Hotel Openings

🏨 Belfast's Scottish Mutual Building transforms into the 82-bedroom Bedford Hotel, opening in May 2026 after an 18-month redevelopment. The project, resulting from a multi-million-pound investment, created over 100 jobs and will be led by Executive Chef Noel McMeel. Ciaran O’Neill and Mike Gatt emphasize the hotel’s role in boosting Belfast's economy and promoting local employment. Belfast is recognized by TripAdvisor as a trending city for 2026, further enhancing its tourism and hospitality appeal.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group and Manchester City are launching The Medlock, a 401-room hotel located on the Etihad Campus, Manchester, opening bookings from October 2026. This site will feature a penthouse, brasserie, wine bar, fitness studio, and Pitch View meeting rooms. Operated by Valor Hospitality, it will serve visitors to nearby stadiums and arenas. Inspired by Manchester's industrial heritage, it aims to be a flagship property for business, leisure, and events.

🏨 Horwood House Hotel partners with Milton Keynes College Group during National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February) to offer vocational roles in Little Horwood, recruiting a maintenance assistant and commis chef. The estate, spanning 38 acres, recently underwent a £6.5m refurbishment. MK College supports over 670 apprentices among 8,000 students. Caroline Morrone, Julie Jeffery, and Karim Kassam emphasize the importance of on-the-job training and mentoring to prepare local youth for the hospitality industry.

🏨 The Dean Berlin, debuting in February 2026, marks The Dean's first hotel outside Ireland. The 81-room hotel in Charlottenburg, Berlin, blends rawness and refinement, with design by Rachael Gowdridge. Rooms feature bespoke furniture, and guests enjoy exclusive bath amenities by DS & Durga. Rates start at €135/night. Benedict, the hotel’s bakery-bar, serves international dishes. The Dean's art curation, *Wanderers*, showcases German-based artists, integrating the hotel into Berlin's creative scene.

🏠 Scheduled for June 2026, Miralago Luxury Apartments open in Cernobbio, Italy, featuring eight exclusive lakefront residences. Located along the Lake Como waterfront, the project, led by Studio Droulers, involves the complete renovation of the former Miralago Hotel. The four-floor property offers tailored services, including a bespoke breakfast experience. Guests gain access to Villa d'Este amenities, such as the Sporting Club and floating pool, blending privacy with exceptional hospitality.

🏨 Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) announced on [current date] the signing of a new Taj hotel in Weligama, Sri Lanka, featuring 220 keys, including 80 luxury apartments. Located in the Southern Province, this beachfront resort offers extensive amenities, including a 9,000 sq. ft. banquet hall and Taj's iconic J Wellness Circle. Established in 2004, the Beryll Group owns the project. Weligama is famous for its crescent-shaped bay and surf-friendly waters.

🏨 Last summer, Four Seasons Hotel Milano revealed a complete redesign of its 118 rooms and suites by Pierre Yves-Rochon. The Presidential Suite, at 177 sq. meters, blends avant-garde and historic styles, featuring Italian art and a private kitchen. The 91 sq. meter Designer Suite highlights 1950s-70s Italian design with custom furnishings. Both suites preserve original marble, enhancing their luxurious appeal. The hotel's restyling respects Milan's design heritage, combining elegance and innovation.

🏨 Plamondon Hospitality Partners broke ground on the Marriott Downtown Frederick at Carroll Creek, a full-service hotel and conference center, on October 2023. Located in Downtown Frederick, MD, it features 204 rooms and 21,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The $100 million project involves public and private investment, with Maryland contributing $23 million and local governments $4.5 million. Expected impacts include $25.8 million in annual spending, $1.5 million in state taxes, and 200 jobs. Completion is set for 2027.

🏠 The resort offers nearly 300 guest rooms and suites, eight dining options, the area's largest ballroom, and a wellness facility.

📍 IHG Hotels & Resorts and Pro-invest Group plan to convert the 227-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Queenstown, New Zealand to voco Queenstown by late 2026. The centrally located hotel will undergo refurbishment to include new meeting spaces, a Private Dining Room, and a restaurant, Mozzarella & Co. This strategic move aligns with New Zealand's evolving hospitality market, leveraging IHG's brand strength and systems for long-term asset performance.