Hotel Openings

🏨 Fairview Hotel Nairobi, a 99-room boutique hotel in Kenya, becomes the first African property in IHG's Vignette Collection, which aims to have 100 hotels in 10 years. This urban oasis features 20th-century architecture, nine event spaces, and three restaurants. Vignette Collection, IHG's first collection brand, includes 27 open hotels and 41 in development globally. Guests benefit from the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, offering tailored rewards through its new mobile app.

🏨 Criterion Capital expands in London with Zedwell Underground Park Lane, a 133-room hotel in Mayfair, opened in 2025. As the second underground Zedwell hotel in the capital, it repurposes urban space to reduce environmental impact. Features include windowless “cocoons” and automated check-in. The company operates over 3,000 rooms in London, with plans for 6,000 more by 2029, extending to Oxford, Edinburgh, and Manchester, targeting leisure and business travelers.

🏠 SLS Residences Bangkok Sukhumvit 24, developed by Valanti Group in partnership with Ennismore, marks the first SLS-branded residences in Asia-Pacific. Scheduled to unveil in early 2026 in Bangkok's Sukhumvit 24, it promises world-class amenities and exclusive Accor Ownership Benefits. Following successes in Dubai, SLS aims to redefine luxury living in Thailand, enhancing Bangkok's status as a premier global luxury destination.

🏞 The Waterside Hotel, owned by SimpsInns, is expanding with a new £3m spa, creating 30 jobs in West Kilbride, Ayrshire. Opening in early 2026, the spa will feature six treatment rooms, a Rasul experience, thermal area, and outdoor facilities. The hotel, 40 minutes from Glasgow, will increase its room count from 23 to 40. SimpsInns emphasizes career development and staff benefits, including discounts at their facilities across Ayrshire.

🏖️ Rimrock Banff will reopen in summer 2026 as the first Emblems Collection hotel in North America, located in Banff National Park. The revamped resort will feature 320 redesigned rooms with mountain views, wellness amenities, and access to over 2,500 square miles of wilderness. Guests will enjoy four new culinary experiences and 18,000 square feet of event space, offering a unique blend of luxury and nature that redefines mountain hospitality.

🏨 Met Hotel Leeds reopens Gott’s Bar and Kitchen after a major refurbishment of its Grade II listed building, originally opened in 1899. The refurbishment, which began in 2023, preserved the terracotta façade and Victorian detailing while updating interiors such as the entrance and function rooms. The hotel now includes nine function rooms with modern facilities. The renovation emphasized sustainability with locally sourced materials. General Manager Mike Liddle highlights the blend of historic charm and modern hospitality.

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Newton, MA, announced the opening of 45 hotels under franchise with NPA, a private equity firm, in November. This expansion includes 30 Sonesta ES Suites, 14 Sonesta Select Hotels, and 1 Sonesta Simply Suites across 15 U.S. states. This follows Sonesta's 2024 plan to sell 113 managed properties, boosting their franchise portfolio, which includes 62,444 rooms across 886 properties by September. NPA plans to add 10 more properties over 36 months.

🏨 Kennedy 89, Hyatt's first full-service hotel in Frankfurt, opened in the Sachsenhausen district, inspired by John F. Kennedy's 1963 visit. The hotel has 180 rooms, including 69 suites, the most in the city. It's a 10-15 minute journey from Frankfurt International Airport. From July 2026, Jack's Rooftop Bar will open. The hotel offers dining at Eighty Nine Restaurant & Bar and KaSa Lounge & Bar, and features a 24-hour fitness studio and four meeting rooms.

JW Marriott Las Vegas and Rampart Casino rebrand as The Resort at Summerlin, effective January 1, 2026, following a $75 million renovation.New guest rooms measure 560 sq ft; 98 rooms have balconies.Dining additions in 2025 and 2026 include ventures by chefs Fabio Viviani and Shawn McClain.Casino updates feature new High Limit Rooms.Caesars Sportsbook to open early 2026 with advanced tech and 20 betting kiosks. 🏠