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.
Dr. Emily Williams Knight has been president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association and its foundation since August 2019. She leveraged her 20‑plus years of global experience to obtain critical government waivers and federal aid that helped thousands of Texas restaurants survive the COVID‑19 crisis. Knight continues to champion legislative initiatives, broaden member services, and promote career pathways in the foodservice sector, earning multiple industry accolades.
Flore Café marks its first anniversary with the “Flore in Bloom” cherry‑blossom high‑tea, debuting March 8 and later expanding to a pop‑up at Oasis Sushi & Listening Bar. The 14‑course, $89 menu blends European tea service with Japanese influences, featuring lobster...
Yaofei Feng co‑founded Fantuan Delivery, an Asian food‑delivery and life‑service platform active in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. Before Fantuan, he engineered large‑scale systems at Amazon, gaining deep infrastructure expertise. As Fantuan’s former CTO, Feng built the R&D...
Tony Bandanza has been appointed head of Uber’s US&C Restaurant Advertising business, overseeing strategy and execution for one of the company’s fastest‑growing revenue streams. He rejoined Uber in 2022 to lead the global Yum! Brands partnership, expanding Pizza Hut’s presence across...
Tyler Schack has been appointed Vice President of Technology & Guest Insights at Walk‑On’s Sports Bistreaux, where he will steer enterprise technology strategy and guest‑intelligence programs. His mandate includes boosting brand growth, franchisee profitability, and operational scalability across the restaurant...
Wyndham Rewards has joined Chase Ultimate Rewards as a transfer partner, allowing eligible Chase cardmembers to move points at a 1:1 ratio into Wyndham accounts. The transfer typically completes by the next business day, though it can take up to...
IHG has opened its first Hotel Indigo in the Turks and Caicos Islands, branding the new property as Hotel Indigo Turks & Caicos Grace Bay. The boutique hotel sits steps from the world‑renowned Grace Bay Beach and features 56 rooms...
Delta Air Lines announced its largest‑ever summer schedule, operating an average of 95 daily nonstop flights across the North Atlantic in Q3 2026 – a 1.6% increase over its previous record. The airline will serve 28 European airports, including new seasonal...
Hotel Business released a Straight From the Source video featuring Zac Crump, director of business development at Cetis. Crump outlines Cetis’ end‑to‑end guest‑room solution across five brands, covering in‑room phones, appliances, and upcoming product lines. The segment also provides a...
The American Hotel & Lodging Association hosted its fourth Responsible Stay Summit, uniting its Sustainability and Food & Beverage committees for the first time. Attendees exchanged best practices on responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and water conservation, while the event honored...
Marriott International reported a record‑breaking 2025 in its Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region, signing 94 deals that added 10,461 rooms. The portfolio grew to 555 open properties and more than 95,000 rooms across 37 countries, a 40% jump in...
The Points Guy released a comprehensive guide that maps credit‑card points and miles to their airline and hotel transfer partners, detailing transfer ratios and current valuations. It highlights the top flexible‑points cards from issuers such as American Express, Chase, Capital...
Premium economy, first introduced in the late 1970s, has evolved into a core revenue product for airlines worldwide. Today, carriers from legacy to hybrid low‑cost operators equip new A350 and 787 aircraft with factory‑installed premium cabins offering up to 42‑inch...
A new MMGY Travel Intelligence study of 300 planners and 1,000 attendees shows cost and safety dominate U.S. meetings decisions. Sixty‑three percent of planners flag travel expenses, while 72 % weigh crime levels when selecting cities. Despite these pressures, 90 % still...
European upscale hotel chain Motel One completed a full migration of its 101 properties in 13 countries to Oracle’s OPERA Cloud PMS within a four‑month window. The cloud platform delivers a unified data foundation, built‑in analytics, and access to over...
Exeter Airport in the UK is conducting a second two‑week winter trial of hydrogen‑powered ground support equipment, focusing on a dual‑fuel (hydrogen/diesel) ground power unit operating in cold, inclement weather. The trial follows an April test that deployed a hydrogen...
Accor’s European and North‑Africa CEO Karelle Lamouche warned that while artificial intelligence drives pricing, personalization and marketing efficiencies, an over‑reliance could erode the human connection that defines hospitality. She highlighted risks such as disintermediation, commoditisation and loss of brand differentiation if...
Hotel News Resource reports that the $185 million Monarch San Antonio, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, opened in the Hemisfair District with 200 rooms, including 28 suites. The 17‑story property offers upscale amenities such as a full‑service spa, a 550‑sq‑ft fitness...
Happy Joe’s is rolling out its first Arizona location, a NextGen prototype slated for spring 2026 near Tucson, that blends family‑focused entertainment—game room, golf simulator, fire‑pit patio—with a hybrid service model offering a value‑priced lunch buffet and full‑service dinner. CEO...
Israel's Ministry of Tourism launched Operation “Roaring Lion,” activating 24/7 virtual assistance and shuttle services to expedite tourist departures via the Taba border crossing. Four land border crossings remain operational with specific hours, while Destination Management Companies retain full logistical...
This week’s hospitality news is dominated by a series of senior‑level appointments across hotels, resorts, and related service firms. Trailborn Hotels & Resorts named Paul Eckert COO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts hired Amit Sripathi CFO, and Westgate Resorts added Jared...
Alliants CEO Tristan Gadsby and VP Gareth Fraser discussed how the company’s people‑first culture fuels its hospitality technology strategy. The firm emphasizes automating routine tasks with AI while empowering staff to deliver exceptional, contactless guest experiences, exemplified at Resorts World...
Citrus County’s traditional influx of Canadian snowbirds is waning, with recent tourism data showing fewer winter visitors from Canada. Analysts attribute the dip to a stronger U.S. dollar, higher airfare and fuel costs, and shifting preferences toward Mexico, the Caribbean,...
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, a €60 million luxury resort, will open in May 2026 as Ireland’s first five‑star hotel in Galway in over two decades. The property features 114 rooms—including junior and penthouse suites—an 18‑hole championship golf course originally designed by...
The Monarch, a $185 million, 17‑story luxury hotel in San Antonio, opened under Zachry Hospitality and Hilton’s Curio Collection. Featuring 200 rooms—including 28 suites—its butterfly‑inspired design integrates natural materials, a $2 million La Mariposa art pavilion, and expansive public spaces. The property houses...
A walking‑tour operator has launched the Independence Trail Tours across New York City, Boston and Philadelphia, timed for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. The small‑group, guide‑led experiences weave through Revolutionary‑War landmarks such as Federal Hall, the Freedom Trail...
Neen Williams, a professional skateboarder turned strength coach, turned his online health‑focused content into NADC Burger, a fast‑casual chain now operating 11 locations. He first launched a line of spice blends to build audience trust, then partnered with Michelin‑starred chef...
Carrie Luxem of the Restaurant HR Group released a short video outlining five essential steps for restaurant leaders to navigate ambiguous, high‑stakes situations. The framework emphasizes recognizing gray areas, mastering difficult conversations, and channeling emotions into productive decision‑making. Luxem argues...
Hilton Grand Vacations is rolling out a limited‑time timeshare promotion that bundles a three‑night stay starting at $249 with 50,000 Hilton Honors points and a $100 prepaid Visa or MasterCard. Buyers must attend a two‑hour sales presentation and purchase the...
![[YMMV] Barclays Wyndham: Pay 3 Bills Per Month For 3 Months & Earn 3,000 Bonus Points](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://www.doctorofcredit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/wyndham-1.png)
Barclays is rewarding Wyndham credit‑card holders with a 3,000‑point bonus when they make three bill payments in three consecutive months. Eligible payments cover internet, cable, phone, streaming services, utilities, gym memberships, and local transit. The promotion has no minimum spend,...
Thompson Savannah has hired acclaimed chef Ari Taymor as its new Executive Chef, tasking him with directing four distinct dining venues that emphasize locally sourced, seasonal Southern fare. The concepts include the signature Fleeting restaurant, rooftop Bar Julian, artisan bakery...
Rogers Bank has introduced the Rogers Red World Legend™ Mastercard, Canada’s first World Legend‑branded credit card, priced at a $495 annual fee and featuring a metal design. The card offers 2% cash back globally for Rogers‑affiliated customers (1.5% for others),...
Wyndham Rewards is offering Minor League Baseball experiences for as few as 2,500 points, with tiered packages at 5,000 and 5,500 points that bundle tickets, premium seating, food, beverages, and unique fan experiences. The 5,000‑point option includes Founders Club tickets,...
In December 2025 LATAM Airlines introduced the Altitude Collection, a series of six collectible amenity kits created with Brazilian brand Costa Brazil and executed by WESSCO International. The kits draw on South America’s diverse landscapes, using vegan, Amazon‑sourced ingredients and...
RMT Global Partners introduced the Collapsible ATLAS Drawer, a lightweight galley drawer that folds flat when not in use. Designed with input from caterers and cabin crews, the drawer features snap‑open and quick‑collapse mechanisms that speed loading and reduce handling...
Restaurant technology platform Olo unveiled its first consumer‑facing digital ordering app as part of the new Olo Network. The app functions like a marketplace but charges restaurants zero commission and lets them retain full guest‑data ownership. Built on the password‑free...
gategroup has launched Conscious Kitchen, a cross‑functional initiative that reimagines airline special meals as purpose‑built, plant‑forward, and nutritionally balanced offerings. The program embeds ESG, nutrition, procurement and operations expertise into a monthly working group, driving lower‑impact cooking methods and waste...
The Falkensteinerhof hotel in South Tyrol has been upgraded to a 4 * Superior rating following a comprehensive refurbishment completed in 2025. The renovation adds modernised interiors, expanded wellness facilities with adult‑only and family saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, and new...
The guide breaks down frequent‑flyer mileage expiration into three models—activity‑reset, fixed‑date, and earning‑only—and lists which airlines use each. It highlights carriers with never‑expiring miles such as Delta, United and Southwest, contrasted with airlines imposing 12‑ to 36‑month caps like Avianca...
Icelandair has rolled out an allergen‑guaranteed special‑meal program that delivers sealed, passenger‑opened boxes on roughly one‑third of its flights. Developed with Foodcase International under the Libero Special Meals Program, the service adheres to a strict EU/U.K. Top 14 allergen‑free framework and...
Capital One Shopping and Capital One Offers are running a limited‑time promotion for Trip.com bookings, delivering up to 36.5% cashback through the Shopping portal and up to 18X transferable miles via Offers. The rates vary by product category, with hotels...
Luxury resorts are increasingly designing wellness retreats specifically for female travelers, capitalizing on the momentum of International Women’s Day. Ananda in the Himalayas offers a data‑driven, Ayurveda‑centric program for high‑performing women dealing with burnout and hormonal issues. In Phuket, Layan...
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) outlined a strategic plan to manage rapid air‑traffic growth in the Asia‑Pacific region. CAAS provides navigation services over 670,000 km², with 400 controllers handling 676,000 movements annually, including 374,000 at Changi Airport in 2025—a...
Lufthansa left hundreds of passengers stranded overnight on Munich’s tarmac after a snow‑related shutdown, then offered a single passenger only €10.93 for meals. The airline cited extraordinary circumstances and denied entitlement to EU 261 compensation, despite its CEO publicly promising...
Shep Hyken distills Joe Pine’s new "Transformation Economy" concept, urging businesses to shift from selling features to delivering measurable personal change. By framing products as bridges to customers’ aspirations—whether a treadmill that enables weight loss or Disney that creates lasting...
Red sauce has become a staple across full‑service restaurant menus, rising from 63% of menus in 2022 to 74% in 2025, according to Datassential. Operators favor Red Gold’s fully‑prepared marinara because it offers a long‑shelf‑life, consistent flavor, and the ability to...
Outrigger Hospitality Group announced the appointment of Nathan Decker as director of group sales, effective March 2, 2026. In his new role he will pursue new sales prospects and deepen client relationships across the brand’s properties and commercial unit. Decker arrives with...
Marcus & Millichap topped North America’s hospitality brokerage in 2025, closing 258 deals worth $2 billion. The firm credits its expansive buyer network and deep market expertise for the performance. This achievement places the company ahead of traditional competitors across all...
Mumford Company is marketing a Residence Inn at Shreveport Regional Airport as a new investment opportunity. The hotel sits directly off Interstate 20, adjacent to the airport exit, and is close to multiple commercial and recreational demand generators. It is currently...
JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group arranged a $37 million non‑recourse refinancing for Ambiente, a 40‑room adults‑only luxury landscape hotel in Sedona, Arizona. The deal, executed through a debt fund, includes a sizable cash‑out component that recapitalizes the property to fund ongoing...
