Liam J Moran

🌴 The Grand, York, unveils SubRosa spa after a £2.8 million refurbishment of its basement vaults. The spa introduces SeaBody’s marine-based products and offers Moroccan-inspired marocMaroc rituals. Facilities include two saunas, a hydrotherapy pool, and various therapy rooms. Three treatment packages are offered: Rosa, Alba, and Radix. Alongside, a new SubRosa restaurant features Asian cuisine. Spa director Emma Sorby and general manager Adam Dyke highlight the wellness and culinary experiences. SubRosa is open to both guests and day visitors.

🏨 Hotel Crillon le Brave will reopen in April 2026 near Mont Ventoux after a refurbishment. The updates include 10 new guest rooms, expanded wellness facilities, and year-round activities in Maison Tilleul. The Spa des Écuries adds a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, and cold baths, with new products from SeeMyCosmetics. A second heated pool is introduced as adults-only. The owners aim to broaden guest offerings while maintaining the site’s architectural integrity.

🏨 Travelodge expanded significantly in 2025, opening 21 hotels and adding over 1,800 rooms in the UK. New builds were in Skegness, Harwich, London Beckenham, and Chiswick, while 17 hotels were acquired and rebranded. Nine hotels were upgraded, with more to follow in 2026. Projects include a 182-room hotel in Cardiff and developments in Douglas and Watford. Internationally, new acquisitions in Madrid and Bilbao are planned for 2026-2027. Sustainability features were emphasized in new builds.

🏞 The Waterside Hotel, owned by SimpsInns, is expanding with a new £3m spa, creating 30 jobs in West Kilbride, Ayrshire. Opening in early 2026, the spa will feature six treatment rooms, a Rasul experience, thermal area, and outdoor facilities. The hotel, 40 minutes from Glasgow, will increase its room count from 23 to 40. SimpsInns emphasizes career development and staff benefits, including discounts at their facilities across Ayrshire.

🍷 Lancaster House Hotel completed a refurbishment of its Sandeman Bar, inspired by its 30-year connection with the House of Sandeman and its 1790 origins. Managed by Tammy Barwell, the update features new furnishings, artwork, and a Sandeman timeline. The design was influenced by a research trip to Porto and includes details like upholstered seating and a branded barrel. The bar continues to host port and cheese events, celebrating its history with Sandeman wines from Portugal's Douro Valley.

📍 Hilton London Bankside expands with 76 new rooms, increasing capacity to 368. Available from 1 February 2026, the expansion introduces 12 new room categories, enhanced amenities, and a ninth floor with skyline views. The project, by Splendid Hospitality and SpaceInvader, emphasizes sustainability with recycled materials. Hilton London Bankside, awarded Best Luxury Sustainable Hotel in Northern Europe in 2025, aims to enhance guest experiences and expand team opportunities.