Hotel Openings

🏨 Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) marked its 35th anniversary in 2025 by adding 100 new member hotels, surpassing 650 properties across over 90 countries. In 2026, new openings include Niva Labriz Seychelles, Shanghai Muh Shoou Zhujing in China, The Landmark Rhodes in Greece, and THE PASONA in Japan. In Australia, Levantine Hill Hotel will open, as well as Sanctuary Rainforest Resort in Dominica. SLH’s partnership with Hilton celebrated its first anniversary in July 2025, boosting revenue by 18%.

📑 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation opened 45 hotels in November under franchisee NPA. These include 30 Sonesta ES Suites, 14 Sonesta Select Hotels, and 1 Sonesta Simply Suites, spread across 15 states. This expansion is part of a planned sale of 113 managed properties. By 2024, Sonesta aims to add 10 more properties, totaling 14,803 rooms in 28 states. NPA aligns with Sonesta for their industry expertise and market knowledge.

🏨 Travelodge expanded significantly in 2025, opening 21 hotels and adding over 1,800 rooms in the UK. New builds were in Skegness, Harwich, London Beckenham, and Chiswick, while 17 hotels were acquired and rebranded. Nine hotels were upgraded, with more to follow in 2026. Projects include a 182-room hotel in Cardiff and developments in Douglas and Watford. Internationally, new acquisitions in Madrid and Bilbao are planned for 2026-2027. Sustainability features were emphasized in new builds.

🏖 Centara Hotels & Resorts will open its first Nepal property, Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, in January 2026. Located in Kaskikot, 35 minutes from Pokhara, this resort offers 42 rooms, suites, and villas. Guests can engage in activities like yoga, trekking, and paragliding. Facilities include restaurants, a pool, and a rooftop terrace. The resort is part of The Centara Collection, known for unique hotels. For more details, visit [centarahotelsresorts.com](https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/the-centara-collection/amn).

🏨 Scottish hospitality operator Buzzworks will acquire the Nether Abbey Hotel in North Berwick in mid-January, marking its first venture into accommodation. The hotel, a family-run establishment for over 60 years, will undergo a seven-figure refurbishment, transforming it into a venue with 12 rooms, a pub, and a restaurant. Construction is set for spring 2026, with reopening in late 2026. The redevelopment will create 25-45 jobs, retaining current staff during refurbishment. Buzzworks aims to expand its presence in East Lothian.

📍 Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the grand opening of Hyatt Place Busan Yeonsan, the first Hyatt Place in Yeonsan, Busan, South Korea. This addition brings the total to six Hyatt Place properties in South Korea. The hotel offers 160 guestrooms with city views, smart TVs, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The Placery dining space offers a diverse menu. The design by RMSJ features modern Korean aesthetics. Conveniently located near Yeonsan Station, it offers easy access to Busan's business districts.

🏨 Hilton signs DoubleTree by Hilton Kintele in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, enhancing Central Africa presence. Opening in 2026, the hotel will offer 200 rooms, fitness center, spa, and river-view dining. Integrated with West Africa's largest conference center (75,000 sqm), it accommodates 1,500 guests. Signed with SEDIC, it joins 700+ DoubleTree hotels globally. Other African additions include Angola, Ethiopia, and Morocco. Hilton commits to Congo's event infrastructure, offering signature hospitality and warm welcomes.

🏨 Hilton expands in Morocco with DoubleTree by Hilton Marrakech La Palmeraie, set to open in 2028 in Marrakech's Palmeraie district. The resort will feature 228 rooms, gardens, dining options, wellness facilities, and event spaces near the historic medina. This signing adds to Hilton's 16-hotel pipeline in Morocco, including Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé and Hampton by Hilton Ben Guerir, as DoubleTree continues its growth across Africa with new locations in Angola and Ethiopia.

🏗️ Robert De Niro, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Meir Teper, founders of Nobu Hospitality, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Nobu Manchester alongside Salboy co-founders. Scheduled for completion in 2031, the 246-meter tower will feature a Nobu restaurant, a 160-room hotel, and 452 Branded Residences. The development regenerates a 40,500 sq ft brownfield site in Manchester, incorporating original Victorian viaduct arches. Sales for Nobu Residences Manchester are expected to launch in 2026.