Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Debuts 21st Brand, Registry Collection Hotels, with Grand Residences Riviera Cancun

World’s largest hotel franchising company offers sales and marketing distribution for independent-minded owners and developers of luxury assets

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, today unveiled its 21st brand, Registry Collection HotelsSM, adding a luxury offering to the upper end of the Company’s growing brand portfolio while further advancing its mission to make hotel travel possible for all.

The launch of Registry Collection Hotels comes at a time when a growing number of independent luxury hotel owners are seeking out proven and established partners to help them recover from the challenges of the global pandemic. Registry Collection Hotels allows these owners to maintain their independent spirit and brand individuality while tapping into the global scale of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts along with its award-winning Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program, helping them to drive more direct bookings at a lower cost of distribution.

A new hotel coming soon for Dollywood...part of a massive 10 year investment plan.

Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort marks the first project in a new 10-year investment plan

The Dollywood Company has started a new investment strategy that will see the Smoky Mountain vacation destination invest more than half-a-billion dollars over the next 10 years across its properties. The first of which is a new 302-room Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

The new HeartSong Lodge, located adjacent to the much-heralded Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, serves as the next element in the company’s thriving lodging business. Set to open in 2023, the new property ushers in another period of tremendous growth for the company and for the entire Smoky Mountains region. 

Earlier this year, Tripadvisor named Gatlinburg as the number one trending destination in the United States, with Pigeon Forge ranking fourth on the same list. Last year, Dollywood was “traveler-ranked” number six on Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Top 25 United States Theme Parks list and number eight on the Top 25 Worldwide Theme Parks list based on guest reviews.

Dolly Parton said: “I’m always dreaming and coming up with new ideas and things I want our guests to experience. - We wanted to talk about this last year, but with everything going on, we knew we needed to pause because it just wasn’t the right time to do it. Things are looking brighter and with the popularity of the Smokies soaring, there are more people than ever wanting to visit our area.

“I’m so proud of this place that we’ve been able to build here in the Smokies,” she continued. “I always dreamed of accomplishing two things with Dollywood. I wanted to give jobs to the folks who live here and I wanted to give visitors another reason to come and experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. We celebrated our 35th season last year, so I think it is fair to say we’ve been able to do that. I’m so happy with what we are doing to make sure our guests have a great season this year, and being able to announce the new HeartSong Lodge & Resort is just one more way we’re going to be able to help families reconnect, explore and discover together. I truly believe the natural beauty of the Smokies and the warmth of this special place will inspire every guest to nurture the ‘heartsong’ within them.”

Liberty Place Charleston by Hilton Club opens.....

Liberty Place Charleston by Hilton Club marks the vacation-ownership company’s first resort in Charleston, the fifth property in South Carolina.

The Liberty Place Charleston by Hilton Club in Charleston, South Carolina, near the site where the iconic Liberty Tree once stood, has been officially opened. Celebrating the best of classic and contemporary, this elegant 100-unit resort is HGV’s first property in historic Charleston. Radiating a sophisticated cultural design, the resort strikes the right balance between upscale and inviting and is a welcome addition to the historic neighbourhood’s landmarks, rich culture and culinary scene.

“We’re thrilled to expand our diverse portfolio into the vibrant and remarkable city of Charleston with Liberty Place Charleston by Hilton Club,” said Mark Wang, president and CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations. “Charleston is one of the most sought-after drive-to destinations in the U.S., and we’re proud to provide our owners and guests with a luxury resort in the heart of this timeless, low country city.”

Liberty Place embodies the spirit of Charleston’s rich history and southern hospitality. Located near the approximate location of the iconic Liberty Tree, where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the city’s citizens, the resort is meticulously designed to offer an inviting vibe for visitors to discover the serene courtyard or historic Vestige Walls on the north side of the property, while still providing privacy for owners and guests.

It has been confirmed that the Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei in the world-famous and much-loved city of Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, will open in January next year.

It has been confirmed that the Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei in the world-famous and much-loved city of Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, will open in January next year.  

The new hotel will offer 60 guest rooms ranging from 40 square meters in size, including eight 80-square meter suite rooms in the theme of a mountain villa. It will be located near the historic Okazaki Betsuin Temple, overlooking the rich natural environment of the temple grounds, with the suites and some other rooms offering guests changing views of the seasonal scenery in its Japanese gardens. The hotel will also feature a restaurant on the first floor with large windows allowing guests to enjoy similar views; there will also be a lounge and a fitness centre.

The interior of the hotel is being designed by "GO ON"―a project team comprising six young inheritors of traditional Kyoto craft skills who came together in 2012 to promote these.

Days Hotel by Wyndham Istanbul Maltepe set to open

Latest Addition Strengthens Wyndham’s Position as Turkey’s Largest International Hotel Chain with 80 Hotels and 8 of the Company’s 20 Iconic Brands, in World’s 20th Largest Economy

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of properties with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, is further strengthening its position as Turkey’s largest international hotel chain with the upcoming opening of the newly built Days Hotel by Wyndham Istanbul Maltepe, its first property in the country under the well-known economy brand.

Located close to Maltepe’s business district, several nearby recreational areas and with convenient access to Istanbul’s city centre, the 80-room hotel is slated to open later this summer as travel demand is expected to pick up. It will be complemented by the 176-room Days Hotel by Wyndham Istanbul Esenyurt, a new construction hotel that is part of a mixed-use development scheduled to open in the second part of the year.

Days Inn by Wyndham is one of the largest and most recognized economy hotel brands in the world, with a global portfolio of 1,600 properties.

The new additions are the latest in Wyndham’s expansion in Turkey, where the company is the largest international hotel chain with 80 hotels across the country including cities, resorts and up-and-coming destinations, and a development pipeline of over 2,000 rooms, including five hotels expected to open this year.

Proper Hospitality Continues Hotel Expansion Across California With the Opening of the Venice V Hotel on June 18

Proper Hospitality Continues Hotel Expansion Across California With the Opening of the Venice V Hotel on June 18

Proper Hospitality has announced the opening of Venice V Hotel in Los Angeles’ iconic Venice Beach community. Set in a 1915 landmark building originally called The Waldorf, the beachfront property embraces its past as a residence for A-list stars and backdrop for Hollywood films through a complete restoration that celebrates its roots and the surrounding community. Envisioned as a gathering place for today’s creative nomad, V draws inspiration from Venice’s legendary skate park, surf scene and unmatched culture for a true local experience.

Located off Westminster Avenue on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, each of the boutique hotel’s spacious rooms, suites, penthouses and rooftop bungalows offers picturesque Pacific Ocean views. Proper Hospitality worked closely with local design and architecture partner Relativity Architects to bring the vision for Venice V to life while nodding to the eclectic range of the Venice story. No two rooms are alike with three distinct themes informing the design curation of the interiors: bohemian beach culture, an artist’s studio, and skate and surf culture.

AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea officially opens its doors...............

AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea officially opens its doors as the newest hotel and the first property in the Hawaiian Islands for the design-driven AC Hotels lifestyle brand. Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, the hotel marks a significant milestone in delivering an effortless travel experience that strikes the perfect balance between everything you need, and nothing you don’t, in the stunning leisure destination of Maui.

Nestled on three acres on the sunny southwestern coastline, AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea features 110 guestrooms with 12 suites, and an infinity-edge pool with a hot tub and cabanas. The hotel offers a perfectly curated experience, focused on the meaningful details and services that enhance every guest’s stay, allowing them to recharge and focus on the beauty of the island.

“Our new hotel seamlessly blends the AC brand’s signature amenities with Maui’s naturally-inspiring landscape, people and aesthetics,” says Kaleo Kenui, Dual General Manager for AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea and Residence Inn Maui Wailea. “The overall design is an artistic rendition based on genuine Hawaiian experiences blending with modern life and a recognition of the diverse cultures forming Maui’s remarkable melting pot of humanity.”

MCR Purchases the Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort

Fightertown, here we come! The nation’s 4th-largest hotel owner-operator acquires the Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort in the heart of the South Carolina coast.

The latest member of the squadron! MCR — the country’s 4th-largest hotel owner-operator — has acquired the 115-room Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort in South Carolina’s beautiful Lowcountry region.

The hotel is just a 40-minute drive to Hilton Head Island and less than an hour from the Spanish moss splendour of Savannah, Georgia. But the real action is minutes away at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station, one of the only places in the world where pilots train to operate F-35B Lightning II jets, which can reach speeds of Mach 1.6 (that’s about 1,200 miles per hour in civilian language). Grab your aviators and practice your call signs because Tom Cruise has nothing on the daring flyers of Fightertown East.

On neighbouring Parris Island, you’ll find the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the primary training centre for generations of Marines since 1915. The base welcomes more than 17,000 recruits annually. In town to celebrate a new graduate? Bunk at the Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort and say “Semper Fi” with a hand-crafted cocktail at the fully stocked bar.

Two new hotels to open in Oceanside Beach, San Diego - Mission Pacific Hotel and The Seabird Resort

Representing the largest oceanfront hotel development in San Diego County in more than 50 years, the two hotel openings join Hyatt and underscore Oceanside Beach’s appeal as a sought-after Southern California travel destination.

The Shore Room at The Seabird Resort. (Photo: Business Wire)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced this week the opening of Mission Pacific Hotel, a JdV by Hyatt hotel. Situated on 700 feet of beachfront property in Oceanside Beach, Calif. in North County San Diego, Mission Pacific Hotel and The Seabird Resort, a Destination by Hyatt hotel, which is slated to open on May 25, welcome guests to two adjacent boutique-style properties on a coastal playground that will markedly enhance the tourism landscape in Oceanside Beach.

Mission Pacific Hotel

Mission Pacific Hotel is a vibrant beachfront sanctuary with a laid-back spirit. Relaxed and undeniably Southern Californian, the 161 high-touch guest rooms – including 38 suites – feature soothing textures, gentle colours, cozy bedding, and gentle salt air. An expansive rooftop pool and jacuzzi with private cabanas and lounge seating offer the ultimate vantage point from which to take in endless Pacific views and majestic sunsets. A 24-hour fitness centre, a library, and 13,000 square feet of ocean-view function space are among other notable amenities. Additionally, an exclusive beach kiosk provides guests with everything they need for a day of surf and sand, from chairs and umbrellas to sunscreen, towels, flip-flops, surfboard rentals, and more.

King suite at Mission Pacific Hotel. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Little Things Add Up at The Farnam............New Curated Autograph Collection Hotel Officially Opens May 20

The Farnam, Autograph Collection will take its place Thursday, May 20, as Omaha’s premier boutique hotel, welcoming discerning travellers and urban tastemakers to revel in a truly unique hospitality experience in the heart of the storied city.

Overlooking Omaha’s Riverfront and historic Old Market from one of the city’s tallest buildings, The Farnam, Autograph Collection offers the most sought-after views from its 120 guest rooms, including 24 suites. Every room has a distinct view, ranging from cityscape to the north, west and south, to river valley to the east. Here guests will find a uniquely upscale vibe, with shiny, modern glass expanses melding into historic details and textures reminiscent of a bustling Old Market manufacturing and warehouse district. The hotel joins Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, a group of 200+ independent hotels hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality.

“When it comes to creating a memorable guest experience, we believe the little things are transformative,” said Jason Fisher of Omaha's Cushman & Wakefield/the Lund Co., a principal investor in the property. “As we were designing the hotel, we made it our mission to be purposeful with even the smallest of details. When you look closely, you’ll notice the thought that went into every choice of material, which we know our discerning guests will appreciate.”

California Dreamin’...................MCR Acquires the Staybridge Suites Cathedral City Palm Springs

Going once, going twice, sold! MCR — the country’s 4th-largest hotel owner-operator — won the foreclosure auction for the 197-room Staybridge Suites Cathedral City Palm Springs, an IHG Hotel, on the Corona City Hall steps on April 7, 2021, at 9:30 AM. The acquisition marks MCR’s expansion into the California market as the Staybridge Suites joins MCR’s portfolio of 110 hotels across 33 states.

In the heart of the Coachella Valley, the all-suite hotel is just 10 minutes from Palm Springs Airport, 15 minutes from downtown Palm Springs and a two-hour drive to star-studded Los Angeles. If you’re searching for desert feels this summer, look no further! Next year, festival vibes will be in the air as Coachella and Stagecoach get rolling again.

Newly redesigned, the Palm Springs downtown plaza is renowned for its locally-owned restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. A popular home to movie stars and Presidents (Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan both settled in the city) since the 1930s, the area is full of old Hollywood glamour. Stroll along Palm Canyon Drive and Museum Way to glimpse the Walk of the Stars, which honours more than 440 famous residents, including Elvis Presley, Lena Horne and Marilyn Monroe.

Take advantage of sunshiny SoCal’s annual 300-plus days of rays: Hike nearby Tahquitz Canyon or drive through the valley to Joshua Tree National Park, which is visited by more than 3 million travellers each year.

Hyatt Announces Return of Hyatt Loves Local

Building on the success of Hyatt’s global initiative in 2020, Hyatt hotels are teaming up with even more minority and female-owned businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen the communities in which they operate in.

The Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced Hyatt hotels across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia regions have launched more than 160 Hyatt Loves Local collaborations in a continued effort to help revitalize and advance care to communities and small businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Following the success of the 2020 community-driven initiative, which provides complimentary resources and exposure to select local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic, Hyatt Loves Local has evolved to further meet the current needs of Hyatt communities and guests, including collaborating with more minority-owned and female-owned businesses and delivering reimagined experiences inspired by the new travel landscape. In turn, Hyatt Loves Local connects those in need directly with Hyatt guests and locals through distinctly local offerings, including wellbeing, arts and entertainment, “voluntourism,” travelling with pets and culinary experiences.

Aligned with Hyatt’s Change Starts Here commitment to accelerate Hyatt’s longstanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, nearly half of the 100 participating hotels are teaming up with more than 65 minority-owned and female-owned businesses, two groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Participating hotels are also working with new businesses that were born out of the pandemic. For example, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego is collaborating with Seaside Cinema to offer personalized, mobile outdoor movie experiences on the shores of Mission Bay. Seaside Cinema founders, Brian and Krystil Hofmann, were inspired to start the company as an alternative to movie theatres and indoor gatherings after Krystil lost her corporate job due to COVID-19.