October: Refined Stays

MIMARU, Japan’s apartment hotel brand, has opened its Osaka Namba Station Annex in Namba, Osaka, on October 1. The property, operated by Cosmos Hotel Management Co., Ltd., features 68 apartment-style guestrooms, including options for six-person apartments and a Sky Garden Suite. This new opening expands MIMARU’s offerings for families and groups visiting Osaka, providing a flexible accommodation choice, according to a press release.

The Society has named Sandy Lu as its new Design Director, according to Hotel Designs. This appointment signals a leadership change within the organisation's design division. Lu's role will likely involve overseeing design strategies and projects, potentially influencing future hospitality design trends and developments. The move reflects ongoing personnel shifts within the industry's creative leadership landscape.

The Mysk Al Wadi Jeddah Hotel officially opened in September 2026, marking the Mysk luxury hotel brand’s debut in Saudi Arabia. Located in Jeddah, the property utilised Penetron Technology for its below-grade concrete structures to ensure durability against high water tables, according to a press release. This opening introduces a new high-end accommodation option to the Kingdom's hospitality sector, expanding the Mysk brand's regional footprint.

Wyndham has launched Dolce Nova, a new lifestyle hotel brand, according to Hotel Designs. This introduction signifies Wyndham’s expansion into the lifestyle segment of the hospitality market. The new brand aims to offer a distinct experience for guests, aligning with current trends in hotel design and guest preferences. Further details on specific property locations or opening timelines were not provided in the initial announcement.

Robinsons Land, led by Lance Gokongwei, is bringing its homegrown five-star hotel brand, FILI, to Bridgetowne in Manila. The new property is slated to open in 2027, marking a significant expansion for the brand. This development positions FILI to potentially broaden its presence across Asia, according to Bilyonaryo Business. The opening will add a new high-end accommodation option to the Philippine capital's growing hospitality market.

Sanderson Design Group has reportedly taken on Designers Guild, according to Hotel Designs. This move signifies a consolidation within the design sector, potentially impacting the offerings available for hospitality projects. Further details on the exact nature of this acquisition or partnership were not immediately available, but it suggests a notable development in the interior design landscape relevant to luxury properties and high-end residential projects.

Nobu Hotel San Juan is scheduled to open in Puerto Rico by 2028. This will mark the Nobu brand’s first hotel property in the territory, according to Haute Living. The development represents a significant expansion for Nobu into the Caribbean luxury hospitality market.

Niseko's hotel supply is projected to increase by 46% in 2026, accompanied by a rise in summer Average Daily Rates (ADR). A review by C9 Hotelworks indicates that the market's investment focus is shifting towards year-round demand, moving beyond its traditional dominant winter season. This signals a broader appeal for the destination, according to Hospitality Net.

Cooper Carry's Johnson Studio has formally launched a new Hospitality Interior Design practice. This expansion will see the studio move beyond its traditional focus on restaurants and bars to include hotel guestrooms. The practice is already involved in projects for properties under the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Hyatt, and Westin brands, according to Hospitality Net.

Residents of Folly Beach are advocating for a study to evaluate the existing cap on short-term rentals, with a view to potentially removing it. This move suggests a desire to reconsider current regulations impacting the local vacation rental market. The Post and Courier reports that the city is being urged to consider this proposal.

A 2026 study by h2c, involving 113 hotel chains, reveals that 91% of these chains are using artificial intelligence. However, only 28% have a company-wide AI strategy in place. The study identifies skills gaps and integration challenges as primary obstacles to scaling AI adoption across the enterprise, according to Hospitality Net.

Pierre & Vacances Centre Park Group has acquired Hotel Sun Palace, adding 216 rooms to its portfolio. This acquisition marks the group’s sixth property in Costa Blanca, Spain. The expansion reflects the company's continued investment in the region's short-term rental market, as reported by ShortTermRentalz.

Hotels in Ras Al Khaimah are undergoing renovations and adjusting their pricing and packaging strategies. This market shift is occurring in anticipation of a single resort opening, according to Skift. The changes aim to prepare the destination for the impact of the new property, even before it begins operations.

Ennismore, in collaboration with LIMM and Società Rinascimento Valori, has signed Delano Puglia. This development marks the Delano brand's inaugural property in Italy, located on the Adriatic coast. The announcement was made by Ennismore, indicating a new expansion for the brand into the European luxury market.