MELIA’S INNSIDE BRAND DEBUTS IN BARCELONA: Meliá Hotels International has announced the opening of INNSiDE by Meliá, an affordable lifestyle brand. The existing Hotel Apolo was rebranded and renovated before reopening on April 4th as INNSiDE Barcelona Apolo. The hotel’s architectural design was led by ASAH. All 314 rooms were completely renovated and feature a courtesy minibar and ecological bathroom amenities. The reception area has been transformed into an Open Living Lounge. After an investment of around €8 million ($8.72 million), the hotel has added new dining venues. The existing La Terraza Restaurant has also been fully renovated to add an open area for buffer breakfasts or open-air dining. The hotel offers up to 1,200 square meters of flexible event spaces, a new co-working space and a gym.
MARRIOTT ADDS ST. REGIS IN CHINA: Marriott International, Inc. has signed a management agreement with Shengyuan Cultural Tourism to launch the St. Regis brand in Xiamen, China. Set to open in 2027, this will be the first St. Regis hotel in Fujian Province. The St. Regis Xiamen will be located in the eastern part of Xiamen Island’s Huli District, part of the cross-strait financial center. The newly-built hotel will comprise 260 rooms and suites offering coastal views, five dining outlets, a fitness center, an indoor pool, a spa and a children’s club. The hotel will also include 1,800 square meters of meeting space for events. Marriott currently has 12 St. Regis properties in Greater China.
BRAEMAR EXTENDS MORTGAGE LOAN FOR RITZ-CARLTON SARASOTA: Dallas-based Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. has finalized an extension of its $98 million mortgage loan for The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. The loan for the 276-room hotel is being extended beyond the original maturity in April for six more months, with one additional six-month extension available. The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota loan, as extended, will have a rate of SOFR + 2.65%, with a reset to SOFR + 3.5% on June 1st. Braemar has purchased a SOFR interest cap rate at a strike rate of 5.25% which will expire on October 4th. The company is also working with its lender on an extension or refinancing of its mortgage loans secured by the Hotel Yountville and the Bardessono, which have final maturities in May and August, respectively.
OLYMPIA TO OPERATE SUN & SKI INN: Olympia Hotel Management has been selected to manage Sun & Ski Inn and Suites in Stowe, Vt. The 39-room hotel, which features Stowe Bowl and Stowe Golf Park, is midway between Stowe Village and Stowe Mountain Resort. The hotel is co-owned by Mark and Rachel Vandenberg and Michael and Debi Diender, Rachel’s parents. The Dienders, who earlier owned Grey Fox Inn and the Dutch Pancake Café, acquired Sun & Ski Inn in 1996; in 2012, the Vandenbergs took over operations of the hotel from them. While Olympia will be in charge of day-to-day operations and a new general manager will be appointed, the Dienders and Vandenbergs will be involved in both the business and the Stowe community at large.
ROSEWOOD RESIDENCES IN FLORIDA: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Related Group and Dezer Development to announce Rosewood Residences Hillsboro Beach, a boutique condominium in Hillsboro Beach, Fla. The 10-story project includes 92 ultra-luxury waterfront condominium homes and villas and 11 private boat slips. Architecture has been led by international company Arquitectonica, with Dutch design firm Studio Piet Boon overseeing the interiors. The homes will be split between 70 beachfront residences and 22 coastal residences. The property will also feature six oceanfront and seven coastal penthouses, each including private rooftop pools. The property will offer a private spa, salon, two fitness centers, a sauna, tennis, paddle tennis and pickleball courts and an on-site racquet pro shop. The project will have dining venues, an exclusive oceanfront pool and outdoor spa area and direct access to a private beach. Sales will begin this month, with the project expected to be completed in 2026.