Hotel Openings

🏨 Minor Hotels launched the Colbert Collection with Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze in Italy, 10 months post-announcement. The WestDill Mayfair Hotel in London is set for Q4 2026, and Colbert Collection Koh Samui in Thailand will open in Q1 2027. Soft brands like Colbert allow owners to leverage hard brand distribution with less rigidity and lower fees amid rising costs and competition since the concept's 2008 revival by Choice's Ascend Hotel Collection.

🏨 McKibbon Hospitality is celebrating its centennial in 2026, with roots tracing back to 1926 in Gainesville, Georgia. Originally a Piggly Wiggly franchise, the company evolved over decades, entering the hospitality sector in 1946 and expanding through strategic acquisitions and partnerships with Holiday Inn, Marriott, and Hilton. It operates over 100 hotels, employs 3,200 staff, and will commemorate the milestone at a Nashville conference in November. Despite challenges, McKibbon emphasizes sustainability, strong relationships, and employee development.

🏨 Moxy Hotels opened its first Hungarian property on Kazinczy Street in Budapest. The 281-room hotel, developed by Forestay Group, occupies a former dance institution with design inspired by ballet and Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Facilities include a fitness center, two meeting spaces, and a rooftop bar. The building achieved BREEAM Excellent certification, featuring solar panels and 81 EV charging stations, part of a central Budapest urban revitalization scheme.

🏨 Stay Cal Hospitality launched the voco Ardez Hotel Sunnyvale by IHG in Sunnyvale, California. This 51-room hotel, inspired by nature, includes a living moss wall and a glass wine cellar. It adheres to LEED Gold standards, featuring recycled-material bedding and sustainable amenities. The hotel offers a craft cocktail lounge, a golf simulator suite, and is strategically located near Silicon Valley employers and San Jose International Airport for easy access to local attractions.

🏨 In May 2026, Atrium Hospitality announced the completion of a full renovation at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Franklin Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee. All guest suites and public spaces were upgraded, including 2,200 square feet of new event space, bringing the total meeting space to nearly 29,000 square feet. The renovation includes modern furnishings, energy-efficient lighting, and water-saving fixtures, enhancing guest experiences and promoting sustainability.

🍴 Latine, led by Executive Chef Francisco Lafee, opens in June in Lancashire Court, Mayfair, offering French-Latin cuisine. The restaurant features spaces across three floors, including a Crudo Bar and champagne terrace. 'LACAV' opens in September for late-night cocktails. Open daily, hours vary from 12:00 to 00:00 or 01:00. Signature dishes include wild seabass with beurre blanc, and dessert like plantain tarte tatin. Cocktails inspired by Latin American flavors complement the menu. Website: latinemayfair.com.