All articles tagged with #travel and hospitality
The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan will close for at least four years starting in January 2027 to restore its landmark-protected facade. The closure affects 282 guest rooms, event spaces, and the Palm Court, leaving many couples scrambling for alternative venues. The hotel is expected to reopen by 2031, though no exact date has been set.
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts have signed a definitive agreement for Royal Caribbean to acquire a 50% equity stake in Sandals for approximately $3 billion. The deal, funded by Morgan Stanley, is expected to close in early 2027. This joint venture aims to integrate cruise and land-based resort operations, expand Sandals globally, and unify loyalty programs across both brands.
Noise is now the second most common hotel complaint after cleanliness, driven by rising room prices and heightened guest expectations for quality sleep. While modern building codes set a sound transmission benchmark of 50, many older hotels lack these standards, and renovations often fail to improve acoustics. Guests are increasingly demanding control over room selection, similar to airline seating, but hotels face financial and logistical barriers to implementing such systems. Experts recommend requesting rooms away from elevators or pools, using white noise machines, and checking specialized quiet hotel ratings to mitigate disturbances.
Rosewood Hotels is opening a new luxury ski-in, ski-out hotel in Courchevel 1850, France, featuring 51 rooms, stylish 1960s-inspired interiors, modern art installations, and exclusive ski experiences, with prices starting at $2,650 per night.
In 2025, six Dallas-Fort Worth hotels received Michelin Keys, with Bowie House in Fort Worth earning two Keys, indicating an exceptional stay. Other local hotels like Hotel Swexan, Hotel ZaZa, and Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek received one Key each, maintaining their high standards from the previous year. The Michelin Keys list highlights top hotels across Texas, emphasizing consistency and quality in the hospitality industry.
Bed bugs have been found at four Las Vegas Strip hotels over the past five months, with incidents reported at the Encore, Venetian, Mirage, and Excalibur. The Southern Nevada Health District has taken action, issuing fees to hotels and closing rooms if there is a persistent problem. The Nevada Resort Association emphasized that these occurrences are rare and isolated, attributing them to the potential transportation of pests in luggage and clothing. Pest control experts advise travelers to be proactive in checking their surroundings and belongings when staying at hotels.
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a highly anticipated new resort, made a splash with its star-studded opening in December, drawing A-list celebrities like Cher and Kim Kardashian. The hotel, which had been in development for two decades, is already setting a new standard for luxury in Sin City, with its stunning design, exceptional dining options, and lavish spa. During Super Bowl weekend, the hotel was abuzz with celebrities, cementing its status as the hottest new destination in Las Vegas.
After more than a decade of construction, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, an offshoot of the original Fontainebleau in Miami, has finally opened its doors. The hotel and casino, boasting over 3,600 rooms and standing at 67 stories high, is now the tallest building in Nevada. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, and Madonna attended the grand opening.
The long-awaited Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino resort finally opened its doors with a star-studded grand opening event attended by celebrities like Cher and Justin Timberlake. The property boasts a hyper-modern design with elegant floral arrangements, chic tiled floors, and a sense of calm luxury. The rooms feature modern amenities such as USB-C ports and touch controls for lights and curtains, as well as a deep soaking tub and high-quality toiletries. The resort, which has been in the making since 2007, offers affordable rates starting at $160 per night for a limited time. While it may be located on the north end of the Strip, it still provides a worthwhile experience for visitors.
After 16 years of development, ownership changes, and delays, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas is finally set to open its doors. The 67-story luxury resort-casino on the Las Vegas Strip features 3,644 rooms, 36 bars and restaurants, and a sprawling convention space. Visitors can expect a range of dining options from renowned chefs, including Evan Funke's Mother Wolf and Alan Yau's Chyna Club. The rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows and start at $480 a night. The resort also boasts six pools, a casino with 1,300 slots and 128 table games, and 550,000 square feet of convention and meeting space.
The long-awaited Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort, reminiscent of Miami Beach's iconic Fontainebleau, is set to open on the Las Vegas Strip after more than a decade of delays and ownership changes. The 67-story, $3.7 billion hotel-casino tower is the tallest and newest addition to the southern Nevada resort corridor, second in cost only to Resorts World. The project, initially started in 2007, faced setbacks during the Great Recession and the pandemic. Fontainebleau Development reacquired the project in 2021 and partnered with Koch Real Estate Investments to complete it. The resort features a bowties theme as a tribute to the architect of the Miami resort, Morris Lapidus, and offers over 3,600 rooms, a variety of dining options, and extensive gambling facilities.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas has announced its new loyalty program, Fontainebleau Rewards, which offers exclusive benefits and rewards for guests staying or playing at the resort. The program includes tier credits, Bleau points, and Play points that can be earned through gameplay and purchases throughout the property. Members can redeem their points for resort credit, slot play, and other experiences. The loyalty program has four tiers - Bleau, Silver, Gold, and Royal - each offering increasing benefits and perks. Interested individuals can pre-enroll in the program and receive a limited-time offer for discounted bookings at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Las Vegas's Durango Casino & Resort, located 10 miles off the strip, has opened its doors, offering guests a contemporary desert oasis with a midcentury modern aesthetic. The resort features a gaming floor, 209 luxurious rooms and suites, a gym, and a pool illuminated by colorful LEDs. The property's standout feature is its diverse food and beverage portfolio, including a flagship steakhouse, a beach house-inspired restaurant, a modern Mexican coastal cuisine eatery, a speakeasy, and an expansive food hall with 11 mini-restaurants and bars. Rooms start at $399 per night.
Marriott International has partnered with Camp, a toy-store chain, to create kids clubs at their all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean and Latin America. The partnership aims to provide children with a place to play while parents enjoy their vacation. Marriott sees Camp as a disruptor in the industry and plans to roll out the kids clubs at all of their all-inclusive locations by 2024. Camp will provide the design, programming, and training, while Marriott will handle the construction and operation of the clubs. The partnership is a win for Camp, increasing its name recognition and market reach.
Southeast Asia's first luxury resort hotel made from retired buses, called The Bus Collective, has opened in Singapore. The hotel, located in Changi Village, has renovated 20 decommissioned public buses into 20 luxury rooms, each with different amenities. The rooms start at SG$398 ($296) per night and can accommodate three to four guests. The project aims to showcase sustainable luxury and eco-conscious practices in construction and hospitality. The Bus Collective plans to expand in the future within the Asia Pacific region.