It has been more than 10 years now since the first 1 Hotels property opened in Miami Beach. Today there are 15 1 Hotels properties open—10 in North America, two in Europe, and three in Asia Pacific. Four more of the luxury lifestyle hotels are on the way—in the U.S., Mexico, France and Greece. This past week I posted news about the new 1 Hotel Copenhagen. The opening of a new 1 Hotel always catches my attention. 1 Hotels are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels, which is a sustainable hotel management company led by Barry Sternlicht and an affiliate of Starwood...

LAS VEGAS—Coverings, the largest and preeminent event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry in North America, has announced that Coverings 2026 will take place March 30 to April 2, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The announcement also marks the official opening of submissions for the 2026 Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards and nominations for the Coverings 2026 Rock Star program. “Las Vegas is a city defined by bold, forward-thinking design and unforgettable experiences,” said Jamie Rich, Coverings’ Managing Director. “It is the ideal backdrop to unite the global tile and stone community, showcase innovative trends...

COPENHAGEN—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the official opening of 1 Hotel Copenhagen, a transformative reimagining of the historic Skt. Petri. Copenhagen is one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities and a beacon of sustainability. So, it makes sense that 1 Hotels—a purpose-driven brand built around sustainable travel—chose the city for its first location in continental Europe. Drawing on Copenhagen’s commitment to climate leadership and eco-conscious living, the hotel pairs Nordic craftsmanship with a deep connection to nature. Guests will find calming interiors shaped by natural materials, living landscapes that shift with the seasons, and a lifestyle...

MIAMI—Starwood Hotels, the hotel brand management company behind 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, announces the appointment of Gonzalo Bustamante as Senior Vice President of Design. With more than two decades of visionary design leadership, Bustamante will spearhead the next chapter of Starwood Hotels’ design legacy. Bustamante’s experience spans both intimate boutique hotels and major global groups, blending personalized sophistication with the expertise to deliver large-scale, iconic destinations. He previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Design and Development at MGM Resorts International where he oversaw multi-billion-dollar projects across multiple continents, including the landmark $10 billion MGM...

NEW YORK—Carnegie Acoustic Solutions, a division of Carnegie that manufactures iconic, sustainable acoustic design elements, announces the first-of-its-kind Xorel Artform Cumulus 3D Cloud, a part of the Mezzo Collection, a new suite of acoustic solutions designed to bring harmony to interior environments. Inspired by musical dynamics, the Mezzo Collection strikes a balance between sound control and aesthetic refinement, enabling designers to create spaces that are both functional and beautifully composed. The Cumulus 3D Cloud is a next-generation acoustic ceiling solution that unites sculptural elegance with sustainable performance. Measuring 55" wide, 20" high, and 4.33" deep, each cloud is topped with Kirei PET—made from at least...

WAUSAU, WIS.—Kolbe Windows & Doors officially launched its latest performance glass solutions, integrating vacuum insulating glass (VIG) options from LuxWall, Inc. into selected window and door products. This milestone reinforces Kolbe’s commitment to delivering high-performance, energy-efficient solutions to the market. “Innovative and adaptable solutions like the VIG from LuxWall reflect Kolbe’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and design,” said Jeff De Lonay, President of Kolbe Windows & Doors. “Our partnership with LuxWall empowers architects and builders to meet energy goals while maintaining aesthetic and functional flexibility.” Unlike standard insulated glass units that use air, argon or krypton, VIG...

NEW ORLEANS—In recognition of its sustainability achievements, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has earned its second Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, making it one of only two convention centers in the country to be certified Gold twice in a row. LEED is a globally recognized building rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, green buildings based on standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality and waste reduction. After earning its first LEED certification in 2022, a big milestone for its sustainability program, the...

NEW YORK—Designtex, a leading designer and manufacturer of applied materials for the built environment, has added a new search feature to its website, designtex.com: Image Search. Informed by a deep understanding of how interior designers work and the rise of the use of digital tools in the material selection process, Designtex now offers a fast, visually driven search experience to explore the company’s catalogue and easily find the perfect match from a vast array of textiles, wallcoverings, and applied materials. Developed in collaboration with Stylib, a tech startup specializing in the creation of digital tools meant to enhance the specification...

NATIONAL REPORT—In today’s lodging industry, guests are more than travelers—they’re savvy consumers with high expectations for cleanliness, convenience, and corporate responsibility. Whether staying at an upscale resort, boutique inn, or eco-friendly hotel, visitors are increasingly judging establishments by the cleanliness and sustainability of frequently used spaces: the public restrooms. Restrooms, which are interspersed throughout lodging venues—including hotel lobbies, restaurants/bars, spas and fitness centers and convention/event centers—represent one of the first guest encounters that hotel patrons experience. It is vital for these high-traffic spaces to be clean and stocked, easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. According to Bradley’s Healthy Handwashing Survey, 84...

HONOLULU—Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort announced that its Tapa Tower has been LEED certified, becoming the first LEED-certified tower within the Park Hotels & Resorts portfolio. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the world’s most widely used green building rating system and a global symbol of excellence. LEED-certified buildings promote sustainability through practices that improve environmental and human health. “We see the achievement of this LEED certification as another way we get to take care of this place we call home,” said Debi Bishop, Managing Director of Hilton Hawaiian...