Swasti Sharma

🏨 Hilton and Scandic Hotels Group signed a multi-year development agreement for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland to expand Hilton brands. The first hotel, a 284-room Hilton in Copenhagen, opens in 2029. Scandic operates it under a franchise agreement. Hilton and Scandic aim to enhance their loyalty programs. As of 2025, Sweden had over 70 million guest nights, Denmark 68 million, Norway 40 million, and Finland 23 million, driven by international demand.

🏨 In 2027, IHG Hotels & Resorts will launch Holiday Inn Resort Luang Prabang Naluang Hill in Laos, marking IHG's debut in UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang. Partnering with Naluang International Resort and Hotel Limited, the 101-key resort will feature family-friendly experiences, four dining venues, a pool, a spa, and 500 square meters of meeting space. Located on Naluang Hill, it will offer views over the cultural attractions and benefit from regional connectivity via Luang Prabang International Airport and high-speed rail.

🏨 OTH Hotels Resorts adds Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort, KY, and Four Points by Sheraton Greensboro Airport, NC, to its portfolio. The Capital Plaza Hotel, developed in 1983 and listed on the National Register in 2024, will be rebranded as The Franklin Hotel in 2027, featuring 163 redesigned rooms. Four Points, a 112-room hotel, offers modern amenities. These additions follow OTH's recent expansions in NY, PA, OH, MD, NJ, and Los Angeles.

🏨 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts launched three Ramada Encore by Wyndham hotels in Ayodhya, Vrindavan, and Kochi, surpassing 1,000 keys in India. With 17 hotels in India and 18 in Eurasia, the expansion aligns with increased domestic travel, with 4.3 billion visits across India in 2025. The Ayodhya hotel offers 72 rooms, while Vrindavan has 45, and Kochi 57 rooms. The Kochi hotel serves business and leisure travelers with facilities like restaurants, spas, and event spaces.

🏨 The Plaza Hotel in Midtown Manhattan will close for at least four years starting January 2027 for facade restoration, as announced by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. The iconic 18-story hotel, opened in 1907, is owned by Katara Hospitality. Workers will retain their jobs post-renovation. The hotel faced previous renovations from 2005-2008, sparked by poor conditions, under Elad Properties. Notable films shot here include "Home Alone 2." Fairmont has operated the hotel since 2005.

🏨 Hilton's LXR Hotels & Resorts debuts in India with The Den Bengaluru, a 226-room hotel owned by Dan Hospitality India Pvt. Ltd. located in Whitefield, Bengaluru. It offers five dining venues, wellness facilities, and 21,000 sq. ft. of event space. The hotel introduces two signature programs: The Pause Program and Whitefield Unscripted. With Hilton's backing, it aims to cater to luxury travelers seeking unique experiences in this culturally dynamic city.

🏖 Corinthia Group, in partnership with Carolina Partners Ltd., will develop a 50-suite hotel and branded residences on Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos. The development, led by Marcus Pisani and Alex Chazkel of Corinthia Real Estate Ventures, will feature villas, casitas, and condominiums. Construction is set to begin in 2027 on the last undeveloped beachfront parcel. This marks Corinthia's North American entry, expanding its hotels in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.