Top Hotel & Resort News from April 2023

The iconic Las Vegas hotel, the Bellagio, will be receiving a $110 million renovation to the rooms and suites in its Spa Tower following its recent renovation of its main tower. The Spa Tower offers 819 rooms and 104 suites. It is expected to be finished in October.

Club Med is rebranding to focus on a more premium, family-friendly approach with a strong sustainability focus. Its new campaign, “That's L'Esprit Libre,” focuses on providing travelers with a "free spirit" to enjoy worry-free experiences.

Hilton has announced that over the next two years, the hotel giant will double its portfolio of properties in Puerto Rico, adding ten new hotels across five different brands in Ponce, San Juan and Dorado.

Virgin Hotels New York City officially opened in April; the entertainment-forward brand is expected to offer incredible nightlife experiences that bring the heart of the city right to hotel guests, in its lounge, bar and public areas.

The only adults-only resort located in RIU's five-resort complex along the Macao Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is getting an extensive revitalization, including a new concept called the "Elite Club by RIU," which offers benefits like a private lobby, welcome gifts and more. The resort will reopen on September 9, 2023.

The iconic Coco Palms Resort, which was made famous as a movie location for Elvis Presley's 1961 film "Blue Hawaii" is getting demolished to build a new $250 million resort across the property's 46 acres. The development is getting some backlash from Hawaiians, however, as the closed hotel has historic significance that extends beyond Presley's fame: it was once home to Hawaii's last queen, Deborah Kapule, who died in 1853. 

The TRS Cap Cana is now called the TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina following its reopening after a renovation. New developments include revitalized menus, a new restaurant concept and more.

Marriott International was fined by Pennsylvania's State Attorney for failing to comply to a 2021 settlement ordering the hotel giant to disclose hidden fees to guests during the booking process. As the giant failed to do so within the time allotted and during its multiple extensions, it is now required to pay $225,000 in fines. 

The iconic Las Vegas Mirage Hotel & Casino will be no more: Hard Rock Hotels paid over $1 billion for the property and expects to renovate it, getting rid of the volcano and Sigfried & Roy Secret Garden. The property currently offers over 3,000 rooms.

Expected to open in 2024, Hyatt Hotels has begun signing development agreements for about a hundred Hyatt Studios-branded hotels. The new brand would offer upper-midscale extended-stay and long-term accommodation options for business and leisure travelers. The hotels will feature studio-style accommodations with kitchens, complimentary breakfast and 24-hour market.

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World is getting a big renovation, with plans to add over 350 new and more efficient cabins across the property's 750 acres to replace the existing ones. Each cabin will feature space for up to six, with a bedroom, living room, bathroom, full kitchen and patio area. A selection of these new cabins will also be dog-friendly. 

One of the best ways to commit to sustainability and responsible business practices is by earning the B-Corp status, and that's exactly what global outdoor hospitality brand Collective Retreats has achieved. There are only a handful of B-Corp certified travel companies, the most notable being tour operator Intrepid Travel.