Cynera Rodricks

🏨 The Zetter debuted a 68-bedroom hotel in London’s Bloomsbury, transforming six Georgian townhouses between Russell Square and the British Museum. The 13,760 sq ft space incorporates Victorian and Georgian design by James Thurstan Waterworth, featuring a 1,000 sq m British-Japanese garden by the Rich Brothers. It blends antiques, art, and global textiles. The interior took four years, with contributions from British artisans and global auctions. Modern amenities include an outdoor yoga terrace and seasonal BBQ area.

🏖 The Nici group plans two luxury coastal hotels opening in summer 2026: The Nici Newquay, converting Hotel Victoria into an 82-room clifftop hotel with spa and cinema, and The Nici New Forest in Lymington, transforming Elmers Court Hotel into a 118-bedroom retreat on 23 acres. Located 1 hour 45 minutes from London, both hotels feature wellness centers, dining, and fitness studios, targeting the UK staycation market. Founder Nicolas Roach emphasizes unique, enjoyable escapes.

🏨 Glenapp Castle, located on Scotland’s southwest coast, will unveil The Nest, a new 60sqm suite, on 1 July 2026. The suite, part of an 1830s walled garden renovation, features wellness facilities and energy-efficient systems. Aimed at North American and European markets, it is projected to achieve 65% occupancy, increasing average stay duration from 2.2 to 2.7 nights. Under owners Paul and Poppy Szkiler, the hotel's revenue has increased sevenfold in the past decade.

🏨 Whitbread will acquire a site in Limerick's Opera Square for a 156-bedroom Premier Inn. The seven-story hotel will open after planning amendments and host around 60,000 guests yearly. Scheduled construction starts in 2027, with a 2025 basement completion. This expansion supports Whitbread's 5,000-room Ireland strategy and follows a 30% Irish room target increase. The hotel will create 30 permanent jobs, aligning with the Opera Square regeneration project. Planning applications are due by summer 2026.

📍 Minor Hotels plans to launch the Colbert Collection, a soft brand targeting independent premium hotels, in Italy by spring 2026. The initiative supports hotel individuality while leveraging the global systems of over 640 properties like Anantara and Avani. The brand's identity is influenced by European café culture, focusing on culinary and creative curation. Properties are planned for the UK, Spain, Austria, and the UAE, aligning with Minor Hotels' asset-light strategy for scalability.