Hotel Openings

🏡 In the 1960s or 1970s, a 100-year-old farmhouse was “updated.” The family removed faux paneling and vinyl siding to reveal original features. The brothers refinished floors, beams, and brick, while the mother sourced antique furnishings. The writer, engaged in building Live Oak Lake in Texas, contributed a mural sketch for the barn. Morning Glory Farm was named for its wildflowers and unforgettable sunrises.

🍴 Haymarket opened June 27 in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, led by chef India Doris and managing partner Alex Pfaffenbach. The restaurant features a 60-seat dining room and a 15-seat bar with decor inspired by European aesthetics. The menu offers a mix of European and Caribbean dishes, including duck fat frites with caviar, salt cod fritters, and braised oxtail. Chris Figueroa crafts a cocktail menu focused on seasonal ingredients, with drinks like the Blue Jean Baby and Hay Barbie.

🏨 Accor has transformed the Grand Mercure The Vintage into Peppers Hunter Valley in Australia after a multimillion-dollar renovation. The brand, part of Accor's PM&E division, operates 27 hotels with 4,749 rooms across Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. The property features upgraded villas and a new reception area. Owned by Stevens Group and Accor Vacation Club, Peppers is reopening in its original location. A Mediterranean restaurant, Mezze, will soon complement the hotel’s offerings.

🏨 Elegant Hotel Collection adds four UK properties to its portfolio: Chateau Denmark, London; The Ebrington, Derry-Londonderry; Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond; The Shepherd, Mayfair (opening 2025). The brand aims to redefine luxury by focusing on individuality and authentic hospitality. Powered by HotelREZ, it offers members GDS distribution, direct booking support, and strategic consultancy, while reducing OTA dependency. The network includes 60 sales offices worldwide, enhancing visibility and revenue for its members.

🏨 Steigenberger Hotels GmbH has reopened the Europäischer Hof in Baden-Baden, reconnecting with its origins. The hotel, part of the Steigenberger Icon collection, features 126 rooms, 7 long-stay apartments, and a 1,300 square meter Vault Spa. Guests can enjoy three culinary venues and five multifunctional conference rooms. Located opposite the Kurhaus and casino, it also houses Germany's first Porsche Studio. This marks a new era for luxury in Baden-Baden.

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts will open Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum West Beach in Türkiye in mid-2026. Located near Turgutreis Marina, the 460-room resort will offer amenities like a large pool, spa, and conference area, enhancing IHG's 33 open and 17 pipeline hotels in Türkiye. The collaboration with Uslu Turizm reflects strategic growth in the leisure segment, offering access to local attractions and nearby Greek Islands, enhancing Bodrum's tourism appeal.

🏖 Europe and the U.S. are witnessing a surge in hotel conversions, with nearly 50% of July's openings being conversions. Marriott is expanding in Europe using this cost-effective, eco-friendly method. Coastal regions, particularly in Greece, Spain, and the U.S., see increased hotel openings due to summer demand. Emerging markets like Saudi Arabia and India also show growth, driven by rising local and international tourism. This trend highlights a shift in global hotel strategies towards conversions and coastal developments.