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Sonder shuts down after Mariott ends partnership
Short-term rentals company Sonder will file for bankruptcy and wind down its operations immediately, after Marriott International terminated its licensing agreement with the company. Marriott said over the weekend that its agreement with Sonder had ended due to Sonder’s default. The companies first announced their partnership in 2024. “We are devastated to reach a point where a liquidation is the only viable path forward,” said interim Sonder CEO Janice Sears. “Unfortunately, our integration with Marriott International was substantially delayed due to unexpected challenges in aligning our technology frameworks, resulting in significant, unanticipated integration costs, as well as a sharp decline in revenue arising from Sonder’s participation in Marriott’s Bonvoy reservation system. These issues persisted and contributed to a substantial and material loss in working capital.” Sonder plans to begin Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings for its United States business, as well as insolvency processes in the other countries it operates. It will wind down all its operations immediately, it said. The company sent its guests emails on Sunday asking that they leave Sonder’s properties as soon as possible. The Sonder-Marriott
Hotels
Rosewood Hong Kong tops World's 50 Best Hotels list
Rosewood Hong Kong has taken the top spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list, with hotels in Asia dominating the rankings. Six of the top 10 hotels are in Asia, with three of these located in Bangkok. Hotels in Italy, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates round out the top 10. "We are delighted to share the list of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 and to celebrate Rosewood Hong Kong's No.1 spot - a property that has featured in the top three since the inception of the awards in 2023. This exceptional hotel offers world-class service and sensational guest experiences in the heart of one of the world's most bustling and dynamic destinations,” said The World’s 50 Best Hotels head of content Emma Sleight. “Rosewood Hong Kong's positioning as No.1 further consolidates Asia as a leading luxury travel destination for both business and leisure travellers.” Rosewood Hong Kong, a 413-room skyscraper on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, opened in 2019. It includes 11 bars and restaurants, a 25 metre infinity pool, and views across Hong Kong’s harbour and Kowloon Peak. Of the list’s top 50 hotels, 20 are in Asia. Four hotels in Tokyo feature on the list, the most of any city, with Hong Kong and Bangkok following at three hotels each.
Hotels
Hilton beats estimates, cuts guidance on low US demand
Hilton beat estimates on earnings per share last quarter, but has lowered its guidance as demand in the U.S. declines. Earnings per share were US$2.11, up from $1.92 year-over-year and above Bloomberg-compiled estimates of $2.05. Revenue was $3.12 billion, rising from $2.87 billion. “Our third quarter results continued to demonstrate the resilience of our business model, delivering strong bottom line performance despite softer industry RevPAR [revenue per available room],” said Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta. “We remain optimistic, that in the U.S., lower interest rates, a more favourable regulatory environment, certainty on tax policy and a significant investment cycle will accelerate economic growth and travel demand, and, when paired with limited industry supply growth, should drive stronger RevPAR growth over the next several years.” Operating income was $777 million, up from $623 million. Net income grew to $421 million, from $344 million. Occupancy rates in the U.S. dropped to 74.5%, from 75.5%. System wide occupancy was down by 0.5 percentage points. European occupancy declined by 0.1 percentage points, while the Americas, excluding the U.S. and the Asia Pacific both reported growth of 0.5. The Middle Eas
Hotels
Hilton unveils Outset Collection, its 25th brand
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has unveiled Outset Collection by Hilton, its 25th brand and the eighth addition to its rapidly expanding Lifestyle portfolio, as the hotel group looks to tap into rising demand for distinctive, design-led stays with local character. The new brand aims to give guests and owners more flexibility while broadening Hilton’s reach into the upscale conversion market. The first Outset Collection properties will open for bookings on Hilton.com in November, with guests able to check in at select hotels later this year. At launch, the collection will feature more than 60 hotels in development and is expected to grow to over 500 properties across the United States and Canada over time. The initial lineup includes a basecamp-style hotel in Moab, Utah, catering to adventure travellers, and a boutique property in Chicago, blending local design with Hilton’s hallmark service. “At Hilton, we continue to reimagine what’s next in hospitality, and today, we’re delivering it. Outset Collection is an expression of our commitment to growth, innovation and meeting the evolving needs of travelers around the world,” said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton. “By expanding our Lifestyle portfolio, we are broadeni
Hotels
Noosa’s five-star Sofitel begins renovation
Noosa’s only five-star hotel, the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, has begun its first major renovation in more than a decade as fresh competition prepares to enter the local luxury market. The resort, which opened as a Sheraton in 1989 and rebranded to Sofitel in 2013, has long held its position as Noosa’s sole five-star accommodation. Strict development controls and strong community resistance have kept other operators out for more than 35 years, with only a handful of four-star hotels, such as Peppers Noosa and Essence Peregian Beach, making their mark. Owned by The Pacific Collection — a joint venture between the Laundy and Karedis families — the 175-room Sofitel is undergoing a “transformation” while remaining open to guests. Accor, which has managed the property since 2012, says the redesign will embrace “natural textures, custom detailing, and a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors” to reflect Noosa’s relaxed coastal spirit. Renovated rooms are set to roll out this month, while the high-profile Noosa Beach House Restaurant and Bar, a Hastings Street landmark, has closed temporarily and will reopen ahead of the summer season. The refurbishment comes as Noosa prepares for two significant new develop

Hotels
European hotels sue Booking.com for best price clause
More than 10,000 European hotels are suing Booking.com, claiming the site owes compensation for “inflated costs” over 20 years. Hotels in the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes in Europe (Hotrec) claimed that the booking sites parity clause stopped them from offering lower prices and better availability on other platforms or their own website. The lawsuit is set ot be one of the largest filed in the European hospitality sector and has been backed by 30 national hotel associations, including Britain. “Over 10,000 hotels have already joined the pan-European initiative to claim compensation for financial losses caused by Booking.com’s use of illegal ‘best price’ (parity) clauses,” Hotrec said in a statement. In September of 2024, the European Court of Justice found that the rental platform’s parity clauses had “breached EU competition law”. According to Hotrec, these clauses led to inflation in commission rates, suppressed direct booking and distorted online market competition. The association added that hotels may be eligible for commission from Booking.com from 2004 to 2024. In response to the overwhelming support, Hotrec has extended the deadline for venues to join the lawsuit until 29 August. “Th
Hotels
Marriott delivers strong growth amid travel rebound
Marriott International posted a solid first-quarter performance in 2025, outperforming analyst expectations, and reflecting resilient demand for travel and lodging worldwide. The hospitality giant reported net income of $665 million, up 18% year-on-year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 7% to $1.22 billion. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) climbed 4.1% globally, driven by international markets (+5.9%), while U.S. and Canada growth remained steady at 3.3%. Amid a booming recovery in business and leisure travel, Marriott’s ability to capture pricing power and maintain strong occupancy underscores wider industry momentum. President and CEO Anthony Capuano said, "The combination of continued travel demand, the strength of our brands and our fee-driven business model drove strong financial results in the first quarter. "Despite heightened macro-economic uncertainty, global RevPAR rose over 4%, primarily driven by higher ADR, and our development momentum remained positive. Our international markets experienced particularly robust growth, with RevPAR increasing nearly 6%, led by double-digit gains in APEC. RevPAR in the U.S. & Canada rose over 3% in the first quarter, although we did see slower growth in March." Expansion remai
Hotels
The Lodge Wadjemup among TIME's world's greatest places
Three months after welcoming its first guests, The Lodge Wadjemup hotel on Rottnest Island has made Time magazine’s 2025 World’s Greatest Places list. The venue was the only Western Australian entry and only Australian hotel on the survey. The Lodge Wadjemup, named after the First Nation's name for Rottnest Island, Stage one opened for business in December of last year, after a $40 million redevelopment on the existing Rottnest Island Lodge.Credit: The Lodge WadjemupStage one boasts 63 refurbished rooms, including accommodation in ‘Courtyard Rooms’ and ‘Lake Rooms’ in the heritage buildings, two pools, a takeaway kiosk and the Mediterranean inspired Sunsets bar and restaurant. Set to open midyear, Stage 2 will include 46 more guest rooms, ‘Poolhouse Rooms’ to be specific and function spaces.Credit: The Lodge WadjemupTime writer Michelle Tchea, wrote that while it was “tempting” to spend the entire stay inside the resort, visitors would be “remiss not to lope past colorful salt lakes and picturesque lighthouses…or explore Noongar ancestry via a cultural tour at the Wadjemup Museum”, with pristine beaches and quokka spotting also being a major pull for tourists.
Hotels
Dubai set to open new luxury hotel next to Burj Al Arab
Dubai is set to open its new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab luxury hotel next week, a massive resort complex next to the Burj Al Arab. The Marsa Al Arab is located on a newly-developed peninsula off the coast of Dubai, around 460 metres from the Burj Al Arab. It will host 386 rooms, a private beach, and 15 restaurants and bars. “Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is poised to redefine ultra-luxury in Dubai’s competitive market by seamlessly integrating with the ocean and superyacht marina, offering an unparalleled coastal experience,” said Marsa Al Arab architect Shaun Killa. “Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s fluid design evokes the image of a yacht gracefully heading out to sea.” The hotel will begin accepting guests on 14 March. Reservations are priced from AED4465 (A$1942) per night. The Marsa Al Arab will also include 82 residences and nine private villas. It features a three-floor spa with an indoor pool and fitness centre. Its peninsula has a waterfront promenade, a marina, and four pools, as well as a view of the Burj Al Arab. “For decades, visitors have come to Dubai to capture the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in their photos. We wanted to honor that legacy, which is why we split the residences and hotel building to ensure uninterrupted vi