Hotel Openings

🏠 Canyon Equity LLC, led by CEO Robert Hee, unveiled Aman Residences, Amangiri, in Canyon Point, Utah, in December. The development includes 12 luxury homes set on 900 acres near the Colorado Plateau. Each home, designed by Masastudio, features four to eight bedrooms across five to 19 acres. Amangiri, a 34-suite resort, opened in 2009. Canyon Equity also owns the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Santa Fe and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji.

🏨 Diriyah Company and Midad Development have signed a $827 million joint agreement to develop the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Diriyah. Located in Diriyah, the project includes a 159-room hotel and residences, spanning 235,938 square meters. It is part of Diriyah’s broader hotel pipeline, featuring 40 planned luxury hotels across 76 square kilometers, including the Wadi Safar project, aiming to boost Saudi Arabia’s tourism and cultural profile.

🏖 Santa Barbara, California—The Milo, Hotel by the Sea, completed a multi-million-dollar renovation, updating 121 guestrooms and outdoor spaces. Formerly Hotel Milo, this oceanfront property had its last rebranding in 2014. Redesigned by DESIGN360unlimited, rooms now feature custom furnishings and heron-inspired wallcoverings. New amenities include courtyards and a Tiny Library. Guests enjoy two pools, a hot tub, and complimentary beach gear. General Manager Tanner Turner highlights the enhanced guest experience reflecting Santa Barbara’s coastal lifestyle.

📍 a&o Hostels acquired two hotel properties in Manchester's city center on Portland and Dickinson Streets, expanding to 44 European locations. The buildings, previously ibis and Novotel, cover 13,000 sq. meters with a 15-minute walk to the main train station. Post-£8.2 million renovation, they will offer 303 rooms and 1,218 beds by Q1 2027. Backed by StepStone and Proprium, a&o's €500 million plan added 5,500 beds in 2023. Manchester attracts 1.9 million visitors annually.

🏨 RIU Hotels expanded in London, opening Hotel Riu Plaza London The Westminster, its second site after the July 2023 launch of Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria. This 464-room hotel, 15 minutes from Victoria, is near Westminster landmarks. Built in 2003, refurbished in 2021, it joins RIU Plaza's urban portfolio, now 13 strong, including cities like New York and Berlin. Positioned near UK intelligence HQs, its design nods to espionage. Expansion in major cities continues with projects like a third New York hotel.

🏨 JMK Group plans a new 180-bedroom luxury hotel at 27–28 Clements Lane, London, near Monument. Construction starts in Q2 2026, opening in Q1 2028. The project emphasizes conservation and aims for BREEAM Excellent and LEED Gold certifications. It's JMK's fourth London hotel and first in the luxury segment. Upcoming openings in 2026 include hotels in Belfast and Dublin, plus a boutique hotel in Kensington. The project highlights restoration and sustainability.

🏨 The Midtown Hotel, MOD Collection by Sonesta has opened in Boston's Back Bay, offering 159 rooms at 220 Huntington Avenue. This marks Sonesta's second property in the Boston/Cambridge area and first in Back Bay. The MOD Collection, launched in 2023, emphasizes modern lifestyle travel with flexible, creatively designed accommodations. Guests can earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. Nearby attractions include The Prudential Center, Back Bay station, and Fenway Park.

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation opened Red Lion Inn & Suites Urbana on January 7, 2026, located at 1907 North Cunningham Avenue, Urbana, Illinois. The hotel features 127 guestrooms and is near the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and local attractions. Operated under the Red Lion Hotels brand, it targets travelers interested in campus activities and regional exploration. Guests can earn or redeem points via the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program, enhancing Sonesta's midscale portfolio in the U.S.

🏨 Duke University's basketball program, led by Coach K for nearly 45 years, influences Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. Omni, a vertically integrated company, operates around 50 properties, including the newly opened 801-room Omni Fort Lauderdale (December 2025). Celebrating 30 years under TRT Holdings, Omni is expanding with projects in Texas, North Carolina, and Mexico. Omni prioritizes guest experience over rapid expansion, with a $170 million renovation completed at The Omni Homestead in Virginia.