Hotel Openings

📍 IHG Hotels and Resorts plans to expand in Greater China by the second half of 2026, introducing new hotels in major cities including Shenzhen, Taipei, and Shanghai. The expansion covers luxury, lifestyle, and premium brands, with locations like Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Jingdezhen. IHG operates 14 brands in Greater China, with over 1,500 hotels in more than 200 cities. In May 2026, RevPAR in Greater China rose by 5.7% due to increased group and business travel.

🍴 Shaftesbury Capital introduces five new hospitality brands in Covent Garden. Carmy’s is debuting with an 820 sq ft store at 1a Monmouth Street this summer, offering New York-style pizza. Frothee opens its second location in a 400 sq ft unit at 29 Bedfordbury this month. JUNK Burger and Puffy Cookies expand with new sites on New Row, measuring 1,600 sq ft and 1,200 sq ft, respectively. Elia will open a 520 sq ft Mediterranean restaurant in the historic Market Building soon.

🍴 Rocola, a new restaurant and bar in East London, opens on Mare Street on July 8th. Created by Crudo Group founders Maria Yanez and Carlos Socorro, it features an open kitchen and rotating guest chef program. Dublin-born chef Nico Reynolds, known for his New Caribbean cooking, will be the first guest chef. The menu includes seasonal and sharing dishes inspired by Southern Europe and Latin America, complemented by a wine list of 60-80 bottles and classic cocktails.

🛠️ Whitbread has started building its first Outer Dublin Premier Inn at Sandyford Business Park, aiming to open the 157-bedroom hotel by Spring 2028. The project, developed by Monami Construction, is part of Whitbread's goal to reach 5,000 rooms in Ireland, adding to its six existing hotels in Dublin and Cork. The company secured planning permission in May 2025 and will complete the eight-storey site within 18 months.

🏨 Accor partners with Banque des Territoires to revive La Citadelle Vauban in Belle-Île-en-Mer, France, aiming for a 2027 opening. The project includes a 90-key Emblems Collection hotel, museum, and wellness center. A major regional development, it will create over 100 permanent jobs and nearly 70 seasonal positions. The restoration supports cultural preservation and aims to enhance economic dynamism and tourist appeal, with backing from Caisse des Dépôts and Fondation du patrimoine.

🍹 Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, a chic Chicago basement bar, opened by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants at 51 W Hubbard Street. The bar, designed by David Collins Studio, features emerald green decor, metallic tiles, and plush banquettes. Kevin Beary's cocktail menu includes a -16°F freezer, a city first, offering drinks like the Kitty’s Gin Martini with Old Raj 55° Dry Gin. The lounge offers indulgent food like caviar chips and Cinco Jotas Ibérico ham.

🏖 Kerzner International has launched sales for One&Only Private Homes in Fiji, set to open in 2029. Located on Nacula Island, Yasawa Islands, the development spans 127 acres and is accessible via a 30-minute seaplane or two-hour speedboat from Nadi. The project features 22 private residences with 3-5 bedrooms, each with a pool. Owners gain access to resort amenities, including dining, spa, and sports facilities. Developed with BSP Life Fiji, it's One&Only’s first South Pacific venture.

🏨 From 2014 to 2018, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo underwent a major renovation aiming to modernize while preserving its heritage. Located at Place du Casino, Monte Carlo, the hotel is iconic alongside Casino de Monte Carlo, forming a luxury symbol. The renovation emphasized integrating historical legacy with contemporary expectations, focusing on identity adaptation and guest experience rather than just maintenance. Key features include Le Louis XV restaurant, emphasizing cultural and symbolic capital over mere antiquity.