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.
Greek authorities enforce a 100 kg weight limit on donkeys, horses, and mules used for tourist transport in Santorini. The rule, part of 2018 animal‑welfare legislation, aims to prevent spinal injuries and exhaustion caused by overloaded animals. Enforcement has been uneven, but recent attention highlights the broader challenge of overtourism and reliance on animal labor. The measure serves as an interim safeguard while the island debates more sustainable mobility solutions.
American Airlines is rolling out digital self‑service options for checked baggage across its website, mobile app, and airport kiosks. Customers can now prepay for up to three bags at booking, make same‑day changes without agent assistance, and receive automatic refunds...
Lufthansa is retrofitting 38 Airbus A320s with Geven ergonomic seats, larger overhead bins and dual USB‑A/USB‑C ports, bringing short‑haul cabins in line with its long‑haul product standards. The new bins are 40% larger, allowing vertical luggage stowage and faster boarding....
On February 16, 2026, EL Al flight LY6 from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv was delayed after airport staff discovered "Free Palestine" stickers on 140 checked suitcases. The airline deemed each bag a security risk, requiring individual explosive screening, which extended...
In this episode of Eye on Travel, host Peter Greenberg reports from the new Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol, covering fresh airline routes, emerging travel scams, and the TSA’s unpaid staffing situation, plus an investigation into the legality of the...
United Airlines announced a suite of new MileagePlus cardholder perks designed to accelerate mileage earnings, lower award‑ticket costs, and unlock exclusive Polaris Saver inventory. Starting 2 April 2026, primary cardholders will earn up to double the miles on United flights and receive...
Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas has appointed Anuvu as its new inflight entertainment partner, aiming to digitize and upgrade its content offering. The partnership brings premium libraries including HBO Max and Formula 1, while promising seamless technical integration with zero service...
Nashville International Airport (BNA) has partnered with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company to build the Music City Loop, a zero‑emission underground high‑speed transit system linking the airport with downtown and key transit hubs. The all‑electric loop is designed to accommodate...
Melbourne Airport has rolled out the Veovo Intelligent Airport Platform, a web‑based system that unifies flight, resource and operational data into a single source of truth. The platform leverages management‑by‑exception alerts and continuous integration to improve real‑time coordination among operations...
Marriott Bonvoy, the loyalty arm of the world’s largest hotel chain, spans more than 9,300 properties across 144 countries. The program features six elite tiers, offering bonus points, late‑checkout guarantees and exclusive upgrades, while a suite of co‑branded credit cards...
Florida lawmakers approved a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport after Donald J. Trump, pending Governor Ron DeSantis' signature and FAA approval. The change could take effect as early as July 2026, making it the first major U.S. airport...
A Ryanair passenger claimed a gate agent at Stansted Airport threatened to remove him from a flight after he objected to the employee’s pro‑Hamas pin badge. The passenger posted the encounter on X, where it quickly went viral and drew...
A U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General report criticizes the FAA for using virtual inspections to oversee United Airlines’ maintenance during a 2024 safety probe. The audit found the FAA’s Certificate Management Office was severely understaffed, with 33% of positions...
Minor Hotels is promoting Italy’s UNESCO‑listed culinary heritage through a curated series of high‑end restaurants across its Italian properties. Each venue, from Venice’s Da Lorenzo to the Amalfi Coast’s Dei Cappuccini, is led by Michelin‑starred chefs who reinterpret regional traditions...
Ramadan slows Dubai’s relentless pace, trimming private‑sector workdays by two hours and compressing school schedules. Evening becomes the new business hub as hotels and convention halls host corporate iftars and late‑night suhoor gatherings that double as networking platforms for Muslims...
Is this the most undervalued hospitality play in Malaysia right now? 🇲🇾 While everyone is chasing speculative tech, a "quiet" company just reported a 35-fold quarterly profit jump. This isn't just growth—it’s a total operational takeover. 🧵 (1/5)
My stay at the Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa this week is up there 🤩 Located in La Fortuna, Costa Rica with prime volcano views, a hot tub in the room, naturally sourced thermal hot springs and 8 soaking pools.
Lufthansa has teamed with catering giant gategroup to roll out the Future Onboard Experience (FOX) across its long‑haul fleet, marking a major upgrade to in‑flight dining for all cabin classes. The program, launched as part of Lufthansa’s 100‑year anniversary, introduces...
Great Western Railway (GWR) is rolling out a new mobile app on Tuesday, requiring all users to reset passwords and, crucially, to retrieve or export their existing e‑ticket data before Monday night. Bookings for travel on or after 24 February...
Servair is sending a curated menu created by Michelin‑starred chef Anne‑Sophie Pic to the International Space Station for astronaut Sophie Adenot’s first long‑term mission. Over a year of R&D, the team adapted gourmet recipes to meet the constraints of microgravity,...
Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) was named the 2025 Best Overall Non‑hub Airport in the United States by Swelbar‑Zhong Consultancy, a leading aviation research firm. The award recognizes GRB’s superior air‑service options, high‑quality passenger experience, strong financial performance, and...
Norfolk International Airport unveiled a new two‑story, 26,000‑square‑foot Federal Inspection Services (FIS) building, designed to streamline customs and baggage handling. The $31 million project, funded partly by $13.5 million in federal aid, features floor‑to‑ceiling windows, an open floorplan, and a dedicated Global...
American Airlines displays two balances—award miles and Loyalty Points—on its member portal. Award miles are the redeemable currency for flights, upgrades and seats, and they never expire for active accounts. Loyalty Points, however, are the metric used to qualify for...
Zemi Beach House in Anguilla has teamed with AnguillAir to cover the full cost of round‑trip flights between Newark (EWR) and Anguilla (AXA) for guests staying three nights or more. The promotion runs for bookings made by March 15, 2026, with...
American Express is offering a one‑time 20% statement credit, up to $30, for U.S. cardmembers who book a single rental on Turo’s platform before May 31 2026. The credit applies to reservations made on the U.S. or Canadian Turo website or app...
Sunrise Dominicana, a Dominican carrier certified in 2025, has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a five‑year exemption to operate scheduled and charter flights between the Dominican Republic and the United States. The airline plans to...
Emirates First Class remains a coveted award cabin in 2026, but tighter availability and elite‑status requirements make booking increasingly challenging. Travelers can secure seats directly through Emirates Skywards, either by redeeming full‑fare miles or by upgrading a Business Class award,...
The episode outlines a limited‑time Radisson Hotels promotion that offers up to 35 % off resort stays of three nights or more, including breakfast and 2,000 bonus Radisson Rewards points. Discounts are tiered: 25 % off for three‑ or four‑night stays and...
Indianapolis International Airport will open a culinary incubator in Civic Plaza by fall 2027, giving emerging Indiana chefs mentorship and exposure to the airport’s 10.6 million annual travelers. The project, led by James Beard‑award‑winning chef Steve Oakley and operated by CC Holdings,...
Fried chicken sandwiches now appear on 12.3% of full‑service restaurant menus, a 30% increase over four years, while consumer awareness sits at 95% and trial at 86%. Hormel Foodservice’s FLASH 180™ Battered Sous Vide Chicken offers a pre‑cooked, batter‑coated product that...
Comedian Jim Breuer paid for first‑class tickets to Honolulu, but American Airlines removed him and his wife from the cabin to seat deadheading pilots, re‑assigning them to coach row 18. The airline cited overbooking rules and offered a $500 voucher,...
Avocado’s surge in consumer demand is prompting operators to seek reliable, high‑yield solutions for menu inclusion. Traditional whole‑fruit handling often results in 50‑75% usable yield due to bruising, over‑ripeness, and waste, threatening margins. WHOLLY® avocado products, processed via high‑pressure technology,...
Snooze is set to reopen its Chapel Hill location on March 1, ending a months‑long closure caused by extensive water damage from July flooding. The 4,567‑square‑foot restaurant will debut three new menu items—a biscuits & gravy plate, a three‑cheese fire‑roasted...
Pure Wellness has teamed with Prime Group US and Shaner Hospitality to roll out its Pure rooms at three Florida properties—Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Art Ovation Hotel, and Hilton Aventura Miami. The Pure rooms use a proprietary multi‑step treatment that delivers 99% anti‑viral and anti‑microbial protection,...
John Wayne Airport announced the launch of three new concessions: a Dunkin’ coffee shop operated by HMSHost, the Harbor Exchange boutique run by Paradies Lagardère, and a Brookstone electronics and travel‑retail outlet managed by Hudson. The additions broaden the airport’s food‑and‑beverage...
Philadelphia International Airport has added a PrimoHoagies cafe, bringing the South Philly sandwich staple to travelers. The outlet is part of the airport’s “Founded in Philly” initiative and is run through a partnership between The Grove Inc., ACDBE partner M2 Concepts,...
SSP Canada has opened two new dining concepts at Kelowna International Airport (YLW): Vintners Exchange Gastrobar, featuring Okanagan wines curated with sommelier Bram Bolwijn, and Ellison Field Taphouse Kitchen & Bar, a BC Ale Trail‑partnered craft‑beer venue. The launches were...
Japan’s Kobe Airport has launched a new international terminal, shifting from a domestic‑only facility to a regional gateway linking the Kansai area with major Asian cities such as Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei. The terminal incorporates SITA’s Flex Essentials platform, common‑use...
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok marked its 150th anniversary by launching the first chapter of the multi‑year Unfolding Legacies programme. The celebration began with a gala dinner on 14 February 2026, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The event featured a...
Hand Picked Hotels announced three senior appointments for its Channel Islands division. Will Jackson will serve as general manager of L’Horizon Hotel & Spa in Jersey, José Simoes as hotel manager of Braye Beach Hotel in Alderney, and Jaime Short...
The article outlines seven essential considerations for hotel revenue managers aiming to build a future‑proof technology stack. It stresses the shift from legacy tools to AI‑driven platforms that automate pricing, distribution and demand analysis. Consolidating solutions, leveraging real‑time data, and...
COMO Hotels and Resorts will reopen the historic COMO Cordeillan‑Bages in Pauillac, Bordeaux on May 1, 2026. The 19th‑century estate will feature 28 rooms and suites, a 25‑meter pool, gym, sauna, and a restaurant, all designed by Paola Navone. A...
English Fizz, a premium non‑alcoholic sparkling water, is gaining traction among first‑class and private‑jet travelers, eroding champagne’s traditional dominance in luxury travel. Airlines and high‑end hotels are adding English Fizz to their beverage carts, citing health‑conscious passenger demand and lower...
Club Med’s deputy CEO met with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie to discuss deepening the resort’s role in the islands’ tourism ecosystem. The dialogue highlighted the brand’s premium all‑inclusive model, strong occupancy rates and its commitment to local employment and sourcing....
Thom Geshay, longtime CEO of Davidson Hospitality Group, has been appointed vice chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) for 2026, partnering with Chair Liam Brown. Geshay brings a management‑company perspective, stressing the split performance between upscale/luxury and...
Hartford’s hotel market has rebounded, with occupancy and ADR surpassing pre‑pandemic levels. Yet the city has shed roughly 1,300 rooms since 2019, and recent conversions have turned former hotels into residential units. The shortfall leaves the Connecticut Convention Center with...
In 2018 Mickey Barreto checked into the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel for a single night and invoked New York’s rent‑stabilization law to claim permanent‑tenant status. He filed a fraudulent deed that transferred the entire hotel to his self‑named nonprofit, then...
Laurel Real Estate Co. is marketing a two‑motel boutique portfolio in Geneva‑on‑the‑Lake, Ohio, for $2.4 million. The assets—The Palms Motel and Pete’s Lakefront Motel—offer 32 keys and sit on a prime lakefront strip with private beach access. Recent capital improvements exceeding...
Chipotle will give away a free side of its handmade chips and queso blanco on digital orders from February 23 through February 25 to celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day. The promotion spotlights chips made each morning with fresh lime and a queso...
The U.S. hotel sector posted solid year‑over‑year gains for the week of Feb 8‑14, 2026, with occupancy climbing to 61.5% (up 2.6%), ADR rising to $167.98 (up 1.9%), and RevPAR reaching $103.35 (up 4.6%). Los Angeles led the top‑25 markets, posting an...
