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Costa Rica’s Tabacón Thermal Resort sells for $111M

🏨 JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group announced the $111-million sale of Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, a 570-acre luxury property in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, to Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, Inc. The resort offers 105 rooms, the largest network of thermal springs, and a recently opened Choyin Rio Termal. Located at Arenal volcano's base, it features rooms from 376 to 2,530 square feet. JLL has completed $83 billion in global transactions over five years.
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Hotel guest satisfaction rises despite higher room rates: J.D. Power

🛌 J.D. Power's 2025 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index reveals higher satisfaction despite record-high room rates. Satisfaction improved due to better room conditions, cleanliness, and amenities, with 72% of rooms featuring smart TVs. Mobile app users reported higher satisfaction (699 points) than non-users (631 points). Only 12% of guests had issues, which lowered satisfaction drastically. Top brands include The Ritz-Carlton and Omni Hotels. The study analyzed 39,219 guest responses from May 2024 to May 2025.
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  • 2 min

Coury Hospitality assuming management of Hard Rock San Diego

🏨 Coury Hospitality will manage the 420-room Hard Rock Hotel San Diego starting July 1, located in the Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel offers 40,000 sq ft of event space, 17 Rock Star Suites, a rooftop pool, and three dining outlets. A transformational renovation is planned for 2026. New Coury-managed properties include AC Hotel Bentonville, Arkansas, and the upcoming Seahaus Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Coury now manages eleven properties in California.
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Waterford Hotel Group adds five New Orleans hotels

🏨 Waterford Hotel Group will begin operating five boutique hotels in New Orleans from July 1. The properties—Audubon Cottages, Le Richelieu, Dauphine Orleans Hotel, Hotel Royal, and Chateau Hotel—belong to the J Collection. This is Waterford's first venture in New Orleans, adding to its four decades of hotel management experience across the U.S. The hotels are located around the French Quarter, offering a blend of Southern hospitality and modern comfort.
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Mandarin Oriental, Venice to launch in 2026

🏨 Mandarin Oriental will manage and rebrand San Clemente Palace Hotel in Venice as Mandarin Oriental, Venice by April 2026. Situated on a five-hectare private island, it's an eight-minute boat ride from San Marco Square. The hotel, housed in 900-year-old monastery buildings, includes a 12th-century church. Renovations, led by Albion Nord, will begin after its November 2025 closure, adding 136 rooms and amenities like a spa, pool, tennis and paddle courts, and four dining venues.
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Peregrine Hospitality appoints chief information officer

💻 Jeff Knowlton becomes the first CIO of Peregrine Hospitality, joining amid its expansion. He brings over 25 years of tech expertise from roles at Sonesta International, Pursuit Collection, Sage Hospitality, Vail Resorts, and Marcus Hotels & Resorts. Founded in 2024, Peregrine, formerly KSL Resorts, manages 92 properties in the U.S., Fiji, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Thailand. CEO Greg Kennealey highlights Knowlton's role in enhancing guest experiences through technology.
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  • 1 min

Element by Westin opens near Charleston Airport

🏨 Broadstreet Global and Contender developed the Element Charleston Airport, a 123-room extended-stay hotel, managed by Hospitality America, near Charleston International Airport and key sites like Tanger Outlets. Offering in-room kitchens with ENERGY STAR appliances, a fitness center, saline pool, and free Wi-Fi, it caters to North Charleston's visitors and contributes to local economic development.
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  • 3 min

Hilton signs first NoMad deal

🏨 Hilton acquired a controlling interest in Sydell Group and the NoMad brand in April, aiming to expand to 100 hotels. The second NoMad hotel is set to open in Singapore by 2027 with 173 rooms, located on Orchard Road. In 2009, Hilton's attempt at a luxury/lifestyle brand, Denizen, failed due to industrial espionage by former employees. NoMad, starting with a London property opened in 2021, has plans for growth in North America, Europe, and beyond. Hilton's luxury footprint in Asia-Pacific aims for 150 hotels, with upcoming Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties, and recently introduced LXR Hotels & Resorts, including Umana Bali and Roku Kyoto.
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As loyalty program rolls multiply, lodging companies get personal

🏨 Hotel loyalty programs are prioritizing personalized engagement over mere membership numbers. Wyndham Rewards offered an exclusive experience with Penn State University's football team, and half of Wyndham hotel check-ins are by members. IHG One Rewards members spend 20% more and book 10 times more through direct channels, with over 60% of 2024 room nights globally (approaching 70% in the Americas) booked by members. Hyatt's World of Hyatt FIND platform provides over 600 experiences, including a tennis clinic with Stan Smith. Partnerships like IHG with Iberostar Beachfront Resorts and Hyatt with Under Canvas enhance member options. SLH joined Hilton Honors but maintains its independent SLH Club. Credit cards play a major role; Wyndham, IHG, and Hyatt offer cards that maximize member rewards. In 2024, Wyndham Rewards was voted #1 by "USA Today" readers.
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