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.

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.

Digital hospitality operator Numa Group has appointed Kirill Priyatel as Chief Revenue Officer, taken over operations at London's Chelsea Green hotel in just five days, and confirmed the October 2026 opening of its new Native by Numa Fitzrovia address. Three separate announcements that, within the space of a few days, point to the same ambition: accelerating the Berlin-based group's push into the UK market while sharpening its commercial governance.

In early September 2026, Aimbridge Hospitality took over management of three historic boutique hotels owned by developer Gorman & Company in Wisconsin and Illinois. On the same day, Remington Hospitality added the Hyatt Regency Long Island — recently sold by real estate investment trust Ashford Hospitality Trust — to its own portfolio. The two announcements, made hours apart, illustrate the growing role third-party operators play in running complex hotel assets in the United States.

Hyatt has entered into a franchise agreement with an entity affiliated with CL Capital for the Oxford Witney Hotel, a 130-room property in Oxfordshire. Operated by InnPractice, the hotel is expected to join the JdV by Hyatt brand by the end of 2026, marking the lifestyle brand's first property in the UK.

Canopy Deer Valley has officially opened in Park City, Utah, marking the Canopy brand's first hotel in the state. Developed by Extell Development Company, the 180-room property sits at the heart of the new Deer Valley East Village, just steps from the Jordanelle Express Gondola. The opening reflects the continued expansion of Hilton's lifestyle brand into mountain destinations.

Hilton has announced the signing of the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Florida, which will join the Signia Hilton portfolio as the Signia Hilton Naples Grande Beach Resort. The 474-room resort, including 50 villas, is already taking bookings for stays from 1 January 2027, following an extensive renovation. The deal marks the first Signia Hilton property on the Gulf Coast and brings the brand's Florida footprint to three hotels.

Marbella lifestyle brand La Sala is teaming up with British operator 1912 Hotels to open La Sala Sheffield, its debut UK venue, in autumn 2026. Housed within voco Sheffield by IHG, the dining, cocktail and entertainment concept marks the starting point of a wider push by both groups into the UK hotel market.

Union Investment Real Estate GmbH has secured the building permit needed to convert the historic "Proffa" building in central Helsinki into an 84-room hotel operated by Ruby Hotels. The conversion of almost 3,160 sqm of office space, backed by a 30-year lease and an investment of EUR 11.5 million, is due to be completed by the end of 2027. The deal illustrates the active asset management strategy pursued by the German fund manager in response to the growing obsolescence of some office assets.

Marriott International has signed an agreement with New Zealand investor CP Group covering the opening of three new hotels in New Zealand between 2026 and 2029. The deal marks the debut of the Marriott Hotels brand in Rotorua, alongside Autograph Collection openings in Auckland and Wellington. It follows the recent signing of the St. Regis Queenstown and confirms the American group's growing momentum on the North Island.

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Australian developer ALAND have signed a Master Development Agreement covering at least 15 hotels and 2,000 rooms to bring the extended-stay brand Staybridge Suites to Australia. The first two properties, in Parramatta and Leppington in Greater Western Sydney, are already signed. The deal builds on an existing partnership centred on voco Gosford and positions IHG in an extended-stay segment it sees as offering strong growth potential in the Australian market.

Vaillance Immobilier has announced the construction of a 100-room, 4-star Mercure hotel in the Gerland district of Lyon, on the site of a fully demolished Ibis Budget property. The opening is scheduled for the first half of 2028, as part of a new mixed-use development combining the hotel with nearly 3,500 sqm of office space. Led by developer Ax'stone, the project reflects the upmarket shift under way in a Lyon district undergoing major urban transformation.