Hotel Openings

📍 IHG Hotels & Resorts launched Garner in August 2023, a midscale conversion brand, signing 76 properties in the first half of 2024, 58 in Europe. Globally, 41% of IHG's openings and 55% of signings in early 2024 were conversions. Garner Hotel Reading Centre (53 rooms) and Garner Hotel Preston Samlesbury (80 rooms) in the UK are set to open by late 2024. Garner is expanding in Germany with over 50 hotels, including in Hamburg, Mannheim, Berlin, and a new 245-room property in Hamburg's Usedomstrasse. In Austria and the Netherlands, Garner debuts with a 106-room hotel in Vienna and a 165-room hotel in Maastricht, respectively. A 126-room Garner property will open in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2025. As of June 30, 2024, Garner has 79 properties globally with four operational.

🍳 Wild Eggs, established in Louisville in 2007 with 16 locations, acquires St. Louis-based Crazy Bowls & Wraps (founded in 1994 with 16 stores). A Wild Eggs site in Louisville, KY, will serve as a Crazy Bowls & Wraps virtual kitchen from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., leveraging third-party delivery for bowls, wraps, and salads. PG Growth Opportunities Fund bought Wild Eggs in early 2023, aiming for regional presence and nationwide expansion. The merger offers new franchising opportunities in eight states for both brands.

🍴 CH Projects opened Leila, a 4,800-square-foot restaurant in San Diego's North Park, on July 31. Designed to resemble Marrakesh markets, it features a bridge over pools, hanging lanterns, and a starry ceiling. Arsalun Tafazoli, CH Projects founder, inspired by his Middle Eastern travels, aims to showcase regional flavors and communal dining. Leila's menu includes shareable mezze, breads, salads, and proteins like steak and salmon kebabs. The beverage program highlights regional flavors, offering shared cocktails and a two-person drink menu. CH Projects is also developing Baby Grand, a new hotel opening in early 2025.

🏡 Loews Hotels & Co will open Universal Helios Grand Hotel on May 22, 2025, with reservations starting October 22, 2024. This addition grows Orlando's hotel portfolio to 11 properties and 11,000 rooms. The $550 million Loews Arlington Hotel in Texas recently opened with 888 rooms. IHG’s Regent brand relaunched in Los Angeles, opening Regent Santa Monica with 167 rooms and a 10,000-square-foot Guerlain spa. U.S. hotel industry saw occupancy at 70.3% (+2.4%), ADR $166.88 (+1.4%), and RevPAR $117.28 (+3.8%), with New Orleans leading in performance gains. Kempinski Hotels to manage Kempinski Residences Bayil Bay in Baku, Azerbaijan offering 37 private homes.

🏡 Pharrell Williams, acclaimed musician and Louis Vuitton's men’s creative director, along with Mohari Hospitality and Omnam Investment Group, acquired Paris' historical Hôtel Saint-James & Albany in the 1st arrondissement. The joint venture between Mohari and Omnam, formed in July 2022, focuses on luxury hospitality, F&B, and leisure in Europe. Details of the transaction remain undisclosed; the hotel is undergoing extensive renovations. J. Allen Smith, CEO of Mohari, emphasizes innovative luxury hospitality projects and honoring the building's romantic heritage. Mohari, established by Mark Scheinberg in 2017, invests in luxury lifestyle and hospitality, including properties like Four Seasons Madrid and 1 Hotel Toronto.

🏡 The Ned Doha, located on Doha’s Corniche and housed in the former Ministry of Interior building, celebrates its 2nd anniversary as a premier Qatar hospitality destination. The third Ned Hotel globally and the first in the Middle East, it offers 90 bedrooms, seven restaurants, an outdoor pool, a spa, gym, and a 1800-square-metre event space. Cecconi’s, one of its restaurants, won the Italian Fine Dining Award. The Ned Doha features a unique art collection with over 350 pieces from 100 artists, including many from Doha and a majority of female artists. Exclusive Ned’s Club membership offers access to private spaces and perks across all Ned properties. For more information, visit thened.com, call +974 4406 1111, or WhatsApp at +974 5117 6558.

🌮 Tacodeli, established in Austin, Texas, in November 1999, marks 25 years with daily specials reintroduced, previously offered from 2003 until 2020. Chef Roberto Espinosa and Eric Wilkerson’s taqueria features five weekly taco specials and weekend ceviche. Special tacos include carne asado (Monday), chicken tinga (Tuesday), new brisket (Wednesday), scallops (Thursday), and steak chimichurri (Friday). $5 Margaritas and Ranch Waters are available until November 8, the brand’s 25th anniversary. Tacodeli has 14 locations and plans expansion in 2025, eyeing a Fort Worth opening. Salsas are sold in Whole Foods and H-E-B stores in Texas, with Salsa Doña being a popular choice since 2000.

🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corp. and China Resources Land (CR Land) formed a joint venture, expanding Hyatt’s presence in China. The strategic collaboration will develop and manage eight hotels under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and JdV by Hyatt brands, including six existing Mumian properties in Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Rizhao, plus two new hotels in Shaoxing and Shanghai. Additional key projects include Park Hyatt Xi’an and Andaz Dongguan. This move signifies a commitment to asset-light growth and serving high-end travelers in Hyatt's second-largest market.

🌮 Bella Italia, part of The Big Table Group, is expanding with a new outpost in Bristol's Aspects Leisure Park, a former Frankie & Benny's site. This marks the chain's fourth location in Bristol, joining others on Baldwin Street, Cribbs Causeway, and Filton. Bella Italia operates around 70 sites in the UK and has been experiencing high demand and sales surpassing peers, as reported by MCA. Despite lower sales volume, Bella Italia boasts higher profit margins than Frankie & Benny’s.

🌍 Silversea to open a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile by the end of 2025, enhancing Antarctica expeditions. The 150-key hotel, featuring a restaurant, bar, fitness center, and gift shop, aims to foster local community partnerships while minimizing environmental impact. As part of the Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea offers luxury Antarctic voyages and is unique in homeporting from Puerto Williams during the Antarctica season. Guests can fly from Santiago to Puerto Williams, bypassing the Drake Passage.