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.
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Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown/Waterfront Completes Renovation
22 July 2026This article was written by Lodging Magazine. Click here to read the original article Photo Credit: Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown/Waterfront FAIRFAX, Virginia/PORTLAND, Maine—Crestline Hotels & Resorts announced the completion of a renovation at the Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown/Waterfront. Updates include a newly refurbished lobby and public spaces with comfort seating, new carpeting, and artwork. Each of the 179 one-and-two-bedroom guest suites was refreshed with new sofas, lounge chairs, and tables. In addition, there is new lighting…
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A Powerful Platform: Owners Driven to Create Unique Stay Experiences Can Thrive With Soft Branding
22 July 2026This article was written by Lodging Magazine. Click here to read the original article Soft brands have been surging in popularity among owners of unique hotels seeking enhanced visibility to the growing number of experiential travelers. The scale of the parent brand’s distribution network and loyalty program helps these owners reach guests who prefer “authentic experiences that reflect the destination they’re visiting,” observed Scott Styron, president of Asheville, North Carolina-based LaTour Hotels & Resorts. “They want hotels with character and…
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A&O Hostels Appoints Markus Harder as CFO to Lead Finance and Drive AI-Focused Digital Strategy
22 July 2026📈 A&O Hostels appointed Markus Harder as CFO, effective immediately. Based in Berlin, Harder will manage finance, legal, risk management, and procurement while leading a digital strategy using AI and cloud tech. Previously at DeepL, Harder has extensive experience from Contentful, SoundCloud, and Morgan Stanley. This follows an €874m (£745m) refinancing with Apollo. CEO Oliver Winter emphasized Harder’s expertise in scaling and innovation. Harder sees technology reshaping the guest experience, with A&O poised to lead.
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Spain Wins 2026 World Cup With 1-0 Victory Over Argentina; Hotels Face 44% Price Drop Challenge
22 July 2026“`html 🏆 “` Spain clinched the World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0 on July 19th. The event spanned 104 matches across 16 cities on 3 continents. Hotels faced a 44% price drop from a $537 peak to a $297 match-night average. Monterrey, with limited supply, struggled, while Houston saw price growth thanks to lower rates. Overlapping events in cities like San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Boston boosted hotel rates. The 2030 World Cup will involve 6 countries and potentially 18…
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Inside Six Senses London at the Historic Whiteley
21 July 2026This article was written by Hospitality Design. Click here to read the original article Six Senses’ debut UK hotel and spa, alongside its inaugural Six Senses Place members club, opened in March at the Whiteley, the mixed-use redevelopment of one of London’s original department stores. Founder William Whiteley’s 1851 visit to the first world’s fair, the Great Exhibition at London’s Hyde Park, sparked his dream of bringing the globe’s finest innovations together under one roof. Green-and-white checkerboard floor frames the…
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Radisson Hotel Group opens flagship site in Chengdu
20 July 2026The property contains 178 guestrooms and suites alongside four dining venues
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Minor Hotels Expands into U.S. Market with New Brands, Aiming to Become Transcontinental Leader
17 July 2026📚 Minor Hotels is expanding to America, aiming to become a transcontinental force led by CEO Dillip Rajakarier. Airport hotels, tied to air travel trends, are uniquely positioned. Aparium Hotel Group focuses on hyperlocal, trendy neighborhoods. India’s luxury hotel sector is thriving, bolstered by domestic tourism and political support. Explore these topics in HOTELS Magazine’s July/August issue, which also includes “The List,” a global survey of hotel companies by rooms and properties.
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AI Integration Enhances Hotel Marketing Efficiency on Google, Meta, Bing, and TikTok with Improved Ad Strategies
9 July 2026📈 Google Ads and Bing Ads are evolving rapidly due to AI advancements, aiming to improve efficiency and user engagement by leveraging semantic search, dynamic creativity, and smart bidding. Google suggests a 30% budget increase for AI-driven campaigns to ensure data volume for learning. More than 15% of searches are new, with 70% having 5+ keywords, reducing competition and cost. The AI-powered Search Campaign for Travel will integrate Google Ads, Maps, and Hotel Ads, launching by the year’s end.
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HC Global Fund Services Acquires Benchstrength vCFO to Expand into Hospitality and Property-Level Accounting Services
7 July 2026📈 HC Global Fund Services, LLC acquired Benchstrength vCFO, Inc. in San Francisco. Benchstrength’s founder, Warren Cruz, joins as managing director, bringing over 25 years of hospitality experience. This acquisition expands HC Global’s services to property-level accounting for various asset types, including hospitality. The goal is to offer a comprehensive service from fund administration to property management. Benchstrength’s CFO support and USALI-compliant accounting will remain under HC Global Business Solutions—Hospitality.
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HVS Partners with Styleloft to Expand Hotel Advisory Services in Korea, Enhancing Global and Local Expertise
7 July 2026📅 HVS signed a license agreement with Styleloft to expand hotel advisory services in Korea. Styleloft has 20 years of experience, working on projects like Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. FEC sold the 268-key Former Silka Seaview Hotel for HKD750 million to JD Group, converting it to student housing by 2026. RAM, TPG, and Weave bought an office building in Seoul for KRW60 billion, planning a 546-unit co-living project by 2030. Origin Property sold the 258-key ibis Phuket Kata for THB745…
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Extendam Acquires Three IHG-Branded Hotels in Spain from Eurazeo, Totaling 543 Rooms in Madrid and Barcelona
7 July 2026🏨 French private equity firm Extendam acquired three IHG-branded hotels in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, totaling 543 rooms, from Eurazeo. Grupo Ramat acquired the 168-room Hotel Mongibello Ibiza for €60 million. Banor Capital purchased Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone in England with a £40 million loan. GDF Group acquired Hilton Garden Inn Milan North, financed with a €15 million loan. Zaka Investments acquired Hôtel La Savoyarde in Val-d’Isère, France. RAD Hotel Group acquired Lochgreen House Hotel & Spa in Scotland.
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Philippine Airlines Partners with RateGain to Enhance Global Pricing with AI-Powered AirGain Technology
7 July 2026✈️ India, July 7, 2026: RateGain partners with Philippine Airlines (PAL) to use AirGain, an AI-powered pricing intelligence tool. PAL seeks to enhance pricing across 29 domestic and 40 international routes. AirGain offers insights into 300+ airlines, 170+ OTAs, and 50+ meta-search platforms with 99.95% uptime. This collaboration supports PAL’s real-time pricing decisions. PAL, an APEX Four Star™ airline, was the top Asia-Pacific performer in 2025. RateGain serves over 13,000 customers in 160+ countries.
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The Royal Sonesta Boston Completes Renovation with Refreshed East Tower, Enhanced Amenities, and New Scull & Keel Restaurant
6 July 2026🏨 In July 2026, The Royal Sonesta Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts, completed a major renovation, refreshing 400 guestrooms and suites, enhancing a 30-by-45-foot saltwater pool and fitness center, and introducing the Scull & Keel restaurant. The hotel, located near popular Boston attractions, now offers improved amenities including modern fitness equipment and a new dining option with a menu focused on New England seafood and signature cocktails, in partnership with Lamplighter Brewing Co.
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Design Parade 2026 Celebrates 20 Years of Product Design and 10 Years of Interior Design Competitions in France
4 July 2026🎨 In 2026, Design Parade in Hyères, France, celebrates its 20th ‘Objet’ and 10th ‘Architecture d’intérieur’ competitions. Highlights include Tin Ayala’s grand prize for remixed Andean ceramics, Valentin Bayoud’s cocoon design, and Simon Searle and Victoire Lesthevenon’s public prize. The festival at Villa Noailles showcases eco-conscious, Baroque craft designs, and runs until September 4. Featuring exhibitions at Hôtel des Art, Toulon, it emphasizes Mediterranean wisdom and design innovation amid Europe’s heatwaves.
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AI Referral Traffic to Hotel Websites Increases Over 50%, Independent Hotels Benefit Most from Distinctive Content
3 July 2026📊 AI referral traffic to hotel websites surged over 50%, benefiting independent hotels with unique content. U.S. RevPAR rose 9.6% for June 21-27, with notable increases in Miami and San Francisco due to FIFA World Cup matches. Regent’s University London reports 80% of hospitality recruiters overlook graduates for lack of work readiness. Ascott expanded in Vietnam with three property signings, while HARRIS Hotel debuted in Malaysia, and Capella Residences launched in Brisbane.
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Aparium Hotel Group Emphasizes Emotional Connection and Authentic Storytelling Over AI in Hospitality Experience
3 July 2026📰 In 2023, Revinate’s CMO, Karen Stephens, discusses with Dina Niekamp from Aparium Hotel Group how AI is complementing but not replacing the essential human touch in hospitality. Aparium, known for its eight hotels deeply rooted in local communities, embraces emotional connections and authenticity. Aparium’s “fifth meatball” philosophy empowers staff to anticipate guest needs. Their unique “translocal” approach integrates local culture with strong food and beverage offerings, creating memorable guest experiences.
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I ❤️ NY Logo, Designed by Milton Glaser in 1970s, Remains Irreplaceable After 50 Years
3 July 2026❤️ In the mid-1970s, Milton Glaser designed the iconic I ❤️ NY logo for an advertising campaign to boost New York City’s tourism amid a financial crisis. Created pro bono, the logo was adopted as the state’s official tourism symbol. Despite receiving a copyright in the mid-1990s, the logo generates tens of thousands annually in licensing fees. In 2023, an attempted rebrand failed, underscoring enduring affection for Glaser’s original design.
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The Harilela Group to Open 326-Key Hari Singapore Hotel in Spring 2027, Designed by Tara Bernerd
2 July 2026🏨 The Harilela Group plans to open the Hari Singapore in spring 2027, transforming the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre into a 326-key luxury hotel. This will be the brand’s third location, after London and Hong Kong. Renowned British designer Tara Bernerd will lead the project, infusing the design with Singapore’s cultural essence. Key amenities include a rooftop pool, executive lounges, wellness offerings, and a rotating artwork program, maintaining the brand’s signature style.
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Sacramento’s Hospitality Market Poised for Long-Term Growth with Major Developments in Railyards and Natomas Projects
2 July 2026📈 Sacramento’s hospitality market is thriving. Key projects include the Sacramento Railyards, featuring Kaiser Permanente’s medical center opening in 2029 and a 19,600-seat soccer stadium set for 2026. Natomas has rebounded with a $1.4 billion airport expansion concluding in 2028 and a proposed $3.5-$5.5 billion teaching hospital by 2029. Despite occupancy challenges, ADR has exceeded pre-pandemic levels, driving RevPAR growth. In 2023, the city supported a 330-room convention-center hotel project to boost tourism.
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Curioso Design Studio, with Nearly 50 Employees, Expands Global Impact with New Hospitality Projects in the Americas
1 July 2026📍 Curioso, a design studio based in Chicago and Mérida, Mexico, was founded in 2013 by Daniel Pierce and Nina Grondin. The firm now employs nearly 50 people. Notable projects include the Fidelity Hotel in Cleveland, a 103-year-old building transformation, and the Atelier Playa Mujeres resort in Cancun, opened in 2020. Future ventures involve Six Senses Grand Bahama and developments in Costa Rica, Mexico, Omaha, and Greenville, with planned openings in 2027 and 2028.
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Biophilic Architecture Enhances Urban Wellbeing with Projects Like Park Nova and Habitat Qinhuangdao, Research Shows.
1 July 2026🌳 Park Nova in Singapore, designed by PLP Architecture, incorporates vertical gardens, highlighting biophilic architecture. Biophilia, meaning “love of life,” was popularized by Edward Wilson in 1984. Moshe Safdie’s Habitat Qinhuangdao, completed in 2024, features 16-storey residential blocks in China. A 2019 UK study found 120 minutes in nature weekly improves health, while a Danish study noted 55% lower psychiatric risk for children near green spaces. By 2050, two-thirds of humanity could live in cities, emphasizing biophilic design’s importance.
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AI Enhances Search Experience, Google Search Volume and Impressions Surge Over 20% Post-AI Rollout
1 July 2026📈 AI is reshaping hospitality search strategies, enhancing rather than replacing them. Google search activity increased by over 20% following AI integration, with a 49% rise in impressions. However, zero-click search rates are now around 58-60%. ChatGPT, with 900 million weekly users, handles 12% of Google’s daily searches, yet Google retains over 70% of the market share. Successful hotels focus on enhancing visibility, trust, and recommendation through accurate data and optimized content across AI platforms.
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OUTRIGGER Resorts Celebrates 10th Annual Ocean Conservation Event with Global Initiatives in Hawai‘i and Beyond
30 June 2026🌊 June 27 in Honolulu marked the 10th Annual OUTRIGGER Zone Day at Waikīkī Aquarium, part of OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels’ global World Ocean Month initiatives. Over 2,064 Genki Balls were rolled for the Ala Wai Canal restoration, with more than 20 conservation organizations participating. OUTRIGGER’s ocean conservation efforts spanned Fiji, Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, and Hawai‘i, involving coral planting, mangrove reforestation, and marine debris clean-ups, promoting ocean health and community engagement.
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Culture First – The Most Important Investment We Make
30 June 2026📖 Earlier this month, Mike Leven, a hospitality icon with a 50-year career, met with his mentee. Leven led companies like Holiday Inn Worldwide and Las Vegas Sands Corp, and was CEO of the Georgia Aquarium. He co-founded the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and contributed over $2 million to HSMAI. The HSMAI Mike Leven Leadership Conference honors his contributions. Since meeting in Las Vegas in 2014, Leven has inspired leaders and emphasized the importance of people in business.
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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.
