Hotel Openings

🏨 Watkin Jones partners with Latium Enterprises to develop a 294-unit hotel in Wimbledon, announced on December 23, 2025. Located on Worple Road, the 11-storey hotel will include amenities such as a lounge, gym, co-working space, and café. The project aims for BREEAM Excellent certification and is set to complete by summer 2028. This is their second collaboration, following a 2025 project on New Kent Road, London.

🏨 RBH Hospitality Management, a leading UK company, will operate Ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile in 2026, expanding its partnership with Accor and starting a new one with Legal & General. The hotel, located in Edinburgh's heart, features 99 rooms and an on-site bar and restaurant. It marks RBH's sixth Ibis property and builds on its Edinburgh portfolio, which includes The Edinburgh Grand and others since July 2025.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group has relaunched the Radisson Hotel Chateau de Bangkok in the Ploen Chit district, offering 178 rooms and three dining spots. Located at 29 Soi Ruamrudee 1, it provides panoramic views, a fitness center, pool, and event spaces for up to 250 guests. Just 400 meters from the BTS Skytrain Ploenchit station and 30-40 minutes from major airports, it's ideal for exploring Bangkok's vibrant offerings.

🏨 Magdalena 1163, a boutique hotel, opened in Condado, Puerto Rico, by María Isabel Esteve and Carlos López-Lay. The hotel offers 10 suites and features an art selection reflecting Caribbean culture. The rooftop includes a lounge and a meeting room for up to 40 and 10 people, respectively. Guests enjoy 24/7 communication via Kipsu. Renovation costs were $7 million, with an initial staff of six. Located near the beach, it partners with local restaurants for culinary experiences.

🏡 In 2026, Max von Werz Architects revitalized Casa C, a 1913 French-style house in Mexico City's Roma Norte, in collaboration with artist José León Cerrillo. The renovation preserved ornate external features and introduced modernist elements to the interior. The house features a three-story atrium, custom metalwork, and a rooftop garden. Unique aspects include peach-colored steel-framed French doors and green terrazzo. The project reflects a blend of historical preservation and contemporary design.

🏖️ This fall, Marriott Bonvoy launched a new digital platform called Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors, connecting travelers with over 450 hotels and 50,000 Homes & Villas. It supports activities like glamping, hiking, and surfing. 75% of Marriott Bonvoy members took an outdoor trip last year, with 80% wanting more. The brand introduced Postcard Cabins and Trailborn Hotels, offering unique stays in the U.S. A promotional challenge with Dylan Efron awarded 10,000 points to the first 50 participants.

🏨 Hilton Milwaukee, Wisconsin, completed a $42 million renovation, updating its 1920s architecture. The project included a refreshed lobby and bar, 554 restyled guestrooms, and over 34,000 square feet of renovated meeting spaces. Guest rooms now feature Art Deco-inspired furnishings, motion-sensor lighting, and premium Kohler fixtures. The renovation preserves the hotel's legacy while welcoming new visitors for leisure, business, or conferences at the expanded Baird Center.

🏨 Lark Hospitality, alongside the Duettra family, will relaunch The Faust Hotel in New Braunfels, Texas, in spring 2026 after renovations. Originally opened in 1929, it will feature 45 rooms, including 6 corner suites and 9 junior suites. The hotel will include the restaurant Wilhelm & Werner, the Prince Solms Lobby Bar, and a speakeasy named Walter’s. The property retains its historic Spanish Colonial Revival style and includes a 2,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom.

🏨 Driftwood Capital completed an $11 million renovation of the Marriott Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle Park, a 226-key hotel in Durham, N.C., announced on Dec. 30, 2025. The project, in partnership with Hospitality Project Advisors, included room updates, an M Club lounge, an expanded meeting space, and a VTAC system upgrade. Located at 4700 Guardian Drive, the hotel serves nearby companies like IBM and universities, enhancing its appeal as a business and leisure destination.

🌎 Frequent traveler visited 128 countries and aims for 150. They stay over 4 hours per country, including Vatican City. They're loyal to one hospitality loyalty program for points and discounts but feel trapped despite top status. This traveler encounters limited choices due to loyalty program constraints. The hotel industry faces loyalty fatigue, needing diverse options to engage consumers beyond luxury-seeking Baby Boomers, and considering new strategies like branded credit cards to enhance customer loyalty and experience.