Ouvertures d’hôtels

🏖 Minor Hotels, with a portfolio of 560 hotels in 58 countries, partners with Soma Bay Hotel Company SAE to launch its first project in Egypt—an Anantara-branded luxury resort at Soma Bay. CEO Dillip Rajakarier expresses enthusiasm for the market entry. Soma Bay, spanning over 1000 hectares, offers a blend of activities and is home to a major thalassotherapy center. The upcoming Anantara resort will feature luxury accommodations and branded residences, promising an authentic and immersive experience.

🏖️ Wyndham Hotels & Resorts introduced La Quinta by Wyndham in Georgia with the opening of La Quinta® by Wyndham Batumi. Located near the Black Sea, Batumi, known as the "Pearl of the Black Sea," combines modern and historical architecture, beaches, a subtropical climate, and culinary heritage. In 2024, Georgia witnessed a 4.2% increase in international visitors, totaling 7.4 million. The new hotel, strategically situated steps from Batumi beach and 2 kilometers from Batumi International Airport, caters to tourists, business travelers, and digital nomads.

🏖 Raffles Hotels & Resorts announced on April 28, 2025, in New York, the opening of their first North American resort in Baja California Peninsula, by the Sea of Cortez, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its extraordinary biodiversity. The Raffles Estera East Cape Resort & Residences marks Raffles' debut in Mexico and a milestone for the brand known for timeless elegance, iconic design, and exceptional hospitality. CEO Omer Acar highlighted the site's pristine nature and rich culture as reflective of Raffles' vision. The development by ONE Development Group will feature 80 rooms and 46 branded residences in its first phase, designed by Olson Kundig, Studio Paolo Ferrari, and Huber Design, ensuring a seamless integration with the desert and coastal landscape.

🚬 Monte-Carlo Cigar Club, set to open on May 28, 2025, is a project by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and Dominique London. The club will occupy 200 m² within the Casino de Monte-Carlo, featuring a smoking room, bar, DeART walk-in humidor, and a terrace with Mediterranean views. The club will offer a selection of over 35,000 long fillers from top brands like Cohiba and Davidoff. Access is exclusive to members and Monte-Carlo Diamond Suites clients.

🥃 The Whisky Hotel, envisioned by entrepreneur Adolfo Suaya, opened this spring in Hollywood, close to the Walk of Fame and the vibrant Vinyl District. This adults-only boutique hotel offers an immersive, luxurious experience combining Californian culture with the spirit of fine whisky. It contributes to Los Angeles' diverse and creative hospitality scene, appealing to global travelers seeking sun, culture, and entertainment.

🏨 Marriott International finalized an acquisition of lifestyle hotel brand citizenM on April 28, 2025, aiming to enhance its lifestyle offerings globally. CitizenM, established in 2008, has 36 hotels with 8,544 rooms across over 20 cities, such as New York, London, Paris, Rome, and 3 more hotels (over 600 rooms) under construction, expected to open by mid-2026. Marriott plans to acquire citizenM’s assets for $355 million, with an earn-out potential up to $110 million. The deal, anticipated to complete in 2025 pending regulatory approvals, includes integrating citizenM hotels into Marriott via new long-term franchise agreements, with an expected net room growth of 5% in 2025.

🏖️ Minor Hotels, a global hotel group present in over 58 countries, plans to open Avani+ Fujairah Resort in 2028, marking Avani's debut in the Emirate of Fujairah and its first resort in the United Arab Emirates. The resort, located on the east coast of Fujairah facing the Gulf of Oman, will feature 232 modern rooms and 16 spacious villas with three to five bedrooms, some with private pools and direct lagoon access. This expansion results from a partnership with Al Fahim, a respected family conglomerate, building on their previous successful venture, the Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites.

🚬 In Monaco, the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer will launch the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club on May 28, a private club for cigar enthusiasts located in the historic office of François Blanc, founder of Casino de Monte-Carlo. With a sophisticated design by Moinard Bétaille, the club features a massive walk-in humidor, an intimate bar, and a terrace offering picturesque views. The collection boasts 35,000 long filler cigars from top regions including Cuba and Nicaragua, with iconic brands like Cohiba, Partagas, Davidoff, and Montecristo. Entry to the ultra-select club is via application or by staying in a Diamond Suite Monte-Carlo, with a strict chic-only dress code and no photos allowed.

🏢 Ascott Limited has over 17,400 operational and planned lodgings in 43 cities globally, reflecting growth through an innovative multi-typology strategy. In the past 16 months, 11 new contracts were signed, including service residences, hotels, resorts, and branded residences. The expansion includes Ascott Ortigas Manila in the Philippines, Ascott Shenton Way in Singapore, and Ascott's first property in Wenzhou, China. In 2024, Ascott will grow in Indonesia, East Africa, and Malaysia, adding to over 80 properties in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with significant acquisitions in 2025. Ascott Shenton Way in Singapore will be the third Ascott property, catering to both short and long stays, featuring a residents' lounge, wellness facilities, and meeting spaces.

🏨 TIME Hotels to unveil an ambitious growth strategy with 12 new openings by Q1 2026 at the Arabian Travel Market, held from April 28 to May 1. Expanding in Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Morocco, and the Indian Ocean, aiming for 100 hotels in five years. Introducing new brands: HALO by TIME, a premium line, and VIVI by TIME, a newly launched lifestyle brand, debuting in Maldives by 2026.