MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announced that reservations are now being accepted for 1 Hotel Melbourne, a landmark waterfront property set to debut in June 2025. This marks 1 Hotels’ highly anticipated entrance into the Australian market, bringing an award-winning blend of sustainable luxury and nature-inspired design to the heart of Melbourne, in collaboration with developer Riverlee. The centerpiece of this building is the heritage listed Goods Shed No. 5, the last of the unrenovated goods sheds in what was once Melbourne’s busiest port. The property will redefine luxury hospitality in the region...

PARIS—Accor, Booking.com and the University of Surrey have co-authored a comprehensive report on encouraging travelers to adopt more sustainable behaviors. The study’s findings are based on analyzing 24 traveler interviews, a journey analysis of 22 additional travelers, and rigorous lab-based behavioral research with 67 participants. Most modern travelers (83 percent) consider sustainable travel crucial, with 67 percent feeling motivated to embrace more responsible practices when they see them implemented. Accor and Booking.com partnered with the University of Surrey to address this demand, applying academic meticulousness to an innovative research protocol. This protocol used advanced technologies like eye tracking, galvanic skin...

PHOENIX, ARIZ.—BWH Hotels, the global hospitality enterprise encompassing WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, successfully hosted its first-ever Pan European Convention in Palma de Mallorca. With “Unique and United” as the inaugural theme, this landmark event brought together 1,200 hoteliers from across the globe to engage in industry-leading discussions and foster international collaboration, reinforcing BWH Hotels’ commitment to global growth and partnership. “At BWH Hotels, our mission is to inspire travel through unique experiences. As a global hospitality leader, we are dedicated to delivering best-in-class experiences for our guests, hoteliers, and associates,” said Larry Cuculic, President and...

LOS ANGELES—In celebration of Earth Day, recognized globally by over a billion people in 192 countries, Kind Traveler is proud to announce the expansion of its Every Stay Gives Back (ESGB) Program with 20 new hotels and 16 new charity partnerships representing 16 new destinations worldwide. This milestone strengthens Kind Traveler’s mission to transform travel into a force for kindness, creating measurable, positive impact in local communities and ecosystems while inspiring travelers to make every trip count. With newly onboarded partners in Patagonia, Chile; Maui, Hawaii; Palermo, Italy; Victoria, Canada; Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.; Cannonville, Utah; and nine additional destinations across California in partnership with...

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—In recognition of 2024 record-breaking results at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and in appreciation for the team members who made it possible, the leading Boardwalk entertainment casino resort awarded $10 million in bonuses to both union and non-union team members. Team members attending the Hard Rock Atlantic City Town Hall gatherings heard news they are sharing substantial bonuses, as they have for each of the past six years. In addition to the bonuses, many team members won a share of $100,000 in cash and prizes at Town Hall events. Addressing thousands of Hard Rock Atlantic City team members in two Town Hall sessions, Hard Rock...

BURLINGTON, VERMONT—A new study published in Science reveals a startling 22 percent decline in butterfly populations across the United States over the past two decades, with Monarch butterflies (Danaus Plexippus) suffering particularly severe losses. The latest Western Monarch Count recorded just 9,119 butterflies—a staggering 96 percent drop from last year’s 233,394. Adding to the urgency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act due to dramatic population declines. Scientists warn that habitat destruction, climate change, and pesticide use are driving the crisis, but gardeners and community members can take immediate action...

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND—Treehouse Hotels—the nostalgia-fueled, free-spirited hospitality brand created by Barry Sternlicht, Founder and Chairman of Starwood Hotels—announced that Treehouse Hotel Manchester opened its doors on March 19. The second U.K. outpost of the Treehouse Hotels brand is a fresh addition to Manchester’s hospitality scene, designed to spark curiosity and joy at every turn and bring people together in unexpected ways. And the adventure doesn’t stop there. Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley—the brand’s first U.S. location—recently opened, bringing the total number of Treehouse properties from one to three. Treehouse Hotel Manchester Is Now Open Located in the heart of the city on the corner of Blackfriars Street...

KANSAS CITY, MO.—Despite financial pressures and shifting travel landscapes, Americans are traveling more in 2025 than they have in the past five years, according to the latest edition of Portrait of American Travelers by MMGY. The study, which surveyed over 4,500 active leisure travelers, uncovers key trends shaping U.S. travel, from a strong desire for meaningful experiences to the rising role of AI and sustainability in trip planning. “Travel is no longer just a luxury—it’s an essential part of Americans’ lives, serving as a key investment in well-being, connection and personal fulfillment,” said Simon Moriarty, MMGY Travel Intelligence VP of Syndicated Research. “Despite...

PENINSULA PAPAGAYO, COSTA RICA—Nestled within one of the world’s most biodiverse destinations, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has officially opened its doors, offering discerning travelers a secluded, ultra-luxury retreat amidst the unspoiled natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo. Named after the Chorotega word for “lush garden,” Nekajui marks a monumental milestone as the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America and the eighth addition to the brand’s exclusive portfolio. Located on Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre canvas of dry tropical forest atop coastal cliffs, Nekajui’s collection of 107 thoughtfully designed ocean-facing rooms, suites, and three luxury treetop tents seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living while celebrating Costa...

NATIONAL REPORT—Packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs), properly maintained, are a reliable source for heating and cooling hotel guestrooms and other small spaces for up to seven to 10 years. Not properly maintained, and especially in higher-humidity environments, PTACs have a shorter life and can keep hoteliers—and guests—up at night and be the reason for negative reviews and lost room revenue. It is at the “end of their life” that PTACS truly become problematic. Do you send a PTAC to a landfill? Nathan Faircloth, Director/Business Development & Vendor Management, RoomOne Solutions, says the landfill option is not a good one for...