Believe it or not, summer is already here. I am writing this column from ultra-humid and hot weather. Miamiwhere I’ll spend a week at a hospitality conference trying to learn what’s new, what’s cool, and where you should spend your hard-earned money. But first: writing on the beach. It’s a difficult job, but someone has to do it.
The last few weeks I’ve been traveling around the world for TPG, from a service trip with colleagues to Ghana to a meeting with the CEO of Hilton, Chris Nassettain Aruba. Between my travels, a lot of news has happened and, as I do every month, I’ve put together some of the things I think are interesting below.
Wherever you are, I wish you a happy summer full of fun, sun and lots of laughter. If you’re interested in keeping up with me, TPG’s senior hotel reporter, give me a follow on instagram to keep up to date with my travels and my reports.
Some Hyatt elite members will have a longer booking window
Starting June 30, World of Hyatt Globalists and Explorers You will be able to book award nights 12 months in advance, rather than a year in advance. People who have a co-branded World of Hyatt credit card will also receive the benefit. That extra month may not seem like much, but it could be very beneficial for people trying to book a top-tier hotel where award availability is scarce.
Popular Nashville hotel joins Marriott Bonvoy
Before he was a travel reporter, he was Phi Kappa Tau at Belmont University in Nashville. In my last year we had our formal party at the Hutton Hoteland it was fabulous. Now it’s even better, thanks to a $40 million renovation to its 246 music-themed rooms and public spaces, including a large listening room, Analog, and even a recording studio for songwriters. But now, the Hutton Hotel has joined Marriott Bonvoy through Marriott Tribute Portfolioso you can book a stay at this Music City hotel with points. Better yet, the hotel offers the “Soundcheck at Hutton” package, which gives Bonvoy members a $100 experience credit and 5,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points.
Related: The best hotels to book in Nashville for the full Music City experience
Ian Schrager is ready to make his mark in West Hollywood
Ian Schrager, the force behind Edition Hotels and founder of the legendary Studio 54 in New Yorkis a legend among hoteliers and is widely considered the pioneer of the modern boutique hotel. Now he’s back with Public West Hollywood, a long-awaited reinvention of the former The Standard, West Hollywood, a famous hotel on Sunset Boulevard you may recognize from “Sex and the City” (and one of my and my late husband’s favorites).
Public West Hollywood, opening in July, will bring Schrager’s “luxury for all” vision to Los Angeleswith minimalist rooms, elegant public spaces and plenty of art and entertainment.
Related: The best Edition hotels in the world, according to Marriott Bonvoy loyalists
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Marriott partners with Outside Interactive
Outside Interactive, a media and technology platform focused on outdoor activities, has partnered with Marriott Bonvoy to allow members to earn points simply by getting outdoors. Members can link their Bonvoy accounts with a Outdoor+adventure pass to earn points by logging activities like walks, runs, and bike rides through the Outside Maps app while you stay in Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors Properties. Bonvoy members can get a free 14-day Outside+ Adventure Trail pass and reactivate it during stays. Or keep the paid subscription to earn 2000 points. Existing Outside+ members can earn 1,000 Bonvoy points for linking accounts.
London is back in New York (and you can book with Bonvoy points)
New York City’s 151 West 54th Street has long been the site of a luxury hotel. However, in recent years it has changed its name and brand several times. Not long ago, the hotel was the Conrad New York Midtown, but rebranded as The Luxury Collection Hotel under Marriott in 2024. Now, the hotel has announced that it will return to its roots and as The London, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York. Sure, much of the change is just in the name, but guests (and Bonvoy loyalists) should expect a clearer sense of identity, programming that honors the roots of the original London Hotel and New York moments, like the Daily Epicurean Moment featuring cheeses from Murray’s (a New York institution) and New York-made wines.
Kimpton has a new “Social Password”
Kimpton hotels have a secret password that you can mention at the front desk to get a special reward, sometimes in the form of a drink, snack or other gifts. From now until August 29, tell the desk “in bloom and out of the office” and you could receive a special surprise. And, if you stay at the Kimpton Vividora in Barcelona, a property I personally love, you’ll receive a mystery box full of delights!
Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques launches Design Store
In May, Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques launched an exciting design-driven shopping experience, expanding boutique offerings from categories such as sleep, bath and fragrance to include more home décor items such as furniture, art and lifestyle pieces. The collection aims to bring hotel-inspired decor to guests’ homes, with the W Hotels Living Collection (inspired by the iconic W New York – Union Square) as a debut collection. The Westin and JW Marriott collections will debut later this year.
