News

When the lights dim and hotel guests settle down for the night, a different reality often emerges for female workers. For many women – especially shift workers – fewer daylight hours brought about by winter can increase risk of harassment, intimidation, or violence.

Spanish real estate investment trust Azora, via its European Hotel & Lodging Fund, has acquired Spanish owner-operator Medplaya Hotels. The deal includes six owned hotel properties in Spain – situated in Catalonia and the Costa del Sol – with a total of more than 1,500 rooms, as well as the operating company that manages an additional nine hotels. Azora plans to renovate the properties and reposition them. In 2019, Azora acquired seven hotels from Medplaya while keeping the company on as the operator through lease agreements, meaning that Azora now owns 13 of Medplaya’s 15 hotels.

The Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF) is pleased to announce the next session of its Hospitality & Travel Special Interest Group (SIG) — a bi-weekly forum bringing together innovators shaping the future of identity, access, and payments in travel and hospitality. The upcoming meeting will take place Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 10:00 ET / 15:00 GMT / 16:00 CET, and will feature a special presentation by Lucyna Janas, Head of Google Wallet Partnerships, EMEA.

An emblem of Renaissance architecture and a peaceful sanctuary with the most iconic view of Florence unfurling beneath, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel reopens on 28 April 2026 following a meticulous 18-month renovation. Inspired by its storied heritage and idyllic hillside setting framing a picturesque vista, the hotel’s reimagination sees an emphasis on Tuscan craftsmanship, refined cultural curation and a harmonious connection to nature. The former 15th century monastery with its beloved cascading gardens, reveals 39 completely redesigned suites and rooms exuding indulgence and grandeur.

Just opened, Fulham Pier Hotel debuts as a luxury boutique retreat and highly-anticipated addition to Fulham Pier – a new riverside destination on the Thames. Set within one of London’s most ambitious waterfront developments, the 13-room hotel offers a refined, design-forward retreat at the intersection of culture, leisure, and city living.

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where the hospitality industry stands in its sustainability commitments. Let’s look back at insights from Booking.com’s 10th annual “Travel & Sustainability” report. The findings reveal a clear shift: travellers are more informed, intentional, and expect visible action.

For the second consecutive week, average daily rate (ADR) rose at the rate of inflation, up 2.6% for the period ending 11 October 2025. As a result, U.S. revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 0.6%, marking the industry’s first weekly increase since the end of August. Occupancy, however, fell for a 16th straight week, with the most recent decline (-1.4 percentage points) half of what had been seen in the previous fortnight (~2.5ppts).

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of Hilton Lopud Beach Resort & Spa, following a management agreement with Anker Grupa d.o.o. The resort, located on the picturesque Lopud Island near Dubrovnik, will offer guests a blend of comfort and natural beauty when it opens in 2027 following an extensive renovation of the property and grounds.

The sample of branded full-service hotels in Dublin recorded a slight decline in profit during the 12 months ending in August 2025, compared to the same period last year. GOP per Available Room (GOP PAR) decreased by 1.4%, due to a -1.0% drop in revenues while the cost declined by -0.8%.

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has reported another quarter of robust performance, building on its strong first half and cementing summer 2025 as a resounding success.