China | MGM Hospitality Opens MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay in the Heart of the Greater Bay Area
MGM Hospitality Group (Asia Pacific) opened MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay on 10 September, a 298-room property located in Shekou, in the Nanshan district. The hotel sits within a strategic cultural and port district of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, connected to the Shekou Cruise Home Port. The opening strengthens the group's presence in the Greater Bay Area and confirms MGM Hospitality's growing momentum in the Chinese market.
Manama, Bahrain | Alper Küçükbaycan Appointed General Manager of Aqua Vista Bahrain
Alper Küçükbaycan has served as General Manager of Aqua Vista Bahrain, in the Seef district of Manama, since June 2026. The appointment within Marriott International draws on more than twenty years of international experience in luxury and lifestyle hospitality, including three years leading the Aloft Dhahran in Saudi Arabia. It underlines the property's intent to build its operational and commercial leadership around a seasoned regional profile.
2027, United Kingdom | Oberoi Mayfair: construction enters an active phase in London
The future Oberoi Mayfair, the Indian group's first hotel in the United Kingdom, is entering a concrete construction phase at 40-46 Brook Street, London. Toureen Contractors, appointed for the structural and refurbishment works, has begun installing site welfare facilities and expects scaffolding to go up in early June 2026, confirming a delivery timeline still set for the end of 2027.
France | Employment Tribunals: Simplified Filing Procedure from 1 October
From 1 October 2026, employees will be able to bring a claim before the French labour tribunal without having to submit all of their supporting evidence at the outset. Decree No. 2026-683 of 27 July 2026 eases the formal requirements for filing a claim, paving the way for electronic filing to become standard practice. For hospitality employers — a sector particularly exposed to employment litigation — the reform shifts the timetable for producing evidence without reducing its scope.
World | Ennismore Strikes Again with Signings in Bangkok, Dubai and an Opening in Mexico City
Ennismore, Accor's lifestyle joint venture, has made a string of strategic announcements within the space of a few days: the signing of Bangkok's first 25hours Hotel, The Hoxton's entry into the United Arab Emirates with a flagship in Dubai, and the opening of Hyde Mexico City Reforma, the brand's first address in Latin America. These announcements confirm the group's simultaneous rise across three continents, just days after the signing of the first all-inclusive Rixos resort in Thailand.
UK | Martin Property Group selected to redevelop and operate The Chester Grosvenor
Grosvenor has appointed Martin Property Group, a British family-owned group, to lead the redevelopment of The Chester Grosvenor and take over its operation once works are complete. The five-star hotel, a Grade II listed building (the equivalent of France's classified historic monuments), will close its doors on 30 September following Bespoke Hotels' departure, ahead of its first major renovation in more than forty years. The move is intended to reposition the property as a destination of national and international standing, while strengthening Chester's tourism economy.
2026, France | Crédit Agricole Takes a Stake in Miraval Provence (Perrin Family • Brad Pitt)
Crédit Agricole, through IDIA Capital Investissement and Sofipaca, has taken a minority stake in Miraval Provence, alongside Categorys Perrin and Château Miraval. Carried out via a reserved capital increase, the deal is intended to support the Provence wine house through a new growth phase, driven by international expansion, stronger marketing and a more structured organisation.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands | Joanne Lawson Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Dart
Dart, one of the leading investors and property developers in the Cayman Islands, announced on 11 September 2026 the appointment of Joanne Lawson as chief executive officer, effective immediately. She succeeds Mark VanDevelde, who has led the group since 2008 and becomes executive director and chairman of the board. The transition, presented as the culmination of a succession plan built over several years, comes at an investor whose hospitality portfolio includes several luxury properties across the Caribbean.
World | Moon World Resorts Hands Rider Levett Bucknall the Reins on Its Lunar Hotel Mega-Project
Canadian developer Moon World Resorts (MWR) has appointed Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) as programme manager and cost consultant across all of its future "MOON Smart City" developments worldwide. The appointment, unveiled on 11 September 2026, marks a new phase for a concept long associated with Dubai and now being pursued across several continents. It is intended to secure budgetary and scheduling discipline for a project valued at US$5 billion, with no site or development partner yet confirmed.
Sacy, France | Jean-Charles Haenggi appointed General Manager of Château de Sacy
Jean-Charles Haenggi becomes General Manager of Château de Sacy, the five-star property in the Montagne de Reims owned by the Michel Reybier Group. He takes up his role in September 2026, working alongside Muriel Secondé-Naivin, who continues in her role as Maître de Maison. The appointment comes six months after the group's takeover of the property, and builds on a career spanning Swiss palace hotels and Four Seasons properties.
2029, Albania | Sunset Hospitality Group Signs the METT Ksamil, Designed by Studio Fuksas
Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) and developer AICA Properties have announced the signing of the METT Ksamil, a 201-key lifestyle hotel on Albania's Ionian coast, due to open in 2029. Designed by Studio Fuksas, the project marks the METT brand's first property in Albania and brings the group's portfolio to twelve hotels.
Private Jets, Luxembourg | Sabine von der Linden Appointed Chief Aviation Officer at Luxaviation Group
Luxaviation Group has appointed Sabine von der Linden to the newly created role of Chief Aviation Officer, effective September 2026. Based in Luxembourg, she becomes one of the few women to hold a leadership position of this kind in international business aviation. The appointment comes as the group seeks to consolidate its operational standards and training policy on a global scale.




