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From the beginning of 2027, properties previously trading under the African Bush Camps business, will be marketed together with the sites operated by Zambia Luxury Lodge Collection. For travellers and guests, the result will be a simpler way to find and book stays, under the single brand. Four sites – Chichele Presidential Lodge, Lolebezi Safari Lodge, Lolelunga Private Reserve, and Puku Ridge – will now be clearly marketed under the ZLLC brand.

A Domestic Collaboration

“This transition reflects the natural evolution of our business and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our lodges,” said Jennifer Beattie, ZLLC’s director of sales & marketing. “We are incredibly grateful to African Bush Camps for their professionalism, partnership, and the exceptional foundations they have helped to establish.”

While working together in Zambia, the African Bush Camps business will continue its broader business, operating luxury safari lodges across Botswana and Zimbabwe. It already works with The Collective, a network of partners that have similar properties across Mozambique and South Africa. Together, the partners provide an easier way for guests to enjoy multi-site safari experiences and holidays.

Zambia remains a mecca for those seeking an authentic safari experience, with opportunities to see wild animals in their natural habitats. Three national parks, South Luangwa, Kafue, and the Lower Zambezi, offer game watching opportunities like nowhere else, with activities including hot air balloon trips, and guided safaris on foot or by vehicle. Elephants, buffalo, zebra and hippopotamus can all be watched in their natural habitats, in a way that makes minimal impact on their lives.

ZLLC is keen to make clear that it is not just a marketing organisation promoting its four luxury safari destinations. It is, rather, the ownership brand, which will remain responsible for their long term stewardship and development.

While businesses such as ZLLC continue to work with a local-first management style, international hospitality brands are also looking to collaborate and grow their representation across the safari niche. Minor Hotels, for example, has recently opened Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, a luxury safari destination that also includes wellness facilities, with just 12 spacious guest tents.

Big Brands Move Into the Region

Hotel giant Marriott is also looking to broaden its offer to include safaris. In 2025, the group announced plans for two sites in Kenya, under its luxury Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott brands. JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp has recently opened, offering tented accommodation with private pools for guests.

For the big hotel brands, it is the Zambian capital, Lusaka, which is the leading draw for new developments. Later in 2026, Hyatt will open its 170 room Hyatt Regency Lusaka The Pamodzi, a conversion of a standing property in the city. In early 2027, Radisson will open its Park Inn Lusaka Longacres, offering a mix of hotel rooms and long stay accommodation that is often a popular mix in African cities. And later in the year, Hilton will launch Hilton Lusaka Pyramid, a 211 room hotel that brings a familiar brand to Zambia.

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The Jamaica property sits on the Montego Bay seafront, about 30 minutes from the airport and a short drive from Falmouth. It has 444 suites, ranging from garden and pool-view Junior Suites to two-story Rooftop Suites with private jacuzzis. Guests also get access to the neighboring Ocean Coral Spring resort, which adds more restaurants, pools, and activities to the stay.

What Changes for Guests

The upgrades touch nearly every part of the guest experience, starting at check-in. All guests will now receive a champagne welcome, and Rituals bath amenities, once limited to Privilege-tier guests, will be standard in every room category. Rooms will get striped bedding, slippers, and a restocked minibar with water, juice, soda, beer, and snacks. Valet parking is now included for everyone, and a coffee maker upgrade will come with an ice bucket.

Bar service is also changing. Premium drinks, previously served only in select bars, will now be available at all four bars on property, including the Lobby Bar and Beach Bar. The resort’s six restaurants, among them a steak house, a Caribbean beach restaurant, and a dinner theater called the Senses Dinner Show, remain unchanged for now.

Guests booking the Privilege tier will see a bigger jump in amenities. Rooms will come with a wider choice of premium liquor, along with glassware and ice on request. The minibar adds liquor miniatures, M&M’s, and cookies. Bedding gets upgraded to a striped duvet set, and toiletries now include aloe products and a comb. Privilege guests already had access to butler service, private check-in, and reserved seating across the resort’s à la carte restaurants, and those services will continue.

A Broader Push Across the Brand

Markus Haack, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, Distribution, and Revenue at Ocean Signature Resorts, said the move reflects the resort’s existing reputation in the region. He described the shift to Ocean Allure as building on a property that already has a following among adults-only travelers. The company has not said whether other resorts in its portfolio will make a similar switch.

Ocean Eden Bay will keep its current name and pricing structure until the change takes effect in November. The company says the amenity upgrades are already rolling out in phases across all room categories, ahead of the formal rebrand. The resort will continue to operate under Ocean Signature Resorts’ Stay Green sustainability program throughout the transition.

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The group recently launched its Home2 Suites brand in the centre of Dublin, an opening that was the first for the brand in Europe. In addition, a hotel in Cork has been signed to the Tapestry Collection brand, creating a trio of new arrivals in the Emerald Isle.

Refreshing an Established Destination

The DoubleTree Ashbourne will be a rebranding of an existing hotel in the town of Ashbourne, close to Dublin and the city’s airport. The 156 room hotel will undergo an extensive upgrade, prior to a relaunch as part of the Hilton portfolio in early 2027. Originally opened in 2007, the hotel operated for some years under Marriott branding, before being put up for sale in 2016. More recently, it has traded as the independent Pillo Hotel.

Owner Richard Mc Dermott commented: “Partnering with Hilton marks an exciting next step for the hotel. Alongside a refreshed guest experience, it will help create employment opportunities and deliver long-term value for the local area. Backed by Hilton’s commercial strength and global loyalty programme, we’re confident the hotel will become a go-to destination for guests visiting Dublin and beyond.”

Currently in Ireland, Hilton operates eight hotels across six of its brands. The upcoming Tapestry Collection in Cork is a 103 room property being developed by JMK Group, which should be ready in 2027, offering a mix of standard rooms plus extended stay accommodation, all under one roof.

Across the border in Northern Ireland, the group is also making progress, with signings including the DoubleTree Belfast Centre Ten Square, and DoubleTree Derry-Londonderry. Hilton will also be bringing another of its brands to the island, again using the territory as an international launchpad. Tempo by Hilton Belfast City Centre will have 144 rooms, with developer Loughview Leisure Group creating the property from an existing office building.

Elsewhere in the UK, Hilton continues to sign new properties. Upcoming openings include the makeover of the Caledonian hotel in Edinburgh, which is undergoing a repositioning from its Waldorf Astoria branding, to what is considered a more market-appropriate Curio Collection property. The realignment should be completed in autumn 2026.

Growing Across the UK

But in London, the luxury Waldorf Astoria brand is expanding its reach, opening in the coming months in the iconic Admiralty Arch building, promising views of Buckingham Palace or Trafalgar Square, depending on the choice of bedroom. And, at the other end of the chain scale, the group will be opening Spark by Hilton London Chiswick, a budget segment offering for travellers looking for value.

Into 2027, Hilton will be enhancing its presence at UK airports. The 157 room Hampton by Hilton London Heathrow Bath Road will open. While at London’s second airport, Gatwick, property owner Arora will be rebranding its 600 room Arora Hotel as a DoubleTree by Hilton property, following an extensive refit.

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The tower will rise 128 meters and hold 114 residences, ranging from one to three bedrooms and spanning 91 to 351 square meters. That’s a relatively smaller unit count for a building of this height, which typically signals a focus on space and privacy rather than density. Architecture comes from Gensler, with interiors handled by Cuaik Architects, and the design approach leans on craftsmanship and a refined material palette rather than flash.

A Long List of Amenities

Owners will have access to more than 3,000 square meters of amenities, and the list is extensive. There’s an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, a fitness center, a yoga studio, and a spa with massage rooms for the wellness-minded. For socializing, the building includes a sky bar, a fire pit, a residents’ kitchen, a library, and a cinema. Families aren’t an afterthought either, with a children’s playroom, a kids’ playground, and even a pet park rounding things out.

The project also draws on Waldorf Astoria’s hospitality traditions, translating what the brand calls “Sincerely Elegant Service” into a residential setting. That includes spaces like a Peacock Alley-inspired lounge, a nod to the original Waldorf Astoria in New York, along with a fine dining restaurant, a private bar and dining salon, and a curated lobby with a porte-cochère entrance.

Backing from Two Established Players

GFA is the developer behind the project, and the company has built a reputation in Mexico for high-end real estate. Marcos Fasja, GFA’s CEO, said the development “redefines what luxury living means in Mexico” and called it an opportunity to position Guadalajara as “a reference point for high-end real estate.”

On the Hilton side, Jonathan Wingo, the company’s global head of residential programs, pointed to the significance of the location. He noted that this marks the brand’s first standalone residences in the region, calling it “an extraordinary milestone” in Waldorf Astoria’s portfolio. The comment fits into a larger pattern: Waldorf Astoria’s branded residential portfolio includes 29 properties either operating or in development worldwide, and Guadalajara becomes its entry point into Latin America.

Guadalajara itself is a city with growing international appeal, known for its cultural scene and expanding economy. Placing a project like this there suggests both GFA and Hilton see long-term demand for globally recognized, service-heavy residential living in the region. With an opening still years away, there’s plenty of time before anyone moves in, but the signing alone marks a great step for branded residences in Mexico.

For now, the project remains in planning, with construction and delivery still ahead. But the scale of the amenities, the design team involved, and the brand’s first-in-region status make this one worth tracking as it moves closer to reality.

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The group has signed to open a 150 room, beachfront resort in Phang Nga, with an opening planned in 2028. The property will likely echo the success of two other Kimpton hotels already trading in southern Thailand, Kimpton Kitalay Samui and Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.

A Growing Presence in Thailand

This will be IHG’s second signing in Phang Nga Province. The group has already committed to deliver the InterContinental Phang Nga Bay Resort in the same area.

Partnering with IHG in this new build resort is local company Natai Venture Co. Company director Naphat Boontanonda reflected: “Phang Nga is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, from pristine beaches and dramatic limestone formations to its tranquil coastal setting. Travellers increasingly seek authentic experiences combined with a growing appetite for lifestyle experiences, we believe Natai Beach is exceptionally well-positioned to meet this demand.”

Currently, IHG has 42 hotels open across Thailand, representing 11 of the group’s brands – an indication that there are plentiful opportunities across the country, in the years to come.

The Kimpton brand already has considerable traction in Thailand, with a number of upcoming openings for the brand. Originally conceived as a high design, boutique hotel brand in 1981, Kimpton is a brand that promises no two hotels alike. It was acquired by IHG in 2014, at which point the brand had 62 managed hotels, with a further 16 planned. At that point, the brand also had a similar number of standalone restaurants and bars.

With IHG’s backing the brand has gone global, while continuing to spot opportunities in the home US market. A particularly impressive first quarter of 2026 saw additional Kimpton hotels open in New York, Scottsdale and California. Conversions are also making up an increasing volume of Kimpton signings.

In early 2027, IHG will launch Kimpton Hotel Aquatique Pattaya, a 193 room hotel that is part of a large, multi-hotel destination. The project will also include three Marriott hotels, including the Pattaya Marriott Marquis that will feature a substantial convention centre.

Autumn 2027 will see the Kimpton Hua Hin Resort launch. This is a conversion project that will see the former Imperial Hua Hin, closed since 2019, returned to use with 124 rooms and the Kimpton look and feel.

Building the Brand in Bangkok

Further ahead, IHG will be bringing the Kimpton brand to the Thai capital, Bangkok. This will be a dual hotel development in the city, delivering Kimpton Bangkok Chinatown along with InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown, and the pair are expected to be ready for guests sometime in early 2029.

A further conversion is also planned, to create Kimpton Chiang Rai Golden Triangle. The wellness destination will see the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort extensively renovated, in an inland destination that promises clear mountain air.

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Fusion, founded in Vietnam in 2008, has built its reputation on wellness-focused hospitality rather than budget or midscale offerings. With the addition of Ayola and Odua, Fusion now operates 26 properties across eight brands in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, giving the company a foothold in the region’s midscale segment for the first time at this scale.

What Changes for the Hotels

Both brands will keep their names and day-to-day identities. Guests checking into an Ayola or Odua property won’t notice a rebrand. What changes is what happens behind the scenes: Fusion will bring its regional systems, sales channels, and operational support into the mix, which the companies say should mean more consistent service and better distribution across the network.

Willy Suderes, Chief Operating Officer of Topotels, called the move “an exciting new chapter” for the company, saying it would help provide “stronger support for our owners” and bring “fresh momentum” to hotel teams. That kind of language is typical for deal announcements, but the practical shift is straightforward: a smaller regional operator gains access to a larger company’s back-end resources without changing its guest-facing brand.

Part of a Broader Push Into Southeast Asia

Indonesia has become one of the more closely watched travel markets in Southeast Asia, with steady growth in both domestic and international visitors. Fusion’s move into the country’s midscale segment lines up with that trend, adding scale in a market where the company previously had limited presence.

Christopher Hur, Fusion’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Topotels into the Fusion family. Their strong roots in Indonesia combined with Fusion’s expertise will unlock new opportunities in key destinations across the country. This partnership strengthens our regional presence and supports our long-term vision for growth across Southeast Asia.”

Fusion’s core business remains centered on wellness and lifestyle concepts, along with branded residences, a segment the company says is growing quickly across Asia-Pacific. Whether the Ayola and Odua integration signals more midscale acquisitions to come, or simply a one-off expansion into a market Fusion wanted a foothold in, isn’t clear from this announcement. For now, the two Indonesian brands continue operating as they did before, just with a new name on the ownership chart.

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Scale and setting vary sharply among the three. Homewood Mountain Resort in California is entering the first phase of a broader expansion with the Mid Mountain Day Lodge, a new 75-room hotel still in pre-planning. Halfway around the world, InterContinental is building a 190-room, five-star property beside the Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou, China, placing the hotel directly within one of the region’s most visited scenic areas. In Park City, Utah, Outbound Park City is taking the renovation route instead, reworking an existing 182-room property across a 4.5-acre site with design inspiration pulled from the surrounding Wasatch Range.

The Park City project, in particular, points to how far mountain-hotel design has moved beyond standard alpine styling. The renovation will build out two courtyards, one centered on a pool and hot tub, the other set up for fire pits, communal seating, and small outdoor events, alongside more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space and gear-ready guestrooms. It’s one entry among thousands the THP database tracks worldwide, spanning every stage from early planning through construction and opening.

Mid Mountain Day Lodge Homewood

• Location: Homewood, California, United States
• Construction Status: Pre-Planning
• Construction Type: New Building
• Stars: 4
• Number of Rooms: 75
• Investor/Owner: Homewood Mountain Resort

InterContinental Huangguoshu Guizhou

• Location: Anshun, China
• Construction Status: Under Construction
• Construction Type: New Building
• Stars: 5
• Number of Rooms: 190
• Developer: Anshun Investment Co., Ltd.
• Group: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts | IHG Hotels & Resorts

Outbound Park City

• Location: Park City, Utah, United States
• Construction Status: Under Construction
• Construction Type: Refurbishment
• Stars: 4
• Number of Rooms: 182
• Management Company: Outbound Hotels

The post On the Radar: 3 Upcoming Mountain Resorts appeared first on THP News.

One of the more notable moves is the first-ever entry of HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts into Taiwan. The brand will debut with HUALUXE Taipei, which plans to lean into local heritage, tea culture, and dining. Daniel Aylmer, Chief Executive Officer for Greater China at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the new projects reflect the company’s effort to match a wider mix of brands to what travelers in Taiwan are looking for.

New Hotels Span the Island

Beyond Taipei, IHG is heading east and south too. Crowne Plaza Taitung Zhiben Hot Spring will bring the Crowne Plaza name to the well-known Zhiben Hot Spring area, mixing relaxation with access to nature and local sights. Meanwhile, Holiday Inn Pingtung City Center is set to become the first internationally branded hotel in Pingtung, a milestone for that region.

Back in Taipei, IHG is also building a dual-brand property combining voco Taipei Shihlin and Holiday Inn Express Taipei Shihlin. This will mark voco’s first hotel in northern Taiwan and its first ground-up build anywhere in the country. The voco side draws on the Shihlin district’s local culture and busy commercial scene, while the Holiday Inn Express side is aimed at travelers who want simpler, flexible stays, whether for business or a short trip.

The Launch of LINE MINI App

Alongside the hotel signings, IHG is launching the IHG One Rewards LINE MINI App in Taiwan. LINE is a messaging app widely used across the country, and the new mini app lets members handle their loyalty account without leaving it. That includes signing up, checking points and status, looking into benefits, and browsing or booking hotels.

IHG One Rewards counts more than 160 million members around the world. To celebrate the app’s launch, IHG is running a series of promotions through August, including gamified activities, LINE Points giveaways, and a chance to win concert tickets through a partnership with Live Nation Asia. Members will also get access to some exclusive activities tied to the rollout.

IHG says it plans to keep expanding both its hotel lineup and its digital offerings in Taiwan, working alongside local owners and partners as it does. Between the new signings and the app launch, the company is touching two different sides of the business at once: where people stay, and how they manage their loyalty status while doing it.

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Kaldewei Elevates the Guest Experience at Ardbeg House, Islay’s New Whisky-Inspired Boutique Hotel

• by Editor
• August 19, 2026

Ardbeg House, Islay’s newly transformed whisky-inspired boutique hotel, redefines experiential hospitality through immersive storytelling, bespoke design and exceptional craftsmanship. As part of the project, Kaldewei supplied premium steel enamel baths and shower trays that combine timeless aesthetics, durability and sustainability. Seamlessly integrated into the hotel’s individually themed guest rooms and marble-clad bathrooms, Kaldewei products enhance the luxurious guest experience while supporting the project’s environmental goals. Together, Ardbeg House and Kaldewei showcase how thoughtful design can create memorable, high-performance hospitality environments.

Opened in autumn 2025, Ardbeg House on the Isle of Islay is one of Scotland’s most distinctive new hospitality destinations. Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment in collaboration with Russell Sage Studio, the former Islay Hotel has been transformed into a 12-room boutique hotel that celebrates the island’s culture, landscape and the heritage of the Ardbeg Distillery. Kaldewei contributed to the project by supplying baths and shower trays for the guest bathrooms.

Selected for their architectural design, durability and sustainability, Kaldewei products support the hotel’s ambition to combine exceptional guest experiences with long-term environmental responsibility.

A Design Narrative Rooted in Islay’s Culture

Ardbeg House is inspired by Islay’s folklore, dramatic coastline and the 200-year history of Ardbeg Distillery. Together with more than 20 Scottish artisans, the design team created 12 individually themed guest rooms, each telling a unique story drawn from local legends, smugglers, raiders, sea creatures and the mythical “Islay-gator.”

Throughout the hotel, bespoke design elements celebrate the island’s identity. Guests are welcomed by a striking ‘A’ for Ardbeg forged from a retired whisky still, while a custom boat-shaped chandelier made from green Ardbeg bottles hangs above the Islay Bar. Natural textures and materials reference Islay’s rugged landscape, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere that continues into the bathrooms.

Why Kaldewei Was Selected

Ardbeg House required bathroom solutions that could meet the demands of a luxury boutique hotel while supporting varying room concepts and sustainability objectives.

Kaldewei’s steel enamel baths and shower trays were specified for their clean architectural lines, glass-smooth surfaces, exceptional durability and easy maintenance. Their resistance to scratches, impacts and thermal shock makes them particularly suited to hospitality environments, while their fully recyclable material aligns with the project’s environmental goals.

Installed within elegant marble-clad bathrooms, Kaldewei products complement the storytelling approach of the interiors. Warm grey and matt black finishes were chosen to integrate seamlessly into the individual design themes of each room.

“Being part of the Ardbeg House project is a genuine privilege for Kaldewei. Ardbeg House sets a new benchmark for experiential hospitality, and we’re proud that Kaldewei plays a role in shaping the guest journey,” says Adam Teal, Country Manager Kaldewei.

Bathrooms as Sanctuaries

The bathrooms extend the narrative of each bedroom, offering guests a place to unwind after exploring Islay’s beaches, historic sites and the Ardbeg Distillery. Kaldewei’s sculptural baths and spacious shower areas create a luxurious retreat that balances immersion, comfort and relaxation.

 

A New Benchmark for Design-Led Whisky Tourism

Ardbeg House is set to become a flagship destination for whisky enthusiasts and curious travellers alike. Every stay includes an Ardbeg Distillery tour, a nightly “Whisky Hour,” access to exclusive bottlings and dining experiences that showcase modern Scottish cuisine.

Kaldewei’s Role in a Landmark Project

Ardbeg House demonstrates how thoughtful bathroom design can enhance an immersive hospitality concept. By combining expressive interiors with durable, precisely engineered bathroom solutions, the project highlights Kaldewei’s ability to support ambitious, design-led environments while contributing to an exceptional guest experience.

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KALDEWEI offers luxurious bathroom solutions of superior quality and timelessly elegant design. Bathtubs, shower surfaces and washbasins are made from sustainable steel enamel.

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The post Kaldewei Elevates the Guest Experience at Ardbeg House, Islay’s New Whisky-Inspired Boutique Hotel appeared first on THP News.