Miscellaneous

🦜 Kinedo introduces new animal-inspired wall panel designs in September 2026, expanding its Kinewall range with the Signature collection. This includes Highland Cow, Peacock, and Lion designs, joining last year's Giraffe panel. The collection aims to transform bathrooms with bold, flexible, and easy-to-install panels. Additional designs in other collections include new patterns like Tangram, Royal Foliage, Marble Haze, Corten Copper Stone, and Hills. All designs are available on Kinedo's website and in a downloadable brochure.

🏨 The World's 50 Best Hotels of 2026 feature only two from the US: San Ysidro Ranch (22nd) and Amangiri (45th). None are in the top 10 or east of Utah. Italy and France each boast six entries, while Hawaii lacks representation in the top 100. Over 800 travel experts vote for their seven favorite stays, focusing on unique experiences rather than brand consistency. US hotels prioritize profits, not necessarily global allure.

📸 On September 25, 2026, Wrensilva Los Angeles in West Hollywood launches 'The Art of the Album: The Photography of Linda McCartney', showcasing her music photography until February 2027. The exhibition pairs her album cover photographs with vinyl records and a Wrensilva console for music playback. The US Postal Service honors McCartney with a limited-edition stamp series featuring five photos, with a ceremony at MoMA, New York. Linda McCartney's iconic works span legends from The Beatles to Neil Young.

📍 Federico Stefanovich renovated his studio in Mexico City's Centro, working with Nama Studio. The studio is inside Edificio Humboldt, a building designed by Thomas Sinclair Gore and completed in 1922. The renovation preserved historic features like original windows and balconies, adding vibrant colors and textures to highlight Stefanovich's lighting designs. The studio integrates showcases, a showroom, and a production workshop, featuring custom panelling and furnishing, including a unique mineral blue panel system and a fibreglass sliding door system.

🗺🏻 ETG Marketing Hub launched by Emerging Travel Group (ETG), a UAE-based company, in response to doubling marketing revenue in the first eight months of 2026. Reaching 110,000 professionals in 180 countries, the unit targets hotels, airlines, DMOs, and more. ETG employs 3,900 people across multiple continents and provides travel services, including 3.2 million hotels and flights from 450 airlines. CEO Felix Shpilman emphasized meeting demand for visibility among high-intent travel buyers.

💬 Customer service sayings need an update. Shep Hyken, a customer service expert, argues that traditional sayings are outdated. "The customer is always right" isn't true; rather, customers should be treated with dignity. Customer service is a philosophy, not just a department. Hyken's 2026 research found 23% of "satisfied" customers didn't return. Consistent service is more achievable than exceeding expectations. Employee empowerment is crucial, leading to loyal, not just satisfied, customers.

🏨 Stonebridge Companies, a hotel management firm, has added the dual-branded Courtyard by Marriott and Element by Marriott Atlanta Midtown to its portfolio. Built in 2021, this 282-room hotel is located in Midtown Atlanta, near the Fox Theatre, enhancing its cultural appeal. Stonebridge aims to boost dining experiences through the Ponce Room Bar & Kitchen and expand breakfast options. The hotel offers 11,000 square feet of event space, supporting Stonebridge's growth in urban markets across over 25 states.

📋 Sep 23, 2026, hotel check-ins reveal discrepancies between AI-generated property descriptions and reality. Guests arrive with outdated or incorrect information, such as a closed dining room or spa hours, due to unupdated sources. Staff can mitigate issues by asking guests, “What had you heard about us before you came?” to gather actionable feedback and improve services. Even small insights, like knowing courtyard rooms are a selling point, can be valuable for future marketing strategies.

🍽 In 2024, Barcelona's Disfrutar topped the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. The city boasts 29 Michelin-starred venues. Barcelona's cuisine blends traditional and modern flavors, with dishes influenced by Mexican, Peruvian, and Japanese elements. Seasonal ingredients, including Mediterranean seafood and locally-grown produce, enhance freshness. Event spending on food and drink is four times higher than venue costs, highlighting the cultural significance of gastronomy. Explore local markets like Mercat del Ninot and Mercat de Sant Antoni for a quieter culinary experience.