IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed San Bernardo, Vignette Collection, a 67-room hotel due to open in March 2028 in a heritage building in central Madrid. The signing brings the group's open and pipeline luxury and lifestyle properties in Spain to 21, and confirms the country's place among IHG's priority European markets.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed two Garner-branded hotels in the United Arab Emirates with Nooa Holdings: Garner Hotel Dubai Al Jaddaf and Garner Hotel Ras Al Khaimah Downtown, both expected to open in 2026. Together, the two properties total 285 keys. They mark the Middle East debut of the group's midscale conversion brand, billed as its fastest-growing brand worldwide.

Ramsay Santé has sold the business of the Baya Hôtel, a 74-room, 3-star beachfront property in Capbreton, in the Landes department, to Parallel Hospitality, the hotel group founded by Bruno Robert. Advised exclusively by Christie & Co's Bordeaux office, the deal takes the buyer's French portfolio to twelve assets. It also underlines investor appetite for secondary resort towns that are moving upmarket.

Geonet Developments International has outlined the shape of ELLE Resort & Beach Club Bali, a five-star beachfront project of 168 suites on the Seminyak coastline. Operated by SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia, the asset is built on a branded real-estate model, with units sold individually to private and institutional investors over a 50-year horizon. The developer has also assembled the team responsible for managing construction, architecture and F&B strategy.

Minor Hotels has announced the signing of ExCelle Hotel San Gimignano, Colbert Collection, scheduled to open in 2027 in the San Domenico Complex, at the heart of San Gimignano's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. The group's second Italian property under its premium soft brand forms part of a wide-ranging cultural regeneration project led by Opera Laboratori, and confirms the rise of a brand Minor Hotels regards as one of its main growth drivers.

Lyon-founded Huttopia will open Huttopia Mar Azul, its first destination in Argentina, on 4 December 2026, on the Atlantic coast around four hours from Buenos Aires. This first site comes alongside two further projects. The group's plan for four campsites in Argentina's national parks has just been recognised as being of general interest, and a partnership with the Automóvil Club Argentino is in preparation. The nature-camping specialist is targeting five to six sites in the country by 2030.

On 29 September 2026, the consultancy Reversens published a national survey of 5,800 working people in France on harassment and hostile behaviour at work. The hotel and restaurant sector emerges as one of the most exposed, but also as the one in which employees are most reluctant to report a serious situation. This twofold finding raises direct questions for the sector's general management and HR teams about the effectiveness of their whistleblowing and reporting systems.

The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos has appointed Hugo Lecanda as General Manager. He took up the post in August 2026, after two years leading several Marriott resorts in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita. The hotelier brings almost three decades of experience, much of it in Marriott's luxury portfolio. The move marks his return to the Ritz-Carlton brand, which he has previously represented in Cancún, Tenerife and Budapest.

On 28 September 2026, Etihad Rail inaugurated its Dubai Station in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The inauguration marks the official launch of the national passenger network, with commercial services between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah starting on 30 September. For the Emirati hotel sector, the new rail corridor connects the country's main business and tourism hubs.

Minor Hotels has appointed Marco Ercolano as pre-opening General Manager of The WestDill Mayfair Hotel London, Colbert Collection. With nearly twenty years' experience in London luxury hospitality, he will lead the launch of the brand's first UK property and the Colbert Collection's second flagship hotel worldwide.

On 24 September 2026, North Development announced the appointment of José Padín as Managing Director of Domus. He will lead all operations at Domus Brickell Park in Miami. The Puerto Rican hotelier, who until now ran the Fairmont El San Juan, joins as the developer rolls out its hybrid model, bridging residential living and luxury hospitality, in the Brickell district.

US third-party operator Aimbridge Hospitality announced on 29 September 2026 that it has taken over management of ten hotels owned by a joint venture between Prospect Ridge and Fulcrum Hospitality. Spread across seven states, the Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt select-service properties strengthen the group's presence in several of its key markets.