Hotel and Resort News and Notes for September 2024

While most big hotel news is covered by TMR’s team and hosted on its Hotels and Resort homepage, some smaller news bits deserve attention. Below you can find rolling hotel news bites from the last four weeks that travel advisors, industry professionals, and frequent travelers should know about.

1. NH Hotels & Resorts Maldives opening
2. nhow Berlin’s new gaming rooms
3. Hilton Times Square “The Lion King” themed suite and package
4. The Peninsula London’s new tours
5. citizenM South Beach Opening
6. Best Western Premier Ottoperla Hotel
7. New GM at Kennebunkport Resort Collection
8. Aura Times Square reopening
9. Likuliku Lagoon Resort refurbishment
10. Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown opening
11. Food and beverage director at The Chancery Rosewood
12. New SVP tagged to lead EDITION’s expansion
13. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti solar farm project
14. Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese family tour itinerary
15. Virgin New Orleans’ new food and beverage director
16. Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival

NH Hotels & Resorts is readying to open its newest property, its debut hotel in the Maldives, with NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort. The hotel will open its doors on Sept. 1 in South Ari Atoll, approximately 25 minutes by seaplane from the capital Malé. It offers 51 suites and villas, each with an inner courtyard or beach-facing pool, ranging from 968 to 2,486 square feet.

nhow Hotels & Resorts has launched an “Ultimate eGaming Experience” at nhow Berlin, which the company calls “perhaps the pinkest hotel in the world.” The additions are two new gaming rooms with high-end PCs, a PlayStation 5, and a fully equipped gaming corner. Both rooms have been designed in collaboration with SK Gaming.

Hilton Times Square has opened a new suite themed from “The Lion King,” curated by the Broadway show’s designer, Devin Sparkles Design. The hotel is currently offering a package that includes two themed cocktails, a wake-up call from Tshidi Manye, who plays Rafiki in the musical, a themed sleep mask, a daily full breakfast, parking, a themed dessert, and discounts on premium seats for the show.

The Peninsula London has launched a set of private tours as part of its new Peninsula Academy program. The Peninsula specifically curates the tours for its guests and includes a Crown Jewels Tour and regal Afternoon Tea with Garrard, a Children’s Adventure Quest in partnership with Sharkey, and an automotive experience in partnership with Brooklands Museum.

citizenM has opened its newest hotel, citizenM Miami South Beach. It offers 168 rooms, along with some signature citizenM amenities including a rooftop pool, locally sourced art, and 25/7 food and drinks.

BWH has opened a new Best Western Premier property in Istanbul called the Best Western Premier Ottoperla Hotel. the hotel has 120 guest rooms and suites, along with an on-site spa, gym, playground, and tennis and basketball courts. 

EOS Hospitality has named Emily Nelson as the new GM of the Kennebunkport Resort Collection. She formerly served as the Director of Operations at the company. The company operates 10 hotels and restaurants in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Aura Hotel Times Square has officially reopened following a major renovation that saw the property transformed from its previous life as Hotel Mela. Aura says the hotel now welcomes guests looking for both “luxury and convenience” in the epicenter of Times Square.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort, a property owned by Ahura Resorts, will close next year for some new editions including a new restaurant concept Saluwaki, the new na Vanua Conservation Hub, a complete refurbishment of its main pool, and a complete refresh of all burs, including the addition of private plunge pools to 11 of the existing burs.

Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown opened its doors to guests on Thursday, Aug. 29 in the city’s historic Annex building. This 14-story boutique hotel offers 188 guest rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of downtown Dallas. On-site, there’s Bouvier Brasserie, an all-day restaurant that “marries Parisian elegance with Texan soul,” and a rooftop lounge called ANNEX.

The Chancery Rosewood has named Jake Leslie as its new Director of Food and Beverage. Prior to joining The Chancery Rosewood, Jake was the Director of Food & Beverage at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, overseeing an operation exceeding $400 million, in bars, fine dining, and casual restaurants.

Marriott’s EDITION brand has named George Fleck as its SVP and Global Brand Leader who will lead EDITION through its next phase of expansion. He will lead all aspects of the brand’s culture, training platforms, hotel openings, design evolution, marketing strategy, nightlife programming, and food and beverage concept development. Fleck was previously Vice President and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. EDITION recently debuted its 20th property in Jeddah. New properties in Lake Como, Dali, and the Red Sea are planned for 2025.

Four Seasons has completed the installation of the largest solar farm in the Serengeti at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti. The solar farm is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14,197 tonnes over the next 25 years.

The Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is now offering a new five-night ultimate Roman Odyssey in partnership with Italy’s Family’s Welcome travel guide. The itinerary includes a treasure hunt through Roman landmarks, a cooking class, an art and culture tour, an outdoor adventure day, and a private family movie night at the property.

Virgin New Orleans has named Jesse Carr as its new Director of Food and Beverage. Carr will oversee the hotel’s food & beverage department, including the award-winning restaurant Commons Club and the rooftop Pool Club. Most recently, Carr was Director of Food & Beverage at The Eliza Jane.

The Boca Raton is hosting its inaugural Artisans of Wine & Food event from January 17-19, 2025. The event will feature over 75 winemakers, and 20-plus celebrated chefs ranging from Todd English to Mario Carbone, along with curated tastings, exclusive dining experiences, and interactive experiences.