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 U.S. Customs and Border Protection reinstated the Global Entry trusted‑traveler program after a 17‑day suspension caused by a partial DHS shutdown. The pause sparked criticism from airlines, travel groups, and lawmakers who warned of severe airport congestion during the spring travel surge. Pressure from the travel industry led DHS to reverse the decision, restoring kiosks for the 13 million members. The episode underscores how political funding disputes can quickly disrupt essential border‑security services.
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Chase’s Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card now offers a limited‑time welcome bonus of five free nights, valued at up to 250,000 points. Cardmembers earn the nights after spending $3,000 within the first three months, and each night can be topped up...
Mullen Hospitality Management has appointed Javier Coll as president to spearhead its third‑party management and luxury beach‑resort development strategy. Coll brings more than three decades of international hospitality, investment and brand partnership experience, most recently as global head of growth...
American Airlines has teamed with fast‑growing food brand Smash Kitchen to offer premium condiments on select flights. The sauces accompany the airline’s Classic American Sliders and Fries and are available to First‑Class passengers who pre‑order, with the sandwich also offered...
The Department of Homeland Security reactivated the Global Entry trusted traveler program at 5 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, ending a brief pause caused by a partial DHS shutdown. The suspension, announced in late February, had also affected TSA PreCheck as...
Layne’s Chicken Fingers, a premium chicken‑tender chain, expanded from 10 units in 2023 to 41 locations across nine states by 2025. The company has signed franchising agreements for 68 new restaurants, including a 44‑store deal in Texas, and aims to...
The International Airport Summit returns to Rome for its 2026 edition, taking place on November 11‑12 and backed by Aeroporti di Roma. The two‑day event will feature senior airport leaders, including COOs from Milan, Calgary and Tampa, discussing actionable strategies...
Charlestowne Hotels unveiled a seven‑project development pipeline that spans the Midwest, Southeast, Mountain West and its hometown Charleston. The slate includes adaptive‑reuse boutique hotels in Milwaukee and Santa Fe, a staffless technology‑forward property in Florida, and two Tribute Portfolio soft‑brand...
Alton Towers launches the world’s first Hey Duggee themed hotel rooms at CBeebies Land, opening on 14 March. The accommodation includes a standard five‑person room and a larger seven‑person suite, both styled as Duggee’s Clubhouse with bunk beds, themed furniture and...
Valor Hospitality Partners has promoted Paul Nisbett to global chief financial officer, expanding his remit from the EMEA region to worldwide oversight. Nisbett, who joined Valor in 2015, has driven financial governance, supported strategic acquisitions, and built scalable infrastructure across...
Central Florida Laundry has signed a purchase agreement with Lavatec Laundry Technology to replace its aging equipment with two new TT‑series premium dryers. The 465‑pound capacity, energy‑efficient machines are slated for installation this summer. The Orlando‑based firm processed 14.5 million pounds...
Toast released its Q4 2025 Restaurant Trends Report alongside the February 2026 Menu Price Monitor. The data shows a modest decline in regular drip coffee (‑3.3%) and cold‑brew sales (‑2.2%) while specialty espresso‑based drinks rose, reflecting a shift toward treat‑oriented consumption. Median...
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has reorganized its Asia‑Pacific leadership, moving Sunjae Sharma to a regional role based in Hong Kong and appointing Vikas Chawla as president of India and Southwest Asia. Sharma, who has driven Hyatt’s growth in India since 2002,...
World of Hyatt has introduced a limited‑time promotion that awards 2,000 bonus points for each night stayed at its Under Canvas glamping locations. Members must register between March 10 and June 30, 2026, and the stays must occur from March 13 to July 1,...
Galaxi’s roadshow returns in April 2026 with exclusive evening events for UK travel agents in Glasgow, Newcastle and Chester. The free‑entry gatherings feature partner showcases, networking, hospitality and prize giveaways, aiming to inspire agents with fresh product knowledge. Scheduled for...
Samara Karoo Reserve has relaunched its four‑suite, exclusive‑use safari villa, The Manor, after a comprehensive refurbishment. The property now accommodates up to eight guests and features a 21‑metre pool, a panoramic gym, and a newly built boma for starlit dining....
General managers are the architects of restaurant culture, shaping daily operations beyond the front‑of‑house service. Kyle Brown outlines five practical pillars—strict punctuality, comprehensive pre‑service communication, unwavering standards, supportive systems like tip pooling, and hands‑on cross‑training—to embed trust and consistency. By...
Pizza operators are turning to self‑order kiosks tightly integrated with intelligent POS platforms to streamline front‑of‑house service. The app‑like kiosks reduce wait times, improve order accuracy, and allow real‑time upselling of high‑margin items. Integrated POS systems provide dynamic pricing, analytics,...
The Big Biscuit, a fast‑growing breakfast and lunch chain, has teamed up with TipHaus to provide same‑day digital tip payouts across its 30 locations. The partnership leverages TipHaus’s Earned Tip Access, allowing managers to verify shift data and release tips...
Avianca, via American Express, now offers two U.S. co‑branded credit cards. The Elite Card provides up to 100,000 welcome miles after $4,500 and $25,000 spend thresholds, while the standard Card grants 40,000 miles after $3,000 spend. Both cards award Silver Elite...
Expedia Group’s new research of 214 travel‑management company (TMC) leaders across ten countries shows 95 % optimism for business‑travel growth over the next three years, yet only 30‑40 % feel confident they can meet heightened traveler expectations. Travelers now demand blended trip...
Joe Carlucci transformed a COVID-era pizza food truck into Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, now a 196‑seat, full‑service restaurant in Alabama. Starting with a 1,500‑sq‑ft space and 12 employees, the operation has grown to over 50 staff and a curated...
Botanist Bar at Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim has introduced the third edition of its Experiential Cocktail Series, titled “Exploration of Microclimates.” The collection draws on shells, apples and mushrooms to mirror the Pacific Northwest’s coastal, valley and rainforest environments. Creative...
Lighthouse’s H1 2026 report shows U.S. hotel pricing overall falling 6.6% YoY, yet five cities posted double‑digit gains. Park City, Utah led with a 19.9% increase, followed by San Jose, Tallahassee, Oakland and Lakewood. The growth stems from strong seasonal tourism, tech‑sector...
An independent analysis by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton estimates Montreal’s seasonal short‑term‑rental ban will leave a deficit of more than 26,000 accommodation nights during the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix and UCI World Cycling Championships. The shortfall translates into over $19 million in lost visitor...
South Asian destinations are seeing rising interest from Indonesian outbound travelers, with demand shifting toward experience‑focused journeys and lesser‑known locales. At the 43rd TTC Travel Mart, industry players highlighted India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and even Pakistan as emerging favorites...
Digital guest directories are evolving from static print guides into interactive platforms that shape the modern hotel guest journey. By delivering real‑time content, integrated booking links, and QR‑code access, they enable instant upselling of rooms, amenities, and local experiences. The...
The Spanish Ministry of Transport announced that Aena will invest €4.48 billion in a 2027‑2031 development plan for Madrid‑Barajas Airport, targeting major expansions of terminals T4 and T4S, a new processing building, and renovations of T1‑T3. The plan also includes intermodal...
Global Entry, the U.S. trusted‑traveler program, was announced as restored on March 11, 2026 at 5 a.m. ET after a three‑week suspension caused by the federal government shutdown. The suspension began on February 22, 2026, while TSA Pre✓ was reinstated almost immediately following public pressure....
Research from the Food Away from Home Association shows that cheaper GLP‑1 medications will modestly reshape dining habits at quick‑service and family‑style restaurants. Currently 11% of consumers have tried GLP‑1s and another 22% are curious, with most users being Gen...
U.S. Representative Ed Case warned that a pending Department of Homeland Security rule could force Visa Waiver Program travelers to disclose extensive personal data, including up to five years of social‑media history. The proposal targets ESTA applicants and aims to...
Hotel operators must modernise their KPI frameworks to stay competitive in 2026. Traditional metrics such as guest satisfaction, revenue management and operational efficiency remain core, while sustainability, digital engagement and employee retention are emerging as critical indicators. Advanced technology—cloud‑based PMS,...
Cathay Group’s employees will receive over 11 weeks of bonuses & a salary increase this year after the group reported a full-year 2025 profit of US$1.38 billion (HK$10.8 billion) driven by higher capacity, load factors & strong cargo demand.
The World Travel & Tourism Council warns that the Iran conflict is wiping out roughly $600 million in international visitor spending each day. Airspace closures and flight cancellations are disrupting the Middle East’s role as a critical aviation crossroads, affecting hubs...
Royal Schiphol Group’s circular economy lead, Sara Solis, outlines how the airport embeds circular principles—avoidance, low‑impact choices, lifespan extension, and material recovery—directly into design, procurement and operations. She highlights that upstream decisions in construction and asset design generate the biggest...
AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town opened on February 26, 2026, adding 168 European‑inspired guestrooms to Scottsdale’s vibrant Entertainment District. Developed and managed by PEG Companies, the six‑story property creates 50 new hospitality jobs and offers a blend of modern design,...
Taos Ski Valley unveiled its Winter 2027 season passes, introducing six tiered options at the lowest prices of the year. For the first time, Pass Assurance is included for free on all passes bought during the Spring Pass Sale, allowing refunds...
Princess Cruises unveiled its 2028 World Cruise aboard the 2,000‑guest Coral Princess, a 115‑day, 36,000‑nautical‑mile itinerary that touches 49 ports in 24 countries across five continents. The voyage features a maiden call to Mossel Bay, South Africa, and includes 39...
Discover Puerto Rico unveiled "Awaken Your Senses," a global campaign that uses consumer‑psychology insights to market the island as a sensory‑rich travel destination. The initiative builds on the award‑winning "Live Boricua" platform and highlights music, food, landscapes, and community interaction across...
Vivid Sydney 2026 will run from 22 May to 13 June, delivering a 23‑day festival that blends light, music, food and new artistic disciplines. More than 80 percent of the program, including the 6.5‑kilometre Vivid Light Walk, remains free to the public. Brett Sheehy...
The Grimsel Hospiz, first recorded in 1142, is Switzerland’s oldest mountain inn perched at 2,000 m in the UNESCO‑listed Jungfrau‑Aletsch region. The hotel has been fully modernised, drawing power and waste‑heat from the nearby Kraftwerke Oberhasli hydroelectric plant, and offers 28...
Octola II, the new ultra‑lodge in Finnish Lapland, remains hidden behind an invite‑only policy that requires applications and background checks. The property sits on 800 private hectares of forest and offers five bespoke bedrooms, a glass‑igloo suite, and a master suite...
Cathay Pacific has unveiled a special "Spirit of Hong Kong – 80th Anniversary Edition" livery on a Boeing 777‑300ER, created in partnership with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA). The design, featuring artwork by multimedia artist Victor Wong, debuted...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that Global Entry will restart at 5:00 a.m. EST on March 11, ending a pause that began on Feb 22 during the partial government shutdown. The suspension was caused by staffing and administrative disruptions despite the...
Club Eurostar has opened a 20% discount sale on all reward seats, with no blackout dates and travel allowed through 12 December. Bookings must be completed by 4 p.m. on Thursday 19 March, and the reduced pricing applies to Standard, Plus and Premier...
Beijing Capital International Airport, once the world’s second‑busiest hub, has slipped to 15th place in 2025 with passenger volumes at just 70% of 2019 levels. Over the past five years the airport has accumulated roughly $1.6 billion in losses, and analysts...
Some hotels, notably DoubleTree by Hilton Taipei Zhongshan and Hyatt Regency Taoyuan, feature a glass pane separating the bathroom from the bedroom. The partitions range from fully transparent to frosted, allowing light to flow but raising privacy questions. Designers often...
Marriott Bonvoy’s luxury portfolio continues to generate outsized value for members, with ten properties delivering well above the program’s average 0.93 ¢ per point. Data from AwardWallet shows Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace topping the list at 4.34 ¢ per point, while...
Hotel Harry, a historic Surry Hills venue owned by The Point Group, has reopened as Harry’s following a major renovation that blends its 1912 heritage with contemporary design. The refreshed space features an open‑kitchen bistro, al fresco terraces, and a...
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