🇫🇷 FRANCE
📊 Performance | French independent hotels record Southern Europe’s highest RevPAR
According to an Amenitiz study covering 9,312 independent properties across France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, French RevPAR reached €94 in July–August 2026, up 1.8%. Average daily rate (ADR) stood at €145 (+3.8%), despite occupancy declining to 64.8%. France also stood out for its 36% share of direct bookings, while Corsica ranked among the best-performing regions.
📉 Distribution | Paris records particularly high OTA cancellation rates
The Amenitiz study reveals that 61% of bookings made through online travel agencies (OTAs) in Paris were cancelled during the period under review. Across the overall sample, the OTA cancellation rate reached 24%, compared with just 8% for bookings made directly through hotel websites. This disparity highlights the strategic importance of direct distribution for independent hoteliers.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL
🇨🇭 🏛️ Governance | Simon Spiller joins the Board of Swiss Deluxe Hotels
Simon Spiller, General Manager of Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Swiss Deluxe Hotels. With more than 25 years of international experience in luxury hospitality, he will contribute his operational expertise and experience in transforming the Swiss resort to the association’s strategic discussions.
🇧🇪 👔 Appointment | Thomas Schuerch takes over operations at The Standard, Brussels
Thomas Schuerch has been appointed Director of Operations at The Standard, Brussels. Bringing more than 15 years of international experience, particularly in hotel operations and food and beverage, he will oversee the property’s day-to-day operations, support its teams and strengthen operational performance.
🇲🇦 🏨 Repositioning | RISMA inaugurates Sofitel Essaouira Beach & Spa
Moroccan hotel group RISMA, which owns the property, has celebrated the official inauguration of Sofitel Essaouira Beach & Spa. The hotel has returned to the brand under which it originally opened in December 2000. Undertaken in collaboration with Sofitel’s teams, the repositioning aims to combine international standards with local identity in one of Morocco’s major tourism destinations.
🇬🇧 🏗️ Development | Scotland’s first Hyatt Centric announced with 351 rooms
M&G Real Estate is developing Scotland’s first Hyatt Centric as part of the Haymarket property development in Edinburgh. The 351-room hotel will be operated by Axiom Hospitality. JLL advised on the transaction, including the franchise agreement with Hyatt and the appointment of the operator, highlighting institutional investors’ interest in UK urban hotel assets.
🇻🇳 🤝 Partnership | Best Western partners with SwanBay in premium residential development
Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SwanBay signed a cooperation agreement on 6 November covering the management and operation of Best Western Premier Residences Oasia SwanBay in Vietnam’s Dong Nai province. Located within the SwanBay Saigon Riverside City development, the project reflects an ambition to bring international hospitality standards to residential services.
🇦🇹 👩💼 Appointment | Solveigh Osborne appointed General Manager of Radisson Hotel Lustenau
Solveigh Osborne has been appointed General Manager of Radisson Hotel Lustenau, recently converted from the Amedia brand. With more than 25 years of experience in European hospitality, including positions with Hilton, Lindner Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Das Kranzbach, she will support the property’s operational and commercial repositioning alongside 1912 Hotels.
🇲🇨 🚨 Investigation | Death at Monte-Carlo Bay subject to judicial investigation
A 34-year-old man was found dead in a room at Monte-Carlo Bay during the night of 3–4 November. According to Monaco-Matin, an investigation initially opened on suspicion of murder is now moving towards the possibility of suicide, based on preliminary information communicated by Prosecutor General Stéphane Thibault. Investigations are continuing to establish the exact circumstances of the death.
🇨🇱 🚢 Diversification | Silversea opens its first land-based hotel in Puerto Williams
Silversea, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, has inaugurated The Cormorant at 55 South, a 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile. Designed particularly for passengers joining its Antarctic expedition cruises, the property enables the operator to integrate air transport, accommodation and cruising more closely into a single service chain.
🇺🇸 👔 Leadership | Scott Stuart becomes CEO and President of Lodgco Hospitality
Scott Stuart will take up his position as Chief Executive Officer and President of Lodgco Hospitality on 9 November 2026. Having served as President since 2024, he will lead the development of the US-based group, whose portfolio comprises 20 hotels. His priorities include expanding third-party hotel management and strengthening the company’s centralised property services platform.
🇬🇧 🍝 Restaurants | Big Mamma opens Edmondo in the City of London
The restaurant group founded by Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux is continuing its London expansion with Edmondo, which opened on 6 November at 6 Lombard Street. Located in a listed building, the new Italian osteria offers more than 200 covers, interiors inspired by 1930s Milan, three private dining rooms and a dining concept particularly suited to the City’s business clientele.
Analysis | Three structural developments shaping hospitality
This selection highlights three trends extending beyond individual announcements.
Distribution control and revenue management remain central challenges for French independent hotels. RevPAR growth does not conceal declining occupancy or the operational consequences of high cancellation rates through OTAs.
Operating models are becoming increasingly diversified. Best Western is extending its expertise into serviced residences in Vietnam, while Silversea is investing in land-based accommodation to gain greater control over its passengers’ end-to-end journey.
Asset repositioning and stronger leadership teams remain important drivers of value creation. The projects in Essaouira, Edinburgh and Lustenau illustrate distinct strategies bringing together international brands, investors and operators.
At a Glance
🇫🇷 France: Independent hotels recorded €94 RevPAR in July–August 2026, up 1.8%, according to Amenitiz.
📉 Distribution: OTA cancellations reached 61% in Paris, highlighting the importance of direct bookings.
🇬🇧 Scotland: M&G Real Estate is developing a 351-room Hyatt Centric in Edinburgh, operated by Axiom Hospitality.
🇲🇦 Morocco: RISMA has officially inaugurated Sofitel Essaouira Beach & Spa following its brand repositioning.
🇨🇱 Chile: Silversea has opened its first land-based hotel, the 150-room The Cormorant at 55 South.
🌍 Leadership: Senior appointments at Swiss Deluxe Hotels, The Standard Brussels, Radisson Hotel Lustenau and Lodgco Hospitality reflect ongoing management developments.
