SRI LANKA—Aarunya Nature Resort, the award-winning boutique retreat, nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, an Aahaasa Collection flagship, recently named to TIME World’s Greatest Places 2026, proudly announces the official launch of its Nature Pavilion, a purpose-driven hub dedicated to ecological research, conservation, and immersive guest education. This milestone reinforces Aarunya’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and positions the property at the forefront of regenerative tourism in South Asia. Set within Aarunya’s lush, biodiversity-rich landscape overlooking the UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountain Range and Conservation Forest, the Nature Pavilion has been thoughtfully conceived as a research facility, tea and spice production center, and an interpretive space....

NILES, ILL.—The Mitchell Group, a major converter of coated fabrics to upholstery markets around the world, introduces Bouclé, the latest addition to its Ez-Kleen collection. The new pattern brings the rich, dimensional character of traditional bouclé weave to a high-performance vinyl surface, delivering warmth, texture, and visual depth without sacrificing the durability and cleanability that commercial environments demand. Bouclé features a sophisticated surface texture inspired by the irregular, loop-like formations that define classic bouclé fabric. The pattern’s organic variation creates a layered, dimensional appearance that evokes the richness of traditional woven textiles, while a refined coating subtly streamlines the finish for modern commercial...

As posted on Green Lodging News, more than 10,000 hospitality design professionals are expected to convene at HD Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on May 5 to 7. I have attended HD Expo many times and one of the highlights is always the impressive lineup of speakers focused on wellness and sustainability. This year the lineup is just as impressive: Tuesday, May 5 Wellness by Design: Seamless Technology Experiences from Hotel to Home Speakers: Kaylee Barnett, RH Glenn Nowak, UNLV - University of Nevada, Las Vegas Sherrie Tennessee, Virginia State University/SpaSOS Alissa Ponchione, Hospitality Design Micro-Gathering: Driving Purpose-Driven Transparency & Empathy in Design Culture Speaker: David Shove-Brown, AIA, NCARB is Partner at...

LAS VEGAS—More than 10,000 hospitality design professionals are expected to convene at HD Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on May 5 to 7, bringing together designers, architects, owners, operators, and manufacturers for three days of product discovery, education, and meaningful industry dialogue. This year’s program builds on what attendees and exhibitors value most, with enhancements shaped directly by community feedback: industry-guided education, peer-driven learning formats, expanded hosted buyer participation, and easier ways for attendees to navigate the show floor. Designed Spaces Bring Product to Life Returning this year, HD Expo’s Designed Spaces are imagined by Gensler and Harken Interiors. The Grand Hotel, by Gensler, is...

FLORENCE, ITALY—Award-winning hospitality brand The Usual is set to open its first hotel in Florence in Q1 2027. Renowned for blending ESG values with bold design, creativity, and lifestyle, this will be the brand’s third European property, and their first step outside of Benelux. True to its vision, The Usual is once again selecting a location with character, history, and a creative future. This 3,400 m² property is situated in a 19th-century UNESCO World Heritage listed building on Via Nazionale, in the beating heart of Florence. Within walking distance of the train station and adjacent to many of Florence’s iconic...

DALTON, GA.—Mohawk Group announces the addition of Hero Flooring, a global brand specializing in high-performance resilient flooring solutions. “Hero Flooring is a natural and powerful fit for Mohawk Group,” said Mike Gallman, President of Mohawk Group. “Their strong commitment to quality and environmental stewardship aligns perfectly with our Believe in Better ethos, and this innovative product offering, including the popular Hero Rubber made with Nike Grind, significantly strengthens our position in high-performance resilient flooring. Hero is the authorized licensee of flooring products made with Nike Grind rubber, which comes from manufacturing scrap and end-of-life footwear. We look forward to bringing these...

SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett, a world leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, released its 2025 Sustainability Statement, audited by independent third parties and published in full compliance with the EU CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) legislation. “The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly visible,” said Fabrice Barthélemy, CEO of Tarkett. “The urgency to act is clear. Over the past six years, we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions across our entire value chain by 27 percent and doubled the average proportion of recycled materials used in our products, rising from 10 percent in 2018 to 20 percent in 2025. This is not enough. We are...

WASHINGTON, IOWA—BRAVA Roof Tile, the United States’ leading manufacturer of authentic, high-performance synthetic roofing, announces the launch of two new tile colors, Beechwood and Sandstone, expanding its portfolio of color options across its synthetic Slate, Cedar Shake, and Spanish Barrel collections. Inspired by neutral tones found in nature, the additions offer expanded design versatility for residential and commercial exteriors. Beechwood is available in BRAVA’s Cedar Shake profile, blending earthy hues to create a rich, rustic look that complements both classic and contemporary buildings. Drawing inspiration from naturally weathered wood, the color features warm, smoky brown tones layered with soft charcoal...

SAN FRANCISCO—GreenRow, a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced the launch of a new hospitality partnership with The Inn at Serenbe, the award-winning wellness community located outside of Atlanta. Set on 2,000 acres, with 70 percent preserved green space, the Inn at Serenbe provides visitors access to a destination known for its connection to nature, including forest trails, a 25-acre organic farm, and critically acclaimed farm-to-table dining. The new GreenRow Lake House at Serenbe reimagines the resort’s signature four-bedroom lakefront cottage to provide guests with an immersive experience of the sustainable...

DUBLIN, IRELAND—The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program announces that Mohawk’s SmartStrand portfolio with Pur-Ease technology earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification as the first treated carpet product to meet the program’s requirements under its enhanced textile flooring standard. The evaluation framework is designed to assess defined, measurable performance endpoints for products making specific allergen-related technology claims under controlled laboratory conditions. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program, a collaborative initiative between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), helps consumers identify products that contribute to a healthier indoor environment. Products undergo rigorous independent testing to meet scientific standards...