Hotel Openings

🏨 The Tawny Hotel in Staffordshire introduces the ‘Owlets’—five redesigned family cottages from historic farm buildings. Named after British butterflies, they offer 1-4 bedrooms, private gardens, a BBQ, and a Jacuzzi spa bath. Guests enjoy a year-round heated swimming pool and family activities like a giant chess board. The cottages, blending heritage and modern luxury, feature handmade cabinetry and Coralie basins. The farmhouse, Meadowfold, dates back to the 17th century.

🏨 The Zetter debuted a 68-bedroom hotel in London’s Bloomsbury, transforming six Georgian townhouses between Russell Square and the British Museum. The 13,760 sq ft space incorporates Victorian and Georgian design by James Thurstan Waterworth, featuring a 1,000 sq m British-Japanese garden by the Rich Brothers. It blends antiques, art, and global textiles. The interior took four years, with contributions from British artisans and global auctions. Modern amenities include an outdoor yoga terrace and seasonal BBQ area.

🏨 Frasers Hospitality plans to open 18 new serviced and hotel residences across Asia by 2028, with a flagship Fraser Suites in Bangkok debuting in late 2026. This expansion is driven by increased demand for long-stay accommodations. In 2023, two properties will start operations, contributing to seven new openings this year. New additions in Malaysia and Vietnam are expected by 2026. Frasers leverages evolving regional travel and work patterns to reinforce its presence.

🏨 Marriott International plans nine deals in Greece, adding nearly 1,000 rooms. Currently, Marriott has 47 properties and 6,000+ rooms in Greece. New brands include Residence Inn and Le Méridien. Debuting in 2027, Residence Inn Athens will offer 57 rooms. Le Méridien Sissi Crete will feature 229 rooms, opening in 2027, while Milatos Marriott Resort Crete will provide 314 rooms by 2028. In 2026, Tribute Portfolio The Tenant, Heraklion, and Orosea, Paros, will open with 40 rooms each.

🏨 In 2009, St. Thomas Augustinian Monastery in Prague was converted into a luxury hotel by Waldeck Capital and Raiffeisen Evolution. Managed by Rocco Forte's group until 2012, ownership later shifted to Raiffeisen, then GledenInvest under Marriott's Autograph Collection. Kempinski acquired the hotel, marking their first purchase since 1970, aligning with a new capital-intensive strategy. The 101-key hotel, nestled in Malá Strana, will undergo refurbishment and be rebranded under Kempinski by 2026.

📍 Clarence Gardens Hotel joined BWH Hotels in March 2025, improving brand visibility and increasing guest inquiries. Highlights include a 35% YTD brand share increase, 31% of bookings from BW Rewards customers, and a peak-season occupancy rise from 72% to 85%. Operational improvements include a 30% reduction in booking errors and 15% cost savings. Inverness Palace Hotel rebranded under WorldHotels, benefiting from a multi-million-pound refurbishment. Best Western Hotel de Havelet achieved SILVER REST accreditation, enhancing sustainability and boosting commercial impact.

🏠 In a strategic move, Chedi Hospitality partners with JIH Global Investments LLC to launch a boutique hotel and branded residences in the Maldives. This endeavor, driven by Chedi’s philosophy of understated luxury, aims to blend privacy and architectural elegance. Stephan Schupbach (Chedi Hospitality) and Mohamed Ali Janah (JIH Global) emphasize this development as a landmark in luxury hospitality, leveraging their expertise to redefine island living experiences.

🍴 Belfast-born chef Conor Gadd opens "Burro" in Covent Garden, London, designed by Day Studio. The 100-cover restaurant combines Italian and Irish influences, aiming for a welcoming, non-nostalgic feel. Unique features include centrally arranged banquette seating, burgundy marble and timber bar, and 100 mid-century chairs sourced from a Czech convent. Artworks by Irish painter Dan Ferguson and others adorn the walls. Helmanis designed the space, drawing on her previous work on Trullo in 2010.