Hotel Openings

🏨 Duke University's basketball program, led by Coach K for nearly 45 years, influences Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. Omni, a vertically integrated company, operates around 50 properties, including the newly opened 801-room Omni Fort Lauderdale (December 2025). Celebrating 30 years under TRT Holdings, Omni is expanding with projects in Texas, North Carolina, and Mexico. Omni prioritizes guest experience over rapid expansion, with a $170 million renovation completed at The Omni Homestead in Virginia.

🏖 Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica completed a major renovation in California, revamping 315 guestrooms and 15,000 sq. ft. of event space. Led by Waldrop + Nichols Studio, the redesign includes 11 event spaces, with the largest being the 4,526 sq. ft. rooftop Delfina Ballroom, accommodating up to 400 guests. A new restaurant, Coastal Harvest Bar & Kitchen, opened on Pico Boulevard. Updates also added Sunset Suites with balconies and hot tubs. The hotel offers a heated saltwater pool and easy access to Santa Monica's attractions.

🏨 Rock Hill, South Carolina, in collaboration with various partners, is set to open its first boutique hotel, The Lantern Hotel, in fall 2026. It will feature 56 guest rooms, a restaurant, bar, speakeasy, and event space. The project, led by Raines and designed to revitalize the historic Andrew Jackson Hotel site, focuses on employing individuals with disabilities through WinthropLIFE. This initiative reflects a commitment to community impact and inclusive hospitality.

🏨 Whitbread plans to open an 82-room Premier Inn on Bognor Road, Chichester, complementing an existing location at Gate Leisure Park. The site was purchased from Hanbury Properties, which prepared the land, including WWII fuel depot remediation. Construction begins in spring. Whitbread aims to expand in Sussex, operating 23 hotels across West and East Sussex by year-end. Premier Inn operates 840+ hotels with 86,000 rooms, targeting 125,000 across the UK and Ireland.

🏨 Your Place is launching Bower House, a 10-room hotel in Pimlico, London, in March 2026. This marks their third London property. Gabe von der Heyde has led the restoration and design, featuring antiques and bespoke artwork. Prices start at £120 per night, with breakfast bags and room service available. The family-run company focuses on restoring historic buildings for boutique stays. Founder Serena von der Heyde aims to provide stylish, quality accommodations at affordable rates.

🏨 Mollie's plans to open its first Scottish hotel at Edinburgh Park, covering 0.63 hectares. The proposal includes 207 rooms, a diner, and a bar. The project could create 455 construction jobs and £38.6m GVA annually. After opening, 69 jobs and £3.3m GVA are expected yearly, with 120,888 visitor nights. The site is chosen for its transport links and proximity to Edinburgh Airport. The development follows sustainability standards, aiming for B Corp certification.