HYATT’S INCLUSIVE COLLECTION TO MEXICAN CARIBBEAN: Hyatt Hotels Corp. has expanded its Inclusive Collection with the opening of Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres in Mexico. The 507-room, adults-only resort builds Hyatt’s leisure portfolio in the Mexican Caribbean, with more properties set to open this year. Located along a secluded strip of oceanfront coast, the resort includes nine dining venues, four large pools (including two oceanfront infinity pools) and more than 9,000 square feet of meeting space, which can be turned into small breakout rooms and 11 outdoor venues. The resort is opening in a three-phased approach over the six months. The spa, fitness center and theater will open by June. The Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, consists of 10 hotel brands.
EXPEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW CEO: Expedia Group has appointed Ariane Gorin as Expedia Group’s CEO, effective May 13, 2024. Gorin will also serve on the group’s board of directors. She will succeed Peter Kern, who has served as the group’s CEO since 2020. Kern will continue to serve as the vice chairman and member of the board of directors. Since 2013, Gorin has held many executive roles at Expedia and most recently served as president of Expedia for Business, where she led Expedia’s global partner group, advertising business and B2B partner network.
SONESTA EXPANDS HOUSTON PORTFOLIO: Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has opened Sonesta Essential Houston Hobby Airport. Located in Houston, the 131-key upper, midscale hotel is near the William P. Hobby Airport. This is the third Sonesta Essential hotel in the Greater Houston market and among the 50 Sonesta properties in the market. Sonesta currently has 1,200 properties totaling 100,000 guestrooms under 17 brands across eight countries.
HILTON FRANKLIN COOL SPRINGS REFINANCING: RobertDouglas has refinanced Chartwell Hospitality’s Hilton Franklin Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn. RobertDouglas secured around $38 million of short-term, fixed-rate financing from an institutional, balance sheet lender. The seven-story, 244-room hotel was developed by Chartwell Hospitality in 2018 and is close to downtown Nashville and the Nashville International Airport.