Hotel Openings

🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corporation plans expansions into 13 new destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East from 2025 to 2028, following strong 2024 Q3 performance in EAME: RevPAR +12.1%, ADR +5.8%, occupancy +3.8%. Growth includes new projects in Estonia, Iceland, Romania, Cape Verde, and Mauritius, with a global goal of 50 new hotels by 2026. Spain's portfolio grew from 4 to 55 hotels since 2020, boosted by acquisitions like Apple Leisure Group in 2021, Standard International in 2024, and a joint venture adding five Bahia Principe properties. Spain, second in global tourism with 85.2 million visitors in 2023 and $92 billion in revenue, expects the Thompson Sevilla opening by 2026.

🏨 Hilton announces two new properties in Amsterdam set to open in 2027: Home2 Suites by Hilton (128 rooms) and Hilton Garden Inn (156 rooms), marking the first for both brands in the Netherlands and Amsterdam, respectively. These hotels will be located in Aalsmeer, near Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and join the Hilton Honors loyalty program. Home2 Suites will offer extended stay facilities like fully equipped kitchens and pet-friendly amenities. Hilton Garden Inn will feature social spaces, meeting rooms, and a 24/7 self-service area. Both projects reflect Hilton's global expansion at airport locations and enhance the offering in the financial and business capital of the Netherlands.

📍 Western Addition Restaurant Group is expanding its Il Bracco Italian concept to Scottsdale, Arizona, marking its first venture outside Texas. The new location at Scottsdale Road and Rose Lane will feature a 5,000-square-foot indoor space and a 950-square-foot patio. With seating for 161 guests, including 10 patio tables and a 25-seat bar, the restaurant is set to open later this year. Construction begins this week, led by a design team that includes Kelly Wallace and Mary Lucille Quick. Il Bracco first opened in Dallas in 2019 and is led by Hillstone Restaurant Group alumni Robert Quick and Matt Gottlieb. The concept is known for housemade pastas, prime steaks, seafood, and a curated wine list.

🍔 Not a Damn Chance Burger (NADC), co-founded by professional skateboarder Williams and chef/restaurateur Frankland Lee in 2022, offers a menu with a $16 wagyu beef burger, $5 fries, and $8 "beast mode" fries. The chain aims for consistent quality across its seven locations in Austin (4), Houston, Chicago, and Denver—the latter opened in December 2024. The Denver spot was chosen due to Williams' affinity for the area and the availability of space in Larimer Square. Their concept emphasizes speed, targeting a 20-minute dining experience. Williams and Lee met through social media and bonded over food and skateboarding, which led to their business partnership.

🍴 Duro Hospitality opened its first concept, The Charles, in 2018 and now includes Mister Charles and a European-inspired steakhouse named The Chumley House, which opened on November 25 in Fort Worth. Partners Benji Homsey and Chas Martin have personal connections to the city. The Chumley House, occupying 3,500 square feet with 90 indoor seats and 25 outdoor, is located on Camp Bowie Blvd near new hotels and the Culture District. The menu features European cuisine with global influences, including Indian dishes, and offers a variety of steaks and a cocktail menu with wines from Napa, Bordeaux, and Burgundy.

🏡 Brach Madrid, a five-star luxury hotel by Evok Collection Group, opened its doors in December 2024 in Gran Vía, Madrid with design by Philippe Starck. The hotel boasts 57 rooms, including Superior, Deluxe, and Executive categories, and four suites on the upper floors. It features a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant led by chef Adam Bentalha, a cocktail bar, a French-inspired patisserie, and a wellness area with a 20-meter pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. Brach Madrid follows Brach Paris, which opened in October 2018 with 59 rooms. The next establishment, Brach Roma, will include 62 rooms and suites and the largest private pool in Rome.

🏡 Trafalgar St. James, a 5* lifestyle hotel in central London, opened Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar and a redesigned lobby as part of a £6m renovation. The hotel will add six new suites in February 2025, expanding beyond the existing 131 bedrooms and three iconic suites. The renovation by Design LSM aims to elevate guests' experience with luxurious design and exclusive amenities. Rockwell offers all-day dining and a curated wine list, complementing the hotel's renowned The Rooftop bar.

🏨 Holiday Inn Ratingen, operated by IHG and tristar GmbH, is set to open in Germany in the second half of 2025 after a full renovation. The hotel will offer 134 rooms, a restaurant, bar, five meeting rooms, and a 'Kids Stay & Eat Free' program. Located near Düsseldorf, Ratingen is convenient for business and leisure, with attractions like Königsallee and Kunstpalast museum nearby. IHG currently operates 220 hotels in Germany and has over 140 Holiday Inn properties, with plans to grow its portfolio further.

🛀 Solent Hotel and Spa in Fareham, part of Daniel Thwaites, completed a six-figure renovation of its wellness space in three months. The refurbishment includes a new pool hall, salt sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and storm shower with a design inspired by the coastal location. New wellness facilities aim to improve cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and respiratory health. Memberships for 2025 start at £46 per month, with a 15% discount on food and drink at FYR Restaurant in January and February, excluding February 14th and 15th. Nathan Chart and Gemma Barratt emphasize the inclusive and high-quality environment created for relaxation and wellness.

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts launches Garner brand in Asia Pacific with three new hotels in Osaka, Japan, offering affordable stays focused on convenience. Garner Hotel Osaka Honmachi Station, Honmachi Midosuji, and Honmachi Kita Semba each celebrate local culture and modern amenities. Opened after Garner's European debut in November 2024 and U.S. launch in 2023, aiming for 500 hotels in 10 years and 1,000 in 20 years in the U.S. Garner targets growth in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, U.K., and Turkey.