5-Star Weekly Briefing

This week's 5-Star Hotel Briefing highlights significant expansion and investment within the global hospitality sector, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. New luxury hotels and resorts are being developed by major brands like Kerzner International, Mandarin Oriental, and Hyatt, with a focus on emerging markets and niche segments such as hot spring ryokans. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions are also driving growth, as seen with Hilton and YTL Hotels expanding their collaboration in Thailand and Japan, and Accor rebranding several Australian properties. Furthermore, the briefing touches upon evolving industry trends, including a growing demand for student accommodation in Australia and the increasing integration of smart technology in hotel rooms, alongside insights into hotel performance in key Australian cities and the rising importance of digital tipping for hotel staff.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector. This week’s briefing is brought to you by VTech—the global leader in hospitality telecommunications, providing elegant, antibacterial guest room phones designed for the modern hotel environmentFrom major hotel openings and brand expansions to acquisitions, technology shifts, and standout market performance, the hospitality sector is heading into 2026 with strong momentum. Recent highlights include Ardour Hotels & Estates, MGallery Collection, Avani Hotels & Resorts, and Radisson Hotel Group expanding their footprints across Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific, while IHG Hotels & Resorts advances its tech strategy with Oracle OPERA Cloud.At the same time, strong market results reported by CoStar and long-term growth signals from global brands like Four Seasons. Combined with accelerating AI adoption and key leadership movements across Accor, Hilton, Mulpha International, and Alloggio Group, the industry continues to evolve with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.This week’s hospitality landscape highlights continued brand expansion, active investment and a growing focus on experience-led and data-driven operations. Major developments include Hotel Heron joining Curio Collection by Hilton, Radisson Individuals entering Melbourne with Canterbury International Hotel, and the relaunch of Emirates Wolgan Valley as a Ritz-Carlton Lodge. Investment momentum remains strong, with Gaw Capital advancing a boutique hotel project in Queenstown and ongoing acquisition activity in key Australian leisure and urban markets.From a market perspective, lifestyle brands such as Caption by Hyatt are gaining traction by blending local culture, flexible design and technology-enabled stays, while Marriott’s recognition as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies reinforces the importance of people, culture and long-term brand trust. Leadership movements across Asia-Pacific reflect ongoing competition for talent, and tech discussions continue to centre on AI and data unification as the next phase of smarter growth—shifting hotels from reactive decision-making to predictive, guest-centric strategies.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.This industry report provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving hospitality landscape through 2026, highlighting a significant pivot toward luxury wellness and holistic guest experiences. Major global players like Minor Hotels and IHG are aggressively expanding their footprints, particularly across Australia and Greater China, with a focus on high-end developments and strategic acquisitions. The market is witnessing a shift in service philosophy, as brands like Accor move to integrate longgevity-focused wellness into everyday stays rather than treating it as a niche luxury. Investment activity remains robust in premium regional markets, evidenced by significant property deals in Queensland and New Zealand. Furthermore, the briefing examines how artificial intelligence is revolutionising the sector by transforming hotel websites into interactive digital endpoints and altering the competitive dynamics of online distribution. These updates are punctuated by several high-level executive appointments, signalling a period of refreshed leadership across the industry's most prominent organisations.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.Hospitality across Asia-Pacific and Australia has started 2026 with strong momentum, led by premium openings and renewed investment confidence. TFE Hotels opened the $150 million Hannah St Hotel in Melbourne, Crystalbrook Collection advanced its first South Australian property in Adelaide, Ascott expanded its lyf brand locally, Frasers Hospitality launched a Luxury Collection hotel in Singapore, and Wyndham continued its growth across Malaysia.Confidence is further reflected in Blackstone’s planned $1.2 billion acquisition of Hamilton Island and Sydney’s record December performance, driven by major events and international travel. As occupancy remains high across Australia and New Zealand, the focus is shifting toward higher guest spend, evolving expectations around wellness and pet-first travel, and more deliberate use of AI to lift efficiency without compromising service.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.In Australia, Crowne Plaza Geelong has officially opened its 200-room hotel connected to the convention centre, boosting regional business travel, while TFE Hotels confirmed Adina Apartment Hotel Chermside will open in February 2026 as the largest hotel in Brisbane’s northern corridor. Sydney is preparing for the arrival of Waldorf Astoria Sydney in late 2026, marking Hilton’s first Waldorf Astoria in Australia, while the historic Ardour Milton Park is nearing completion of its luxury transformation.Across Asia, Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the global debut of Unscripted by Hyatt, with Wink Hotels joining the brand through a partnership with Indochina Kajima, expanding Hyatt’s Vietnam presence to ten hotels and more than 2,000 rooms. Meanwhile, IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its largest new-build project in Japan — an 817-room, triple-branded development near Universal Studios Japan combining InterContinental, Kimpton, and Holiday Inn Resort, opening in 2029.Investment activity remains strong, led by Taiwan-backed Forest Endeavour, which acquired Novotel Surfers Paradise and Paradise Centre for AUD 370 million, while Quest Ipswich has changed hands following a recent refurbishment. Market trends point to a “supercharged” 2026, driven by foreign capital, rising construction costs, and a shift toward refurbishing existing assets. Brisbane leads the country in RevPAR growth, and Park Hyatt Sydney has earned a place on Condé Nast’s Gold List 2026.Finally, on the tech front, hotels are being reminded that traditional SEO is no longer enough — visibility in AI-driven search now depends on clear, current, and authoritative content optimised for Generative Engine Optimisation.

The pace of change across hospitality continues to accelerate. Major openings and refurbishments are reshaping key markets, from Pan Pacific’s PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Manila Bay, opening in 2027, to the launch of InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach — Australia’s only true luxury beachfront hotel. Melbourne remains a standout, with new arrivals including Hannah St Hotel in Southbank, lyf’s upcoming Elizabeth Street opening, and the refreshed Sebel Melbourne Flinders Lane, all signalling strong confidence in boutique, lifestyle and serviced accommodation.Investment momentum is equally strong. Global groups including Radisson, The Lux Collective and Singapore Land Group are backing eco-conscious resorts, mixed-use precincts and year-round destinations across Asia Pacific. Strategic acquisitions in Singapore, New Zealand and Japan highlight a long-term view on hospitality-led developments, while rebrands such as Amora Riverwalk Melbourne’s move to a contemporary 4.5-star positioning show operators refining their brand strategies to meet evolving guest expectations.Beyond bricks and mortar, leadership moves, technology and community impact are shaping the industry’s future. Senior appointments across Hyatt, IHG, EVT and Millennium Hotels reinforce a focus on growth and operational excellence. At the same time, AI-driven search is changing how travellers discover hotels, pushing operators to think beyond traditional SEO. And moments like Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour’s charity abseil remind us that hospitality’s true value lies in creating meaningful experiences — for guests and communities alike.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector. Spotlighting major moves from Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and more.We explore new openings and transformations across the region, including Accor’s expanding lifestyle portfolio, Hyatt’s dramatic 19-month restoration of Park Hyatt Tokyo, IHG’s upcoming Vaagali Maldives – Vignette Collection, and Choice Hotels’ latest Ascend Collection addition with Gladius Parramatta. We also look at Wyndham’s global rollout of Canary Technologies’ AI Voice, along with other tech shifts redefining operations and guest experience.On the development front, we highlight significant milestones such as the approved Crowne Plaza Maroochydore, Reflections Holidays’ investment in regional NSW, and Intrepid Travel’s acquisition of Wild Bush Luxury lodges — expanding premium eco-tourism for Australia.We unpack key industry trends, including AI-driven transformation of PMS systems, 2026 hospitality predictions from Cayuga Hospitality Consultants, and new traveller behaviour revealed in Global Rescue’s survey, showing rapidly rising AI adoption among international travellers.From luxury resorts and wellness innovations to tech disruption and shifting demand patterns, this episode delivers a concise, high-value roundup of the stories influencing hospitality’s next chapter — and the brands leading the way.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.With EVT, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Hilton, Accor, and Pontiac Land Group unveiling significant new openings and developments. Standout launches include Elysium Noosa Resort, Legacy Mekong Autograph Collection, Metropole Bangkok (Tribute Portfolio), and the creation of The Lands by Capella in Sydney. On the investment front, Trilogy Hotels expanded into Melbourne with the new Ibis Styles Southbank. Industry trends were shaped by insights from The Leading Hotels of the World, revealing shifts in luxury leadership, while Skyscanner’s 2026 report shows Gen Z driving travel demand with tech-first behaviours. In tech news, housekeeping robots and Langham Hospitality Group’s new AI Toolkit signal rapid innovation in hotel operations. Plus, leadership moves at EVT Connect Hospitality and QT Hotels underscore the sector’s ongoing talent momentum.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.Get ready for a powerhouse episode as we unpack the biggest hotel and hospitality headlines of the week — from major openings and brand expansions to bold investments, industry trends and standout leadership moves across the region. We’re diving into the landmark launch of Cabravale Club Resort and the 140-room Novotel Sydney Cabramatta, the upcoming Crowne Plaza Geelong opening backed by Plenary Group, and the debut of Avani Living Queen’s Wharf Residences in Brisbane as Minor Hotels accelerates global expansion. We also explore the rise of hybrid hospitality with the official launch of Drifter Byron Bay, plus groundbreaking investments including Trump International Hotel Maldives, developed by Dar Global and The Trump Organization, along with a major cross-border partnership between Centara Hotels & Resorts and NUO International.On the trends front, we look at Darwin Airport Resorts’ award-winning “airport resort” concept and the refreshed design experience at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa. We celebrate big wins from the HM Awards, including the Adelaide Marriott, while also spotlighting Hilton being named the #1 World’s Best Workplace™ and #1 Best Workplace in Australia™ for 2025.We’ll also highlight the industry’s rising stars and leadership movements — including new appointments across Millennium Hotels & Resorts NZ, Urban Rest, Marriott International, and the full senior team now appointed for Radisson RED Auckland.If you want to stay ahead of what’s shaping hotel investment, operations, design, people, and brand strategy across APAC and beyond — this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.Highlights include the renewal of Grand Hotel & Casino Vanuatu, the launch of Western Sydney’s new Cabravale Club Resort, and the debut of InterContinental Halong Bay Resort by IHG Hotels & Resorts. We also touch on Accor’s strong year-end push with seven new hotel openings and Mandala Hotels & Resorts expanding with Mantra Hobart Airport.On the acquisitions front, TGE moves to acquire The Ritz-Carlton Perth, La Vie Hotels & Resorts takes on Lindeman Island, and Panache Hotel Group enters the Sydney market with The Sebel Chatswood.We also cover key industry themes — including sustainability leadership from Small Luxury Hotels of the World, award wins for Pan Pacific Perth and Ayers Rock Resort, and Japan’s record-breaking inbound tourism spend.A quick, insightful roundup of what’s happening across global hospitality right now.

This week’s 5 Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.We cover a wave of hotel openings, brand expansions, and investment momentum across the Asia Pacific. Marriott ends its Sonder partnership, unveils City Express by Marriott’s Japan debut, and progresses new signings from Lake Akan to the Gold Coast. Accor’s Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge adds luxury villas, while Choice Hotels advances major redevelopment in Geelong. Singapore sees strong activity with Aravest’s acquisition of Hotel Miramar ahead of its DoubleTree by Hilton transformation. Investor confidence remains high, with Hong Kong’s hotel transactions surging 106% year-on-year and APAC’s development pipeline hitting record levels. Fresh leadership moves at TFE Hotels, Hilton and EVT signal continued investment in talent. In tech, the latest research shows hotels shifting decisively toward Best-in-Class systems and preparing for “agentic search” — reshaping how guests find, compare, and book stays.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.We round up the biggest hospitality headlines across the Asia–Pacific region. Radisson Hotel Group debuts its first Park Inn by Radisson in Australia, while Accor expands its New Zealand footprint with TRIBE and JO&JOE Auckland. Adina Barrack Plaza Perth completes a $4 million upgrade, and Brisbane’s historic Breakfast Creek Hotel begins a $2.75 million transformation. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts partners with Ovolo Hotels to scale its boutique portfolio and rebrands Singapore’s Value Hotel Thomson as Days Inn by Wyndham Singapore Novena.Hilton strengthens its Southeast Asia pipeline with 17 new signings and prepares for the launch of DoubleTree by Hilton Singapore Robertson Quay, while JW Marriott opens in Tokyo and IHG Hotels & Resorts announces Hotel Indigo Bali Ubud. Major deals include YTL Hotels’ NZD 160 million acquisition of Hotel Indigo Auckland, Cross Hotels & Resorts joining South Korea’s Sono International, and InterContinental Singapore rebranding under Marriott International’s Luxury Collection   NRMA Parks and Resorts adds four Central Coast holiday parks, while MGM Resorts, Marriott International, and Sydney’s hotel sector all report strong performance. Finally, a new Enseo report underscores how reliable, personalised technology—like fast WiFi, smart controls, and casting-enabled TVs—has become key to guest loyalty and operational success.

In this week's 5 Star Weekly Briefing multiple major hotel chains, including IHG, Hyatt, TFE Hotels, and Accor, are highlighted for aggressive expansion, particularly across Australia and Asia-Pacific, with numerous new property openings scheduled between late 2025 and 2029. Financial data for IHG and Accor confirms steady global growth, strong pipeline expansion, and rising profitability driven by luxury and lifestyle brands. Furthermore, the text details significant real estate transactions in Asia-Pacific and notes that major sporting events in Australia contributed a $75 million boost to hotel revenues. And of course congratulations to the industry professionals commencing new roles across Australia and New Zealand.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector. Swire Hotels unveils its new global brand, Upper House, uniting its award-winning properties in Hong Kong, Chengdu, and Shanghai with new openings in Shenzhen, Xi’an, Tokyo, and Bangkok — plus the debut of Upper House Residences Bangkok in 2030. COMO Hotels and Resorts celebrates the reopening of COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, while Sofitel Noosa transforms into Elysium Noosa Resort, managed by Accor’s MGallery Collection. New developments include Punthill Albury Apartment Hotel and InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, expanding the region’s premium and MICE offerings. Meanwhile, Hilton partners with Sun Group on five new Vietnamese hotels, Taveuni Palms Resort Fiji takes home top luxury awards, and both Hilton and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts launch fresh collection brands targeting new segments. We also unpack industry trends — from the rise of the “bleisure” traveller to Japan’s booming hotel market and Australia’s $1.3-trillion sports tourism opportunity — alongside new leadership moves across Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, TFE Hotels, Mondrian Gold Coast, and The Ritz-Carlton.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.Highlights include RACV’s $27 million expansion in the Yarra Valley, Hyatt’s Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney debut, and IHG’s voco Gosford opening this December. Accor continues its growth with The Brighton Hotel Sydney – MGallery Collection and TRIBE Auckland Fort Street, while EVT begins work on the cinematic-inspired Florin Hotel in Sydney. In sustainability, Rumi on Louth expands its off-grid island retreat, and Cordelia’s The Brooklet redefines luxury wellness in Byron Bay. Choice Hotels introduces MainStay Suites to Australia’s extended-stay market, ATEC prepares for its Perth Meeting Place event, and the “bleisure” travel trend continues to reshape tourism. Internationally, Dusit Thani Bangkok earns a Michelin Key, and Baillie Lodges secures a spot in The World’s 50 Best Hotels extended list—cementing the Asia-Pacific’s growing influence in global hospitality.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.From the grand opening of The Laurus, a Luxury Collection Resort at Resorts World Sentosa by Marriott International, redefining sustainable luxury in Singapore, to Hilton celebrating its 9,000th hotel and accelerating expansion across APAC, India, and the Middle East. Hyatt Hotels Corporation brings its vibrant Caption by Hyatt brand to Tokyo, while Pan Pacific Hotels Group strengthens its Southeast Asia footprint with PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Hanoi. In Australia, COMO Hotels and Resorts announces a new St Kilda Road landmark, Accor achieves record occupancies during the NRL Grand Final, and Adina Hotels and ALH Hotels unveil bold new directions with design-led transformations and brand reinventions. Plus, discover how AI is quietly reshaping hotel operations, unlocking smarter automation, seamless guest journeys, and new levels of personalisation.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.The Asia-Pacific hospitality sector is buzzing with activity. Hilton’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio now exceeds 160 hotels, with openings in Hong Kong, Osaka, and Qingdao and major projects in Shanghai, Bangkok, and Bali. Trilogy Hotels has commenced management of Mercure Penrith in Western Sydney’s sports and entertainment precinct. Sydney welcomes its first MGallery property with The Brighton Hotel, while Darwin Airport Resorts undergoes a $41M transformation linking Novotel, Mercure, and ibis with new villas, suites, and a Californian-style Poolhouse Bar & Kitchen. Travel + Leisure Co. adds Hotel Bellinzona to Club Wyndham South Pacific, Radisson signs Atiara Ubud Bali, and Aman announces its fourth Singapore urban resort. Across the region, leaders at IHG, Mandarin Oriental, Hyatt, Soneva, and Pan Pacific are driving innovation and guest-centric growth in line with rising demand for luxury, lifestyle, and immersive hotel experiences.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.Investment volumes have reached USD 12.1 billion year-to-date, supported by strong travel fundamentals, including a forecasted 9% rise in air travel for 2025. Investors are focusing on value-add assets in markets such as Japan, Korea, Australia, and Singapore, with ADR growth continuing to outpace inflation. Global Asset Solutions is expanding its regional portfolio, now managing a high-profile collection of luxury Marriott and Hyatt properties across the Maldives, Phuket, and Melbourne.Luxury expansion and urban development projects are moving forward at pace. IHG will grow its luxury footprint with the Regent Karuizawa onsen resort in Japan, opening in 2028, while the Park Hyatt Tokyo reopens this December following a major renovation. Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island has completed a three-month refurbishment, and large-scale projects in Australia include the $75 million Novotel Geelong expansion, a $180 million 5-star tourism precinct in North Lakes, and the redevelopment of Melbourne’s Waterside Hotel into a seven-level landmark. New models are also reshaping the landscape, from the launch of Drifter’s hotel-hostel hybrid in Australia to the rise of branded residences and hotel conversions into student housing and co-living.On the operational front, hoteliers are prioritising efficiency gains through targeted AI initiatives like predictive maintenance and automated housekeeping, which often deliver returns within two years. Meanwhile, the Northern Territory will form Tourism and Events NT in 2026 to better integrate events with tourism, and Choice Hotels Asia-Pacific has partnered with the NBL and NBL1, boosting its visibility and offering exclusive rates across Australia and New Zealand.

This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.Hear about exciting new hotel openings, including IHG’s first dual-branded property in Melbourne, Hyatt’s first Caption by Hyatt in Sydney, and Hilton’s continued growth in luxury and lifestyle hotels across Asia.We also cover major acquisitions and investments, including Seibu Prince Hotels’ US$90 million acquisition of Ace Group International, creating a global portfolio of 94 hotels while preserving Ace’s creative identity.The episode dives into industry trends and market highlights, from award-winning campaigns at PARKROYAL Parramatta to New Zealand hotels achieving occupancy growth and sustainability recognition. We also examine hotel investment activity in Thailand and broader Asia Pacific, and reflect on Accor’s Olympic legacy in Sydney.Finally, we showcase people and tech in motion: key executive appointments across global hotel groups, innovations unveiled at NoVacancy Sydney 2025, and case studies like Kimpton Main Frankfurt’s implementation of SABA Hospitality’s Digital Compendium and Mobile Ordering, which have boosted operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and staff productivity.