Hotel Openings

🏡 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.

💼 Jim Coffey has been promoted to senior vice president at Special Search International, focusing on digital strategy, CRM updates, and a new website launch. Jeff Bzdawka joined Hapi as president, previously CEO of Knowland and SVP at Hyatt. Jessica Werner is now chief creative officer at Sage Hospitality Group. Duane Schroder was promoted to chief growth officer at Waterford Hotel Group. The St. Regis Aruba Resort appointed Oliver Reschreiter as general manager. Marquis Los Cabos appointed Mauricio Quezada Reyes as general manager. The Eliza Jane named Michael Farquharson as managing director. MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa announced Eric Piacentine as executive chef.

🏡 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.

🏖️ Hyatt Place South Reno, constructed by Tolles Development with Pelzer Hospitality, has opened in Reno, Nevada. Managed by Azul Hospitality, the 132-room hotel offers mountain views, a 24-hour fitness and business center, outdoor patio and terrace, heated pool, golf club, ski storage, breakfast, and The Placery Restaurant. Located near Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and the Reno-Tahoe Airport, it is positioned as ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and business travelers. The Shayden Summit Mall, with new additions like Dave & Buster’s and Trader Joe’s, is also nearby.

🏡 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.

🏠 In Belgrade, Montana, Extended Stay America opened its Premier Suites Belgrade – Bozeman – Yellowstone Airport. Developed by Rimrock Companies and managed by HMC, the four-story hotel features 124 rooms with amenities like WiFi, breakfast, and fully equipped kitchens. Marking the brand's first entry into Montana, it caters to extended stay travelers near Bozeman and Yellowstone Airport, with proximity to attractions like Yellowstone National Park.

🏨 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.