801 posts
Narrow cobblestone street toward a Gothic cathedral with intricate stonework and rose window, beige buildings with white shutters on both sides, blue sky above
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  • 2 min

Brookfield and Aroxys to Invest €200 Million in Redeveloping BHV Marais Building into Mixed-Use Space

📈 May 19, 2026, Paris: Aroxys, founded in 2024 by Ara Adjennian, leads a €200 million redevelopment of the Rue de Rivoli building, 90% owned by Brookfield. The €300 million acquisition from Galeries Lafayette will transform 60% of the building into retail and hotel space over four years. Shein's presence has depleted BHV Marais' departments, leaving 30,000 square meters unoccupied. Brookfield targets international clientele, while staffing reductions are anticipated.
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Yellow check-in sign hanging indoors, showing a silhouette of a person at a counter exchanging documents
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  • 4 min

Flexible Check-in and Check-out Options Boost Guest Satisfaction and Revenue, With 67% Preferring Self-Check-in

📅 In 2025, 67% of guests globally prefer flexible check-in/out via smart locks or apps. Hotels using dynamic timing report a 186% increase in usage yearly and 22% revenue growth. For business travelers, 48-hour notice for early arrivals is common. Flexible options like early check-in and late check-out enhance guest satisfaction and increase occupancy. Data shows flexible operations reduce service complaints by 37%, with room readiness and ancillary revenue as key metrics.
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Luxury Hotels Shift Focus from Amenities to Comprehensive Wellness, Tapping into the $5.6 Trillion Global Wellness Economy

🏨 The luxury wellness industry is experiencing a transformation as it focuses on selling years of health rather than amenities. The global wellness economy has reached $5.6 trillion, with longevity science becoming mainstream. Properties like Six Senses and Canyon Ranch are integrating pre-arrival health assessments and personalized AI-driven services. Emphasizing mind-body connection and community, destinations such as CIVANA and Amangiri are creating structured opportunities for genuine connection and long-term guest relationships.
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Inside a Gothic cathedral, blue starry vaulted ceiling with ribbed arches and tall colorful stained-glass windows
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  • 1 min

Christian Westbeld Appointed Regional GM for Capella Hotel Group, Overseeing Operations in Singapore, Ubud, and Hanoi

🏨 Christian Westbeld appointed as regional general manager, Southeast Asia for Capella Hotel Group, overseeing hotels in Singapore, Ubud, and Hanoi. His 25-year career spans hospitality roles globally, including senior management at Raffles Hotels & Resorts and MGM China. Westbeld was general manager of Raffles Singapore in 2017 and most recently its managing director. Roland Fasel, Capella's president, praised Westbeld’s market knowledge and hospitality belief. This follows Capella's recent appointment of Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer.
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Close-up of a hand with gold rings resting on a table, with a blurred background and a book spine reading 'House of Provenance'.
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  • 6 min

Travel Advisors Urged to Embrace Cultural Heritage Model Inspired by LVMH for High-Net-Worth Clients

🗺 In the high-net-worth travel sector, LVMH’s model is key. Bernard Arnault’s multi-billion-dollar empire thrives on legacy and "savoir-faire." Travel advisors are urged to focus on provenance over mere amenities to capture heritage-driven clients. Unlike algorithmic Online Travel Agencies, human curation offers deep historical context. Advisors using the LVMH mindset can transform travel into an intellectual pursuit, framing heritage properties not just as accommodations but as cultural experiences, thus enhancing the traveler's connection to place.
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White building facade with ivy climbing the walls and a vertical 'HOTEL' sign.
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  • 2 min

Joe Margison Appointed CEO of Virgin Hotels Collection, Leading Global Expansion with New Properties in Atlanta and Marrakech

📈 Joe Margison was named CEO of Virgin Hotels Collection in October 2025 after serving as Interim CEO. With over 25 years in investment, finance, real estate, and branded businesses, Margison's leadership will guide Virgin's growth. He previously worked with Virgin Group and New Zealand Superannuation Fund. The group is expanding with Virgin Hotels Atlanta and a Marrakech property, both opening in 2027. Margison emphasizes Virgin's unique spirit and experience-led hospitality.
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Decorative stone relief showing two lions with curly manes lying on a weathered wall edge.
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  • 1 min

Marriott International Expands into Luxury Wellness and Launches AI-Powered "Ask Bonvoy" for Enhanced Traveler Experience

😎 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity hosted discussions on the travel industry with Brian Sozzi from Yahoo Finance. Key topics included Marriott International's expansion into luxury wellness, the significance of food and beverage in travel, and the beta launch of Ask Bonvoy, an AI-powered search tool. This event took place in Cannes, highlighting emerging summer trends and innovations in travel experiences. #CannesLions2026
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Hotel Industry Should Focus on Quality and Restraint Over Cultural Programming, Says New Column in A Hotel Life

🏨 Mews Unfold, Amsterdam. Halima Aziz of Zedwell Hotels highlighted that gateway cities like London, Paris, and New York inherently possess culture, diminishing the need for hotels to create it. The author realized when visiting London, the focus is on essentials—quality beds, strong water pressure, fast Wi-Fi—not hotel events. Emphasizing taste, hiring, and ambiance over scheduled programs can enhance guest satisfaction and local appeal. This perspective is explored in a new column for A Hotel Life.
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Tall white apartment building with a Hoang Huy sign on top against a sunset cityscape in the foreground.
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  • 2 min

Accor and H World Group Expand Partnership, Combining Loyalty Programs for 430 Million Members Across Global Markets

📅 In 2026, Accor and H World Group will enhance their strategic alliance across China, Europe, and the Middle East. The partnership unites Accor's global brands with H World's Chinese market strength, benefiting 430 million combined loyalty members. With close to two million hotel rooms, the plan allows reciprocal access to hotel benefits. Loyalty programs for H Rewards' 310 million members and Accor's 120 million members will remain distinct, with independent platforms maintaining unique value propositions.
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