Weekly Global Hotel Leadership Report - Report Date: October 28, 2026

Report Date: October 28, 2026

Reporting Period: October 21 – October 28, 2026

Executive Summary

The past week in global hospitality has delivered an extraordinary convergence of strategic expansion, brand debuts, cultural partnerships, and performance milestones across every major region. IHG Hotels and Resorts was exceptionally active, signing Holiday Inn Express Reykjavik – Valhöll, its second property in Iceland, alongside Holiday Inn Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Hotel Indigo London – Kingston, and Crowne Plaza Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport Road, marking the brand's debut in the city. Preferred Hotels and Resorts welcomed the newly launched The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary to its prestigious Legend Collection, set amidst 76 acres of ancient forests and coffee plantations in the Western Ghats. Meliá backed Central America's future with the signing of a new resort in Roatán, Honduras, combining 350 rooms with 145 branded residences. Sofitel Legend and UNESCO joined forces to preserve and transmit cultural heritage through travel, with the partnership deploying first at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Canada's hotel industry reported its largest occupancy and RevPAR gains since 2026, with occupancy reaching 77.9% and RevPAR rising 14.0% to CAD200.79 in September, driven by strong performance in Quebec and Montreal. STR released U.S. hotel results for the week ending 17 October, while the Lodging Econometrics report revealed that extended stay projects account for 40% of the U.S. hotel construction pipeline as luxury and upper upscale projects reach record highs at Q3 2026. Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes expanded across the Greek Islands with four new exceptional homes, while also continuing its global expansion into new destinations. Langham Hospitality Group celebrated Dr. Lo Ka Shui's HICAP Lifetime Achievement Award.

IHG expanded its UK&I Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio with the signing of Hotel Indigo London – Kingston, while Holiday Inn Express is set for Perth CBD as IHG and SKS Group expand their partnership. Kimpton served up The Curious Palate, a new chapter of culinary originals. IHG partnered with American Express to elevate premium travel experiences for card members in mainland China. Hyatt and Brigade Group announced plans for two new Hyatt Regency hotels in Bengaluru. Casa Verbena Madrid, Outset Collection by Hilton invited guests to immerse themselves in Madrileño life. Hilton for Business introduced new travel coordinator tools and program enhancements, and Hilton became the first major hotel brand to offer a digital solution to pay with points.

From Reykjavik to Raipur, from London to Hyderabad, from Coorg to Roatán, from Athens to Madrid, the industry continues to demonstrate remarkable momentum and confidence in the future of travel...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Hilton Reports Third Quarter Results

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. reported third quarter 2026 results, with diluted EPS of $2.37 and diluted EPS adjusted for special items of $2.45, net income of $536 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,058 million. System-wide comparable RevPAR increased 5.8% on a currency-neutral basis compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting continued strength in global travel demand.

The company approved 30,500 new rooms for development during the quarter, bringing its development pipeline to 543,100 rooms as of September 30, 2026, representing growth of 5% from the prior year. Hilton added 27,000 rooms to its system, resulting in 23,000 net additional rooms for the quarter, up 6.5% sequentially from the second quarter, contributing to net unit growth of 6.0% from September 30, 2025. The company also announced the appointment of Jeff Moore as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer and confirmed its planned transfer of stock listing to Nasdaq under the ticker HLT, effective November 5, 2026. Hilton repurchased 2.6 million shares during the quarter, bringing total capital return including dividends to $879 million for the quarter and $2,902 million year to date through October.

For the full year 2026, Hilton projects system-wide RevPAR growth of 4.0% to 4.5%, net income of $1,909 million to $1,923 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $4,060 million to $4,080 million, with capital return projected at approximately $3.5 billion..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Expands Global Portfolio with 28 New Members

Preferred Hotels and Resorts has expanded its global portfolio with the addition of 28 new member hotels, reinforcing the brand's position as one of the world's leading collections of independent luxury properties. The new members span diverse geographies and property types, from urban landmarks to resort destinations, each offering a unique expression of luxury hospitality and a strong sense of place. The expansion reflects the continued appeal of the Preferred model to owners of distinctive independent properties seeking the benefits of a global distribution platform, the I Prefer Hotel Rewards loyalty program, and the brand's marketing and sales resources, while maintaining their individual character and identity. For Preferred Hotels and Resorts, the addition of 28 new members demonstrates the continued relevance of the association model and the enduring appeal of independent hotels to discerning travelers worldwide..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Thompson Rome Opens, Marking Thompson Hotels Brand's Debut in Italy

Thompson Rome has opened, marking the Thompson Hotels brand's debut in Italy and bringing Hyatt's lifestyle brand to one of Europe's most historically rich and culturally vibrant capitals. The property introduces Thompson's signature blend of bold design, vibrant social spaces, and heartfelt service to Rome, offering guests a sophisticated base from which to explore the city's extraordinary heritage. The opening represents a significant milestone for Hyatt's continued expansion in Italy, following the company's announcement of three new hotels in the country, including Hyatt Regency Rome Central and Park Hyatt Taormina. For Rome, the arrival of Thompson adds a new, design-forward option for discerning travelers, reinforcing the city's position as a premier destination for lifestyle hospitality in Europe..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

EDITION Expands Global Footprint with Landmark Debut in Cape Town

EDITION has expanded its global footprint with a landmark debut in Cape Town, marking the brand's African debut and introducing its contemporary design, intuitive service, destination dining, and vibrant day-to-night social scene to one of the world's most compelling cultural capitals. The Cape Town EDITION is located at Quay 7 on the V&A Waterfront, overlooking the new superyacht marina and facing Table Mountain, positioned at the intersection of the city's maritime heritage and vibrant cultural scene.

George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, EDITION, said: "Cape Town has a distinctive energy shaped by extraordinary landscapes, diverse influences, and an exceptional culinary scene. As one of the world's most compelling cultural capitals, it is a natural home for EDITION. This opening marks an important milestone for the brand as we continue to grow in destinations that sit at the intersection of culture, creativity, and global influence.".... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

IHG Signs Holiday Inn Express Reykjavik – Valhöll

IHG Hotels and Resorts has announced the signing of Holiday Inn Express Reykjavik – Valhöll, further strengthening its Nordic portfolio and marking its second property in Iceland following the opening of Candlewood Suites Reykjavik. Signed with ALVA Capital at EXPO REAL 2026, the 90-room hotel is expected to open in the second half of 2027 and will be located at Háaleitisbraut 1 in Reykjavik, in the well-known Valhöll property, with strong visibility from the main airport route.

The hotel will feature the brand's latest Generation 5 design, creating flexible, experiential environments that encourage guests to connect, work, and unwind in intuitive social spaces. Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe at IHG, said: "We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with ALVA Capital and bring Holiday Inn Express to Reykjavik, marking our second property in Iceland." The signing marks the next step in IHG's relationship with ALVA Capital, with the companies having signed a development agreement in 2025 with plans to develop up to 500 rooms across Reykjavik and the wider Icelandic market...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

IHG Signs Holiday Inn Raipur

IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed a management agreement with Entry Point Hotels and Resorts Private Limited to develop Holiday Inn Raipur in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, scheduled to open in Q1 2031. The 156-key hotel will offer 156 rooms and suites, including 16 suites, alongside three dining venues and approximately 942 square metres of meeting and event space including a 715-square-metre divisible ballroom.

Naya Raipur is Chhattisgarh's planned capital and is expanding rapidly, supported by growing government, institutional, commercial, and infrastructure activity, with the hotel well positioned to serve corporate, government, MICE, and leisure demand. Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia at IHG, said: "As the city continues to develop as a key administrative and commercial centre, the signing presents an opportunity to introduce one of our most recognised brands to a market with diverse travel needs."..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

IHG Expands UK&I Luxury & Lifestyle Portfolio with Hotel Indigo London – Kingston

IHG Hotels and Resorts has announced the signing of Hotel Indigo London – Kingston in the UK&I, owned by new partner Westcombe Group through its Acre Hotels Collection. The 90-key hotel is scheduled to open in 2027 and will become the seventh Hotel Indigo in Greater London, bringing the brand to Hampton Wick, one of South West London's best-connected riverside destinations.

The signing forms part of the wider adaptive reuse of Kingston Bridge House, transforming the vacant former university accommodation into a mixed-use destination comprising a Hotel Indigo alongside 22 stylish residences. The hotel will offer views over the River Thames and easy access to Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, and Richmond Park, with London Waterloo around 20 minutes away by train. Willemijn Geels, VP of Development, Europe at IHG, said: "Hampton Wick's rich history, riverside setting, and strong local identity make it a natural fit for a brand that celebrates neighbourhood stories and authentic local experiences."..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

IHG Signs Crowne Plaza Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport Road

IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed a management agreement with AR Infra Consultancy for the development of Crowne Plaza Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport Road, scheduled to open in Q1 2031. The 250-key hotel will mark the entry of the Crowne Plaza brand into Hyderabad and will be located adjacent to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and the 3.5 million sq. ft. World Trade Centre.

The hotel will offer 250 keys including 37 suites, five food and beverage outlets, and 1,170 square metres of meeting space across five venues including an 800-square-metre ballroom. Shamshabad is an emerging growth corridor in Hyderabad, with the airport handling approximately 31 million passengers in 2025 and the upcoming World Trade Centre and expanding Aeronautical Park expected to further strengthen corporate travel potential. Sudeep Jain said: "Shamshabad represents a compelling growth opportunity, supported by its proximity to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and the development of key commercial infrastructure, making it a strong fit for our Crowne Plaza brand."..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary to Legend Collection

Preferred Hotels and Resorts has announced the addition of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary to its prestigious Legend Collection, the ultimate portfolio of exceptional properties in the world's most remarkable destinations. Unveiled in July 2026, the reimagined property is set amidst 76 acres of ancient forests, coffee plantations, and the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, offering a combination of seclusion, heritage, and authentic Indian hospitality.

The property's 71 villas include Riverstone Family Villas, Mistwood Villas, Forestlight Luxury Villas, and the four-bedroom Sunbeam Presidential Villa, several with private pools, outdoor Jacuzzis, and open-air showers overlooking the forest canopy. Guests can explore the estate's biodiversity via guided nature trails, practice yoga on a lakeside bamboo deck, and dine in an island setting, with dining spanning Kodava specialties at Luma and Pan-Asian cuisine at the overwater restaurant Zen. Saurabh Rai, Executive Vice President of South Asia, Middle East, and Africa at Preferred Hotels and Resorts, said: "We are proud to welcome The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary into our Legend Collection, a property that captures the spirit of Coorg's forests and coffee estates in every detail."..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Meliá Backs Central America's Future with Roatán Signing

Meliá Hotels International has signed Meliá Roatán, a spectacular new-build resort scheduled to open in 2029 on the Honduran island of Roatán. Operating under the Meliá Hotels and Resorts brand, the new complex will feature 350 rooms and suites, complemented by 145 exclusive Branded Residences, combining residential use with hotel management to diversify the project's value proposition.

Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, has emerged as one of the Caribbean's most attractive up-and-coming destinations, thanks to its white-sand beaches, lush tropical landscapes, and exceptional marine biodiversity, protected by the Mesoamerican Reef System, the world's second-largest coral reef. The resort will feature contemporary, tropical-inspired architecture with tiered volumes, generous terraces, open-plan spaces, and lush gardens, alongside a comprehensive leisure and wellness proposition including dining concepts, a beach club, wellness and spa facilities, retail spaces, and extensive meeting and event facilities. The signing reflects Meliá's growing interest in Central America, a region where the company sees significant long-term development opportunities across markets including Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Sofitel Legend and UNESCO Join Forces

Sofitel Legend and UNESCO have joined forces to preserve and transmit cultural heritage through travel, formalizing a shared ambition to strengthen the role of hotels as places of discovery and celebration of local heritage. The partnership is built around four operational pillars: supporting local communities and artisans, educating and raising awareness among travelers through trained concierges, creating cultural bridges within hotels through exhibitions and artistic encounters, and contributing directly to heritage preservation through voluntary guest donations via the ALL Accor Charity platform.

Sofitel Legend brings together unique addresses all located in or near UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the canals of Amsterdam, the fortified city of Cartagena, the Casco Viejo of Panama, and the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long in Hanoi. The partnership will be deployed first at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery, and Emblems, said: "Our alliance with UNESCO reflects a deep conviction: luxury hospitality must extend beyond accommodation to become a true bridge between cultures."..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Canada Hotels Report Largest Occupancy and RevPAR Gains

Canada's hotel industry recorded its largest year-on-year RevPAR increase since June 2023 in September 2026, according to CoStar data. Occupancy reached 77.9%, up 5.0% year on year, while average daily rate rose 8.5% to CAD257.76, and RevPAR increased 14.0% to CAD200.79.

Quebec recorded the largest year-on-year increases across all three key performance indicators among provinces, with occupancy up 10.4% to 80.9%, ADR up 10.2% to CAD267.15, and RevPAR up 21.6% to CAD216.20. Among major markets, Montreal recorded the strongest gains in occupancy and RevPAR, with occupancy increasing 13.0% to 84.3% and RevPAR surging 25.5% to CAD232.65, attributed in part to events and concerts including the FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Rush reunion tour, and POP Montreal. Vancouver recorded the largest ADR increase among major markets, with rates rising 11.5% to CAD373.42...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

STR: U.S. Hotel Results and LE Pipeline Report

STR released U.S. hotel results for the week ending 17 October, continuing the industry's positive momentum. The Lodging Econometrics report revealed that extended stay projects account for 40% of the U.S. hotel construction pipeline, as luxury and upper upscale projects reached record highs at Q3 2026, demonstrating continued developer confidence in the world's largest hotel market and the growing importance of extended-stay segments...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes Expands Across Greek Islands

Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes has expanded across the Greek Islands with four new exceptional homes, while also continuing its global expansion into new destinations. The expansion reflects the continued growth of Mandarin Oriental's branded residential portfolio and its appeal to discerning buyers seeking the service and amenities of a world-class hotel brand in the privacy of a private residence...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

IHG and American Express Partner in Mainland China

IHG Hotels and Resorts has partnered with American Express to elevate premium travel experiences for card members in mainland China, strengthening the value proposition for American Express cardholders and expanding IHG's reach among premium travelers in one of the world's most important markets...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Hyatt and Brigade Group Announce Two New Hyatt Regency Hotels in Bengaluru

Hyatt and Brigade Group have announced plans for two new Hyatt Regency hotels in Bengaluru, expanding Hyatt's presence in India's technology capital and reinforcing the company's commitment to one of the world's fastest-growing hospitality markets. The announcement follows Hyatt's broader expansion in India, where the company continues to grow its brand portfolio across luxury, lifestyle, and select-service segments...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Casa Verbena Madrid Opens Under Outset Collection by Hilton

Casa Verbena Madrid, Outset Collection by Hilton, has opened, inviting guests to immerse themselves in Madrileño life and marking the continued expansion of Hilton's newest lifestyle brand in Europe. The property brings the Outset Collection's focus on distinctive, locally inspired experiences to one of Europe's most vibrant capitals...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Hilton Introduces New Travel Coordinator Tools and Digital Pay with Points

Hilton for Business introduced new travel coordinator tools and program enhancements shaped by member feedback, strengthening its offering for small and medium-sized businesses. Hilton also became the first major hotel brand to offer a digital solution to pay with points, giving Hilton Honors members greater flexibility in how they redeem their rewards and further enhancing the value proposition of the loyalty program...... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

Conclusion

The past week in global hospitality has revealed an industry in confident motion across every major region and segment. IHG's remarkable series of signings across Iceland, India, and the UK demonstrates the company's continued momentum across multiple segments and geographies.

Preferred Hotels' addition of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary to its Legend Collection, Meliá's Roatán signing, and Sofitel Legend's UNESCO partnership demonstrate the industry's continued evolution in luxury, branded residences, and cultural stewardship. Canada's strong September performance and the LE pipeline report confirm the sustained health of North American hospitality markets. Hilton's digital pay with points solution and travel coordinator tools demonstrate the industry's continued investment in technology and loyalty innovation.

From Reykjavik to Raipur, from London to Hyderabad, from Coorg to Roatán, from Athens to Madrid, the industry continues to move forward with confidence. Strategic expansion, brand debuts, cultural partnerships, and performance milestones collectively paint a picture of an industry firing on all cylinders as the global travel landscape continues to evolve. For members of Leading Hoteliers Network, the past week's developments provide valuable intelligence on the strategic priorities of the world's leading hotel companies and the trends shaping the industry's future..... Continue reading (Members Only)  - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

The Team

at LEADING HOTELIERS NETWORK / JOB LEAD SERVICE