Hotel Openings

📍 Who? Raines, in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and the CarolinaLIFE program. When? Announced recently. Where? Columbia, South Carolina. What? Opened The Lantern Columbia, a 59-key boutique hotel. How? By transforming a historic firehouse into a hotel, offering employment opportunities for people with disabilities through inclusive programs, led by general manager Rick Hayduk. The hotel includes Ladder 13, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant by Kevin Johnson.

🌎 The Atlas Hotel, a boutique lifestyle destination, opens in Boston's Allston neighborhood at Harvard's Enterprise Research Campus. Designed by Marlon Blackwell Architects and INC Architecture & Design, it features 246 guest rooms, including 12 suites. Amenities include a living room lobby, meeting spaces, and a fitness center. Dining highlights are Ama restaurant and the upcoming Foxglove Terrace rooftop bar. The hotel emphasizes sustainability with LEED Gold and Fitwel certifications. Foxglove Terrace and The COOP retail debut in spring 2026.

🏠 Onyx Hospitality Group signed a management deal with Somchai Ngamdamrongkiat to launch Shama Hub Ladprao, the first in Thailand, on January 22. The new development in Bangkok's Ladprao district offers compact residences for urban living, targeting long-stay business travelers. It expands Shama's presence to 23 properties across Thailand, Malaysia, and Greater China. The Shama brand, which includes Luxe and Hub segments, aims to cater to upper-upscale and upper-middle-scale markets.

🏠 Onyx Hospitality Group signed a management agreement for Shama Hub Ladprao, launching the brand's first presence in Thailand. Announced on January 22, 2026, the project follows five years of collaboration with property owner Somchai Ngamdamrongkiat. Located in Bangkok's Ladprao district, the residence caters to long-stay business travelers. Shama Hub Ladprao is part of a portfolio spanning 23 properties, enhancing its offerings across Thailand, Malaysia, and Greater China.

🎤 Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans opened the 68-seat Three Maries Jazz Club and 84-seat Royal Bar. The jazz club honors New Orleans' musical heritage with local acts like Or Shovaly Plus and Glen David Andrews Band, offering unique cocktails and New Orleans-inspired small plates. The Royal Bar, located in the lobby, retains historic charm with its original antique glass map. Both venues aim to blend the city's rich cultural legacy with modern flair.

🏨 Ian Schrager and Highgate announce a global expansion of the PUBLIC brand. Highgate, managing over 80,000 keys across North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe, will operate PUBLIC hotels, while Schrager maintains creative control. PUBLIC West Hollywood is set to open in spring 2026. Schrager also plans a new food and beverage collaboration at PUBLIC New York later this year. Highgate's Mahmood Khimji praises Schrager as the "greatest hotelier" of the modern era.

🏖️ In May 2026, KG Hotel will open in Klaksvík, Faroe Islands, adding to Nordic Hotels & Resorts' portfolio. Located in the city's fjord, it features 83 rooms, Alda Spa, and a restaurant named Sand. Klaksvík, with a population of over 5,000, is known for its fishing industry and serves as a hub for exploring the rugged landscapes of the Faroe Islands. Established in 1938, the town has a rich history rooted in the Viking Age.

🏨 The Lensbury, a Teddington-based resort, will undergo a £10 million refurbishment starting February 2026. The project involves upgrading its 155-room facilities, including the Club House restaurant, reception, and guestrooms, aiming for completion by late summer 2026. The 25-acre property will remain operational, with meals served in the Dunbar lounge during restaurant closure. Managed by L+R Hotels, The Lensbury was established in 1920 and operates as a four-star resort.

🏨 Teddington’s The Lensbury resort will undergo a £10m refurbishment starting February 2026. The 155-room facility aims to modernize its Club House restaurant, reception, and guestrooms, while honoring its history with elite sports organizations. Renovations begin with public areas in February, guestrooms in early spring, and conclude by late summer 2026. The 25-acre site will stay operational, using the Dunbar lounge for dining. Managed by L+R Hotels, it was established in 1920.