the UK and Ireland, succeeding Simon Hobbs, who retires on 1 September 2026 after nearly 20 years. Hookins will manage over 845 Premier Inn hotels and 86,000 bedrooms. By FY 31, Whitbread aims to recycle £1.5 billion in property assets, backing the expansion of Premier Inn. Hookins' experience at Royal Mail and The Co-op Group will aid Whitbread's strategic property growth.

Rusted corrugated metal roof on a brick building with an open entrance, green lawn in the foreground, cloudy sky overhead at dusk.

3 min

Prism Expands UK Portfolio by Adding 40 Hotels, Aims for Premium Market Before Planned IPO

🏨 Prism, the parent company of OYO, expanded its UK portfolio by adding 40 hotels under the Sunday Hotels and Belvilla brands. Through leasehold and long-term agreements, the expansion includes 16 Sunday Hotels and 24 Belvilla boutique hotels. The company reported a revenue increase to ₹6,940 crore (£537.2m) in the first nine months of FY26, with a 123% rise in EBITDA. Prism aims to raise ₹6,500 crore (£503m) through an IPO to repay debts.

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