Ouvertures d’hôtels

🏨 Marriott acquired Starwood for $13 billion in 2016, creating the world's largest hotel group. Barry Sternlicht originally formed Starwood in 1991 with a $20 million initial investment. Starwood brands included St. Regis, W, Westin, and Luxury Collection, with a popular loyalty program, SPG. In February 2025, SH Hotels & Resorts will be rebranded as "Starwood." Sternlicht's current Starwood Capital Group owns Baccarat, 1 Hotels, and Treehouse, with ambitions to expand. The original Starwood had 1,300 hotels in 100 countries; the new Starwood has 14 establishments in 5 countries and 22 development projects planned by 2028, including 1 Hotels in Austin, Crete, Riyadh, and Seattle, and Baccarat hotels in Dubai, Maldives, Riyadh, and Rome.

🏡 Pyramid Global Hospitality and Tribute Portfolio by Marriott Bonvoy announced the opening of the Midland Hotel, Chicago, formerly W Chicago City Center. Located in the Chicago Loop, the hotel is steps away from attractions like Millennium Park and the Chicago Theatre. It features a phased reinvention, with the first phase enhancing the entrance and common areas, and the second phase to transform 403 rooms and suites. The hotel offers a local culinary experience at Midland Social Club and MSC Bar, and boasts 12,589 square feet of meeting space.

🏖️ SAMANA Developers and ELIE SAAB unveiled SAMANA Ocean Views interiors at Madinat Arena, Dubai. The AED 2.2 billion Maldives project, first real estate venture by ELIE SAAB in the area, scheduled for completion in 2029, spans 507,651 sq ft, featuring 190 luxurious seaside villas, overwater bungalows, and sophisticated poolside apartments, a 20-minute speedboat ride from Hanimaadhoo Airport or 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé.

🏘 Prestige Villa Rental, after 8 years of existence, launched its new version on October 1, 2024. Founded by Manuel Reuff, an expert in luxury hospitality and real estate, the platform offers elite travelers the opportunity to rent prestigious villas directly from owners. Each villa undergoes a rigorous 300-point quality control process. Currently established in the French Antilles and Europe, PrestigeVillaRental.com plans to expand to over 2000 luxury homes in 40 international destinations.

🏨 A 4-star hotel by Gogaille group to open in Charleville-Mézières at Place Ducale in 2027, featuring around 50 rooms, seminar spaces, and a restaurant, targeting business and tourist clients. The city remains the owner, Gogaille to manage and pay €400,000 annual rent. Le Havre city calls for applications to run 17 beach platforms for seasonal food services from March 1, 2026, to October 31, 2032, prioritizing public space enhancement and sustainable tourism. Application guidelines available via email from [email protected] until February 21, 2025; submissions due by April 28, 2025.

🏦 IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle segment now represents 20% of its global portfolio, a significant growth from the past five years. Leanne Harwood, VP and General Manager of luxury and lifestyle brands for the Americas at IHG, highlights remarkable brand launches like Regent Santa Monica Beach and three new Six Senses projects in the US. The Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo brands are expanding notably in North and South America. Vignette Collection has already surpassed the halfway mark toward its 10-year goal of 100 hotels open or under construction, with its debut in the Americas at Yours Truly DC in early 2023.

📖 In 2013, the Hôtel Littéraire Le Swann began a series in Paris, followed by Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert in Rouen (2015), Hôtel Littéraire Alexandre Vialatte in Clermont-Ferrand (2016), Hôtel Littéraire Marcel Aymé in Paris (2018), and Hôtel Littéraire Arthur Rimbaud in Paris (2019). The latest, Hôtel Littéraire Stendhal opened in Nancy in September 2024. The new Bordeaux hotel is dedicated to George Sand, featuring 28 rooms and a spa, celebrating the author's early literary journey in Bordeaux with Aurélien de Sèze.

🏖 Rosewood Hotels & Resorts expands in the Caribbean with a partnership with Grupo Puntacana to develop Rosewood Punta Cana. CEO Frank Elias Rainieri Kuret aims to position the Dominican Republic as a premier luxury destination. The complex spans 20 hectares, featuring 78 spacious suites, water villas, eight diverse restaurants, a wellness center, sports facilities, and event spaces. Located in Puntacana Resort, it provides access to a PGA golf course, equestrian center, and eco-reserve. Rosewood's unique luxury approach is set to raise the hospitality bar in the region.

📖 The Société des Hôtels Littéraires acquires its 7th literary hotel in Bordeaux, dedicated to female writer George Sand, set to open in 2026 at 44 rue Vital Carles. The property, near the cathedral, will feature 28 rooms, suites, and a spa. Previous openings include Hôtel Littéraire Le Swann in Paris (2013), Gustave Flaubert in Rouen (2015), Alexandre Vialatte in Clermont Ferrand (2016), Marcel Aymé in Paris (2018), Arthur Rimbaud in Paris (2019), and Stendhal in Nancy (September 2024).

🏖 Westgate Resorts' 21 properties, including luxurious full-service locations, are now bookable through Choice Hotels' website and mobile app. Locations span from Orlando, Florida to Mesa, Arizona, encompassing popular destinations like New York City and Las Vegas. This expansion adds to Choice's existing portfolio of over 1,000 luxury properties, as announced by Westgate's Chief Business and Strategy Officer, Jared Saft.