Top Hotel & Resort News From June

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts launched its first Registry Collection property in Europe on June 1 this year, the Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort in Halkidiki, Greece. The Registry Collection currently offers sixteen properties that provide great service and stunning architecture.

Margaritaville's newest Island Reserve resort, the Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya, opened to guests early in June. It features 355 rooms and suites, a new LandShark Brewery dining concept and the ethos of the Island Reserve brand.

Puerto Rico's interest and demand continues to grow, and so does its options for accommodation! This story highlights some of the upcoming hotels and resorts that will soon be available for travelers visiting the island, including exciting new options from Hilton and Hard Rock.

Early this June, Marriott announced a new affordable midscale brand, currently called Project MidX Studios, that will offer travelers in the U.S. and Canada a new extended-stay option. It is currently unknown when the brand will officially launch.

Sonesta launched two new soft brands in June: Classico, A Sonesta Collection and MOD, A Sonesta Collection. Classico will offer an upper-midscale hotel experience, while MOD will offer an upscale hotel experience with a focus on flexibility.

Hyatt announced that its first Hyatt Vivid Resort will debut in early 2024 in Cancun, within the Dreams Grand Island resort complex. Hyatt Vivid Grand Island will feature 400 rooms and share dining options, a spa and beach club with the Dreams Grand Island.

New research published this June by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that 87 percent of hoteliers are unable to fill open positions and still struggle with the staffing shortages that began during the pandemic. Housekeeping remains the most-needed position at hotels across the country. Twenty-six percent of hoteliers, just over a quarter, also say that these shortages impact the hotel's ability to operate.

LGBTQ+ travelers now have a good way to verify whether an accommodation option is truly friendly to the LGBTQ+ community with the launch of IGLTA's global accreditation program. The first hotel or resort to complete the accreditation program is the W Costa Navarino in Pelopennese, Greece.

Atlantis Paradise Island announced in June that it would create the Bahamas' first-ever coral gene bank as a way to help combat a specific coral disease, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, of which over half of the region's coral are susceptible.

Lindner Hotels & Resorts and me and all hotels were added into the World of Hyatt program in June following their addition into the independent hotel brand, JdV by Hyatt.

A new report suggests that hotel rates are expected to continue to rise in the United States and Europe this summer. The reasons why? High demand and relatively slow growth of supply. Midscale and economy nightly room rates are now averaging 15 to 20 percent higher than pre-pandemic averages.

On World Refugee Day, Marriott International announced its intention to hire over 1,500 refugees in Europe, expanding its prior commitment to hire 1,500 refugees in the United States. It hopes to expand economic opportunities for refugees in both regions.

Iberostar launched its first all-inclusive model resort to Palma de Majorca, Spain with the opening of the Iberostar Selection Albufera. The resort positions itself as a sustainable family-friendly resort with a beautiful beachfront at Playa de Muro and close proximity to a local national park.

The new Tempo by Hilton brand will make its debut in Times Square this August with the opening of the Tempo by Hilton Times Square. The hotel will feature 661 rooms, the brand's Get Ready Zone, several dining and drinking options and a great location from which to explore New York City.

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is expanding its resorts in Hawai'i with the acquisition of the Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa, which it expects to finalize this August.

Virgin Limited Edition's newest hotel, the Son Bunyola Hotel and Villas, opened in the Tramuntana Mountains of Palma de Majorca, a Spanish island located in the Mediterranean, this June.

Meliá Hotels International’s new lifestyle hotel brand, ZEL, which was created in partnership with tennis pro Rafael Nadal, will open its first hotel in Palma de Majorca on July 1, 2023. ZEL Mallorca will feature 165 rooms and suites, views of the Mediterranean Sea, and plenty of resort experiences to enjoy, all within a beautifully designed hotel.