Hotel and Resort News and Notes for January 2025

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. 

Bookings Now Open for Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino  
Grand Cayman Marriott’s New Operations Director 
Hilton and Grubhub Expand Partnership 
Ireland’s Ballyfin Demesne Appoints New Managing Director 
New GM at Hotel Effie Sandestin Autograph Collection 
New Hires at Atlantic Hospitality 
New Senior Sales Exec at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village 
Oceanview Dining Experience at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort 
Pendry West Hollywood’s New Director of Sales & Marketing 
Radisson Hotel Group Opens Crystals Beach Resort Belle Mare 
RIU Negril Reopens After Refurbishment 
St. Regis Kanai Resort Riviera Maya Debuts Pop-Up Beach Club 
Vakkaru Maldives Welcomes New General Manager 
Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana Now Taking Bookings 

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino is now accepting reservations ahead of its grand opening in February. The 100-room hotel replaces the former Seminole Casino Brighton, and will also offer several restaurants, an events space, a performance venue, outdoor pool, and fitness center. 

Daniela Rico has been named the new operations director at Grand Cayman Marriott Resort. She has been with the resort since 2015 and worked her way up, holding the director of sales and director of sales and marketing positions before her recent promotion. 

Hilton has expanded its Grubhub Onsite program to more than 2,600 Hilton properties in the Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, and Spark by Hilton brands, following the Grubhub partnership’s 2023 success at Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites. 

Ballyfin Demesne, an award-winning country house hotel in Ireland, has appointed Seamus Crotty as its new managing director. Crotty has years of luxury hospitality experience, overseeing management, acquisitions, and development of other notable high-end resorts. 

Jennifer Lombard Knight has been appointed the new general manager of Hotel Effie Sandestin Autograph Collection, bringing nearly 20 years of hospitality experience to the role. The hotel is nestled inside the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. 

As the company expands, Atlantic Hospitality has added three members to its executive leadership team: Justin Grimes managing partner, Caroline Meyer DeBruyckere as corporate director of marketing, and Andrea Weissing as corporate director of revenue management and distribution. 

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has promoted Sandra Keneven to senior sales executive. She joined the resort in 2022 as a destination sales executive and has nearly two decades of industry experience. 

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort recently unveiled newly renovated public spaces, which includes a new communal space dubbed &More by Sheraton and an oceanfront dining venue. 

Pendry West Hollywood has appointed Mgeni Mpolo as its new director of sales and marketing. Mpolo’s previous experience includes leadership roles at Marriott, at W San Francisco, and The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. 

Radisson Hotel Group has opened Crystals Beach Resort Belle Mare, bolstering its Indian Ocean portfolio. The 234-room hotel is located on the east coast of Mauritius and caters to couples, families, and adventurers. 

RIU Negril has reopened after a complete transformation of its 600 guest rooms, addition of an “American Country”-themed restaurant, and introduction of RIU Party events. The hotel also now has 28 swim-up rooms. 

St. Regis Kanai Resort Riviera Maya has launched a pop-up beach club presented by Long Island-based Duryea’s, that will be available to guests through April 20. It will feature new seaside lounging spots and dining experiences. 

Vakkaru Maldives has appointed Teddy Susanto Wiryawan as its new general manager. Wiryawan has more than 20 years’ experience, beginning his career at the Ritz Carlton Bali and most recently working for Hyatt. 

Bookings are now open at Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana, which is set to open on April 1. The all-inclusive resort will feature 600 suites, more than 20 food and beverage venues, a new water park, and more.