Hotel Openings

🏨 Zedwell plans to open a hotel in central Oxford, occupying the six-storey Oxenford House, a 22,000 sq ft site near the Ashmolean Museum. Oxford sees over 7 million visitors yearly, supporting innovation in biosciences, healthcare, and technology. The hotel will feature fully automated services, soundproof rooms, and AI-powered WhatsApp assistance. Aiming for 9,000 rooms by 2028, Zedwell continues its UK expansion, says Head of Hotels Halima Aziz.

🚢 In late summer 2026, Les Bateaux Belmond will launch Marguerite, a refined floating villa in Burgundy with four double suites, accommodating eight guests. Inspired by the region's golden marguerite fields, it offers bespoke itineraries, a private plunge pool, and dining by Michelin-starred Chef Dominique Crenn. Marguerite’s design blends elegance with artisanal Burgundy elements, featuring an open-plan salon and an expansive outdoor deck for an immersive journey through Burgundy's landscapes and culture.

🏨 Celebrating 40 years, Harcourt Hotels, led by Pat Doherty OBE, launched the Harcourt Collection book, showcasing five luxury hotels across four countries and two continents. Established in 1986 with a 15-room hotel in Donegal, the collection includes Titanic Hotels in Belfast and Liverpool, Lough Eske Castle, Redcastle Hotel & Spa, and Carlisle Bay in Antigua. Known for unique architecture and heritage, the hotels reflect Pat's vision for luxury and cultural richness.

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts' Garner Hotels reached 100 open hotels globally by August 2023, becoming the fastest IHG brand to scale. With a pipeline of nearly 80 hotels across 12 countries including the U.S., Mexico, and Japan, Garner saw 52% of IHG room openings in 2025. Supported by flexible development and competitive costs, Garner opened 23 hotels in the Americas and 43 in EMEA in 2025, with notable debuts in Mexico, Italy, and Japan.

🏨 Denver, Colorado—The Curtis, a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, updating all 13 themed floors and suites with new designs curated by NINE dot ARTS. Guests enjoy interactive elements, smart TVs in Hilton Connected Rooms, and upgraded WiFi. The hotel features over 30,000 square feet of revamped meeting spaces and Denver’s largest outdoor hotel meeting space. Lizzie Raudenbush, the general manager, led this transformation, emphasizing a playful guest experience.

🏨 Ascend Collection, part of Choice Hotels, reached its 500th property milestone with openings in Downtown Hollywood, Florida, and Seneca Falls, New York. The Harrison Hotel offers 95 rooms and amenities, while The Gould Hotel has 48 rooms in a historic setting. As of March 2, 2026, the brand has a 70-property pipeline, expanding in Europe, Canada, Africa, and Latin America. A partnership with SSAW Hotels in China will add 9,500 rooms.

🏨 Central Beach Leisure, led by John and Elishar Westhead, revamped Blackpool's Royal Carlton Hotel into a luxury boutique hotel with a £3.5m investment. Acquired in March 2025, the hotel opens on 11 April, featuring 38 refurbished rooms and the new restaurant XI. The company has invested over £15m in the region, with 35 suites available and 45 more launching in May. Properties include Park Road Suites and Pleasure Beach Apartments.

🏨 Point A Hotels is set to open a 206-room hotel at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, in summer 2026. The hotel, designed by Leisure Concepts and Maith Design, includes 148 double rooms and 58 twin rooms. It features historical elements like a restored helix staircase and will use air source heat pumps for sustainability. This development marks Point A's second Edinburgh location, adding to its presence in the UK’s dynamic hotel market since 2019.