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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John Adams Appointed Chair of The Sirius Hotel Group, Succeeding Jane Bentall as Strategic Advisor
13 October 2026🏨 John Adams is appointed chair of The Sirius Hotel Group, succeeding Jane Bentall, who remains a strategic advisor. Adams, with 45 years of financial experience, joined as a non-executive director in 2016. He will aid growth through The Resident and Four Points Flex by Sheraton brands. An economics graduate from the University of Exeter, Adams is also a non-executive director at Millard Estates Limited and Grove End Housing Limited. CEO David Orr commends his decade of trusted advice.
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Cactus Cove Inn’s Remarkable Transformation: Using Mews Technology to Quadruple Revenue and Enhance Guest Experiences
13 October 2026💻 In 2021, Matt Marrs revamped the Big Texan Motel using a Property Management System to quadruple revenue. His Cactus Cove Inn in Amarillo, Texas, offers unique family experiences like breakfast with a dinosaur. Migrating to Mews helped manage hotels and RV parks efficiently, minimizing disruption with a staggered onboarding process. Marrs emphasizes adaptable tech stacks, guest personalization through automation, and a willingness to experiment for evolving business strategies. Mews powers 15,000 customers in 85 countries.
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Hospitality Action’s Survey Reveals Managers Increasingly Acting as ‘Accidental Counsellors’ for Team Mental Health
13 October 2026📓 Camilla Woods from Hospitality Action discusses their latest survey, Taking the Temperature, focusing on the role of managers as ‘accidental counsellors.’ The survey highlights a growing trend of managers addressing team mental health. Key insights include recognizing early warning signs and implementing practical steps to support employees. This shift in managerial responsibilities underscores the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace.
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Emerige Opens 5,000 Sq M Art Centre “Large” on Île Seguin, Featuring Contemporary Art and Cultural Exhibitions
13 October 2026🎨 Laurent Dumas is transforming Île Seguin, west of Paris, into a cultural hub. 34 years after the Renault factory closed in 1992, the new “Pointe des Arts” features an IMAX cinema, hotel, and the 5,000 sq m art center “Large.” Designed by RCR Arquitectes, it offers a 1,000 sq m exhibition space and opens on October 17, 2026. The opening exhibition, “Imaginary Engine,” is free for those 26 and under and runs until March 7, 2027.
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Bertrand Chauveau and Paul Henri Open Le Poisson Volant, a Restaurant and Nightclub in Paris’ 11th Arrondissement
12 October 2026🍹 Bertrand Chauveau and Paul Henri opened Le Poisson Volant in Paris’s 11th arrondissement, replacing former L’International. Inspired by London’s Brilliant Corners and New York’s China Chalet, this restaurant-nightclub hybrid serves from 7 pm to midnight, transitioning to a nightclub until 5 am, Thursday to Saturday. Chef Yanxin Yin’s menu includes pork and chive potstickers and Peking duck. Designed by Claves Architecture, the venue features Chinese Art Deco elements, with music curated by Parisian figures.
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Vikram Goyal’s “Wings and Tales” Exhibition in London Celebrates Indian Epic Ramayana with Craftsmanship Until October 16, 2026
12 October 2026📚 In October 2026, Vikram Goyal’s “Wings and Tales” is showcased in a Georgian townhouse on Grafton Street, Mayfair, London. The exhibition, featuring motifs from the Ramayana and crafted using silk, velvet, and brass, runs until October 16, 2026. The New Delhi atelier uses techniques like repoussé and mother-of-pearl. The exhibition coincides with the PAD London fair, offering a cultural space for storytelling and reflection, alongside local cuisine and floral arrangements.
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Atlantis Dubai Maintains Room Rates Amid Weak Demand by Offering Perks and Deals to UAE Residents
8 October 2026🌍 Dubai’s luxury hotels, including Atlantis Dubai, are trying to maintain room rates despite weak international demand following the U.S.-Iran war. To achieve this, Atlantis offers UAE residents perks like resort credits, complimentary upgrades, dining credits, and free Aquaventure World tickets. Kyp Charalambous, Atlantis Dubai’s VP of Sales, emphasizes these incentives aim to protect rate integrity while filling rooms. Resident-only deals help maintain published rates amidst global challenges.
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Americas Great Resorts Offers Fixed-Price Email Campaigns to Luxury Hotels for Direct Bookings Without OTA Commissions
6 October 2026📧 1 hour ago, Andrew Paul from Americas Great Resorts (AGR) discussed hotel marketing strategies. AGR uses email marketing to reach over 5 million verified travel enthusiasts, offering a fixed price per thousand emails. Unlike OTAs, AGR does not charge booking commissions. Their campaigns yield significant ROI: Montage Palmetto Bluff saw a 27:1 return from 65,000 emails, while Windstar Cruises achieved a 36:1 return with 200,000 emails. AGR focuses on acquiring new guests, not just retaining past ones.
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Americas Great Resorts Offers Fixed-Price Email Marketing, Yielding Up to 36:1 ROI for Luxury Hotels and Cruises
6 October 2026📦 When working with Americas Great Resorts (AGR), hotels rent access to over 5 million verified email records of affluent travelers, targeting specific demographics. AGR charges a fixed price per thousand recipients, unlike OTAs which charge a commission per booking. Success stories include Montage Palmetto Bluff with a 27:1 ROI from 65,000 emails, and Windstar Cruises with a 36:1 ROI from 200,000 emails. AGR offers no commissions and maintains bookings on the hotel’s website, ensuring data control.
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U.S. Hotels Face $2.3 Billion Revenue Capture Loss in 2025, Highlighting Critical Talent Shortage in Hospitality
5 October 2026💸 U.S. hotel RevPAR reached $99.47 in 2025, up from $87.50 in 2019. However, revenue capture fell to 79.22% in 2025 from 80.33% in 2024, leading to a $2.3 billion loss and a $29.2 billion drop in asset value. There is a shortage of skilled professionals to handle this, as traditional hospitality training doesn’t attract data-literate individuals needed to address these challenges. Promotional bookings rose 19% in 2026, while full-rate bookings fell 5%.
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Madrid Hotels Struggle with 70% Occupancy Despite Formula 1 Weekend and 69.6% ADR Increase to €485
5 October 2026🏁 During the Madrid Formula 1 weekend, hoteliers faced inventory issues despite a 69.6% increase in ADR from €286 to €485. Despite 350,000 spectators, hotel occupancy stalled at 70% due to inventory custody issues. Flight searches surged from the UK, France, South Korea, and Uruguay. Hotels faced problems with room allocations and late release of unsold rooms. Lessons for future events: focus on inventory control alongside demand metrics.
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Bodmin Jail Hotel Sees Booking Surge Amid 420% Rise in “Coolcation” Searches During UK Heatwaves
5 October 2026🏨 UK: During an extraordinary summer marked by three heatwaves, Brits opted for “coolcations” to evade the heat. Searches for cooler destinations surged by 420% in the past three months. Bodmin Jail Hotel, a former prison built in 1779 and transformed into a luxury hotel in 2021 after a £50 million restoration, saw increased bookings in August. The hotel in Bodmin, Cornwall, offers a respite with its historic granite walls and proximity to indoor sightseeing spots.
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Thermal Bathing and Contrast Therapy Gain Popularity in Hotel Spas, Offering Diverse Business Models and Growth Opportunities
5 October 2026🏖️ Othership, a social wellness club in Toronto, offers contrast therapy and aromatherapy at $55 per session. It is expanding to New York. AIRE Ancient Baths provides a luxurious spa experience inspired by Roman and Greek traditions, priced at $175 per person. AIRE plans selective expansion, focusing on scarcity. Othership predicts rapid growth across North America. Both models highlight the growing demand for wellness amenities in hotels, with differing approaches to market saturation and guest engagement.
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Chef David Gingell Highlights Cornwall’s Best Dining Spots, Including Argoe and Flora, in Personal Food Guide
4 October 2026🍴 David Gingell, co-owner of three London restaurants, now resides in Cornwall. He praises restaurants like Argoe in Newlyn for its exquisite fish, and Flora in St Martin. Helston boasts Pica Rico and Cast Café, while Falmouth offers Seaview Inn, Kelp Canteen, and Dark Pony for coffee. St Ives’ St Eia is a winter wine spot. Flushing’s Pavilion and Truro’s Native Grain are top bakeries. Gear Farm near Helston is famed for Cornish pasties.
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INC Designs 529-Room Kimpton Era Hotel in New York with Ocean Liner-Inspired Interiors
3 October 2026🛢 Kimpton Era, a 529-key hotel designed by INC, is located in a 33-storey tower on West 48th Street, New York, near Rockefeller Plaza. Each guest room emulates an ocean liner stateroom. Interior materials blend marbles, brass, and leather with industrial concrete and blackened steel. The hotel features five dining venues, including a Latin American eatery and a Chinatown-inspired rooftop bar. Opened in 2026, it reflects New York’s elegance and grit.
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New Monograph Chronicles Rick Mather’s Influence on UK Architecture, Featuring Major Works Like Ashmolean Museum
2 October 2026🏗️ Rick Mather (1937-2013), an American architect prominent in the UK, is known for his significant cultural projects. He arrived in the UK in 1963 and founded his firm in 1973. Major works include the Wallace Collection, National Maritime Museum, and Dulwich Picture Gallery (1999-2000). His projects include the Ashmolean Museum and the Towner Gallery. “Rick Mather: The Complete Works” by Kester Rattenbury, priced at £60, showcases his architectural influence.
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Choice Hotels Expands Upscale Portfolio with Six New Properties Across Cambria and Ascend Collection Brands in the U.S.
30 September 2026🏨 Choice Hotels International has expanded its upscale footprint with six new properties in the U.S. and Vermont. Two Cambria Hotels in Colorado Springs and Jacksonville, and four Ascend Collection properties in Sarasota, Mishicot, and Peru have been introduced. Cambria Hotel Colorado Springs offers 97 rooms and a rooftop bar, while Jacksonville’s location features a fitness center and outdoor pool. Choice Hotels now boasts over 300 upscale properties in the U.S. and nearly 150 in development.
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Choice Hotels International Expands Upscale Portfolio with Six New Cambria and Ascend Collection Properties Across the U.S.
29 September 2026🏨 Choice Hotels International, based in North Bethesda, Maryland, expands its upscale footprint with six new properties: two Cambria Hotels in Colorado Springs and Jacksonville, and four Ascend Collection hotels in Florida, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The Cambria Hotel Colorado Springs features 97 rooms and is near the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Ascend Collection hotels include nearly 1,100 square feet of meeting space in Sarasota and 19,000 square feet in Mishicot. The Sun Lodge in Vermont offers 50 guestrooms with…
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RIU Hotels & Resorts Joins The Code in the UK to Strengthen Child Protection Efforts in Tourism Industry
29 September 2026🌍 RIU Hotels & Resorts announced its joining of The Code in the UK, as part of its Proudly Committed sustainability strategy to prevent child sexual exploitation. Since 2012, they have implemented child protection measures, earning the Top Member distinction in Spain and Mexico. With 98 hotels in 21 countries, RIU welcomed 6.7 million guests in 2024 and employed 38,055 people. The initiative focuses on local ally networks, UK-specific training, and protocol auditing.
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Tomorrowland and Patricia Urquiola Open Casa Caban Hayama, Their First Standalone Hotel in Japan
25 September 2026🏠 Casa Caban Hayama, located in Hayama, Japan, offers sweeping views of Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji. This first standalone hotel by Tomorrowland, designed by Patricia Urquiola, emphasizes ‘weaving’ in its architecture. The Caban Suite spans 173 sq m with two rooftop terraces. The Hayama Suite is 89 sq m. Prices start at JPY 177,100, including meals. The hotel features Italian-Japanese cuisine, a lounge bar for overnight guests, and a unique “far niente” relaxation concept without spa facilities.
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Shambhala Hills Partners with Wyndham Hotels to Develop Nivara Resort & Spa in Udaipur, Rajasthan
24 September 2026🏨 Shambhala Hills partners with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to develop Nivara Resort & Spa Udaipur, a Registry Collection Hotel, in Rajasthan, India. The resort will include a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, spa, banquet hall, and meeting spaces. Activities will feature horse-riding, safaris, ziplining, and birdwatching. Dr. Gaurav Sharma emphasizes the resort as a cultural destination, while Rahool Macarius highlights Udaipur’s blend of heritage and luxury tourism. Over 126 million Wyndham Rewards members can explore this new destination.
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Eternal (Live) Boxset Released: 14 CDs, 2 DVDs Capture Joy Division’s Iconic Performances and Visual Legacy
24 September 2026🎸 Peter Hook’s new Joy Division boxset, “Eternal (Live),” releases on September 25, 2026. This deluxe edition contains 14 CDs and 2 DVDs, documenting 16 gigs. Joy Division, active from 1978 to 1980, ended with frontman Ian Curtis’s death at 23. The set’s cover, a Wolfgang Tillmans photo, complements the band’s iconic visuals. Featuring notable photographers like Anton Corbijn, the package is a nostalgic journey into Joy Division’s impactful legacy.
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The Lux Collective Plans Expansion with 18 New Properties by 2027, Focusing on Asia and the Middle East.
23 September 2026🏠 The Lux Collective (TLC), owned by Mauritius-based IBL, operates 15 properties with 1,678 keys and plans 18 more by 2027. In June 2026, TLC expanded to Rwanda with LUX* Lake Kivu and SALT of Akagera. Future openings include China in 2027-2028, Middle East from 2027-2030, and Africa in 2028. Renovations are set for Mauritius and Réunion in 2027. The Tread Lightly program has raised over €1 million for sustainability. The group emphasizes management contracts and AI to enhance guest…
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Othership and AIRE Ancient Baths Represent Divergent Models in Growing Contrast Therapy Wellness Sector
23 September 2026🏨 Contrast therapy and thermal bathing are reshaping hotel spas. In downtown Toronto, Othership, an immersive sauna and ice bath club, charges ~$55/session, promoting social wellness. AIRE Ancient Baths offers a luxurious, introspective experience for ~$175/person, emphasizing Roman and Greek traditions. Othership’s low-cost, scalable model may dominate short-term, expanding across North America. AIRE’s unique, costly model grows selectively, maintaining exclusivity. Hotels need innovative wellness beyond saunas, as these trends become standard.
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Sloan Dean Launches AI Hospitality Group with $30 Million Funding, Pioneering AI-Native Hotel Management for Enhanced GOP Margins
22 September 2026🏨 Former Remington Hospitality CEO Sloan Dean launched AI Hospitality Group, the first AI-native hotel management firm, with $30 million funding from Astound Ventures. AIHG utilizes 60+ autonomous agents for hotel back-office operations, aiming for a 500+ basis point GOP improvement. Booking.com cites Hotrec data predicting 56% direct bookings in Europe by 2025. Actabl’s H1 2026 analysis shows Full Service hotels cutting hours per occupied room by 3.1%, Select Service by 3.5%, with occupancy at 67.9% and RevPAR up 8.9%.
