2026/01/19 – 2026/02/01
Korea
- Hotel Lotte Faces Rising Liquidity Pressure: Korea’s Fair Trade Commission blocked Affinity Equity Partners’ acquisition of a 63.5% stake in Lotte Rental, effectively derailing Hotel Lotte’s plan to receive approximately KRW 1.5729 trillion in sale proceeds. Hotel Lotte had intended to use the funds to repay about KRW 716.6 billion in borrowings and to support affiliated companies, but the plan has now been disrupted. Analysts note that the company will need to seek alternative sources of liquidity going forward.
APAC
- ONYX Signs Management Agreement for Shama Hub Ladprao: On January 22, 2026, ONYX Hospitality Group signed a management agreement for Shama Hub Ladprao in Bangkok, Thailand. This marks the owner’s second Shama Hub project entrusted to ONYX and is positioned as an urban residence targeting both short- and long-term stay demand.
- Hilton Advances Dubai Islands Hotel and Residences Project: AVENEW Development and Hilton announced the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands hotel and a 120-unit branded residential project. The hotel will comprise approximately 150 rooms and feature amenities such as a rooftop restaurant, pool lounge, and spa. Residential owners will have access to the hotel’s facilities and services.
- Nammos to Develop Resort and Private Residences in Saudi Arabia: Nammos revealed plans to develop a 110-key resort and 20 private residences at AMAALA Triple Bay in Saudi Arabia, targeting an opening in spring 2026. The project forms part of AMAALA’s luxury tourism development strategy and is intended to strengthen high-end, residence-integrated destination offerings.
Americas
- IHG’s Ruby Hotels Make North American Debut: IHG Hotels & Resorts is launching the Europe-based Ruby Hotels brand in North America for the first time. The existing Inn of Chicago will be renovated and rebranded as Ruby Chicago, with an opening targeted for 2027. The move represents a strategic effort to expand a lifestyle-focused brand into the North American market.
- Four Seasons Unveils 2026 Global Opening Roadmap: Four Seasons announced its global pipeline of new hotel and residential openings for 2026, including projects in Italy, Greece, and Saudi Arabia. In addition to overall supply growth, the prominence of residence-integrated developments highlights the brand’s strategy to strengthen its premium extended-stay and luxury living offerings.
Europe
- Dominus and Cheyne Capital to Convert London Office into Hotel: Dominus Real Estate and Cheyne Capital received final approval from the City of London to convert the Ibex House office building into a 382-room hotel. The project is a representative example of repurposing vacant urban office space into hospitality use and is expected to contribute to supply diversification in central London.
- MEININGER to Open 228-Room Hotel in Porto in 2028: MEININGER Hotels is advancing plans to develop a 228-room new-build hotel in the Bonfim district of Porto, Portugal, targeting an opening in Q1 2028. The project is being developed in partnership with Covivio and Eiffage and is expected to obtain sustainability certifications.
