Hyatt Joins ‘The White Lotus,’ NYC Casino Launches Table Games, and More Hotel News

This week’s hotel news spans from New York to the French Riviera, with a TV-famous Hyatt in France, a historic casino launch in Queens, a palace-style debut in India, and continued expansion across Europe and the U.S.

Here’s what you might’ve missed in the hotel industry this week.

Luxury Hyatt Lands Role in ‘The White Lotus’ Season 4

For fans of “The White Lotus,” the next season is heading to France — and this time, a Hyatt property is in the spotlight. Hôtel Martinez, Cannes, Unbound Collection by Hyatt, will serve as one of the filming locations, marking a shift from the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts properties featured in previous seasons.

For travelers, this could mean a spike in demand. Hôtel Martinez is already a Category 8 property in World of Hyatt, with award nights starting at 35,000 points, though pricing may shift with Hyatt’s upcoming award chart changes.

Cash rates vary widely, dipping below $300 in the off-season but climbing beyond $1,000 per night during peak summer months.

Resorts World New York City Debuts First-Ever Table Games

In a milestone moment for New York, Resorts World New York City is set to launch the city’s first-ever live table games on April 28, pending final regulatory approval.

The Queens property, located next to Aqueduct Racetrack, is rolling out more than 240 table games, including blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette, alongside over 2,500 slot machines. That makes it the first commercial casino with table games in New York City’s 400-year history.

For travelers, this signals a shift toward a more integrated entertainment offering in New York — something long established in destinations like Las Vegas and Atlantic City but largely absent in the Big Apple until now.

Sports Illustrated Resorts Expands to Baton Rouge

The Sports Illustrated Resorts portfolio — yes, from the same name long associated with magazines and sports news — continues to grow, with its next location set for Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The property will be a conversion of an existing 291-room Hilton overlooking the Mississippi River, bringing the brand to a third SEC college town following announcements in Tuscaloosa and Nashville. A flagship Chicago location is still expected to open first.

Backed by Travel + Leisure Co., the concept leans into sports culture and experiential travel, and this Baton Rouge outpost comes with a bit of local star power, as Shaquille O’Neal (an LSU alum) is reportedly involved as an investor.

While timelines and pricing remain unclear, the continued expansion suggests confidence in the brand’s niche: lifestyle hotels tied closely to sports fandom and local identity.

Hotel Industry News

IHG Expands Across Europe With 11-Hotel Deal

IHG Hotels & Resorts is continuing its European push with a new portfolio of 11 hotels across Germany, Belgium, and France. The deal adds more than 1,800 rooms to IHG’s footprint, with properties set to operate under brands like Holiday Inn, voco, and Garner.

Notably, this move introduces the Garner brand — IHG’s newer midscale conversion concept — into Belgium for the first time while strengthening its presence in Germany, where Garner is approaching 50 open hotels.

Autograph Collection Makes India Debut With Noormahal Palace

Noormahal, Delhi NCR Karnal, Autograph Collection marks the debut of Autograph Collection Hotels in India, and it’s going big.

The 176-room property leans heavily into palace-style design, blending traditional Indian architecture with modern luxury touches. Rooms feature rich textiles and bespoke furnishings, while top-tier suites like Raja Niwas and Khwabgah offer private terraces and butler service. A big draw here will be the 300,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including grand lawns and ornate halls designed for large-scale weddings and celebrations.

Hilton To Double Presence in Morocco

Hilton plans to jump from 10 to 25 hotels in Morocco, spread across 10 brands. That includes the just-opened Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé.

Final Thoughts

This week’s updates cover a bit of everything: a striking Hyatt moment tied to “The White Lotus,” New York finally getting real casino table games, Autograph Collection landing in India, and IHG steadily adding more hotels across Europe.

“The White Lotus” news is the big one, and it’ll almost certainly bring more attention — and higher prices — to a coveted resort in Cannes, France.