Cynera Rodricks - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

Is 2025’s hotel market recalibration setting the stage for a stable 2026?

🏨 In 2025, the UK hotel market saw a shift from large portfolios to single assets, with transactions dropping from £6.6bn in 2024 to £4.3bn. Investors favored domestic over international deals due to rising costs and operational challenges. The focus moved to lifestyle and boutique hotels, with an emphasis on value-add opportunities. The trend is expected to continue into 2026, with significant portfolios like the Vastint Marriott (£500m) and PPHE (£2.2bn) being tested for market appetite.

Is 2025’s hotel market recalibration setting the stage for a stable 2026?

🏨 In 2025, the UK hotel market saw a decline from £6.6bn in 2024 to about £4.3bn. This shift signifies a move from large portfolio deals to single-asset transactions, with the biggest 2024 deal being Six Senses London at £180m. Domestic buyers gained ground as international investors paused. Notable 2026 prospects include the £500m Vastint Marriott Portfolio. As 2026 begins, alignment between buyers and sellers indicates a potential rise in activity.

2 min

The Webster to debut in London and New York

🏨 The Webster is launching hotels in London and New York in 2026. The Webster Covent Garden opens in London this July, followed by The Webster Times Square in NYC later this year. London’s hotel features 110 guestrooms on Lincoln’s Inn Fields. New York's property is on the historic Webster Hotel site. Both hotels offer mid-century designs and communal spaces. London includes three dining venues, and New York partners with Maison Premiere. London reservations start at £350/night.

1 min

Sopwell House receives EarthCheck Silver certification for sustainability

🌳 Sopwell House, a country house hotel and spa, received the EarthCheck Silver Benchmark for its eco-friendly practices. The hotel has a strict 0% landfill policy, repurposing waste like coffee grounds as garden fertilizer. Managed by an ESG team and a Green Team taskforce, they prioritize local and Fairtrade products. Community initiatives include encouraging guests to bring their own spa footwear. Hotel director Rafi Bejerano praised the award, highlighting their commitment to sustainability in St Albans.

2 min

Code relaunches The Loft with Japanese capsules

🛌 Code, a boutique hotel provider, reopened The Loft on Rose Street, Edinburgh, in 2025 after an extensive refurbishment. The project introduced the UK’s first full-height Japanese-style capsule beds, inspired by a management team trip to Tokyo. The renovation includes a female-only penthouse dorm, upgraded technology, secure storage, and modernized bathrooms. Managed by Jamie Greig and Pamela Mackay, the project aligns with Code's brand refresh. Code operates two locations in Edinburgh: The Loft and The Court.

1 min

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal promotes Ben Miller to head chef

🍴 Ben Miller, a Canadian, has been promoted to head chef at Hotel Café Royal in London following the 2026 Michelin Guide Awards on February 9. The restaurant retained its two-star status. Previously at The Clove Club, Miller joined the Café Royal as sous chef over two years ago. He trained at SAIT Polytechnic and has won the 2024 S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy UK National Final. This move is part of evolving the restaurant's modern gastronomy.

Whitbread commits to 500 care leaver jobs a year

📅 Whitbread aims to employ over 500 care-experienced young people annually by 2027 through a partnership with Barnardo’s. Operating in Glasgow, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, with plans for Swansea and Newcastle, the program offers an eight-week training on employability skills. Already, 18 participants secured jobs, from an initial 35. Roles include housekeeping and management in Premier Inn hotels. The initiative aligns with the Care Leaver Covenant, enhancing job opportunities for care-experienced youth across the UK.

1 min

The Balmoral retains Forbes five-star rating

🏨 The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, part of Rocco Forte Hotels, retains its five-star Forbes Travel Guide rating. Situated at 1 Princes Street, this luxury property has 187 rooms and suites and first opened in 1902. It features the 4AA Rosette restaurant Number One, Brasserie Prince, and Palm Court for afternoon tea. The Scotch bar offers over 500 single malt whiskies. The hotel also boasts the Irene Forte Spa for wellness treatments, reaffirming its luxury standing in Scotland.

2 min

McKeever Hotels marks 40 years in hospitality

🏨 McKeever Hotels celebrates 40 years in hospitality in 2026, marking its founding in 1986 with Corr’s Corner in Newtownabbey, Ireland. The group now runs seven hotels with 600 employees. A five-year plan focuses on investment, expansion, and sustainability through 2031. Celebrations include a gala dinner, staff volunteering, and promotions. Robin Swann, MP for South Antrim, acknowledged the milestone in the House of Commons. The business, founded by Eugene and Catherine McKeever, is led by their children, Eddie and Bridgene.

2 min

Ox Pasture Hall hotel sold out of liquidation

🏠 Ox Pasture Hall, a 39-bedroom hotel near Scarborough, was bought by Wesley and Chloe Nunns in 2025 after liquidation. The property spans 17 acres on the edge of North York Moors National Park, featuring a restaurant, wedding barn, and spa. With a background in accountancy, the Nunns aim to reopen it as a wedding venue. Legal support was by John Morgan and John Cooper, and Christie and Co managed the sale, noting healthy demand despite its closure.

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