The hospitality industry has long been considered cautious when it comes to adopting new technology. In some periods that caution has been understandable, but hesitation around artificial intelligence now risks limiting progress across the sector. Recent research suggests there is a widening gap between what hoteliers say they believe about AI and how they actually […]

Whitbread has reported higher third-quarter sales as growth in Premier Inn UK and Germany offset a planned reduction in food and beverage revenues under its Accelerating Growth Plan. Total group sales rose 2% to £781m in the third quarter, driven by higher accommodation sales in both markets. This was partly offset by lower UK food […]

Whitbread is planning to add more than 2,200 hotel rooms across Outer London as part of an expansion of its Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn brands. The hotel group has identified 17 locations where it believes there is scope for new hotels, citing demand from leisure and business customers and a lack of […]

LondonMetric Property has announced it has acquired nine Premier Inn hotels in a £89m deal. The deal reflects a net initial yield of 5.3% which will compound over the lease term. The portfolio was acquired from Whitbread through a sale and leaseback agreement. The properties are let on new 30-year leases and generate an annual […]

The Sloane Club has completed a refurbishment of its premises in Chelsea, updating a number of internal and external areas while retaining the building’s historic character. The project was delivered by Derby-based architects Morrison Design and led by Peter Newman-Earp and Les Witten. The works focused on improving circulation, accessibility and year-round use across both […]

B&B Hotels has officially completed the refurbishment of all seven of its UK hotels, concluding an 18-month investment programme aimed at updating the group’s British portfolio. The European budget hotel operator marked the milestone with a showcase event in Birmingham, which was attended by suppliers, business partners and customers. The refurbishments covered properties in Birmingham, […]

More than 2,000 hospitality venues could close over the coming year unless the government introduces sector-wide relief on business rates, according to new analysis from UKHospitality. The trade body said modelling suggests 2,076 closures in 2026, equivalent to around six venues a day, driven by sharp increases in business rates due to take effect in […]

Yotel has promoted three senior executives as the hospitality group sets a target of reaching 100 hotels open and signed worldwide by 2031. The appointments come as the company enters a new phase of expansion, with planned openings in cities including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, Athens and Belfast.  The group currently operates 23 hotels across […]

Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate has reported a 75% increase in conference enquiry revenue between 2022 and 2024 and confirmed conference revenue rose 62% during the same period, with growth continuing into 2025. Year-to-date figures for 2025 show a further 14% uplift in enquiries and a 7.5% rise in confirmed bookings. The hotel attributed […]

Two Seas Hotels has acquired the Celtic International Hotel on Port Road in Barry, close to Cardiff City Airport, for an undisclosed sum. The hotel, which operates 50 bedrooms, includes a full-service offering with a recently refurbished bar and restaurant.  It is positioned adjacent to the airport and serves both leisure and business guests. The […]