MOXY HOTELS DEBUTS IN CANADA: Moxy Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy, has debuted in Canada. JONO Developments Ltd. and Hotel Equities have announced the opening of Moxy Halifax Downtown. Located in downtown Halifax, the 160-room hotel is owned by JONO and operated by Hotel Equities. The hotel is near popular attractions, such as the Scotiabank Centre and Halifax Convention Center and several art galleries, restaurants and shops. The hotel includes a restaurant, bar, 24×7 grab-and-go kiosk, fitness center and meeting area. Currently, Moxy’s portfolio includes more than 125 properties across 25 countries.
HILTON LAUNCHES CONSULTANCY FOR F&B INNOVATION: Looking to create and deliver new and original F&B experiences, Hilton has launched StiR Creative Collective. StiR is an in-house consulting and development unit that will reimagine hotel food and beverage concepts with relevant and commercial solutions, Hilton said in a release. The consultancy will offer concept creation and branding solutions to affiliated partners as well as independent hospitality operations in the Americas and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. StiR’s collection of services includes master planning and multi-concept hotel and resort planning; developing original restaurant and bar concepts; creating concept branding and visual identity; third-party chef recommendations and connections; creating menus and developing recipes; marketing and PR guidance; and more. StiR has already completed some projects, including the Virtu CafĂ© and DĂacat Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville in Toronto, Canada, and Rosebay Washington and CALLA at Hilton Garden Inn Monterey in Monterey, Calif. Later this month, StiR will open two projects — five bespoke restaurant and bar concepts at Conrad Orlando and Signia by Hilton Atlanta.
HOTEL HERRINGBONE TO OPEN IN MARCH: Hotel Herringbone, an upscale boutique hotel, is set to open in Waco, Texas, this March. The hotel will be operated by Lucky Find Hospitality. San Diego-based RAD LAB collaborated with FreeForm Development, Lucky Find and local chef and restaurateur Corey McEntryre to acquire a shipping container development that had been lying vacant for some time. The space was transformed to create the hotel. Hotel Herringbone features 21 art-deco-inspired rooms and more than 30,000 square feet of space for four dining concepts, music, events, retail and art. The property includes 15,000 square feet of public plaza showcasing 12 curated retail spaces.Â
HARD ROCK HOTEL, RESIDENCES IN TEXAS: Hard Rock International has partnered with Pointe Vista Holding Co. to unveil Hard Rock Hotel at Lake Texoma and The Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Lake Texoma in Lake Texoma, Texas. Slated to break ground in March, the hotel and residences will be located within the Pointe Vista development and become a part of the 2,700-acre resort community. Spanning more than 19 miles of shoreline, the development includes a golf course, enclosed water park, casino, family entertainment center and an amphitheater. Scheduled to open in Q2 2026, the Hard Rock Hotel and residences will feature 189 guestrooms with 25 suites and 168 residences. The property will include multiple dining venues, an 18,000-square-foot conference center and event lawn, a spa, a fitness center, a kids club and a Rock Shop.Â
DUBAI BACCARAT BREAKS GROUND: Shamal Holding, an investment company, has broken ground on the Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai. Scheduled to open in 2026, the lifestyle development in downtown Dubai will comprise two crystal-inspired towers that will house the Baccarat hotel suites and bespoke residences with the brand’s signature design. This will be the first Baccarat Hotel and Residences in the U.A.E. The luxury project will be managed by SH Hotels & Resorts. The project will be led by architects Studio Libeskind and interior design 1508 London, which is led by Dubai-based developer H&H Development, along with owner Shamal Holding.