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Eloise Hanson

88 posts

Firethorn and JLL Bring £80-100M Redevelopment Opportunity, One Bessborough Gardens, to London Market

🏠 Firethorn appointed JLL to market One Bessborough Gardens, a freehold building in London's SW1 district near Vauxhall Bridge. Completed in 1988 and opened by King Charles III, it was reportedly an MI5 training facility. The building is stripped to its concrete frame, with potential uses including hotel or residential. Planning consents allow conversion to 52 apartments and an office extension. The gross development value estimates range from £80 million to £100 million.
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Mews Partners with Uber to Integrate Ride-Booking and Billing into Hotel Property Management Systems

🚗 Worldwide, May 2026: Mews partners with Uber to integrate ride-hailing services into its property management system. Hotels can request, track, and bill Uber rides directly through Mews, offering both staff and guest-initiated bookings. The integration features live vehicle tracking, trip confirmations, and automatic billing to guest folios. Full visibility for hotels and insight into guest transportation patterns are included. A pilot is set to launch this year, unifying transportation with the guest experience.
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Preferred Hotels & Resorts to Open Seven Luxury Hotels in Europe and Africa from May to September 2026

🏨 Preferred Hotels & Resorts will open seven independent luxury hotels across Europe and Africa between May and September 2026. Locations include Spain, Iceland, Malta, South Africa, and Tanzania. Key properties: Gran Hotel Claridge Granada (70 rooms), ENVI Paje in Zanzibar (22 villas), and Romègas Hotel in Malta (23 rooms). Amenities range from rooftop terraces and pools to wellness programs. Spain hosts three openings, contributing significantly to the expansion.
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Minor Hotels Debuts Colbert Collection with Openings in Italy, London, and Thailand by Early 2027

🏨 Minor Hotels launched the Colbert Collection with Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze in Italy, 10 months post-announcement. The WestDill Mayfair Hotel in London is set for Q4 2026, and Colbert Collection Koh Samui in Thailand will open in Q1 2027. Soft brands like Colbert allow owners to leverage hard brand distribution with less rigidity and lower fees amid rising costs and competition since the concept's 2008 revival by Choice's Ascend Hotel Collection.
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Douglas Elliman Appointed Exclusive Sales and Marketing Firm for 75 Luxury Condominiums at The Boca Raton.

🏠 Douglas Elliman was appointed by BDT & MSD Partners for exclusive sales of The Residences at The Boca Raton in Florida. The development includes 75 private condominiums, featuring designs by Hart Howerton with interiors by Pembrooke & Ives, ranging from two-bedroom units to $15 million penthouses. Owners gain access to The Boca Raton Club amenities, including beach, golf, and spa facilities. It's the first introduction of private residences in the resort's 100-year history.
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Strand Palace Promotes Jill van Rest as First Female General Manager Since 1998 After £57 Million Refurbishment

🏨 UK: Strand Palace in Covent Garden, London, promotes Jill van Rest to general manager, the first woman since 1998. She succeeds Matthew Beard after six years at the hotel. During her tenure, Strand Palace underwent a £57 million refurbishment of 788 bedrooms. The hotel remained open for key workers during the pandemic. It features a restaurant, bar, cocktail bar, afternoon tea lounge, and 16 meeting spaces. Van Rest aims to re-establish the hotel as a key event location.
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Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques Launches Design Shop with W Hotels and Westin-Inspired Furniture Collections for 2026

💼 Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques is launching its Design Shop, expanding into art, furniture, and decor. In 2026, initial collections by W Hotels and Westin Hotels & Resorts will debut, along with destination-inspired collections. W Hotels Living, designed with Rockwell Group, features custom beds and decor, while Westin focuses on sleep and wellness. A French Riviera collection launches in June 2026, and JW Marriott Living, Tokyo-inspired, follows in autumn. Peggy Roe emphasizes the shift from hotels as stays to lifestyle inspirations.
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Minor Hotels Launches First Colbert Collection Hotel, Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze, in Historic Florence Location

🏨 Italy: Minor Hotels opened the Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze, the first under the Colbert Collection. Located on Via Porta Rossa in Florence, the 69-room hotel includes a unique 13th-century medieval tower suite. Amenities feature two meeting rooms and a bistro bar. In June, a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Paulo Airaudo will launch. Colbert Collection plans further expansion with The WestDill Mayfair Hotel in London (Q4 2026) and a Koh Samui resort (Q1 2027).
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The Social Hub Appoints Eyal Amzallag to Lead Expansion into Lisbon, Turin, Edinburgh, and 20 New Agreements

📈 Eyal Amzallag, with over 30 years of experience, joins The Social Hub as chief operating and commercial officer. Formerly at Club Med and Selina’s $1.2 billion Nasdaq IPO leader, he will spearhead expansions into Lisbon, Turin, and Edinburgh, and pursue 20 asset-light hotel management agreements. A new membership program is in development. Founder Charlie MacGregor emphasizes Amzallag's role in showcasing the potential of hybrid hospitality.
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The PIG Hotels Sells Groombridge Place in Tunbridge Wells After Planning Challenges and Investment Shift

🏨 UK, 2023: The PIG Hotels sold its Grade I-listed Groombridge Place in Tunbridge Wells to a private buyer. Originally acquired in 2023, plans to develop 40 bedrooms, two restaurants, guest huts, and wellness amenities faced planning complexities. Groombridge Place, near the Kent-East Sussex border, was to be The PIG's 10th property. CEO Kevin Styles emphasized the emotional connection and the new buyer's intent to preserve the estate’s heritage.
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