George Sell

Reconfiguring common spaces: Q&A with Michael Buono, CEO of New York Renaissance Group and Mulberry Development

IHM editor-in-chief George Sell speaks to Michael Buono, principal and CEO of New York Renaissance Group and Mulberry Development, about the complexities of reworking communal areas, and how short-term considerations will impact future developments and operations.

Shiva Hotels secures £230 million refinancing for Marylebone project

UK: Shiva Hotels has secured a £230 million development financing package from Cale Street Investments and Crosstree Real Estate Partners to fund the construction of its 199-key luxury lifestyle hotel in Marylebone, London.

UK to lift quarantine restrictions on European arrivals from July 6

UK: Restrictions on overseas travel will be relaxed from July 6, ministers have said.

UK hotels expected to reopen on July 4

UK: Prime minister Boris Johnson is reportedly set to announce hotels and bed and breakfasts can reopen on July 4 along with pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.

Can quarantine be quashed?

The massed ranks of the travel and hospitality industry in the UK are mobilising to try and force a government U-turn over the 14-day quarantine for overseas visitors, which came in to force on Monday.

The urban divide

As the UK hotel sector works towards a tentative July 4 opening date, there is a clear divide opening up between rural and resort hotels,

Bespoke's Hotel Brooklyn brand to open in Leicester

UK: Bespoke Hotels is to open a second Hotel Brooklyn property in in Leicester in summer 2022, following the February opening of the first, in Manchester.

Hampshire MoD property set for hotel conversion

UK: Amport House, near Andover in Hampshire, will be converted in to a hotel by the Another Place group.

UK consumers could spend nearly £4 billion in hospitality sector during first week after lockdown is lifted

UK: New research says pent up demand from the public for eating, drinking and travelling, could see £3.8 billion being spent in the first week after restrictions are lifted.

Event review: In Sync day two

Global: With the International Hotel Investment Forum postponed until 2021, organiser Questex has launched In Sync, a two-day online event.

Event review: In Sync day one

Global: With the International Hotel Investment Forum postponed until 2021, organiser Questex launched In Sync, its virtual equivalent, today.

Countryside concerns

These are sobering times for hospitality worldwide, but the potentially devastating implications of the Coronavirus lockdown for rural UK businesses have been starkly spelled out by Limewood boss Robin Hutson.

Pressing ahead

While the COVID-19 pandemic has seen thousands of hotels across the world closing for business, the construction of future supply is relatively unaffected, with many developers pressing ahead with their plans.

Changing agendas

It's probably safe to say that just a few short weeks ago, the launch of a new cleaning standards certification program would not have been the top story on the BHN newsletter.

Funding secured for environmentally friendly lifestyle hotel in Tblisi

Georgia: Silk Road Group has secured €15 million in funding from IFU, Denmark’s Investment Fund for Developing Countries, to transform Tbilisi’s historic Telegraph building into a lifestyle hotel.

Some UK hospitality businesses could reopen in July

UK: Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced a phased approach to easing Coronavirus lockdown restrictions, which could see some hospitality businesses open in July.

IHM launches Urban Living webinar series

UK: International Hospitality Media (IHM), the publisher of BHN, has announced the launch of a webinar series in the run up to the URBAN LIVING FESTIVAL 2020: stay-live-work

Ruby Hotels to open Stuttgart hotel and coworking space

Germany: Ruby Hotels will launch its first Stuttgart property, comprising a hotel and coworking space, in spring 2023.

Criton offers hoteliers free app to reduce touchpoints during COVID-19

UK: Criton is offering its guest engagement platform free of charge to hoteliers until 2021.

Expedia raises $3.2 billion as Kern takes CEO role

US: Expedia Group has named Peter Kern and Eric Hart as its new CEO and CFO, and raised $3.2 billion in new funding.

Administrators appointed to second Signature Living hotel

UK: Matthew Ingram and Michael Lennon of Duff and Phelps have been appointed as joint administrators to Bedford Hotel Limited, which is opening as the George Best Hotel in Belfast.

Hypnos wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise for sustainability

UK: British bedmaker Hypnos has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development for its commitment to sustainable and ethical manufacturing.

Hospitality businesses will be "among the last" to exit UK lockdown

UK: Michael Gove, the UK's minister for the cabinet office, has said that hospitality businesses will be "among the last" to exit the country's current restrictions.

Bootle predicts V-shaped recovery from coronavirus impact

Global: Economist Roger Bootle of Capital Economics says the medium-term prospects for the hospitality industry are "extremely good".

More than 4,000 hotels reopen in Shanghai

China: Around 4,200 hotels in Shanghai have reopened as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted and the city comes back to life.

UK government advises hotels to close

UK: The government has issued guidance to accommodation providers and has advised all hotels providing commercial accomodation to close.

Hotelisation: a two-way street

Hotelisation has become something of a buzz word in real estate circles lately. But what does it actually mean and what are its implications and limitations?

Rebrand for Resident

Nadler Hotels' decision to rebrand as The Resident is perhaps an understandable one, given the brand was so intrinsically linked with its founder Robert Nadler.

Sonder moves closer

Sonder's move in to the hotel space has received a huge boost as well as a hefty shot of credibility, with the appointment of Frits van Paaschen to its board.

New territory

It's fascinating to see Sonder - a masterlease operator of high-end apartment buildings - is now moving firmly in to hotel territory.

Drawing the line

As the dust settles after the UK election result, it has become clear that the UK is going to leave the European Union, and soon.

No half measures

As we have come to expect from Accor, when the company decides to do something, it doesn't deal in half measures.

Northern Powerhouse

Manchester's newly burgeoning reputation as a hotel hot spot got a boost in November with the opening of Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs' Stock Exchange Hotel.

Wisconsin department store set for boutique hotel conversion

US: The former Zahn’s department store in downtown Racine is to be converted in to an 80-room boutique hotel.

BLHS to become part of URBAN LIVING FESTIVAL in 2020

UK: The 2020 Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit (BLHS) will be part of a new, bigger hospitality and real estate event, the URBAN LIVING FESTIVAL.

DMA gets green light for Brighton boutique hotel conversion

UK: Architects Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) has received planning consent to refurbish and extend Brighton’s Old Ship Hotel into a boutique lifestyle hotel.

Accor launches new loyalty program and teams up with Alibaba

France/China: Accor has partnered with Chinese online retail giant Alibaba Group, to develop apps and loyalty programs to appeal to Chinese consumers.

Manchester United stars open hotel after six-year renovation

UK: GG Hospitality has opened the 40-key Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester.

Event review: Sustainability dominates at Deloitte conference

BHN editor George Sell reports from the 2019 Deloitte European Hotel Investment Conference in London.

Tapestry Collection to make Canadian debut in New Brunswick

Canada: The 97-key Canvas Moncton will be the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel in Canada.

Kolkmeyer to convert Buffalo mansion into boutique hotel

US: Developer Paul Kolkmeyer has acquired the former Oracle Charter School building, also known as the Goodyear House, in Buffalo, NY, for $1.3 million.

Quick Q&A: Bob Quick, Global Secured Accreditation

Former top policeman Bob Quick talks to BHN about why he has launched a security accreditation scheme for hotels, and why it’s relevant for all types and sizes of property.

Talash Hotels portfolio up for sale

UK: Talash Hotels Group has appointed JLL to sell its portfolio of nine regional hotels, for offers in excess of £29.5 million.

Meet and greet

Accor's latest brand launch - its 36th! - is, on the face of it, another attempt to attract the younger guest.

Forging partnerships

IHG's new partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith is the latest example of one of the major hotel groups offering their program members extra choice.

On the beach

Hats off to Penta Hotels for getting hands on in its commitment to environmental issues.

CoStar Group to acquire STR for $450 million

US: Real estate analytics provider CoStar Group has entered into an agreement to acquire hospitality data and marketplace anayltics firm STR.

Malaysian co-living hotel brand heads to Australia

Australia: The 60-key Cititel X Sydney will open in the city's Pyrmont district in early 2020.

Robson leaves Great Northern Hotel

UK: Jeremy Robson, the owner of London’s Great Northern Hotel, has departed the business.

Master Innholders rebrands conference for 2020

UK: The Master Innholders General Managers’ Conference has been rebranded for 2020 as the Hotel Leadership Conference.

The White Horse receives Global Secure Accreditation

UK: The White Horse in Dorking has become the first provincial hotel to receive Global Secure Accreditation (GSA).

Hotel plans for Glasgow's Wellington House approved

UK: Developer Henley Homes has received planning consent for its hotel conversion of Glasgow’s B-listed Wellington House.

Michelin-star chef to collaborate with new Somerset boutique hotel

UK: Michelin star chef Merlin Labron-Johnson is to collaborate with Number 1 Bruton, a new boutique hotel due to open in Somerset in November.

The Nare awarded five AA stars

UK: The Nare, at Veryan-in-Roseland in Cornwall, has been awarded five stars by The AA.

IHG partners with Mr & Mrs Smith

UK: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Mr & Mrs Smith have announced an exclusive loyalty partnership.

Billesley Manor completes £2.5 million first phase of renovation

UK: Billesley Manor, a 72-key country house hotel in Warwickshire, has completed the first phase of its renovation, ahead of further work next year.

Sanctuary to operate spa at Cape Town's Banksia Boutique Hotel

South Africa: Sanctuary Spa has launched the 760 square foot Sanctuary Spa at the Banksia Boutique Hotel in Cape Town to its portfolio.

Nikki Beach to open boutique hotel in Lebanon

Lebanon: Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts is teaming up with Lebanese developer Zardman to open a resort and spa on the Damour coastline.

Accor launches flexible and eco-based greet brand

France: Accor has launched the greet economy hotel brand, which it describes as "a new alternative hospitality and sustainable tourism offer".

High Street Hospitality breaks ground on Durham hotel

UK: High Street Hospitality has broken ground on its sixth hotel development, a 40-key property in Durham.

Kerten to take The House Hotel brand to Jeddah

KSA: Mixed-use operator Kerten Hospitality is bringing its award-winning boutique hotel brand The House Hotel to the Middle East region for the first time.

Red Carnation completes Hatch Hall purchase

Ireland: The creation of a boutique hotel at Hatch Hall, a former Victorian university residence hall in Dublin, has moved a step closer.

Tokyo Autograph Collection hotel to open in April 2020

Japan: The mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection, designed by Wilson Associates, will open its doors next spring.

Change of restaurant at The Hoxton Portland

US: The ground-floor restaurant inside The Hoxton Portland is being revamped.

Singling out plastic

Isn't it incredible that Marriott and IHG's decisions to phase out single use plastic toiletry bottles will prevent 700 million plastic items being sent to landfill each year?

Aspey promoted to executive GM at Farncombe Estate

UK: Tom Aspey has been promoted to executive general manager at The Fish and Foxhill Manor in a newly-created role at the Farncombe Estate.

SiteMinder partners with HotelSwaps

UK: Guest acquisition platform SiteMinder has partnered with HotelSwaps, a hotel room exchange programme for independently-owned and operated boutique and luxury hotels.

Hyatt debuts Andaz brand in Seoul

South Korea: Hyatt has opened the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, the 21st Andaz hotel globally and the fourth in Asia

Mama Shelter opens in London

UK: Mama Shelter has opened its first London property, in the rebranded RE Hotel in Shoreditch.

HotelREZ acquires Best Loved Hotels

UK: Representation company HotelREZ has acquired Best Loved Hotels from the Great British Hotel Company Ltd. for an undisclosed sum.

Pestana makes US debut with South Beach property

US: Portuguese operator Group Pestana is opening a 97-room South Beach property on April 8.

Kimpton opens first Asian property

Taiwan: IHG has opened its first Kimpton property in Asia, the Kimpton Da An Hotel in Taipei.

Emma Broom appointed head chef at the Lord Crewe Arms

UK: The Calcot Collection has appointed Emma Broom as head chef of the 21-room Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland, Northumberland.

Nurturing talent

Congratulations to Florence Alloing on her promotion to general manager of London’s Georgian House.

Locals only!

• One of the main concerns around sustainability for both hotels and domestic consumers is the issue of food miles.

Thoroughly British

• As the British pound continues to fall in value against the dollar and the euro, one positive development is the renewed attractiveness of the UK as a tourist destination.

California brewery to add boutique hotel

US: Stone Brewing has announced plans for a 99-room boutique hotel at its Escondido brewery and restaurant.

Dukes wins England's Leading Hotel prize at World Travel Awards

UK: Dukes St James London has been named England's Leading Hotel 2013 at the World Travel awards for Europe.

Canberra's latest boutique hotel to open next month

Australia: Midnight Hotel, the latest boutique hotel in Canberra, opens for business in September.

Work starts on Archer Hotel Tyson

US: Work on Archer Hotel Tysons, a new-build property in Scotts Run South, is officially underway.

25hours to make Italian debut in 2020

Italy: 25hours Hotel Company will open a 173-room hotel in Florence, Italy in early summer 2020.

Scotsman Hotel opens in-house cinema

Scotland: The Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh has opened a 48-seater in-house cinema.

Cornish co-working space to feature 30 hotel rooms

UK: A Cornish hotel within a co-working space, with food and beverage residencies as well as 30 rooms, is set to open in Newquay.

Refurbished Hotel La Jolla open for business

US: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has re-launched Hotel La Jolla, its third property in San Diego

Canadian TV stars to open Bahamas boutique hotel

Bahamas: Canadian designers Bryan and Sarah Baeumler are set to open the Caerula Mar Club on Andros.

Miami Beach hotel up for sale

US: The Red South Beach Hotel is for sale with a guide price of US $41.5 million.

Burley Manor launches "15-mile lunch" menu

UK: Burley Manor in the New Forest has introduced a lunch menu which only uses ingredients sourced within a 15-mile radius.

2018 BoHo award winners celebrate success

UK: The winners of the second annual Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - the BoHos - were honoured at a ceremony last night in London.

The Culpeper team opens Brick Lane property

UK: A 15-bedroom boutique hotel on London's Brick Lane in London has been opened by the team behind the nearby Culpeper.

Hyatt and SLH announce loyalty tie up

UK: Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Small Luxury Hotels of the World have announced a partnership to add SLH properties to the World of Hyatt rewards program.

Fattal adds latest Tel Aviv property

Israel: Fattal Hotels is to open a boutique hotel in a historic building near Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv.

Hotel Apache to open in Las Vegas casino

US: Binion's Gambling Hall in Las Vegas will open Hotel Apache on July 29.

Hotel Indigo Stratford completes £13.2 million restoration

UK: Construction firm Stepnell has completed a £13.2 million restoration on the Grade II listed Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire.

Hayri Atak proposes cliff-edge boutique hotel

Norway: Interior architect, Hayri Atak, is planning to construct a hotel suspended on the edge of Norway’s Preikestolen cliff.

Bournemouth Malmaison is two years behind schedule

UK: A £40 million Malmaison hotel and apartment development in Bournemouth is running two years behind schedule.

Queensgate buys Freehand Hotels from Sydell Group

US: London-based Queensgate Investments has acquired Freehand Hotels for around $400 million.

Life House secures US$100 million equity boost

US: Life House, a New York boutique hotel company, has secured $100 million in equity commitments from Boston’s Blue Flag Partners.

Inspirato launches luxury travel subscription service

US: Inspirato, a luxury destination club has launched what it describes as the world's first luxury travel subscription service.

Ruby Hotels opens second Dusseldorf property

Germany: Ruby Hotels has opened Ruby Leni, its seventh property, and second in Dusseldorf.

Accor's latest Art Series hotel to open in Perth

Australia: Accor's Art Series hotel in Perth, opening in October, will be named after one of Australian street art's most influential painters, Matt Adnate.

Japanese master architect Ban designs boutique hotel

Japan: Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has designed the newly opened boutique hotel Shishi-Iwa House.

Boutique hotel conversion for Massachusetts apartment building

US: Knighthead Funding, LLC has originated a $37.75 million loan for the completion of an upscale independent 67-room hotel in Cambridge, MA.

Four companies merge to create Italian hospitality brand

Italy: RSI Italy Boutique Journey, Italy Hotels Collection, MAG Hotels and Diana’s Place have merged to form the AG Group.

Maslow launches dedicated lending service for hotel developers

UK: Maslow Capital, a specialist provider of real estate development finance, has launched a lending service for the hotel sector.

Neville and Giggs' latest hotel to open in November

UK: The Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester, part of the GG Hospitality portfolio, will open on 15 November as a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Henley plans Glasgow courtroom hotel conversion

UK: Developer Henley Homes Group has submitted plans to Glasgow City Council to convert Wellington House into a 98-bedroom hotel.

Casa Hotels Group buys Miami boutique hotel

US: Chilean investment firm Casa Hotels Group has bought The Odyssey Hotel in Miami Beach for paid $7.3 million.

StayWell offers preview of The Arch conversion

UK: StayWell Holdings has released the first images of the Prince Akatoki London, formerly The Arch Hotel in London's West End.

Grantley Hall to open this weekend

UK: Grantley Hall in North Yorkshire is set to open on July 6 after a three-year renovation.

Signature Living to open latest football-themed hotel in Liverpool

UK: Liverpool based hotel operator and developer Signature Living will open the Dixie Dean hotel in the city in July after a £10 million transformation.

OYO celebrates opening of 100th OYO Townhouse hotel

India: OYO Hotels & Homes has launched its 100th, and biggest, OYO Townhouse hotel, in Pune, Maharashtra.

Hotel plan for Inverness office block

UK: Hotel development and management company Axcel Hospitality plans to transform a redundant four-storey Inverness office block into a 76-bedroom hotel.

Prepare for the ice age!

Former Apprentice contestant Jackie Fast talks to BHN about her mission to educate UK hoteliers - and drinkers - about Canadian ice wine.

Planning application lodged for Manchester Hotel du Vin

UK: Greenland Properties has submitted a planning application to convert Manchester's Pearl Assurance House in to a 70-key Hotel du Vin.

A tip for Hilton's Chris Nassetta

It was something of a shock to hear Hilton boss Christopher Nassetta admit that he doesn't tip housekeeping staff when staying at Hilton properties.

Moxy expands Norwegian presence

Norway: Marriott is set to open its third Moxy hotel in Norway, this time Tromsø, in the far north.

Serafina Group opens Turkish resort

Turkey: Serafina Restaurant Group has opened the Serafina Mare Deluxe Residence, a boutique resort on the Bodrum Peninsula in Gundogan, Turkey.

Rudding Park spa introduces CBD treatments

UK: Rudding Park in Harrogate has become one of the first spas in the UK to introduce a range of treatments using Cannabidiol products.

LHG submits hotel plans for Greenwich Magistrates Court

UK: London Hotel Group has submitted plans to convert and extend a former Magistrates' Court and two empty buildings into a 293-bed hotel with avalue of around £70 million.

Cornwall's first Laura Ashley tea room opens

UK: The first Laura Ashley The Tea Room in Cornwall, and the sixth in the Laura Ashley collection, has officially opened its doors at The Cornwall Hotel.

Sopwell House prepares to open £14 million Cottonmill spa

UK: Sopwell House in Hertfordshire will open Cottonmill, a new three-storey private members’ spa, later this summer.

The Auldgirth Inn celebrates AA success

UK: The Auldgirth Inn in Dumfries, Scotland, has retained its two AA Rosettes and four AA gold stars.

Former Claridge's chef buys Cheshire boutique hotel

UK: Andrew Bourne, a former chef at Claridge’s, has bought and refurbished the Alexandra Court Hotel in Congleton.

Canopy to make African debut in Cape Town

South Africa: Hilton has signed a management agreement with Growthpoint Properties, to operate the first Canopy property in Africa.

Larne to get £3.2 million boutique hotel

UK: A £3.2 million boutique hotel project in Larne, Co Antrim, has been granted planning permission.

Boutique hotel plan for Margate's Flatiron building

UK: Margate's Flatiron building could be converted in to a 36-key hotel.

Mama Shelter to open three new hotels in 2019

France: Mama Shelter will open properties in London, Lille and Paris during 2019.

2019 BoHo winners revealed at London ceremony

UK: The winners of the third annual Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - the BoHos - were honoured at a ceremony last night in London.

New Road Hotel introduces co-working package

UK: The New Road Hotel in east London has put in place a three-tier co-working package.

Denbies Wine Estate to open carbon neutral hotel

UK: The first carbon neutral vineyard hotel in England will open this July at Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey.

Rockliffe hall names chosen charity

UK: Rockliffe Hall on Teeside has named the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) as its nominated charity for the next year.

Cottage in the Wood receives £2.1 million to advance renovation plans

UK: The Cottage in the Wood Malvern has secured a £2.1 million loan from the Cumberland Building Society, enabling the refurbishment of the entire hotel by 2020.

The Langley to open on June 1st

UK: The Langley, a new hotel in Buckinghamshire, will open on June 1st following a six-year renovation.

Best Western opens first GLō hotel in Canada

Canada: Best Western Hotels & Resorts has opened an Ottawa hotel under its boutique brand GLō.

US fast food chain to open pop-up boutique hotel

US: Taco Bell is set to launch The Bell, a Taco Bell Hotel and Resort in Palm Springs, California.

Kimpton opens first Glasgow hotel

UK: Kimpton has opened the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow.

One Aldwych to reopen next month

UK: One Aldwych in London is to reopen in June following an extensive refurbishment.

Kempinski to add second Cuban property

Cuba: Kempinski, which debuted its five-star Gran Manzana Hotel Kempinski in Havana in 2017, will be opening a resort on Cayo Guillermo.

La Chiusa reopens after renovation

Italy: La Chiusa, an 18-room boutique hotel in Tuscany with a Michelin-star restaurant, has reopened following a renovation.

Pacific View Inn undergoes eco refurb

US: The Pacific View Inn, an independent hotel in San Diego, California, is undergoing a major renovation with a focus on sustainability.

21c Museum Hotels absorbed into MGallery by Sofitel

US/France: Accor has grouped its 21c Museum Hotels brand together with MGallery by Sofitel, in a move which "consolidates their artistic offerings into one collection".

AO breaks ground on California hotel

US: Architecture and development firm AO has broken ground on The Inn at The Mission, a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel.

The Park Hotels launches Bombay property

India: THE Park Hotels has announced the launch of THE Park Mumbai, on Juhu Tara Road.

The Athenaeum joins Pride of Britain

UK: Pride of Britain Hotels has announced that the Athenaeum Hotel and Residences, on London’s Piccadilly, has joined its collection of independently-owned UK hotels.

Scandic Hotels introduces standard for allergy-friendly rooms

Sweden: Scandic says it is the world’s first hotel company to introduce a standard for allergy-friendly rooms.

Record $15.5 million fine for Santa Monica hotel developer

US: A Santa Monica hotel developer has been fined a record $15.5 million by the California Coastal Commission.

Minor Hotels teams up with Les Roches to launch Asian hospitality management school

Thailand: Minor Hotels is set to launch the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management in academic association with Les Roches Global Hospitality Education.

Farlam Hall under new ownership

UK: Farlam Hall in Cumbria has been sold after four decades of ownership by the Quinion family.

Plans submitted for Houston boutique hotel

US: The Houston Planning Commission is considering plans for a high-end, nine-room boutique hotel in Montrose, Houston.

Hyatt and SLH expand relationship

UK: Hyatt and Small Luxury Hotels of the World have announced the expansion of their loyalty alliance.

Dakota Manchester to open next week

UK: Dakota Manchester officially opens on 18th May 2019, and will feature the largest suite in the city.

Accor to roll out WOJO co-working brand to 1200 properties

France: Accor has announced plans to add WOJO co-working spaces in its hotels across Europe, with different offerings across the economy, mid-scale and luxury segments.

Hyatt opens latest Andaz property in Vienna

Austria: Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere has opened its doors, marking the Andaz brand’s entry into Austria.

Vienna House to open Wroclaw hotel

Poland: Vienna House has revealed plans to open a hotel in the centre of Wroclaw during Q1 2022.

The Grange Hotel reopens after refurbishment

UK: The Grange Hotel in York has reopened following an extensive renovation.

Signature Living to sell two Liverpool hotels for £57 million

UK: Signature Living is to sell 30 James Street and the Shankly hotel in Liverpool for £57 million.

Akaryn to open first Vietnam property

Vietnam: Thai hospitality group Akaryn is to open a boutique resort in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed port in central Vietnam.

Lark Hotels opens Cliffside Inn in Newport

US: Lark Hotels has opened its third property in Newport, Rhode Island.

BoHos 2019 shortlist revealed

UK: The shortlisted hotels for the 2019 BoHos - the Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - have been revealed.

UK hospitality marketing company to open its own hotel

Portugal: A UK marketing agency has started construction of its own 10-bedroom hotel on Portugal’s Silver Coast.

Regional UK REVPAR falls for first time in seven years

UK: Regional hotel occupancy dropped 0.7 per cent to 68 per cent in Q1 2019, with average room rate down 2.1 per cent to £64.95.

Autograph Collection makes Kenyan debut

Kenya: Autograph Collection Hotels has added Sankara Nairobi to its portfolio, its first property in Kenya.

The Hut Group acquires Eclectic Hotel Group

UK: The Hut Group (THG), one of the world’s largest online beauty and wellbeing retailers, has acquired the Eclectic Hotel Group.

Vienna House buys 17 city hotels from arcona

Austria: Vienna House has bought 17 city hotels and two projects from Rostock-based arcona Group for an undisclosed sum.

Marriott launches home rentals in more than 100 markets

US: Following a 2018 home rentals trial, Marriott has launched Homes & Villas by Marriott International.

Airbnb to create New York hotel-style suites

US: Airbnb is partnering with developer RXR Realty to convert elements of New York City commercial properties into a “new category of urban lodging.”

Croatian hotel and spa opens its doors

Croatia: Ikador Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa in Opatija has opened to guests.

Marriott signs first Caribbean Edition

Mexico: Marriott has signed a deal for an Edition hotel at Kanai on Mexico's Riviera Maya.

Llanerch opens the UK’s first vineyard hotel

UK: The UK’s first vineyard hotel has opened its doors in Hensol in South Wales.

Hawkstone Hall opens as hotel following renovation

UK: Hawkstone Hall, a Grade-I listed 18th century mansion near Hodnet in Shropshire, has opened for the first time as a hotel, following an extensive renovation.

Hotel Indigo to make Chester debut

UK: IHG's boutique hotel brand Hotel Indigo is set to open its first property in Chester.

Sydell Group to open first European NoMad hotel in London

UK: The European NoMad hotel will open in summer 2020 at the former Bow Street Magistrates Court in London.

Akaryn Hotel Group to phase out single-use plastic by June

Thailand: AKARYN Hotel Group has pledged to go completely single-use plastic free by June 2019 across the entire hotel group.

Canopy signs five properties in Europe and US

US: Hilton’s lifestyle brand Canopy has announced new signings in Washington DC, Paris, Bordeaux, Portland (Maine) and Venice, Italy.

Belfast boutique hotel gets planning green light

UK: Galgorm Collection’s latest project on Belfast's Ormeau has been granted planning consent from Belfast City Council.

Kessler Collection breaks ground on Grand Bohemian Hotel Greenville

US: The Kessler Collection has held a grounded-breaking ceremony for the Grand Bohemian Hotel Greenville, in Greenville, North Carolina.

Shakespeare Hotel plans extra guest rooms

UK: The Shakespeare Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon could has submitted okays to add 19 extra guest rooms.

Calcot & Spa named Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year 2019

UK: The Cotswolds' Calcot & Spa has been named Pride of Britain Hotel for 2019 for delivering outstanding hospitality in service, accommodation, housekeeping, food and luxury.

World's first 5G hotel launched in China

China: InterContinental Shenzhen, Shenzhen Telecom and Huawei have partnered to create the world's first 5G smart hotel.

Kimpton to open Asheville property this summer

US: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has announced it will open Hotel Arras in Asheville, North Carolina, this summer.

Royal George Hotel on the market for first time in 20 years

UK: The historic Royal George Hotel in Perth has is on the market after 20 years of family ownership.

Lennox Hotels to open first US property in Miami

US: Argentinian operator Lennox Hotels will open its first US property close to the Miami Beach Convention Center and Lincoln Road.

Tokyo developer opens hotel in 1930s Otaru building

Japan: Tokyo-based developer Global Agents is opening a boutique hotel in a historic 1930s building in Otaru, Hokkaido.

BrewDog to open craft beer hotel in London

UK: BrewDog has revealed plans to open a craft beer hotel in London, and is searching for a suitable location.

Hotel Indigo to open second Madrid property

Spain: IHG has announced plans to open a new Hotel Indigo in the Spanish capital.

Postcard signs South Goa property

India: The Postcard Hotel has signed a boutique luxury hotel project in South Goa.

Nikki Beach announces three new locations

US: Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts will open new properties in Santorini, Montenegro and Sri Lanka.

Former fish warehouse to become Porthleven boutique hotel

UK: Plans to convert a former fish warehouse into a boutique hotel and a gallery have been approved by Cornwall Council.

New owners for Burleigh Court Hotel

UK: The 18-key Burleigh Court Hotel in Stroud, Gloucestershire, has been bought by a group of first-time hotel owners.

Red Carnation to convert Dublin listed building

Ireland: Red Carnation Hotel Group is set to convert Hatch Hall in Dublin into its third hotel in Ireland.

2019 Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders announced

UK: The Master Innholders has selected the eighth cohort of its Aspiring Leaders Diploma (MIALD).

OLS Hotels & Resorts to manage Northern California hotel

US: Southern California-based will manage Hotel Winters, a 73-key boutique hotel set to open in Winters, Northern Califirnia.

Hotel industry converges on Berlin for IHIF2019

Germany: BHN was once again a media partner for the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, where there was a flurry of major industry announcements.

The good folk

• It’s great to see that the rebranding of TA Hotel Collection as The Hotel Folk has a strong emphasis on the people that make the company’s hotels what they are.

Wellness goes global

• IHG’s acquisition of Six Senses shows just how seriously the major hotel players are now taking wellness and sustainability - the two pillars of the Six Senses brand.

OTAs: the pressure is mounting

The OTAs are coming under increasing scrutiny from regulatory bodies in the UK and the EU.

What's in a name?

• Defining what the term boutique hotel actually means is a thankless and probably impossible task.

IHG adds Six Senses to its stable of brands in $300 million deal

Thailand: IHG has bought Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas from private equity fund Pegasus Capital Advisors for US$300 million.

Equinox to open first hotel in June

US: Fitness brand Equinox has launched a promo campaign for its first hotel, which will open in NYC’s Hudson Yards in June.

Burley Manor opens new events space

UK: Burley Manor, part of the New Forest Hotels Collection, has unveiled a new space for meetings and events.

BoHo Awards 2019 entry deadline extended

Global: The entry deadline for the 2019 Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - The BoHos - has been extended until February 8.

Intosol adds Cape Town boutique hotel

South Africa: Luxury travel company Intosol Holdings PLC has added the SOUL on Llandudno hotel in Cape Town to its portfolio.

Playing our part

It’s heartening to see that boutique hotels are playing a significant role in the growth of the UK’s luxury (four-star and above) hotel market.

Tablet hits the road

Michelin’s acquisition of Tablet Hotels is an interesting deal, and one which signals the arrival of a major new player in the hotel distribution landscape.

Under the influence

Influencer marketing is a field where many hotels and hoteliers feel they are stepping in to the unknown.

Five hospitality and travel trends for 2019

BHN editor George Sell looks at five industry trends which will make waves in the travel and hospitality space in 2019.

Massachusetts hotel sold for $15.5 million

US: The Harbor Hotel in Provincetown’s East End has been sold to a subsidiary of the Linchris Hotel Corp. for $15.5 million.

UK’s oldest hotel up for sale

UK: Christie & Co is marketing The Lowther Hotel and The Drake Inn, both in Goole, East Yorkshire.

£3.2 million boutique hotel planned for Larne

UK: A £3.2 million hotel has been proposed for Larne, Co Antrim, on the site of the former Dan Campbell’s pub.

Zagreb bank building gets boutique hotel transformation

Croatia: Amadira Park Capital, a conversion of a former bank building in Zagreb, has opened its doors.

Nylo Dallas reopens as art-themed Canvas Hotel Dallas

US: The Nylo Dallas has been rebranded and reopened as Canvas Hotel Dallas, managed by Intrigue Hotels & Resorts.

AC Hotels makes MEA debut in Cape Town

South Africa: AC Hotels by Marriott has announced the opening of AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront, marking the brand’s debut in the MEA region.

Boutique hotel planned for Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain

Australia: Developers S. Group and Simon McDermott are set to reveal plans for Our Cradle, a 62-room boutique hotel on Cradle Mountain.

Boutique surf resort set to open in Nicaragua

Nicaragua: Malibu Popoyo, an all-inclusive boutique surf resort will open its doors on December 1.

BoHos 2019 entry period begins on December 1st

UK: The entry period for the 2019 BoHos - the Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - opens on December 1st and runs until January 31st.

Marriott in major data breach as hackers access Starwood database

US: The records of up to 500 million Marriott International customers have been involved in a data breach.

Kafnu to open first Australian property in December

Australia: Kafnu in Sydney’s Alexandria neighbourhood is set to open in December, billed as Australia’s first coworking space with integrated hotel accommodation.

A perfect storm?

Are hoteliers being buffeted by a “perfect storm” made up of the OTAs and escalating costs?

Work, rest and play

There was a a time, not all that long ago, when hotels, office space and private members clubs were all distinct and separate offerings.

Dream big

It has become relatively commonplace to meet hoteliers who have adapted their property and grown their offering to cater for a customer who demands a strong focus on wellness.

Southern Comfort

We’ve regularly written about brands from other spaces getting in to the hotel market, leveraging their position and following to attract guests to their hospitality ventures.

Keep it simple

The Hotel Room of the Future at the Independent Hotel Show was a fascinating project which looked at, among other things, how technology could improve the guest experience.

Dakota to open Manchester hotel

UK: Boutique hotel brand Dakota will open a Manchester property in May 2019.

Malmaison reveals refurbished Liverpool hotel

UK: Malmaison has completed the most recent project in its multimillion pound investment programme - the refurbishment of the bedrooms and events space of Malmaison Liverpool.

UK adds 140 new luxury hotels in the last two years

UK: Boutique hotels have made up a large proportion of the growth in UK luxury hotels in the last two years, says new research.

Planning consent given for Glasgow boutique hotel

UK: Developer Marshall CDP has been granted planning consent for a 57-key “world-class boutique” hotel in a historic Blythswood Square building in Glasgow.

Brøchner to open Copenhagen hotel in January 2019

Denmark: Brøchner Hotels will open a luxury boutique hotel in the former Carlsberg brewery buildings in mid-January 2019.

Boutique hotel and tea room set for Cambridge’s Hobson House

UK: Developer Henley is planning a boutique hotel and tea room in Cambridge city centre.

QT reveals plans for third New Zealand hotel

New Zealand: QT Hotels & Resorts is planning a 2020 opening for QT Auckland.

Best Western opens first Aiden properties

US: Less than two months after launching its Aiden and Sadie boutique brands, Best Western has opened the first Aiden property, with sadie’s debut to follow shortly.

UK is most desirable place to work in hospitality despite Brexit effect

UK: A survey of 21,000 hospitality workers across the EU has found that the UK ranks as the most desirable place to work despite Brexit.

Maltese townhouses set to become 47-key boutique hotel

Malta: A pair of townhouses on Rabat’s Saqqajja Hill are set to become a four-storey boutique hotel if an application for development is approved by the planning authority.

Dublin-themed boutique hotel to open in NYC

US: Design firm Meyer Davis Studio is set to reveal its design of the Merrion Row Hotel and Public House in Manhattan next month.

glh Hotels partners with Room To Reward charity

UK: glh Hotels has announced today it will be supporting Room to Reward as its chosen charity initiative.

Boutique hotel conversion for Leicester listed building

UK: A Grade II* listed building in Leicester has undergone a £1.8 million boutique hotel conversion

HYY Group reveals spectacular Helsinki conversion project

Finland: Two of Helsinki’s most historic grand lodgings will be joined as one next year.

The Arch London sold to Japanese buyers

UK: The Arch London has been acquired by Japanese group StayWell Holdings and its parent company Prince Hotels for an undisclosed sum.

Arkansas jailhouse set for boutique hotel conversion

US: The former Columbia County jailhouse in Magnolia, Arkansas, is to become a 10-room boutique hotel.

World Boutique Hotel Award winners gather for London ceremony

UK: The winners of the World Boutique Hotel Awards 2018 were announced last night at a ceremony held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London.

Amsterdam is top European investment target for third year running

Netherlands: Investors have named Amsterdam as the most attractive European city for hotel investment for the third year in a row, according to a Deloitte survey.

Caribbean resort looks to split from Gansevoort brand

US: The owners of the Gansevoort Turks & Caicos Wymara Resort have started legal proceedings to end its association with the Gansevoort brand.

Lake District hotel set for expansion following change of ownership

UK: The Woodlands Guest House in Windermere is to add ten new rooms and take on extra staff after being acquired by Leeds-based entrepreneur John Jiang.

Hilton brings Canopy lifestyle brand to Zagreb

Croatia: Canopy by Hilton has opened its first hotel in central Europe, Canopy by Hilton Zagreb.

Edinburgh floating boutique hotel gets the green light

UK: Plans for a floating boutique hotel in Edinburgh, The MV Fingal, have been given the go ahead by councillors.

Refinancing for The Lord Balfour

US: Berkadia has secured a $13 million loan for the refinancing of The Lord Balfour Hotel, an 81-key boutique hotel in Miami Beach.

Southern Living to open hotel in Auburn, Alabama

US: Media brand Southern Living will open a 102-room boutique hotel on N. College Street in Auburn.

Hotel du Palais to join the Unbound Collection

France: Hyatt has entered into a management agreement with Socomix for the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, France.

The Curtain launches co-working space

UK: The Curtain, a lifestyle hotel and members club in east London, has opened a co-working space designed by Dexter Moren Associates.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts named "Most Excellent" large hotel chain by TripAdvisor

US: Preferred Hotels & Resorts has been named the number one “Most Excellent” large hotel chain in the world by TripAdvisor.

Hilton launches Motto budget lifestyle brand

US: Hilton has announced the launch of Motto by Hilton, an “affordable urban lifestyle brand”.

Karma Group adds Chiang Mai property

Thailand: Karma Group has announced the addition of Karma Chang in Chiang Mai to its Karma Retreats portfolio.

Nashville’s United Artists Tower to get boutique hotel conversion

US: Management and development company Hotel Equities and Tapestry Collection by Hilton have revealed plans to transform Nashville’s United Artists Tower into a 184-room hotel

14th century Cotswolds property up for sale

UK: The Shaven Crown in Shipton-under-Wynchwood, Oxfordshire, is on the market with a guide price of £1.1 million.

2018 Independent Hotel Show Award winners revealed

UK: The winners of the Independent Hotel Show Awards were announced last night at the Independent Hotel Show, at London’s Olympia.

The St. Gregory Hotel completes renovations

US: The St. Gregory Hotel, a boutique hotel in Washington D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighbourhood, has completed a major renovation.

Building bridges

Airbnb is certainly doing its best to build bridges with the hotel sector, even if it is against a backdrop of scepticism, and even hostility, in some quarters.

Take the Hyatt road

Hyatt has been relatively quite in the boutique and lifestyle space over the last couple of years, certainly in comparison with its such as Accor and Marriott.

Vancouver bars to make way for boutique hotel

Canada: Doolin’s Irish Pub, the neighbouring Belmont Bar and the Comfort Inn on Vancouver’s Nelson St, will be converted in to a boutique hotel.

Hyatt makes major boutique and lifestyle play with $480m purchase of Two Roads Hospitality

US: Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced an agreement to acquire Two Roads Hospitality, which includes the Alila, Destination, Joie de Vivre, Thompson and tommie brands.

Georgian House staff gain LCS training certificates

UK: Georgian House,a London boutique hotel, has awarded more than 20 of its team Lean Green and Yellow Belt training certificates.

Event takes over management of Sydney and Perth boutique hotels

Australia: ASX-listed hotel owner and operator Event has added three boutique hotels in Perth and Sydney to its portfolio.

Best Western launches brace of boutique brands

US: Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel brands.

The Hoxton to open second US property next month

US: The Hoxton is to open its second US property, in Portland, in late October.

New Bedford Harbor Hotel joins the Ascend Hotel Collection

US: The New Bedford Harbor Hotel, managed by the Waterford Hotel Group, is the latest member of the Ascend Hotel Collection portfolio.

Independent Hotel Show to reveal Hotel Room of the Future

UK: The Independent Hotel Show will reveal The Hotel Room of the Future when it returns to London Olympia on October 16 and 17.

Hell Bay Hotel awarded Four AA Red Stars

UK: The Hell Bay Hotel, on Bryher in the Isles of Scilly, has been awarded four AA Red Stars for 2018.

The Lawrence opens in Lancashire

UK: The Lawrence, a boutique hotel in Padiham, Lancashire has opened to guests.

Kimpton to make UK debut with rebrand of Russell Square property

UK: IHG will debut its Kimpton brand in the UK with the opening of Kimpton Fitzroy London in late October 2018.

Limes Hotel changes hands

Australia: The Limes Hotel in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley has been sold to private investors for a rumoured price of up to $6 million.

to reopen in early 2019

US: Viceroy Hotel Group will reopen its San Francisco boutique hotel Hotel Emblem in early 2019 following an extensive renovation.

TripAdvisor changes tack with social and content-led beta site

US: TripAdvisor has launched a new beta site which takes its cues from social media rather than being predominantly reviews-based.

Signature Living gets green light for Belfast hotel conversion

UK: Liverpool-based Signature Living has been granted planning approval for the £15 million development of the former Crumlin Road Courthouse in Belfast.

New Hampshire lifestyle hotel opens its doors

US: Hotel Concord, a 38-room lifestyle hotel has opened its lobby, dining spaces and 21 rooms to guests.

Boutique hotel planned for Newcastle Quayside

UK: An empty building on Newcastle Quayside is set to be converted in to a boutique hotel and bistro.

Guest room refurbishment for The Arch London

UK: The Arch London has marked its eighth anniversary by refurbishing a third of its guestrooms as part of an ongoing refurbishment project.

The Edwin opens in Chattanooga

US: The River City of Chattanooga in Tennessee has welcome its first luxury boutique hotel, The Edwin.

October opening for Redchurch Townhouse

UK: Redchurch Townhouse, Soho House's latest property, is opening next door to Shoreditch House next month.

Norwich mixed-use development to feature boutique hotel

UK: A mixed-use leisure development in the centre of Norwich could be open for business late next year.

Hotel Bella Grace opens in Charleston

US: Charleston’s newest boutique hotel, Hotel Bella Grace, has opened in conjunction with the completion and restoration of the Delaney House.

Hotel Indigo to open Adelaide property in 2020

Australia: IHG, in partnership with Primefield Property Pty Ltd, will open Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets set to open in 2020.

Lux Collective boss Jones launches SALT brand

UK: Paul Jones has launched SALT, described as a progressive new hotel brand connecting modern explorers with meaningful travel experiences.

San Francisco’s Payne Mansion to get boutique hotel conversion

US: The Payne Mansion in the Western Addition neighbourhood of San Francisco, is to become a boutique hotel called The Mansion on Sutter.

citizenM to open NYC flagship

US: citizenM is preparing to open citizenM New York Bowery, a 300-room sister hotel to the citizenM New York Times Square.

Panama hotel/hostel hybrid plans to expand to US and Europe

Panama: Selina, a brand which combines high-end hotel units with multiple-bed dormitory rooms in the same building, is planning to expand to the US and Europe.

Distinctive boutique hotel in Milwaukee begins extensive renovation project

United States: A distinctive boutique hotel in downtown Milwaukee is currently undergoing renovation.

Swiss boutique hotel no longer pays for advertising due to worldwide fame of its infinity pool

A five-star boutique hotel in the Swiss countryside has gone viral on YouTube and reached such levels of Instagram fame that it no longer needs to pay for advertising.

Mother and daughter duo embark on Wareham hotel renovation project

United Kingdom: A mother and daughter duo who have acquired a Grade-II listed hotel which appeared in a television series are implementing a substantial renovation plan to transform the business.

Quick Q&A: Michael Buono, Mulberry Development

Michael Buono, CEO of New York developer and contractor Mulberry talks to BHN about attention to detail and evoking emotion in a buildng's end user.

Brøchner opens Denmark’s first chemical-free hotel

Denmark: Brøchner Hotels has opened Herman K, a luxury boutique hotel where chemicals are not a part of the cleaning products and process.

Boathouse floating hotel opens in west London

UK: The Boathouse, a Scandinavian-inspired boutique houseboat hotel has opened at Floating Pocket Park in Paddington, west London.

Mosaic to build boutique hotel in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter

United Kingdom: A London-based pub and dining group is to build a new 16-bedroom boutique hotel in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

Hotel Felix on the market for £8.5 million

UK: Hotel Felix, a 52-key converted Victorian villa in Cambridge, is up for sale.

Point A begins revamp of Liverpool Street property

UK: Budget boutique hotel Point A London Liverpool Street has embarked on an eight-month refurbishment of its guest rooms and public areas.

THE Park Hotels to take over management of India’s oldest hotel

India: The Denmark Tavern in Serampore, India’s oldest hotel, will reopen this month as part of THE Park Collection.

Boutique hotel rebrand for Cayman Islands property

Caribbean: Developer Dart group plans to reopen the Beach Suites at Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach as an unbranded boutique hotel.

Boutique hotel conversion planned for Liverpool retail unit

UK: Plans to convert a kitchen showroom on Jamaica Street into a boutique hotel have been revealed.

Product portfolio: PMS and RMS software

As cloud software and artificial intelligence have boosted the functionality of property management and revenue management systems, there is a bewildering range on offer.

NYX brand to make UK debut in Edinburgh

UK: Israeli hotel company Fattal Hotels will invest £32 million in an Edinburgh development which will see the first UK NYX hotel and an existing Jurys Inn hotel expanded.

citizenM betting big on Miami

US: citizenM has announced plans to open a 348-key hotel within Miami Worldcenter, one of the largest private mixed-use developments in the United States.

Palladium Hotel Group launches BLESS Collection Hotels

Spain: Ibiza-based Palladium Hotel Group has launched the BLESS Collection of luxury hotels, and will open the first BLESS property in Madrid this December.

$4.8 million green grant for Detroit boutique hotel

US: The Roberts Riverwalk Hotel in Detroit has been granted a $4.8 million energy efficiency and property sustainability programme.

Barclay brothers on course to add the Beaumont to hotel portfolio

UK: The Barclay brothers, the owners of the Ritz, are reportedly close to taking over the Beaumont hotel in London.

Inglewood Manor sold to Boutique Hotel Group

UK: Boutique Hotel Group (BHG) has bought Inglewood Manor in Ledsham, Cheshire.

The Curtain Hotel sold to the Reuben brothers

UK: NYC hotelier Michael Achenbaum has sold The Curtain Hotel in London's Shoreditch to David and Simon Reuben.

Consortium plans multi-million pound renovation of Burgh Island Hotel

UK: An investment consortium led by serviced office provider Office Space in Town (OSiT) has bought the Burgh Island Hotel in Devon.

East London Hotel set for October opening

UK: The East London Hotel, in Bethnal Green, is taking bookings from 10th September ahead of its 1st October official opening.

Consortium buys Hereford’s Green Dragon Hotel

UK: The Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford has been acquired by a consortium of predominantly local investors.

Renovated Bessborough Hotel to join Marriott’s Autograph Collection

Canada: Saskatoon's Delta Bessborough hotel will undergo an extensive renovation and rebranding, starting in early 2019.

Australian entrepreneur breaks ground on Sri Lanka boutique hotel

Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan-Australian born entrepreneur Paul Harding has started work on the first Harding Boutique Hotel, in Ahangama.

EU citizens to be allowed to stay in UK in event of no-deal Brexit

UK: UKHospitality welcomes reassurance provided by leaked government briefing paper.

Bespoke Hotels to open NYC-inspired Hotel Brooklyn in Manchester

UK: Work is underway on the 191-key new-build Hotel Gotham on Portland Street, Manchester.

Generator opens first US property in Miami

US: Design-led hostel brand Generator has opened its first property outside Europe, in Miami Beach.

Hotel conversion on the cards for CDF HQ

US: The former home of the Children's Defense Fund in Washington DC has been sold for $24 million.

Best Western debuts Vib brand in US

US: Best Western has opened its first Vib property in the US, in Springfield, Missouri

Avon Gorge hotel to reopen next week

UK: Bristol’s Avon Gorge hotel will reopen as Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin on 24 August 2018.

Independent Hotel Show Awards shortlist revealed

UK: The shortlists for the 2018 Independent Hotelier of the Year and Outstanding New Hotel awards have been revealed.

New owners and refurbishment for the Gibson Inn

US: The Gibson Inn, a boutique hotel in Apalachicola, Florida, has changed ownership for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Homage Hospitality opens New Orleans boutique hotel

US: The Moor is the first in a planned series of openings from Homage Hospitality, a brand co-founded by Howard University graduates Marcus Carey and Damon Lawrence.

Burnham Beeches Hotel to get Laura Ashley rebranding

UK: The Burnham Beeches Hotel in Buckinghamshire is to become part of the Laura Ashley Hotels portfolio.

Belmond considers sale to boost shareholder value

UK: The board of Belmond, which owns Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Hotel Cipriani, is considering putting the company up for sale.

Colorado hotel project secures financing

US: JLL has secured financing for the development of The Laszlo, a high-end 51-room boutique hotel in Parker, Colorado.

LAVIDA Hotel opens at PGA Catalunya Resort

Spain: PGA Catalunya has opened the 50-room LAVIDA Hotel.

Latest Edition hotel opens in Bodrum

Turkey: The latest Edition hotel from Marriott has opened in the Aegean resort of Bodrum.

Former Sydney college set for boutique hotel conversion

Australia: The former ECA Graduate Institute in the Sydney suburb of Chippendale is set to become a 119-room hotel with ground floor retail units.

Hotel Julian to open on Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue

US: Oxford Hotels & Resorts has announced Hotel Julian Chicago will open in autumn 2018.

Hotel Indigo makes Mississippi debut

US: IHG has opened the Hotel Indigo-Hattiesburg, the first Hotel Indigo in Mississippi.

NPD opens North Wales hotel

UK: West Yorkshire-based Northern Powerhouse Developments has opened its latest property – Caer Rhun Hall in North Wales.

Chestnut Group buys brace of Suffolk properties

UK: The Chestnut Group has added The Westleton Crown and The Ship at Dunwich to its group of East Anglian inns.

Future stars

• What does it take to become a successful hotel manager as the role of the job evolves and becomes more complex at dizzying speed?

Beside the seaside

The story of the Royal Hotel in Bognor Regis is an intriguing one.

Raising the bar

IHG has certainly approached 2018 with all guns blazing.

The voice of hospitality

Amazon’s launch of Alexa for Hospitality signals a sea change in the use of voice activation technology in hospitality.

Making waves

Goodwin Gaw’s entry to the European hotel sector is likely to make some waves, as he is not a main known for doing things by halves.

The art of the deal

Accor’s Sebastien Bazin threw us all a curve ball a few weeks ago when the company announced it was acquiring a 50 per cent stake in Sam Nazarian’s SBE Group.

Second time around

I wrote recently about how the boutique hotel sector is incredibly versatile in the way it can take buildings and repurpose them, giving them a new lease of life.

Hilton to resurrect LXR brand

US: Hilton Worldwide Holdings is preparing to relaunch a luxury soft brand called LXR Hotels & Resorts.

Icelandic farm building gets hotel conversion

Iceland: A former silage tower on a farm in south-east Iceland has been converted in to a hotel on four floors.

Converted fort hotel in the Solent up for sale

UK: Spitbank Fort, a nine-bedroom boutique hotel in the Solent, is for sale with a guide price of £5 million.

Lucky Onion adds Cheltenham’s George Hotel

UK: Superdry founder Julian Dunkerton’s Lucky Onion group has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of the George Hotel in Cheltenham.

Accor to buy majority holding in 21c Museum Hotels

US: AccorHotels has signed an agreement to acquire 85 per cent of Kentucky-based 21c Museum Hotels for $51 million.

Kimpton to make German debut with Frankfurt opening in 2023

Germany: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will continue its European expansion with the brand’s first hotel in Germany, Kimpton Frankfurt.

Napier’s Tourism House set for boutique hotel conversion

New Zealand: Tourism House in Napier, formerly the regional tourism operations headquarters in the 1990s, could become a boutique hotel and hospitality hub.

New owners and makeover for The West Arms

UK: The West Arms, an inn with rooms in the Ceiriog Valley, North Wales, has completed the first part of a makeover following new ownership.

Bespoke to operate renovated Coventry Telegraph offices

UK: Bespoke Hotels has reached an agreement to operate a 1950s-style boutique hotel at the former Coventry Telegraph offices.

The Torridon invests in staff accommodation

UK: The Torridon Resort in the Scottish Highlands has invested £500,000 in on-site high specification self-contained flats for team members.

Stirlingshire’s Royal Hotel on the market for £2.5 million

UK: The Royal Hotel in Bridge of Allan is on the market though Christie & Co.

Up for the challenge: Charlie MacGregor, The Student Hotel

The Student Hotel founder Charlie MacGregor tells BHN about "one of the best kept secrets in the hotel business".

Gaw Capital acquires stake in Spanish boutique hotel brand

Spain: Hong Kong-based Gaw Capital Partners has acquired a 50 per cent stake in Hospes Hotel Group, a Spanish boutique hotel brand.

Eco-friendly boutique hotel reopens in Hua Hin

Thailand: The 40-key Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort has reopened after a major renovation.

Hotel Indigo to form part of 41-storey Auckland tower

New Zealand: A 225-room hotel will form part of a 131-metre high mixed-use tower on Auckland’s Albert Street.

September opening for Sharjah boutique hotel

UAE: General Hotel Management (GHM) will open Al Bait Sharjah, a 53-key hotel, on September 1st.

IHG to make Kimpton debut in Tokyo

Japan: IHG and developer Tsukada Global Holdings will open a 162-key Kimpton hotel in Tokyo.

Luxury boutique hotel opens in Champagne region

France: Champagne’s first contemporary luxury hotel, the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, has opened this week.

Korean retail giant opens Seoul boutique hotel

South Korea: Shinsegae Chosun Hotel, the accommodation arm of South Korean retail giant Shinsegae, has opened a boutique hotel in Seoul this week.

Ruby Hotels announces China JV and Shanghai project

China: The Ruby Group has announced the first Ruby hotel in Asia, which is set to open at the end of the year in Shanghai.

Mr. C Coconut Grove to open in Winter 2018

US: Fourth generation hoteliers brothers Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani will open their third property this winter.

Hotel Felix hit with foreclosure suit

US: The owners of the Hotel Felix in Chicago have been hit with a $54 million foreclosure suit.

8Hotels claims Airbnb first with new Sydney property

Australia: 8Hotels says its newest property, the Little Albion guest house in Sydney's Surry Hills, is the first hotel available for booking as a single listing on Airbnb.

Boutique Hotel Awards under new management

UK: The Boutique Hotel Awards is under new ownership and has a new management team, as it enters its eighth year.

Pendry Hotels to renovate New Jersey country estate

US: Pendry Hotels has announced the redevelopment of Natirar Mansion, in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Montcalm launches The Chilworth in London’s Paddington

UK: The Montcalm Hotel Group has opened its latest property, The Chilworth, a boutique townhouse hotel in Paddington.

The Getaway completes renovation

US: The Getaway, a 34-room boutique hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, has reopened after an extensive renovation.

Mantis Group takes over management of the Devonshire Club

UK: London private members’ club Devonshire Club has appointed Steven Cowie as GM after Mantis Group took over management of the property.

Trading places: Tim Williams, Grace Hotels

Tim Williams, group HR director of Grace Hotels, tells BHN about the company’s Strategic Labour Partnership.

De Niro’s London boutique hotel plans shelved

UK: Robert De Niro’s London boutique hotel has been put on hold after concerns about its economic viability.

Operator sought for Wimbledon hotel project

UK: The developers behind a proposed hotel in Wimbledon are searching for an operator to manage the property.

W Hotel Washington DC embarks on $50 million facelift

US: The W Hotel Washington D.C. is about to get a $50 million renovation of all its guest rooms and public spaces.

First Motel One in Ireland gets planning consent

Ireland: Plans to demolish buildings in Dublin’s north city centre to make way for a nine-storey Motel One have been approved by the local council.

Accor to buy 50 per cent stake in SBE

France: AccorHotels will buy a 50 per cent stake in Sam Nazarian’s SBE Entertainment Group, in a deal that will see Accor invest $319 million in SBE.

Kimpton opens its first property in Toronto

Canada: The Kimpton Saint George celebrated its grand opening this week with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

West Elm Hotel to form part of Indianapolis mixed-use development

US: Hendricks Commercial Properties has broken ground on the $300 million Bottleworks development.

Thompson Hotels unveils South Beach project

US: Two Roads Hospitality and Finvarb Group have announced plans for a property in Miami’s South Beach.

Assembly London opens its doors

UK: Criterion Capital has opened its latest London hotel, the Assembly on Charing Cross Road.

Bespoke branches out in to US with Broughton deal

US: broughtonHOTELS and Bespoke Hotels have formed a partnership to develop, acquire, and manage hotels in North America.

Hotel Indigo Birmingham completes renovation

UK: A £1 million refurbishment of Hotel Indigo Birmingham includes all 52 guest rooms, the reception and lobby areas.

Andaz unveils charity suite designed by Sir Terence Conran

UK: Hyatt’s Andaz brand has unveiled its latest collaboration with (RED) – the AIDS organisation founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver.

Change of ownership structure for The Boundary

UK: Ownership of the Boundary Project in Shoreditch has been secured following the sale of shares in 2-4 Boundary Street Limited to a new company, owned by The Conran Family.

Dunstane House joins Pride of Britain Hotels

UK: Pride of Britain Hotels has announced that the family-run boutique hotel Dunstane House in Edinburgh, has joined its collection of independently-owned UK hotels.

Charlestowne Hotels takes over management of Atlanta’s Hotel Clermont

US: Atlanta's Hotel Clermont is the newest addition to the Charlestowne Hotels portfolio.

Sydney student housing to be converted in to boutique hotel

Australia: Sydney-based hotel group Veriu Hotels & Suites plans to convert a student housing property into a boutique hotel in inner Sydney's Elizabeth Bay.

Historic Leeds building set for boutique hotel conversion

UK: New plans have been revealed for the redevelopment of a historic Leeds property.

Hotel Heureka opens in Venice

Italy: Hotel Heureka, a boutique hotel set in a 16th century Venetian palazzo, has opened for business after a two-year refurbishment.

Andaz rebranding for Abu Dhabi hotel

UAE: The Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi is to be rebranded later this year, becoming the first Andaz property in the Middle East.

IHG launches Voco upscale brand and signs first property

UK/Australia: InterContinental Hotels Group has launched Voco, its new upscale hotel brand, alongside announcing a first signing for the brand in Australia.

Rotherham boutique hotel opening creates 25 jobs

UK: The George Wright boutique hotel, bar and restaurant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, has officially opened, creating 25 new jobs.

The Bonham reveals refurbished guest rooms

UK: The Bonham Hotel in Edinburgh has unveiled 49 refurbished guest rooms and suites as part of a multi-million pound investment.

Council steps in with Sussex boutique hotel plan

UK: Town councillors in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, are looking in to the viability of buying the Royal Hotel and giving it a boutique makeover.

Work starts on latest Kessler Collection property

US: The Kessler Collection has broken ground on the $110 million Grand Bohemian in Charlotte, South Carolina.

Margaritaville launches Compass boutique hotel brand

US: The first COMPASS boutique hotel by Margaritaville Hotels and Resorts is being developed by Floridays Development Company on Anna Maria Sound, Florida.

The Park Hotels to ban plastic straws

India: The Park Hotels has joined the worldwide campaign to eliminate plastic drinking straws from landfills, streams, oceans, and beaches.

Linthwaite House reopens after renovation

UK: Leeu Collection has announced that its Lake District property, Linthwaite House, has reopened today after a year-long refurbishment.

Whisky-themed hotel to open in Hollywood

US: Argentine-American restaurateur Adolfo Suaya is to open a 134-key Whiskey Hotel.

CMU to build campus boutique hotel

US: Colorado Mesa University is to build a boutique hotel on campus to train hospitality management and culinary students.

Oxygen Hospitality buys The Ivy Palm

US: Oxygen Hospitality Group, a real estate investment and management company, has bought The Ivy Palm Resort & Spa, an independent, boutique hotel in Palm Springs, California

Calcot Collection reveals refurbished Village Pub

UK: The Calcot Collection has completed a refurbishment of The Village Pub, an inn with boutique hotel rooms in Barnsley, Gloucestershire.

Russell House Hotel set for boutique revamp

UK: Hong Kong-based investors have bought London’s Russell House Hotel sold for £3.5 million and plan to completely refurbish the venue and reposition it as a boutique hotel.

Ennismore eyes potential $1 billion investment

UK: Indian telecoms tycoon Sunil Mittal is planning to invest more than $1 billion into Ennismore, the owner of the Hoxton brand and Gleneagles, according to reports.

First Chinese property for the Unbound Collection

China: Hyatt’s Unbound Collection has welcomed its first Chinese property, the Jinmao Hotel Lijiang.

Kimpton Nine Zero completes $12 million renovation

US: Kimpton Nine Zero, a 190-room boutique hotel on Tremont Street in Boston, has completed a major renovation.

Feeling the BoHo buzz

UK: Around 250 leaders in their fields attended the 2018 Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit in London this week.

June opening for The Drisco

Israel: Tel Aviv’s latest boutique hotel, The Drisco, will open on June 3.

Adare Manor opens the Carriage House

Ireland: Adare Manor in Co Limerick, has announced the opening of The Carriage House.

Nobu co-founders view Barcelona plans

Spain: The co-founders of Nobu Hospitality, Robert De Niro, Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper joined Jordi Mestre of Selenta Group to view mock up designs of Nobu Hotel Barcelona.

Heckfield Place to open in September

UK: One of the most eagerly awaited hotel openings in the UK will take place in September, when Heckfield Place in Hampshire welcomes its first guests.

Packed agenda and leading speakers for Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit

UK: Monday sees the start of the 2018 Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit in London.

Talking Business: Robert Swade, Grace Hotels

Grace Hotels CEO Robert Swade talks to BHN about expansion, authenticity and sustainability.

Yorktowne Hotel to join Tapestry Collection

US: The Yorktowne Hotel, in York, Pennsylvania, will reopen late next year after a $20 million refurbishment.

BLVD Hotel joins The Ascend Collection

US: The BLVD Hotel in Costa Mesa, California, is the latest to join the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels.

Long Island boutique hotel opens in time for summer season

US: The Preston House & Hotel, a boutique hotel with fine dining restaurant, has opened in Riverhead, Long Island.

One to One opens boutique hotel in Ras Al Khaimah

UAE: One to One Hotels & Resorts has opened the 45-key Mughal Suites in as Al Khaimah.

Work starts on Edinburgh Malmaison conversion

UK: York-based developer company S Harrison has appointed Sharkey as the principal contractor to transform Buchan House into the latest Malmaison hotel.

citizenM announces first Swiss property

Switzerland: citizenM has announced plans to open a 160-room hotel in Zurich.

National Trust buys Hunter’s Inn

UK: The National trust has bought the Hunter’s Inn, a hotel on Exmoor, and appointed Bespoke Hotels to manage it.

Campbell Gray to open The Merchant House in Bahrain

Bahrain: Campbell Gray Hotels will open the 47-key Merchant House in Manama in September.

Cost saving of direct bookings is minimal says report

Belgium: A new report says hotels which attempt to boost direct bookings over OTA business risk having lower occupancy rates with “no measurable” savings on costs.

Grand opening for Baltimore’s Hotel Revival

US: Joie de Vivre Hotels celebrated the opening of Hotel Revival with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Dukes London adds extra room category

UK: Five-star Mayfair hotel Dukes London has completed a renovation and unveiled a new Deluxe room category.

Master Innholders celebrates 40th anniversary

UK: The Master Innholders celebrated its 40th anniversary at an event in London last week.

The Bradley completes refurbishment

UK: Peter de Savary’s The Bradley, a listed Regency townhouse B&B in Cheltenham has completed a refurbishment and the creation of two garden rooms.

Hotel St. George opens in Helsinki

Finland: The 153-room Hotel St. George has recently opened in the Finnish capital.

Starwood Capital agrees sale of Principal portfolio to FdR

UK: Starwood Capital has agreed the sale of 14 hotels that form part of The Principal Hotel Company to Foncière des Régions.

Hotel Indigo to form part of Melbourne dual-branded development

Australia: IHG will open its first Australian dual-branded hotel by 2022 with the signing of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins and Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall

Former Sydney fire station to get boutique hotel conversion

Australia: The former Stanmore fire station in Sydney’s inner west will be converted to a boutique hotel and restaurant.

Hotel Indigo opens Leicester Square property

UK: IHG has announced the opening of its newest London hotel, Hotel Indigo London - 1 Leicester Square.

New Orleans boutique hotel joins Hyatt's Unbound Collection

US: Rockbridge and HRI Properties have announced the opening of The Eliza Jane, a 196-room hotel two blocks from the French Quarter in New Orleans.

Two Roads takes over management of The Elms Hotel & Spa

US: Missouri property The Elms Hotel & Spa has joined Two Roads’ Destination Hotels collection.

2018 BoHos shortlist revealed

UK: The shortlisted hotels for the inaugural 2018 BoHos - the Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - have been revealed.

Emaar’s Vida brand heading to Sharjah

UAE: The Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) has signed a management agreement with Emaar Hospitality Group for a Vida hotel in Al Qasba.

The Pavilions opens first Spanish property

Spain: Independent boutique hospitality brand The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts has opened The Pavilions Madrid, its first property in Spain.

EDITION Hotels launches plastic-free initiative

UK: EDITION Hotels has launched an initiative aimed at cutting single use plastic from the hotel industry entirely.

Marriott partners with Hostmaker for homestay trial

UK: Marriott is entering into a six-month trial with Hostmaker, a London-based homestay property-management company.

The Dunstane Houses wins boutique hotel prize at the Scottish Hotel Awards 2018

UK: The Dusntane Houses in Edinburgh won the boutique hotel category at the Scottish Hotel awards last night.

Joint winners of top prize at Bespoke Access Awards

UK: MnM Studio Architects, along with Maria Brighenti and Marcello D’Orsi, were announced the joint winners of the 2017/18 Bespoke Access Awards.

MGallery signs brace of Dubai properties

UAE: Accor’s MGallery collection has announced the signing of two new hotels with the Khamas Group of Investments.

The Student Hotel Group to open in Toulouse in 2021

France: The Student Hotel group, operator of hybrid co-living, co-working hospitality and student accommodation, will open a 354-room property in Toulouse.

Dublin hoteliers take over management of two London boutique hotels

UK: Irish hotel group The Key Collection has taken over the leases of The Exhibitionist and The Gainsborough hotels in London’s Kensington.

Second CityHub opens in Rotterdam

Netherlands: CityHub has opened its second property, a 126-unit building in Rotterdam.

Boutique hotel added to top floors of Sydney’s Paramount House

Australia: Sydney’s Paramount House now has a 29-room boutique hotel on the upper floors.

Talking sustainability: Gary Steffen, Canopy by Hilton

Ahead of Earth Day on April 22nd, Canopy by Hilton global head Gary Steffen talks to BHN about what the brand is doing to promote sustainable stays.

1 Hotels launches environmental awareness campaign

US: 1 Hotels has launched its Earth Day Every Day campaign, a year-long initiative focused on raising awareness of environmental issues.

Rubens at The Palace to unveil renovation

UK: The Rubens at The Palace hotel, a member of Red carnation Hotels, is about to add the finishing touches to a hotel-wide renovation.

Marriott to merge reward programmes

US: Marriott International has announced it will introduce unified benefits across Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest from August 2018.

Hotel Zachary opens in Chicago

US: Hotel Zachary, a 173-key lifestyle hotel, has opened near Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Boutique hotel conversion for historic Alabama building

US: Murphy House in downtown Montgomery is set to be sold and converted in to a luxury hotel.

Leeds boutique hotel bought from administration

UK: Local entrepreneur Simon Pollard has bought 42 The Calls in Leeds, and plans to invest a significant sum in the property.

The Park Hotels opens adults-only hotel in Goa

India: The Park Hotels has opened the Park Hotel Goa Baga River, on the Goan Coast.

Ace Hotel to expand to Japan

Japan: Ace Hotel has announced it will open its first Japanese outpost next year in Kyoto.

Ennismore secures site for first NoCo hotel

UK: Ennismore has signed a lease with Canary Wharf Group for a NoCo hotel at the Wood Wharf mixed-use development in London.

Grace Bay Resorts buys Point Grace

Turks & Caicos: Grace Bay Resorts has assumed ownership and management of Point Grace, effective immediately.

Marigot Bay joins Preferred’s LVX Collection

Saint Lucia: Marigot Bay Resort & Marina is the latest member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ LVX Collection.

June opening for Brøchner Hotels’ latest Copenhagen property

Denmark: Brøchner Hotels will open Hotel Herman K, a five-star boutique hotel in central Copenhagen, in June.

Bernard Murphy departs Gleneagles

UK: Bernard Murphy has left Gleneagles in search of “a new challenge”

Stinchcombe named Chef of the Year finalist

UK: Eckington Manor’s head chef has reached the finals of Chef of the Year 2018

Space hotel taking deposits for first $9.5 million stays in 2022

US: Aurora Station, a “luxury space hotel” is aiming to launch in 2021 and welcome its first guests in 2022.

Accor to acquire half share in Mantis Group

South Africa: Accorhotels has signed a strategic agreement to acquire a 50 per cent stake in hospitality and travel company Mantis Group.

Starwood Capital close to selling Principal Hotels in £750 million deal

UK: French real estate investment firm Foncière des Régions (FdR) is close to concluding a deal to acquire the Principal Hotels portfolio from Starwood Capital.

“Positivity is contagious”: interview with Liutauras Vaitkevicius, GM of Good Hotel London

Liutauras Vaitkevicius talks to BHN about the power of positivity and the changing role of the general manager.

Direct Booking Summit Europe announces venue

Netherlands: Direct Booking Summit Europe will take place in Amsterdam

Hotel Indigo opens in Durham

UK: IHG’s Hotel Indigo brand has opened a new property in Durham city centre.

Cosmetics guru Bobbi Brown opens boutique hotel

US: Makeup mogul Bobbi Brown has opened a hotel in Montclair, New Jersey.

UKHospitality calls for evidence

UK: UKHospitality is launching a commission to promote the hospitality sector

Up with people

Recruitment and staff retention is always at or near the top of the list when hoteliers are asked about the challenges the industry faces.

Major merger

• Good luck to those at the helm of UKHospitality, the new body made up of the merged ALMR and BHA.

The big distribution shake up

The phoney war is over. Airbnb has sent a shot across the bows of its competitors that will echo long and loud in the hospitality industry.

Hotel Gotham partners with San Francisco’s WingTip Club

UK: Hotel Gotham’s Club Brass, the VIP lounge on the seventh floor of the Manchester property, has partnered with San Francisco’s WingTip Club.

ALMR and BHA to merge and form UKHospitality

UK: The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and the British Hospitality Association have voted to merge ands form a single lobbying body for the UK hospitality sector.

Versant Developments buys Wiltshire hotel

UK: The Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire has been bought by Versant Developments and is now under new management.

One to one with Arnaud Zannier

BHN talks to Arnaud Zannier, founder of Zannier Hotels, about the brand's ethos and expansion plans.

Rick Stein to open restaurant at Australian boutique hotel

Australia: Rick Stein will open a restaurant at the new Bannisters hotel in Port Stephens, NSW, which is set to open late 2018.

Nottinghamshire hotel gets planning consent to extend dining offer

UK: The Old Vicarage boutique hotel in Southwell has had its planning consent relaxed to allow it to serve meals to more guests.

citizenM heading to Downtown LA

US: citizenM has bought a development site in Downtown LA, where it will build an 11-storey hotel.

Boutique hotel and restaurant plan for Belfast church

Northern Ireland: Hospitality group Tullymore House Ltd is planning to convert the former Holy Rosary Church on Ormeau Road into a restaurant and 21-key hotel.

The Torridon awarded five-star AA status

UK: The Torridon Hotel, a boutique hotel in the Scottish Highlands, has been awarded five-star accreditation by the AA.

Vastint submits plans for Moxy hotel in Bristol

UK: Vastint Hospitality has submitted plans for a seven-storey 214-room Moxy hotel in the St Paul’s area of Bristol.

Virgin Hotels to open Edinburgh property

UK: Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels will open its first European property in the Scottish capital.

Hutson to take The Pig brand to Cornwall

UK: Robin Hudson’s Pig Hotel group has bought Harlyn House in Padstow and plans to open the property in 2019.

Mama Shelter heading to London

UK: Mama Shelter is set to open its first London property when it rebrands the RE Hotel London Shoreditch.

Come and say hello!

It’s the start of another really busy period for us here at IHM, and we’d like to meet as many of our readers as possible over the next few months.

Bespoke takes over management of The Vincent Hotel

UK: Bespoke Hotels has been appointed to take over the management of The Vincent Hotel, in Southport.

BoHos entry deadline extended

We have extended the entry deadline for the 2018 Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards (The BoHos) until Wednesday, January 31st.

Hotel Vandivort to get extra rooms and rooftop bar

US: Hotel Vandivort in Springfield, Missouri, is to get a 42,000 square-foot extension.

Chinese blockchain company bids for Hong Kong boutique hotel

China: Sharing Economy International Inc, a Chinese textile machinery maker with blockchain ambitions, is bidding to buy the Mira Moon hotel in Hong Kong.

London’s first boutique hotel celebrates anniversary

UK: South Kensington’s Blakes Hotel is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month

Grade II listed Yorkshire hotel hits the market

UK: The Grade-II listed Sewerby Grange Hotel, a country house hotel near Bridlington, is up for sale.

The White Horse set to reopen

UK: Bespoke Hotels is set to reopen The White Horse, Dorking

Five hospitality and travel trends for 2018

BHN editor George Sell looks at five industry trends which will make waves in the travel and hospitality space in 2018.

A double-edge sword

The issue of recruitment and, particularly, attracting young people to work in the UK hospitality industry is one which is only likely to intensify over the next few years.

Interview: Paul McGowan, Study Hotels

BHN talks to Paul McGowan, founder of Study Hotels, a lifestyle hotel brand conceived around the needs of leading university locations.

Multi-million pound redevelopment for The Fish Hotel

UK: The Fish Hotel on the Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds will close for nearly three months for a £4 million redevelopment.

Centara to launch three new brands

Thailand: Centara Hotels and Resorts Co is set to launch three new hotel brands in Q2 2018.

Soho House to make Texas debut

US: Soho House will in a mixed-use project under construction on South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas.

GM interview: Adam Rowledge, Georgian House, London

BHN talks to Adam Rowledge about his role as GM in a central London boutique hotel.

CIRC Hotel to open early next year

US: CIRC Hotel, a 111-room boutique hotel, is set to open in early 2018 on Young Circle in Downtown Hollywood, Florida.

25hours to open Florence hotel in 2020

Italy: 25hours has signed a long-term lease with Art-Invest Real Estate for a listed building in Florence’s old town.

IHG signs first Hotel Indigo in Japan

Japan: IHGA Hotels Group Japan, a joint venture between IHG and ANA, has signed an agreement with GHS K.K. and Daiwa House Industry Co to launch Hotel Indigo in Japan.

Optimism abounds at Deloitte conference

BHN reports from the 2017 Deloitte European Hotel Investment Conference in London.

Cachet Hospitality Group opens NYC flagship

US: Hong Kong-Based hospitality group Cachet has opened Cachet Boutique NYC, its flagship US property.

Thai developer Sansiri takes stake in Standard Hotels parent company

US: Sansiri Public Company ha taken a 35 per cent stake in Standard International, the parent company of Standard Hotels, Bunkhouse Group and booking app One Night.

Preview: Sleep 2017 - Europe's hotel design and development event

Boutique Hotel News is a media partner for Sleep, Europe’s hotel design and development event, which takes place in London on November 21 and 22.

Compact and bijou

Starwood Capital’s purchase of a stake in YOTEL offers further proof that the design-led, limited service value sector of the hotel industry is a red hot one right now.

Time for action

It’s heartening to see the International Tourism Partnership publish its list of collective goals to tackle social and environmental issues facing the hospitality industry.

Writing on the wall for formal hotel dining?

It must have taken an awful lot of consideration and no small amount of courage for the owners of Boath House to ask to be stripped of their restaurant's Michelin star.

OTAs under the spotlight

The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s decision to investigate OTAs could potentially be a real boost for independent hotels.

BoHos 2018 entry period now open

UK: The entry period for the 2018 Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards (BoHos) is open.

OTAs under scrutiny from UK competition commission

UK: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to investigate hotel booking sites.

Event review: Independent Hotel Show

BHN was a media partner for the recent Independent Hotel Show, which took place at London's Olympia West.

Back to nature

• Experts may have gone out of fashion in UK political circles, but when it comes to getting planning for a historic building conversion, they are very much in evidence.

Tattooist to the stars to take residency at London boutique hotel

UK: Tattoo artist Mark Mahoney will be taking up residency at the Mandrake, a new boutique hotel on London’s Newman Street, from October 3 to 16.

Planning permission granted for Soho boutique hotel

UK: Westminster City Council has granted planning consent for a 69-room boutique hotel in London’s Soho.

Aloft Richardson opens at Cityline

US: The Aloft Richardson has officially opened at CityLine, a 186-acre “transit-oriented development” in Richardson, Texas.

Historic naval building moves closer to boutique hotel conversion

UK: Developer Urban Splash is a step nearer to converting the Melville Building at Royal William Yard in Plymouth.

Chester boutique hotel set for history-inspired makeover

UK: The Bridge Street Townhouse in Chester is set to undergo a £250,000 transformation.

Hotel proposal for Kathmandu’s ancient palaces

Nepal: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has started talks about operating ancient palaces as hotels under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Malhotra Group reveals plans for Newcastle hotel

UK: The Malhotra Group is planning a £35 million 120-bedroom hotel in Newcastle.

Made Hotel opens in New York’s NoMad district

US: Sam Gelin has opened the Made Hotel, a boutique property in New York's NoMad neighbourhood.

Delamar to open West Hartford Hotel

US: Connecticut boutique hotel brand Delamar will open its third property on September 12.

US developer to debut with California boutique hotel

US: Grifka Group has started construction on the 49-key West End Hotel in Culver City, California.

Amsterdam’s Hotel Arena reopens after refurbishment and extension

Netherlands: Hotel Arena has reopened with a new wing containing 16 new rooms, café-restaurant PARK, and meeting and event rooms.

Nottinghamshire police station could get boutique hotel conversion

UK: Developer MCA Partnership has revealed plans to turn the former police station in Retford in to a hotel.

Kor Group teams up with Goldman Sachs to buy LA’s Custom Hotel

US: The Kor Group has acquired the Custom Hotel in a joint venture with the merchant banking division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. LLC.

Melbourne’s Royce hotel up for sale

Australia: The 100-room Royce Hotel on St Kilda Road in Melbourne has been put up for sale with market expectations in excess of AUS$60 million.

Aparium to operate renovated former Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago

US: Becker Ventures and Aparium Hotel Group have announced their plans for the St. Jane Chicago hotel, which is scheduled to open in spring 2018.

Quick Q&A: Janera Soerel, SecondHouse

BHN talks to Janera Soerel, founder of sharing economy second-home platform SecondHouse.

Singapore’s Fragrance Group buys Manchester boutique hotel

UK: Fragrance Group Limited has bought The Townhouse Hotel in Manchester for £12.5 million (S$21.9 million).

Extension planned for Glasgow boutique hotel

UK: The owners of the Carlton George hotel in Glasgow are planning to add two floors to the building.

15,000 boutique hotels are listing on Airbnb

US: Since Airbnb began encouraging boutique hotels to list on its platform, at least 15,000 boutique hotels have signed up.

The tourism backlash

European tourist destinations have witnessed a wave of protest this summer from locals who claim that increasing visitor numbers are destroying their neighbourhoods.

Tal by the Beach opens in Tel Aviv

Israel: Tel Aviv’s booming boutique hotel scene has welcomed its latest addition.

Autograph Collection announces NFTS tie-up

UK: Marriott's Autograph Collection has formed a partnership with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to create an inaugural short film award and scholarship.

CitizenM opens first Asian property

Taiwan: citizenM has opened a 267-room hotel in Taipei, its first property in Asia.

End-of-month opening for Aloft Philadelphia Downtown

US: The Aloft Philadelphia Downtown, located in the former Liberty Title & Trust Building, will open its doors on August 31st, 2017.

Aberdeenshire hotel project to get planning green light

UK: Proposals for a boutique hotel at the Udny Arms Hotel in Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, have been granted approval.

Ghent’s former post office opens as 1898 The Post

Belgium: The neo-Gothic former post office in Ghent has been converted in to a boutique hotel called 1898 The Post.

Hoteliers weave family history in to London boutique hotel

UK: New Road Hotel, an 80-room hotel in London’s Whitechapel, will open its doors in October.

Canada’s first pod hotel to be built at Whistler Village

Canada: The Pangea Pod Hotel will open in the ski resort of Whistler Village in April 2018.

Old Amersham Hotels buys Number Four at Stow

UK: A boutique hotel in the Cotswolds has been sold in a deal brokered by Colliers International.

The Bristol Hotel unveils first phase of $7 million renovation

US: Greystone Hotels has completed the first phase of renovations at The Bristol Hotel in downtown San Diego.

Old Delhi Town Hall plans include a boutique hotel

India: The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has announced that work on the 150-year-old Town Hall in old Delhi will start in the next nine months.

Boutique hotel planned for Southern California

US: Integral Communities and Ayres Hotels have announced plans for a hotel in Vista, California.

Miami’s Berkeley Hotel reopens after renovation and extension

US: Developer Blue Road has announced the re-opening of the historic Berkeley Hotel in Miami Beach after a $43 million renovation.

Luxury hotel conversion for Goan mansion

India: A heritage-listed Portuguese mansion built in 1879 has been renovated into a high-end boutique hotel.

Latest South Beach boutique hotel opens this month

US: The Julia, in Miami’s South Beach, has opened its doors.

Motel One opens its first hotel in Zürich

Switzerland: Motel One has opened its second hotel in Switzerland, the Motel One Zürich.

ICMI launches Caribbean management arm

UK: Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI), which manages 14 boutique hotels across Scotland, is expanding to the Caribbean.

Mantra Group buys Art Series Hotel Group

Australia: Mantra Group has entered into an agreement with the Deague Group to acquire the Art Series Hotel Group for around AUS$52.5 million.

Boutique hotel conversion for Charleston shoe store

US: The vacant Bob Ellis Shoes store in Charleston, South Carolina, will be converted in to an 18-room boutique hotel.

A&O opens first Italian property

Italy: Hybrid hotel brand A&O has announced the opening of A&O Venice Mestre, its first hotel in Italy.

Leonardo Hotels doubles UK portfolio with acquisition of Portland Hotels

UK: Leonardo Hotels has acquired Portland Hotels, giving it a portfolio across Scotland and gaining a presence in Glasgow, Perth and Aberdeen.

Songy Highroads buys two Florida Keys hotels

US: Developer Songy Highroads has bought two Florida hotels which it will upgrade and re-flag.

Retailer West Elm continues boutique hotel roll out programme

US: Homewares retailer West Elm has announced that Portland, Maine, will be the location for its latest branded hotel property.

New York hotel group launches controversial anti-Airbnb advert

US: A group representing New York hoteliers is running a 10-day $500,000 TV ad campaign calling for tighter regulation of Airbnb.

Tel Aviv’s latest boutique hotel to open in November

Israel: The Vera, a boutique hotel in the centre of Tel Aviv, will open in November.

Best Western breaks ground on first Texas GLō hotel

US: Best Western Hotels & Resorts has started construction on a GLō hotel in DeSoto, Texas, 15 miles from Dallas.

Alila set for North American expansion

US: Two Roads Hospitality has announced the expansion of Alila Hotels & Resorts into North America.

Kitchen confidential: Gareth Ward, chef patron, Ynyshir

One of the UK’s most exciting chefs, Gareth Ward, tells BHN about his plans for Ynyshir, the property he co-owns with his partner, general manager Amelia Eriksson.

Rebrand and new properties for Pentahotels

Germany: Pentahotels has unveiled a new brand identity and added hotels in Russia and Hong Kong.

Event review: Growing the luxury hospitality market

London's Soho Hotel hosted an interesting event last night, discussing the luxury hospitality market and how brands in the space can grow

Hotel Telegraaf joins the Autograph Collection

Estonia: Autograph Collection Hotels has announced the opening of its first hotel in Estonia, with the debut of Hotel Telegraaf in Tallinn’s historic centre.

Dalata Group buys Birmingham’s Hotel La Tour

UK: Dalata Group, Ireland’s largest hotel operator, has bought Hotel La Tour in Birmingham for £31 million.

Hilton to open a Canopy hotel in Austin

US: A Canopy by Hilton hotel is being proposed for 612 West Sixth Street in Austin, Texas.

Hotel du Vin Newcastle opens new bistro

UK: Hotel du Vin Newcastle, a boutique hotel on the city’s Quayside, has opened a new bistro.

Sopwell House awarded two AA Rosettes

UK: The Restaurant at Sopwell House has been awarded a second AA Rosette following a recent inspection.

Changing direction

It took some friendly advice from a colleague at a retirement party to set Nick Davies on his way to being a hotelier.

All things must pass

The one constant in life is change, as the saying goes, and it is a maxim that applies to the hotel sector as much as any other.

Look to the future

An innovative new training program has been launched in the Cotswolds.

Scottish leisure park plans to include boutique hotel

UK: Plans for a £30 million leisure park on Loch Lomond will include a boutique hotel.

Miami’s Hotel Beaux Arts joins the Autograph Collection

US: The 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts, located on the 38th to 40th floors of the JW Marriott Marquis Miami in downtown, is the latest member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

Chinese investors to spend AUS$380 million on Sydney redevelopment

Australia: Shanghai United is to redevelop a Sydney CBD property in to a 121-room boutique hotel in partnership with AccorHotels.

Hotel Valencia River Walk changes hands for $14.25 million

US: Woodbranch Investments Corp has bought the Hotel Valencia River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.

IHG to open a Hotel Indigo in Leicester Square

UK: The 95-room Hotel Indigo London – One Leicester Square will welcome its first guests by the end of the year.

Loews reveals plans for Bisha Hotel Toronto

Canada: Loews Hotels and INK Entertainment have announced their latest collaboration, Bisha Hotel Toronto.

Dream Hotel Group selects Durham for first Unscripted hotel

US: Dream Hotel Group’s first Unscripted Hotel is a multimillion-dollar redesign and renovation of the Jack Tar Motor Lodge in Durham, North Carolina.

Operator search for Aberdeen hospital conversion

UK: CAF Properties is looking for an operator for a 52-room boutique hotel at Woolmanhill in Aberdeen.

Tokyo is next destination for Marriott’s Edition brand

Japan: Marriott International and Ian Schrager have announced the signing of agreements for two Edition hotels in Tokyo.

Retailer Muji to open second hotel

Japan: Minimalist household and consumer goods retailer Muji will open its second hotel in Tokyo’s Ginza district.

Kimpton reveals plans for first Canadian hotel

Canada: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has announced plans for a four-star Kimpton hotel in the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood in Toronto.

September opening for Southend boutique hotel

UK: The Seven Hotel in Southend, Essex, will open in September following a 16-month conversion from a nursing home.

Spicers Retreats opens ninth Australian property

Australia: The Spicers Potts Point in Sydney is the ninth boutique hotel in the Spicers Retreats chain.

West London hoteliers unite to raise money for Grenfell Tower fire victims

UK: The West London Hotel Managers Association will be hosting a London Unites for Grenfell Tower Charity Event on 18 July 2017.

Curtiss Hotel joins the Ascend Hotel Collection

US: The Ascend Hotel Collection has welcomed the Curtiss Hotel in Buffalo, New York as its latest member.

Northern Ireland boutique hotel to reopen five years after closure

UK: Me and Mrs Jones, a boutique hotel in Portstewart, is set to reopen.

Cotswold Hotels join academy for aspiring hospitality professionals

UK: A group of Cotswold hotels have teamed up with Gloucestershire College to launch the Cotswold Star Academy for young people aiming for a career in the hospitality sector.

Marriott opens first AC Hotel in Germany

Germany: AC Hotels by Marriott has opened a 58-room hotel in Mainz

Gonzalez Byass to open hotel in Jerez

Spain: Drinks producer Gonzalez Byass will open a hotel in the sherry-producing city of Jerez in 2019.

Nobu Hotel Shoreditch opens this weekend

UK: Nobu Hospitality has announced the opening of Nobu Hotel Shoreditch on Saturday 1st July.

Edinburgh’s Bonham hotel sold to US investors

UK: The 49-room Bonham Hotel in Edinburgh has been sold to a US investor group, led by fund manager Richard Driehaus.

End of an era as Morgans closes ahead of apartment conversion

US: The Morgans Hotel in New York, widely regarded as the first boutique hotel, has closed and will be converted into high-end micro apartments.

Autograph Collection adds third Madrid property

Spain: Marriott’s Autograph Collection has welcomed its third independent property in Madrid, with the opening of Hotel Círculo Gran Vía.

Sea Breeze Inn opens in Newport

US: The Sea Breeze Inn has hosted a grand opening of its newly-built boutique hotel in Newport, Rhode Island.

Expedia study spotlights thriving US independent hotel scene

US: Expedia’s Independents Day study has revealed that independent hotels enjoy higher ADR and faster growth than their branded counterparts.

Art-themed boutique hotel opens in Zadar

Croatia: A boutique hotel has opened in Zadar, on the Dalmation coast.

Dubai courts overrule Five Holdings over Viceroy decision

UAE: DIFC Courts has issued a court order prohibiting the owner of the Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai hotel from preventing Viceroy Hotels and Resorts opening the property.

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk completes $10 million renovation

US: Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio has completed the first refurbishment in the hotel’s 14-year history.

Cotswold boutique hotel to reopen on July 5th

UK: The Rectory Hotel and Potting Shed Pub in Crudwell, Wiltshire, is to reopen following a major refurbishment.

Ace Hotel Chicago’s restaurant revealed

US: The Ace Hotel in Chicago’s Fulton Market will open the City Mouse restaurant next month.

Cornish jail hotel conversion gets planning green light

UK: A £30 million conversion of Bodmin Jail into a 63-bedroom hotel has been given planning consent.

Linthwaite House closes for £10 million renovation

UK: The Leeu Collection has closed the Lake District hotel Linthwaite House for refurbishment.

Capsule hotel opens in Sydney’s CBD

Australia: Sydney’s first capsule hotel has opened above the Century Bar, on Sydney’s George Street.

Brooklyn’s Look Hotel joins the Ascend Collection

US: The Look Hotel, a new boutique hotel property in the Red Hook neighbourhood of Brooklyn, has joined the Ascend Hotel Collection.

Five Holdings to operate and rename Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai

UAE: Viceroy Hotels and Resorts is no longer operating a landmark property on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, which opened just three months ago.

London’s Qbic Hotel changes hands

UK: Qbic Hotel London City, in Whitechapel, has been sold to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management

Canadian courthouse to get boutique hotel conversion

Canada: The former courthouse in Thunder Bay, Ontario, is to become a hotel.

Talking Business: Josh Littman, Hard Rock Hotels

BHN talks to Hard Rock Hotels’ Josh Littman about the brand’s plans for Europe and converting the Cumberland.

Interview: Enrique Mandl, GM, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay

Enrique Mandi talks to BHN about opening a property he describes as a game changer for Ibiza's hospitality sector.

Motel One looks to move in to Irish market

Germany: Motel One, the low-cost boutique hotel chain, is planning to enter the Irish market with a Dublin property.

Kansas City's Raphael Hotel wins Autograph Collection award

US: The Raphael Hotel in Kansas City has won The Autograph Collection's hotel of the year award.

AA awards for Leicester boutique hotel

UK: The Belmont Hotel in Leicester has been awarded two highly prestigious hotel and restaurant awards - a four-star AA rating and two AA Rosette awards.

Villa Italia changes hands for $5.15 million

US: Vincenzo Odoguardi has paid $5.15 million for an Italian-themed boutique hotel in South Beach.

Scottsdale Inn to get a boutique hotel makeover

US: Arizona’s Scottsdale Inn is to be rebranded as Hotel Adeline when it reopens in the autumn.

Oakland to get West Elm Hotel

US: Signature Development Group is to build a West Elm-badged hotel in Oakland’s Uptown neighbourhood.

Portland’s Hi-Lo Hotel opens

US: Marriott International’s Autograph Collection Hotels has announced the opening of Hi-Lo Hotel in Oregon.

Arrive Hotels to open Austin boutique hotel

US: Arrive Hotels & Restaurants will open a boutique hotel at the south-west corner of East 6th and Chicon Streets in Austin, Texas.

Wyndham launches Trademark Hotel Collection

US: Wyndham is the latest hotel chain to launch a soft brand for independent hotels, with the introduction of the Trademark Hotel Collection.

The Edinburgh Collection adds Haymarket Hub Hotel

UK: The Edinburgh Collection has acquired The Tune Hotel in the Scottish capital and rebranded it as the Haymarket Hub Hotel.

Talking business: Alex Shashou, ALICE

BHN talks to Alex Shashou, the co-founder of hotel operation platform app ALICE, about growth, the precarious nature of start-ups and having Expedia as a backer.

Hotel Lungarno reopens after six-month renovation

Italy: Hotel Lungarno, in Florence has welcomed its first guests after closing for six months for a major renovation.

Record profits for Signature Living Group

UK: Liverpool-based hotel owner and operator Signature Living has announced record profits of £5.8 million for the year to 1 April 2016.

New owner for Wellington’s Ohtel

New Zealand: Village Accommodation Group has completed the acquisition of the Ohtel on Wellington’s Oriental Parade.

Sanctum Soho rebranded as The Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel

UK: The Sanctum Soho Hotel in London has officially rebranded today to The Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel, as part of a merger with the Karma Group.

Croatian island to get new boutique hotel in 2018

Croatia: A boutique hotel with a rooftop infinity pool is to be built on the island of Krk next year.

First Kimpton hotel outside of the Americas opens in Amsterdam

Netherlands: IHG has opened the Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam, the first Kimpton in Europe and outside of the Americas.

Event review: 2017 Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit

BHN looks at the highlights and key learnings from the 2017 Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit.

Moss Boutique Hotel opens in Moscow

Russia: The Moss Boutique Hotel on Krivokolenny Lane in the historic centre of Moscow has opened its doors.

BoHo award winners revealed in London

UK: The winners of the inaugural Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - the BoHos - were honoured at a ceremony last night in London.

Dublin Riverdance HQ to become Bullitt boutique hotel

Ireland: Northern Ireland hospitality group Beannchor has purchased the Dublin headquarters of the Riverdance show.

Independent Hotel Show launches hotel bedroom consumer survey

UK: The Independent Hotel Show has launched a survey aimed at revealing “the consumer’s perfect hotel bedroom”.

Brighton hotel roof given makeover by local artists

UK: Local artists Art+Believe have painted a brightly-coloured mural on the roof of the Holiday Inn Brighton - Seafront.

Gisborough Hall secures Green Tourism Gold Award for fourth year running

UK: Gisborough Hall, a country house hotel in North Yorkshire, has won a Green Tourism Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

The Edgbaston to add 14 rooms by converting adjacent building

UK: The Edgbaston, a boutique hotel and cocktail bar in Birmingham is planning to expand, more than doubling in size.

Marriott to bring Moxy brand to Japan

Japan: Marriott has announced plans to open Moxy Hotels in Tokyo and Osaka.

All change at Generator after sale to Queensgate Investments

UK: Queensgate Investments has completed the acquisition of Generator Hostels and immediately installed a new management team.

Plans submitted for Manchester fire station conversion

UK: Developer Allied London has submitted plans to convert a Manchester fire station in to a hotel which will be run by the Zetter Group.

Six US Ascend Collection hotels open in April

US: Ascend Hotel Collection, the soft brand collection from Choice Hotels, saw six US additions during the month of April.

BoHos awards shortlist revealed

UK: The shortlisted hotels for the inaugural BoHos - the Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards - have been revealed.

Online guest reviews ‘level the playing field’ for independent hotels

US: A new report from the UCLA Anderson School of Management has highlighted how online guest reviews are helping independent properties win business from large hotel chains.

Le Pirate beach clubs and hotels targets 20 properties by 2020

Indonesia: Beach club and hotel brand Le Pirate has announced plans to expand its footprint within the country and throughout Asia.

Lowry Hotel bought by Singaporean investment trust

UK: The Lowry Hotel in Salford has been bought by CDL Hospitality Trust for £52.5 million.

Dundee mill conversion set for start in late 2017

UK: Work to turn a historic Dundee landmark into a 96-room boutique hotel is expected to start later this year.

Accor to bring Mama Shelter brand to Dubai

UAE: AccorHotels will bring its boutique Mama Shelter hotel brand to Dubai in its first new brand launch in the Gulf since the acquisition of FRHI last year.

First European Avani hotel opens in Lisbon

Portugal: Minor Hotel Group has opened the first Avani property in Europe, the Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel.

Boutique hotel opens at Algarve resort

Portugal: A five-star boutique hotel has opened at the Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort on the Algarve.

Quirk Hotels selects Charlottesville for second property

US: Quirk Hotel, Richmond, Virginia's boutique hotel has announced plans for expansion into neighbouring Charlottesville.

Food for thought

There are a lot of restaurants these days, both in hotels and standalones - that try so hard to find a point of differentiation that they can become a little desperate.

Southbank fusion

I really enjoyed a show round of one of the most anticipated new hotels in London recently, when I met Arun Kumar, the GM of The Lalit London.

Less pain in Spain

In the years following the global recession of 2008, some European countries were hit harder than others, and it has taken longer for their economies to recover.

UK wine in sparkling form

Those of you who live and work in one of the world's most renowned wine producing countries might be surprised to learn of the extent and the growth of the UK wine industry.

The lion roars

Analjit Singh's Leeu Collection is shaping up to be a serious player in the worldwide luxury boutique hotel sector.

Leeu Collection to open first London property in 2019

UK: The Leeu Collection has acquired its first London property, an office building in Fitzrovia.

A&O opens hotel/hostel hybrid in Copenhagen

Denmark: A&O is to open a four-storey property with a mix of single and shared rooms, at Tagensvej 135–137 in Copenhagen.

Boutique hotel conversion on the cards for Glasgow townhouse

UK: A Glasgow pub operator is hoping to convert a Georgian townhouse in the city centre in to a 12-room boutique hotel.

Indian state government to promote boutique hotel concept

India: The Madhya Pradesh state government is planning to promote the boutique hotel in a bid to boost tourism.

Delphina is first Italian hotel group to use 100 per cent renewable energy

Italy: Delphina Hotels & Resorts; a collection of eight properties in northern Sardinia, is the first Italian hotel group to use renewable energy across its entire portfolio.

Rudding Park to open UK’s first rooftop spa garden

UK: Rudding Park in Harrogate, Yorkshire, will open its new £9.5 million spa on May 2nd.

Chicago’s Talbott Hotel to reopen after $20 million renovation

US: The Talbott Hotel, a Joie de Vivre boutique property, will officially reopen in May following a four-month renovation.

Hotel du Vin partners with UK Wine Awards

UK: Hotel du Vin is has announced it is partnering with the inaugural UK Wine Awards. to celebrate the achievements of UK wine producers.

St Giles Hotels to operate Havana’s Hotel Deauville

Cuba: St Giles Hotels will be the first UK hotel brand to operate in Cuba when it takes over Havana’s Hotel Deauville.

Milwaukee ‘micro boutique hotel’ opens for business

US: The Kinn Guesthouse, an eight-room ‘micro boutique hotel’ in Milwaukee has welcomed its first guests.

Boutique hotel opens in former Detroit fire department building

US: The Detroit Foundation Hotel is set to open next month.

San Francisco’s Hotel VIA set for July opening

US: Hotel VIA, an independently owned and operated property in the South Beach neighbourhood of San Francisco is accepting online reservations for stays beginning on July 1.

Sage Hospitality opens the first Maven Hotel in downtown Denver

US: The Maven Hotel at Dairy Block, the first of a new urban hotel concept by Sage Hospitality, is now open in downtown Denver.

ReturnAfrica buys Cape Town boutique hotel

South Africa: Tour operator ReturnAfrica has bought the Welgelegen boutique hotel in central Cape Town.

Supplier spotlight: flooring

BHN looks at the latest flooring products on the market and the companies that supply them.

Hard Rock reveals details of Atlantic City hotel and casino refurb

US: Hard Rock International has unveiled plans for the launch and redevelopment of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

Dakota Deluxe Leeds to open on May 1st

UK: The Dakota Deluxe Leeds will be the focal point of Evans Property Group’s £25 million investment into rejuvenating the Bond Court area of Leeds city centre.

Crowdfunding for boutique hotels: the Amberlair project

BHN talks to Kristin Lindenberg and Marcus Orbe, the founders of crowdsourced boutique hotel initiative Amberlair.

South Place Hotel sold for £70 million

UK: South Place Hotel, in the City of London, has been sold by owners Frogmore for around £70 million.

Singapore’s New Majestic Hotel to make way for new development

Singapore: The New Majestic Hotel, one of the first boutique hotels in Singapore, is to close its doors on June 1st.

21C Museum Hotels’ Indianapolis project falls through

US: Plans for a 21c Museum Hotel in Indianapolis' old City Hall have hit the buffers.

Hotel EMC2 opens in Chicago

US: Marriott’s Autograph Collection has announced the opening of its latest member, Hotel EMC2 in Chicago’s Streeterville neighbourhood.

Platinum Estates to develop Marbella W Hotel

Spain: Hong Kong family office Platinum Estates has announced its third luxury hotel project in Spain.

Quick Q&A: Arun Kumar, general manager, The Lalit London

BHN talks to Arun Kumar, the general manager at the newly opened Lalit London on Tooley Street, the first property outside of India for The Lalit Hotels.

Marriott to design hotel tents at Coachella festival

US: The Coachella music festival in California will feature eight tents designed by Marriott International.

Land Union Group opens boutique hotel in London’s Soho

UK: Berlin-based property company Land Union Group has opened Mimi’s, its first hotel in the UK.

Collaborative hospitality: shared spaces, shared rides and shared ideas

Kirk Pederson, president of Kokua Hospitality, highlights what trends guest accommodation will begin to see as we move into the second quarter of 2017.

April opening for The Darcy in Washington DC

US: The Darcy, A Curio Collection Hotel, will open in late April near Dupont Circle.

Boutique hotel plan for Nottingham Guildhall

UK: Developer Miller Birch is drawing up plans for a boutique hotel in Nottingham’s Grade II-listed Guildhall, once the home of the city council.

Legacy to manage Southampton’s New Place Hotel

UK: Legacy Hotels & Resorts has announced the acquisition of New Place Hotel in Southampton, by Mokan Hotels Co. Ltd.

SBE in merger talks with Hakkasan Group

US: Four months after acquiring Morgans Hotel Group, SBE Entertainment Group is in advanced talks to merge with Hakkasan Group.

Viceroy introduces three brand tiers

US: Viceroy Hotel Group has segmented its portfolio into three tiers: The Viceroy Icon Collection, The Viceroy Lifestyle Series and the Urban Retreat Collection.

NYC’s Roosevelt Island is latest site for Graduate Hotels

US: The Graduate Roosevelt Island hotel, part of a new Cornell University technology complex, is expected to open in 2019.

Chewton Glen team takes over management of 11 Cadogan Gardens

UK: Operations at 11 Cadogan Gardens, a luxury boutique hotel in London’s Chelsea, have been taken over by the team behind Chewton Glen and Cliveden House.

Exmoor boutique hotel up for sale

UK: The Dunkery Beacon Country House on Exmoor is for sale with a guide price of £875,000.

Boutique hotel set for O’Brien’s site in Chicago

US: A 13-storey hotel is set to be built on the site of O'Brien's Restaurant & Bar in Chicago’s Old Town.

Boutique hotel conversion for Wakefield’s Woolley Hall

UK: Plans have been submitted for a hotel conversion for a 1635 Grade II listed building in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Raising standards

Maybe there's something in the air, but it would seem that many of the biggest names in the international boutique and lifestyle hotel sector are getting a little restless.

Generating business

The sale of Generator Hostels has been a rather drawn out affair but that shouldn't detract from what a great brand Generator is.

Mama Shelter to open in Prague

Czech Republic: Mama Shelter will open a 238-room hotel in Prague, in Q4 2017.

Queensgate buys Generator Hostels for €450 million

UK: Queensgate Investments, a private equity real estate fund manager, is to buy Generator Hostels from Patron Capital and its co-investor Invest Real Estate.

Argentinian operator Urbanica opens first US boutique hotel

US: The Meridian, in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighbourhood, has opened for business.

Napa post office set for boutique hotel conversion

US: The former post office in Napa, California, is to be converted in to a hotel by local developer Jim Keller.

Nobu set to open Ibiza property in June

Spain: Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay will open on June 30th at Talamanca Bay, near Ibiza Town.

MEININGER Hotels to open a second Milan property

Italy: MEININGER Hotels has signed an agreement for an 80 room property in Milan, its second in the city.

Tel Aviv lifeguard tower turned into hotel suite

Israel: A lifeguard tower on Frishman beach in Tel Aviv will become a hotel suite hosting international competition winners.

Warwick Hotels adds Ankara property

Turkey: Warwick Hotels and Resorts has added the 32-room Warwick Ankara to its portfolio.

Mr. C sets sights on New York City

US: The brand behind the Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel has announced plans for its first east coast property.

Kimpton to operate hotel element at San Jose mixed-use project

US: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has announced its first property in San Jose, California.

Accor and Rixos announce strategic partnership

France: AccorHotels and Rixos Hotels have formed a JV to develop and manage Rixos-branded properties.

Tamburlaine to open in Cambridge on April 1st

UK: The first UK property by Dublin-based O’Callaghan Hotel Group will open its doors next month.

April opening for Villa Brown Jerusalem

Israel: Villa Brown Jerusalem,a boutique hotel in a converted Ottoman-era private residence will open next month.

Anantara set to open first European property

Portugal: Thai hospitality company Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas will open Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort on April 1, 2017.

Bespoke Hotels to manage The Bab Hotel in Marrakech

Morocco: Bespoke Hotels has announced that it has reached an agreement to take on the management of The Bab Hotel in Marrakech.

Supplier spotlight: sales and marketing groups and alliances

BHN looks at some of the wide variety of sales and marketing groups vying for boutique and lifestyle hotel business.

The invisible touch

Service, and more specifically what constitutes good service in a hotel, is something of a moveable feast in these technology-centric times.

Stronger together

Could the purchase of Worldhotels by Associated Luxury Hotels signal the start of a period of consolidation in the hotel sales and marketing group space?

Hotel Gotham teams up with London’s Century Club

UK: Club Brass, the VIP lounge at Manchester’s Hotel Gotham, partnered with London’s renowned Century Club.

Nobu Hotel Shoreditch to open in June

UK: Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, the first European hotel from the Nobu Hotels brand, will open in London in June.

Signature Living plans George Best hotel in Belfast

UK: Weeks after announcing plans for a George Best-themed hotel in Manchester, Signature Living revealed it will open a second Best hotel in the football legend’s home town.

Life magazine building in New York to host boutique hotel and Hanson restaurant

US: The original Life magazine building on New York’s W31st will reopen in April as Life Hotel.

Manchester Town Hall boutique hotel plans scrapped

UK: Plans for a boutique hotel in part of Manchester Town Hall have been dropped due to the cost and risk involved.

Sleeep capsule hotel opens in Hong Kong

China: Sleeep, a capsule hotel concept by local developer Space is Ltd, has opened in Hong Kong.

Sternlicht opens first 1 Hotel in NYC

US: 1 Hotels founder and Starwood Capital chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht has unveiled the brand's flagship property.

Two US properties join the Luxe Collection

US: L.E. Hotels has added properties in San Francisco and Washington DC to its Luxe Collection portfolio.

Pontlands Park Hotel joins Bespoke Hotels collection

UK: Bespoke Hotels has added Pontlands Park Hotel, near Chelmsford in Essex, to its network of independent hotels.

Boutique hotel and serviced apartments planned for Hanover Square

UK: Developer Clivedale has revealed plans for an 11—storey development in central London that will include a boutique hotel and 81 serviced apartments.

Denbighshire boutique hotel up for sale

UK: The West Arms, a 16th century inn in the village of Llanarmon, is being offered for sale through Christie & Co.

Boutique hotel conversion for listed Newcastle Quayside building

UK: Eldon Chambers, an 1833 grade-II listed building, is set to be converted in to a 17-room hotel.

73-acre Hawkes Bay property on the market

New Zealand: Greenhill Lodge, a historic Hawkes Bay hotel, is being marketed by Colliers International.

Hyatt to double number of Centric properties by end of 2019

US: Hyatt has announced a significant expansion of its Centric lifestyle brand.

Hitchins reopens The Ardeonaig Hotel after £1.8 million renovation

UK: Hotelier Ian Hitchins has reopened The Ardeonaig Hotel in Perthshire.

Philadelphia boutique hotel to introduce “invisible service”

US: The Lokal, a boutique hotel in Philadelphia, wants to provide a service that doesn't require guests and staff to speak to each other.

Zecha opens first Azerai property in Laos

Laos: Aman Resorts founder Adrian Zecha has opened the first property under his new Azerai brand.

Run the numbers

Ally Dombey's feature about the challenges faced by hotel revenue managers in 2017 raises some interesting points.

A true pioneer

David Levin’s sale of his properties The Levin and The Capital marks the closing of a chapter in a remarkable hospitality career.

Fancy footwork

Signature Living’s announcement that it is looking for a site for a George Best-themed hotel in Manchester is the latest in a series of hospitality ventures in NW England.

Cotswolds boutique hotel put on the market

UK: Colliers International is marketing Number Four at Stow with a guide price of £1.95 million.

The Plymouth Hotel reopens after renovation

US: Think Hospitality Group has opened the Plymouth Hotel in Miami Beach.

YTL Hotels buys Threadneedles in the City of London

UK: Malaysian-based YTL Hotels has bought Threadneedles Hotel, its fifth property in the UK, for a reported £40 million.

February 27th opening for The Whitby, Firmdale’s second New York hotel

US: Tim and Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels will open The Whitby in midtown Manhattan on February 27th.

Volvo teams up with Tablet Hotels to launch Swedish boutique lodge

Sweden: Volvo Cars and luxury hotel collection Tablet Hotels will launch the Get Away Lodge in Northern Sweden.

Leeu Collection buys historic Florence building for hotel conversion

Italy: The Leeu Collection has acquired its second European property, the former Collegio Alla Querce in Florence, Italy.

Associated Luxury Hotels buys Worldhotels

US: Associated Luxury Hotels has bought Frankfurt-based Worldhotels for an undisclosed sum.

Room Mate Hotels takes lease on AXA Madrid property

Spain: AXA Investment Managers has agreed a pre-let on a property on Madrid’s Gran Via with Room Mate Hotels.

Smartotels launches FORM Hotels brand

UAE: Smartotels has launched its flagship brand at this week’s GIOHIS conference in Abu Dhabi.

Singapore spice warehouse gets boutique hotel conversion

Singapore: The Warehouse Hotel, a former spice warehouse on the Singapore River, has opened for business.

Great industry response to launch of The BoHos

UK: The boutique and lifestyle hotel sector has given the BoHo awards a resounding endorsement, with more than 50 entries received in the first week.

Dream Hotels signs two Maldives resort hotels

US: Dream Hotel Group has partnered with local entrepreneur Mohamed Manik and Alpha Kinam Holdings to develop two Maldives properties.

Eden Hotel Collection to open Mallory Court spa in April

UK: The Elan Spa at Mallory Court Hotel in Warwickshire will be the first new spa to open in the county for over 10 years.

Signature Living seeking site for George Best-themed hotel

UK: Signature Living, the company behind the Shankly hotel in Liverpool, plans to open a George Best-themed hotel in Manchester.

25hours to open Paris property in 2018

France: 25hours hotels will open its first property outside of the German-speaking countries in summer 2018.

Warwick Hotels and Resorts buys London properties The Capital and The Levin

UK: Hotelier David Levin has sold The Capital and The Levin, the boutique hotels he founded in London’s Knightsbridge.

Yotel to open Clerkenwell property in late 2018

UK: Yotel will open its first UK city centre hotel in London’s Clerkenwell.

Supplier spotlight: Law firms

Having good legal advice is essential for any hospitality business. BHN rounds up some of the leading law firms operating in the boutique and lifestyle hotel sector.

Fortuna Realty Group to open first of two NYC boutique hotels

US: Fortuna Realty Group will launch Hotel Hayden, in NYC’s Chelsea, tomorrow.

Designer Henry Holland takes over space at The Hoxton Holborn

UK: British fashion designer Henry Holland has taken over a space at The Hoxton, Holborn for a month-long residency.

Northumberland boutique hotel up for sale

UK: The Coach House, a Grade II-listed property, in Northumberland has been put on the market.

BHN teams up with GuestRevu and Glion to launch “the BoHos” - the Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards

UK: Boutique Hotel News is delighted to announce the launch of the BoHos – the Boutique Hotel Guest Experience Awards.

Palm Beach property parts company with Kimpton

US: Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene has ended a management agreement with Kimpton at the 134-room Tideline Resort and Spa.

Rock'n'roll stars

The newly launched hotel collection RockStar Hotels is an intriguing prospect

The shadow of Brexit

The potential implications of the UK’s eventual withdrawal from the European Union are beginning to crystallise, and there are ominous signs for the hospitality sector.

If you can't beat them

Bespoke Hotels’ move to expand the Bermondsey SquAIR initiative to La Suite West is a great example of the hotel sector proactively responding to the threat of Airbnb.

Hilton launches Tapestry Collection soft brand

US: Hilton has launched its 14th hotel brand - Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

Siegel Group sells Las Vegas boutique hotel for $18 million

US: The Rumor Boutique Hotel in Las vegas has been bought by an international investment group based in China.

Hadrian’s Wall visitor centre could feature a boutique hotel

UK: Plans for a £1.5 million visitor complex at Hadrian’s Wall include a boutique hotel.

Morning Star Estate up for sale

Australia: The Morning Star Estate on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has been put on the market by owner Judy Barrett.

Merchants Hospitality to manage Cachet Boutique New York Hotel

Cachet Boutique Hotel New York

Murray looks to expand Cromlix hotel

UK: Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has applied for planning permission to extend his Cromlix hotel, near Dunblane, in Perthshire.

H&M Hotels buys Lake District property and plans expansion

UK: H&M Hotels has bought the 30-bedroom Stonecross Manor hotel in the Lake District.

Brexit threatens 700,000 UK hospitality jobs

UK: BHA CEO Ufi Ibrahim has highlighted the potential staffing crisis facing the hospitality industry after Brexit.

Ottawa Hotel Indigo to deflag and go independent

Canada: The 106-room Hotel Indigo in Ottawa will reopen next month as the Metcalfe Hotel.

Sir Adam opens in Amsterdam

Netherlands: SIR Hotels has opened its third property, Sir Adam, located in the first eight floors of the A’DAM Toren building.

London hotelier sues Barclays over interest rate swaps

UK: Kishorkant Bhattessa, the owner of the Mandeville Hotel in Marylebone, is suing Barclays over three interest rate swaps taken out by his company in 2007 and 2008.

Ayana Hospitality launches Kerala boutique hotel

India: Ayana Hospitality has launched its flagship property, Ayana Fort Kochi, in Kerala.

Santucci launches RockStar Hotels with 40 boutique properties

US: RockStar Hotels has launched with a collection of boutique hotels in seven countries around the world.

Bristol wheel regeneration plans include a Hotel Indigo

UK: A £24 million regeneration scheme on Bristol’s Bordeaux Quay could include a boutique hotel.

The Julia set for May opening in Miami Beach

US: The Julia, a 29-room boutique hotel in Miami Beach will open in May.

Kimpton to open resort hotel in Grenada

Caribbean: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has announced plans for the Kimpton Kawana Bay Grenada Resort.

Accor forms lifestyle division

France: AccorHotels has announced the creation of a Lifestyle division comprising the Jo & Joe, Mama Shelter and 25hours Hotels brands.

Cape Town art museum to include boutique hotel

South Africa: The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)‚ due to open in Cape Town in September‚ will include a boutique hotel.

Rebranding and renovation for Firesky Resort & Spa

US: Classic Hotels & Resorts will rebrand and rename the Firesky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Boutique hotel plan for London nightclub

UK: The owners of the Koko nightclub in Camden Town want to build a boutique hotel next door.

Moxy Hotel in Docklands gets licence despite objections

UK: The Moxy Hotel Excel in London’s Docklands, has received its premises license despite objections from Trading Standards, Newham Council and the Metropolitan Police.

Floating hotel planned for Cork's Penrose Quay

Ireland: Penrose Quay in Cork City could play host to a 110-metre ship converted in to a 96-room hotel.

Brace of boutique hotels set to open in Austin's SoCo neighbourhood

US: Hoteliers Liz Lambert and Kimber Cavendish are each set to open hotels in Austin’s South Congress Avenue neighbourhood.

Supplier spotlight: In-room technology

BHN rounds up the latest in-room technology products keeping guests happy across the boutique and lifestyle hotel sector.

Golden Crown boutique hotel opens in Haifa

Israel: The 90-room Golden Crown in Haifa has opened its doors.

Lark Hotels buys The Coonamessett Inn

US: Lark Hotels has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire The Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Manorview Hotels buys Linlithgow’s Star & Garter Hotel

UK: The Star & Garter Hotel in Linlithgow is the latest addition to the Manorview portfolio.

Lightstone gets the go ahead for Moxy South Beach

US: The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board has approved Lightsone’s plans for a 202-room Moxy Hotel in South Beach.

Nikki Beach adds boutique hotel to Dubai beach club

UAE: The Nikki Beach Resort & Spa has opened in Dubai this week.

Adelphi Hotel renovation to be unveiled in spring

US: The renovated Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York, will reopen in spring 2017.

Accor and LinkedIn team up to launch Business Check service for travellers

France: AccorHotels has joined forces with LinkedIn to add the Business Check service to its mobile app.

Pentahotels aiming for major Chinese expansion

China: German hybrid hotel brand Pentahotels is aiming to reach 80 properties by 2020, with many of the new openings in China.

Five hospitality and travel trends for 2017

BHN editor George Sell looks at five industry trends which will make waves in the boutique and lifestyle hotel space in 2017.

The Cormorant Hotel on the market for £1.5 million

UK: The 14-room Cormorant hotel near Fowey, in Cornwall, is on the market.

Design for all

December saw the presentation of the first annual Bespoke Access Awards - run in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

No hesitation

Discover Accor's expansion strategy and marvel at the team up of two British brands - London fabric designer Liberty and Dukes Hotel.

Autograph Collection adds second Dubai property

UAE: La Ville Hotel and Suites in Dubai’s City Walk neighbourhood has joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

Unlisted Collection buys Dublin’s Trinity Lodge

Ireland: Trinity Lodge, on South Frederick Street, in Dublin has been sold to the Unlisted Collection.

Ace Hotel Chicago up for sale

US: The Ace Hotel in Chicago has reportedly been put on the market with a price tag of $90 million.

Rove Hotels open second Dubai property

UAE: Rove Hotels, Emaar’s lifestyle hotel brand has opened its second property in Dubai.

Dukes Hotel teams up with Liberty for refurbishment

UK: Dukes London has announced an extensive refurbishment programme to its bedrooms, public areas and restaurant.

London gin-themed boutique hotel to open next week

UK: The Portobello Road Gin Company is set to open The Distillery, a gin-themed hotel, bar and restaurant in London’s Notting Hill.

Accor takes stake in Banyan Tree Hotels

France: AccorHotels will invest €16 million and take a five per cent share in Singapore-based Banyan Tree.

Coaching Inn Group buys Castle Hotel in Conwy

UK: The historic Castle Hotel in Conwy, North Wales, has been bought by the Coaching Inn Group.

Marriott’s Luxury Collection adds five European and Middle Eastern properties

US: Marriott’s Luxury Collection soft brand has added properties in the UK, France, Italy and Armenia.

Boutique hotel conversion for St Stephen’s Green property

Ireland: A Georgian house on Dublin’s St Stephen’s Green could be set for €40 million boutique hotel conversion.

Blakes gets planning consent for Shoreditch hotel

Blakes Hotel Group has been given planning consent for a 10-storey boutique hotel on Corsham Street in Shoreditch.

Boutique hotel to be built on Plymouth Hoe

UK: The site of the former Quality Hotel on Plymouth Hoe will be redeveloped in a £50 million scheme featuring an apartment block and a boutique hotel.

£10 million investment for Coaching Inn Group

UK: The Coaching Inn Group has secured a further £10 million investment from BGF (Business Growth Fund) to support a planned £50 million expansion across the UK.

Dream Hotel Group makes major move in to Vietnam

Vietnam: Dream Hotel Group has signed its first hotel in Vietnam, with three more set to follow.

The sweet smell of success: toiletries and amenities product round-up

Boutique Hotel News takes a look at the best in bathroom amenities for your guests.

Nobu to open restaurant in Larry Ellison’s Palo Alto boutique hotel

US: Nobu will take over the Lure + Till restaurant space at Larry Ellison’s Epiphany Hotel in Palo Alto.

Chinese Home Comforts

Chinese middle class travelling behaviour and spending patters within tourism industry. The Chinese domestic hotel sector is registering a rapid growth.

Tribal Behaviour

Overview of one of the main discussion points at Sleep 2016 - tribe and the science of psychographics.

Red Carnation launches apprenticeship programme ahead of 2017 levy changes

UK: Red Carnation Hotels has partnered with Umbrella Training to launch an apprenticeship programme across its London hotels.

Cardiff boutique hotel sold to former Park Plaza GM’s investment group

UK: A group of investors led by former Park Plaza Cardiff GM Hugh Hilary has bought Jolyon’s, a boutique hotel in the city.

Mercer Seville opens in restored palace

Spain: Mercer Seville Casa Palacio Castelar, a sister hotel to Mercer Barcelona, has opened in the Andalucian capital.

Narada Hotels to roll out Pagoda boutique brand across China

China: Narada Hotels has announced the launch of its latest brand, Pagoda Hotels.

Which tribe will you choose? Sleep 2016 review

This year’s Sleep Event was themed around ‘the science of the tribe’ or psychographics - how people behave according to their interests rather than age, gender, or income.

Owners take Gisborough Hall independent

UK: Gisborough Hall in Yorkshire has announced multi-million-pound investment plans as it prepares to become a fully independent, family-owned hotel.

21c Museum Hotels heading for Miami’s Design District

US: 21cMuseum Hotels will open a boutique hotel in the HELM Miami mixed-use development.

Report highlights rise of poshtels and hybrid hotels in south-east Asia

Thailand: A report from C9 Hotelworks has shown the growth of the upmarket hostel and hybrid hotel phenomenon in south-east Asia.

Event Review: Deloitte Hotel Investment Conference

The 28th Deloitte Hotel Investment Conference, which took place at The Dorchester last week, was subtitled ‘Opportunity out of uncertainty’.

Airbnb room nights in London more than double in a year

UK: A new report has given a detailed breakdown of Airbnb’s growth in London.

Chase Hotel in Palm Springs changes hands

US: The Chase Hotel in Palm Springs has been bought by Jeff Brock and Richard Crisman, who own and operate the nearby Sparrows Lodge.

Edition set to make Chinese debut

China: Marriott’s Edition brand is to open its first hotel in China, in the city of Sanya.

Secret Bay in Dominica named the World’s Best Boutique Hotel

UK: The winners of the World Boutique Hotel Awards 2016 were announced last night at a gala dinner held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London.

Accor buys 30 per cent stake in 25hours Hotels

Germany: Accor has paid £31.2 million for a 30 per cent stake in 25hours Hotels

China heads up investment in European hotel sector

UK: China is the biggest source of inbound investment in to European hotels according to new research from Deloitte.

Soft opening for Rocco Forte Hotels Jeddah property

KSA: Assila Hotel, the first Rocco Forte property in Saudi Arabia, will open for a soft launch in mid November.

Tribute portfolio adds two Argentine properties

Argentina: Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio has added properties in Patagonia and Argentina’s Wine Country. Both are owned by Grupo EMR.

Boutique hotel conversion to go ahead as BTC UK buys Bow Street Magistrates Court

UK: The Grade-II-listed former Bow Street Magistrates Court in Covent Garden, London, will be redeveloped as a luxury boutique hotel after its sale.

Talking business: Filip Boyen, SLH

On the anniversary of his appointment as CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, BHN talks to Filip Boyen about the last 12 months and his plans for the future.

ICMI to operate renovated Ury House

UK: ICMI is to operate the renovated B-listed Ury House in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, when it opens as a boutique hotel and spa.

sbe opens The Redbury, its first NYC hotel

US: LA-based hospitality developer and operator sbe has announced the official launch of its first NYC hotel, The Redbury New York.

Supplier spotlight: interior design

Boutique Hotel News takes a look at the companies who add a sprinkling of design magic to property interiors.

Hostel and Budget Traveller to be merged with expanded Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit

UK: International Hospitality Media is to combine two of its sector-leading conferences to create one of the most exciting dates in the hospitality calendar.

Event review: IHS Power Breakfast

BHN editor George Sell reports from the Independent Hotel Show Power Breakfast panel session.

Kate Levin and The Laslett win Independent Hotel Show Awards

UK: Kate Levin, GM of The Capital, and Notting Hill’s The Laslett take IHS awards for 2016.

Wilson strenuously denies Ace lawsuit allegations

Ace Hotel president Brad Wilson has made a strong denial of the allegations brought against him by the estate of Alex Calderwood.

The Wellesley offers smartphones for guests

UK: The Wellesley has announced the introduction of ‘handy’ devices for its guests, complete with bespoke branded cases.

Another Place reveals investment and expansion plans

UK: Another Place, a hotel collection from the team behind Cornwall’s Watergate Bay Hotel, has announced its expansion plans.

Ace Hotel president Brad Wilson accused of fraud by founder Calderwood’s family

US: Ace Hotel president Brad Wilson has been accused of conspiracy to defraud Alex Calderwood’s estate in a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

Alexander Hotels buys Barnett Hill Venue

UK: Boutique hotel operator Alexander Hotels has acquired Barnett Hill Venue in Guildford, Surrey.

The Hoxton announces 2017 Paris and Brooklyn openings

UK: The Hoxton has announced the 2017 openings of The Hoxton, Paris and The Hoxton, Williamsburg.

Hotel Napoleon in Memphis taking bookings

US: Hotel Napoleon, on Madison Avenue in Memphis, has opened for business.

The Watermark Baton Rouge to open today

US: The Watermark Baton Rouge, a 144-room hotel at Third and Convention streets, is set to have its soft opening today.

Coca-Cola scion’s mansion set for boutique hotel conversion

US: A mansion in Druid Hills, Georgia, could be converted in to a hotel.

Event review: Hotel Distribution Event 2016

BHN reports from the fourth annual Hotel Distribution event, held at the Hilton London Bankside.

Don't forget the basics

Leonie Bulman of BDRC Continental raises some interesting points in her article about the hierarchy of guest needs.

Making the world go round

Investment has very much dominated the news in the boutique and lifestyle hotel space this week.

Brand new

What an eventful week it's been in the branding space, with some new names launched in to the sector that are set to make a big splash.

Somerset boutique hotel on the market for £1.15 million

UK: The Oaks Hotel in Somerset is up for sale with a guide price of £1.15 million.

Boutique hotel in film director Coppola’s former home joins L.E. Hotels

Argentina: Bourbon BE Jardín Escondido By Coppola is the latest member of the L.E. Hotels Collection.

Brøchner Hotels to renovate Hotel Danmark

Denmark: Boutique hotel operator Brøchner Hotels will renovate and reopen a property next to Copenhagen’s Tivoli Steps.

Latest Montcalm Hotel opens in the City of London

UK: The Montcalm Luxury Hotels has opened its sixth property in the capital.

Hawkeye Hotels buys The Majestic Hotel in St Louis

US: The Majestic Hotel in downtown St Louis has been sold for $4.2 million.

Supplier spotlight: Software and technology

Boutique Hotel News takes a look at the latest software and technology on the market for the hospitality industry, and the companies supplying it.

Kimpton to open South Beach property in 2018

US: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will open Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach in 2018.

Accor launches Jo & Joe brand

France: Accor has launched a millennial-focused hybrid brand called Jo & Joe.

Destination and Commune merge to form Two Roads Hospitality

US: New overarching company will encompass all Destination and Commune brands.

Talking business: Oliver Heywood, Flat Cap Hotels

BHN talks to Oliver Heywood, one of the brothers behind Cheshire-based brand Flat Cap Hotels.

US furniture retailer West Elm to launch boutique hotel brand

US: West Elm has teamed up with hospitality management and development company DDK to develop a string of boutique hotels.

IHG set to bring Hotel Indigo brand to Australia

Australia: IHG is looking for suitable sites in Sydney and Melbournbe for its Hotel Indigo brand.

Maven Capital increases investment in Cardiff Hotel Indigo

UK: Private equity investor Maven Capital Partners is increasing its investment in the £13.75 million Hotel Indigo in Cardiff.

Starwood Capital launches Principal lifestyle hotel brand

UK: Starwood Capital Group has announced the forthcoming launch of Principal, a UK lifestyle hotel group.

Private investor backs Flat Cap Hotels

UK: Flat Cap Hotels has obtained significant financial backing to support the growth of the company.

Talking Design: Hilary Lancaster Fusion Interiors Group

Boutique Hotel News talks to Hilary Lancaster about her latest project, the Urban Lodge Hotel in Amsterdam.

Hickory Street Capital reveals plans for Hotel Zachary

US: Hickory Street Capital has revealed plans for Hotel Zachary, a boutique hotel located in Chicago's Lakeview neighbourhood.

Joie de Vivre to make New Orleans debut with The Troubadour

US: Joie de Vivre Hotels is set to open The Troubadour, its first New Orleans hotel in the autumn.

Shinola to open boutique hotel in Detroit

US: Wristwatch and bicycle brand Shinola has teamed up with developer Bedrock to open a hotel in Detroit.

Investment boost for 21c Museum Hotels will accelerate expansion

US: 21c Museum Hotels has formed a JV with Junius Real Estate Partners to develop up to $250 million in projects.

Cotswold House Hotel & Spa to relaunch next month after £1 million refurbishment

UK: The Cotswold House Hotel & Spa in Chipping Campden will officially relaunch on October 6th.

Derelict Quebec house to get $4 million dollar boutique hotel renovation

Canada: O'Brien House, a derelict mansion in Gatineau Park, is set to be converted in to a boutique hotel.

BON Hotels acquires Entebbe boutique property

Uganda: BON Hotels has purchased Lake Heights Entebbe, its second property in East Africa.

Bespoke Hotels to operate Criterion Capital London properties

UK: Bespoke Hotels has announced an agreement with Criterion Capital to operate a number of properties due to open across London.

Ibiza’s Gran Hotel Montesol opens after refurbishment

Spain: The Gran Hotel Montesol, Ibiza’s first purpose-built hotel, has reopened after an extensive renovation.

Hotel Xenia joins The Autograph Collection

UK: Hotel Xenia will be Autograph Collection’s third hotel in London, joining St Ermin’s and Threadneedles.

Kimpton offers details of credit card security incident

US: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has revealed the conclusions of its investigation in to a recent credit card security breach.

Hilton set to roll out Tru, its fastest growing brand

US: Hilton Worldwide has launched a month of celebrations for its youngest and fastest-growing hotel brand in the company's history, Tru by Hilton.

Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis prepares to open

US: The Hewing Hotel, the latest project from Aparium Hotel Group, will open in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighbourhood.

Atlas Hotels opens latest Tel Aviv property

Israel: 65 Hotel will open at the corner of Rothschild and Nahmani on September 1st.

The Gallivant Times Square opens for business

US: The Gallivant Times Square, a 336-room lifestyle hotel has opened in Midtown Manhattan.

Supporting the independents

Miranda Martin, the new director of the Independent Hotel Show, shares her outlook for the sector and her plans for the event.

Maven Capital submits Hotel Indigo plans for Durham listed building conversion

UK: Maven Capital Partners has submitted revised plans to convert a grade II-listed property into a boutique hotel.

Lancashire Victorian mansion set for boutique hotel conversion

UK: A former mill owner’s mansion in Pendle could be converted into a boutique hotel with a Moroccan spa.

Tetrarch considers refinancing options

Ireland: Tetrarch Hospitality is considering plans for a refinancing or an IPO.

The Ramble Hotel in Denver set for late 2017 opening

US: The 50-room Ramble Hotel in Denver’s RiNo district will open late next year.

Torquay’s Imperial Hotel bought by Brownsword Hotel Group

UK: Brownsword Hotel Group has bought The Imperial Hotel in Torquay, its third property in Devon.

Starwood sells Hotel Goldener Hirsch to Wild Group for €20 million

Austria: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has completed the sale of Hotel Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg, to the Wild Group.

De Niro’s London boutique hotel gets planning consent

UK: Hollywood star Robert De Niro’s Covent Garden boutique hotel project has been given the green light by planners.

Local activists fight Ealing Town Hall boutique hotel plans

UK: A local group is aiming to lease Ealing Town Hall in an attempt to stop it being converted into a hotel.

Planning approval for Belfast boutique hotel

US: A boutique hotel in Belfast city centre's Bank Square have been given planning consent.

The University of Surrey and SnapShot team up for hotel revenue management course

UK: The University of Surrey’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and analytics specialist SnapShot will lead a two-day course on hotel revenue management.

Soho House and Sydell Group reveal plans for The Ned

UK: Partners reveal plans for City of London hotel, clubs and restaurants.

Sanctum Hotels and Karma Group team up to open rock-themed hotels

UK: Hospitality brands team up to launch global music-themed properties and private members club.

Work begins on Nashville boutique hotel The Bobby

US: Nashville-based property developer Castlerock Asset Management has started work on The Bobby, in the city’s downtown area.

Anbang considers IHG bid

China: Anbang Insurance Group is reportedly considering a bid to acquire InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG)

The Wellesley launches super yacht for charter in the Med

UK: London luxury boutique hotel The Wellesley has launched a 55 metre super yacht which is available for charter in the Mediterranean.

The Hughenden Boutique Hotel changes hands

Australia: The Hughenden Boutique Hotel in Woollahra, NSW, has sold after being on the market for three months.

Northern powerhouse: mad for Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant hotspot of UK boutique hotel development, with a wave of excitement projects in the pipeline, reports George Sell.

Zetter Group confirmed for Manchester’s London Road development

UK: The Zetter Group will open its first hotel outside of London, as the anchor tenant of Allied London’s London Road development in Manchester.

Pembrokeshire boutique hotel up for sale

Lamphey Hall, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Pembrokeshire, has been put on the market.

Hungary’s oldest hotel reopens after renovation

Hungary: Pest-Buda, the oldest hotel in in Hungary, has reopened after renovation as a 10-bedroom luxury boutique hotel.

Quito’s Historic District welcomes 12-bedroom boutique hotel

Ecuador: Carlota Hotel, a renovated house in Quito’s Historic District has opened for business.

Flat Cap Hotels seeks crowdfunding for Cheshire hotel and venue

UK: Flat Cap Hotels has teamed up with Seedrs to seek funding for a boutique hotel project in Cheshire.

Malmaison to operate converted York office building

UK: Developer Yorkshire Ventures has revealed plans to turn Aviva's former offices in York city centre into a Malmaison hotel.

Park Hotels opens Zone by The Park in Raipur

India: Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels has launched its fourth Zone by The Park property.

East Kent College opens The Yarrow boutique hotel

UK: College-owned Kent boutique hotel The Yarrow will be staffed by students.

Hersha buys Boston’s Envoy Hotel for $112.5 million

US: Pennsylvania-based Hersha Hospitality Trust has bought the Envoy Hotel, a boutique hotel in Boston’s Seaport District, for $70.8 million.

BHA calls for Seaside Tsar to revive UK coastal towns

UK: The British Hospitality Association has called for the government to appoint a seaside tsar to help Britain’s ailing seaside towns.

Robert Nadler on “dynamic, cosmopolitan” Manchester

BHN talks to Robert Nadler about his company’s latest project, a 110-room hotel in St John’s Place, part of the £1.3 billion redevelopment of the former Granada Studios.

Nadler Hotels to open in Manchester’s St John’s Place tower

UK: Developer Allied London confirmed that Nadler Hotels will operate a 110-bedroom hotel in Manchester city centre.

Pestana Hotel Group and Cristiano Ronaldo to open first CR7 hotel on July 1st

Portugal: Pestana Hotel Group has announced announce the opening of the first Pestana CR7hotel on 1 July in Funchal, in Madeira.

Talking Business: Ben Russell, Ennismore

BHN talks to Ben Russell, acquisitions director of Ennismore, about the group's new budget hotel brand NoCo.

Lightstone and Moxy: "We're going after Airbnb head on"

BHN talks to Mitchell Hochberg, president of Lightstone, about why he is investing $2 billion in developing Moxy Hotels, and why the brand is "the antidote to Airbnb".

O’Callaghan Hotels to make UK debut with The Tamburlaine in Cambridge

UK: Dublin-based O’Callaghan Hotels Group will open its first UK property in spring 2017.

Ennismore to launch NoCo budget hotel brand

UK: Ennismore, the parent company of Hoxton Hotels, is to launch a budget hotel chain called NoCo.

Hemingway Collection to demolish Watamu property and replace with boutique hotel and apartments

Kenya: Hemingways Collection plans to build a 39-room boutique hotel on the site of a current 74-room property.

The Cumberland Hotel to be rebranded as Hard Rock Hotel London

UK: Hard Rock International and GLH Hotels have unveiled plans for Hard Rock Hotel London, a conversion of the existing Cumberland Hotel.

South African private equity fund buys second Cornish hotel

UK: The Rosevine, near Portscatho in Cornwall, has been bought by Fairtree Hospitality Private Equity Fund.

Provenance Hotels buys out partners in Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in New Orleans

US: Portland-based hotel operator Provenance Hotels has purchased Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in New Orleans for an undisclosed price, via an investment fund subsidiary.

Dream Hotel Group signs deals in six new destinations

Dream Hotel Group has signed deals to operate six new hotels, five in the US and one in Qatar.

Prem Group buys Irish country house hotel

Ireland: Dublin-based Prem Group has bought the Cahernane House Hotel, County Kerry, for €3 million.

The Hoxton launches canal boat pop-up to mark Amsterdam property anniversary

UK: The Hoxton has announced its Hox on The Locks venture, a two week canal boat suite on London’s Regents Canal.

New kids on the block: interview with Julia Davies of The Cottage in the Wood

Boutique Hotel News talks to first-time hotelier Julia Davies, who with her husband Nick, owns and runs The Cottage in the Wood, in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Nadler Hotels to open 56-room Covent Garden property

UK: Nadler Hotels has acquired Walter House in London’s Covent Garden, and will convert ti to a 56-room boutique hotel.

Planet Hollywood to launch luxury lifestyle hotel brand

US: Planet Hollywood International has announced the launch of ph Premiere, a luxury lifestyle brand.

St Paul’s Empire Building set for boutique hotel conversion

US: Madison Equities plans to turn the Empire Building in St Paul, Minnesota, in to a boutique hotel.

Scope Property Group buys The Local Hotel in Fremantle

Australia: Perth-based Scope Property Group has bought The Local Hotel building in South Fremantle for AUS$2.5 million.

SBE Entertainment Group agrees Morgans acquisition

US: SBE Entertainment Group has agreed to acquire Morgans Hotel Group after more than a year of merger talks.

£12 million investment and restructure for Small Luxury Hotels of the World

UK: Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has announced a restructure which allows for a £12 million investment in to the brand over the next five years.

What's in a name?

Defining some of the properties in our sector has never been the easiest of jobs.

The lion's share

The purchase of Linthwaite House by the Leeu Collection has confirmed something which I had a feeling about a little while back.

Leeu Collection buys Linthwaite House

UK: South African hotel group the Leeu Collection has bought Linthwaite House in the Lake District.

Nominations for World Boutique Hotel Awards close next month

UK: Entries for this year’s Boutique Hotel Awards will close on 30th May.

Bristol is next for Artist Residence Hotels

UK: Bristol’s Grade I-listed Portland Square is set to be the next location for an Artist Residence Hotel

Spider plans North Beach boutique hotel

US: Miami-based investment company Spider will develop a 44-key hotel on land it acquired last year in North Beach.

Star Hotels acquires Royal Demeure Group properties

Italy: Italian hotel group Starhotels has signed an agreement with TDA Capital Group for the acquisition and management of the hotel properties of the Royal Demeure Group.

New Thai boutique hotel operator plans rapid expansion

Thailand: Boutique hotel operator 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts has launched with its first property in Chiang Mai.

Bespoke Hotels is Platinum Sponsor for Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit 2016

UK: Leading operator is latest sponsor for sixth annual boutique and lifestyle hotel conference in London.

Hyatt to buy Thompson Miami Beach

US: Hyatt Hotels Corporation is to buy the Thompson Miami Beach and rebrand it The Confidante.

First AlmaLusa hotel opens in Lisbon this week

Portugal: The debut property from AlmaLusa Hotels is set to open in Lisbon on 17th March.

Branded Residences: An Overview

Chris Graham of Graham Associates has published a report looking at the branded residence phenomenon.

Hyatt launches The Unbound Collection

US: Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the launch of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a “global collection of unique and independent stay experiences”.

Soho House to open Manchester hotel

UK: Soho House is set to open its first hotel in the north of England.

Choice Hotels to launch vacation rental platform

US: Choice Hotels confirmed that it is set to launch a sharing economy short-term rental platform.

Grace Hotels’ charitable foundation pledges €600,000 to ELEPAP

Greece: The Grace Foundation has announced its long-term support for ELEPAP – Rehabilitation for The Disabled.

Luxury Hotels Group to host Women in Travel conference

UK: Luxury Hotels Group is hosting the WINiT European conference and networking event at the Montcalm London Marble Arch on February 22nd, 2016.

Morgans close to appointing new CEO

US: Morgans Hotel Group has said it expects to appoint a new CEO “in the near term”.

Talking Business: Marloes Knippenberg, CEO, Cloud.7 Hotels

Boutique Hotel News talks to Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Cloud.7 Hotels, a new design-led, affordable hotel brand.

Minor Hotel Group buys Portuguese operator Tivoli

Thailand: Bangkok-based Minor Hotel Group (MHG) has completed its acquisition of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, a Portuguese brand with 14 properties across Portugal and Brazil.

Hyatt to take Centric brand to Japan and Uruguay

US: Hyatt has announced the first Centric hotels outside of the US, in Tokyo and Montevideo.

Kimpton to open first European hotel in Amsterdam

Netherlands: IHG has announced the signing of the first Kimpton hotel outside of the Americas.

FRHI launches lifestyle brand for Chinese millennial travellers

Singapore: FRHI Hotels & Resorts has launched Neqta Hotels, a lifestyle hotel brand aimed at Chinese millennial travellers.

Cachet Hotel Group to make US debut in California

US: Hong Kong-based Cachet Hotel Group will debut the Cachet brand in California with the co-branding of Westlake Village Inn.

Edinburgh Collection properties are first UK members of Ascend Hotel Collection

UK: The Edinburgh Collection has signed a franchise agreement with Choice Hotels International to become the first UK member of the Ascend Hotel Collection.

Commune Hotels & Resorts merges with Destination Hotels

US: Commune Hotels & Resorts and Destination Hotels have joined forces to create a major owner/operator of boutique and lifestyle hotels.

A “significant portion” of Airbnb’s revenue comes from illegal hotel operators says AH&LA study

US: A study funded by the AHLA claims a significant portion of Airbnb’s revenue comes from “full-time renters acting as illegal hotel operators".

Lark Hotels to operate Napa’s White House following renovation

US: Lark Hotels will launch its second California property when the White House in downtown Napa opens its doors in March 2016.

Boutique hotels figure strongly in TripAdvisor’s UK top 10

UK: Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons is voted best UK hotel by TripAdvisor users, while boutique hotels make up the bulk of the top 10.

Prescott Hotel to reopen as Hotel Zeppelin after renovation

US: The Prescott Hotel in San Francisco will reopen in March as Hotel Zeppelin.

Karisma Hotels & Resorts wins Travel Weekly boutique hotel award

US: Karisma Hotels & Resorts has been named Best Boutique Hotel Chain by Travel Weekly.

New kid on the block

A major new player has arrived in the UK boutique and lifestyle hotel sector, in the form of Singapore-based Frasers Hospitality.

Underwater world

There is always a lot of debate in the hotel sector about the impact new technology will have on the sector.

Raising the stakes

The clash between the British Hospitality Association and Airbnb in a meeting of the Business Innovation and Skills Committee raises some interesting issues.

Management buyout at Telluride’s Lumière Hotel

US: Lumière Hotel in Telluride has announced the sale of the hotel’s commercial units, hotel operation and restaurant operation to members of the executive management team

BHA’s Ufi Ibrahim calls for tougher Airbnb regulation at parliamentary committee hearing

UK: BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim called for stricter regulation of Airbnb hosts at yesterday’s meeting of the Business Innovation and Skills Committee.

Work due to start on West Hollywood Edition

US: New York developers Witkoff Group and New Valley have secured a $260 million to build the West Hollywood Edition Hotel & Residences.

10 industry figures to watch for 2016

Boutique Hotel News editor George Sell picks 10 industry figures who will be making the headlines over the next 12 months.

Marriott to add 22 properties to AC Hotels brand in 2016

US: AC Hotels, Marriott’s lifestyle hotel brand has announced plans for 22 new hotel openings in 2016.

Splendid Hospitality Group buys the New Ellington Leeds

UK: The Splendid Hospitality Group has added the New Ellington Leeds to its growing portfolio.

Hoxton Hotels to enter US market

US: Ennismore Capital is to bring its Hoxton Hotels brand to the US, with a New York property opening in 2016.

Dream Hotels to open Hollywood property in Q2 2016

US: Dream Hotels is to open a 179-room property in the heart of Hollywood.

The Ames Boston Hotel bought by Gencom and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts

US: Gencom and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts have bought the 114-room Ames Boston Hotel.

25hours Hotels to open second Hamburg property in March 2016

Germany: 25hours Hotels has announced the opening of 25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt, its second hotel in Hamburg’s HafenCity neighbourhood.

The Godfrey Hotel Boston acquired in sale and leaseback deal

US: The Godfrey Hotel in Boston has been sold to Germany's Union Investment Real Estate.

Agenda and speakers confirmed for 2016 Master Innholders’ GM conference

UK: Speakers at the Master Innholders’ 23rd Annual General Managers’ Conference will be outlining the newest trends and most successful techniques for the year.

Florida mobile underwater boutique hotel moves a step closer

US: The Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel has gained its patent and trademark approval, and is set to move to the construction stage.

Frasers Hospitality buys four UK properties to join Malmaison Hotel du Vin stable

UK: Frasers Hospitality has paid £36.1 million for four hotels in the south and west of England.

LA’s Sunset Tower Hotel has new majority owner

US: The Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood has a new majority owner.

Cameron House changes hands for second time in a year

UK: The Cameron House resort, on the banks of Loch Lomond, has been bought by US private equity firm KSL Capital Partners for around £80 million.

Marriott buys Starwood in $12.2 billion deal

US: Marriott and Starwood are to merge, creating the biggest hotel operator in the world.

NH Hotel Group to debut boutique brand in London

UK: Spanish operator NH Hotel Group is to open an Nhow branded property in London.

Sheltech opens third Platinum Hotel in Dhaka

Bangladesh: Sheltech has launched The Platinum Grand, a 50-room hotel in Dhaka’s Banini neighbourhood.

Lean luxury - Q&A with Michael Struck of Ruby Hotels

Boutique Hotel News talks to Michael Struck, CEO and founder of Ruby Hotels.

Boutique hotels: what to remember when dealing with banks

Andrew Harrington looks at how to avoid interest rate swap issues when dealing with your bank.

United stars allow homeless group to live at boutique hotel site

UK: Former Manchester United footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs have allowed a group of homeless people to stay in a hotel building they own over the winter.

Foxhill Manor named Sunday Times Hotel of the Year 2015

UK: Foxhill Manor, a boutique hotel in the Cotswolds, has been named the best hotel in the UK just seven months after opening.

KHP Capital Partners buys The Goodland in Santa Barbara

US: Makar Properties has sold The Goodland Hotel in Goleta, California to KHP Capital Partners.

The Peninsula Hotels - service from back to front

Hong-Kong based luxury hotel group Peninsula Hotels sent some of its big guns to London this week to tell the industry press about its brand essence and future plans.

Autograph Collection adds three US hotels

US: Marriott’s Autograph Collection soft brand has added three US hotels, taking its worldwide portfolio to 93 properties.

Agellus Hotels buys brace of North Norfolk properties

UK: A pair of inns on the North Norfolk coast have been sold by leisure property specialists Fleurets to privately owned hotel group Agellus Hotels.

Carmel Boutique Inns expands portfolio to six properties

US: Carmel Boutique Inns (CBI) owner Denny LeVett has announced the acquisition of two additional hotel properties in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

A tale of two cities

In the hospitality press, the Best Western rebrand and new logos will take precedence over the launch of the GLo brand, but the new arrival is an intriguing one.

Best Western rebrands and launches GLo boutique hotel concept

US: Best Western International has undergone a rebrand and introduced a new boutique hotel concept.

Georgia on my mind

The boutique hotel is now a truly global phenomenon.

Fen Hoteles to manage Brooklyn’s Hotel Bossert

US: Argentine hotel management company Fen Hoteles has been selected to mange the Hotel Bossert in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

In conversation: Brenda Collin, Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Preferred Hotels & Resorts' regional director for UK, Ireland and the Nordics, talks soft brands, business travel and loyalty programmes.

Israeli investors to open Tblisi boutique hotels

Georgia: The Kass Boutique Hotel Group is scheduled to open the Gergeti Boutique Hotel in 2017 on Tblisi’s Gergeti St.

A taste of the future in Bermondsey

Our exclusive piece by Bespoke Hotels regional operations manager Robert Holland raises interesting questions about F&B offers for independent hotels, especially in London.