Hotel Openings

🏫 Hilton announces the launch of Undergraduate by Hilton, targeting college markets with plans for 400-500 hotels. The first property will open in 2027. Aimed at travelers in college towns, the brand will feature flexible designs and social spaces. By 2028, Hilton plans to expand to 700 Lifestyle hotels globally, with 60 openings in 2026. The initiative seeks to provide tailored stay experiences aligned with local campus cultures, supporting long-term growth and owner value.

🏨 Hilton launched its 27th hotel brand, Undergraduate by Hilton, on Monday, targeting smaller college towns. Designed to be more cost-effective than its Graduate brand, which Hilton acquired in 2024 for $210 million, Undergraduate offers fewer amenities. The first hotel is projected to open in 2027, with plans for 400 to 500 locations. Positioned in the upper-midscale segment, it serves students, parents, alumni, sports fans, and conference guests, complementing Hilton's nearly 60 Graduate hotels.

📍 Ruby Hotels will launch its first New York City location in a renovated 18-story building on Avenue of the Americas, opening in 2027. The hotel will feature 187 rooms and a 24/7 lobby bar, managed by Aimbridge Hospitality and owned by AC Developers. Founded in Germany in 2013, Ruby Hotels is expanding, with plans for over 120 global hotels in the next decade. Part of IHG, Ruby also prepares for a Chicago launch in 2027.

🏨 Voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow reopened after a fire on March 8, 2026, damaged the nearby "Union Corner" building. The fire led to a partial collapse and months of site clearing. Core areas are fully operational, with some restoration ongoing. Safety cordons have been lifted and all food and beverage services resumed, including a new cocktail menu at Champagne Central. Originally opened in 1883, the hotel has hosted figures like Winston Churchill and JFK.

🏢 Derby-based Morrison Design completed a refurbishment of The Sloane Club in Chelsea. Led by architects Peter Newman-Earp and Les Witten, the project modernized the club while preserving its historic charm, focusing on creating an all-year-round terrace and enhancing guest flow. Technical challenges arose from working in the 19th-century structure. Additions include a wellness suite and accessible features. The terrace, a central hub, adapts for versatile use, enhancing the club's atmosphere. Both architects have personal favorite spaces within the club.

🏨 RBH Hospitality Management adds Radisson Hotel, Liverpool to its portfolio, expanding its presence in Liverpool with 194 refurbished rooms. Located by the River Mersey, the hotel features an on-site bar, restaurant, and event spaces. This strengthens RBH’s partnerships with global hospitality groups like IHG, Marriott, Hilton, and Accor. CEO David Hart highlights the strategic growth in key UK cities, while Stonemoss Hospitality Asset Management acknowledges RBH's operational expertise for long-term success.

🏨 Hutton Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee, joins Marriott International's Tribute Portfolio and Marriott Bonvoy. A $40 million renovation included 246 redesigned rooms, a revamped lobby with Mimi's Bar, a new spa, fitness center, and Evelyn's dining. Head of Hospitality Michael Fishbin and Marriott VP Kyle Gagne emphasize the hotel's unique cultural ties to Nashville, aiming to enhance reach while maintaining its distinct local charm.

🌴 Set to debut this summer, Tierras Villas is a family-conceived retreat by Omicron Hotels, located on Crete’s Mononaftis beach near Agia Pelagia. Led by Ioannis and Nikolaos Orfanaki, the villas showcase Mediterranean-inspired architecture. Five villas, including Villa Roe with an elevated pool and Villa Terra with a patio for gatherings, offer privacy and luxury. Features include private pools, modern kitchens, and wellness services with access to Acro Suites’ Bath House Spa.

🍴 Concord Hospitality's recent openings include Cork & Crust in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an Italian dining concept at the Oaklander Autograph Hotel, and Iris Rooftop Bar and The Vault in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Capitano, a coastal Italian restaurant, opened at Canopy by Hilton Washington D.C. The Wharf. Upcoming projects feature The Wren at Oberlin Hotel Raleigh in North Carolina and a rooftop restaurant at Hotel Beckworth in Charlotte, with VintEdge planned for Lyndhurst, New Jersey.