Hotel Openings

🏖️ The Marram Collection opened The Kithmore hotel in St Andrews on 16 June, after a £7.5 million redevelopment. The project transformed three 19th-century Georgian townhouses on Playfair Terrace into a luxury hotel with 44 bedrooms, creating 36 local jobs. Bennie’s, the on-site Scottish bar and restaurant, accommodates 57 indoors and 30 outdoors. General manager Kathryn McNairn, head chef Joe Reddie, and deputy manager Caryn Kelly lead the team. Malcolm Allan highlighted the focus on preserving heritage and offering top-notch hospitality.

🏨 Hilton plans to add over 2,000 Hilton Garden Inn rooms across China in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. By 2025, Hilton achieved 100 signings in China, topping international mid-market brands. New signings focus on regions like the Greater Bay Area and Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. The Hilton Garden Inn Beijing Future Science City will open in 2026, featuring 118 rooms. The brand targets transportation hubs and central business districts, enhancing business functionality and leisure offerings.

🚀 The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington launches the Science Family Suite this week, enhancing its family-friendly offerings. The suite accommodates up to four guests and features a children's room with a rocket-style bunk bed and a refined master bedroom. It complements the popular Science Afternoon Tea. Designed for summer holidays, the suite costs £739 per night and aims to create an interactive experience inspired by the nearby Science Museum.

🏨 Located in London Victoria, The July opened with 114 apartments combining serviced apartment freedom with hotel design. Offering studios to larger stays, the property features kitchens, co-working areas, and wellness facilities. Interiors mix Art Deco with natural materials, and Hypnos beds ensure comfort. The Idler restaurant provides British-Mediterranean dining. Facilities include a gym, sauna, and meeting rooms, catering to business and leisure travelers.

🌴 Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives reveals 62 private residences in South Malé Atoll, designed by HKS and 1508 London, managed by Starwood Hotels. Spanning 55 hectares, the project includes 22 two-bedroom, 16 three-bedroom, and 24 four-bedroom villas, blending French artistry with Maldivian elements. The development features unobstructed ocean views, expansive outdoor showers, and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, offering a harmonious, luxurious lifestyle. Developed by MDC Investments LLC, it marks Baccarat's first branded-residence project.

🏨 Hotel Equities and Legendary Capital are converting a Grand Rapids, Mich., hotel into The Gerald under the Ascend Collection by late 2026. The renovation will feature walnut millwork and oxblood leather, with a revamped lobby and dining area. Located near local attractions like the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, this project capitalizes on Grand Rapids' growth market, aiming for strong performance with Choice Hotels' backing.

🏨 Hotel Equities and Legendary Capital plan to convert a Grand Rapids, Mich., hotel into The Gerald under the Ascend Collection by Choice Hotels. The full renovation, finishing in late 2026, will feature walnut millwork and oxblood leather. Located near the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the rebranded hotel will include The Commons, a retail and dining area. Grand Rapids is identified as a growth market for underserved travelers.