by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Fri August 28, 2026
August brought with it some exciting news about hotels and resorts, from new insight into the U.S. hospitality industry’s performance this year to new details about upcoming resorts, including Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge and several Caribbean resorts.
Read on to see the news you should know from August, and click the links provided to get the full details.
Inside the Hospitality Industry
Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancun (Photo Credit: IHG)
There’s been quite a bit of big news around the hospitality industry in August.
One notable headline was Marriott International’s second-quarter earnings, which were largely positive but fell short of expectations due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. RevPAR in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region declined 5% due to the conflict, with the Middle East dropping 43%.
IHG Hotels & Resorts and Iberostar have joined to create a new alliance, allowing members of IHG’s loyalty program to earn and redeem points with stays at Iberostar resorts. Learn more about the new hospitality alliance here.
Travel demand in the United States is growing, and CoStar and Tourism Economics have raised their 2026-27 hotel outlook, with RevPAR and ADR (average daily rate) both up over 1%. The reason for the shift? It’s partially spurred by the benefits of the World Cup and a stronger-than-expected 2027.
American Express Travel added over 350 hotels and resorts to its Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection this month, increasing the number of options travelers can choose from worldwide. The premium portfolio now includes over 3,400 properties in more than 100 countries.
New Hotels & Resorts
Dromoland Castle (Photo Credit: Dromoland Castle)
The most important news in hotels and resorts is, of course, new hotels and resorts opening and being announced for development. August saw quite a few exciting headlines, including new details about Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, which will open as a nature-inspired hotel property next summer, with public spaces inspired by movies such as “Pocahontas.”
Hotel Xcaret Mexico will add 600 new rooms to the all-inclusive property, breaking ground on the new expansion in 2027. Additionally, Ireland’s Dromoland Castle will close until June 2027 for renovations. When it opens next summer, the historic property will feature a glass-enclosed atrium offering afternoon teas, live music and other events year-round.
UNICO 18˚77˚ Montego Bay has opened for reservations, with stays beginning next March. The Jamaican adults-only all-inclusive will offer 451 rooms and suites, several drinking and dining venues, a spa and more.
Another all-inclusive, the Royalton Vessence Cancun, has also opened for reservations. Travelers can book stays beginning March 1, 2027, with 376 suites, new Multi Bed suite categories, several dining and drinking concepts, and more.
Bookings have also opened for the Amàre Cancún Adults Only All-Inclusive Resort, a Curio Collection by Hilton property, which will begin welcoming guests at the end of October, 2026. With over 400 beachfront suites, the property will offer all the beloved all-inclusive mainstays and will be the first Amàre resort in the Caribbean.
Marriott International has entered into a partnership with The Reef Resorts & Spa in Playa del Carmen to convert three of its resorts into Tribute Portfolio Hotels properties. The Reef Playacar Beachfront Resort & Spa, The Reef 28 Adults-Only Luxury Hotel & Spa and The Reef Coco Beachfront Resort & Spa will all be converted into Tribute Portfolio properties in 2027.
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