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1898 Expands Its Brand Portfolio with the Launch of 1898 Porter’s House

Award-winning Belgian hospitality brand 1898 has announced the launch of 1898 Porter’s house, opening 1st September 2026 - a magnificent waterfront heritage retreat in the historic heart of Ghent.Threaded with cinematic canals and dotted with medieval towers, Ghent is a city where history meets modern life. Cobblestone streets open onto hidden courtyards, bustling cafés, artisan shops and galleries, while the river mirrors the city’s timeless charm - inviting visitors to explore, linger, and soak in its magical atmosphere.Designed to feel like a gracious heritage townhouse, 1898 Porter’s house offers stylish but luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Rooms or suites can be booked individually, or for a more private stay, the entire property - sleeping up to 10 guests - can be reserved exclusively. Additional offerings include bespoke butler service, VIP concierge arrangements and private chef experiences upon request. Two of the suites feature sweeping softly lit terraces - perfect for sunset drinks.  Indulge in outdoor contrast therapy with deep copper bathtubs, infra-red sauna, ice showers and views over the heart of Ghent’s vibrant medieval port - the perfect wellness retreat.

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Reimagining meetings: The next generation of event spaces at Hotel Arts Barcelona

Hotel Arts Barcelona unveils the next chapter of its transformation with the reimagining of more than 3,500 sqm of meetings and events spaces. Anchored in ‘The Irresistible Composition’, a harmonious blend of art and culture, wellness and vitality, and elevated culinary and bar experiences, Hotel Arts Barcelona embraces the beautiful contradictions that define the city.

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NEMA Design Hotel & Spa Enters a Transformative New Chapter with the Launch of EÉSO

NEMA Design Hotel & Spa in Analipsi, Crete unveiled an exclusive new level of guest experience on 1 August, marking a transformative new chapter for the property. This exciting expansion features an exclusive collection of ultra-luxury villa-style suites alongside the new NÁ LE MA dining experience, cementing NEMA’s status as a premier design destination and elevating its offering to the highest tier of Mediterranean hospitality.

A New Chapter for Matfen Hall as It Completes Total Transformation

Matfen Hall announces the completion of a six-year transformation, revealing an entirely reimagined hotel following a £50m investment. The opening of Aurelius this September marks the final phase of the project, preserving one of Northumberland’s finest Grade II listed country houses and transforming it into the county’s only five-star hotel. 

Palladium Debuts BLESS Barcelona

 This August, Palladium Hotel Group returns to Barcelona with the opening of BLESS Barcelona, a new five-star address bringing the BLESS Collection Hotels experience to the heart of the Catalan capital. The hotel blends Mediterranean spirit with contemporary luxury, exceptional gastronomy and a deep connection to the city, marking a new chapter for the brand in one of Europe’s most iconic destinations.Set on Plaça Catalunya, just moments from Passeig de Gràcia, BLESS Barcelona places guests at the heart of the city, surrounded by Gaudí’s modernist architecture, luxury boutiques and some of Barcelona’s most sought after restaurants. The 119-room hotel brings the distinctive BLESS style to the Catalan capital, with interiors designed to balance contemporary elegance with the character of the city. Gastronomy is central to the experience, with a collaboration with Hofmann bringing its renowned culinary expertise to the hotel from the moment guests arrive in the lobby.The rooftop La Pajarera offers another perspective on Barcelona. Inspired by the historic Gran Café Colón, one of the city’s most celebrated meeting places in the late 19th century, the space has been reimagined as a sophisticated destination for cocktails and dining. Leading the drinks program is Adriana Chía, whose contemporary approach adds a distinctive edge to the hotel’s culinary offering.More than a place to stay, BLESS Barcelona has been created as a way to experience the city. From its design and gastronomy to its service and carefully curated experiences, the hotel draws on Barcelona’s culture, creativity and Mediterranean spirit to offer a fresh take on contemporary luxury. Brand evolution and growthBLESS Collection Hotels plays an important role in Palladium Hotel Group’s continued growth in the luxury sector. The brand brings a contemporary approach to luxury, combining high standards of service with memorable experiences, exceptional dining and a strong focus on wellbeing. Each property is designed to have its own distinctive character, bringing together design, gastronomy, culture and entertainment to create an immersive experience for guests.BLESS Collection Hotels currently has three properties: BLESS Madrid, located in the capital’s prestigious Milla de Oro (Golden Mile), and two hotels in Ibiza, BLESS Ibiza Cala Nova on the island’s north coast and BLESS Ibiza The Site, which opened this season in Playa d’en Bossa.BLESS Ibiza The Site is part of The Site Ibiza, Palladium Hotel Group’s new lifestyle concept. The destination brings together two hotels with distinct identities, BLESS Ibiza The Site and The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel, alongside a carefully curated international dining scene featuring Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, StreetXO Ibiza, COYA Ibiza, Leña Ibiza, Lobito de Mar, Sublimotion and TATEL Ibiza. The experience is complemented by IBIZA Gallery, a space dedicated to art, fashion and entertainment.The brand will continue its international expansion in 2027 with the opening of an exclusive resort comprising 80 villas in Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam. This will mark BLESS Collection Hotels’ first property in Southeast Asia. The group will then open BLESS Hanoi in 2028, followed by the brand’s debut in Milan in 2029 with a 100-room property, further strengthening its presence in one of Europe’s leading luxury destinations.

Hilton Celebrates 100 Hotels in Türkiye with Landmark Istanbul Airport Opening

Hilton Istanbul Airport opens its doors today, redefining the airport hospitality experience by combining the convenience of an airport location with Hilton's iconic hospitality. The 485-room hotel is the latest addition to the growing Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio, marking the 100th Hilton hotel in Türkiye, and is ideally positioned as the first internationally branded hotel next to the airport grounds in Türkiye.

Third hotel in Nuremberg – Leonardo Nürnberg City Center opens after modernisation works

The opening of the Leonardo Nürnberg City Center has provided Leonardo Hotels Central Europe with a third presence in Nuremberg. Following its acquisition in December 2025, the former IntercityHotel was updated and aligned to the Leonardo Hotels brand whilst operations continued. The conclusion of the rebranding process means that the first of the four ex-IntercityHotels taken over by the company has now been fully transferred to the Leonardo portfolio. Conversion of the other three hotels located in Freiburg, Magdeburg and Erfurt will be completed in the third and fourth quarters of 2026.

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The Meliá Collection Brings Its Signature Luxury Experience to the Italian Riviera

Meliá Hotels International continues to strengthen the international growth of its luxury portfolio with the signing of a new The Meliá Collection hotel in Lerici, a timeless seaside destination on Italy’s enchanting Gulf of Poets. Scheduled to open within 24 months under a franchise agreement with SoGes Group, the property will mark the company’s first hotel in the Ligurian Riviera and become its 18th hotel in Italy.

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Radisson Blu Hotel, Sinaia Cota 1400 brings alpine-inspired design to Romania’s Bucegi Mountains

A 68-room five-star mountain hotel at Cota 1400 in the Bucegi Mountains is now open under the Radisson Blu brand. Set within a historic building dating back to 1939, Radisson Blu Hotel, Sinaia Cota 1400 combines contemporary alpine hospitality, direct access to the cable car and ski slopes, and a premium wellness offering, bringing an internationally branded luxury hotel experience to one of Romania's most iconic mountain destinations.