Hotel Openings

🏨 The Ascott Limited expands in Morocco, with recent Citadines Almaz Casablanca launch and Citadines Bab Tangier opening in 2027. Plans include Citadines Connect Belvédère Casablanca (Q4 2026), Citadines Racine Casablanca (Q3 2025), Ascott Hivernage Marrakech (Q4 2026), and The Unlimited Collection Marrakech (Q4 2026). Morocco's tourism growth: 17 million visitors in 2024, 20 million expected in 2025. Ascott's North African growth represents a 30% increase from 2023, with a global portfolio of 40 properties and over 5,800 units in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. Vincent Miccolis, Managing Director, emphasizes the demand for serviced apartments and lifestyle hotels. Ascott, a subsidiary of CapitaLand Investment Limited, operates 980+ properties in over 230 cities across 40 countries and runs the Ascott Star Rewards loyalty program.

🏨 easyHotel, financed by a 29.2 million euro loan from CaixaBank, expands in Spain with plans for new low-carbon hotels in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante by 2025/2026. The new Madrid Alcalá hotel opens April 29, 2025, offering rooms from 75 €/night and amenities like four-star mattresses and electric vehicle charging. This growth strategy aims to provide budget-friendly, sustainable accommodations in strategic locations, enhancing easyHotel's presence in Spain.

💅 Jomast secured a 10-year lease with Kerry Featherstone and Sara Fern for a 1,636 sq. ft unit at Chesterfield's Elder Way, set to open in May. The development, a former Co-op, now boasts a Premier Inn, eight street level units, with Feather & Fern joining Bottle & Thyme and Hotpod Yoga. The salon will create nine jobs and occupy a remodeled corner unit on Knifesmithgate and Elder Way. Only one unit remains available in the area, with strong interest reported by WSB Property.

🏖️ Minor Hotels and Funyard Minor are developing Anantara Thousand Island Lake Resort in Qiandao Lake, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, opening October 2027. The 160-room luxury resort covers 36,000 square meters offering cultural and outdoor activities. Accommodation ranges from 62 to 340 square meters, with amenities like a fitness center, spa, and tennis court. The resort is 22 km from Qiandaohu Railway Station and 150 km from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Minor Hotels aims to grow from 4 to 15 properties in China within three years and plans over 280 hotels globally by the end of 2027.

🧘 Dr. Tridendra Shakya, Nepalese wellness practitioner with nearly 20 years of experience, will be consulting guests at The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives from February 17 to March 31. Specializing in Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, acupuncture and modern therapies, he offers treatments for stress, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Sessions include acupuncture for chronic pain and anti-aging, an acupuncture-based weight loss session, yogic cleansing therapy for detox and gut immunity, Sleep Well package combining breathwork and foot bath, Acu-Massage treatment with cupping and Marma point massage, as well as Yoga Nidra for sleep improvement, therapeutic yoga, and Motion Meditation. Prices start at USD 240 for 60 minutes. Book at https://www.standardhotels.com/maldives/properties/huruvalhi.

🏢 Newport's new luxury hotel, Island House Newport, opens on March 13, developed by Marshall Properties and operated by Main Street Hospitality. It's located near beaches, Bellevue Avenue, the harbor, and the Cliff Walk, offering suites with customizable layouts for different travelers. Main Street Hospitality, established in 2014, has a portfolio including The Red Lion Inn and more, with General Manager Taylor Lesandrini leading Island House Newport, now open for reservations.

🏕 Marriott International is launching The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp in August and JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp in early 2026 in Kenya in partnership with Lazizi Group. The Masai Mara camp will feature 20 tented suites including a presidential suite, a spa, and various dining options. The Mount Kenya camp, within the 45,000-acre Solio Game Reserve, will offer 20 units, a sky deck restaurant, and experiences like horseback safaris. Both camps aim for minimal environmental impact and local community engagement.

🏨 Hyatt launched Hyatt Select for budget-conscious travelers, featuring amenities like complimentary breakfast and high-speed internet. Room counts range from 70 to 200, focused on secondary and tertiary markets. The brand provides a lean operating model for reduced labor costs. Hyatt Select joins Essentials portfolio, complementing Hyatt Studios, which opened its first location in Mobile, Alabama. Hyatt Studios, introduced in 2023, has over 50 deals in the pipeline, targeting long-term stays. Hyatt Select will start in the Americas and then expand globally.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group introduces the Radisson Blu brand to Bergamo with the launch of Radisson Blu Hotel, Bergamo ChorusLife in Italy. The hotel, positioned in the ChorusLife Smart District, offers 107 rooms and suites, a rooftop restaurant with 360-degree views, and 373 square meters of flexible event space across seven venues. It also features sustainable event options, contemporary accommodations, and proximity to UNESCO-listed Venetian Walls, Bergamo-Orio al Serio Airport, Milan, Brescia, Lombardy lakes, and the Orobian Alps. This marks the group's 13th hotel in Italy and the first in Bergamo, enhancing the city's mix of history, culture, and innovation for both business and leisure travelers.