Ginger Achieves a Milestone of 100 Operating Hotels
IHCL's Ginger brand hits 100 operating hotels in India, with a total portfolio of 250 including 95 under development and upcoming openings at major airports in Bengaluru, Goa, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
Development
What's My Brand?
With major brand families averaging 24 flags each and total franchise fees outpacing revenue growth, owners face a sharper-than-ever tradeoff between brand affiliation benefits and the true cost of flying a flag.
By Robert Braun, Partner, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell, LLP, JMM
HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin - Week Ending 25 September 2026
Three European hotel transactions this week: De Silva City acquires four Accor-branded hotels in Poland (752 rooms), Atream buys Sun Palace Albir in Spain, and Kronen Collection picks up Keswick Country House Hotel in England.
Aleph Hospitality accelerates Dubai expansion with the management of the landmark Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan
Aleph Hospitality takes over management of the Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan from 1 July 2026, bringing its Dubai portfolio to three properties including two others in the Jewel of the Creek complex.
Aimbridge Hospitality Selected by Prospect Ridge and Fulcrum Hospitality to Manage 10-Hotel Portfolio
Aimbridge assumes management of 10 Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt select-service hotels owned by a Prospect Ridge and Fulcrum Hospitality joint venture, spanning seven U.S. states.
Artotel Group and U Stay Group Establish a Strategic Partnership
Artotel Group now manages four U Stay properties in Jakarta and Bali under its "by ARTOTEL" brand, adding 250 rooms, with U Stay targeting 50 hotels and 5,000 rooms over the next three years.
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, with the deal expected to close in early 2027 pending regulatory approvals.
A MORE SELECTIVE ERA FOR HOSPITALITY INVESTMENT
Top hospitality investors share views ahead of FHS World 2026 in Dubai, citing cost inflation, geopolitical risk, and selective conviction as defining the current investment climate.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Introduces Newest Brand Noted Collection to Tokyo
IHG signs two Tokyo hotels under its new Noted Collection brand: a 207-key Shinjuku conversion opening 2027 and an 81-key Ginza new-build opening 2029, marking the brand's Japan debut.
HVS Asia Pacific Hospitality Newsletter - Week Ending 25 September 2026
Three Asia-Pacific hospitality deals covered: GIC buys 16 Japanese hotels from KKR for JPY200B, Pebblestone bids KRW500B for Seoul's Hyde Park Myeongdong, and Shorea Capital acquires Hong Kong's Pemberton for conversion.
Delivering Sustainable Value in a Shifting Hospitality Market
WATG-authored opinion argues that rising costs and shifting guest values require developers to prioritize place-based design, experiential investment, and operational efficiency over capital-heavy luxury.
Three Top Trends from IHIF NYU 2026 on Disciplined Hotel Capital
US hotel transaction volume hit $5.6B in Q1 2026 (+14.4% YoY), AI is moving from pilots to operational infrastructure, and branded residences are now a core development financing tool.
By Adam Mogelonsky and Larry Mogelonsky
WTTC, JATA and Tourism Expo Japan Join Forces to Drive Japan's Global Tourism Growth
WTTC, JATA and Tourism EXPO Japan signed an MOU to boost collaboration, as Japan's travel sector hit $343.1B in GDP contribution and ranked 7th globally for international visitor spending.
Gekko Group accelerates its direct hotel contracting expansion across Europe
Gekko Group appoints two Strategic Hotel Account Managers to drive direct hotel contracting across six European markets: UK, Benelux, DACH, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
Field & Stream Lodge Co. Announces Expansion to Bend, Oregon and Big Bear, California
Field & Stream Lodge Co., backed by Starwood Capital Group and AJ Capital Partners, will convert former Shilo Inn and Holiday Inn Resort properties in Bend and Big Bear into adventure-focused lodges opening in 2028.
Landingplace Hotels Launches Borderless Hotel Alliance, Signs First Hotel
Landingplace Hotels launched Borderless Hotel Alliance, a platform giving independent hotels access to tech, distribution, and loyalty resources without requiring a brand change, signing a Virginia Beach property as its first member.
Explora Journeys Signs Letter Of Intent For Fleet Of Luxury River Ships
Explora Journeys signed a Letter of Intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard to build its first luxury river ships, with sales planned to open in 2027.
KKR Sells Four Points Flex by Sheraton Portfolio in Japan
KKR has sold 16 Four Points Flex by Sheraton hotels across 11 Japanese cities to an unnamed global institutional investor, following a renovation and repositioning program launched after its 2024 acquisition from Unizo Holdings.
MGM Resorts International's Board of Directors Confirms Commitment to Execution of MGM Resorts' Strategy as a Standalone Company
MGM Resorts' Board reaffirms its standalone strategy after People Incorporated withdrew its acquisition proposal, citing Las Vegas leadership, regional properties, BetMGM, and MGM Osaka as key value drivers.
Introducing Experiential Hospitality Group
Jesús Parrilla, former CEO of Explora Hotels, launches Experiential Hospitality Group, a multi-brand company focused on remote and urban-edge destinations designed around guests' emotional state on arrival.