JW Marriott has inaugurated its first all-inclusive property, the 415-room JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, following a delayed opening.
The resort overlooks Playa El Jobo and includes 17 swimming pools, 15 restaurants and bars, and a 16,000-square-foot wellness facility called Spa by JW and Mindfulness House. An exclusive Griffin Club within the resort provides private beach access, a dedicated pool, and personalized services.
Ritz-Carlton Naples Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón in Southwest Florida has finished a multimillion-dollar upgrade. Renovations include refreshed guestrooms and suites, a redesigned lobby, and an enhanced Club Lounge. Guests retain access to two
championship golf courses, tennis courts, a large pool complex, and three new dining outlets.
JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa Opens for Full Safari Season
Following the October 1 reopening of Ranthambore National Park’s core zones, the JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa in India welcomed guests for its first full safari season. The 127-room property offers tented suites and private-pool villas, along with guided nature walks and cooking classes for wildlife enthusiasts.
IHG and Marriott Announce New Hotel Openings Across Europe and Asia
IHG debuted its Ruby Lilou hotel in Marseille, France, marking the brand’s French entry with 237 rooms, yacht-inspired design elements, rainfall showers, and a rooftop terrace. Marriott signed agreements to add eight hotels with over 700 rooms in
the Netherlands, including six Series by Marriott properties in Amsterdam, The Hague, Maastricht, and Breda, plus two Tribute Portfolio hotels including Hotel Mariënhage in Eindhoven.
In Thailand, Marriott agreed to open seven hotels totaling 1,262 rooms across Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. The largest is the JW Marriott Bangkok Sathorn with 288 rooms, alongside first-time brand introductions like citizenM and Series by Marriott.
Hilton and IHG Reveal Future Properties in Tampa and Uttar Pradesh
Hilton plans to open Hotel Cala in Tampa, Florida, in January 2027. The 281-room hotel will feature a resort-style pool, 16 suites, and two restaurants along the city’s Riverwalk.
IHG signed a contract for the voco Vrindavan in
Uttar Pradesh, India, scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2031. The 130-room hotel will include three dining venues, a swimming pool, fitness center, and meeting facilities.
Fairmont Mayakoba Offers Beach Stay Guarantee Amid Seaweed Accumulation
Fairmont Mayakoba introduced a Beach Promise to compensate guests with a complimentary one-night stay during a future visit if significant sargassum seaweed accumulation restricts beach or ocean access through December 20, 2026.
Separately, Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta highlighted the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch hotel in London, noting the spa will be managed by British skincare brand OSKIA and “will offer a distinctly London interpretation of the Waldorf Astoria Spa experience.”
New Luxury Options Provide Expanded Travel Choices
The
opening of JW Marriott’s first all-inclusive resort creates new luxury opportunities for Marriott Bonvoy members, complemented by the Ritz-Carlton Naples renovation and global Marriott expansions. IHG’s French debut and Hilton’s Tampa hotel add further diversity to accommodations available worldwide.
Fairmont Mayakoba’s Beach Promise addresses traveler concerns following sargassum seaweed issues impacting coastal resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Sargassum Seaweed Continues to Affect Resort Beach Access
Resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, including Fairmont Mayakoba, have faced challenges due to substantial sargassum seaweed accumulation, which disrupts beach and ocean access. This has led to accommodations offering guarantees and compensation policies for affected guests.
JW Marriott Costa Elena’s opening
is among several recent hotel industry announcements signaling continued growth in luxury all-inclusive and lifestyle hotel options globally.
