MANDARIN ORIENTAL TO OPEN IN MEXICO: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is adding a location in Mexico’s Riviera Maya coastline. The group announced it will manage Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya, a luxury beachfront resort and branded residences, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Slated to open in 2028, Mexican artist Bosco Sodi will be curating art for the property. The property’s architecture has been designed by Mexico City-based Migdal Arquitectos, with interiors by New York-based William Gray. The resort sits within a gated community surrounded by a jungle and protected by a mangrove reserve, with just 9% of the land dedicated to buildings and roads. The resort will offer 120 rooms and suites with private pools and views of the Caribbean Sea. The property will include 50 residences, with access to a private, exclusive beach club. Amenities at the property include a signature spa, three outdoor pools, a beach club, multiple dining venues, kid’s club and event spaces. The resort is being developed by GIM Desarrollos. Mandarin Oriental’s portfolio currently includes 41 hotels, 12 residences and 24 residences across 26 countries, with several additional projects under development.
HIGHGATE REBRANDS FOUR PORTUGAL HOTELS: Highgate has announced the rebrand of four of its managed hotels in Algarve, Portugal under the Marriott International umbrella. Each located within the Salgados Beach resort destination, the newly rebranded Westin Salgados Beach Resort, Algarve; The Residences at The Westin Salgados Beach Resort, Algarve; Algarve Marriott Salgados Golf Resort & Conference Center; and Marriott Residences Salgados Resort, Algarve will be Highgate’s first set of assets in Portugal to join Marriott International’s portfolio. Highgate Portugal will be overseeing redesigns to each hotel’s public spaces, rooms and dining venues. Renovations will begin later this year and all properties are expected to open in 2025.
DUBAI’S TALLEST HOTEL TOWER TO JOIN VIGNETTE COLLECTION: IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed a new Vignette Collection-branded hotel in Dubai. Aiming to become the tallest, all-hotel tower in the world when it opens in 2025, Ciel, Vignette Collection will have more than 80 floors in the Dubai Marina. The hotel is owned by The First Group and will be managed by The First Group Hospitality. Construction is currently underway and the building has already topped out. The 365-meter Ciel, Vignette Collection will feature 1,000 rooms and suites, three restaurants, an infinity pool, a fitness center, club lounge, spa and an observation bar and lounge with views of the Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline. Launched in December 2021, Vignette Collection has grown to include 11 open properties with over 2,300 rooms. Currently, IHG operates 117 hotels under nine brands across the Middle East with 83 more in the pipeline.
TURNEO RAISES €2M SEED FUNDING: Turneo, the travel tech startup focused on experiential hospitality, has closed a €2 million seed investment round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Underline Ventures. Besides helping in growing Turneo’s team, the funding will fuel expansion into new markets and product enhancements. The new capital will also help Turneo establish strategic partnerships with global hoteliers. The company will invest in further developing its AI-driven platform to offer more personalized and efficient travel experiences through hotels.