Latest news: Jacksonville sale; Hilton's first Signia in APAC; Atmosphere Core to Europe

Holiday Inn Express sells in Jacksonville. Jacksonville, Florida-based PH Lodging Jax Beach has acquired the 70-key Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville – Mayport/Beach in Florida from Jacksonville-based Mayport Lodging for an undisclosed amount. Tampa, Florida-based DSH Hotel Advisors brokered the sale, which was finalized on February 19. The hotel received $1.55 million in renovations that were completed in 2024.

Hilton opens first Signia in APAC. Hilton is partnering with Sandeep Bakshi and Family LLP to sign its first Signia by Hilton hotel in Asia Pacific in Jaipur, India. The 216-key hotel is scheduled to open in 2028. Signia by Hilton's debut in India follows the recent opening of Signia by Hilton Amman in Jordan, the first Signia by Hilton hotel outside of the United States. Hilton's portfolio of trading and pipeline hotels in South Asia now stands at 64.

Atmosphere Core adds first in Europe. The Maldives-based Atmosphere Core, a hotelier operating in South Asia, is expanding into the northern hemisphere with the Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere, a luxury rural retreat in Langhe in the Piedmont region of Italy. In just the last two years, Atmosphere Core has developed a pipeline of over 25 properties in India and South Asia. Built in 1773, the Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere is a monastery restoration and the second historic property in the portfolio. It is scheduled to open in late 2026.

Hyatt adding in British vacation spots. Hyatt Hotels Corp. said it is expanding in some of the most popular holiday destinations for British travelers. Since 2017, the company has quadrupled its portfolio in European and African destinations including Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Egypt and Morocco. Hyatt plans to add 20 new hotels in these and other destinations, including Albania and Croatia. This expansion represents 20% growth in Hyatt's brand presence in these destinations, adding over 4,000 new rooms for the dream vacations of millions of British holidaymakers. Among these 20 new openings are first-time entries into destinations such as the Greek island of Paros, Portugal's Algarve, Seville in Spain, Zadar in Croatia and Palase on the Albanian Riviera.

SSI closes investment in VANA Partners. Miami-based Starwood Strategic Partners, an investment platform managed by Starwood Capital Group that is dedicated to investing in commercial real estate opportunities controlled by early to mid-stage managers, announced it has completed an investment in New York City-based VANA Partners, a real estate investment platform focused on the extended-stay hotel segment. Through this collaboration, Starwood Capital will invest programmatic capital and provide strategic advice to VANA's leadership through board representation and infrastructure support. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Vingroup, JTA Investment Qatar reach MOU. Hanoi, Vietnam-based Vingroup and global investment firm JTA Investment Qatar have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for strategic investment opportunities in the electric vehicle and tourism sectors. Accordingly, JTA Investment Qatar recognizes VinFast's global growth strategy alongside the significant value of Vinpearl's premium hotels and resorts, amusement parks and entertainment clusters.

New executives at B&B Hotels. Paris-based B&B Hotels is separating the president and general manager roles, previously held by Fabrice Collet. Céline Vercollier has been appointed as the new group CEO. As CFO of the B&B since 2017 alongside Fabrice Collet, Céline has played a key role in the development and growth of B&B Hotels over the past eight years. Collet, now executive chairman, was appointed as general manager of B&B HOTELS in 2016 and then as group CEO in 2019 after serving as CFO since 2012. Damien Martin has also joined B&B as CFO. Martin brings 25 years of financial experience to B&B, with expertise in high-growth contexts within international markets.