Know What's Happening in Hotels
Know What's Happening in Hotels
High‑end hotels revamp minibars with local, wellness‑focused offerings
Luxury properties are replacing traditional snack trays with curated selections such as locally sourced foods, handcrafted cocktails, wellness products and even pet‑friendly treats. Examples include Aman New York’s complimentary apothecary‑style cocktails and Equinox Hotels’ superfood bites, while The Largo in Porto adds a sommelier‑noted wine fridge.
The pizza sector has become the leading proving ground for restaurant technology, with AI, robotics, and predictive analytics reshaping ordering, kitchen, and delivery processes. Brands such as Jet’s Pizza, Donatos, Domino’s and Papa John’s have deployed AI‑driven SMS ordering, autonomous kitchen robots, and generative‑AI partnerships to boost speed and reduce labor friction. Independent operators are also joining the wave through platforms like Slice, while experiments in vending machines and autonomous delivery extend the model beyond traditional stores. These innovations are rapidly moving from pilot projects to chain‑wide rollouts, signaling a broader shift across quick‑service dining.
AI‑driven search engines like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity no longer rely on traditional SEO signals such as meta tags or backlinks. Instead they pull from third‑person, recommendation‑style content and trusted mentions across the web. For restaurants, this means they can...
PG Fast Food, a joint venture between hospitality group Hero Brands and musician‑entrepreneur Professor Green, opened its first UK location in Glasgow. The concept replaces the classic burger‑and‑fries model with a "naughty but nice" menu featuring UFO toasted pockets, salad...
Mandarin Oriental captured three top honors at the 2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, winning World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative, Cultural Heritage Project, and Policy Initiative. The group’s sustainability roadmap, anchored by 2030 environmental targets, includes rigorous Scope 1‑3...
ME Dubai, a Meliá Hotels International property, donated 100 meals to support staff and local residents observing Ramadan. The contribution was made in early March 2026, coinciding with the holy month’s fasting period. By providing these meals, the hotel aims...
Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report reveals that 50 percent of families in the Asia‑Pacific region are taking holidays with three or more generations, signaling a surge in multi‑generational travel. The report also highlights a notable rise in skip‑generation trips, where grandparents travel...
The Philippines Retirement Authority (PRA) reported achieving 99% of its 2024 foreign‑retiree target and is now aiming for a 25% year‑on‑year increase by 2026. The country already hosts over 84,000 foreign retirees, led by Chinese nationals, and is leveraging English...
S Hotels & Resorts posted a record normalised net profit of over 615 million baht in 2025, driven by RevPAR growth and lower finance costs. The company announced a 0.07 baht per share dividend, its highest since listing. For 2026, SHR outlined...
Laguna Phuket will roll out a 2.5 km walking trail in 2026 that links its six resorts across a 405‑hectare beachfront precinct. The path will weave through parks, cultural spaces, wellness zones and seasonal art installations, encouraging guests to explore the...
Sandals Royal Curaçao is rolling out a limited‑time "Vacation Goals: Curaçao Edition" program to ride the wave of the island’s historic World Cup qualification. The initiative runs from early June through July 19, 2026 and blends on‑resort match screenings, themed...
Seabourn has unveiled The Denali Experience, an optional eight‑day, seven‑night pre‑cruise land program for its 2027‑2028 Alaska itineraries, extending voyages into Denali National Park. The itinerary includes a scenic rail journey, flightseeing over more than 6 million acres, wildlife encounters at...
Marriott International has signed a landmark agreement with KS Hotels to bring The Luxury Collection to Cambodia and Laos, converting La Résidence Angkor in Siem Reap and La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang. The Luang Prabang property will open in October 2026, marking Marriott’s first hotel in Laos,...
The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection unveiled its Winter 2027‑2028 season, offering more than 60 luxury voyages aboard the Evrima, Ilma and Luminara. The itineraries span Asia‑Pacific, the Caribbean and the South Pacific and introduce 14 new ports, such as Rangiroa, Fakarava, Kaohsiung,...
London architecture firm Orms has been appointed to spearhead the conversion of the iconic BT Tower into a hotel for American hospitality group MCR Hotels. The Grade II‑listed 177‑metre tower, acquired in early 2024, will undergo public consultation in May,...
British Airways is overhauling its tier‑point system to reward flexible and semi‑flexible ticket purchases more heavily than cheap, non‑refundable fares. Starting 1 April, base fares, carrier surcharges, seat and baggage fees, and a new bonus table will determine points, effectively doubling...
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul highlighted resilience, adaptability and cooperation as essential for sustainable growth in the HoReCa sector amid rising global trade uncertainty. He positioned Thailand as a regional hub linking ASEAN to worldwide markets, emphasizing cultural assets and...
Red Gold’s Better Nutrition Made Simple™ line slashes sodium by up to 80% and removes high‑fructose corn syrup, while preserving the familiar taste of ketchup, barbecue sauce, and tomato products. Recent IFIC and Toast surveys show more than half of...
GCSTIMES introduced wooden key cards with detachable pet tags for hotels and resorts. The eco‑friendly cards replace plastic and include a pop‑out tag that guests can attach to their pets’ collars. Each card comes with a coordinated paper holder that...
Restaurant operators face chronic staffing shortages, complex compliance, and safety risks that drain time and profit. A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offers co‑employment services, handling payroll, benefits, tax administration, and risk management. By leveraging the scale of a PEO, independent...
Waring’s new Planit POD Fermentation System lets commercial kitchens ferment and pasteurize fresh plant‑based proteins in just 24 hours, handling up to eight pounds per cycle. The compact, pre‑programmed unit removes the guesswork of mold‑based fermentation, enabling chefs to create...
Qantas is reshaping its international network as US outbound demand softens, reallocating an Airbus A380 from US routes to the high‑yield Singapore corridor and launching a seasonal Las Vegas service. The airline also announced an accelerated fleet renewal, targeting roughly 50...
Artificial intelligence has vaulted from experimental projects to a boardroom priority across airlines, prompting sizable investments in data science, automation and machine learning. Yet many initiatives stall within complex technology programs that fail to deliver clear commercial outcomes. The industry...
Ken’s Foods chefs Chris Gatto and Greg Schweizer advise pizza operators to fine‑tune menus for 2026 through targeted sauce upgrades, flatbread experiments, and strategic toppings rather than a full menu overhaul. They highlight sweet‑heat sauces, chili crisp, and textured pepperoni...
Vueling, a leading IAG‑owned carrier, has appointed gategroup as its new Retail‑on‑Board and catering partner across its European network. The agreement introduces gategroup’s 360° digital retail ecosystem, delivering real‑time analytics, data‑driven touchpoints and streamlined onboard operations. In parallel, gategroup will...
Tampa International Airport launched its new Blue Shuttles on March 13, replacing the aging Red fleet at Airsides A and C. The next‑generation Innovia APM R cars, built by Alstom, feature proprietary software, upgraded electrical systems, concrete guideways, enhanced lighting,...
AREA15 has launched Oddyssey, an immersive nightlife concept in Las Vegas that replaces the traditional mega‑club model with a sequential, room‑to‑room experience. The offering includes a 90‑minute cocktail theater called Oddyssey Manor and a late‑night dance segment, Oddyssey Noir, featuring...
Star Clippers is giving North, Central and South American travelers a complimentary hotel night in Athens, including breakfast and shuttle service, for select 2026 Greece sailings. The promotion, limited to bookings made by April 30, applies to itineraries aboard the...
Hilton Honors points will expire if no eligible activity occurs for 24 consecutive months. Eligible activity includes a stay at a Hilton property, earning points through a credit‑card or partner, buying points, or donating them. Pooling or transferring points does...
American Express continues to offer a $200 airline incidental credit on its Platinum and Business Platinum cards, but the program has grown more restrictive. Cardholders must select a preferred airline and wait 24‑48 hours before charging eligible fees such as baggage,...
United Airlines faces a lawsuit after a four‑year‑old was scalded by 200‑degree tea on a Newark‑Tel Aviv flight. The plaintiff relies on the Montreal Convention, which obliges carriers to compensate for onboard injuries but caps damages at about $216,000. The dispute...
Canary Technologies launched F&B Mobile Ordering, a mobile‑first platform that lets hotel guests place food and beverage orders from their own devices. The solution integrates with major property management and point‑of‑sale systems, updating menus and availability in real time. Hotels...
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is launching an Air Concierge service on April 1, 2026 for U.S. and Canadian travelers. The program replaces the Ultimate All‑Inclusive Fare, offering real‑time market airfare, personalized routing, cabin‑class selection, and flexible dates. Guests pay a...
Did you book travel through an OTA like Expedia or Booking.com, and it was disrupted by the Iran war? Message me for a news story I’m writing. Thanks
FlightPath3D announced a senior leadership expansion and a major operational upgrade in Irvine, California. The company now counts over 5,000 commercial and 1,500 business or government aircraft using its immersive inflight map platform. New hires include a Vice President for...
U.S. is only major destination in the world to see a decline in international travellers in 2025. So far 2026 getting worse — NYT wonder why
Waimea Plantation Cottages, a historic ocean‑front resort dating to 1884, offers restored plantation homes across 43 acres for families seeking multigenerational getaways on Kauai. The property blends authentic Hawaiian heritage with modern amenities, accommodating two to ten guests per cottage...
Marriott International reported a dip in Middle East travel demand as the Iran war curtails bookings, though the impact is confined to roughly 4% of its global room inventory and development pipeline. CEO Anthony Capuano emphasized that European and other...
Venice is set to welcome five major luxury hotel openings and reopenings in 2026, including Airelles Palladio, Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, Four Seasons’ Danieli, Belmond’s Cipriani, and San Clemente Palace. Each property blends historic architecture with modern amenities such as...
S&P Global Ratings has raised the long‑term issuer credit and senior unsecured debt rating for the Vancouver Airport Authority from AA‑ to AA, with a stable outlook. The upgrade cites Vancouver International Airport’s robust market position, strategic capital‑investment plan, and...
JetBlue announced a major schedule expansion at Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport, adding daily year‑round service to Jacksonville and Cartagena and increasing frequencies to Dallas‑Fort Worth and Tampa. The airline will double flights on the Dallas and Tampa routes, moving from...
Travelers chasing the lowest online fare often encounter basic economy tickets that appear cheap but come with significant restrictions. These fares typically exclude seat selection, limit baggage, offer no refunds, and may forfeit frequent‑flyer mileage accrual. For roughly $30 more...
CoStar’s latest week‑long data (Feb 29‑Mar 7 2026) shows the U.S. hotel sector posting solid year‑over‑year gains, with occupancy rising to 63.0% (+1.2 pts), ADR climbing to $166.47 (+3.6 %), and RevPAR reaching $104.92 (+4.9 %). Las Vegas led the pack, posting an 85% occupancy rate and...
Capella Kyoto opens March 22, blending traditional machiya architecture with modern luxury and a courtyard featuring a Kara‑hafu gable. The hotel partners with SingleThread’s three‑Michelin‑star team for the SoNoMa restaurant, offering a menu that fuses Kyoto sensibilities with Northern California...
Travel Marketing Group (TMG) launched as a new community for travel marketers across all sectors. Formed by senior professionals and merging the Chartered Institute of Marketing Travel Industry Group (CIMTIG) with the Travel Marketing Professionals network (TraMP), it focuses on...
The casual‑dining segment outperformed quick‑service peers in 2025, driven primarily by Chili’s and other company‑owned chains. Overall traffic stayed flat, but a core group of brands stabilized earnings through value‑centric promotions like Chili’s 3‑for‑Me and aggressive tiered pricing. Ownership of...
Winter drives rats and mice into hotels, creating operational disruptions, costly damage, and negative guest reviews. A Rentokil analysis of 100,000 service requests shows rodent activity remains high in major urban markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and...
Hotels are grappling with fragmented digital booking journeys as legacy systems fail to communicate, leading to brand inconsistency and lost conversions. A recent report shows 48% of hoteliers view tech integration as essential to solve these friction points. Integrating property...
Bengaluru’s five‑star Oterra hotel has largely avoided the citywide LPG supply crunch by converting its kitchens to electric induction cooking. The hotel now relies on industrial induction cooktops powered by renewable energy, using LPG only for a pizza oven and...
WildPlaces Africa has opened Kulu Ora, its seventh lodge, deep within Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. The property features 11 canvas‑walled suites, each with a private plunge pool and Nile views, alongside a spa, pool, bar and library. Designed for...
Sustainability certifications such as Green Key, LEED, and GSTC are becoming essential credibility tools for hotels, with 83% of travelers indicating that sustainable travel matters and 45% saying certifications make properties more appealing. Research by EHL Hospitality Business School found...
