Hotel Openings

🌴 Amanolu, Aman’s inaugural Maldives destination, is set to open in 2028. Located amid serene white beaches and turquoise lagoons, it features a 52-key resort and 16 exclusive residences. Each island home includes five bedrooms and an 82-foot pool, offering sunrise or sunset views. Amanolu will include wellness and activity islands, diving, snorkeling, and unique dining experiences, embodying peace and harmony with nature. Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, it emphasizes indoor-outdoor living.

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts and King Park Hotel Sdn. Bhd. signed a two-hotel agreement in Malaysia, marking IHG's franchise model launch. Garner Hotel Kota Kinabalu, with 202 rooms, rebrands in phases from 2027-2029. Holiday Inn Express Tawau, IHG’s first in Tawau, opens in 2028. IHG's portfolio expands to over 20 Malaysian hotels. Globally, Garner has 110 properties, while Holiday Inn Express has 3,300 hotels open and 660 in pipeline.

🏨 My Place Hotels relaunched Trend by My Place at its 2026 Miami convention. The three-tier platform targets conversions for modern select-service, extended-stay, and midscale properties. Franchisees benefit from My Place's commercial platform and Stay Rewarded loyalty program, driving over 50% of hotel revenue. An introductory royalty structure is available until December 31, 2026. Lodging Econometrics reports a 15% increase in hotel conversions and a 14% rise in construction starts year-over-year in Q2 2026.

🏖 Hotel Equities debuts Kimpton Tres Ríos, a 355-room all-inclusive resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, within a 340-acre nature preserve. Situated in Playa del Carmen, the resort features seven restaurants, five bars, and a 10,000-square-foot Kej Spa. Six restaurants and four bars will open this fall, with more to follow in 2027. Amenities include four pools, Club Aventuras for kids, and a two-story fitness center. The management team is led by Jorge Martinez.

🏠 In Belgrade, the Esthetic Joys Embassy (EJE) occupies a 1927 villa in Dorćol, designed by Serbian architect Branislav Kojić. Once an Iranian diplomatic mission, it now hosts a hotel, dining room, bar, and discotheque. Inspired by 1960s Yugoslav modernism, EJE features vintage JBL monitors and ichiran-style booths. Chef Andrey Balakhnov offers Asian-influenced dishes, while the cocktail menu includes creations like the Chinese Yuan and Japanese Yen. EJE is at Dobračina 39, Belgrade, Serbia.

🏨 Corinthia Group, in partnership with Carolina Partners Ltd., plans to develop a luxury project in Turks & Caicos on Grace Bay, commencing in 2027. The project will feature a 50-suite Corinthia hotel and branded residences, including beachfront villas, with amenities like a spa and beach club. Karen Cummings of Carolina Partners Ltd. has owned the land for 25 years. Corinthia Real Estate Ventures leads the project, expanding Corinthia’s portfolio in the Caribbean and North America.

📍 At the 2026 convention in Miami, My Place Hotels of America relaunched Trend by My Place with a three-tier system for independent hotel owners. This system offers conversion opportunities without high capital disruption. The U.S. hotel conversion market is up 15% year over year, with construction starts up 14%. An introductory royalty structure is available until December 31, 2026. Trend by My Place aligns with The Rivett Organization's broader strategy, supported by Brian Quinn, and aims to expand nationwide.

🏨 In 2021, Stonebridge added a dual-branded Courtyard and Element by Marriott Atlanta Midtown to its portfolio, featuring 282 rooms. Located in Midtown Atlanta, opposite the Fox Theatre, the property offers a vibrant cultural scene. Enhancements include the Ponce Room Bar & Kitchen and the Elements RISE breakfast, alongside a fitness center and 11,000 sq ft of event space. Stonebridge aims to elevate guest experiences and drive revenue through strategic marketing and management.