Hyatt plans Park Hyatt Sapporo for 2029

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd., for a new Park Hyatt hotel in Sapporo. Scheduled to open in 2029, the hotel will be situated in the economic and cultural centre of the Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan. It will be the fourth Park Hyatt branded hotel in the country and will complement the award-winning Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, a luxury mountain retreat located in Hokkaido’s leading ski resort.

The hotel will be conveniently located in a mixed-used tower under development at the intersection of the famed Odori Park and bustling Sapporo Ekimae-dori, the city’s main commercial and business thoroughfare. Spanning the 27th through 35th floors, it offers magnificent views of the park and city. The building will be designed by celebrated architect Kengo Kuma, who is renowned for his innovative ability to blend architecture and the natural world. Park Hyatt Sapporo will offer 157 luxurious rooms and suites, world-class culinary and wellness experiences, an indoor swimming pool and inspiring spaces for meetings and events.

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Hokkaido’s year-round attractions now account for the most inbound overnight stays and tourism spending of any regional area in Japan, separate from the nation’s three major metropolitan areas [source: Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]. Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is known for rugged wildernesses, superb powder snow, sumptuous seafood, intriguing indigenous culture and more. The city is easily accessible by 90-minute flights from Tokyo, and eventually by high-speed rail when the Bullet Train extends to Sapporo in the early 2030s. As Japan’s fifth-largest city, Sapporo itself has become a favored destination. Tanuki Koji shopping street and the Susukino entertainment district bustle with tourists year-round, while Sapporo’s iconic winter landscape has been named one of Japan's top sights to behold.

People at the Tanukikoji Shopping Street

“Park Hyatt Sapporo is our second collaboration with Heiwa Real Estate, after Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo, which is set to open in 2025,” said David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “We sincerely appreciate their confidence in Hyatt, and we are honoured to join with them in elevating the luxury offerings in this dynamic city. We are excited to be part of the ongoing transformation of Sapporo, as more discerning business and leisure travelers, including World of Hyatt members, head north to discover Hokkaido.”
“With a superb location in central Sapporo, Park Hyatt Sapporo will become a luxury home-away-from-home for those looking to experience Sapporo's rich selection of attractions,” said Kiyoyuki Tsuchimoto, representative executive officer, president and chief executive officer of Heiwa Real Estate. “This development project is the starting point of our new growth strategy, as we contribute to Sapporo's evolving stature as one of Japan’s leading cities. We are confident that our collaboration with Hyatt will be another highly successful one.”
Park Hyatt Sapporo will join Hyatt’s growing Japan portfolio of 21 hotels encompassing nine brands, including Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Caption by Hyatt, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Hyatt is steadily increasing its brand presence in Hokkaido with Park Hyatt Hanazono which opened in early 2020, as well as the vibrant Hyatt Centric brand, which is set to debut in Sapporo in 2026. -

Opening of Grand Hyatt Kunming.....

The 331-room hotel offers a distinctive luxury retreat in the heart of Kunming, blending elegance and opulence with the essence of Yunnan culture

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced this week the opening of Grand Hyatt Kunming, marking the debut of the Grand Hyatt brand in the heart of  China’s scenic southern Yunnan province, unveiling a new landmark of modern luxury and exceptional service inspired by Yunnan’s rich culture and charm.

Housed in Kunming’s prestigious Spring City 66 plaza, Grand Hyatt Kunming, together with Grand Hyatt Residences Kunming, a Grade-A office tower and luxury shopping mall with top-notch international brands in the complex, immerses guests in a one-stop destination for premium business, shopping, dining, entertainment and living in the heart of the city.

“We are thrilled to launch Grand Hyatt Kunming in collaboration with Hyatt, reinforcing our commitment to bring the best to Kunming and showcase the best of Kunming to the world. The opening further strengthens Spring City 66’s leadership as a premier lifestyle destination in Southwest China and injects new energy into the city’s travel, lifestyle, and business sectors, creating compelling spaces that enrich lives,” said Mr. Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hang Lung Properties.

“With its focus on delivering elevated experiences in iconic destinations, we are excited to announce introduction of the Grand Hyatt brand to the beautiful city of Kunming,” said Stephen Ho, President Greater China and Growth, Asia Pacific at Hyatt Asia Pacific. “This opening is a splendid addition to Hyatt’s luxury portfolio, and its central location provides guests the perfect opportunity to discover all that the city has to offer.”

Known as the “Spring City” for its year-round spring-like climate, Kunming offers endless attractions for culture, food and nature lovers alike, from markets and museums to stunning forests and lakes, all easily accessible from the hotel’s unparalleled location. Neighbouring attractions include Jinma Biji Square and Nanqiang Street, famed for its night market. The hotel is also steps from the Yunnan International Convention Center and Tuodong Sports Stadium, and only a two-minute walk from DongFeng Square metro station.

“We are delighted to welcome guests to Grand Hyatt Kunming, offering a tranquil haven of elegant living directly connected to Spring City 66, a landmark luxury shopping and lifestyle destination. Through the hotel’s distinctive design, innovative culinary experiences and heartfelt service, we look forward to creating unforgettable memories for our guests and providing a gateway to discover the richness and beauty of Yunnan culture,” said Louis Low, general manager, Grand Hyatt Kunming.

Contemporary Design Inspired by Yunnan Culture and Nature

First ECHO Suites opens......

Construction workers hitting the road for month-long projects, travelling nurses visiting a new city for extended periods and digital nomads taking advantage of today’s work-from-anywhere policies will now have a new home-away-from-home with ECHO Suites Extended StaySM by Wyndham, which celebrated the grand opening of its first location, ECHO Suites Spartanburg in South Carolina.

The opening marks a major milestone for the brand, which has grown its development pipeline to nearly 270 hotels and over 33,000 rooms across the U.S. and Canada. Timed amidst an influx of infrastructure projects expected across the country over the next decade, additional ECHO Suites are slated to open in Texas and Virginia this year.

Philip Cox, ECHO Suites Spartanburg Owner said “Spartanburg, like many other cities around the country, is booming with projects that require long-term, comfortable and affordable stays. ECHO Suites is the answer with a well-designed prototype created with the operator in mind. Plus, when you add in the collaboration with the world’s largest hotel franchisor, it’s a perfect match.”

 An Efficient Build for Today’s Everyday Traveler

The arrival of ECHO Suites coincides with historic infrastructure investments in the U.S., including $1.2 trillion in approved funding as part of the 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act, the largest in our nation’s history. This is coupled with $280 billion as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, driving construction of new chip manufacturing plants across the U.S.

Together, these projects are creating a tailwind for Wyndham and the everyday business traveler, particularly construction and other trade workers, many of whom are in need of long-term accommodations as they travel to job sites across the country. The work is expected to bring a $3.3 billion opportunity in additional room revenue to Wyndham franchisees over the multi-year period of spend.

The purpose-built, all new-construction, 124-room ECHO Suites prototype requires under two acres of land and has a highly competitive cost per key. Coming in at approximately 50,000 square-feet, the prototype is designed to offer 79% of revenue generating square footage. Rooms consist of single- and two-queen studio suites with kitchens as well as efficiently-designed public spaces—a lobby, fitness center and 24/7 guest laundry—that are designed to help limit labor needs.

Continued Investment in Extended-Stay Hotels

The St. Joe Company and InterMountain Management, LLC Announce the Opening of the 121-Suite Residence Inn by Marriott® Panama City Beach Pier Park

The St. Joe Company and InterMountain Management, LLC announce the opening of the 121-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Panama City Beach Pier Park (“Residence Inn”). The hotel is located at 15900 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32413 in the popular Pier Park® shopping and entertainment district.

Managed by InterMountain, the pet-friendly hotel features 121 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom guest suites with full kitchens, equipped with a full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker. Complimentary amenities include hot breakfast, Wifi, on-site parking, grocery delivery services, outdoor pool and fitness center. The convenient location is ideal for families traveling on vacation as well as for business travelers, as guests will be within walking distance of the nearby Pier Park district, white sand beaches and the Frank Brown Park sports complex and event site.

Residence Inn is the second extended-stay hotel in Panama City Beach owned by a partnership of St. Joe and InterMountain, preceded by the 124-suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott® Panama City Beach Pier Park (“TownePlace Suites”).

“Our joint venture with InterMountain has produced two great Marriott-branded hotels in the popular Pier Park area,” said William Brock, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate for St. Joe. “As Panama City Beach continues to position itself as a year-round destination for families, this new hotel will provide visitors with another extended-stay option and supports our goal of having lodging and hospitality offerings to meet every traveler’s needs and price point.”

Residence Inn adds to St. Joe’s growing and varied hotel portfolio, increasing the company’s operational hotel rooms to 1,298 and providing a wide range of options at different service levels and locations. In 2023, St. Joe opened five new hotels with 2024 as the first full year of operations for these new properties. St. Joe, individually or through consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures, now has 12 hotels in its portfolio with the addition of this Residence Inn.

"InterMountain is excited to open another hotel in Panama City Beach with our partners at The St. Joe Company," stated Dewey Weaver, Owner of InterMountain. "The positive reception of the neighboring TownePlace Suites since its opening is demonstrative of a strong demand for hotels in the Pier Park shopping and entertainment district, and we are optimistic that we will experience the same success with the Residence Inn.”

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Hilton has acquired a majority controlling interest in Sydell Group to expand the NoMad Hotels brand

Hilton has announced it has acquired a majority controlling interest in Sydell Group (“Sydell”) to expand the NoMad Hotels brand from its existing London flagship location to high-end markets around the world. The addition of NoMad to Hilton’s brand portfolio marks the global hospitality leader’s entry into the fast-growing luxury lifestyle hotel market with a meticulously designed brand defined by exceptional food and beverage, interior design and service. 

Over the last decade, Sydell, led by founder Andrew Zobler, has created seven dynamic lifestyle brands, with award-winning hotel concepts including NoMad, The Line, Freehand and The Ned. Sydell will be responsible for design, branding and management of the NoMad brand while Hilton will lead all development. The NoMad brand will be fully integrated into Hilton’s commercial platforms, including Hilton Honors. All NoMad properties will remain independently owned.  

Hilton projects that as many as 100 NoMad properties will be developed globally over time, with approximately 10 already in advanced stages of discussion with Sydell.  

Chris Silcock, President, Global Brands and Commercial Services said: "Adding NoMad to our growing brand portfolio will create new offerings for guests seeking unique luxury experiences in some of the world’s most desirable locations."

“Adding NoMad to our growing brand portfolio will create new offerings for guests seeking unique luxury experiences in some of the world’s most desirable locations,” said Chris Silcock, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton. “By pairing an already proven brand concept that’s ready for expansion with the power of Hilton’s commercial engine, we are accelerating our ability to drive growth in the luxury lifestyle segment.  

“Coupled with our recently announced exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World and our planned acquisition of the Graduate Hotels brand, Hilton is leading the hotel industry with the addition of innovative new luxury and lifestyle offerings that meet changing guest needs and add new opportunities for owners to join our system,” Silcock said.

Each NoMad hotel added to Hilton’s network will provide a uniquely local luxury experience that makes guests feel like residents of some of the world’s most sought-after neighborhoods. NoMad Hotels are both grand and intimate, fun and elegant, and classic and playful, creating a unique blend of luxury and lifestyle experiences throughout the stay with special touches like unique local art collections featured in each guest room.