All articles tagged with #luxury hotels
The White Lotus Season 4 will be filmed at Airelles Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez, France, marking a departure from the previous seasons' filming at Four Seasons properties, with filming scheduled between April and October 2026.
North Korea has opened five luxury hotels in Samjiyon near Mount Paektu, primarily promoting domestic tourism despite previous plans to attract foreign visitors, with recent upgrades to infrastructure and a focus on serving the wealthy elite, while still hinting at future foreign tourism prospects, especially from China.
Despite a general decline in travel among Americans, bookings for luxury hotels are increasing significantly, with travelers spending more per night than before the pandemic, indicating a shift towards high-end travel experiences.
In 2025, six Dallas-Fort Worth hotels received Michelin Keys, with Bowie House in Fort Worth earning two Keys, indicating an exceptional stay. Other local hotels like Hotel Swexan, Hotel ZaZa, and Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek received one Key each, maintaining their high standards from the previous year. The Michelin Keys list highlights top hotels across Texas, emphasizing consistency and quality in the hospitality industry.
Retired investment banker Howie Rubin was arrested and charged with sex trafficking women for BDSM activities in luxury hotels and a Manhattan apartment, with allegations of violence, coercion, and exploitation spanning from 2009 to 2019. His former assistant Jennifer Powers was also charged, and Rubin pleaded not guilty, facing detention due to flight risk and danger to the community.
Reddit users reveal shocking behind-the-scenes secrets of luxury hotels, including unethical practices, criminal activities, and management cover-ups, highlighting the often hidden and controversial aspects of the hospitality industry.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is updating its benefits to include up to $500 in annual hotel credits for bookings through The Edit by Chase Travel, which offers luxury hotel perks and potential savings, though the value depends on the hotel and booking details. The benefit is aimed at promoting luxury travel bookings and is available to both new and existing cardholders, with some nuances in how credits are applied and used.
As travelers look to cut vacation costs, resort day passes are becoming a popular option, offering access to luxury hotel amenities without the expense of an overnight stay. This trend is driven by budget-conscious consumers and supported by hotels and third-party platforms like ResortPass, which provide day-pass access to high-end facilities.
Hilton has secured an exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a network of 560 independent luxury hotels, dealing a blow to Hyatt, which previously held the partnership. This move enhances Hilton's luxury network and allows Hilton Honors members to book stays at participating SLH properties and earn and redeem points. Meanwhile, Hyatt plans to leverage the Mr & Mrs Smith booking platform to provide options for World of Hyatt members in the luxury hotel space. Hilton's push into the luxury and lifestyle sector includes considerations for acquiring Graduate Hotels and NoMad Hotels, indicating a strategic focus on expanding its presence in the luxury hotel market.
A new wave of ultra-luxury hotels is challenging the long-standing reputation of London's iconic hotels. The Peninsula London, the Old War Office (OWO), the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, and the BoTree are among the new contenders. However, the established hotels like The Dorchester, Claridge's, Brown's, and Four Seasons are not backing down, undergoing renovations and introducing new features to stay ahead. Additionally, sustainability is becoming a key focus, with the launch of London's first sustainable luxury hotel, 1 Hotel Mayfair, which repurposed 80% of the existing structure and incorporates eco-friendly features throughout.
Judge Jeanine Pirro explores the Ocean House Hotel in Rhode Island, which is known for its luxurious amenities and stunning coastal location. The hotel offers five-star fine dining, a world-class spa, and even provides guests with a complimentary Mercedes-Benz to drive during their stay. With its AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star ratings, the Ocean House is considered one of the most prestigious hotels in Rhode Island. Guests can enjoy picturesque views, a variety of dining options, and locally sourced ingredients for a truly indulgent experience.
FEMA officials responding to the devastating wildfires in Maui have been criticized for staying at luxury hotels costing $1,000 per night, while thousands of displaced residents are living in shelters. The officials are staying at four different resorts in Wailea, including the Fairmont Kea Lani, Four Seasons, Grand Wailea, and Marriott Wailea Beach Resort. The choice of accommodation has raised eyebrows as there are cheaper options closer to the disaster zone. Locals have also expressed anger over the slow response and alleged blocking of volunteers delivering aid.
Marriott International reported a $726 million profit for the second quarter, driven by revived travel demand in China and the recovery of business and group travel in the US and Canada. While leisure travel to Europe and Asia has surged, the leisure business in Canada and the US remained unchanged. Luxury hotel performance in the US and Canada was down 1.4%, but this is attributed to the limited options for travel a year ago. Marriott does not plan to discount room rates as demand for business and international travel continues to recover. The company is also considering launching a midscale brand in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. A major technology overhaul is also in the works, including new reservations and loyalty platforms.
Hyatt is acquiring Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a booking platform and collection of over 1500 independent luxury and boutique hotels, which roughly doubles Hyatt's footprint with high-end properties around the world. The deal is expected to close this quarter, and while it's not yet clear what earning, redemption, elite status accrual, or on-property benefits will look like, this is a huge coup for Hyatt as a booking platform.
Hyatt is set to acquire London-based travel booking platform Mr. & Mrs. Smith for £53m ($66m), comprising over 1,500 boutique and luxury hotels and villas worldwide. The deal will see Hyatt expand its reach into the luxury and lifestyle hotel segment, particularly in countries where there are currently no Hyatt-branded hotels in operation. The acquisition comes at the expense of IHG Hotels & Resorts, which currently has a partnership with Mr. & Mrs. Smith.