Author: Admin

Craig Smith explains that he returned from retirement to lead Aimbridge Hospitality because he is an operator at heart and wanted to be back in the business of running hotels for owners, rather than working on the brand side. Stepping into the CEO role, he faced unexpected balance sheet and capital structure challenges, but treated the first year as a restructuring and learning experience. Throughout the conversation, he anchors his leadership philosophy in frontline operating lessons, especially the idea that hospitality leadership is about working through people, combining discipline with genuine care, and building trust through consistency. He stresses that the best leaders create space for dissent and debate, then align the team behind a decision once it is made.

How often do you notice the tiny worlds beneath our feet?

Luxury Family Hotels is delighted to unveil the next chapter for The Ickworth, reopening in May 2026 following a full renovation by StudioJill. Set within 1,800 acres of Suffolk countryside and just under two hours from London, The Ickworth’s full refurbishment – including all bedrooms, public areas, wellness facilities and restaurants – has been thoughtfully designed to enhance and reimagine the historic Italianate palace and its surrounding buildings.

Reserv by Tambourine, the hotel booking engine trusted by properties worldwide, today announced the launch of Reserv Analytics, a new AI-enabled, real-time reporting dashboard for its booking engine partners.

India’s accommodation industry thrived in 2025, with strong business results pointing to ongoing year‑on‑year growth. Although investment has cooled slightly alongside a tougher funding environment, ambitious workforce plans underline optimism across the sector. From AI adoption to upskilling initiatives, the industry is tackling challenges with innovation and energy.

The Dean, the independent lifestyle hotel brand renowned for creating character-rich, design-driven hotels, makes its German debut with the launch of The Dean Berlin in February 2026. Marking the brand’s first international property outside Ireland, the 81-room hotel brings The Dean’s signature irreverent spirit to Charlottenburg, one of Berlin’s most storied and creative districts.

illa d’Este La Collezione announces the opening of Miralago Luxury Apartments, scheduled for June 2026.Set along the Cernobbio waterfront, the first branded living concept on Lake Como, introduces a new sense of belonging to an iconic destination where the cultural heritage of Villa d’Este meets the intimacy of contemporary living. With eight private waterfront residences, this boutique hotel model combines the freedom of a private home with highly bespoke, dedicated service. Miralago Luxury Apartments is designed for those who see Lake Como not as a backdrop to admire but as a place to inhabit.Following the complete renovation of the former Miralago Hotel, the historic building has returned to the community in a new form. The property spans four floors and comprises eight lakefront apartments, two per floor, designed to be lived in individually or combined, transforming into four expansive private residences.

The recent Europe Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE) details that, at the end of Q4 2025, the region’s total pipeline stands at 1,717 projects/252,600 rooms.

IRIS, the global market leader in digital F&B and guest experience solutions for hotels, has announced outstanding year-on-year growth with Mandarin Oriental, one of the world’s most luxurious hotel operators. Over the past year, Mandarin Oriental saw F&B room service revenue increase by 54% and orders grow by 39% through the IRIS platform, highlighting the power of digital innovation in elevating luxury dining experiences.

Canaves Collection is a family owned luxury hospitality group rooted in Santorini, with a portfolio built around the island’s dramatic caldera views, volcanic landscape, and the intimacy of boutique scale. In this Brand Insiders conversation, CEO Markos Chaidemenos explains how Canaves began as a family business back in 1983 and why, even as the brand has evolved, it remains anchored in people, place, and a service culture that prioritises real warmth over performance.