Hotel Openings

The new Clerkenwell pub by Public House Group not only has classic boozer-style seating, but also is home to a cosy seafood restaurant upstairs

📌 Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management firm in the Middle East and Africa, announced at the 17th Annual API Property Investment Summit the opening of a regional office in Cape Town, South Africa. Currently operating 15+ hotels across seven countries, Aleph aims to tap into South Africa's tourism boom, with international arrivals projected to hit 10.5 million in 2025, an 18% increase. Plans involve enhancing operations and developing future hotels under Rob Kucera.

🏨 H World Group, one of the largest hotel companies globally with over 13,000 hotels, launched the Grand Ji Hotel, focusing on Chinese hospitality. As of June, two hotels with 441 rooms were open, and 18 more are planned. The brand emphasizes privacy, nature, and technology. H World operates 13,539 hotels worldwide, with 1,738 upper-midscale hotels in China as of Q2 2026. JI Hotel and Hanting ranked first and second globally by room count in a 2026 ranking.

🏠 Philippe Starck's upcoming project, A Serra, will debut in Serra de Grândola, Portugal, by Q2 2028. Developed with Larfa Properties, it features a 25-suite hotel and 22 villas on a 200-hectare site, with villa prices starting at $6 million. The project includes restaurants, wellness facilities, and creative studios, with interiors by local artists. Starck envisions a new hospitality model emphasizing meaningful experiences and cultural integration, blending private home intimacy with luxury retreat services.

🏖️ Field & Stream Lodge Co., founded by Starwood Capital Group and AJ Capital Partners, will open two renovated properties in 2028. A 151-room lodge in Bend, Oregon, and a 148-room lodge in Big Bear, California, are planned. The Bend location is near Deschutes River, with access to Mt. Bachelor and Smith Rock, while Big Bear is close to Bear Mountain Resort. Both lodges will focus on outdoor recreation and local design.

🏨 Ennismore and Propreal Capital Partners announced the signing of Mama Shelter Porto, a 120-key hotel debuting in Porto Baixa, Northern Portugal. Set near Avenida dos Aliados, the hotel will feature interiors by Dion & Arles, incorporating Porto’s craftsmanship. It includes social spaces, a restaurant, Mama Plays, and private karaoke rooms. Mama Shelter, founded in Paris, plans openings in Val Thorens, Mexico City, and more. This marks Propreal's second hotel in Porto, aligning with their modern hospitality vision.

🏝️ IHG Hotels & Resorts signed a deal to rebrand the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa into Regent Bora Bora, marking Regent's first venture in French Polynesia. The transformation begins June 1, 2026, with a reopening slated for late 2027. Located on Bora Bora’s lagoon, the 84-villa resort offers overwater experiences, featuring sustainable amenities like a seawater air-conditioning system. The partnership with Pacific Beachcomber spans over 20 years, emphasizing luxury and Polynesian culture.

🏨 Ofland Hotels is expanding with Ofland Smoky Mountains in Townsend, Tennessee, set to open in summer 2027, featuring 75 cabins, including 4 ADA-accessible units. The hotel is located five minutes from Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Guests can enjoy a heated pool, hot tub, and a drive-in movie theater. Construction is led by KDW, Boundary Works, and local firms, with cabin designs by Wind River Built highlighting nature-centric elements.

🏨 Residence Inn by Marriott Mystic Groton, Connecticut, unveiled a revamped guest experience featuring newly renovated suites and communal areas. The 128 all-suite hotel, located near Mystic's attractions, incorporates coastal-inspired designs with complete kitchens, smart TVs, and high-speed WiFi, catering to long-term stays. The hotel also offers complimentary breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, pet-friendly rooms, and flexible meeting spaces, creating a welcoming environment for business and leisure travelers.

🎤 Pivot, part of Davidson Hospitality Group, has been chosen by The Georgetown Company to manage the Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Located in the West End, the hotel boasts 246 renovated guestrooms, a 5,000 sq. ft music venue, 15,000 sq. ft of event space, and a 3,200 sq. ft spa. Leaders Michael Fishbin and Nick Gregory emphasize the hotel's integration with Nashville's culture and the potential for enhanced guest experiences and revenue.