This month, Marriott Bonvoy’s continued raising the bar in partnerships, including global sports with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Across the region, there were numerous notable openings including W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu, Moxy Budapest Downtown and Aloft Belfast Titanic Quarter, alongside the seasonal relaunch of Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. There were also announcements of plans for a new Luxury Collection property at Lake Tegernsee, Germany. The month also showcased Marriott’s focus on culture and experience-led travel, from W Hotels’ cinematic “Director’s Route” to standout food, beverage and arts activations across key destinations, including an activation at The St. Regis Venice for the 61^st Venice Biennale.

MARRIOTT BONVOY ANNOUNCEMENTS

MARRIOTT BONVOY EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL AHEAD OF WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP

 

Marriott Bonvoy has expanded its global partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to include the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, taking place in England this June and July. As part of its role as Official Accommodation Partner of the ICC, Marriott Bonvoy will offer members exclusive access to matches, with host cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton.  The partnership builds on the success of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, continuing a shared focus on enhancing fan engagement through premium hospitality and on-the-ground experiences. Through Marriott Bonvoy Moments, members will have the opportunity to unlock a range of experiences at the tournament, from match access to curated hospitality offerings designed to elevate the spectator experience.  Fan-focused initiatives, including the return of the Anthem Kids programme, aim to bring the next generation closer to the game. The expansion comes at a time of significant growth for women’s cricket, with rising global audiences and engagement highlighting the sport’s increasing momentum. Together, Marriott Bonvoy and the ICC continue to connect sport, travel and cultural passion points, delivering unforgettable experiences for members around the world.

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NEW HOTEL OPENINGS

A HIDDEN-PORT ESCAPE DEBUTS IN SARDINIA WITH THE OPENING OF W SARDINIA – POLTU QUATU

 

 

W Hotels has expanded its Italian footprint with the opening of W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu, introducing the brand’s bold, design-led energy to a new Mediterranean coastal destination. Nestled within the picturesque village of Poltu Quatu on Sardinia’s northeast coast, the 157-room hotel is set against a dramatic fjord-like marina framed by granite cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Designed by Studio Meyer Davis, the property blends contemporary aesthetics with local character, drawing on Sardinia’s natural textures, craftsmanship and mythology, with interiors featuring sculptural forms, Orosei marble and curated works by regional artists. Social life revolves around signature spaces including TANIT seafood restaurant, the vibrant W Lounge and the WET Deck, which transitions seamlessly from relaxed daytime lounging to lively evening programming. Guests can also enjoy the AWAY Spa, FIT fitness studio and a calendar of immersive experiences ranging from culinary workshops and artisan-led activities to excursions exploring the island’s hidden coves.

 

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MOXY HOTELS CHECKS INTO HUNGARY WITH OPENING OF MOXY BUDAPEST DOWNTOWN

 

 

 

Moxy Hotels has made its debut in Hungary with the opening of Moxy Budapest Downtown, bringing the brand’s playful energy and bold, experience-led offering to one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Located on Kazinczy Street in the heart of Budapest’s lively cultural district, known for its nightlife, architecture and creative scene. Set within a former dance institution, the 281-room property blends Budapest’s historic character with contemporary design, featuring interiors inspired by movement, theatrical lighting and local artworks.  Guests are welcomed at Bar Moxy with a signature cocktail check-in, while dynamic social spaces are designed to foster connection, creativity and shared experiences. The hotel offers thoughtfully designed guest rooms with modern technology and flexible workspace, alongside a 24/7 fitness centre and dedicated meeting spaces. A standout feature is the rooftop bar, Saddle & Sky, bringing a new social hub to the neighbourhood.

 

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ALOFT BY MARRIOTT DOCKS IN BELFAST'S TITANIC QUARTER

 

Aloft by Marriott has opened its first property in Northern Ireland with the Aloft by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter, bringing a bold, design-led hospitality offering to one of the city’s fastest-growing waterfront destinations. Located in the historic Titanic Quarter beside the iconic Titanic Belfast attraction and SSE Arena, the hotel introduces a fresh, modern experience in the heart of the developing district. The property features 135 loft-style bedrooms, combining contemporary design, smart technology and vibrant interiors, with many rooms offering views across the Titanic Quarter.  Public spaces are centred around Aloft by Marriott’s signature social concepts, including the W XYZ® Bar for craft cocktails and live music, and Re:Fuel, a grab-and-go hub catering to modern, on-the-move travellers. Designed to appeal to both business and leisure guests, the hotel blends connectivity, flexibility and energy, while also catering to families and pet owners through Arf, the dedicated animal programme.

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PATMOS AKTIS, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT & SPA, REOPENS FOR SUMMER 2026 WITH NEW BEACHFRONT SUITES

 

 

Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, has reopened for the season with the addition of 33 new beachfront suites, marking the final phase of the resort’s transformation following its debut as a Luxury Collection property last year. Set on the tranquil curve of Grikos Bay, the resort is the only luxury beachfront hotel on Patmos and offers a refined base from which to experience the island’s spiritual heritage, natural beauty and understated charm. Originally developed in the 1960s as part of Greece’s state-led Xenia programme, Patmos Aktis completed a renovation last year with new guestrooms, suites, maisonettes and public spaces. The 33 additional beachfront suites added this year, include private-pool options, designed to offer greater space, privacy and connection to the surrounding landscape. The resort also offers destination-led dining and wellness experiences, from Plefsis Tavern and ANASA Wellness & Spa to the arrival of Barolo, offering refined Italian fare, alongside private boat trips, monastery visits, architecture walks through Chora and other experiences shaped by the culture and character of Patmos.

 

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MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS

A LAKESIDE RETREAT TAKES SHAPE AS THE LUXURY COLLECTION HEADS TO TEGERNSEE

Marriott International has announced plans to bring The Luxury Collection to Germany’s Lake Tegernsee with the signing of Seegut am Tegernsee, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in 2029. Located less than an hour from Munich, one of the country’s most sought-after leisure destinations, the resort is envisioned as an intimate, nature-led escape that blends seamlessly into its Alpine surroundings while reflecting the region’s architectural heritage and strong wellness tradition. Spread across 25 buildings, the development will feature 119 guestrooms, suites, apartments and villas, many offering panoramic lake and mountain views, alongside direct access to the water. Wellness will be a central focus, with a 3,500 sqm spa, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness facilities and a yoga pavilion, complemented by a range of dining experiences including a traditional Bavarian Wirtshaus and a cultural venue designed to host art exhibitions and events. Positioned as both a luxury retreat and a community-connected destination, the project reflects growing demand for nature-driven, wellness-focused travel experiences in Europe.

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HOTEL HAPPENINGS

A CINEMATIC JOURNEY UNFOLDS ACROSS EUROPE WITH W HOTELS’ “THE DIRECTOR’S ROUTE”

 

 

W Hotels has partnered with the Design Museum to launch The Director’s Route, a multi-city experience spanning W London, W Budapest and W Prague, inspired by the distinctive cinematic worlds of filmmaker Wes Anderson. Created in celebration of Wes Anderson: The Archive, the first major retrospective of the director’s work, this immersive concept extends the exhibition beyond the gallery, transforming each hotel into a chapter of a broader narrative shaped by storytelling, design and craftsmanship. Until July 31^st, guests can book a dedicated suite package that includes a two-night stay, themed food and beverage experiences, and curated touches such as bespoke menus designed by Annie Atkins, known for her work on Anderson’s films. Across all three destinations, playful details, including Polaroid cameras and Wes-inspired cocktails, encourage guests to document and interact with the experience. Blending hospitality, design and film, The Director’s Route offers a highly stylised and immersive journey that reimagines how guests engage with both destination and narrative.

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THE ST. REGIS VENICE UNVEILS KOMOREBI - WHERE LIGHT FINDS FORM - FOR BIENNALE ARTE 2026

Timed with the 61st Venice Biennale, The St. Regis Venice introduces Komorebi, a cultural installation, on until April 2027, that brings contemporary art into conversation with the hotel’s historic setting. Inspired by the Japanese term of light filtering through trees, the project explores themes of beauty, transience and atmosphere, echoing both Venice’s character and the Biennale’s 2026 theme, In Minor Keys. Created in collaboration with Marta Cereda, the installation features works by six international artists alongside bespoke Murano glass pieces created with Berengo Studio. Designed as an intimate and immersive experience, Komorebi transforms the hotel into a living gallery, reinforcing its role as a vibrant cultural hub during one of the city’s most significant artistic moments.

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JOÃO’S PLACE RELAUNCHES AT W EDINBURGH WITH A NEW LOOK, NEW MENU AND PANORAMIC CITY VIEWS

João’s Place, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind a gold door on the 11th floor of W Edinburgh, has relaunched with a redesigned space, expanded dining area and a new cocktail and light bites menu. Inspired by Liberdade, São Paulo’s Japanese-Brazilian neighbourhood, the refreshed menu brings together rare whiskies, Japanese spirits and Brazilian influences, with signature serves including Evening at Liberdade, made with Nikka whisky, Kahlúa and Mozart liqueur, and Margarita Piquant, with Patrón Reposado, Illegal Mezcal and jalapeño padrón pepper soda. The new food offering includes elevated small plates designed for sharing, such as sushi rolls with whisky-cured salmon and snow crab, wagyu empanadas with sweet ají panca, and a California roll with Cornish brown crab, avocado and truffle oil. The relaunch builds on João’s Place’s reputation as one of Edinburgh’s standout cocktail bars, following its Cocktail Bar of the Year 2025 win at the Scottish Hotel Awards. Guests can also enjoy 360-degree views across Edinburgh, including Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat and the Firth of Forth, alongside live acoustic sessions from Scottish musicians every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm as part of Sounds of João’s.

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CIRA RETURNS TO PARIS MARRIOTT CHAMPS ELYSEES HOTEL, BRINGING A RIVIERA‑INSPIRED SUMMER ESCAPE TO THE HEART OF PARIS

Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel has unveiled the reopening of CIRA, its hidden terrace nestled just beyond the iconic avenue, reimagined as a sun‑drenched Mediterranean sanctuary. Conceived as a secret garden where time softens and the city fades away, CIRA captures the effortless elegance of Riviera living through a refined yet convivial experience. At its heart, a generous culinary journey unfolds around seasonal, sun‑kissed ingredients and open‑flame cooking, from vibrant tapas to charcoal‑grilled seafood and meats. Enhancing this Mediterranean narrative, renowned winemaker Gérard Bertrand curates a selection of organic and biodynamic wines from the South of France, while the bar programme extends the experience with signature cocktails and a dedicated specialty coffee offering in collaboration with 1895 Coffee Designers by Lavazza. From rosé‑filled afternoons to live music evenings and sunlit Sunday brunches, CIRA invites guests into a sensory escape where long lunches stretch into golden hours, an ode to the French Riviera, just steps from the Champs‑Élysées.

 

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LE MÉRIDIEN BEACH PLAZA INTRODUCES SEN, A CONFIDENTIAL JAPANESE GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE IN MONACO

Le Méridien Beach Plaza has unveiled SEN, a new Japanese gastronomic destination designed as a discreet, speakeasy‑style experience in the heart of Monaco. Conceived in collaboration with the renowned Kodera family, a leading name in the Principality’s culinary scene, SEN offers an immersive journey inspired by the precision, ritual and understated elegance of Japanese culture. Set within a softly lit, intimate setting by ARCHIEE Studio, the restaurant invites guests into a quiet, contemplative atmosphere where craftsmanship and detail take centre stage. At the helm, chef Hiroki Hiyama presents a refined interpretation of Japanese gastronomy, guided by seasonality, purity of product and the art of omakase, where each dish unfolds as a carefully orchestrated expression of balance and restraint. From the subtle choreography of service rooted in omotenashi to a menu built on exacting technique and exceptional ingredients, SEN embodies a new expression of culinary excellence in Monaco. Positioned alongside the hotel’s existing dining concepts, the opening further reinforces Le Méridien Beach Plaza’s commitment to curated, high‑end gastronomic experiences, where discretion, emotion and precision define a new standard.

 

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