Top Hotel & Resort News From February

While February is the shortest month of the year, it saw quite a lot of hotel and resort news, especially from hotel giants announcing new partnerships, new hotels and 2023 successes. Curious to read what you might've missed in February? Click through this slideshow to read the quick run-downs, or click the links provided to read the full stories. Happy Leap Year!

Hyatt Hotels Corporation debuted the Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres all-inclusive resort in a phased opening at the beginning of February. The adults-only resort offers 507 rooms with swim-up suite options, four pools, a beach and more. The entire resort's facilities will open by June 2024.

At the beginning of February, the state of Florida passed a new law regulating short-term rentals and standardizing their rules, which addresses price gouging and ensures that travelers have a contact to respond to complaints or emergencies at all times.

Omni Hotels & Resorts relaunched its Select Guest Loyalty Program. The redesign should make it easier for travelers to earn free nights, by focusing on overall spend instead of nights spent.

A report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that 72 percent of member hotels who were surveyed still struggled to fill open positions, despite having raised wages to a historic high and expanded benefits to attract more workers. The organization still encourages an expansion of the seasonal worker visa, along with the passing of the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, which will allow asylum seekers a quicker way to begin working when they arrive in the United States.

Hilton announced it had partnered with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a portfolio 560 boutique, independently owned luxury hotels, now available for booking on Hilton's channels. They're also now a part of Hilton Honors, so loyalty members can earn points by staying at them and redeem their points to stay at one of the independent hotels.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts added thirteen new properties to its portfolio during the last quarter of 2023, including the Azul Hotel & Retreat in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, The Editory Boulevard Aliados Porto in Porto, Portugal and Entre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel in Mendoza, Argentina. They're also members of the I Preferred Hotel Rewards loyalty program.

Following the devastating wildfires in Maui in 2023, the Sheraton Maui Resort reopened. While it had been untouched by the fires, many employees and hotel staff had been impacted, losing homes and loved ones. The reopening comes with a variety of ways for travelers to help in recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Hyatt's Inclusive Collection is set to expand in Mexico with the first Breathless Resort & Spa-branded resort, opening next year. The adults-only resort, named Breathless Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, will offer 450 rooms and suites and will be located just ten minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport.

IHG reported its full-year 2023 and fourth quarter financial results in February, showcasing just how powerfully the demand for travel has impacted the hospitality industry. It'll be returning over $1 billion to shareholders this year following last year's success.

Hilton plans to expand further into the Caribbean and Latin America, with plans to open over fifteen new hotels and resorts in the region this year alone. It boasts over 100 hotels in its development pipeline for the region.

In late February, Hilton announced an exclusive partnership with outdoor hospitality company, AutoCamp, to offer its fun national parks-centric accommodation options for booking with Hilton guests and Hilton Honors members. Travelers can easily find and book stays in glamping tents, Airstreams and tiny homes near national parks around the country with the new partnership.