Marriott’s Luxury Safaris, Hilton’s Virgin Islands Debut, and Other Hotel News You Might’ve Missed This Week

It was an interesting week in hotel news, with several brands making their debuts in exciting locations. Hilton finally arrived in the Virgin Islands, Minor Hotels arrived in Peru, and The Ritz-Carlton arrived in Kenya with some controversy.

Let’s take a look at this week’s hotel news you might have missed.

Hotel Openings

The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp

Marriott’s luxury Ritz-Carlton brand has opened its doors at The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp in Kenya. Set in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, it has just 20 tented suites.

Each suite has a separate living area, an infinity plunge pool, and both indoor and outdoor showers. The property also has a pool, wellness center, gym, and a photography studio. Elevated dining options include The Nest, with a private wine cellar and stargazing dinner experiences, and The Canopy, an open-air bar.

Reservations are all-inclusive, including not just meals and drinks but also game drives.

• Opening date: Now open
• Typical cash price: From $2,600 for solo guests and $4,400 for 2 people
• Typical points cost: From 271,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas

Hilton has arrived in the U.S. Virgin Islands with the opening of the Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas. This 126-key property is located across from the Havensight Mall, and it overlooks Long Bay.

The property stays true to its Caribbean setting with a 3,800-square-foot patio, a 2,000-square-foot pool deck, a fitness center, 850 square feet of event space, and a full-service bar and lounge, called The Helm, overlooking the harbor.

• Opening date: Now open
• Typical cash price: From $206 per night, but as much as $600 in peak season
• Typical points cost: From 70,000 to 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night

Nhow Lima, a Member of Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels has over 560 properties worldwide, but it lacked a property in Peru until now. The Nhow Lima is now open, boasting 243 rooms across 13 guest floors. The hotel focuses on art, design, and technology elements, and it’s located in Lima’s Miraflores neighborhood.

The property also boasts a restaurant serving Latin American cuisine and a bar called Pagano on the top floor. The 13th floor also houses the property’s pool and poolside bar, and Nhow Lima has 11 multi-functional event spaces.

• Opening date: Now open
• Typical cash price: From $195 per night
• Typical points cost: N/A

Upcoming Hotels

Canopy by Hilton Makati in Manila, Philippines (2026)

Hilton signed a deal to open the Canopy by Hilton Makati in Manila, near the One Ayala development. The property will feature 400 rooms and suites across 24 floors, and plans include a restaurant, a rooftop bar with city views, and a hidden speakeasy. There will also be event spaces, a pool, and a fitness center with group classes.

voco Phuket Bangtao in Phuket, Thailand (2029)

IHG has announced the expansion of its voco brand to Phuket, Thailand. The 175-key voco Phuket Bangtao is slated to open in Phuket’s Bangtao area, and will be Thailand’s third voco property.

Bangtao is a lifestyle destination with beaches, nightlife, and dining, and it’s located 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport (HKT).

Hotel News

Hyatt Bringing Unbound Collection to Thailand

An announcement from Hyatt Hotels this week will see the Unbound Collection make its brand debut in Thailand with not 1 but 2 properties for World of Hyatt enthusiasts to enjoy:

• The Barai Hua Hin: Planned for a late 2026 opening, this property will be located next to the beachfront Hyatt Regency Hua Hin property, and the Barai location will “offer a holistic wellness journey.” There will be a spa with 18 treatment rooms and 8 residential spa suites, while the hotel itself will offer 90 rooms and suites. There will also be a pool, gardens, and 2 restaurants.
• Narai Hotel: This property is set to reopen in Hyatt’s Unbound Collection portfolio in 2028, located on the grounds of the original Narai Hotel in Silom, Bangkok. This property will honor the original hotel’s legacy from 1968, and it will include 250 rooms after it opens in the Hatai mixed development project. There will be an all-day dining option, a rooftop restaurant, a lounge, pool, event facilities, and a lounge.

Marriott Inks Deal for 6 More Properties in India

Marriott announced an agreement with The Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited to open 6 new hotels in India, totaling 940 rooms. The hotels will represent 5 Marriott brands and arrive in 4 markets. Included hotels are:

• Courtyard by Marriott Chennai World Trade Center: Marriott’s Courtyard brand will have 45 rooms at this location, set to welcome guests in 2027. There will be 2 dining outlets and a fitness center.
• Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru International Airport: This 224-key location will open in 2028. Each room should be “impactful and unique,” according to the announcement, and there will be 2 restaurants, an outdoor pool, a spa, and a fitness center.
• Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Brigade Valencia: Also planned for 2028, this 151-room property will feature multifunctional spaces and rooms designed for work and travel. Plans also include a fitness center, a spa, and a pool.
• The Ritz-Carlton Vaikom Island, Kerala: Arriving in 2029, this all-villa property in southern India will have 70 rooms, each with a private pool. There will also be a spa and fitness center, and the resort will be accessible by a 2-hour drive from Kochi Airport or a 50-minute speedboat journey from Kochi.
• JW Marriott Chennai OMR: Set to open in 2030, this property will have 250 rooms and suites, multiple wellness spaces, a spa, a pool, and a fitness center. Plans also include 5 separate dining outlets and more than 15,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces.
• Thiruvananthapuram Marriott Hotel World Trade Center: Marriott’s flagship brand is scheduled to open in 2030 with 200 rooms and 5 dining outlets in a mixed-development project in Kerala state. There will also be a fitness center, spa, and 12,000 square feet of event spaces.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up another exciting week of hotel news. Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG are all making plans for growth in Asia, and we saw 3 hotel brands debut in new locations.

We’ll be back next week with more exciting news from the hotel world.