Hotel Openings

📌 Hilton, with Placemakr, introduces Apartment Collection by Hilton, launching in 2026. Initial locations include New York, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. The collection features furnished apartments, ranging from studios to four-bedroom units, with amenities like on-site laundry and fitness centers. Hilton plans to add 3,000 units to its 10,000 apartment-style inventory. Guests will benefit from Hilton Honors loyalty program. This move caters to the growing demand for apartment-style hospitality.

🏨 The Shilla Hotels & Resorts opens *Shilla Monogram Xi'an* on February 2nd, marking its first direct entry into China. Located in the Xi'an High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, the 22-story hotel offers 264 guest rooms and features a Korean restaurant *Lahyang*. The hotel capitalizes on Xi'an's cultural appeal and is positioned for both business and leisure guests. Launch offers include discounts up to 36%. More hotels are planned for Yancheng and Hanoi.

🌴 IHG Hotels & Resorts opens Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection in Noonu Atoll, marking the brand's Maldives debut. The resort features 50 villas, some with private pools, offering unique dining and wellness experiences. Open since 2021, Vignette Collection rapidly expands with 19 hotels and plans for 34 more. Stays start from USD 613++ per night. Commitment to local community includes coral regeneration and a Fisherman's Visit supporting schools.

🏝️ Eri Maldives, a new eco-chi resort, opened in the North Malé Atoll, just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. The resort features a natural island setting with a thriving house reef and accommodations in four categories, including Beach Pool Villas and Sky Studios. Guests can enjoy a 5-star PADI dive center, Eskape Spa, and three dining venues. The resort's philosophy emphasizes cultural immersion and mindful living, offering guests an authentic Maldivian experience.

🏨 Singapore, 2026: Banyan Group marks its growth with over 100 hotels and resorts, 140 spas, and 20 residences in 20+ countries. The group is expanding into Africa with openings in Tanzania and Benin. In the Caribbean, new resorts in the Dominican Republic. 2025 saw the opening of the 100th resort, Mandai Rainforest Resort, raising USD 468,000 for charity. They launched eight new residences, aiming for USD 1 billion in luxury projects in Phuket. Recognized in design and sustainability awards.

🌴 Bay Gardens Resorts will open Sapphire Sands Villas, a luxury beachfront property in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, in March 2026. This new venture includes the Moonstone Spa, emphasizing wellness through nature-inspired rituals. The spa offers treatments based on lunar phases, promoting relaxation and recovery. Guests can enjoy amenities like a fitness center, yoga pavilions, and 24/7 butler service. The spa supports local producers by using Caribbean botanicals and oils.

🏨 Mandarin Oriental takes over the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam today, marking its first hotel in the Netherlands. Located in the Museum Quarter, the venue first opened in 2011. Changes include refurbished guest areas, new culinary offerings, and a 1,000-square-metre spa. In 2026, Yotam Ottolenghi will open a new restaurant with a vegetable-led menu. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Amanda Hyndman, Susanne Hatje, and the Akirov family.

🏖 Emerson Hospitality plans to redevelop Black Creek Barns in Esopus, New York, into a 70-room luxury resort with a $38 million financing structure. Located 90 miles north of NYC, the resort is set to open in late 2027, featuring a 7,000 sq ft event hall, dining venues, and wellness amenities. Financing includes a $19 million loan from The LCP Group and a $19 million C-PACE facility. The project focuses on sustainability and adaptive reuse.

🏫 College of Charleston, January 2026, Charleston, SC – Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management launched, supported by Hotel Bennett founder Michael Bennett. Part of the College's School of Business, it aims to enhance hospitality leadership through executive engagement and experiential learning. Charleston, a major hospitality hub, offers students internships and industry connections. Bennett Hospitality, established in 1983, operates over 25 hotels in SC, GA, and MT.

🏨 Crescent Hotels & Resorts, through a collaboration with Whitestone Companies, has added the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel to its portfolio. Located in downtown Columbus, the 408-room hotel boasts a rooftop pool with skyline views and 22,500 square feet of event space. The partnership aims to enhance Crescent's presence in Columbus, blending global brand structure with local energy. This move is part of Crescent's expansion in the branded lifestyle segment.