Latest news: HMI, Marriott partner in Japan; Hilton adds in Mexico; Choice doubles in France

HMI to rebrand 7 to Marriott. Marriott International and Toyko-based HMI Hotel Group signed a deal to rebrand seven existing HMI properties in five cities across Japan to Marriott Hotels and Courtyard by Marriott. Hotels will be converted in Hamamatsu, Kyoto, Kobe, Okinawa Island and Kitakyushu City.

Hilton adds in Guadalajara. Hilton has signed Canopy by Hilton Guadalajara in Mexico, a 170-key, new-build hotel scheduled to open in 2028. Hilton currently has a portfolio of 90 hotels in Mexico, with 30 projected to be developed. Canopy by Hilton Guadalajara is owned by Trust Capital and will be managed by Hilton.

Choice to double French portfolio. Choice Hotels EMEA and Zenitude have signed a 20-year strategic agreement to see Choice Hotels double its French portfolio by adding over 30 properties and more than 4,000 rooms. The properties will join the portfolio throughout 2024 and 2025 under Choice brands, including Clarion, Comfort and Ascend Hotel Collection. Zenitude will also refurbish and update the properties to implement Choice design and brand standards.

Rhode Island hotel sells. Rochester, New York-based DelMonte Hotel Group and Columbus, Ohio-based Rockbridge Capital have acquired the 219-room Courtyard Providence Downtown in Rhode Island from an undisclosed buyer for an undisclosed amount. DelMonte, which has a portfolio of hotels in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, said it plans to refresh the property in the coming years.

Hyatt introduces Destination brand to South America. Hyatt Hotels Corp. and El Pardo Hospitality said The Legend Paracas Resort in Paracas, Peru, will join the Destination by Hyatt brand, which will introduce the brand in South America. The 124-key hotel is expected to join the brand in June.

Vancouver hotel on market. The Versante, a 100-key boutique hotel near the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia in Canada, is on the market for $98 million following a court-ordered sale. The hotel opened in the summer of 2021.

Palladium expands into the Middle East. Madrid-based Palladium Hotel Group is expanding into the Middle East with a partnership with Al Marjan and luxury developer Almal Real Estate Development. The $100 million project will consist of 442 hotel rooms and residential units will be located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. In the summer of 2025, the 181-key The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel and 234-key Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel will open. Following that, by 2026 the brand will open The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel and The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Residences.

Hagag adding hotel in Israel. The Hagag Group’s proposal to build a 365-key hotel on Herzliya’s marina in Israel has been approved. The hotel will have two towers, a conference center but no holiday apartments. 

Marriott growth in Turkey. Marriott International plans to expand its footprint in Turkey to more than 20 properties and nearly 3,000 rooms by the end of 2025. Currently, Marriott has 50 properties and more than 8,000 rooms across seven cities and 20 brands in the country.

RBH adds in the UK. Brentford, UK-based RBH Hospitality Management has been appointed by Ducales Capital to operate its upcoming new hotel, The Foundry, in Belfast. The 20-key boutique hotel is scheduled to open this summer. This will be RHB’s third new hotel opening of the year, bringing its portfolio to 50 hotels across the UK. 

Prince Resorts Hawaii update. Prince Resorts Hawaii, owned by Toyko-based Seibu Group, said it is pursuing an asset-light strategy and wants to expand its hotel management business on the islands. Prince Resorts Hawaii owns and operates three hotels on the islands: the 563-key Prince Waikiki, the 249-key Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and the 252-key Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection. Seibu’s asset-light strategy has led to the selling of 31 of its 76 leisure properties to Singapore-based wealth fund GIC. The company restructured its hotel holdings into two divisions, one for hotel operations and the other for assets. Seibu has said it wants to grow its hotel operations business to 250 hotels in Japan and worldwide.

Nikki Beach rebrands. Miami Beach, Florida-based Nikki Beach Global has rebranded to Nikki Beach Hospitality Group. The company has Nikki Beach openings scheduled across the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean and a worldwide portfolio of hotels, resorts, restaurants and beach clubs.