Hotel Openings

🏒 Tim Love's Stewart's Croquet & Cocktails opened on May 12 in Fort Worth, Texas, featuring an 1,100 sq ft building seating 28 inside and a 15,000 sq ft outdoor area with two croquet courts for 12 players each. Situated next to Hotel Otto and Gemelle, the venue offers luxury bar food and a roving Martini cart. A Houlihan Lokey report notes 78% of millennials prefer "eatertainment" venues, reflecting their growing popularity and profitability.

🏨 May 2025, Basford Estate: The Tawny expands with Bath House and Owlets cottages. Bath House, a Grade II listed property built in the 19th century, features a heated pool, sauna, and accommodates up to 10 guests from £1,000 per night. Renovated by Louise Platt Interiors, it offers luxury experiences. Owlets, launching winter 2025, includes five cottages catering to various group sizes. Both estates are near RSPB Consall Woods Nature Park in Staffordshire.

🏠 US: In June 2026, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts will open The Harriman in Ketchum, Idaho, featuring 73 hotel rooms and 12 penthouses. Located near Bald Mountain’s River Run, the resort includes a spa, fitness center, restaurant, and event spaces. Named after W. Averill Harriman, the project is led by Andrew Blank and Jack Bariteau with designs by Hornberger+Worstell and others. The Harriman celebrates Sun Valley’s heritage and future.

🌴 Angsana Velavaru in South Nilandhe Atoll launches a comprehensive wellness yoga program in May, offering free morning and afternoon classes in yoga techniques like Sunrise Flow and Hatha Yoga. From June 13-15, Shubhangi Chauhan, a holistic wellness coach, will lead a special residency for Global Wellness Day, with activities including breathwork and a Wellness Circle. The program emphasizes personal connection and mindfulness, with options for private sessions and spa treatments rooted in Asian traditions.

🏖️ Ennismore partners with Vivium to launch Luura under Morgans Originals in Paros, Greece, April 2026. Luura Cliff, a 39-room hotel, will open on the island's west side, followed by a 45+ room boutique hotel on the east in 2027. Amenities include a sunset cliff bar, private chapel, spa, fitness facilities, and beach access. F&B concepts from Rikas Hospitality Group and Paris Society will be featured. This marks Morgans Originals' first expansion outside the UK.

🏨 In 2022, Andy and Lindsey Lampard transformed a 19th-century merchant's house in Driffield, East Yorkshire into The Highfield House. Originally a wedding venue, it now includes the 2 AA Rosette restaurant 1864, The Library Bar, and Yarn. Spanning eight acres, it boasts restored features and local arts. Won Remarkable Hotel of the Year twice at the REYTAs. Driven by sustainability and personal touches, the hotel embodies luxury intertwined with heritage and community.

📰 UK: Entries for the 2025 Independent Hotel Show Awards are open. When? October 6, at Olympia London. Categories include Hotel Rising Star, Hotel Design of the Year, and Independent Hotel of the Year. How? Hosted with Preferred Hotels & Resorts. In 2024, Grove of Narberth won Independent Hotel of the Year, highlighting team dedication. Glenn Wallace and Brenda Collins emphasize innovation and excellence in independent hotels. Submit entries [here](https://www.independenthotelshow.co.uk/awards).

💪 Meliá White House in London unveils a state-of-the-art gym in partnership with TechnoGym, as part of a £40 million renovation completed in 2023. Strategically located near Regent’s Park and Oxford Street, it features advanced fitness equipment, free weights, and yoga spaces. Jakob Gowin, General Manager, emphasizes the hotel's commitment to wellness and luxury. The new gym enhances the hotel’s premium offerings, catering to diverse fitness needs and preferences.

🏨 Líbere Hospitality Group (LHG) will launch its first UK property, a 44-unit hotel on Edgware Road, London, in May 2025. LHG, founded in 2019, operates over 1,900 units across 50+ properties in Southern Europe, expanding to 1,200 units by 2025, a 135% increase from 2024. LHG's asset-light model focuses on tech-driven, design-led accommodations. The company targets strategic urban markets, expecting a 66% annual growth, aiming for a 3,000-unit pipeline.

🏖 Shinta Mani Mustang, located in Nepal’s Lower Mustang, opened in August 2023 with 29 suites designed by Bill Bensley. The architecture by Prabal Shumsher Thapa uses local stone, blending with the Himalayan landscape. Featuring Nepalese handcrafted interiors, the resort incorporates sustainable practices by upcycling materials. The design includes 2,000 apple and apricot trees, offering activities like trekking and yoga, while maintaining harmony with local culture and the environment.