Kennedy 89 in Frankfurt, the First EDITION Hotel in Africa, and Other Hotel News This Week

December usually marks a slowdown in hotel (and travel) news, but this year is different. Even with 2026 on the horizon, we’re still learning about new hotel openings and signings.

This week brought some exciting news, such as an affordable Hyatt hotel opening in Germany, Africa’s first EDITION hotel, and a massive project coming to Japan’s Universal Studios.

To catch up on everything, read below for our roundup of the most exciting hotel news this week.

Hotel Openings

Kennedy 89, Germany

Points enthusiasts with travel plans to Frankfurt, rejoice. Hyatt just opened a high-end Unbound Collection property, and it’s incredibly affordable with points. Kennedy 89 offers 180 guest rooms and suites, and all accommodations feature private balconies and kitchens.

Amenities include 3 restaurants and bars (including a rooftop bar opening in the summer of 2026), a fitness center, and meeting and event spaces. Oh, and if you’re curious, the hotel’s name was drawn from President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Frankfurt in 1963.

• Opening date: Now open
• Typical cash price: From $277 per night
• Typical points cost: Category 4; between 12,000 and 18,000 World of Hyatt points per night (depending on dates)

Hot Tip:

Kennedy 89 is a great option to apply your Category 1-4 free night award, especially given the pricey cash rates. You can earn a certificate by staying at 5 different Hyatt brands with Brand Explorer, staying 30 qualifying nights in a calendar year, or by having a Hyatt co-branded credit card.

Kobe Marriott Hotel, Japan

Kobe Marriott Hotel is a conversion of Hotel Crown Palais Kobe. The hotel features 186 guest rooms and suites, along with 3 restaurants and bars, a fitness center, and a Club Lounge for elite members.

Kobe is a city on the Osaka Bay in central Japan, located between Kyoto and Okayama. The hotel is just 15 minutes by car from Kobe Airport (UKB), providing easy connections to Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, and more.

• Opening date: Now open
• Typical cash price: From $108 per night
• Typical points cost: From 23,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

Fairview Hotel Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya’s historic Fairview Hotel Nairobi has joined IHG’s Vignette Collection, offering 99 completely renovated guest rooms and suites. The boutique hotel is located in the city’s central business district, Upper Hill. 

Amenities include 5 restaurant and bar options, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, 9 meeting and event spaces, and even a hidden underground wine cellar.

• Opening date: Now open
• Typical cash price: From $114 per night
• Typical points cost: From 20,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

Hyatt Studios Huntsville, Alabama

Hyatt has expanded its extended-stay Hyatt Studios brand with a new outpost in Alabama. Hyatt Studios Huntsville features 120 suites. Each apartment-style suite features a full-size refrigerator, a cooktop, a microwave, a dishwasher, and cookware.

Amenities include complimentary breakfast, a 24/7 market, EV charging stations, a fitness center, self-service laundry, and an outdoor patio. The hotel is just minutes from Huntsville International Airport (HSV) and defense and aerospace employers. 

• Opening date: Now open
• Typical cash price: From $108 per night
• Typical points cost: Category 2; between 6,500 and 9,500 World of Hyatt points per night (depending on dates)

Upcoming Hotels

Canopy by Hilton Istanbul Taksim, Türkiye (December 2025)

Canopy by Hilton Istanbul Taksim is accepting reservations from December 23, 2025.

The hotel features 110 guest rooms and is located near major tourist, shopping, and dining districts. Amenities include a restaurant serving Turkish and international cuisine, a fitness center, and a wine bar. You’ll find rates here as low as 54,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Canopy by Hilton Izmir Bomonti, Türkiye (January 2026)

Canopy by Hilton Izmir Bomonti will open in early January 2026 with 191 guest rooms. Located in Izmir, a city on Türkiye’s Aegean coast, each room is inspired by the region’s textures and colors. 

Amenities include free bicycles for guests, a fitness center, a terrace, and an all-day restaurant. Rooms start at 50,000 Hilton Honors points nightly.

The Cape Town EDITION, South Africa (2026)

Marriott’s posh EDITION brand is making its debut in Africa in 2026. The 142-room Cape Town EDITION is scheduled to open within the V&A Waterfront development, which offers shopping, dining, and more amenities. 

Amenities are expected to include several restaurants, a rooftop bar, a spa, a pool, and meeting and event facilities. 

Kimpton Marrakech, Morocco (2026)

IHG is debuting its ultra-luxe Kimpton brand in Morocco with the  67-room Kimpton Marrakech. Amenities will include a lobby lounge, all-day restaurants, a spa, a fitness center, swimming pools, and a rooftop restaurant. The hotel will be located just 4 miles from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK), and a short drive from chic shopping districts, golf courses, and more.

Kimpton Marrakech is expected to open for guests in the fourth quarter of 2026.

AMARIS Grace Bay, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Turks & Caicos (2028)

Hilton is planting its flag along Turks & Caicos’ pristine Grace Bay Beach. Opening in 2028, AMARIS Grace Bay, LXR Hotels & Resorts, is expected to offer 170 guest rooms and suites.

The family-friendly resort will boast amenities including 2 restaurants, dedicated pool and beach services, a spa and fitness center, and a kids’ club and game room.

Waldorf Astoria Marbella, Spain (2029)

Hilton this week announced plans for a Waldorf Astoria in Marabella, Spain, in the country’s southern region. Slated to open in 2029, the resort will feature 120 guest rooms and suites and 120 branded residences. 

The resort will feature indoor and outdoor pools, 2 restaurants, a lobby bar, a pool bar, a spa, a fitness center, and access to a golf course. 

Hotel News

IHG Breaks Ground on 3 Hotels Near Universal Studios Japan

IHG is bringing a massive 3-hotel project to Japan, near Universal Studios, its first triple-branded hotel development in the country. The 3 hotels will be located near central Osaka and have convenient access to Kansai International Airport (KIX).

• InterContinental: This hotel will have 244 guest rooms, an all-day restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge, a Japanese-inspired thermal bathing experience, a gym, a rooftop pool, and more.
• Kimpton: The 246-room hotel will feature several dining options, a gym, an indoor swimming pool, and meetings and event spaces.
• Holiday Inn Resort: This resort will have 327 guest rooms, a restaurant, a deli and café, a kids club, a games room, an indoor swimming pool and a kids’ pool.

All told, the project will include 817 guest rooms and is expected to open in 2029.

City Express by Marriott Reaches 100 Signings in the U.S. and Canada

Marriott announced that it had signed for 100 of its budget City Express by Marriott hotels in the United States and Canada. You may recall that Marriott acquired Hoteles City Express, or City Express, a Mexico-based chain, a few years back.

The brand targets cost-conscious travelers, offering amenities like complimentary breakfast and high-speed internet.

Here’s a look at what’s in the pipeline from City Express by Marriott:

• City Express by Marriott Kissimmee (Florida): This hotel will have 197 rooms and will be located near Orlando, offering easy access to many entertainment venues.
• City Express by Marriott Dulles (Virginia): This hotel will undergo a complete renovation before joining the City Express by Marriott family. This hotel will be located near Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and will offer 90 guest rooms.
• City Express by Marriott Amarillo (Texas): This 73-room hotel is expected to appeal to roadtrippers and locals alike.
• City Express by Marriott Sandusky (Ohio): This hotel is located within a short drive to Lake Erie, and will feature 50 guest rooms.
• City Express by Marriott Carson City (Nevada): This hotel will feature 86 guest rooms and will offer access to the Nevada capital’s business and leisure destinations.

The brand plans to grow outside the U.S. and Canada, having just inked a deal for 2 properties in Osaka, Japan.

Final Thoughts

It was another busy, but exciting, week across the hotel industry. Several high-end hotels opened in Germany and Japan, while a historic Nairobi hotel joined IHG’s Vignette Collection portfolio. Plus, a handful of hotels are slated to open next year, including Africa’s first EDITION hotel and a Kimpton in Marrakech.

As always, we’ll be back here next week with more exciting hotel news.