MGM IDENTIFIES CYBERSECURITY BREACH: MGM Resorts said it had identified a cybersecurity issue that affected “certain of its systems” in September. In a release, the group said that an investigation was ongoing. MGM determined that an “unauthorized third party” got access to confidential information (such as name, contact details, gender, date of birth and driver’s license number) of some of its guests on September 11. Some of the customers’ social security numbers and/or passport numbers were also leaked. The types of affected information varied by individual, MGM said, assuring that customer passwords, bank account numbers or payment card information were affected. MGM said it alerted all affected customers by email and provided them with credit monitoring and identity protection services at no extra cost.
CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE FOR HILTON HOTELS IN NASHVILLE: Tara Investments has announced the “topping out” of its new hotels in Nashville, indicating that the structural framework of the properties has been completed. The 181-room Canopy by Hilton and the 152-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown The Gulch are scheduled to open in July 2024 on the corner of Overton and Division Street. Yates Construction is serving as the project’s contractor. Both the hotels will be managed by Tara Investments. Once completed, the Canopy Hotel will offer 25 suites and a two-story presidential suite with a 600-square-foot private terrace. The hotel will also have F&B options and an 8,500-square-foot rooftop bar. The Homewood Suites hotel will feature rooms with more than 600 square feet of living space and fully-equipped kitchens with refrigerators, along with a jump lobby to the 11th floor and an indoor rooftop wine and tapas bar. Both the properties will have 24-hour in-room dining, fitness centers and a Tesla house car for guests.
HOTEL INDIGO OPENS IN BORDEAUX: Hotel Indigo, part of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, has opened its third property in France in Bordeaux. Hotel Indigo Bordeaux – Centre Chartrons is a design-led boutique hotel located in the Chartrons district, close to the Garonne River. Designer Stella Cadente has designed the hotel’s interiors. The hotel features 100 rooms, a rooftop restaurant, a gym, a coworking space (also open to the public) and four conference rooms. Hotel Indigo partnered with the hotel owner group Grape Hospitality for the opening of the property. Hotel Indigo has 145 open hotels and a pipeline of 128 additional properties.
ACCOR TO OPEN SWISSOTEL IN KYRGYZSTAN: Accor has signed a cooperation agreement with SK Development to launch the Swissotel brand in Kyrgyzstan. The luxury hotel will be located on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, one of the biggest lakes in Central Asia, near the Kosh-Kol village. The hotel will be situated on the territory of the country’s first international golf resort. The hotel will have 110 rooms and apartments, a restaurant, spa facilities with a pool, fitness center and a congress hall for events. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2026.
SONESTA ESSENTIAL OPENS IN NORTH DAKOTA: Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has opened the first Sonesta Essential in North Dakota. The 102-key Sonesta Essential Minot is located in Minot, just a few miles from the Minot International Airport. This opening follows the launch of the Sonesta Essential IAH Airport JFK Boulevard in Houston in September. Launched earlier this year, Sonesta Essential is available to franchise in the U.S. and offers easier new builds and conversions with modest brand standards, limited F&B requirements and easy conversion procedures.