Hotel Openings

🏨 Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud will open two signature restaurants at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch in 2026. Smyth will lead Coreus, focusing on British seafood in the former First Sea Lord's residence, featuring a Whiskey and Seaweed bar. Boulud’s Café Boulud will offer French cuisine with a terrace overlooking The Mall and Buckingham Palace. The hotel will feature 100 rooms and suites and 17,500 sq ft of residences, located in a Grade I-listed landmark.

🏠 A £200m hospitality complex in Edinburgh is planned by The Social Hub on the Fountain Brewery site, vacant for 20 years. Part of a redevelopment by Buccleuch Property and Cruden Homes, it will include a 560-bed facility with extended-stay rooms, coworking spaces, and wellness amenities. Public consultations are set for December 8 and January 26 in Fountainbridge. The Social Hub opened in Glasgow in 2024, hosting over 600 events annually.

🏨 Minor Hotels expands Avani in Brisbane, Australia with Avani Living Queen's Wharf Residences. Opening in 2026, it offers 225 suites with kitchens and laundries. Located in Queen's Wharf, it targets both leisure and business travelers. Features include a lap pool, sauna, and wellness programs. This follows the announcement of Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, set for April 2026. Avani Living enhances space, comfort, and flexibility for short and extended stays.

🛌 Viewline Resort Snowmass, Colorado, has launched the Viewline Spa by RAKxa, a ski-in/ski-out wellness center inspired by RAKxa Wellness Spa in Bangkok. The spa features six treatment rooms, a couple's suite, a relaxation lounge, and more. Amenities include a eucalyptus steam room, heated pool, and 24-hour fitness center. The BallancerPro therapy and personalized treatments are available. Exclusive memberships offer winter season benefits. Visit [website](https://www.viewlineresortsnowmass.com/spa/) or call 970-923-8200 for details.

🏖️ Namron Hospitality, 2023, Baja California Sur: La Valise Los Cabos, fifth in the La Valise collection, is 25 miles from San José del Cabo. This 10-room hacienda, 15 years in the making, covers 12 acres overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Sustainable and solar-powered, it aims to preserve local ecosystems. Unique artworks and rare artifacts decorate the property. Culinary experiences highlight regional dishes, with a restaurant open to the public in 2026. Guests enjoy whale watching, snorkeling, and hiking.

🏨 Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham has completed a multi-million dollar renovation of its 242-room all-suite hotel, minutes from Downtown Birmingham. The updates include modernized guest suites, a vibrant atrium, upgraded 5,100 sq ft meeting spaces, refreshed pool, and fitness center. Located near top attractions like the Birmingham Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the hotel offers complimentary breakfast and evening reception. Ruth's Chris Steak House provides catering. Perfect for hosting events up to 320 guests.

🏖 Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa marks its 15th year with a refreshed design at Mai Khao Beach, Phuket, blending contemporary style with Southern Thai crafts. Set along Sirinat National Park, its villas and rooms evoke local heritage and the Andaman shoreline. Guests enjoy dining at Loca Vore, Sand Box, and Takieng, with activities like yoga, spa treatments, and guided island tours, including Kids' World and Dino Pool for families. Contact: +66 76 363 999.

🏨 Hampton by Hilton opened its first Cusco property, the third in Peru, alongside Lima San Isidro and Arequipa, with a $20 million investment. Located 500 meters from the Koricancha Temple, the 120-room hotel features free Wi-Fi, a wellness area, and a 24/7 market. Hilton has over 3,100 Hampton properties globally, with ~65 in the Caribbean and Latin America. Metro Hotels, a seasoned hotel developer, owns and operates the Cusco location.

🏨 The largest capsule hotel, Zedwell, opened in November 2025 in Piccadilly Circus, London, offering 1,000 sound-proofed, windowless ‘cocoons’ from £30 a night. Originating from Capsule Inn Osaka in 1979, this concept has expanded globally. The 18-35 age group is the main target, but it’s expanding to 25-40. Capsule hotels are becoming popular due to affordability, high-end hostel vibes, and central locations. Zedwell aims to disrupt London’s high accommodation costs.

🏨 Architect Hugo Toro reimagines Rome’s Fonseca Palace into the Orient Express La Minerva, blending French-Mexican style with historical charm. Located near the Pantheon, this hotel features a vaulted glass-ceiling lobby, 17th-century architecture, and Roman-inspired design elements. The hotel draws inspiration from its surroundings, incorporating patterns from the Pantheon and custom marble features. A marble statue by Rinaldo Rinaldi graces the main floor, maintaining a connection to its historical roots.