Denis Stackeusky

🏨 Hilton has opened its first LivSmart Studios in Tullahoma, Tenn., with 89 rooms. This new brand targets extended stays and will expand with a 137-room hotel in Kokomo, Ind., opening later this summer. Over 90 LivSmart Studios are planned, with 225 deals in negotiation. Aimed at stays of 10 nights or more, the hotels feature full kitchens and flexible layouts. Hilton Honors members earn 3 points per dollar and 3,000 bonus points for every 10 nights.

📍 Hilton and M&L Group will rebrand The Hotel Maria in Helsinki's Kruununhaka district as Waldorf Astoria Helsinki. The 116-room hotel remains operational during its transition this year. Originally designed in 1885, it offers dining, a gym, and a Nordic wellness spa. Waldorf Astoria, with 67 hotels globally, debuts in Finland, marking Hilton’s fourth property in Helsinki, responding to growing travel demand. Future openings include New York, London, and Sydney.

📍 Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya is partnering with Alinea Group and Chef Grant Achatz to create a new dining concept. Located on Mexico's Caribbean coast, this marks Alinea's first permanent venture in Latin America. Set within a 620-acre ecological reserve, the resort promises a unique blend of nature, design, and sustainability. Achatz, renowned for molecular gastronomy, will lead the restaurant, enhancing the resort's culinary offerings upon its opening.

🏨 Salamander Washington DC joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection, marking its inclusion among luxury hotels globally recognized for design and service. Located near the District Wharf, the 373-room hotel recently underwent a transformation with redesigned spaces and a new restaurant by chef Kwame Onwuachi. Guests can enjoy a two-story spa and redesigned suites by Thomas Pheasant. Salamander is the fourth property from its company in the collection. Members can earn rewards through I Prefer Hotel Rewards.

🏨 Marriott International and Truman will open three hotels in Calgary's Culture + Entertainment District between 2028 and 2030. W Calgary and JW Marriott Calgary will be in two of Western Canada’s tallest towers at 15 Ave and Macleod Trail S.E. The third hotel, part of the Autograph Collection, will be in Stampede Park. These projects will create jobs and boost tourism. W Calgary will have 69 stories, JW Marriott 62 stories, and the third hotel 320 guestrooms.

🏨 Limelight Charleston, opening in 2028 at 306 King Street and 86 Society Street, will be the first East Coast property for Aspen One's Limelight Hotels. This mixed-use project includes a 50-room hotel and 16 private residences in Charleston's historic district. Partnering with Category Company, the development will feature a restaurant, bar, rooftop pool, dining facilities, meeting space, and parking. It joins a growing portfolio of Limelight Hotels, expanding from three to seven properties in 2023.

📍 W Hotels opened W Florence in July 2025, marking its second property in Italy and expanding its European presence. The 119-room hotel, a reimagined 1968 structure, is on Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, near Florence's key sites. Renovated to meet LEED Gold and WELL Silver standards, it includes 16 suites and a penthouse. Dining options like Tratto and Akira Back will launch through summer. The hotel features a 24-hour gym and meeting spaces.