Ouvertures d’hôtels

🏖️ OMNIYAT based in Dubai unveiled The Alba, a $1.9 billion hybrid luxury hospitality project, at the Monaco Yacht Club, managed by Dorchester Collection and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The world's first hybrid coastal landscaping resort is set to open in 2028 on Palm Jumeirah, featuring luxury residences and uninterrupted views of iconic landmarks like Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa. Announced at the Monaco Yacht Show on September 26, The Alba boasts spacious interiors with furnished three-room, unfurnished four-room, plus five-room units, duplexes, and penthouses, alongside Dubai’s largest, most luxurious wellness center.

🏡 Rocco Forte Hotels expands with the historic Palazzo Castellucio in Noto, Sicily, slated to open in 2026. This 18th-century palace will be transformed into a luxury 31-room hotel spanning 4,600 square meters. It joins Villa Igiea in Palermo and Verdura Resort in Sciacca, enhancing the brand's Sicilian presence. The hotel will feature a restaurant, bar, garden lounge, meeting/event spaces, spa, and gym. Interior design led by Olga Polizzi, Paolo Moschino, and Philip Vergeylen.

🏨 13 Colorado hotels have been awarded Michelin Keys, with the hotel Dunton Hot Springs receiving two. Notable mentions include hotels in Aspen, Denver, Fort Collins, Telluride, and Vail. The Populus and Urban Cowboy hotels are set to open soon in Denver, signaling Colorado's dynamic presence in the tourism industry.

🏨 ASHG, an investment partnership between Alchemy Special Opportunities LLP and Step Partners GmbH, has acquired FLI Group, expanding its European hotel portfolio with 8 hotels in key Belgian locations including Mercure Liège City Centre and Holiday Inn Gand Expo. This strategic move increases ASHG's portfolio to 13 hotels, totaling over 1,800 rooms across Belgium and Germany, with plans to enhance asset value through renovations and property repositioning.

🏨 easyHotel is set to open a new low-carbon hotel in Ferney-Voltaire, France, near Geneva, in early 2027. The hotel will feature 141 rooms and maintain low prices by focusing on essential comforts such as 4-star style mattresses, quality soundproofing, and blackout curtains. Additional amenities include continental breakfast, parking for 60 cars with electric charging stations, superior and family rooms, alongside standard double and twin rooms. This marks a growth in development with six confirmed hotels and a record number of projects being explored.

🌊 In February 2020, a wildfire fueled by over 100 km/h winds devastated 40% of Australia's third-largest island, home to 4,000 residents and four times larger than Hong Kong. The disaster took down a lodge built by Hayley and James Baillie 12 years prior, leaving only an iron kangaroo sculpture intact. By December, the Baillies had reconstructed the hotel with the help of architect Max Pritchard.

🏖️ Aman announces the launch of Aman Maldives, its 21st destination, located in the Vaavu atoll - one of the most remote and exclusive regions known for exceptional diving. The island oasis will feature a 52-key hotel and 16 branded residences designed by longtime collaborator Kerry Hill Architects, emphasizing the local beauty with inspiration from coral beaches and clear turquoise waters. The independent pavilions range from one to three bedrooms, each with a private pool.

🏠 Lefay Resorts & Residences adds five new luxury villas at Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, opened in 2008. Located in an 11-hectare natural park, the Sky Pool Villas offer lake views, with sales now open and delivery by summer 2025. The villas come in three types: two-bedroom (300 m²), three-bedroom (470 m²), and Penthouse (550 m²), each featuring a lush private garden and a heated infinity pool. After the success of Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti's 21 sold units in 2018, this marks a unique real estate offering on Lake Garda.

🏨 Hilton announces the launch of Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay, the brand's first property in the UAE, alongside the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Business Bay. The two hotels feature international hospitality in the vibrant Business Bay area, offering spacious suites, free made-to-order breakfast, flexible meeting and event spaces, and evening receptions at Embassy Suites, with affordable stays and warm service at Hilton Garden Inn. Both are conveniently located minutes from Dubai's iconic attractions like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, and major business hubs such as Dubai Design District, Emaar Square, and Bay Square.

🏨 OKKO HOTELS, founded by Olivier Devys and later joined by his daughter Solenne Ojea-Devys, marks its 10-year anniversary. The first hotel opened in Nantes in 2014. Today, the brand boasts 14 hotels across France, 300 employees, and generated €58 million in revenue in 2023, becoming the first mission-driven hotel brand in the country. The success story began after Olivier's 16-year tenure at Accor, when at 57, he chose to innovate in urban hospitality with compact rooms and large common areas, redefining the 4-star category.