Latest news: Kempinski US debut; Waldorf in Dubai; US hotels down

Kempinski to US. Geneva-based Kempinski Hotels has entered the U.S. market with the launch of Kempinski Residences Miami Design District. The project is being developed by Miami-based DaGrosa Capital Development Partners with 132 residences over two 20-story towers. The project will include six townhomes and 17 guest suites exclusively for sale to residents. The residences will range from two to four bedrooms, with interiors measuring approximately 2,100 to 3,100 square feet and total living areas of up to 3,700 square feet. Globally, the branded residence sector has gone from 169 developments in 2011 to 611 today, with more than 1,000 projects expected globally by 2030. The Kempinski Group operates 75 hotels and residences in 33 countries and has more than 25 prestigious projects currently under development.

Ryman refinances, expands credit facility. Nashville-based Ryman Hospitality Properties has refinanced its revolving credit facility, increasing the size from $700 million to $850 million and extended the maturity from May 2027 to January 2030. It maintained the same pricing and other terms as the REIT’s previous credit facility agreement. Led by Wells Fargo, Ryman refinanced its existing revolver, extending its maturity from 2027 to 2030, with the option to extend the maturity date for up to one additional year through either a single 12-month extension or two individual 6-month extensions. Pricing will continue to be determined by a leverage-based pricing grid ranging from 140 to 200 basis points over either term SOFR or daily simple SOFR. The revolver was undrawn at closing.

New Waldorf in Dubai. Dubai-based AveNew Development has signed an agreement with Hilton to open Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands. The 150-key Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and 120-key Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands will comprise 120 branded residences and mark a significant scaling of AveNew’s portfolio.It represents the company’s second branded residential on Dubai Island and its sixth overall development within the master-planned community.

US hotels negative. The U.S. hotel industry for January 18-24 reported negative year-over-year comparisons, according to CoStar data. Occupancy was 53.9% (-0.9% YOY); ADR was $152.64 (-1% YOY); and RevPAR was $82.24 (-1.8% YOY). Among the top 25 markets, Minneapolis reported the largest increases in occupancy (+17.1% to 55.6%) and RevPAR (+26.6% to $71.27), while Miami saw the highest ADR gain (+16.1% to $297.46), driven by the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Washington, D.C., reported the most pronounced decreases in ADR (-46.6% to $152.98) and RevPAR (-53.9% to $78.55), with difficult YOY comparisons due to last year’s Presidential Inauguration.

Westgate adds in Florida. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo has expanded its luxury glamping offerings in Central Florida. The five new luxury glamping tents, each more than 500 square feet, are set beneath shaded oak hammocks for a secluded, nature-first stay. The 1,700-acre ranch is located about an hour south of Orlando.

Curator adds in California. Bethesda, Maryland-based Curator Hotel & Resort Collection has added the Inns of Monterey, expanding its California footprint with five coastal boutique hotels. The Monterrey hotels include the Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, Monterey Bay Inn, Spindrift Inn, Victorian Inn and Wave Street Inn.

Hilton adds in KSA. Hilton announced the opening of two new properties in Makkah, nearly doubling its presence in the holy city. The openings include DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah and Wirgan Al Noor, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking both the brand’s debut in Makkah and the largest Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel worldwide. Both properties are owned by Wirgan Hospitality.

Accor launches ChatGPT app. Accor’s loyalty program, ALL Accor, has launched an app in ChatGPT designed to enrich the experience of its customer base. Accor becomes one of the first hotel groups to launch such an offering in an era where AI is redefining travel search. The app in ChatGPT is now available in more than 20 languages and in the countries where ChatGPT apps are supported.