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HOTELSMag.com

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  • 2 min

Blackstone acquires EAST Miami from Trinity, Certares

💸 Funds managed by Trinity Investments and Certares Real Estate Management sold the EAST Miami, a 352-room hotel, to Blackstone Real Estate. The hotel, opened in 2016 at Brickell City Centre, a $1.1 billion development, saw over a 60% net operating income increase under Trinity and Certares’ ownership since 2021. This sale is Trinity GP Fund I L.P.'s first realized asset, highlighting strategic involvements and Blackstone’s investment in Miami's growing Brickell area.
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  • 2 min

Mandarin Oriental is opening its first Vienna hotel

🏨 Mandarin Oriental opens its Vienna hotel in late October, with 138 rooms on Riemergasse in the First District. 🏨 The Art Nouveau building, designed by Alfred Keller in 1908, has been restored, offering 86 rooms and 52 suites. 🖼️ The hotel features seven boardrooms and a 140m² ballroom. 🍽️ Culinary options, led by Executive Chef Thomas Seifried, include four concepts under Atelier 7. 🛀 The spa offers holistic treatments, with seven rooms, a couple’s suite, and fitness facilities.
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  • 2 min

Onko Chishin adds two new ryokans

🏨 Onko Chishin Inc. will open two historic onsen ryokans: IZU RETREAT in November 2025 and OTARU RETREAT in December 2025. IZU, located in Atagawa, Izu Peninsula, features 16 suites with private onsens. OTARU, in Otaru, Hokkaido, consists of 18 rooms with sodium-calcium chloride hot springs. Both properties aim to provide cultural engagement and access to Japan’s major cities. CEO Tomoki Matsuyama emphasizes their mission as storytellers of Japan's hidden treasures.
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  • 2 min

Accor rebrands four Australian hotels with Elanor

🏨 Accor and Elanor Investors Group will rebrand four hotels in October 2025. Byron Bay Hotel becomes The Sebel Byron Bay, Barossa Weintal transitions to Mercure Barossa Valley, Clare Country Club relaunches as Peppers Clare Valley, and Adabco Boutique Hotel becomes Mantra Wakefield Adelaide. Managed by 1834 Hotels, these changes aim to boost performance and guest satisfaction. The project involves refurbishments and adds to Accor's nine-hotel portfolio, enhancing brand position and commercial outcomes.
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  • 4 min

A balanced breakfast: How hotels are serving the most important meal of the day

🥗 Hoteliers struggling with breakfast costs since 2022 amidst rising expenses, with 60% revising budgets. A Turner/HotStats survey finds continental buffet with made-to-order items most profitable. Entegra advises using GPOs for cost-effective sourcing, while Bridgeton emphasizes portion control and waste management. Wellness-focused options like protein pancakes gain popularity. AI aids in reducing waste by tracking buffet returns. Innovations like programmable ovens and Scholl’s versatile breakfast solutions keep meals efficient and guest-friendly across Europe and beyond.
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  • 1 min

TPG adds Hilton Garden Inn Tampa East Brandon

🏨 TPG Hotels & Resorts expanded with the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa East/Brandon, adding 152 rooms and completing a $5.5-million renovation. The hotel now boasts a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and 24-hour business center. Three meeting rooms offer over 3,800 sq ft for events. Located in Highland Oaks business park, it's near the Florida State Fairgrounds and Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Dining options include the on-site Garden Grille & Bar and a 24-hour market.
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  • 7 min

Craig Smith stepped in to fill a breach. A year on, here’s how the CEO has led Aimbridge Hospitality back.

📚 Craig Smith became CEO of Aimbridge Hospitality in March 2024, succeeding a turbulent period marked by an unsuccessful IPO in 2021, operational issues, and $1.1 billion in debt. With 1,000 hotels globally, he restructured Aimbridge for efficiency, slashed turnover, and shifted focus from corporate to hotel operations. In January 2025, Aimbridge restructured its capital, converting debt to equity and adding $100 million. Smith prioritizes longer contracts, global opportunities, and technological investment to enhance operations and growth.
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  • 2 min

HEI takes over management of Hyatt Regency Greenwich

🏨 HEI Hotels & Resorts took over management of the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, located in Old Greenwich, on September 8. With this addition, HEI's portfolio now exceeds 100 properties. The 374-room hotel, recently renovated at a cost of $40 million, features a new 40-seat Townsend Cinema, 35,000 square feet of meeting space, and various amenities. Activities include birding with the National Audubon Society, yoga, cocktail sessions, and live music, integrating community-focused programming.
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