Hotel Openings

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation reopened the Sonesta Essential Houston Hobby Airport in Newton, Massachusetts. This 131-room upper-midscale hotel is near William P. Hobby Airport and seven miles from downtown Houston. This marks Sonesta’s third hotel opening in Greater Houston in 2026. Sonesta Essential features include elevated bedding, high-speed complimentary WiFi, complimentary hot breakfast, all-day coffee, and a fitness center. The brand emphasizes easy new builds and conversions with flexible operational frameworks.

🏖 Hilton will convert Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina into Hilton Key West Resort & Marina on Stock Island, Key West, Florida, with reservations open from July 1, 2026. Owned by Sunstone Hotel Investors, the resort offers 175 guestrooms, including 86 suites, with private balconies. Amenities include dining venues, multiple pools, and recreational activities. A complimentary shuttle connects guests to downtown Key West. The resort features a 570 sq. ft. boardroom and a 1,140 sq. ft. outdoor patio for events.

🏨 Anchor Construction broke ground on the AC Hotel by Marriott CityCentre Houston, a six-story, 153-room hotel in West Houston, Texas, on a project valued at $19 million. The development, led by PA Hospitality and designed by DLR Group, spans 85,810 square feet, including a pool, bar, fitness center, and meeting space. Completion is anticipated in late 2027, with Anchor Construction overseeing the transition from planning to construction.

🌊 At the EHL HumanX Summit in Lausanne, Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, discussed the brand's vision. In 2024, she assumed leadership of the luxury ocean travel brand. Explora I launched in 2023, Explora II in 2024, with a full fleet of six ships by 2028. Notably, 30% of guests are first-time sailors. Explora focuses on "ocean travel" instead of "cruising," offering an all-inclusive experience emphasizing time and ocean wellness.

🏨 After a seven-year restoration, Casa Bonavita opened in Attard, Malta, envisioned by the Rug Company's Christopher and Suzanne Sharp. The 17-room retreat blends historical charm with modern design, showcasing Sicilian marbles and Murano glass. The hotel features lush gardens cultivated over 15 years, two pools, a hammam, and dining by chef Dex Oseman. A highlight is the Folly Suite, a private villa-style sanctuary with a rooftop terrace and pool.

📖 North Lakes Hotel and Spa in Penrith completed a £760,000 refurbishment of 22 bedrooms in six weeks, including bathroom remodels and furnishing updates. The hotel, off the M6 motorway and owned by Thwaites, also renovated its Hartside meeting room. Using blues, greens, and neutrals inspired by the Lake District, the refurbishment aims to enhance guest experience. The project follows a 2024 conference space update and emphasizes bespoke details and continuous investment.

🎲 Professionals at Play will open a new Roxy Ball Room in London’s Old Street in July 2026. This 13,500 sqft venue, previously a Bounce site, will house competitive socializing attractions like American Pool, Duck Pin Bowling, and Karaoke. Founded in 2013 by Matt and Ben Jones, Roxy Leisure operates 19 venues nationwide. The Old Street site marks its second London location, joining the St Mary Axe site, with expansion into Holborn planned later in the year.

📍 Dakota Manchester Airport's £54 million hotel opens on July 1st, near Manchester Airport's terminals. Featuring 154 rooms and suites, the hotel includes a Bar & Grill, private dining, a Champagne Room, and an outdoor cigar terrace. Designed as a destination, it offers travelers a luxurious experience before flights. The hotel emphasizes understated sophistication with rich leather, dark timbers, and warm lighting, aiming for a seamless blend of service and atmosphere.

🍽 We Are Ona's founder unveils an innovative hospitality concept in Arles, France. The new venture blends temporary dinners with design-focused events. This ambitious initiative aims to create unique dining experiences, drawing from the founder's expertise in crafting ephemeral culinary and design events. The project expands on the founder's previous success in orchestrating temporary dining experiences, setting the stage for a fresh, creative approach to hospitality in Arles.

🏨 Mortenson Development (MDI) will begin construction on a dual-brand AC Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott near the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 15, with completion expected by Summer 2028. The 233,330-square-foot property will feature 397 rooms, including 237 AC Hotel rooms and 160 Residence Inn suites. Designed by PK Architects and Wild Muse Interiors, amenities include meeting spaces, a fitness center, a rooftop pool, and a lounge.