Track Best Western Hotels & Resorts in one feed. This hub aggregates the latest news, brand updates and openings across Best Western’s global membership network, as covered by trusted sources. Follow one of the world’s most recognized hotel brands.
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How much are hotels in Spain and Iceland charging along the path of the 2026 solar eclipse?
21 July 2026Prices for rooms are set to eclipse average annual rates by big margins this August in Spain and Iceland. On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the Northern Hemisphere, plunging a narrow, 400-kilometer-wide strip into total darkness for less than three minutes. For most, it’s a celestial rarity; for the travel industry, it’s a frantic race for position. As travelers scramble for the perfect vantage point, hotel markets in Iceland and Northwestern Spain are seeing an…
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The Nordics’ “Luxury Tourism Pivot”: A Bold Bet Worth Thinking Twice About
21 July 2026Across the Nordics, a wave of ultra-luxury glass domes, private aurora camps, and fjord-side eco-resorts is being positioned as the next national growth engine — an “Austrian model” for the North. But the H1 2026 data from Saudi Vision 2030, the empirical benchmark for this playbook, are already flashing warnings: Riyadh occupancy −5 pp, ADR −6.9%, foreign arrivals declining in Q1. Nordic figures tell a parallel story — CBRE’s Arctic Nordic winter markets sit at 59% peak-season occupancy with RevPAR…
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Hotel Industry Experts Discuss Shift to Flexible Operating Models and AI Integration by 2030 at HVS Webinar
17 July 2026📈 On July 15, industry leaders discussed evolving hotel models at a webinar by HVS, Bird & Bird, and The Leaders’ Journey. Key points included a shift from asset-heavy ownership to flexible models, the increasing role of AI in operations, and the importance of unique guest experiences. Joe Pettigrew noted AI’s impact on hotel recommendations. The panel stressed technology’s role, but affirmed hospitality’s human focus. The event highlighted adaptability and experience as crucial for future success.
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BWH Hotels GB Expands with Three New Independent Hotels, Adding 100 Bedrooms to Portfolio Across Three Cities
17 July 2026🏨 BWH Hotels GB signed three new hotels in Lyndhurst, London, and Newark, adding 100 rooms, raising their yearly addition to 291 rooms. The hotels are Forest Lodge (36 rooms), Best Western Chiswick Rooms (33 rooms, with a recent £500k refurbishment), and Sure Hotel Newark (30 rooms). The total portfolio now exceeds 230 properties. The Royal Maritime Hotel, another recent addition, earned nearly £50k in its first month.
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Wyndham and Choice Hotels Lead Industry Profitability with Asset-Light Models, Despite Modest Market Capitalizations
8 July 2026💸 Fiscal year 2025 saw financial improvements and expansion for major hotel groups. The top global hotel group earned over $26 billion, while its Western competitor earned less than half. Hyatt, Accor, and IHG earned $7 billion, $6 billion, and $5 billion, respectively, despite their lower room rankings. In profitability, Wyndham and Choice Hotels lead with $11 billion and $4.8 billion market capitalizations, achieving high margins due to an asset-light model. Wyndham’s EBITDA margin is 50%. Hilton ranks 2nd in…
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Accor Plans to Double Hotel Presence in China, Targeting 1,600 Hotels with New Luxury Projects by 2029
7 July 2026📍 Accor aims to expand from 830 to 1,600 hotels in Greater China within 5-6 years, focusing on luxury brands like Raffles and Sofitel. The company reported a 46% year-on-year increase in inbound tourism in mainland China from Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. Accor, partnering with Jin Jiang International, H World Group, and Sunmei Digital Intelligence, plans to open new luxury hotels, including Fairmont Hangzhou Huagang and Sofitel Legend Wuxi by 2025.
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RBH Hospitality Management Secures Contract to Operate First Hyatt-Branded Hotel in UK, Expanding to 12 London Properties
2 July 2026🏨 RBH Hospitality Management secured its first Hyatt-branded property contract, operating the 276-room Hyatt Place London City East near Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market. This marks RBH as the first UK operator to manage properties across eight global hotel brands. RBH has managed over 8,000 rooms in London for 25 years. The partnership with Sun Venture follows a competitive tender process, with RBH becoming Hyatt’s strategic partner in expanding its UK portfolio by over 30% between 2025 and 2026.
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RBH Hospitality Management to Operate First Hyatt-Branded Hotel with 276 Rooms in London City East
2 July 2026🏨 RBH Hospitality Management, partnered with Sun Venture, will manage Hyatt Place London City East, marking their first Hyatt-branded hotel. Located in East London near Brick Lane, the hotel offers 276 rooms, two meeting rooms, and two F&B outlets. This is the 12th RBH-managed property in London, contributing to their portfolio of over 8,000 rooms in the city over 25 years. The company operates hotels across eight major brands, enhancing their market reputation and expansion.
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BWH Hotels Targets 5,000 Hotels by 2030 with Upscale Shift, Despite 9.7% Room Count Decline Since 2019
29 June 2026📈 BWH Hotels, led by CEO Larry Cuculic, is aiming for 5,000 hotels worldwide by 2030, despite a 9.7% room count decline since 2019, with 333,457 rooms currently. Last year, they added over 200 hotels, totaling 4,300. A pipeline of about 300 properties supports their upmarket shift, highlighted by acquiring WorldHotels in 2019 to enhance their upscale offerings and boost margins. The strategy is expected to leverage a “halo effect” across the group.
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Sojern Reports 44% Increase in U.S. to Canada Flight Bookings Amidst World Cup and Geopolitical Influences
29 June 2026🗺️ RateGain Travel Technologies reports strong summer travel trends amid the FIFA World Cup 2026. U.S. outbound flight bookings increased by 13%, with domestic travel up 15% and travel to Canada up 44%. Domestic U.S. airfares rose 25%, but international outbound demand remains high. Intra-European bookings are up 37%. Latin American flight bookings surged 38% domestically. Major World Cup host cities like Houston and Dallas see increased demand, while Mexico City bookings dropped 24.9%. Hotel search demand in the Middle…
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Nearly 80% of Brits Opt for UK Staycations Over Overseas Holidays Due to Travel Concerns, BWH Hotels Reports
29 June 2026🛫 Nearly 80% of Brits (79.7%) are opting for UK staycations in 2023, with 32% avoiding international travel. Research from BWH Hotels GB reveals flight cancellations (30%) and geopolitical instability (22%) drive this trend. UK holiday priorities include local exploration (50%), food and drink (39%), and relaxation (34%). Bookings spike during school holidays, with last-minute plans influenced by weather. Guests increasingly favor room-only bookings, seeking unique, authentic UK experiences.
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Summer 2026 Travel Insights: US Flight Bookings Up 13%, Hotel Searches Down 16%, Europe Sees Increased Demand
29 June 2026🗺 US flight bookings increased by 13% year-on-year, while hotel searches decreased by 16%. European domestic flight bookings rose by 35%, intra-European by 37%, and international inbound by 11%. Top summer destinations for US travelers include Mexico (8.7%) and Canada (7.5%). London leads in European travel, accounting for 13.7% of US bookings. Middle East hotel search activity is below 2025 levels, with Western Europe down 49 points and South Asia down 61 points year-to-date.
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Schloss Elmau in Bavaria Hosts 15-Michelin-Star Culinary Event During Second G7 Culinary Summit in 2026
28 June 2026🏨 Schloss Elmau, located in Upper Bavaria, hosted G7 Summits in 2015 and 2022. The hotel launched its Culinary G7 Summit in June 2025, followed by a second edition in June 2026, featuring 15 Michelin stars. Yona, in Obernai, Alsace, underwent a €25 million renovation, opening Yonaguni Spa in August 2020, and Yonasaya in 2024. The spa spans 3,000 m² and won multiple World Luxury Spa Awards, attracting both local and international guests.
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Iconic Hybrid Hotel Opening: Waldhuus Bellary, or how economy hospitality reinvents Alpine heritage
26 June 2026This article was written by HospitalityOn. Click here to read the original article A chalet steeped in history Built in 1886 by Indian missionaries, the Waldhuus Bellary, formerly known as the Waldhotel Bellary (a blend of Wald, meaning forest in German, and hotel), was named after the town of Bellary in India. Taken over in 1936 by the Nakajima-Schild family, the building underwent its first major alteration in 1984 with the addition of a third floor. In 2024, after four…
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Vine Hotels Acquires The Gables Hotel Near Bristol in Joint Venture with Castlewood Hotels
25 June 2026🏨 Vine Hotels, in partnership with Castlewood Hotels, acquired The Gables Hotel in South Gloucestershire from Webb Hotel Group for an undisclosed sum. The 46-bedroom hotel, located off the A38 near Bristol, features 104 parking spaces, meeting rooms for up to 200 delegates, and an 80-seat restaurant. This acquisition, following the addition of Hotel Collingwood in Bournemouth, highlights Vine Hotels’ expansion goals. Webb Hotel Group retains properties in the Midlands, including Moor Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield.
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Omer Acar Discusses Evolving Luxury Hospitality, Emotional Connections, and Modernizing Raffles and Fairmont Brands on Suite Success Podcast
25 June 2026🏨 Episode guest Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, discusses his career on “Suite Success” with host Katie Cline. Having held leadership roles at Four Seasons, Harrods, The Ritz Paris, and more, Acar reflects on living in Hawaii, California, Egypt, London, Paris, and New York. He emphasizes the evolution of luxury hospitality towards emotional connection, the importance of genuine service, and maintaining brand heritage. Acar joined Accor in 2023, adding Fairmont in 2024.
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New Venue Management Software Boosts Boulder Falls Inn’s Revenue by 43% from Underperforming Rooms in Eight Months
24 June 2026📈 Best Western Boulder Falls Inn in Lebanon, Oregon, revamped its operations with iVvy’s venue management software, boosting revenue by 43% in eight months for two underperforming rooms. The hotel, featuring 84 rooms and a conference center for 600 guests, streamlined processes, reducing seasonal menu updates from over a week to minutes. Staff work hours decreased from 60 to 45 weekly, enhancing efficiency and allowing real-time updates via iPads during events.
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AI Hospitality Alliance Releases Mission, Vision, and 12-Month Roadmap to Transform Industry via Artificial Intelligence
22 June 2026💻 In June 2026, the AI Hospitality Alliance released its official Declaration, outlining a 12-month roadmap to reshape the hospitality industry through AI innovation. The Declaration emphasizes the rapid pace of change driven by AI, involving technology providers, AI platforms, hotel companies, educators, governments, and innovators. This initiative aims to influence the industry’s operations for decades, highlighting the significance of current decisions in technology development and implementation.
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BWH Hotels’ Free Breakfast Campaign Boosts Revenues by £13.1 Million and Adds 39,000 New Loyalty Members
22 June 2026💸 British consumers are prioritizing value in hotel bookings, focusing on overall experience rather than just price. During last year’s ‘Year of the Free Breakfast’ campaign, BWH Hotels GB generated over £13.1 million in revenue, with 124,000 room nights and 220,000 free breakfasts. The initiative boosted bookings, loyalty, and customer acquisition, including 39,000 new Best Western Rewards members, especially in South West, North West, and South East England. This trend reveals evolving consumer expectations and strategic opportunities for independent hotels.
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Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith Return to Milan Fashion Week Men’s, Presenting S/S 2027 Collections
19 June 2026👕 Milan Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2027 features collections from Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ralph Lauren, attracting legendary designers Paul Smith and Ralph Lauren back to Italy. Thom Browne makes his Milan debut. Ralph Lauren’s eclectic show at Palazzo Ralph Lauren highlights Ivy League stylings. Umit Benan offers luxurious silk and linen garments, while Dunhill and Church’s present collections inspired by British identity and heritage. Caruso draws on Irving Penn’s photography. Dolce & Gabbana celebrates Sicilian style with beach-inspired…
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BWH Hotels Launches New Global Sales Division to Boost Upscale and Luxury Market Growth Amid $2 Trillion Travel Industry.
18 June 2026🏨 BWH Hotels launched a new Upscale & Luxury Worldwide Sales division, targeting the $2 trillion global business travel market. With nine regional sales leaders in the US, Canada, and Europe, they aim to increase corporate demand by simplifying corporate travel buyer engagement. Notable properties include Aiden Kansas City Downtown, Aiden Surawong Bangkok, and Caribe Royale Orlando. This strategic move enhances BWH Hotels’ position in the upscale market, capitalizing on the rise of “bleisure” travel.
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NYU IHIF 2026 Highlights: AI in Hospitality, Minor Hotels’ Expansion, and Revised Industry Forecasts Signal Growth
12 June 2026📓 NYU IHIF 2026 in New York City highlighted key hospitality trends, including AI adoption, international travel, and the World Cup’s impact. Minor Hotels announced projects in New York (Worsley Hotel, 2023), Miami (Anantara, 2030), and Turks and Caicos (2029). AHLA emphasized human trafficking prevention and women in leadership. Jan Freitag from STR revised the hospitality forecast with 2.8% RevPAR growth, noting supply constraints and strong luxury segment performance. The event underscored the industry’s adaptability and future opportunities.
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Aparium Hotel Group Expands with New Properties in Nashville, Louisville, and Omaha by 2027
10 June 2026🏨 In 2013, Detroit faced the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Mario Tricoci founded Aparium Hotel Group in 2012 and, by 2017, launched Detroit Foundation Hotel, converting a 1929 firehouse. Aparium manages nine hotels, with three more planned by 2027, including a 150-key hotel in Nashville. Tricoci’s ventures focus on adaptive reuse in emerging urban areas, with significant revenue from F&B. Aparium’s Populus in Denver, a carbon-positive hotel, opened in late 2024, receiving accolades.
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Registration Opens for The Hospitality Show 2026 in Miami Beach, Featuring Key Industry Leaders and Innovations
4 June 2026🏨 Miami Beach, November 2–4, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center: The Hospitality Show, organized by Questex and the AHLA, unites hotel industry leaders. Notable speakers include Chris Nassetta, Hilton CEO, and Duncan Wardle, former Disney executive. Key topics: AI technology, guest expectations, and strategic partnerships. New 2026 features: six solution-driven pavilions and focused networking lounges. Early registration discounts available until July 6, 2026. Sponsors include Best Western, Chobani, Oracle, and Unilever.
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DirectBooker Announces Supply Agreements with Best Western and Radisson, Boosting AI Connector Role in Hospitality
1 June 2026💻 Hospitality Net’s World Panel explores AI connectors, which are “digital bridges” linking AI platforms (like ChatGPT or Claude) to external apps, enabling access to hotel ARI data (Availability, Rates, Inventory). DirectBooker, founded by former Tripadvisor and Google Travel execs, announced deals with Best Western and Radisson. Google partners with OTAs and hotel chains. Independent hotels can use B2B AI connectors for AI integration. AI platforms seek monetization through partnerships, leveraging brand loyalty.
