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Eloise Hanson

69 posts

JMK Group Secures £48 Million Loan to Convert London Office Building into 260-Key Hotel

🏨 JMK Group secured a £48 million loan from OakNorth Bank and REL Finance to convert Peninsular House, a nine-storey office building on Lower Thames Street, City of London, into a 260-key hotel, pending planning approval. The site offers views of the River Thames, Tower Bridge, and The Gherkin. JMK plans to expand its portfolio to more than 2,000 beds within two years, with six additional hotels under development.
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Are hotels the anchor or accessory for branded residences?

🏨 Simon Allison, CEO of HOFTEL, opened the Hotel Investment + Development Event (HIDE) discussing the viability of branded residences. Sam Barrell from Marriott noted EMEA's emerging market status in contrast to the mature US market. Marriott separates underwriting for hotels and residences, preferring co-located models. Hilton's Dan Wakeling highlighted the rise of standalone models in Dubai and Miami. Licence fees range from 2-4% of gross development value. Developers focus on balancing brand credibility with commercial gains.
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Hyatt Regency Rome set to open this April

🏨 Italy, 28 April 2026, Hyatt Regency Rome Central will debut as Italy's first Hyatt Regency hotel. The luxury venue boasts 238 rooms, including 20 suites, and is designed by Studio Moren and Studio Aelan, with the original architecture by King Rosselli Architects. A 2,200-square-metre rooftop offers a swimming pool, private cabanas, three dining options, hot tubs, and a yoga terrace. Accommodations span six floors, featuring Regency Suites with alfresco dining terraces.
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happyhotel raises €6.5 million in Series A funding

💸 Germany: In February 2026, happyhotel secured €6.5 million in Series A funding led by Reimann Investors. Existing investors included Start-up BW Innovation Fund, seed + speed Ventures, and Wecken & Cie. The funds will facilitate European expansion and AI agent development. happyhotel optimizes 50,000+ hotel rooms across 12 countries, increasing revenue by 15% and managing over €1 billion annually. CEO Rafael Weißmüller aims to automate hotel revenue management, focusing on enhancing guest experiences.
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Lifestyle hotel brand The Webster to launch this summer

🏨 UK: The Webster, a lifestyle hotel brand by Altus Hospitality, will debut near Covent Garden, London in summer 2026, followed by a Times Square, New York location in winter 2026. Designed by Red Deer, the London hotel features an outdoor lounge and three F&B venues on Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The New York location pays homage to the historic Webster Hotel. Both properties promise experiences like book clubs and roving bar carts.
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Hyatt chairman Pritzker retires over Epstein ties

📅 Thomas Pritzker, executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels since August 2004, retired immediately after the US Department of Justice revealed his email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein following Epstein's 2008 plea deal in Florida. Pritzker admitted "terrible judgment" and condemned Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt's president and CEO, will succeed him as chairman. Pritzker emphasized his pride in contributing to Hyatt's growth and expressed confidence in the company's future leadership.
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