Swasti Sharma

🏖 The Diplomat Beach Resort transitioned into the Signia by Hilton brand, officially opening in 2023 after an $80 million renovation. This 1,000-room South Florida resort features over 200,000 square feet of event space, including a 50,000-square-foot Great Hall. Guests can enjoy six dining venues and a semi-private beach. The Club Signia, located on the 33rd floor, offers exclusive amenities for premium guests. Signia by Hilton continues to expand globally with new locations planned.

🏨 Accor has opened Mercure Tauranga in New Zealand's central business district, marking its 49th hotel in the country. Formerly Hotel Armitage, this 80-room property is undergoing a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The opening signifies Accor's confidence in Tauranga, where tourism earnings rose by 5% last summer. This is the first internationally branded hotel in the city, enhancing Accor's partnership with Prime Hotels. Mercure plans further upgrades to attract corporate and leisure visitors.

🏨 Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence, reopened on April 28, 2026, after an 18-month renovation. Located in the Fiesole hills, the hotel now features 39 redesigned rooms and suites, a Guerlain spa, and restored gardens. Renovations include 27 suites and 12 rooms by Luigi Fragola Architects. Guests can enjoy new dining options and curated wellbeing experiences. The gardens cover over 10,000 square meters, and the property offers seasonal programs like yoga and sound healing.

🏨 HEI Hotels & Resorts added the Embassy Suites Palm Beach Gardens PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to its portfolio. This marks HEI's 21st property in Florida. The 160-room hotel, located off I-95, recently completed guestroom renovations with future lobby updates planned. CEO Anthony Rutledge emphasized maximizing asset value. Principal Joseph Lubeck, a Palm Beach Gardens resident, highlighted local partnerships. HEI's expansion continues in Florida and the Southeast, managing premium-branded hotels nationwide.

🏨 Urban Street Development completed the Stadium Tower expansion of Hotel Indigo Tallahassee CollegeTown, increasing the hotel to 237 rooms, including 94 new guestrooms and six two-bedroom suites. They added 5,500 sq. ft. of retail space. Located at 826 W. Gaines Street, the expansion opens before graduation season for Florida State and Florida A&M universities. The grand opening is set for May 21, 2026. The hotel features on-site dining, meeting space, and a fitness center.

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced a franchise agreement for a new 168-room hotel in La Romana, Dominican Republic, with openings in fall 2027 and fall 2028. This adds to two other properties under construction: The James Larimar City and Sonesta ES Suites Jarabacoa. The MOD Collection brand, launched in 2023, aims to blend local influences in hotel design. Guests can earn points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.

🏨 Ennismore, Accor India, and InterGlobe Hotels are set to open The Hoxton, Bengaluru City, their first Indian hotel, in November 2026. Located on Richmond Road, the 149-room hotel will feature Roomy, Biggy, and four 55-square-meter HOMEY suites. Dining options include a ground-floor restaurant and Fi’lia, an Italian rooftop pool restaurant. The Apartment, a meetings space, will hold up to 240 guests. Accor and InterGlobe aim for 300 hotels in India by 2030.

📍 Hilton Los Angeles Airport completed a $50 million renovation of its 1,234 guest rooms, located under a mile from LAX. The redesign features minimalist, mid-century styles with new layouts, premium mattresses, and upgraded amenities. The hotel remained operational during the renovation. It offers 55,000 square feet of meeting space and easy airport access. Jeff Ragonese, the general manager, highlighted the hotel's role as a leading destination amidst Los Angeles' growing global attention.