Latest news: $28M loan in N. Carolina; Louisiana portfolio sale; Park Hyatt adds Mexico

$28M construction loan in North Carolina. Miami-based Morlin Group has secured $28 million of construction financing from the EB-5 visa program for the development of a 116-key Homewood Suites by Hilton in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina, according to the Commercial Observer. Peachtree Group originated the three-year, floating-rate loan for the planned hotel near the Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain Ski Resorts in North Carolina.

Park-Equities sells in Louisiana. Miami-based Park-Equities sold a three-hotel portfolio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to an undisclosed buyer for an undisclosed amount. The properties were acquired for repositioning as extended-stay housing. Renovations will begin immediately on all three properties.

First Park Hyatt in Mexico. Hyatt Hotels Corp. has announced the opening of the 163-key Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol in partnership with RLH Properties. The first Park Hyatt-branded hotel in Mexico leads the way for further expansion of the Park Hyatt brand there, with Park Hyatt Mexico City and Park Hyatt Cancun expected to open in 2026.

Brookfield add in Crete. Brookfield Asset Management is forming a strategic partnership with Domes Resorts, owned by Giorgos Spanos, to acquire the 105-key Domes Zeen Chania seaside resort in Hania, a Marriott Luxury Collection property in Crete. Majority investor Brookfield and Domes will expand the resort with a €40 million investment. Domes also recently acquired the 188-room Lindian Village in Rhodes – Curio Collection by Hilton from British investment fund Zetland Capital Partners.

New owners for El Fenn. The landmark Marrakech hotel, El Fenn, is under new Moroccan ownership of the Benabbés-Taarji family, whose links to Marrakech go back five generations. El Fenn now joins Akan, the Benabbés-Taarji family’s collection of boutique hotels, which includes La Villa des Orangers, a Relais & Châteaux member by the gates of the medina, and Les Deux Tours in the Palmeraie. Last month, co-owners Vanessa Branson, Howell James, Madeline Weinrib and Graham Head transferred the property to the Benabbés-Taarji family.

Kokomo acquires in Germany. Swiss-based investor Kokomo Capital has acquired the Seehotel Waltershof in Rottach-Egern, Germany on the shores of Lake Tegernsee. The property will be repositioned and operated under Kokomo’s lifestyle hotel brand, Anagram, which debuted in Munich with further openings scheduled in Rome and Berlin. The property will be comprehensively repositioned, including a vertical extension that will add 21 keys and bring the hotel to a total of 57 rooms and suites. The repositioned hotel is scheduled to open in 2027 and will feature an indoor pool, saunas, a spa and fitness area, as well as a bar and a terrace overlooking Lake Tegernsee.

OTH adds in Pittsburgh. Williamsburg, Virginia-based OTH Hotels Resorts has added the 179-key Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh South in Pennsylvania to its management portfolio. OTH has 20 hotels and 38 restaurants.

Hilton adds in Turks & Caicos. Hilton has partnered with SEFAMM (TCI) Ltd. to develop the Amaris Grace Bay for its LXR Hotels & Resorts portfolio. The 170-key Amaris Grace Bay is a resort and branded residential development set to debut in 2028 on the Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos.

IHG adds Kimpton in Morocco. IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Marrakech, Morocco-based Sirayane Hospitality to develop the 67-key Kimpton Marrakech, which is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026. The signing marks the introduction of the Kimpton brand in Morocco.

New project in Laos. Qiancheng Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd. is developing what is projected to be the tallest hotel-condominium project in Laos. The 46-story, mixed-use development is expected to be completed in 2028. The development is being carried out in two phases. The first is a 12-story auxiliary building, which is nearly complete, and the second is the main 46-story tower, which would be the tallest building in Laos once finished.

Marriott adds in Cyprus. Marriott International has signed an agreement with MHV Group to bring The Luxury Collection residences to Cyprus with The Residences at Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa.

First Ramada in India. Kerala, India-based AGA Hotels and Apartments Pvt. Ltd. is partnering with Wyndham Hotels & Suites to sign the 69-key Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Kochi Infopark, marking the debut of the Ramada brand in India. The hotel is scheduled to open in mid-2026.