Follow RIU Hotels & Resorts in one feed. This hub gathers the latest news and openings across the Spanish resort group, curated from trusted sources. Stay on top of a leader in beach and city resort hospitality.
-
Culture First – The Most Important Investment We Make
30 June 2026Earlier this month, I had the privilege of spending a couple of days once again with my mentor and dear friend, Mike Leven . For those who may not know Mike, he is one of the true icons of the global hospitality industry. Over a remarkable career spanning more than five decades, he has led some of the world’s most respected organizations, including Holiday Inn Worldwide, Days Inn of America, Las Vegas Sands Corp . He also served several years…
-
Iconic Food & Beverage and Wellness propositions: At Schloss Elmau and Yona, the Experience Takes Centre Stage
28 June 2026This article was written by HospitalityOn. Click here to read the original article At Bavaria’s Schloss Elmau, F&B Reaches New “Summits” Schloss Elmau owes much of its international reputation to
-
Hotel Heron in Alexandria Appoints Peter Triolo as General Manager and Matt Talley as Director of Lifestyle
25 June 2026🏨 Hotel Heron in Alexandria, VA, announces Peter Triolo as general manager and Matt Talley as director of lifestyle. Triolo, with over 20 years in hospitality, has experience with Four Seasons and was integral in opening Archer Hotel Napa. Talley, with 15 years in brand management, has worked with Netflix and Bacardi. The 134-room hotel, in Old Town, offers three dining venues: KILN, Francis Hall, and Good Fortune. Managed by Aparium Hotel Group.
-
Award-Winning Hoteliers Share Seven Key Strategies for Enhancing Guest Experience in 2026 Hospitality Industry
25 June 2026📈 2023 GuestRevu GREAT Awards celebrated top hotels based on guest reviews from Google, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com. Marius Botes of Thaba Eco Hotel and Eugenia Danilikhina of Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg emphasized authentic experiences and data-driven personalization. John Rogers of LUX South Ari Atoll highlighted staff empowerment and communication. Hotels focus on removing friction, offering unique local experiences, and leveraging feedback for continuous improvement. Entries for the 2026 GREAT Awards close on June 30, 2026.
-
Fotografiska to Host Landmark Photography Exhibition in Nusfjord, Norway, Until October 2026
25 June 2026🎨 In Nusfjord, Norway, fishing and tourism are central to the local economy. Svein, a seasoned fisherman, shares tales from his 60-year career on a 60-year-old boat. The Lofoten Islands, historically a hub for 30,000 seasonal fishermen, now attract tourists drawn to its landscapes and cultural renaissance. Highlights include Fotografiska’s photography exhibition in Nusfjord (March 20 to October 31, 2026) and creative spaces like the KaviarFactory and Trevarefabrikken, showcasing art and music intertwined with the region’s natural allure.
-
Linehouse Designs Interiors for Bangkok’s Central Park Shopping Centre with Silver, Copper, and Bronze Atriums
25 June 2026🏬 Central Park, located next to Bangkok’s Lumpini Park, features interiors by Chinese studio Linehouse. This mixed-use development, on the former site of the Dusit Thani Hotel, includes a hotel, residences, offices, and a six-story retail podium. Spanning 40,000 square meters, the shopping center has four levels of fashion retail and two dining levels. Its design is centered around three metal-clad atriums—silver, copper, and bronze—symbolizing prosperity in Thai culture.
-
Eagle Bar Completes Dual-Terrace Concept at London’s Rosewood with Upper West Terrace Opening
24 June 2026🏨 Eagle Bar has completed its dual-terrace concept at The Chancery Rosewood in London, with the opening of a second space on the hotel’s seventh floor. The Mayfair site launched in September 2025. The venue now includes Upper East and Upper West terraces, with a 200+ person capacity. Upper West focuses on aperitifs and overlooks Hyde Park, while Upper East offers late-night music and views of Grosvenor Square. Upper West opens at 3 pm, Upper East at 5 pm.
-
Revenue Gains: Distinguishing Between Pricing and Mix Changes to Avoid Misleading Financial Interpretations
23 June 2026📊 July’s revenue rose 6% from last year, but be cautious: a higher average daily rate (ADR) might not signify effective pricing, but rather a shift in booking mix. Separating volume, mix, and rate reveals true gains. Misinterpreting mix gains as pricing victories can lead to strategic errors. Use three checks: analyze monthly variance, segment share shifts, and identify lost segments. Proper analysis prevents costly misreads and ensures accurate decision-making for future quarters.
-
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.
-
Heatherwick Studio Designs AlUla Manara Observatory in Saudi Arabia as Part of Vision 2030 Astrotourism Effort
22 June 2026🔭 In Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region, 1,100 km west of Riyadh, AlUla Manara is an emerging astrotourism destination. Covering 22,561 km², it features ancient heritage sites like Hegra. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, this observatory embraces its Dark Sky Park status, enhancing stargazing under minimal lighting. Facilities include galleries, a planetarium, and a restaurant. Part of Saudi Vision 2030, it aims to boost tourism with an immersive cosmic experience; however, start and completion dates remain unspecified.
-
Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Bloomington Edina Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Renovation and Name Update
22 June 2026🏨 In Bloomington, Minnesota, Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Bloomington Edina reopened after a multimillion-dollar renovation. The hotel, located near the Mall of America, Minneapolis, and MSP International Airport, features a revamped open-air atrium and 232 updated two-room suites inspired by Minnesota’s lake country. The property also includes 5,600 square feet of modernized meeting space and an upgraded Iron Range Restaurant & Bar. General Manager Jason Lott emphasizes the renovations enhance guest experience and community pride.
-
Jason Kow Regains Control of Queensgate, Restructures US Portfolio and Launches Dubai-Based Halston Street
22 June 2026📈 Jason Kow gained control of Queensgate from AlTi Tiedemann administrators in July 2025, following the restructuring of their US hospitality portfolio, involving six hotels and 1,176 keys in key US cities. Queensgate manages €3 billion in assets and completed a €800 million sale of European operations to Brookfield, involving 15 properties and 2,749 keys. Kow launched Halston Street in Dubai for global investments. Queensgate aims to invest in income-producing assets across Europe, the US, and the GCC.
-
Customer Insights Are Profitable Only When Companies Act to Improve Experience and Strengthen Loyalty, Says Expert
18 June 2026💰 In Warsaw, Mariusz Gromada, Bank Millennium’s chief of retail customers, highlights in his book *Customers First, Value Next* that insights generate value only when companies act on them. Gathering insights involves costs, such as surveys and time investment. Acting on these insights can result in improved customer experience, reduced complaints, decreased churn, and increased loyalty, ultimately leading to higher revenue and profit. Without action, collecting feedback is a costly endeavor with no return.
-
Vira International Celebrates 25th Anniversary with UK Hospitality Leaders at SEA LIFE London Aquarium Event
18 June 2026📅 On June 15, Vira International celebrated its 25th anniversary at SEA LIFE London Aquarium. The Harrow-based firm hosted over 200 senior hospitality professionals, including celebrity chefs Vivek Singh and Sameer Taneja. Founded by Anjum Rajan in a garage, Vira has become a leading international recruitment and immigration specialist. The event honored Vira’s role in addressing workforce shortages and supporting UK hospitality businesses. Entertainment was provided by Halo Strings, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.
-
JKMM Architects to Inaugurate National Museum of Finland’s Underground Extension with Pavilion by Spring 2027
18 June 2026🏛 The National Museum of Finland in Helsinki will complete a new underground extension by spring 2027. Designed by JKMM Architects, the 600 sq m pavilion features a 43m-wide roof weighing 1,400 tonnes, comparable to the Roman Pantheon. With a 90% underground structure, it includes two new black box exhibition spaces (840 sq m and 270 sq m). The pavilion’s interior showcases 5,000 handmade ceramic tiles and 92,000 hand-glazed tiles by artist Tuula Lehtinen.
-
IHG Signs First Hotel Indigo in Sweden with 232 Rooms, Opening in Stockholm’s Kvarnholmen by 2029
17 June 2026🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed with Kvarnholmen Utveckling to open Hotel Indigo Stockholm – Kvarnholmen, Sweden’s first Hotel Indigo. Located in Nacka, Stockholm, it will feature 232 rooms, a rooftop pool, and wellness facilities. Opening in 2029, and operated by 1912 Hotels, the hotel spans 150 square meters of meeting space. IHG aims to expand in the Nordics, adding to its 13 properties there. Hotel Indigo boasts over 325 hotels in nearly 50 countries.
-
RLJ Lodging Trust to Open The Atterbury, Autograph Collection, 300-Room Hotel in Pittsburgh by Summer 2026
16 June 2026🏨 RLJ Lodging Trust is set to open The Atterbury, Autograph Collection, a 300-room hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by summer 2026. The hotel will revitalize the historic Fulton Building, constructed in 1906 by architect Grosvenor Atterbury. Interiors by Christine Shanahan will blend original elements with modern design. Highlights include a grand rotunda, an art program, and dining options like The Drafting Room, featuring Pennsylvania craft beer and local fare.
-
RLJ Lodging Trust to Open 300-Room The Atterbury, Autograph Collection Hotel in Pittsburgh by Summer 2026
16 June 2026🏨 RLJ Lodging Trust is set to open The Atterbury, Autograph Collection, a 300-room hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, in summer 2026. The hotel will transform the historic 1906 Fulton Building, designed by Grosvenor Atterbury. Located near the Allegheny Riverfront and Market Square, it will feature interiors by Christine Shanahan, integrating original architecture with modern design. Highlights include an art program and dining at The Drafting Room, offering American cuisine and Pennsylvania beverages.
-
RealTime Reservation Acquires STAY, Creating Global Guest Experience Platform Serving 2,000 Properties in 75+ Countries
16 June 2026📰 RealTime Reservation (RTR) has acquired STAY to create a global guest experience platform, serving over 2,000 hospitality properties in 75+ countries. The merger, backed by Wavecrest Growth Partners, enhances RTR’s international presence and offers a unified solution for guest engagement and revenue management. The combined company will collaborate with major brands like Hyatt and IHG, aiming to innovate and expand globally. STAY continues under Joan Lladó’s leadership, focusing on hospitality technology advancement.
-
Professor Helen Hastie Develops Robots Like Receptionists and Baristas to Enhance Human-Robot Trust in Hospitality Industry
15 June 2026🤖 In a recent BBC’s The Life Scientific episode, physicist Jim Al-Khalili recounted being reprimanded by a chatbot. Professor Helen Hastie from the University of Edinburgh, a leading expert in human-robot interaction, emphasizes calibrating trust in robots, not maximizing it. At the National Robotarium, in Edinburgh, her lab developed a robot receptionist and a Robo-Barista studied over six weeks to understand human-robot trust dynamics in hospitality. The emphasis is on appropriate trust levels.
-
AI Enhances Hotel Search, Increasing Google Search Volume by 20% and Impressions by 49% Post-AI Rollout
10 June 2026📱 AI is not replacing search; it’s enhancing it. Google search grew by 20% post-AI rollout, with search impressions increasing by 49%. Despite the rise of AI, Google still handles 373 times more searches than ChatGPT, which holds a 12% share of daily search volume and has 900 million weekly users. The zero-click rate now ranges from 58-60%, changing how value is captured. Hotels must adapt by optimizing SEO, structuring data, and addressing conversational queries.
-
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.
-
Mandarin Oriental to Open 275-Room Hotel in Makati, Manila by Late 2026, Partnering with Ayala Land
9 June 2026🏨 Mandarin Oriental will reopen in Makati, Manila in late 2026. The 98.7-meter-tall hotel, developed with Ayala Land, will be located at Ayala Triangle Gardens and feature 275 rooms and suites, five dining and bar concepts, an 800-square-meter Spa and Wellness floor, and a 740-square-meter grand hall for up to 1,000 guests. It is situated 15 minutes from Manila International Airport, offering a pre-opening package called Your Home for the Holidays.
-
Are AI and Social Media Redrawing the Boundaries of Hotel Distribution? (Hospitality ON Le Mag)
9 June 2026This article was written by HospitalityOn. Click here to read the original article Throughout history — though in varying proportions — hotel distribution has been, and remains, a heavily intermediated
-
Dubai Announces 1.5 Billion Dirhams Aid to Boost Tourism, Waiving Fees Amid Geopolitical Challenges
5 June 2026💰 Dubai continues to revitalize tourism with a new 1.5 billion dirhams (€375 million) aid package, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, targeting tourism, trade, logistics, real estate, and culture. Measures include waiving the Tourism Dirham tax and suspending municipal fees on hotel and restaurant bills. The aid follows a prior March package worth 1 billion dirhams. Air traffic resumed on 2 May after UAE airspace reopened, with over 37,000 flights canceled from 28 February to 8 March 2026.
