Hotel Openings

🍖 Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson opened AC Barbeque, a fast-casual barbecue restaurant, last week in Los Angeles at Westfield Century City. This venture extends their "Kings of BBQ" TV show and retail brand. Partnering with Robert Earl and chef Burt Bachman, they offer dishes like Riverfront Ribs and AC Chopped Brisket. Previously, they launched a campus kitchen at Jackson State University and a food truck at Howard University. Future plans include expanding and franchising.

🍴 Fish Cheeks, established in 2016, opened a new 2,200 sq ft location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Part of 55 Hospitality, it offers coastal Thai cuisine. The Brooklyn venue, designed by Space NY, features new dishes like tom yam noodles and marinated raw crab. Executive chef Dustin Everett, with experience from Momofuku Ssam Bar, leads the kitchen. Future expansions are planned, and 55 Hospitality will also debut Bub’s Bakery, an allergen-free concept, later this year.

🏠 Kronos Homes launched sales for 96 luxury residences at Salgados Resort, Algarve, Portugal. The residences include 42 Westin and 54 Marriott units, managed by Highgate Portugal. Located near Salgados Beach, each unit is fully furnished with a balcony. Amenities include pools, fitness centers, and an 18-hole golf course. Prices start at €675,000 for Westin and €330,000 for Marriott. With limited availability and growing demand, these properties offer a unique investment opportunity.

🏨 Wellbrook Hospitality rebranded Ambassadors Bloomsbury to The Memoir Club in May 2025. Located on Upper Woburn Place, the hotel features 100 rooms. The £7 million redesign by ICA Studio includes Apple TV, Nespresso machines, and eco-friendly amenities. The Adeline Restaurant serves Eastern-Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails inspired by Bloomsbury figures. Event spaces accommodate 300 guests for receptions or 264 for conferences. General Manager George Konstas highlights the blend of culture and innovation.

🏨 Sparcstudio re-launched The Brasserie at Sopwell House, Hertfordshire in May 2025 to elevate guest experiences. The redesign encourages longer stays and offers a space combining elegance with modern flair. Sopwell House, led by Hotel Director Rafi Bejerano, received Condé Nast Johansen's 2025 award for Best Recently Renovated Hotel. Key features include bespoke furniture, versatile seating, and ambient lighting. This follows Sparcstudio's 16-year collaboration with the Bejerano family, including the £14 million Cottonmill Spa project.

🏠 Permit Room, part of Dishoom, opened its first lodgings in May 2025 at 186 Portobello Rd, London. Housed in the historic Colville Hotel, originally from the mid-1860s, it features a 70-cover bar cafe, a 44-seat dining room, and two guest bedrooms. The venue, designed by Macaulay Sinclair, blends Bombay's bar culture with Victorian elements. More than 30 art pieces by South Asian artists enrich the space, led by Laura Newstead.

🐟 Fish Shop, part of Artfarm, opened in Ballater, Scotland, in 2023, quickly earning a Bib Gourmand award and a visit from King Charles III. A second location opened in Washington, D.C., on April 29, seating 180 inside with additional terrace seating and three private rooms for 10, 12, and 24 guests. The restaurant emphasizes fresh, ethically sourced seafood and sustainability in both menu and design. The D.C. location's menu is tailored to Mid-Atlantic seasonal availability, with a fish preparation room, and uses locally sourced meat and vegetables.

🎷 Downstairs At The Grand, Birmingham City Centre’s only late night jazz bar, opens on Friday 16th May, operating Thursdays to Saturdays from 10pm to 2am at The Grand Hotel Birmingham. It features live music with artists like Tom Seals, Dino Baptiste, Chris 'Beebe' Aldridge, Dana Gillespie, and Lisa-Marie Holmes. Joe Spinoza And Friends perform on the opening night, followed by a diverse lineup including The Voice Of Rafael Nannetti and Genevieve Jazz throughout May. The venue offers cocktails, wines, and a late-night food menu. Visit www.downstairsatthegrand.co.uk for more details.

🏨 BWH Hotels welcomes seven new independent hotels, including Best Western Sheffield City Hotel and The Kings Arms Hotel in Dorset, into its UK portfolio of over 230 properties. The group aims to add 100 hotels and reach 20,000 rooms by 2029. The new additions range from midscale to luxury, enhancing BWH's offerings. Each hotel benefits from global networking, marketing, and loyalty programs while maintaining independence. BWH operates in 100+ countries with 4,200 hotels.

🏠 Kronos Homes launches 96 branded residences at Salgados Beach, Algarve, Portugal. The properties, managed by Highgate Portugal, include 42 Westin and 54 Marriott residences, with prices starting at €675,000 and €330,000, respectively. Located 100m from the beach and 35 minutes from Faro Airport, these residences offer premium amenities like pools, spas, and golf. Ideal for investment, the Algarve is known for its beaches and golf courses, promising capital appreciation.