MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the official opening of 1 Hotel Melbourne. This nature-inspired property marks the brand’s long-anticipated debut in Australia, redefining the future of luxury hospitality in the heart of one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities. Developed in partnership with Melbourne-based Riverlee, the hotel is set along 220 meters of uninterrupted Yarra River frontage in the revitalized North Wharf precinct. The building is a celebration of Melbourne’s storied past and a blueprint for a more sustainable future, brought to life through biophilic design principles and a commitment to living in harmony with nature. The...

PLANTATION, FLA.—Marriott International, Inc. announced a signed agreement with Solana PA, S.R.L. to debut the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts brand in Costa Rica. The development of this project, which will span 20 hectares on the Gulf of Papagayo in the Guanacaste region, is expected to begin in July of this year, with a planned opening in early 2027. “This extraordinary development underscores our continued commitment to expanding our luxury portfolio in key destinations across the Caribbean and Central America,” said Uriel Burak, Marriott International Vice President, Development, Caribbean and Latin America (CALA). “Costa Rica continues to experience growing demand...

NATIONAL REPORT—Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) from allergens, mold, mildew, viruses, bacteria, cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke, vaping, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and more can easily result in a negative experience for your guests, harsh reviews of your property, and unexpected time, labor and dollars spent addressing the source(s) of the problem. Being proactive about IAQ can prevent a lot of headaches—literally—and even result in a higher room rate if you utilize one of the programs available from the companies in lodging that specialize in helping with TRevPAR (Total Revenue Per Available Room). Each company is unique in its approach....

MONTEREY, CALIF.—Portola Hotel & Spa, the first LEED-Certified hotel in Central California, has launched its new Reduced Waste Conference Program, advancing its long-standing commitment to sustainable hospitality. Developed in collaboration with Blue Strike Environmental, a mission-driven sustainability consulting firm, the program offers event organizers a seamless way to reduce the environmental footprint of their gatherings while maintaining an elevated guest experience. Portola Hotel & Spa’s Reduced Waste Conference Program sets a new standard for responsible meetings, encouraging collaboration between the hotel, planners, and attendees to reduce landfill waste, lower carbon emissions, and increase the use of reusable and recyclable resources. From behind-the-scenes...

NATIONAL REPORT—The Morning Sentinel is reporting that a bill advancing in the Maine Legislature—LD 1928—would prohibit most hotels, short-term rentals and other guest accommodations from using single-use plastic amenity bottles (with less than a 6‑ounce capacity) for shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. Locations with 12 or fewer units would be exempt. The bill does not restrict the use of plastic refillable containers for personal health or beauty products. It also does not restrict the use of single-use personal health or beauty product containers, bottles, wrappers or packaging that are not made with plastic. Lodging establishments would have years to...

EGREMONT, MASS.—A new destination in Western Massachusetts has opened: Prospect is a year-round retreat situated on the shores of Prospect Lake, nestled on 30 acres in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains. Originally a picnic ground enjoyed by families in the late 1800s, the setting expanded to a camping ground in the mid-20th-century and is now reimagined as a peaceful landscape hotel. Building on a 150-year tradition of communion with nature and loved ones and re-envisioned by a local design team with deep roots in the community, Prospect will usher in a new era of lakeside recreation and reconnection. Guests at...

NATIONAL REPORT—The phrase alone—human trafficking—is enough to stir outrage, discomfort, or disbelief. What many employers may not realize, however, is that you do not have to be a “trafficker” to be held liable for trafficking. Companies across industries, from hospitality to agriculture to technology, are facing civil lawsuits and criminal investigations related to sex trafficking activities. If you think this can’t happen to your business, think again. Here is what you need to know to protect your organization, and four steps you can take to minimize danger in your workplace. What is Human Trafficking? Public understanding of human trafficking is often...

CHICAGO—The 35th annual Best of NeoCon Awards kicked off NeoCon 2025 this week with a high-energy ceremony at THE MART, spotlighting the most forward-thinking products transforming the future of commercial interiors. A cornerstone of NeoCon since 1990, the iconic program celebrates exceptional solutions spanning workplace, healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality. This year, 96 awards were given to exhibitors for products across more than 40 categories, with honors awarded for Gold, Silver, Innovation, Sustainability, and Business Impact. The program’s top distinction, Best of Competition, was awarded to Halcon for its Astoria collection of conference and mobile communal tables. A multidisciplinary jury of 42 architects,...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—PM Hotel Group has experienced continued strategic growth across its overall portfolio, including its lifestyle and unconventional hospitality division Modus by PM Hotel Group. With a focus on authentic and immersive destinations, the company has significantly expanded its presence in key markets, targeting today’s independent-minded travelers seeking hotel stays that connect people and place. “At PM Hotel Group, we’re not just growing our portfolio—we’re carving out a unique space in the lifestyle segment through our Modus by PM Hotel Group division by developing and operating properties that deliver bold and authentic hospitality experiences,” said Paul Sacco, Chief Growth...

DENVER—Populus Denver, a carbon positive hotel that celebrates and protects the natural world, announces the launch of the Populus Stewardship Grant—an ongoing seasonal initiative that awards 1 percent of revenue to local, environmentally focused people, projects, and organizations personally selected by employees. Designed to give back to the planet while increasing team agency and culture, the program accepts applications from stewards locally and regionally whose efforts range from reforestation and regenerative agriculture to ocean restoration and biodiversity protection. The hotel team then votes on where the funds get directed each season. Populus Denver is now accepting summer applications on...